If you’re like me, headphones have become an essential part of cycling. Whether it’s blocking out the drudgery of turbo sessions, staying entertained through long outdoor rides, or adding a soundtrack to dusty gravel adventures. But not all headphones are built to handle the challenges of cycling environments.
That’s where IP (Ingress Protection) ratings come in.
These ratings tell you how well a device is protected against the elements, including solids (like dust) and liquids (like sweat or rain).
They’re displayed as two numbers, such as IP67 – where the first digit reflects protection against dust, and the second against water. It might sound technical, but understanding the basics can help you avoid ruining a perfectly good set of headphones.
Sweat is the obvious enemy during indoor sessions. The higher the protection, the better, of course. But I’d recommend a water-resistance rating of at least IPX4, which handles splashes or drips. Go for IPX5 or IPX6 if you know you’ll be pushing through particularly intense sessions, better safe than sorry when sweat is involved.
Outdoors, water resistance becomes even more important. Riding in the rain is inevitable, especially if you live in the UK like I do and doubly so if you’re training through winter.
A rating of IPX4 offers basic protection against splashes, but I’d go for at least IPX5 to ensure my headphones can shrug off a downpour or an accidental drop in a puddle. Even if you’re not planning to ride through storms, the extra peace of mind is worth it.
For those of you riding off-road, dust is a different challenge altogether. It’s bad enough finishing a day on the trails and picking mud out of your ears, eyes and nose, but you don’t want your headphones clogged with fine dirt too.
That’s where the first digit of the IP rating comes into play. A rating of 5 or 6 indicates solid protection, with 6 being completely dustproof. Personally, I’d aim for IP67 or IP68 for gravel rides. Not only are these headphones fully dustproof, but they’re also highly water-resistant, making them versatile for any conditions.
Ultimately, the right IP rating depends on where and how you ride. If you’re sweating buckets indoors, hammering through rain outdoors, or kicking up dust on gravel roads, the bigger the numbers, the better the protection.
Investing in the right pair of headphones means less worry about damage.
First up – to reiterate something I mentioned at the top, we do not advocate wearing headphones on your bike in such a way that your safety is affected.
Cars are bigger than you, and they really hurt if they hit you. Hearing one coming might not stop it from hitting you, especially if the driver is too busy texting to notice you, but it might give you forewarning enough to take evasive action.
As a vulnerable road user, being aware of your surroundings is important.
When I’m out in the wilderness on a gravel bike or on quiet lanes, then I’ll happily listen to a podcast in one ear.
My main use for headphones though is indoor cycling, where I can either listen to music or watch TV while completing a workout.
Hello and welcome to the live blog section of this roundup. The deals above are the best of what we’ve found so far, and the following section will form something of a hybrid between helpful advice, a stream of consciousness, and a place for me to get away with writing terrible puns. Sorry in advance.
