IP44 vs IP65 vs IP66 Comparison
From splash-proof indoor fixtures to wind-driven rain and washdown.
IP44 keeps splashes out of a bathroom; IP66 survives a hose at close range. The gap between them is a gasket, a seal design and roughly a fifth of the fixture price.
| Comparison | Option A | Option B | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First digit | 4: solid objects above 1 mm | 6: dust-tight | IP66 |
| Water test | IP44 splash from any direction | IP65 6.3 mm jet; IP66 12.5 mm jet at 100 L/min | IP66 |
| Indoor use | Dry locations, bathrooms, kitchens | Not needed | IP44 |
| Outdoor use | Under cover only | IP65 general, IP66 coastal and washdown | IP66 |
| Cost premium | Baseline | Gaskets and seals add roughly 10-25% | IP44 |
| Common mistake | Using IP44 under an exposed soffit | Paying for IP66 indoors where IP20 is fine | IP65 |
Conclusion
Specify IP65 for anything exposed outdoors, IP66 for coastal sites, food areas and anywhere a hose is used, and stop there unless the fixture can actually sit in standing water, which is IP67 territory.
📩 Get Quotes Instantly
Just leave your email — we will send this specification to matching verified suppliers and reply with their quotes.
Need quotes for this specification?
Get 3 verified supplier quotes — compare price, MOQ and lead time before you commit.
Post a sourcing brief → Compare more products📋 Authoritative Standards Reference
IEC 60529 · CIE 13.3 · ANSI C78.377 · IES LM-79 / LM-80 · UL 1598 / UL 8750 — data verified by the CompareDeals team.