What are Waterproof Sex Toys?
Waterproof Sex Toys: Sex toys built with a sealed body so they can get wet or submerged without damaging the electronics inside, unlike splash proof or non waterproof toys.
Also known as: Submersible sex toys, Waterproof vibrators.
A waterproof sex toy is one made so water cannot get inside and reach the motor or battery. That means you can use it in the shower, in the bath, or rinse it completely under the tap without worrying about it stopping working. For a lot of people this is less about novelty and more about practicality. Cleanup is easier, shower sex or bath play is on the table, and you do not have to keep a toy dry with a towel while you use it.
Not every toy that says waterproof means the same thing though. Some are fully submersible, some can only handle a splash or light rinse, and the difference actually matters for how you use and clean them. If you are shopping for your first vibrator and want the flexibility to use it in water, it helps to know what to look for on the label and what the manufacturer actually promises. Go at your own pace here, this is one of those specs that is easy to get right once you know what to check.
What Makes a Sex Toy Waterproof
A toy earns the waterproof label when its whole body is sealed so no moisture can reach the internal parts. That usually means the seams are bonded shut, the charging port has a tight cover or uses magnetic charging pins instead of an open port, and the outer material, often silicone or hard plastic, forms a complete barrier. The button controls are sealed too, so pressing them underwater will not let water seep in.
Manufacturers test this sealing and rate it before the toy goes to market. That rating is specific to that toy, not a general promise about the brand or the material. Two silicone vibrators from the same company can have different waterproof ratings depending on their design, so it is worth checking each product page rather than assuming.
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How to Read a Waterproof Rating Label
Many brands use an IP rating, written as IPX plus a number, like IPX7. The X means dust resistance was not tested, which is normal for sex toys since dust is not really the concern. The number after it tells you how much water exposure the toy is built to handle, with higher numbers generally meaning it can be submerged rather than just splashed.
Other brands skip the formal IP code and just write waterproof, splash proof, or shower safe in plain language on the packaging or product page. Splash proof is not the same as waterproof. A splash proof toy can handle being rinsed off or getting caught in shower spray, but it is not designed to go fully underwater. If the listing does not say clearly, treat the toy as not fully submersible and stick to a quick rinse instead of a bath soak.
Always defer to what the manufacturer states for that specific toy. It is tempting to assume a silicone toy is automatically safe in water, but the electronics inside are what actually determine the rating, not the outer material alone.
Is It Safe to Use a Waterproof Toy in the Shower, Bath, or Pool
A toy rated as fully waterproof is generally fine in the shower and for a soak in bath water, as long as you follow the depth and time guidance the manufacturer gives if they provide one. Warm bath water and steam are usually not a problem for a properly sealed toy, but check that the charging port cover is fully closed before you get it wet.
Pools and hot tubs are a different story. Chlorine, salt, and hot tub chemicals can be harsher on silicone and seals than plain water, and manufacturers do not always test for that kind of exposure. Heat from a hot tub can also affect materials over time. Unless the brand specifically says their toy is rated for pool or hot tub use, it is safer to keep those toys out of chemically treated water.
Never charge a toy while it is wet or while it is plugged in near water. This is not about the water shocking you, it is about moisture getting into the charging contacts and damaging the toy's internal components over time. Dry the toy fully before you plug it in, every time.
How to Clean a Waterproof Sex Toy
This is honestly where waterproof toys shine. You can rinse them under running water with a mild, unscented soap or a dedicated toy cleaner and get into every groove without worrying about water getting where it should not. Non porous materials like body safe silicone, glass, and stainless steel clean up the most thoroughly, since nothing soaks into the surface.
If you used lube, water based lube rinses away easily with warm water and is compatible with nearly every toy material, which makes it the safer default choice. Silicone based lube can break down the surface of many silicone toys over time, so check the toy manufacturer's guidance before pairing the two. After washing, let the toy air dry completely, or pat it dry with a clean towel, before you put it away or plug it in to charge.
How to Charge and Store Waterproof Toys Safely
Even a fully submersible toy needs to be bone dry before charging. Check the port cover is snapped shut if it has one, or that the magnetic charging contacts are wiped dry if it uses those instead. Charging a damp toy risks corrosion inside the port over time, even if it does not fail right away.
For storage, a fabric pouch or a dedicated toy drawer works well. If you store more than one silicone toy together, keep them separated with a cloth or in their own pouches. This is a general silicone care habit some sex educators recommend, since silicone touching silicone for long stretches may affect the surfaces over time, though it has nothing to do with the toy being waterproof.
What to Look for When Buying a Waterproof Vibrator
Start with the material. Body safe silicone, ABS plastic, and glass are common choices for waterproof vibrators and are easy to clean thoroughly. Check whether the toy uses a sealed port with a physical cover or magnetic charging, since magnetic charging tends to be simpler to keep water out of.
Read the actual rating stated on the product page rather than going by the word waterproof alone, since that word gets used loosely sometimes. If you are shopping our vibrators collection and want shower or bath use specifically, look for language confirming full submersion, not just splash resistance. And if anal play is part of your plans, remember the waterproof rating has nothing to do with anal safety, always choose a toy with a flared base or handle designed for that use.
Waterproof vs Water Resistant Sex Toys: Quick Comparison
| Waterproof | Water Resistant / Splash Proof | |
|---|---|---|
| What it handles | Full submersion in water, per the manufacturer's stated depth and time | Splashes, light spray, or a quick rinse only |
| Shower use | Generally fine if fully rated | Often fine, since shower spray is light contact |
| Bath use | Usually fine within stated guidance | Not recommended, submersion risks water reaching internals |
| Cleaning method | Can be rinsed under running water and fully submerged to clean | Wipe down or light rinse, avoid dunking |
| Look for on the label | Waterproof, submersible, or a higher IPX number | Splash proof, water resistant, or no IP rating listed |
Types of Waterproof Sex Toys
Waterproof toys come in a few common forms, each suited to slightly different kinds of water play.
- Fully Submersible Vibrators: Sealed all the way through so they can go completely underwater for bath or pool adjacent use, within the manufacturer's stated limits.
- Splash Proof Toys: Handle shower spray or a quick rinse but are not built to be fully submerged.
- Waterproof Wand Massagers: Larger massage style vibrators with a sealed head, popular for shower use though the cord or base on corded models may not be waterproof.
- Waterproof Bullet and Egg Vibrators: Small, discreet, sealed vibrators that are easy to rinse clean and often used for external play in the shower.
- Waterproof Suction Toys: Clitoral suction toys with a sealed housing so the air chamber and controls stay protected from water during cleaning or bath use.
Curious to try? Browse our beginner friendly vibrators and take your time choosing. Every HotCherry order ships discreetly.
Key Things to Know
- Waterproof ratings are set by each manufacturer for that specific toy, so check the product page instead of assuming based on material alone.
- Fully sealed toys let you clean every surface thoroughly under running water, which makes hygiene between uses simpler.
- Never charge a toy while it is wet, since moisture in the charging port can damage the electronics even on a rated toy.
- Water based lube is compatible with nearly all toy materials and rinses away easily, while silicone lube can degrade many silicone toys over time.
- A waterproof rating does not replace anal safety basics, so any toy used anally still needs a flared base or handle no matter how it is rated for water.
FAQ
Can I use a waterproof vibrator in the bath?
If the toy is rated as fully waterproof, a bath is usually fine, but check the manufacturer's guidance on depth and time since ratings vary between products. Splash proof toys are not meant for full submersion, so a soak in bath water is not a good fit for those. When in doubt, keep the toy near the surface rather than fully underwater for long periods.
What does IPX7 mean on a sex toy?
IPX7 is part of an international rating system for water and dust resistance. The X means dust resistance was not tested, which is normal for sex toys, and the 7 indicates the toy is built to handle being submerged in water under the conditions the manufacturer tested for. It does not tell you about chemical exposure from pool or hot tub water, so treat those separately.
Is it okay to leave a waterproof toy fully submerged for a long time?
Even fully rated toys are usually tested for specific depths and durations, not indefinite submersion. It is safer to use the toy in water for your play session and then take it out, rather than leaving it soaking for hours. If the listing gives a specific time or depth limit, follow that rather than guessing.
Can water damage a toy that is not waterproof?
Yes, getting a non waterproof toy wet can let moisture reach the motor or battery and damage it permanently. This is a risk to the toy itself, not an electrical danger to you, but it can mean the toy stops working. Stick to a damp cloth for cleaning non waterproof toys and keep them away from the shower or bath.
How do I know if my toy is waterproof or just splash proof?
Check the product packaging or the listing on the retailer's site, since most brands state this clearly using words like waterproof, splash proof, or an IPX rating number. If nothing is stated, it is safest to assume the toy can only handle a light wipe or rinse rather than full submersion. When you are unsure, a quick message to the manufacturer's support team can confirm it.
Can I use waterproof toys in a hot tub or pool?
Only if the manufacturer specifically says the toy is rated for that kind of water, since pool chemicals, salt, and hot tub heat can be harder on materials and seals than plain water. Many waterproof toys are only tested for bath or shower conditions. If the listing does not mention pools or hot tubs, it is better to save that toy for plain water use.
Related Terms
Sources
- Planned Parenthood: “it's very important that any toy you put in your butt has a flared base”
- WebMD: “water-based lubricants work well with most dildos, but silicone-based lubricants can actually break down sex toys made out of silicone”
- WebMD: “Choose a dildo made with non-porous materials such as body-safe silicone, glass, or metal”
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