Buying guide
Walkie talkie IP ratings for kitchens and sites
By Jolene Wong
What IP54, IP55, IP67 and IP68 really mean, with the radios that carry each rating.
Kitchens kill radios. Water, steam and grease get in, and the radio gets replaced again and again. The IP rating tells you what a radio is built to survive.
How to read it
The first number is dust, the second is water. A higher number is more protection.
| Rating | In plain words | Example radios |
|---|---|---|
| IP54 | Some dust, splashes | XiR C2620, XiR C1200 |
| IP55 | Some dust, low-pressure jets | MOTOTRBO R2 |
| IP67 | Dust-tight, short immersion | MOTOTRBO R5, XiR P6600i |
| IP68 | Dust-tight, longer immersion | MOTOTRBO R7 |
What I would choose
- Kitchens and wash areas: start at IP67.
- Outdoor and site work: IP55 at least, IP67 if it rains on them often.
- Front of house and offices: IP54 is usually enough.
A rating only holds if the battery and accessory cover are fitted properly, so show your team how to close them.