Time was we had specific power sockets in the bathroom just for shaving, and all other electronics where explicitly banned! Nowadays, tech has come a long way and shower-safe bits of kit are readily available.
But how safe is it to use electronic devices in or around your shower? Make sure you run these quick checks to keep yourself safe, and put any worries to rest.
Check 1 - IP Rating
This is perhaps the most important thing you can check. If you don't look at anything else, look at the IP rating of any electronics you are going to use in the shower or near any water.
An IP rating or "Ingress Protection" rating measures how resistant a device is to physical and liquid "ingress". Ingress simply means something getting inside a device. A device with a higher IP rating will be more resistant!
How to Read IP Rating
Do note than an IP rating of IP67 isn't "sixty-seven". In fact, that's an IP rating of "Six, Seven". This matters because the first number represents physical ingress, while the second number represents liquid ingress.
Reading IP67 as "Sixty-Seven" could lead to misunderstanding how resistant an item is. If you see a rating of IP38 for example, and read it as "Thirty-Eight" then you might think IP67 is higher, but actually an IP67 rating is less water resistant than an IP38 one because only the second number pertains to water resistance.
If you see a rating with an "x", it simply means it is not rated for resistance. For example, an IPx4 device has no physical ingress protection, and 4 liquid ingress protection rating.
What IP Rating is Shower-Safe?
When looking into Bluetooth shower speakers and phones, you'll want at least an IPx6 rating. The physical ingress protection isn't very important, as that's more for dirt and dust while travelling, camping and hiking.
The liquid ingress is very important, and a minimum of a 6 ensures the device is protected from "jets" of water. This accounts for any splashes or moments the speaker is directly in the stream.
Check 2 - Remember that IP Rating isn't Everything!
As important as IP rating is, it's a tool that you must understand correctly. Just because a device has IPx6+ doesn't mean it is immune to all damage or use!
IPx6 Ratings do not account for full submersion, so do not use them in the bath or constantly under the shower stream.
IP ratings also don't account for chemical content, only water ingress. If you have chlorinated water (a swimming pool) or salt water (the ocean) as well as any other chemicals (Soapy water, shower gels, etc) then the IP rating will be void, as the chemicals in the water can cause damage even if the water is resisted.
Check 3 - Conditional Waterproofing
Some devices advertise they are waterproof, but actually certain conditions need to be met. For example, the LEC600 camping light needs the silicone port protectors inserted to be water resistant.
Devices like MS550 must be charged and unplugged to be used in wet environments like the shower, you should not charge the speaker in the bathroom or use while plugged in! The cables and charging process aren't covered by the device's waterproof rating.
Never have devices connected by charging adapters and long cables in a bathroom or near a shower, always unplug these devices and when not in use, and if they're rechargeable then charge them elsewhere.
Check 4 - Operational Temperature
Another vital metric for electronic is operational temperature. For example, the Audar E2 device can measure vital signs and detect falls, which is why the waterproof rating is so important. Being able to detect falls in the shower is incredibly helpful for concerned family who want their loved ones to remain independent.
But, it's vital to note that while the device is waterproof, it has a listed operational temperature on the manufacturer's site as -10 to 45 degrees Celsius. This means that people who have their showers on the hotter side might find they have to lower the temperature a few degrees.
Personally, 40 degree showers are amazing but some people stay as low as 24! I won't tell you what's best for your body, but your tech is more objective - don't let tech get above 45 degrees whenever possible!
Check 5 - Maintenance Between Showers
Once you start showering with your favourite playlists, podcasts and audiobooks it'll be difficult to go back!
You'll want to make sure you check the speaker after each shower, especially if you plan to clean the bathroom before your next shower.
Again, chemicals from cleaning the bathroom walls, floor and shower units can all damage the sealing components of a speaker and cause long-term issues with attaching the unit.
Allow the speaker to dry completely, away from the humid shower cubicle or bathroom entirely if possible. The general rule for electronics, even ones that are water resistant, is to lower exposure as much as possible.
Not only that, but check basics such as button functionality, charging speed, and battery capacity. If the unit starts to not react to button presses, take ages to charge or only lasts an hour instead of the intended amount these can all be signs of damage from poor maintenance or strenuous use.
If a unit becomes too deteriorated, a manufacturer might advise you stop using it.
Enjoy Using Your Speaker in Safety!
None of these checks take long or are hard to do, so make sure you take the time to do them. You only need to check the IP rating once, and then just keep up with the good habits of drying the speaker off, testing the buttons and battery, and obeying any temperature limits or conditional rules.
You can grab a mini speaker and microphone combo for use at home, in the shower or outside hiking through the rain:
Leave a comment