Apple AirPods Drop And Wash Tests Show Surprising Durability

Apple AirPods just recently hit retail, and with that release comes all sorts of drop tests. YouTuber EverythingApplePro has put together one of the most comprehensive durability tests yet, not only dropping the AirPods from a variety of heights, but also putting them through a number of water tests. How did they fare? The results might surprise you.

To start, EverythingApplePro drops the AirPods from waist height, head height, and then 10 feet. He drops from each height twice – once with the AirPods in the case, and then a second time without it. In all six drop tests, the AirPods made it through working fine afterward, though there was some noticeable scuffing on both the case and the AirPods themselves.

Then it was time to get a little more serious. Once the drop tests were completed, EverythingApplePro put them in the washer along with a load of dirty clothes and the wired version that came with his phone. Both the wired EarPods and the wireless AirPods survived thirty minutes in the washing machine and a trip through the dryer, with even the AirPods' charging case working properly afterward.

Finally, the AirPods and the charging case were subjected to around five minutes under a foot of water. Even that wasn't enough to do them in – the case still charged afterward, and the AirPods still played music. It looks like Apple designed these AirPods to be fairly durable, which is nice considering their $159 price tag.

With that in mind, it probably isn't the best idea to purposely put your AirPods through the wringer. Even though EverythingApplePro's tests weren't able to actually break them, Apple isn't really advertising any level of water resistance with AirPods. In other words, don't try this at home.