IPX Ratings: What IPX7 Really Means

By GETAUVE Editorial Team · Published September 14, 2026

IPX Ratings: What IPX7 Really Means

Water ratings on toy listings look reassuring — "IPX7" or "waterproof" — but they are not all the same promise, and the difference between splash-proof and fully submersible is the difference between a quick rinse and a bath. The IPX code is a real standard, and reading it correctly tells you exactly what you can do with a toy near water, so you do not find out the hard way that "water-resistant" meant "do not soak it."

This guide explains the IPX scale as it applies to toys, what each common rating actually permits, and how the charging port affects the real-world limit. The rating is the ceiling; the port is the daily weak point, and both decide what your toy survives.

The Short Answer

IPX7 means the toy can be submerged to about one meter for up to 30 minutes — that is bath and full wash, not just a rinse. IPX4 to IPX6 means splash and rinse only, never soak. A heated wand like IRIS at $98, a heated lip toy like ALLURING LIPS at $89, and HOPSTAR PRO at $98 all state water ratings you can plan around, so you know before buying whether the bath is in scope.

Reading the IPX Code

IPX is the "water ingress protection" part of the IP rating; the X means no dust rating was claimed. The number after IPX is what matters for toys, and the jump from 4 to 7 is the jump from "wipe it" to "dunk it."

• IPX4. Protected against splashing from any direction. Rinse, do not soak; the tap is fine, the tub is not.
• IPX5 to IPX6. Protected against a water jet. Shower-safe, still not submersible; a fixed showerhead is the limit.
• IPX7. Submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Bath and full wash are in scope, which is what most people mean by "waterproof."
• No rating. Treat as not water-safe; keep it away from running water and the bathroom entirely.

Splash-Proof vs. Submersible

The most common mistake is treating "water-resistant" as "bath-safe." It is not, and the cost of that mistake is a dead motor and a non-returnable toy.

• Rinse only. A quick clean under the tap, then dry. That is IPX4 territory and the safe daily routine.
• Shower. IPX5 to IPX6, and only if the maker says shower-safe; a handheld spray can exceed what the rating allows.
• Bath or soak. Requires IPX7. Anything less risks water reaching the motor along the seam or the port.

The Charging Port Is the Real Limit

A rating describes the sealed body, but the charging port is the weak point. Even an IPX7 toy fails if the port cover is open or damaged, because water follows the easiest path, and the port is it.

• Sealed magnetic port. Best for water use; no open jack to fail, and the seal is part of the body.
• Open pin jack. Needs the cap seated perfectly, and caps wear, so the rating is only as good as today's cap.
• Check before every wash. A port that does not seal defeats any rating, no matter what the box claims.

A water-damaged toy is usually a port problem, not a body problem — the water-damage guide covers what to check and what is worth repairing versus replacing.

What the Rating Does Not Promise

An IPX number is tested in clean water under lab conditions. It does not promise the toy survives soap, lubricant, or years of the port opening and closing. Treat the rating as the ceiling, and the port as the daily weak point that actually decides the toy's water life.

• Warm, not hot. Hot water and steam stress seals over time, even on an IPX7 toy.
• Dry the port. After any wash, dry the port before charging; water plus charge is the failure mode.
• Retire if the seal clouds. A hazy or soft seal is failing, and the rating no longer applies to that toy.

For a heated, water-friendly option, IRIS at $98 states its rating so you know whether a bath is in scope. ALLURING LIPS at $89 and HOPSTAR PRO at $98 list theirs so you can match the toy to where you will use it, instead of guessing from a photo.

IPX and Your Cleaning Routine

Once you know the rating, the routine is set by it. An IPX7 toy gets a full wash under warm water with mild soap; an IPX4 toy gets a damp cloth and a careful dry. Matching the routine to the rating is what keeps the toy alive, and over-washing a low-rated toy is the most common way to kill one early.

• IPX7. Full wash, then dry the port before charging; bath use is fine within the depth and time limit.
• IPX4 to IPX6. Wipe and rinse, no soak; skip the bath and the long shower.
• No rating. Wipe only with a damp cloth; no running water near the toy at all.

How to Use the Rating When Buying

Decide where you will use the toy first. If it is the bath, filter for IPX7 and confirm the port is sealed. If it is a bedside rinse, IPX4 is enough and you pay less. Buying to the rating saves you from either a dead toy or an unused feature, and it ends the "is this really waterproof" debate before you own it.

Sources

• Planned Parenthood — sex toy materials, cleaning and safe use
• American Sexual Health Association — general intimate wellness education
• NIH — consumer health information on sexual wellness products

Written by the GETAUVE Editorial Team. This article is general education and not medical advice. See a clinician for persistent symptoms. Prices are list prices in USD and may change.