Your phone, earbuds, and other devices come with a code to tell you how waterproof they are -- but what do they actually mean?

IP ratings are important in manufacturing, but for everyday consumers, ... Here are two charts to break down the specs:First Digit – Dust protection (IPXX) 1. No special protection. 2.

The first digit in an IP rating reveals how well a device can keep out solid particles, such as dust. To give you a clear picture, here’s a handy guide: 0: No protection.

Going by the charts above, the IP69 is in theory the best rating possible, but we tend to see IP67 as the current best standard you can get in audio products like speakers and headphones. This rating ...

However, IP ratings are not all-encompassing, and phones need not pass every lower test to snag a higher rating. For example, ... There’s a separate chart for water ratings.

An IP rating does not tell you everything about the water resistance of a smartphone. For example, an IP68-rated smartphone may not be able to withstand water pressure from a hose or waterfall.

IP particle ratings are cumulative, so that an IP6X enclosure protects against everything from dust to screwdrivers to human hands. On the liquid side, things are a little different.