Whether it’s whale noises or podcasts, we all love to listen to music. So naturally you may be wondering if you can wear your Apple AirPods while relaxing in the sauna or steam room. However before you pop those AirPods in your ears and head on down to the gym you should know that this is a very bad idea that can ruin your AirPods and harm your ears
Short answer: No!
The short answer is a simple no, it is a very bad idea to take AirPods into the sauna or steam room. There are two main reasons why you can't wear AirPods in these environments: they are not waterproof and they can overheat. In fact Apple explicitly say “Don't wear AirPods in a sauna or steam room”
Why you can’t wear Apple Airpods in the Sauna
Airpods are not waterproof
One of the main reasons why you can't wear AirPods in the sauna is that they are not waterproof. According to Apple's website, AirPods are water and sweat resistant, but not water and sweat proof. This means that they can handle some moisture from your sweat or rain, but they are not designed to be submerged in water or exposed to steam. Traditional saunas are hot and humid environments that can create a lot of steam and condensation. This can easily get into your AirPods and cause them to malfunction or stop working altogether. The moisture can also corrode the internal components of your AirPods and affect their performance and battery life). Moreover, wearing AirPods in the sauna can void your warranty, as Apple does not cover any damage caused by liquid contact. Therefore, if you want to keep your AirPods in good condition and avoid paying for repairs or replacements, you should avoid wearing them in the sauna.
Airpods can overheat
Another reason why you can't wear AirPods in the sauna is that they can overheat. According to Apple's website, the operating temperature range for AirPods is 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)). Saunas can reach temperatures of up to 185° F (85° C) or higher, which is way beyond the recommended range for AirPods.
Exposing your AirPods to such high temperatures can cause them to overheat and shut down. Overheating can also damage the internal components of your AirPods and affect their performance and battery life. Furthermore, overheating can pose a fire hazard if your AirPods catch fire or explode due to excessive heat.
Additionally, wearing AirPods in the sauna can be harmful to your ears. The heat and humidity can increase the risk of ear infections and other ear-related problems. Moreover, if you’re wearing AirPods in the sauna at a gym, this could prevent you from hearing any fire alarms that may occur in the sauna room.
Therefore, if you want to protect your AirPods and your ears from overheating and potential injuries, you should avoid wearing them in the sauna.
What to do if you’ve got your Airpods wet in the sauna or steam room
If you accidentally got your Airpods wet in the sauna or steam room, do as Douglas Adam says and “Don’t Panic”.. There are some easy steps you can take to try to save them from water damage.
Drying the Airpods
- Dry the Airpods with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth. This will help remove any excess moisture and dirt from the surface of your Airpods.
- Dry water from the charging case using cotton swabs. Make sure to reach all the corners and crevices of the case, especially the Lightning port and the hinge area. Use a shortcut or special sound to force eject water from Airpods grills. You can download an app called "Shortcuts" from the App Store and use it to play a low-frequency sound that will push out any water droplets from the speaker grills of your Airpods. Alternatively, you can use a website like Sonic or an app like Water Eject to do the same thing.
- Keep the Airpods under a fan or warm environment. You can use a fan, a hair dryer (on low setting), or a sunny spot to speed up the evaporation of water from your Airpods. However, avoid exposing them to direct heat sources or extreme temperatures, as this could damage them further.
- Seal the Airpods in an airtight box with silica gel packets. Silica gel packets are those small pouches that say "Do Not Eat" and are often found in shoe boxes, vitamin bottles, or electronics packages. These handy little packages are designed to absorb moisture and keep things dry. You can place your Airpods and their charging case in a plastic container and leave them there for a day or two. If you don't have silica gel packets, you can also use uncooked rice as a substitute, but make sure to wrap your Airpods in paper towels first to prevent any rice grains from getting stuck in them.
Drying the Charging Case
- Dry water from the charging case using cotton swabs(idownloadblog.com). Make sure to reach all the corners and crevices of the case, especially the Lightning port and the hinge area.
- Place the case upside down to allow any remaining water to drip out of the case and prevent it from reaching the battery or the circuit board.
After following these steps, you should wait for at least 24 hours before trying to use your Airpods again. This will give them enough time to dry out completely and avoid any short circuits or corrosion. If your Airpods still work after this process, congratulations! You have successfully rescued them from water damage. However, if they don't work or sound distorted, you may need to contact Apple for repair or replacement options.
Best ways to Listen to Music in the Sauna
Whether it’s a Mozart concerto or a 2023 Island-beats compilation, many of us want to listen to music while unwinding in the sauna, and now we know the risks of damaging those Airpods let's look at some alternatives we can try.
Waterproof headphones
These are designed for swimming or other water activities and have a higher IP rating than Airpods Pro (which have IPX4), meaning they can withstand immersion in water for longer periods of time. Some examples of waterproof headphones are Sony WF-SP800N , Jabra Elite Active 75t , and Jaybird Vista 2 . However, keep in mind that even waterproof headphones may not be able to handle the high heat and steam of a sauna, so use them at your own risk.
Bone conduction headphones
These transmit sound through your cheekbones instead of your ear canals. These headphones don't have any wires or earbuds that could get wet or damaged by sweat or steam. They also allow you to hear your surroundings better, which could be safer and more relaxing in a sauna environment. Some examples of bone conduction headphones are AfterShokz Aeropex , AfterShokz OpenMove , and Vidonn F1 . However, these headphones may not offer the best sound quality or noise cancellation compared to traditional headphones.
Portable speaker
Find one that is both waterproof and wireless. This is by far the easiest option if you have a home sauna as you can place the speaker outside the sauna door or window and connect it to your phone via Bluetooth. This way, you can enjoy your music without exposing your the speaker to the heat and humidity of the sauna. However, make sure to choose a speaker that has a long battery life, a good sound quality, and a durable design. Some examples of waterproof portable speakers are JBL GO2 , Anker Soundcore Mini , and Bose SoundLink Micro.
Will my Airpods Break or Explode if I do use them in the Sauna?
Unfortunately Yes, they might. As we explained earlier, Airpods are not waterproof and can be damaged by the moisture and steam in a sauna. They can also be affected by the high heat in a sauna, which can loosen the internal components, melt the plastic, or even cause the battery to explode. Therefore, using Airpods in a sauna is not recommended and can be dangerous for you and your device and the whole of humanity.
If you do use them in a sauna and they get wet or overheated, you should follow the steps we mentioned above to try to save them from water damage. However, there is no guarantee that they will work again after being exposed to such extreme conditions. You may need to contact Apple for repair or replacement options if your Airpods are broken or if they exploded.
To avoid this risk, you should leave your Airpods outside the sauna and use one of the alternatives we suggested instead. This will ensure that you can listen to music safely and comfortably while enjoying your sauna session.
How about taking a phone in a sauna?
Saunas are a wonderful place to relax and unwind, so that’s exactly why you may feel the urge to stalk your ex on Facebook while enjoying your hot experience. Let me warn you that this is a bad idea for several reasons.
- Taking a phone in a sauna will damage your phone. This is the number one reason you should not take your phone inside. If you want to protect your ability to readily access memes – do not take your phone into the sauna. The environment is extremely hot and can reach temperatures of up to 200°F (93°C), which is way beyond the recommended operating temperature of most phones (113°F or 45°C). The heat can cause your phone to overheat, melt, warp, or even explode. The humidity and steam can also get into your phone and cause water damage. Even if your phone is waterproof, it may not be able to handle the high temperatures and moisture in a sauna environment
- Second, and perhaps most importantly, taking a phone in a sauna will negatively impact your relaxation and health benefits. A sauna is a place where you can disconnect from the outside world and focus on your well-being. By bringing your phone in, you are distracting yourself from the purpose of the sauna and reducing its effectiveness. You are also exposing yourself to more electromagnetic radiation, which may have harmful effects on your health. So, instead of using your phone in a sauna, why not try and practice mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises to enhance your experience.
- Thirdly, give consideration to other sauna users. If you are sharing a sauna with other people, using your phone can be annoying and intrusive. Other people may not appreciate hearing your music, watching you scrolling through Tiktok or seeing your half naked selfies while they’re trying to relax. Saunas are also a place where semi-nudity is socially acceptable and the presence of a camera might make people feel uncomfortable. Therefore, for the purposes of sauna etiquette and the privacy of others, leave your phone outside
To summarise, taking a phone in a sauna is a bad idea that can damage your phone, ruin your relaxation, and offend other people. The best way to enjoy a sauna is to leave your phone behind and immerse yourself in the experience. If enjoying the cracking sounds coming from the
wood burning sauna stove isn't appealing to you, then use a waterproof speaker or bone conduction headphones instead of your phone. However, make sure they are compatible with the high heat and humidity of a sauna and that they don't disturb others.
