Waterproof vs Splashproof Sex Toys: Which Ones Can Get Very, Very Wet?

The bath's full, the door's locked, and you've finally got the place to yourself. The water's almost too hot, your skin's going pink, and your vibrator's coming with you. Then you spot "splashproof" on the box. Ah, shit. That's a very different promise.

Splashproof means limited protection from splashes, not permission to dunk a toy. Waterproof can mean it's fine under water, within its stated limits. So sort that out before your clothes come off, because reading about water ratings while your bath goes cold is nobody's idea of a good night.

What the words mean

A few drops are fine on a splashproof toy. Leaving the whole thing under water asks far more of the seals around the buttons and joins. A splashproof toy isn't automatically suitable for a soak in the sink or a sustained shower, either.

Even waterproof has limits. IPX7 covers temporary immersion under defined conditions, commonly up to one metre for thirty minutes. The Satisfyer Pearl Bunny 3 is rated IPX7, for instance, so it's very welcome in the bath. And the Maia KONA is waterproof and submersible, if you'd rather a bullet. You need a clear answer to one question: can this toy go under water for what you've got planned? "Probably" is an expensive answer if it's wrong.

Your remote might not like it

Your partner offers to take charge of the buttons. Great. Then they put the remote on the wet edge of the bath and look surprised when it dies. The vibrator may belong in the water while its remote doesn't. Keep the remote dry unless it has its own confirmed protection. Water can also weaken the signal, so stay within reach of the toy's own controls. Our remote vs app guide covers the wider choice.

Waterproof doesn't mean boilable

The toy survived the bath, so you might be tempted to drop it in hot water for a good clean. Hold on. Keeping water out and coping with high heat are different things. A waterproof vibrator isn't automatically safe to boil or put in the dishwasher. Our toy cleaner vs soap guide covers how to clean it.

Let it dry before charging, keep charging gear away from water and never charge it in the bath or shower. If a seal's damaged or a cover won't close, keep it out of the water. Hope isn't going to fill the gap.

Make room for yourself

You've chosen the right vibrator. Good. Now your elbow's jammed against the tap, one leg's gone somewhere awkward and you can't reach the towel. Get comfortable, with stable support and room to reach the controls. Prop one foot on the edge of the tub and lie back. Or sit in the shallows and let it work on you under the water.

Water doesn't replace lube, either. In fact, it washes natural wetness away, so use a silicone lube if your toy isn't silicone. Keep it off the floor, because you don't want your arse going anywhere you didn't plan. If you're sharing the space, our shower sex guide covers the bits that movies leave out.

Buy for where you'll actually use it

If a bath with your vibrator sounds like a great way to spend an evening, waterproofing earns its place on your list. If you always use toys in bed, don't pay extra for something you won't use. Browse the vibrator range with that in mind. A photo beside a bathtub doesn't tell you the water rating.

Get the right toy first. Then you can shut the door and enjoy yourself, instead of wondering if you've just drowned your favourite vibrator.