Modified on: 24/05/2024
E-CIGS WITH VARIOUS DEGREES OF CERTIFIED PROTECTION CAN BE FOUND ON THE MARKET, BUT THE TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS MAY NOT SATISFY ALL VAPERS
The electronic cigarette is now a common device, used mainly by ex-smokers who, either for health or economic reasons, have cut out the traditional cigarette in favor of vaping.
The wide demand on the market has led to the creation of electronic cigarettes with increasingly sophisticated technical features in order to meet the most diverse needs, including that of having an e-cig that can withstand water.
It remains to be clarified whether water-resistant e-cigarettes really exist or not.
What does ‘water-resistant’ mean?
The question seems trivial, but it is not. To be water-resistant, a device must meet certain characteristics and have a degree of protection certified according to standard CEI EN60529/1997.
The standard identifies the different degrees of IP (individual protection): the acronym is followed by two digits identifying the degree of protection and two other optional letters. The first number indicates the degree of protection against solids (1 to 6), while the second number identifies the degree of protection against liquids (1 to 8).
Here is a table with the different degrees of protection:
1st digit – Protection from solids
Digit – Description
0 No protection
1 Protection from solid objects greater than 50mm
2 Protection against solid objects greater than 12mm
3 Protection against solid objects greater than 2.5 mm
4 Protection against solid objects greater than 1 mm
5 Protection against dust
6 Total dust protection
2nd digit – Protection against liquids
Digit Description
0 No protection
1 Protection against vertically falling drops of water
2 Protection against falling water or rain up to 15° from the vertical
3 Protection against falling water or rain up to 60° from the vertical
4 Protection against splashing water from all directions
5 Protection against water jets
6 Protection against powerful jets of water
7 Protection against the effects of temporary immersion
8 Protection against effects of continuous immersion
To give an example, a device with an IP67 degree of protection will have a level 6 protection against solids (strong protection against dust) and level 7 against e-liquids (protection against immersion).
Having clarified this, the question is whether there really are cigarettes with a certified degree of protection against water.
Read also: Dual-battery e-cigarette: everything you need to know
Waterproof e-cigarettes: do they exist or not?
The answer is yes: there are waterproof electronic cigarettes on the market, with varying degrees of protection from dust and liquids.
Generally speaking, the water-resistant electronic cigarettes currently available have various degrees of protection:
IP 66 (against dust and powerful jets of water);
IP 67 (against dust and temporary immersion);
IP 68 (against dust and continuous immersion).
Thus, there are e-cigs that are not only protected against accidental water spills (e.g. rain or splashes from a sink) but can even be submerged without any problems.
The characteristics of waterproof electronic cigarette models are similar to those of non-water-resistant electronic cigarettes: mostly equipped with a single battery, they may have a tank with more or less capacity and have more or fewer functions. In general, they are often user-friendly devices, designed to be used by novices and experts.
The advantages and disadvantages of a water-resistant cigarette
Why should you choose a water-resistant device?
The advantages are all related to protection against water and dust: waterproof e-cigarettes can be used in places where an electronic cigarette without IP certification could be damaged by contact with liquids, for example at the seaside, in the swimming pool or in the middle of nature.
Hiking enthusiasts can also choose an e-cigarette which, in addition to being water and dustproof, integrates functions such as a barometer, altimeter, thermometer and even a torch.
In general, however, these are mainly “basic” devices, which are not very customizable and have more or less limited functions depending on the model: in other words, they are electronic cigarettes designed for novices and for those who want to vape in simplicity.
On the contrary, more experienced vapers, who want to configure the electronic cigarette to have a customized vaping experience, would hardly find these types of devices interesting.
A good solution would be to buy a water-resistant electronic cigarette for use on all those “risky” occasions, such as in the swimming pool or at the seaside.
Remember that the electronic cigarette can suffer irreversible damage if immersed in water, which is why it should not be used near water.
Read also: The must-have tools for mixing electronic cigarette liquids
In conclusion
Water-resistant electronic cigarettes exist: on the market, there are several models, each with a certain IP rating. Some of these models are resistant to water jets, others can even be immersed in water without any problems.
Most of these devices, however, have ‘basic’ features and are unlikely to meet the needs of experienced vapers who want to have all e-cig functions under control. Some models, however, incorporate functions suitable for those who have a passion for hiking and are often in contact with nature: in this case, IP protection from water is essential.
So, when the time comes to choose an electronic cigarette, you might think about combining a ‘classic’ device with a water-resistant e-cig, to be used in all contexts where there is another risk of contact with water.