IP67 vs IP68: Choosing the Right Waterproof Rating
IP67 and IP68 look similar but mean different things. IP67 handles temporary submersion, IP68 is for continuous. Here's how to choose for your use case.
Quick answer: IP67 means dust-tight + protected against temporary immersion (30 minutes at 1 m depth). IP68 means dust-tight + protected against continuous immersion beyond 1 m, typically 2 m for 1 hour. For marine electronics, dive gear, and outdoor sensors, choose IP68. For rain, splashes, brief drops in water, IP67 is sufficient and 20–30% cheaper. Kexin tests both ratings per IEC 60529 with third-party lab certification on request.
What Is an IP Rating?
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings are defined by the international standard IEC 60529, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission. The two-digit code describes how well an enclosure protects against solid particles (first digit, 0–6) and liquids (second digit, 0–9). For protective cases, the common ratings are:
- IP54 — dust-protected (not sealed) + splashing water from any direction. Indoor tools, electronics storage.
- IP65 — dust-tight + water jets from any direction. Outdoor use, wash-down environments.
- IP67 — dust-tight + temporary immersion (1 m for 30 min). Rain, brief submersion, boat spray.
- IP68 — dust-tight + continuous immersion beyond 1 m. Marine electronics, dive instruments, outdoor sensors.
The "6" first digit means total dust ingress protection. The "7" or "8" second digit means the case passed the immersion test at the depth and time specified. Manufacturers may also test "IP68 + 5 m / 1 h" or "IP68 + 10 m / 1 h" by agreement, and document the test conditions in a per-lot report.
IP67 vs IP68: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Criterion | IP67 | IP68 |
|---|---|---|
| Dust protection | Dust-tight (6) | Dust-tight (6) |
| Water test depth | 1 m (3.3 ft) | ≥ 1 m, typically 2 m (6.6 ft) |
| Water test duration | 30 minutes | 1 hour (typical), can be agreed longer |
| Test standard | IEC 60529 §13.2 | IEC 60529 §13.3 (manufacturer-specified) |
| Typical applications | Rain, splashes, accidental drops in water | Marine, dive, prolonged water exposure |
| Test cost (per SKU) | USD 200–400 | USD 300–600 (deep-water setup) |
| Per-lot QC test | Optional, USD 1–3 per case | Optional, USD 2–5 per case |
| Case price premium | Baseline (0%) | +10–25% over IP67 |
| Common case series | Mid-Range / Pro / Premium | Premium (selected) / Trolley / Trolley |
The 10–25% price premium for IP68 comes from tighter seal design (silicone O-rings, compression latches), higher-precision moulding, and deeper test-rig setup. For customers who never submerge their cases below 1 m, IP67 is the cost-effective choice.
How IP67 Is Tested at Kexin
Our IP67 test follows IEC 60529 §13.2: the case is placed in a 1 m deep water tank for 30 minutes. The case must remain dust-tight and water must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with operation or safety. We test:
- T1 sample test (development). 100% of pre-production T1 samples are immersed. Any failure stops the project.
- Per-lot QC (optional). 1–2 cases per production lot are randomly selected and tested. USD 2–5 per case.
- Third-party certification (optional). For military, medical, or regulatory customers, we send samples to TÜV / SGS / BV for independent verification. USD 300–600 per SKU.
Test reports include: case model, lot number, test date, water depth, duration, water temperature (typically 15–35 °C), pass/fail criteria, and inspector signature. Reports are kept on file for 5 years.
How IP68 Is Tested
IP68 is more flexible — IEC 60529 §13.3 allows the manufacturer to specify the test conditions (depth and duration) as long as they are more severe than IP67. The common industrial practice is 2 m for 1 hour, but we also test:
- 2 m / 1 h — typical IP68 (90% of orders)
- 5 m / 1 h — marine instruments (5% of orders)
- 10 m / 1 h — dive housings, scientific sensors (3% of orders)
- 30 m / 1 h — deep-water ROV / AUV (2% of orders, custom engineering)
For depths beyond 10 m, the case typically requires additional pressure-relief valves or sealed cable glands. Engineering review is mandatory. Lead time extends 2–4 weeks for extreme-depth IP68 projects.
Industry Applications by IP Rating
| Industry | Typical IP rating | Common case series | Why this rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photography (outdoor) | IP65 | Mid-Range | Rain, sand, transport |
| Drones (commercial) | IP67 | Pro / Premium | Accidental water landing |
| Medical devices | IP65 | Mid-Range | Wash-down, sterilization |
| Marine electronics | IP68 (2 m) | Premium / Trolley | Salt spray, deck wash |
| Dive instruments | IP68 (10–30 m) | Custom OEM | Continuous underwater use |
| Defense (field) | IP67 + MIL-STD-810H | Premium + Trolley | Rain + drop + vibration |
| Industrial MRO | IP65 | Mid-Range / Pro | Workshop dust, oil |
| Outdoor sensors | IP68 | Trolley / Trolley | Year-round outdoor exposure |
If your product is used outdoors in rain, the minimum rating is IP65. If it might fall in water, IP67. If it operates underwater, IP68. Anything more conservative (IP66 high-pressure jets, IP69K high-temperature wash-down) is for food/pharma machinery and not typically required for portable cases.
IP Rating vs Other Standards
| Standard | Scope | Region | Overlap with IP |
|---|---|---|---|
| IEC 60529 (IP) | Solid + liquid ingress | Global | — |
| MIL-STD-810H Method 512.5 | Water immersion + rain | US military | IP67 / IP68 overlap; MIL is more comprehensive (vibration + temperature) |
| ATA 300 | Airline shipping durability | Air transport | No water, focuses on drop + vibration |
| ASTM D4169 | Transport simulation | US commercial | No water, focus on vibration + shock |
| NEMA 4 / 4X | Enclosure ingress (US) | US industrial | Comparable to IP65 / IP66 |
| JIS C 0920 | Japan IP equivalent | Japan | Direct IP equivalent |
For products sold globally, IP rating is the most widely recognized. For US military / aerospace, MIL-STD-810H is mandatory. For air freight, ATA 300 is the standard. Most industrial customers ask for both IP67/IP68 and MIL-STD-810H, which is our default for Premium and Trolley series.
Cost Factors: Why IP68 Costs More
- Seal design. IP68 cases use silicone O-rings with tighter compression. Material cost + USD 0.5–1.5 per case.
- Latch precision. Compression latches need tighter tolerance (within 0.1 mm vs 0.2 mm for IP67). Mould cost + USD 500–1,500 one-time.
- Test cost. Deep-water test rig setup + USD 200 per test cycle.
- Per-lot QC. IP68 typically requires 2 random-case test per lot vs 1 for IP67.
- Engineering review. Custom IP68 (10 m, 30 m) requires pressure-relief design. Engineering fee USD 1,000–5,000.
For 1,000-piece OEM order with IP68, the all-in premium over IP67 is typically 15–20% (case + tooling amortized). For ODM with standard tooling, the premium is 10–15%.
Common Misconceptions
- "IP68 = waterproof forever". False. IP68 typically means 1 hour at the specified depth. Beyond that, the seal may degrade. Continuous underwater use requires periodic pressure testing.
- "IP67 means I can swim with it". Limited. IP67 is 30 min at 1 m — fine for accidental drops, not for swimming. Use IP68 (5+ m) for swimming or diving.
- "All IP67 ratings are the same". Quality varies. Some cheap cases claim IP67 but fail at 50 cm. Kexin tests every T1 sample and 1–2 per production lot.
- "Higher IP rating = stronger case". Not necessarily. The case structural strength is independent. A IP68 case may not survive drops if not designed for it. Combine IP + MIL-STD-810H for full protection.
Choosing Between IP67 and IP68: Decision Tree
- Will the case ever be submerged deeper than 1 m? No → IP67 is sufficient. Yes → continue.
- Will it be submerged for more than 30 minutes continuously? No → IP67. Yes → IP68.
- Is the case used in marine / dive / outdoor sensor applications? No → IP67. Yes → IP68.
- Does the application require military-grade certification? No → IP67 + standard drop test. Yes → IP68 + MIL-STD-810H (Premium / Trolley).
- Is cost the primary concern and the product will not see water beyond splashes? Yes → IP65 (cheaper, dust + splashes only).
If you answer "yes" to any of questions 1–3, choose IP68. If you answer "yes" to question 4, choose IP68 + MIL-STD-810H. Otherwise, IP65 or IP67 saves 10–30% of cost.
Kexin's Standard IP Ratings by Case Series
| Series | Standard IP rating | Max IP rating available | Material | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical MOQ | ||||
| Entry | IP54 | IP65 | PP | 500 |
| Standard | IP54 | IP65 | ABS | 500 |
| Mid-Range | IP65 | IP67 | PP + glass fiber | 500 |
| Pro | IP67 | IP67 | PP + TPU seal | 500 |
| Premium | IP67 | IP68 (2 m) | PP + aluminum frame | 500 |
| Trolley | IP68 (2 m) | IP68 (10 m) | PP + aluminum CNC | 500 |
| Trolley (Trolley) | IP67 | IP68 (2 m) | PP + aluminum + wheels | 500 |
For new OEM projects, our engineering team recommends the IP rating based on the application. We provide test reports per IEC 60529 with each shipment. For OEM with custom IP68 (10 m+), allow 2–4 weeks additional engineering time.
FAQ
What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?
IP67 = 30 minutes at 1 m depth. IP68 = 1 hour at depth beyond 1 m (typically 2 m, can be specified 5–30 m by agreement). Both are dust-tight. IP68 costs 10–25% more due to tighter seals and longer test cycles.
Can I use an IP67 case for swimming?
Not recommended. IP67 is for temporary immersion (accidental drops, brief submersion). For swimming, choose IP68 (2 m+) and check the manufacturer-specified test depth and duration.
How is IP68 depth specified?
IEC 60529 §13.3 lets the manufacturer define the IP68 test conditions (depth and duration). Common industrial practice: 2 m / 1 h. Marine: 5 m / 1 h. Dive: 10–30 m / 1 h. The case is marked "IP68 + [depth]m / [time]h".
Do you test every case for IP rating?
We test 100% of T1 development samples. For production, we test 1–2 cases per lot (random sampling, AQL 1.0 / 2.5 per ISO 2859-1). Per-case testing is available for premium orders (USD 2–5 per case).
What certificate do you provide for IP rating?
In-house test report per IEC 60529 (free). Third-party certification (TÜV / SGS / BV) is optional, USD 300–600 per SKU, 2–3 weeks lead time.
Does higher IP rating mean stronger case?
Not necessarily. IP rating measures water/dust ingress only. Drop strength is tested by MIL-STD-810H or impact tests. Combine IP + MIL-STD-810H for full environmental protection (typical for Premium and Trolley).
What if my product needs IP69K?
IP69K is high-temperature, high-pressure water jet cleaning (food / pharma industry). It is not common for portable cases. We can engineer custom IP69K solutions for OEM orders, typically 6+ weeks lead time and 1,000+ MOQ.
Can I retrofit an IP65 case to IP67?
No. IP rating is determined at design stage (seal geometry, latch precision, material choice). Retrofitting usually fails because the case mould was not designed for the deeper seal. Order the correct rating from the start.
How long does an IP68 seal last?
Silicone O-rings last 5+ years in field use, 10+ years in storage. We recommend replacing the O-ring every 3 years for mission-critical applications (military, medical, marine). Replacement O-rings are USD 0.50–1.50 per case.
Is IP68 the same as "waterproof"?
"Waterproof" is a marketing term with no legal definition. IP68 is a specific test standard (depth + time). Always check the IEC 60529 test report for the exact conditions, not just the IP code.
What about salt water vs fresh water?
IP rating is tested in fresh water. Salt water is more corrosive. For marine applications, we recommend IP68 + ASTM B117 salt spray test (96 h) for the latches and metal parts. Kexin offers this on request, USD 100–200 per case.
Can I get a sample tested before bulk order?
Yes. We can ship a T1 sample with a test report (USD 100–300 for 1 sample, 7–10 days). For OEM, the T1 sample is part of the standard process (DFM → T1 → T2 → mass production). See our OEM/ODM page for the 7-step process.
Does the case color affect IP rating?
No. Color is pigment in the PP / ABS material, applied during moulding. It does not affect seal integrity. However, very dark colors (e.g. black) absorb heat, which can affect seal compression in extreme temperature (−40 °C to +80 °C).
For more on case standards, see our quality assurance page or MIL-STD-810H drop test guide. To specify IP rating in your next project, fill out the 4-step RFQ form or email [email protected].