Water and Dust Resistance
Understanding IP Ratings and Water Resistance
When you see an “IP” rating on a gadget — like a phone, headphones or watch — it tells you how well the device can withstand dust and water.
Water resistance is more about protection against accidents — like spills or rain — not intentional underwater use.
What “IP” Means
IP stands for Ingress Protection. It’s a standard way of showing how well a device resists solids (like dust) and water. An IP rating usually has two parts:
- First number: how well the device resists solids and dust — up to a maximum of 6 (dust-tight).
- Second number: how well it resists water — up to 9.
- If you see an X instead of a number, that part hasn’t been tested.
For example:
- IP68: dust-tight and water-resistant to a high level.
- IPX7: water-resistant (can be submerged briefly) but not tested for dust.
Water Resistance Isn’t the Same as Waterproof
Even the highest IP number for water (like an “8”) doesn’t mean a device is totally waterproof. It just means it has been tested under specific lab conditions — usually in still, clean water. That doesn’t always reflect real use, like swimming pools, oceans, showers, or choppy water.
So don’t assume:
- your phone will work perfectly if you take it swimming
- water won’t get in if it gets dropped or worn over time
Water resistance is more about protection against accidents — like spills or rain — not intentional underwater use.
What does MIL-STD-810H mean for drop or Drop Ratings in general?
MIL-STD-810H is a U.S. military testing standard used to evaluate how equipment performs under environmental stress — including drops, shocks, vibration, temperature changes, humidity, and more.
When a product says it has been tested to MIL-STD-810H for drop, it generally means the device underwent controlled drop testing designed to assess durability after accidental impacts.
For drop performance, testing commonly involves:
- Repeated drops from specified heights
- Multiple impact angles and surfaces
- Functional checks before and after testing
- Evaluation for continued operation after impact
It’s important to note that MIL-STD-810H is not a certification and there is no single universal “MIL-STD-810H drop test.” Manufacturers choose which test methods and conditions to apply, so results can vary between products.
Often our Rugged phones are to 1.2m - keep in mind this is a controlled laboratory environment
In practical terms, a MIL-STD-810H or any drop claim suggests the product was designed and tested for greater resilience than standard everyday use — but it does not guarantee protection from every fall or real-world accident.
They are not unbreakable for sure