Waterproof vs Water-Resistant Electronics: What’s the Actual Difference

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By ITH

Waterproof vs water resistant electronics

Electronic items like TV, Mobile phones, Laptops, Cameras, headphones, Bluetooth speakers, memory cards, hard discs, and many more nowadays are coming with a lot of useful features. 


Waterproof or water-resistant is one of that secure feature which protects our electronics from damage. 

These electronic gadgets are designed in such a way that a particular amount of water does not cause any damage.

You may have heard of many popular brands launching various electronic gadgets with waterproof or water-resistant features for more publicity, but most of the time we don’t have an exact idea of ​​what is waterproof and water-resistant?

Also read: OnePlus Nord: 6 reasons not to buy| must read before buying.


Before going on the main point you should know

What is the IP rating in electronic:

IP stands for “Ingress Protection Rating”. This IP rating provides the standard ratings, which clarify the protection provided against solid or liquid objects to electronic products. If there is IP54
rating to a product it clarifies 5 levels of protection from dust and 4 levels of protection from water.
For both solid and liquid protection max rating is 8 which means the IP8 product is fully waterproof and dustproof under certain conditions.

Here we are discussing water-related protection so we second number in IP rating we will consider here. 

What is Water Resistant electronic? 

Water-resistant electronics can handle splashes of water, raindrops, sweat, short time drop in water, snow in a certain amount. 

In some cases, if you accidentally drop your gadget in water it’s fine for water-resistant electronics they can handle a small amount of water without any damage, just you need to take some care. 

Water-resistant gadgets are designed and manufactured in such a way that water can’t enter.

IP rating with 2-5 is water Resistant electronics. 

What is Waterproof electronic?

Waterproof electronics can handle a lot of water, heavy rain, drop in water, water stream easily.

If you accidentally drop your gadget in water for a long time, it will survive most of the time. 

These gadgets are designed and manufactured in such a way that entry of water in the electronic body is restricted fully.

IP rating with 6-8 is considered WaterProof electronics. 

The actual difference between Waterproof and Water resistant electronics:

water-resistant electronics are designed in such a way that they oppose the water to enter into the body but lacks extra protection which can cause a lot of damage if it is exposed to large quantities of water. 

Whereas Waterproof devices are built with a body that fully resists water to enter into the gadget body and however if water gets in the body of that gadget it results in little damage.

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