IPX5 IPX7 And IP67 Explained For Product Buyers

Three ratings appear across this catalogue, and they are not interchangeable. Publishing the wrong one is a returns problem, so it is worth being precise.

IPX5 - spray and jets, not immersion

BS100, D28F and FL-B003 carry this rating. It covers water projected from a nozzle from any direction: rain, poolside splash, a wet gym bag. It does not cover dropping the product in water. The X means dust protection has not been separately rated.

IPX7 - temporary immersion

The LED transparent razor carries this rating. It covers immersion for a limited time and depth, which is what makes wet shaving and rinsing under a tap acceptable. Again the X means no separate dust rating.

IP67 - dust tight and immersion

The D01 shaver carries this rating. The 6 is complete protection against dust ingress; the 7 is the same immersion protection as IPX7. It is the strongest rating in this catalogue.

What to write on a listing

State the rating as it appears on the specification, and describe the behaviour it allows in plain language. 'Rinse the shaving head under a running tap' is more useful to a shopper than 'IP67' on its own, and it is what the rating actually permits.

What has no rating

Most of the power bank range, the D9, PL-B006, FL-B009, L9, M59, FL-B010 speakers and the R-12 and round shavers have no stated water rating. Absence of a rating is not a failure - it means the product was not tested to that standard, and it should not be described as water resistant.

What To Take Away

• IPX5 is spray. IPX7 is short immersion. IP67 adds dust protection to IPX7.
• Never upgrade a rating on a listing because a product 'looks sealed'.
• Translate the rating into a behaviour the shopper understands.
• Where no rating is stated, say nothing about water.