IP ratings define how effectively an electric scooter’s parts are protected from the environment and provide a standardized scale for dust and water resistance. The Electric Scooter IP Rating Table provides the worst riding conditions that the scooter can withstand before it suffers damage from the elements.
Most electric scooters these days have some water resistance and can tolerate slightly wet conditions if they use quality materials and construction. But there is no such thing as a completely waterproof scooter. We’ll look at what IP ratings mean when it comes to electric scooters below.
IP Ratings
IP Ratings Referred to as “international protection” or “ingress protection” (IP) codes, these standards were first defined by the IEC in 1976. The first digit relates to an electronic device’s protection from debris and the second digit relates to its protection from water, with an X in either position meaning that no data has been collected.
In the case of electric scooters, these numbers mean the following:
Electric Scooter IP Rating Table
| IP Rating | Riding Conditions |
| None | Possibly some water resistance, but not guaranteed; not advisable for wet conditions |
| IPX4 | Wet ground, mist/fog; light, infrequent rain |
| IPX5 | Light, constant rain, puddles |
| IP34 | Infrequent dusty, rocky roads; wet ground, mist/fog Light, infrequent rain |
| IP54 | Occasional off-roading; wet ground, mist/fog Light, infrequent rain |
| IP55 | Occasional off-roading; puddles, light, constant rain |
| IP65 | All-terrain; puddles, light, constant rain |
| IP67 | All-terrain; heavy, constant rain, some immersion |
Water and Debris Resistance
Nearly all electric scooters are tolerant to normal dust and dirt conditions, even when they are not given an IP rating (though trekking through extreme environments like desserts is never advisable).
However, not all electric scooters are water resistant, and it is not equally advisable to ride them all in wet weather.
Debris Protection Table
Debris The first digit ranges from X to 6. If the first digit is 0, the device has no protection against human contact or ingress of objects. If the first digit is 3, it is completely protected against human contact and some tools, but not against dust. If it’s a 6, it’s “dust-tight” or completely protected from debris.
| Level | Effective Against |
| X | Not tested |
| 0 | No protection against debris ingress |
| 1 | Large objects > 2 inches |
| 2 | Medium object > 0.5 inches |
| 3 | Small objects > 0.01 inches |
| 4 | Very small objects > 0.04 inches |
| 5 | Strong protection against dust |
| 6 | Dust tight |
Liquid Protection Table
Water The second digit ranges from 1 to 8. If the second digit is 0, the device has no protection from water. At 4, it is protected from splashing water. At 7, it can be immersed in up to 1 meter of water.
| Level | Effective Against |
| X | Not tested |
| 0 | No protection against water ingress |
| 1 | Dripping water |
| 2 | Dripping water up to 15 degrees from vertical |
| 3 | Water spray up to 60 degrees from vertical |
| 4 | Water spray at any angle |
| 5 | Pressurized water at any angle |
| 6 | High pressure water at any angle |
| 6K | Very high pressure water at any angle |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1 m of depth for 30 min |
| 8 | Immersion up to 3 m |
| 9K | Extreme pressure and high temperature at any angle |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the best waterproof electric scooters?
Buying a waterproof electric scooter is impossible since no electric scooter is designed to travel underwater. But different degrees of water resistance make a huge difference.
Of over 200 scooters in our database, two-thirds do not carry an IP rating. About half of the scooters that do have one have a rating of IP54. These are suitable for riding in light rain and dusty terrain and can withstand most common commuting conditions.
The ever-popular, but no-longer-available Xiaomi Mi M365 has an IP54 rating. (See our list of the best Xiaomi alternatives here.) Elegant city commuter the Unagi Model One also has a rating of IP54, making it a good choice for occasionally wet conditions, though its solid tires don’t have the best traction.
Very few electric scooters on the market can withstand heavy rains or full submersion in water. Although some scooter enclosures allow for brief immersion, there’s no such thing as a completely waterproof e scooter, and electric scooter warranties almost never cover water damage of any kind.
Proceed with caution and make sure your electric scooter can withstand wet conditions before you get caught in a severe thunderstorm. A specific IP rating has the advantage of telling you if a scooter has water protection from light sprays, a medium pressure jet, or a high pressure jet of water from any direction.
Apollo Scooters
Some of the highest-quality electric scooters, like Apollo’s Air, City 2022, and City Pro, also have have some of the highest ingress protection ratings, IP66, in addition to their pneumatic tires, slip-resistant decks, and other excellent features for riding in wet weather.
While perfectly waterproof electric scooters may not exist, there is increasing demand for water resistant electric scooters with high IP ratings. Apollo meets this with its three commuter electric scooters (with an even better rating than the Ferrari-like Nami Burn E 2 Max!)
The City and City Pro’s water resistance ratings, ride quality, and other factors earned them a place on our list of best electric scooters for riding in the rain.
EMOVE Cruiser
The EMOVE Cruiser has an IP67 rating, the highest we’ve tested, and it’s particularly well-made for weathering and riding in all conditions. Not only is the Cruiser built to go underwater briefly (though we don’t recommend it), but also many of the cables are plug-and-play, making it simpler to replace the lights, LED display, or other components should they malfunction. The Cruiser is also rated among the best electric scooters for riding in the rain.
My scooter has an IPX4 rating. Does that mean I can’t take it off-roading?
The X in the IP rating means that the device was water resistance tested but not dust resistance tested, which doesn’t mean it can’t withstand debris — it just hasn’t been recorded.
Some companies like Kaabo, for example, maker of beloved off-road monsters like the Wolf King GT and Wolf Warrior 11, include water resistance numbers but no number for debris. But this hardly means these beasts can’t resist dust and dirt.
Scooter durability and weather resistance vary from model to model. If you’re commuting in a wet or rugged environment on a regular basis, the scooter’s build quality makes a significant difference, and highly regarded off-road models like Kaabo’s Wolf series scooters can be considered exceptions to the IP ratings rule.
My scooter doesn’t have an IP rating. How can I tell if it’s waterproof?
Again, there’s no such thing as a completely waterproof electric scooter, but almost almost all electric scooters today have some level of water resistance in real world wet conditions.
Some manufacturers, like Minimoters, the brand behind popular beasts like the Dualtron Storm, do not provide IP ratings. That does not mean their scooters aren’t water resistant.
Often, scooters without an IP rating can travel in light rain for short periods and are protected from touch and dust (similar to IP54), but it is not recommended to ride these electric scooters in very heavy rain.
Before riding, take a close look at all of the components on your scooter and how they’re put together. Examine how the cables route into or along the stem and if there are any open holes along the deck where there could be water ingress.
Observe where parts fit together and how tightly around electrical components. This can help you determine if your scooter is suitable for riding in light rain.
For those who are mechanically-inclined, many scooters can be weather-proofed with silicone caulking and other fairly simple modifications that can make them more suitable for inclement weather.
Can you ride an electric scooter in the rain?
Many electric scooters are rated IPx4 and can withstand light rain and water splashes without problems. Even those without an official rating can often tolerate at least light rain. Few electric scooters can actually survive being submerged in water.
To determine if it is safe to ride your electric scooter in the rain, it is best to look up its IP rating, which should be provided in the instructions, or you can look it up in our electric scooter database.
If the scooter is rated at least IPx4, then you can ride it in light rain. If it is rated higher such as IPx5, IPx6, or IPx7 if can tolerate more rain for longer periods or even temporary immersion in water. (Continuous immersion in water is never recommended for an electric scooter.)
If you do end up riding your scooter in the rain, it is important to exercise extra caution as braking distances will increase and tires will have less grip.
Check out our ESG Editor’s pick for best electric scooters for riding in the rain!
Do warranties cover water damage?
Counterintuitively, no warranty will cover water damage — even if you have an electric scooter with an IP rating.
The explanation is that the retailer (or warranty provider) doesn’t know if you exceeded the IP rating or not.
This is not only standard in the electric scooter industry, but in others as well. Not even Apple covers water-related damage, despite having phones rated up to IP67 and beyond.
What do I do if my electric scooter gets wet and stops working?
You should keep your electric scooter dry as much as possible. If you’re coming in from a storm, towel dry the scooter and store it in a warm, dry location in your house or garage to let it dry overnight. Often this will be enough to restore functionality if a scooter gets too wet and stops working.
Most modern electric scooters are equipped with a battery management system that will shut down the scooter when certain dangerous conditions are detected. If a water resistant electric scooter gets wet, it may only need time to dry out in order to start working again.
