What is IPX Rating?

IPX Rating: An IPX rating is a standardized code that tells you how well a sex toy resists water, dust, and moisture, so you know if it can be rinsed, submerged, or only lightly wiped down.

Also known as: IP rating, waterproof rating, ingress protection rating.

If you have ever looked at a vibrator's packaging and seen letters like IPX7 stamped near the bottom, that is the IPX rating. It is a real engineering standard, not marketing fluff, and it tells you exactly how much water exposure the toy was designed to handle. Knowing how to read it saves you from accidentally frying a toy's motor, or from being overly cautious with a toy that can actually handle a shower just fine.

You do not need an engineering background to use this information. Once you know what the numbers mean, checking a toy's IPX rating before you buy or before you clean it becomes second nature. It is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment and keep your toy body safe to use for a long time.

What Does an IPX Rating Actually Mean

IP stands for Ingress Protection, and it comes from an international standard used across electronics, not just sex toys. The first number after IP usually covers protection against solid particles like dust. When that spot is replaced with an X, it means that part was not tested or does not apply, which is why most sex toys show IPX followed by a single digit for water resistance.

The number after the X tells you the level of water protection, and it climbs in a fairly intuitive way. A low number like IPX4 means the toy can handle splashes from any direction, which is enough for a quick rinse under a running tap. A higher number like IPX7 means it is rated to be fully submerged in water up to a certain depth for a limited time, which is great for cleaning in the sink or using in the bath or shower.

Manufacturers test their products to earn these ratings, so the number on the box is not a guess. That said, always defer to the specific manufacturer's instructions for your toy rather than assuming all IPX7 toys behave identically, since depth and time limits can vary slightly between brands.

How to Check Your Vibrator's IPX Rating

Start with the box or the instruction booklet that came with your toy. Most brands print the rating directly on the packaging, often near the charging port diagram or the materials information. If you no longer have the box, check the product listing on the retailer's site or the manufacturer's own page for that model.

If you genuinely cannot find a rating anywhere, treat the toy as not waterproof. This is the safest default. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and body safe toy cleaner instead of rinsing it or dunking it, and keep it away from the shower or tub until you confirm otherwise.

Is It Safe to Get My Vibrator Wet

This depends entirely on the rating, so there is no one size fits all answer. A toy with no IPX rating or a low one like IPX4 can usually handle a splash or a wipe with a damp cloth, but should not go anywhere near a sink full of water. Getting an unrated toy fully wet risks water getting into the internal electronics, which can damage the motor or battery permanently.

Toys rated IPX7 or higher are built to be submerged, which makes cleaning dramatically easier. You can hold them under running water or let them sit in clean water for a short soak, following the specific time your manufacturer allows. Even then, never submerge a toy that has an open charging port without its charging cover securely in place.

One safety point matters more than any other. Never charge a toy while it is wet, and never use a toy while it is plugged in and charging. This is not about electrocution risk to you, since low voltage chargers are not usually dangerous in that way, but about frying the toy's internals and creating a fire or malfunction risk from the device itself. Let a toy dry completely before connecting it to a charger.

IPX Rating vs Fully Waterproof: What Is the Difference

People often use waterproof and IPX rated interchangeably, but they are not quite the same thing. Waterproof is a general marketing term that can mean almost anything depending on the brand, while an IPX rating is a specific tested number that tells you precisely what the toy can handle. A toy marketed as waterproof without any IPX number attached is one where you are relying entirely on the brand's word rather than a tested standard.

How to Clean a Toy Based on Its IPX Rating

Cleaning method should always match the rating rather than guesswork. For low rated or unrated toys, use a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a bit of mild, body safe toy cleaner, wiping gently around any seams, buttons, or control panels and avoiding the charging contacts. Dry it fully before storing it.

For toys rated IPX7 or similar, you can rinse them under warm running water with a small amount of toy cleaner, working it over the entire surface including any textured areas. Make sure any charging port cover is closed first. Dry the toy with a clean towel and let it air dry fully before putting it away or charging it, since trapped moisture under a charging cap can cause corrosion over time.

Common IPX Ratings: Quick Comparison

Types of IPX Rating

These are the IPX ratings you will most commonly see on vibrators and other sex toys.

• IPX4: Splash resistant from any direction, good for a quick wipe or light rinse but not submersion.
• IPX6: Withstands powerful water jets, offering sturdier protection than IPX4 but still short of full submersion.
• IPX7: Rated for full submersion at a shallow depth for a set time, the most common rating for fully washable toys.
• IPX8: Rated for submersion beyond IPX7 limits, often deeper or longer, always check the manufacturer's exact figures.
• Unrated or splash proof only: No formal water testing done, these toys should only ever be wiped down with a damp cloth.

Key Things to Know

• IPX ratings are tested standards, not marketing claims, so the number on the box tells you exactly how much water a toy can handle.
• Higher numbers mean more water protection, with IPX7 and IPX8 generally safe for submersion while lower numbers only cover splashes.
• Never charge a wet toy or use one while it is plugged in, since this risks damaging the toy's internal electronics rather than posing an electric shock risk.
• Always check the charging port cover is fully closed before rinsing or submerging a toy, since water entering an open port can cause permanent damage.
• When no IPX rating is listed, treat the toy as not waterproof and stick to wiping it down with a damp cloth and mild cleaner.

FAQ

Related Terms

Toy Cleaner · Rechargeable Vibrator

Sources

• Healthline: “IP stands for Ingress Protection, and you may see ratings such as "IP67" or "IPX6."”
• Healthline: “If there is an "X" in an IP rating, it means the product has not been tested in that category.”