IP68 vs 5ATM Waterproof Ratings: What They Mean for Your Wearable

If you have shopped for a smartwatch or smart ring recently, you have probably seen waterproof ratings like IP68 or 5ATM listed in the specifications. These ratings tell you exactly how much water exposure your device can handle, but the codes themselves are not exactly intuitive. This guide explains what these ratings actually mean, how they are tested, and what level of protection you genuinely get from each, so you know precisely what your wearable can and cannot handle in real-world situations.

Understanding the IP Rating System

IP stands for Ingress Protection, and it is an internationally recognised standard used to rate how well a device resists the intrusion of solid objects and liquids. The rating always consists of two digits following the letters IP. The first digit relates to protection against solid particles like dust; the second digit relates to protection against liquids.

For wearables, you will almost always see ratings like IP67 or IP68, where the first digit, 6, indicates complete protection against dust ingress, the highest level on that scale. The second digit is where the meaningful differences for water resistance appear, and this is the figure most relevant to everyday wearable usage.

IP67 Explained

A device rated IP67 can be submerged in water up to 1 metre deep for up to 30 minutes without water ingress. This covers situations like accidentally dropping your watch in a sink, getting caught in heavy rain, or brief submersion during everyday activities.

IP68 Explained

IP68, which is the rating used across the COLMI range of smartwatches and smart rings, provides protection against submersion in water deeper than 1 metre, for a duration and depth specified by the manufacturer, commonly tested to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes, though exact figures vary by device and manufacturer testing protocol. This means IP68-rated devices like COLMI wearables can comfortably handle showering, swimming in a pool, washing dishes, and being caught in heavy rain without any concern about water damage.

Understanding ATM Ratings

ATM, atmosphere, ratings are a different, though related, system more commonly used in traditional watchmaking and increasingly adopted by wearable manufacturers as an additional or alternative measure of water resistance. One ATM represents the pressure exerted by water at a depth of 10 metres.

5ATM Explained

A 5ATM rating means the device is designed to withstand water pressure equivalent to a depth of 50 metres. In practical terms, a 5ATM rated device, like the COLMI R06 smart ring, comfortably handles swimming, showering, and even some snorkelling, though it should not be used for scuba diving or activities involving significant pressure changes, like high-board diving, where the rapid pressure fluctuations can exceed the device's tested tolerance.

IP68 vs 5ATM: Which Offers Better Protection?

This is genuinely one of the more confusing aspects of wearable waterproofing, because the two rating systems measure things slightly differently and are not perfectly interchangeable. IP68 testing typically involves static submersion at a specified depth for a specified time. ATM ratings are based on pressure resistance, which can be a more demanding real-world test because pressure increases significantly with depth and with movement through water, such as during a dive or a forceful swimming stroke.

In very rough practical terms, a 5ATM rating generally indicates a device that can handle slightly more demanding water exposure than a typical IP68 rating, particularly for activities involving deeper submersion or more vigorous swimming strokes. However, for the vast majority of everyday use cases, showering, washing up, swimming laps in a pool, being caught in the rain, both IP68 and 5ATM-rated devices will perform reliably and protect your wearable from water damage.

What These Ratings Do Not Cover

It is just as important to understand the limits of these ratings as the protections they offer. Neither IP68 nor 5ATM ratings on a consumer smartwatch or smart ring are designed for:

• Scuba diving, the pressure at diving depths exceeds what these consumer ratings are tested for, and the risk of water ingress increases significantly with depth
• High-board or high-impact diving, the sudden impact and pressure change when hitting water from height can exceed the device's rated tolerance in ways that gradual submersion testing does not replicate
• Hot water exposure, very hot showers or hot tubs can affect the seals on a device differently than room-temperature water, and many manufacturers specifically advise against hot water exposure even on rated devices
• Saltwater exposure without rinsing, while swimming in the sea is generally fine for an IP68 or 5ATM device, salt residue can affect buttons, charging ports, and seals over time if not rinsed off afterward
• Pressure washing or high-pressure water jets, the static submersion testing used for these ratings does not account for the much higher localised pressure of a jet wash or hose

Practical Care Tips for Waterproof Wearables

• Rinse your watch or ring with fresh water after swimming in the sea or a chlorinated pool to remove salt or chemical residue that could otherwise affect seals over time
• Dry the charging contacts thoroughly before connecting to charge, charging a wet device can occasionally cause connection issues even if the device itself is undamaged
• Avoid extremely hot water exposure, saunas, very hot showers, even on rated devices, as a precaution recommended by most manufacturers across the industry
• Periodically check that the watch strap or ring surface has not developed any wear that could compromise the seal over years of use

Which COLMI Wearables Have Which Rating?

Most of the COLMI smartwatch and smart ring range carries an IP68 rating, including the COLMI V69, i28 Ultra, R02, and R03. The COLMI R06 smart ring upgrades to a 5ATM rating, offering enhanced water pressure resistance suited to more frequent swimmers or those who want extra peace of mind during water-based activities and more demanding water exposure scenarios generally.

Should Waterproof Rating Influence Your Buying Decision?

For the vast majority of buyers, IP68 is more than sufficient. Showering, washing up, exercising in the rain, and swimming in a pool are all comfortably covered. If you are a frequent and serious swimmer, doing regular lap swimming or open water swimming, the additional pressure resistance of a 5ATM-rated device like the COLMI R06 offers a slightly larger margin of safety, though in practice both rating levels will serve most swimmers well for typical recreational swimming activities.

Final Thoughts

Waterproof ratings can look like meaningless jargon, but understanding IP68 and 5ATM gives you a much clearer picture of exactly what your wearable can handle. Both rating systems used across the COLMI range provide genuine, reliable protection for everyday water exposure including swimming, showering, and rain, just remember the limits around diving, hot water, and high-pressure jets, and your COLMI wearable will serve you reliably for years.