So you are about to head to sauna, and wondering if it is okay to use AirPods in Sauna or steam room.
Although you can use AirPods in the sauna, it is not recommended as AirPods cannot withstand high temperatures and moisture. Exposure to high temperatures leads to battery issues, and moisture may damage the internals.
Many people wonder if it’s okay to use AirPods in a tanning bed, sauna, or wear them while in a shower. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about using AirPods in Sauna.
Can You Use AirPods In Sauna?
It is not recommended to use AirPods in Sauna as it does not have waterproof capabilities, and prolonged exposure to high temperature leads to battery issues like overheating and deteriorating battery life.
The optimum temperature range for using AirPods is between 0°C to 35°C or 32°F to 95°F. A typical Sauna temperature ranges anywhere from 150°F to 195°F or 65°C to 90°C.
As you can see, the AirPods are not made to withstand high temperature inside a sauna. Increased exposure to overheating may make the AirPods not work properly, shorten the battery life or cause damage to the internal components.
Furthermore, Apple explicitly mentions not to use AirPods in sauna or steam room.
High temperature is one aspect of using AirPods in a Sauna. Another significant risk factor is increased exposure to moisture.
For starters, AirPods are not waterproof or sweatproof. Specific models of AirPods come with water and sweat resistance but are not waterproof.
The humidity level and moisture content inside a sauna are very high and not recommended for AirPods.
Increased temperature and humidity may make moisture enter the AirPods and damage the internals.
AirPods can only withstand slight splashes of water and sweat. Prolonged exposure to high levels of humidity is not recommended.
Can You Wear AirPods in Sauna?
The 1st and 2nd generation AirPods do not have water or sweat resistance. It means even a few splashes of water and sweat may let moisture enter the AirPods and damage the internals.
However, the third-generation AirPods come with water and sweat resistance, meaning a few splashes of water drops or sweat won’t damage the AirPods.
Even though the 3rd gen AirPods have water and sweat resistance, it is not advised that you wear them in a sauna since it does not have a waterproof rating.
Can You Use AirPods Pro In Sauna?
All AirPods Pro models come with an IPX4 water resistance. Like third-generation AirPods, the AirPods Pro should withstand splashes of water or sweat and mild drizzling, too.
But the AirPods Pro is not waterproof. For the same reason, using AirPods Pro in sauna can damage the internals and affect the battery life of the TWS.
Can You Wear AirPods Max in Sauna?
Many people plan to use AirPods Max in sauna. Even though AirPods Max is a high-end over-the-ear headphones with an expensive price tag, it also lacks water resistance and waterproof features.
As AirPods Max do not have basic water or sweat resistance capabilities, it is highly recommended that you do not take them to the sauna or a steam room.
The moisture content can quickly get inside the internals and damage them in no time.
What Happens If You Use AirPods in Sauna?
Using AirPods in the sauna affects it in two ways.
The first is damage due to increased humidity and moisture content. Since no AirPods model comes with waterproof capabilities, increased usage of the same inside sauna makes moisture content to get inside the AirPods and damage the internals.
The second is the overheating issue. The typical temperature inside the sauna is anywhere from 65°C to 90°C. This temperature range is way above the AirPod’s optimum temperature. For the same reason, overheating will affect the battery, and it’s life.
Many people have reported that their AirPods Pro just got shut down after using it in the sauna for a few minutes.
Why AirPods Die In Sauna?
The optimum operating temperature range for AirPods is anywhere from 0°C to 35°C or 32°F to 95°F.
If the operating temperature exceeds the limit, the AirPods will shut down or die to avoid any battery damage. In rare cases, overheating can even lead to battery explosion.
The AirPods shuts down to avoid hazards or damage to the internals due to overheating.
Can You Use AirPods In Infrared Sauna?
No. The temperature inside the infrared sauna is also way beyond the operating temperature of the AirPods. For the same reason, using AirPods in an infrared sauna is also not recommended.
In short, if the temperature is more than 35°C to 45°C, it is not recommended to use the AirPods.
What To Do After Using AirPods In Sauna?
If you accidentally used AirPods in sauna and it got wet, below are some steps to avoid further damage to the internals.
Take both the AirPods out of your ears and place them in a dry tissue or a towel and gently remove all the moisture content.
If the AirPods are wet, do not put them in the charging case.
Before putting them back into the charging case for the first time, ensure it is completely dry and has no moisture content.
Finally, charge the AirPods and see if it is charging without any issue.
If you planned to use AirPods in the sauna in the first place, chances are, you already drive to the sauna wearing AirPods. See if it is legal to wear AirPods while driving.
What’s Next?
Now that you know wearing AirPods in a sauna is not recommended, you can make an informed decision and avoid taking AirPods to your next sauna or steam room session.
Many TWS and headphones have complete waterproof capabilities; using them will be a better option than using AirPods.
If you accidentally used AirPods in the sauna, follow the steps to dry them to avoid any damage.