What do IP44, IP65, IP67, or IP68 mean?

If you are looking for a flashlight for outdoor use, camping, or everyday use, the IP protection rating plays an important role. It shows how well the housing is protected against the ingress of solid objects and water.

But what do the two numbers actually mean?

How to read an IP rating

A rating such as IP68 consists of two digits:

The first digit describes the protection against solid objects such as dust.

The second digit describes the protection against water.

The rule is: the higher the respective number, the higher the level of protection within that category.

The first digit – protection against dust

The first digit ranges from 0 to 6.

• IP0X – no special protection
• IP1X–IP4X – protection against solid objects of varying sizes
• IP5X – dust-protected
• IP6X – dust-tight

For flashlights and outdoor lights, IP5X and IP6X are particularly interesting.

The second digit – protection against water

This is where it gets particularly interesting for outdoor enthusiasts.

IPX4
Protection against splashing water from all directions.

IPX5
Protection against water jets from all directions.

IPX6
Protection against powerful water jets.

IPX7
Protection against temporary immersion under specified test conditions.

IPX8
Protection against continuous immersion under conditions specified by the manufacturer.

What does IP67 mean?

A flashlight with IP67 combines two levels of protection:

6 = dust-tight
7 = protection during temporary immersion

This makes it particularly interesting for outdoor use where dust, rain, or accidental immersion may occur.

And what does IP68 mean?

IP68 also offers complete dust protection. The 8 stands for protection during immersion under conditions specified by the manufacturer.

Important: IP68 does not automatically mean the same maximum water depth or immersion time for every flashlight. That is why you should always pay attention to the specifications of the respective manufacturer.

Which IP protection rating do I need?

That depends on where you want to use your flashlight.

Everyday use & walks
Basic protection against splashing water may already be sufficient.

Camping & outdoor use
A higher level of water and dust protection offers additional safety in changeable weather.

Demanding outdoor use
Here, IP67 or IP68 can be particularly interesting.

Important to know

The IP protection rating describes the protection of the housing under defined test conditions. It does not mean that a flashlight is automatically impervious to water under all conditions.

Even with a high protection rating, the following still applies: follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the flashlight only for its intended purpose.

LUXPEAK tip:

For outdoor use and demanding applications, we recommend at least IPX4.
For harsh conditions and all types of weather, IP67 or IP68 are ideal.