IP Ratings. What does waterproof actually mean?

If you’ve ever shopped for a waterproof phone case or a truly waterproof bag, you’ve probably seen a label like IPX7 or IP68 accompanying the blurb of a particular product. 

But what do these ratings actually mean? Do they guarantee that they’ll keep an item dry, or are they just marketing? Will your device actually survive the real-world conditions you use it in? 

Since 1983, we’ve been keeping your gear protected from water, so we’re well placed to explain how all this works.

This guide explains IP rating in plain language, and by the end, you’ll know exactly how to read an IP rating, what “waterproof” means in practice, and how all this should point you in the direction of a case or bag that meets your requirements.

The IP Scale

Some brands have tried to invent their own definitions of waterproofing. But actually, an international standard already exists – the IP Scale (or Ingress Protection), so at Aquapac we use that. 

Technically, this international standard is called IEC 60529 – Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures, and it was developed by a technical committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission. 

In the USA, it has been adopted by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) as an American National Standard. 

The whole thing is dozens of pages long. But here’s a quick summary. The code uses two digits:

• The first digit describes protection against dust and solid particles.

• The second digit describes protection against water.

If a product is only tested for water, manufacturers often replace the first digit with an X. For example, if a product has an IPX7 rating, it means the product is tested for water resistance but not for dust. 

Got it? Here’s a list of IP (or IPX) ratings you’ll see across our website. 

How IP Ratings Translate to Everyday Use

Here’s how IP ratings line up with real-world scenarios.

Heading out in light rain, or looking for something that’ll protect against accidental sprinkling - IPX4 will be just fine. 

Heavy spray or situations where water hits hard, for example, for kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, boat wash-downs, and anything with forceful water contact - IPX6 is a much safer choice. 

If you’re unfortunate enough to drop something into water, an item with an IPX7 rating will usually be okay if you pull it out quickly. GPS bike computers, VHF radios and many other electronics fall into this category.

IPX8 is the only rating intended for continuous submersion; however, here’s the confusing thing - not all IPX8 ratings are the same. When a manufacturer submits an item for IPX8 testing, it chooses the depth and duration of the test. For example, the iPhone 17 has an IP68 rating at 6 metres for 30 minutes.

We can’t emphasise enough how important it is to check for exact test conditions, as some manufacturers don’t even list the testing details when assigning a product an IP rating. The Google Pixel 10, for example, is simply listed as IP68 rated. 

Waterproof testing of Aquapac products

Many of our products, including our waterproof phone cases, use our Aquaclip® sealing system. This system provides a watertight seal, and when we patented this system, it was submitted for independent IPX8 testing for 30 minutes at the equivalent of a depth of 30ft/10m. 

Some products using the Aquaclip system proved waterproof at very much greater depths. Our Keymaster case, for example, is 100% waterproof to an incredible 165ft/50m. 

During manufacture, we also run in-house tests to ensure excellent product quality. IPX8 Submersible cases (like the Impact Max Phone Case) are subjected to our pressure chamber to ensure there’s no water ingress, even under extreme conditions. 

We also subject them to a simple manual squeeze-in-a-basin test (sometimes it’s the real-life tests that really count!) to ensure all contents stay dry.

FAQs about IP Ratings

Does a device's IP rating last a lifetime? 

No. Age and wear weaken seals. Encasing a device in an extra waterproof case is a simple way to keep an item's IP rating reliable for longer. For example, a good-quality waterproof phone case - the right specification for the need, doesn’t cost the earth and will give you confidence that your expensive smartphone is fully protected.

Does an IP rating guarantee protection in saltwater? 

No, saltwater testing isn’t part of the IP standard. Saltwater is more corrosive, more conductive and more damaging than fresh water if it dries inside a device. A fair assumption would be that a device which survives after exposure to fresh water may react very differently in seawater.

Most smartphones are IP68 rated - what does this mean?

It means they’re dust-tight (6) and can handle immersion (8). But as we discovered earlier in this article, the depth and time of immersion testing vary by brand. Read the small print! 

Is there an IP rating higher than IP68?

Yes, and no. An IP69 rating does exist. During this test, items are sprayed from multiple angles at high pressure and temperature, a much more rigorous test than IP68's simple immersion test. So whilst an IP69 is a numerically higher rating, it isn’t technically a higher waterproof rating. That’s why you’ll see some products (like the OPPO Find X9 smartphone) being marketed as both IP68 and IP69-rated.

Are ATM and IP ratings the same?

No. Although ATM ratings sound similar to IP ratings, they measure different things. ATM ratings focus on water depth and pressure resistance, while IP ratings describe how well a device is sealed against water and dust entering the enclosure. 

ATM ratings are commonly used as an international standard to describe water resistance in smartwatches and fitness trackers. Each ATM rating refers to the amount of water pressure a device can withstand when it is stationary underwater.

IP ratings help you understand how well a device resists water and dust, but they do not tell the whole story. Real-world environments often exceed laboratory test conditions.

For reliable protection, especially around saltwater, we'd very much recommend that you supplement an item's built-in resistance with a high-quality waterproof case.