Is a Waterproof Toy Right for You

By GETAUVE Editorial Team · Published October 11, 2026

Is a Waterproof Toy Right for You? Answering a Friend's Text

A friend messages asking whether waterproof is worth caring about. Short version: it's the one feature that decides whether you'll still be using it in six months.

This guide explains what waterproof ratings actually cover, why bath use and cleaning are different requirements, how the rating affects long-term durability, and who can safely skip it and spend less.

The Short Answer

Yes, buy waterproof if you can. Fully submersible construction means you can rinse the whole thing under a tap in about 30 seconds instead of wiping carefully around a charging port, and that difference is usually what keeps a toy in rotation. You can skip it if you'll never take it near water and you're disciplined about cleaning, but most people aren't. SANDRA is the pick here, with a dual-stimulation body that rinses clean without the usual fiddling.

Two Different Jobs, One Rating

Buyers confuse two things. Bath use means the toy runs submerged for 20 or 30 minutes at a time. Cleaning use means it survives a rinse under running water for 30 seconds. The second is far more common, and it's the one that actually matters for how long you keep using it.

A splash-resistant model handles neither properly. It has seams and a port cover, and both eventually admit water. That's the most common way toys in this category die, and it's usually around month eight, well past the return window.

How to Read the Rating

• IPX7 means it survives immersion in about 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. That covers both bath use and full rinsing.
• IPX6 handles strong jets but not immersion. Fine for rinsing, risky in a bath.
• IPX4 is splash resistance only. Wipe it down, don't rinse it.
• No rating at all means assume the charging port is the weak point and keep it dry.

Check where charging happens too. Magnetic pins have no opening to seal, which makes them far more tolerant of daily rinsing than a rubber flap you pry open with a fingernail. That flap is the single part most likely to fail first, and it's worth avoiding if you rinse the toy every time you use it.

What Waterproof Costs You

Sealing a body adds manufacturing steps, and that usually shows up as fewer design options rather than worse performance. Fully sealed models tend to have slightly thicker shells and marginally more weight, typically an extra ounce or two.

The other cost is that sealed units can't be opened for battery replacement. When the cell degrades after two or three years, the whole unit is done. That's an acceptable trade for most people, but it's worth knowing before you buy.

Bath Use Specifically

Say you want it for the bath. Three things matter. First, run time: check you get at least 30 minutes per charge, because a session in a cooling tub isn't something you want cut short. Second, buoyancy and grip: wet hands and a smooth silicone body are a bad combination, so look for a shape with a defined handle. Third, drying: rinse it after the bath, not during, and dry it fully before it goes back in a drawer.

Lubricant behaves differently in water as well. Water washes away water-based lube within a minute or two, so a silicone-based product is often used there instead. Check your toy's material first, since silicone-based lubricant degrades a silicone body over time.

Cleaning Is the Real Argument

The first time you rinse a fully submersible toy, the difference is obvious. No careful wiping, no waiting for it to dry around a port, no low-level worry about water getting in. It takes 30 seconds and it happens every time, because it's easy.

That's the whole case for waterproof. Not the bath. The fact that a toy you can rinse properly is a toy you'll actually keep using, while one that needs careful wiping tends to get used less and less.

Who Can Skip It

Skip it if you're buying a second travel toy that will live in a bag and rarely meet water. Skip it if you've found a splash-resistant model that's otherwise perfect and you're genuinely disciplined about wiping it down. Skip it if the waterproof version of what you want costs noticeably more and you don't care about baths.

The honest limitation: waterproof doesn't mean indestructible. Hot water, detergent, and a dishwasher will still ruin the seals. Rinse with cool or lukewarm water rather than water above roughly 110 degrees Fahrenheit, skip the soap unless the manufacturer allows it, and dry it fully before storing. Treat the rating as permission to rinse, not as permission to be careless.

Sources

• Cleveland Clinic — patient information on intimate device cleaning and hygiene
• Planned Parenthood — general education on body-safe materials and lubricant compatibility
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — consumer guidance on electrical devices near water

This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional about any persistent irritation or discomfort.