IPX Ratings in a Nutshell
IPX is an international standard that tells you how well a device handles water. It says nothing about dust resistance – that's a whole different chapter, but we'll save that for another day.
The number after IPX tells you the protection level. The bigger the number, the more water the device can take. It's really not more complicated than that.
What Does Each Number Actually Mean in Practice?
- IPX0 – No water protection whatsoever. Like Henri in the rain without an umbrella – everything goes wrong.
- IPX1-3 – Handles dripping and light sprays. Practically a useless rating for headphones, and you'll rarely see it.
- IPX4 – Handles splashes from all directions. This is the rating that's enough for jogging, the gym, and normal sweaty use. Most headphones fall into this category.
- IPX5 – Handles water jets. Not just splashes, but a direct stream of water at low pressure.
- IPX6 – Handles powerful water jets. Our Nordell Micro speaker sits in this class. You can rinse it off with a garden hose and it'll keep playing.
- IPX7 – Handles submersion in water (1 metre, 30 minutes). Our Nordell MK3 speaker is IPX7-rated. Drops into a lake? No worries. The fish might get a fright, but the speaker will be fine.
- IPX8 – Handles continuous submersion at greater depths. None of our products have this rating, and they don't need to – we're not a diving equipment manufacturer. Yet.
Most Common Misconceptions
"An IPX7 speaker can handle the shower." Technically yes, but in practice shower water pressure can be surprisingly strong, and hot water plus soap wear on seals very differently than cold lake water. Water resistance ratings are tested with fresh water, at room temperature, without shampoo. Life isn't a laboratory.
"IPX4 headphones can handle rain." A light drizzle, sure. A horizontal autumn downpour in Oulu, maybe not. IPX4 means splash resistance, not that the device was designed to be used under a waterfall.
"A higher number includes all the lower ones." Not always. IPX7 (submersion) doesn't automatically mean the device can handle IPX6's powerful water jets. Sounds mental, but that's how the standard works. That's why you'll sometimes see a rating like IPX6/IPX7 – it means both have been tested separately.
Valco Products and Water Resistance
Our over-ear headphones (VMK series) are not water resistant. They're leather, plastic, and electronics – keep them dry. They work great at the gym, but don't go running in the rain with them.
Our in-ear headphones (NL25, NL21) can handle sweat and splashes during normal sports use.
For speakers, the Nordell MK3 is IPX7-rated and the Nordell Micro is IPX6. Both can survive a summer booze-up by the lake – including that stage of the evening when someone chucks the speaker in the water "just to test it".
If your device gets wetter than its rating allows, let it dry properly before charging. Sticking it in a bowl of rice is an urban legend, but room temperature and open air work just fine.
Every speaker rescued from the drink gets us one step closer to the Death Star. Take care of your gear.