With the convenience of being able to listen to a book or music just about anywhere, many of us find ourselves with our AirPods or other wireless earbuds in our ears all of the time. Saunas provide a relaxing environment where you have 15 to 20 minutes of peace and quiet, the perfect place to listen to a podcast or guided meditation, but is it safe to wear your AirPods in a hot and sweaty sauna?

Can You Wear AirPod’s in a Steam Room or Sauna?

The thing about saunas is that they’re hot, which is great for your body, but generally bad for electronics. The temperature in a sauna is typically at least 150°F, and Apple says the maximum temperature your AirPods can handle is 113 degrees. You may think 15 to 20 minutes isn’t a long time, but exposure, especially prolonged to such high temperatures affects the battery life of your devices. This means that your AirPods will die quicker and are unlikely to be able to maintain a consistent level of charge. Lithium-ion batteries are very susceptible to temperature extremes, and exposing them to very high or low temperatures is not recommended.

AirPod’s are not waterproof, however they do have a rating called IPX4 which makes them sweat and water-resistant. They are designed to withstand splashes of water, sweat and rain, but they are not designed to be used in the shower, while swimming or sitting in a steamy room. Water is a conductor, which means that it can cause your device to short circuit if it gets exposed to too much moisture. Moisture can also damage your device through corrosion. When your AirPods come into contact with high levels of moisture, they will get damaged, and Apple’s manufacturer warranty doesn’t cover this type of damage.

Saunas are high-temperature, high-humidity environments that can be damaging to electronic devices, including AirPods. Therefore, it’s not advisable to wear AirPods or bring any type of electronic devices in a sauna. Saunas have been around for hundreds of years and continue to be used for communal health focused purposes. Saunas continue to be a place to relax and unwind and maybe take a break from scrolling and streaming. Some public saunas may not even allow cell phones and other electronics for safety and etiquette reasons. 

Can You Wear AirPods in a Dry or Infrared Sauna?

You might think that by using a dry or infrared sauna, you have circumvented the problem of steam and the water droplets that exist in traditional sauna environments, however, you’re still going to be sweating profusely. Sweat can seep into your AirPods, potentially causing internal damage or short-circuits. Both dry and infrared saunas are also still very hot, well over the 113°F maximum temperature recommendation, so while you may have less moisture exposure, the intense heat is still a factor

To maintain their performance and ensure a long lifespan for your AirPods and other electronic devices, it’s best to keep them in a cool, dry environment and avoid exposure to high temperatures and moisture whenever possible. AirPods are just not designed to be used in a sauna or a steam room because they are not made to withstand the sweat and moisture that’s inevitable in these places. If you want to listen to music or podcasts while you’re in the sauna, consider using a waterproof speaker designed to withstand the intense conditions found in saunas and similar environments. Some saunas also come equipped with their own entertainment systems. If you’re using a public sauna, you may not be able to bring in a portable speaker, in which it may be tempted to bring in your headphones, just keep in mind the potential risks. 

Do you want the convenience and privacy of having a sauna in your home? Give us a call at 970-879-4390 or contact us here with any questions you might have.