Waterproof is one of the first words people look for on a toy, and for good reason. A toy that can go underwater is easier to wash, and it can come into the bath or shower with you. The trouble is that waterproof, water-resistant and splashproof get used loosely, and they don't mean the same thing.
This guide explains what each label means, how to read a rating if the box shows one, what changes when you use a toy in water, and how to keep the seal working for as long as possible. If you're still choosing a first toy, our plain guide to a first vibrator covers the other things to look for.
In this article
- Waterproof, splashproof and water-resistant
- How to read an IP rating
- Which of our toys are waterproof
- Using a toy in the bath or shower
- Lube in water
- What waterproof doesn't cover
- Cleaning and drying a waterproof toy
- Frequently asked questions
Waterproof, splashproof and water-resistant
The words on the box describe how well the toy's body is sealed against water getting in to the motor and battery.
Waterproof means the toy is sealed well enough to go underwater, so it can be used in the bath and washed under the tap without worry. How deep and for how long depends on the toy, which is where a rating helps.
Splashproof means it can handle splashes and a quick rinse, but it shouldn't be held under running water for long or dropped in a bath. You'd wipe it clean rather than wash it under the tap.
Water-resistant is the vaguest of the three. Some brands use it to mean splashproof, others to mean something closer to waterproof. If a toy only says water-resistant, assume it's splashproof unless the manual says more.
No label means you should keep it dry, and clean it with a damp cloth.
The difference matters for more than bath time. A toy that can be washed under the tap is easier to clean well, because you can rinse soap and lube out of every crease.
How to read an IP rating
Some toys carry an IP rating, short for ingress protection. It comes from an international standard that rates how well a device keeps out solids, such as dust, and liquids. The code has two characters after IP: the first is for solids and the second is for water. An X in the first place means it wasn't rated for dust, which is normal for a toy.
| Rating | What it means for water | What you can do with the toy |
|---|---|---|
| IPX4 | Protected against splashing from any direction | Rinse it quickly; keep it out of the bath |
| IPX5 or IPX6 | Protected against jets of water | Wash it under the tap; keep it out of the bath |
| IPX7 | Protected when submerged up to 1 metre for 30 minutes | Use it in the bath and shower |
| IPX8 | Protected beyond IPX7, under conditions the maker sets | Check the manual for depth and time |
A rating describes how the toy was tested when new. It doesn't promise the seal will hold after a drop, a crack or years of use, and it doesn't cover hot water, soap or chlorine. If your manual gives limits, those come first.
Many toys are simply described as waterproof, without a code. In that case the manual is the place to check for any limits the maker sets.
Which of our toys are waterproof
Each toy in the table below is described as waterproof on its product page. Here is how they compare for use in water.
| Toy | Waterproof | Motor | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cakepop, mini wand | Yes | Vibration, 10 speeds | Small, one button, easy to hold in wet hands |
| Aura, air pulse | Yes | Air pulse, 10 speeds | Try it in and out of the water to see which you prefer |
| Peak, dual stimulation | Yes | Three kinds of stimulation, two motors | Internal and external, bendable |
| Glow, dual stimulation, compact | Yes | Two independent motors | Comes with a carrying and charging case, which should stay dry |
| Uno, weighted plug | Yes, fully | No motor | Nothing electronic to protect |
| O, ring set | Yes | No motor | Silicone rings, nothing electronic |
If you mainly want a toy for the bath, a small one with a single button is the easiest to use with wet hands. Cakepop is a mini wand, 3.6 by 1.2 inches, made of medical-grade silicone, with one button, 10 vibration speeds and a smooth, bendable head. It charges by USB in about 90 minutes and runs for about an hour at its highest speed. One reviewer described it as « tres discret » (k.), very discreet.
An air pulse toy such as Aura may feel different in water than out of it, so try both and see which you prefer.
Using a toy in the bath or shower
A waterproof toy makes the bath an easy place to relax with one. A few things make it go well.
Keep bath products simple. Scented soaps and bath products can bother intimate skin. Cleveland Clinic lists irritation from vaginal sprays, scented soap, douches or spermicide products as a cause of non-infectious vaginitis, and its page on the clitoris notes that itching there can come from an allergic reaction to things like bathing products, lubricants or condoms. Plain warm water is the gentlest bath for a toy session. Our article on fragrance in body wash explains why scent is a common trigger.
Mind the floor. Water, soap and lube together make a bathtub slippery. Sit down, or keep a non-slip mat in the tub.
Keep the water warm. Very hot water is uncomfortable on sensitive skin, and warm water is plenty.
Use a hand-held shower head carefully. The water itself can feel strong on the clitoris. That's fine if you like it, but keep the pressure low and the water warm.
Keep the charging case and cable out of the bathroom. Only the toy is waterproof.
Lube in water
Water feels wet, but it rinses away lube and natural moisture, so sex and toy play in water can feel drier than you'd expect.
The two main lube types behave differently in water. Water-based lube mixes with water and washes away, so you'll need to reapply it more often. Cleveland Clinic notes that water-based lubes dry out more quickly than the other types, and silicone-based lubes last longer. ACOG, the US organization of obstetrician-gynecologists, adds that silicone-based lubricants last longer and tend to be more slippery than water-soluble lubricants.
That makes silicone lube popular for water play, but there's a catch with toys. Our silicone Honey isn't recommended with silicone toys, and Cakepop, like all our vibrators, is silicone. So with a silicone toy in the bath:
- Use a water-based lube, such as the aloe version of our Honey, which works with every toy material.
- Apply it just before use, out of the water if you can, and reapply as you go.
- Expect to use more than you would in bed.
Silicone Honey is a good choice for water play without a silicone toy, and it doesn't wash away like water-based lube. Our article on water-based and silicone lube compares the two in more detail.
What waterproof doesn't cover
A waterproof label protects the toy from water while it's sealed and intact. Here is where it stops.
Charging. The seal protects the motor in water, not a plugged-in cable. Charge it well away from the bath, and only once the charging contacts are bone dry, since Health Canada wants battery terminals kept free of moisture.
Damage. A crack, a split seam or a drop onto tile can break a seal you can't see. If your toy has been dropped hard, keep it out of the water until you know it still works normally.
Heat. A sauna, a hot tub or leaving a toy on a hot radiator to dry isn't what waterproof is tested for. Health Canada also advises keeping lithium-ion batteries away from extreme temperatures.
The case and the cable. Glow's carrying and charging case and every charging cable should stay dry.
Signs water got in. If a toy stops working after time in water, runs weakly, fogs up inside or behaves strangely, stop using it in water and let it dry fully at room temperature. If it doesn't recover, write to us with your order details. We answer within 24 to 48 hours.
Cleaning and drying a waterproof toy
Being able to wash a toy under the tap is the biggest everyday benefit of waterproofing.
- Wash it after every use, with mild soap and warm water or a toy cleaner. Our toy cleaning guide covers each step.
- Work into the creases, such as the seam between the head and the handle, where lube and soap collect.
- Rinse it well under running water.
- Pat it dry with a clean towel, then let it air dry completely, ideally standing up so water runs off.
- Charge it only once it's fully dry, and store it on its own in a pouch or drawer.
Your skin needs looking after as much as the seal does. If you get irritation, burning or itch that lasts more than a day or two, or that comes back each time, stop and see a doctor. Check what else touched the skin too, such as a new bath product or lube.
Cakepop is $79 CAD ($59 USD), with 10 reviews averaging 5.0 on our store, and it comes with Honey in a bundle for $97 to $103 CAD ($72 to $77 USD). Full details are on the Cakepop page.
Frequently asked questions
What does waterproof mean on a vibrator?
It means the toy is sealed well enough to go underwater, so it can be used in the bath and washed under the tap. A splashproof toy can only handle splashes and a quick rinse. If the box shows an IP rating, IPX7 means it's protected when submerged up to 1 metre for 30 minutes.
Can I use a waterproof vibrator in the bath?
Yes, that's what waterproof is for. Keep the water warm rather than hot, avoid scented bath products, and use a water-based lube with a silicone toy, reapplying as you go. Keep the charging cable and any charging case out of the bathroom.
What is the difference between IPX7 and IPX8?
IPX7 means a device is protected when submerged up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. IPX8 means protection beyond that, under conditions the maker sets, so check the manual for the exact depth and time. For bath and shower use, either one works.
Can I charge my vibrator if it's still wet?
No. Dry it completely first, including the charging contacts, then plug it in. Health Canada advises keeping moisture away from a battery's terminals. Pat the toy dry with a clean towel and let it air dry fully before you charge it.
What lube should I use in the shower with a silicone toy?
A water-based lube, and more of it than usual, since water rinses it away. Silicone lube lasts longer in water, but our silicone Honey isn't recommended with silicone toys, so keep it for water play without one. Apply the water-based lube just before use, out of the water if you can, and reapply as you go.
Can I take a waterproof vibrator in a hot tub?
It's better not to. Waterproof ratings are tested in plain water at ordinary temperatures, and Health Canada advises keeping lithium-ion batteries away from extreme temperatures. A warm bath or shower at home is the simpler place for a waterproof toy.
Sources
- Scented soap and sprays as a cause of irritation: Cleveland Clinic, Vaginitis
- Bathing products, lubricants and condoms as a cause of itching: Cleveland Clinic, Clitoris
- How long water-based and silicone-based lubes last: Cleveland Clinic, What can you use instead of lube
- Silicone-based and water-soluble lubricants compared: ACOG, When sex is painful
- Keeping moisture off battery terminals, and avoiding extreme temperatures: Health Canada, Battery safety: Lithium-ion batteries
About this article
Written by the Peach & Cream team, based in Montréal. Published October 15, 2026. Last updated October 15, 2026. Product facts come from our toy product pages; buyer words are quoted exactly from reviews on our store. This article is general information, not medical advice.