IP68 vs IP67: What Waterproof Rating Do You Actually Need?

You have seen the numbers on product specs. IP67. IP68. Maybe even IP69K. But what do they actually mean for someone who works outdoors in the UK? More importantly, which rating do you need for your trade?

This guide explains the IP rating system in plain English, walks through real world scenarios, and tells you exactly which level of protection suits different working conditions.

What the Numbers Actually Mean

IP stands for Ingress Protection. It is an international standard (IEC 60529) that rates how well a device keeps out solid particles and liquids. The rating has two digits.

The first digit covers solid particle protection, on a scale from 0 to 6:

• 5: Protected against dust ingress (some dust may enter but not enough to interfere with operation)
• 6: Fully dust tight. No dust gets in at all

For any device going onto a work site, you want a 6. Construction dust, sawdust, plaster, concrete powder, all of it will wreck a device that is not fully sealed. There is no reason to consider anything less than a 6 for the first digit.

The second digit covers liquid protection, on a scale from 0 to 9K:

• 5: Protected against water jets from any direction
• 6: Protected against powerful water jets (think a garden hose on full blast)
• 7: Survives immersion in 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes
• 8: Survives immersion beyond 1 metre (depth and time specified by the manufacturer)
• 9K: Survives high pressure, high temperature water jets (pressure washing)

This is where the real difference between IP67 and IP68 sits.

IP67 vs IP68: The Practical Difference

Both IP67 and IP68 devices are fully dust tight. That first digit is 6 in both cases. The difference is in how they handle water.

An IP67 device can survive being dropped in a puddle, a bucket of water, or even a shallow stream. It handles immersion to 1 metre for 30 minutes. For most trade work, that is more than enough. Rain, splashes, and accidental drops into water are all covered.

An IP68 device goes further. The exact depth and duration depend on the manufacturer, but it typically means deeper submersion for longer periods. Some IP68 devices are tested to 1.5 metres for an hour or more.

Here is what that means for real work scenarios:

Rain and Wet Weather

Both IP67 and IP68 handle UK weather without breaking a sweat. Heavy rain, drizzle, sleet, even leaving the tablet out on a scaffold board during a downpour. Both ratings are more than sufficient. If rain is your main concern, IP67 is perfectly adequate.

Dropped in Water

If you drop an IP67 tablet into a puddle, a bucket, or a water filled trench, you have plenty of time to fish it out. Thirty minutes at a metre depth is a generous margin. An IP68 device gives you even more time and depth, but in practical terms, you are going to pick it up within seconds, not minutes.

Pressure Washing and Hose Down

Here is where things get interesting. Neither IP67 nor IP68 is rated for high pressure water jets. That is a separate rating: IP69K. If you regularly pressure wash your equipment or work in environments where high pressure water is used, you want a device with IP69K certification on top of IP67 or IP68.

The Tuga T10 carries IP68 plus IP69K, meaning it handles everything from rain to full pressure washing. The Tuga H6 also carries the IP68 plus IP69K combination.

Underwater Use

Neither IP67 nor IP68 is designed for intentional underwater use. These ratings cover accidental submersion, not deliberate operation under water. If you need to take photos or readings underwater, you need a specialist device or a waterproof housing.

Which Tuga Devices Have Which Rating

Here is a quick breakdown of the water protection across our range:

• IP68 + IP69K: Tuga H6 (rugged handheld), Tuga T10 (10.1 inch tablet). These offer the highest level of water protection in our range, including pressure wash resistance
• IP67: Tuga T8 (8 inch tablet), Tuga WH6 (Windows handheld), Tuga W8 (8 inch Windows tablet), Tuga W10 (10.1 inch Windows tablet). These handle rain, splashes, and accidental immersion comfortably

Which Rating Do You Need for Your Trade?

Let us break it down by trade and working environment.

Construction, General Building, Scaffolding

IP67 is sufficient for most construction work. You are dealing with rain, puddles, and the occasional drop into standing water. The bigger risk on a construction site is drops and dust, both of which are covered equally well by IP67 and IP68 devices. If you are looking for a construction tablet, our guide to the best rugged tablets for construction covers the full picture.

Plumbing, Drainage, Groundwork

IP68 is the better choice here. You are regularly working around standing water, flooded trenches, and wet pipe runs. The extra submersion depth gives you more margin for error. If you also deal with pressure testing or jetting, look for IP69K as well.

Landscaping, Agriculture, Outdoor Maintenance

IP67 handles rain and muddy conditions. If you use pressure washers regularly, step up to a device with IP69K so you can clean the tablet alongside your tools.

Marine, Offshore, Wet Rooms

Go with IP68 minimum, and IP69K if available. Saltwater is more corrosive than freshwater, so higher protection is worth the investment. Always rinse the device with fresh water after saltwater exposure, regardless of the IP rating.

General Field Work, Surveys, Inspections

IP67 is more than adequate. You are mainly protecting against rain and accidental exposure. The money you save by choosing an IP67 device can go towards other specs that matter more for your workflow, like a bigger screen or longer battery life.

Common Myths About IP Ratings

There are a few things the IP rating does not tell you, and a few myths worth clearing up.

IP ratings are tested with fresh, still water. The tests do not account for saltwater, chlorinated water, or moving water. Real world conditions can be more demanding than the lab test.

IP ratings can degrade over time. Seals wear out. If you drop a device repeatedly, the gaskets around ports and buttons can lose their integrity. A three year old device might not perform to its original IP rating. This is another reason to buy a purpose built rugged device rather than relying on a consumer tablet in a case.

A higher IP rating does not automatically mean a tougher device. IP ratings only cover water and dust. They say nothing about drop protection, vibration resistance, or temperature extremes. For overall ruggedness, you need to look at the full spec sheet, including the MIL-STD rating.

Cases do not give a device an IP rating. A waterproof case might keep water out, but it has not been independently tested or certified to the same standard. You are trusting the case manufacturer, not a lab test. Purpose built rugged devices have their IP rating baked into the hardware design, not bolted on as an afterthought.

When you are spending your own money on a work tool, it pays to understand what you are buying. The IP rating is one piece of the puzzle. Combine it with a solid drop test rating, a sunlight readable screen, and a battery that lasts a full shift, and you have got a device that will earn its keep for years.

If you are still weighing up whether a rugged tablet is worth the investment over a standard device, have a look at our true cost comparison. The numbers tend to settle the argument quickly.