November 26, 2025, 12:10 PM
IP55
IP66
A lot of people seem to agree that IP55 is usually fine for basic rain. It’s rated for low-pressure water jets, meaning normal rainfall and the occasional splash aren't a big deal. If the device sits under an eave, is partly sheltered, or only needs to survive everyday weather, plenty of users feel IP55 is "good enough" and not worth upgrading from.
Many people online lean toward IP66 for reliability, especially if the device is expensive, always exposed, or installed somewhere hard to reach.
I am combining dust protection and water protection but you should be more concerned with water (2nd digit).
Don't forget, that is somewhat of an honors system. Companies do these tests on their own.
- Protection against dust: Limited ingress allowed, but not fully dust-tight.
- Protection against water: Can withstand water jets (low-pressure) from any direction.
- Real meaning: Handles normal rain, splashes, and light spray very well.
IP66
- Protection against dust: Completely dust-tight.
- Protection against water: Can withstand high-pressure water jets.
- Real meaning: Handles heavy weather, storms, and very intense spray.
A lot of people seem to agree that IP55 is usually fine for basic rain. It’s rated for low-pressure water jets, meaning normal rainfall and the occasional splash aren't a big deal. If the device sits under an eave, is partly sheltered, or only needs to survive everyday weather, plenty of users feel IP55 is "good enough" and not worth upgrading from.
Many people online lean toward IP66 for reliability, especially if the device is expensive, always exposed, or installed somewhere hard to reach.
I am combining dust protection and water protection but you should be more concerned with water (2nd digit).
Don't forget, that is somewhat of an honors system. Companies do these tests on their own.