IP65 vs IP66 vs IP67 vs IP68 vs IP69K: How to Choose the Right Touch Screen Ratings

You’ve probably stared at a spec sheet, wondering: “Is IP67 really better than IP66? And do I actually need IP69K?”

It’s the most common question we get at TouchWo. Here is the hard truth: Higher numbers don’t always mean better protection. Buying an IP68 monitor for a high-pressure washdown zone might actually be a costly mistake.

As an IP65 touch screen monitor manufacturer and kiosk supplier, з над 200,000 industrial touch screens built, we’re here to cut through the jargon and give you real-world guidance. Let’s make sure you don’t pay for protection you don’t need—or miss the protection you definitely do.​

What Do IP Ratings Actually Mean?

IP stands for Ingress Protection, though it is sometimes referred to as International Protection. It is a globally standardized system defined by IEC 60529, designed to stop marketing terms like “водонепроникний” from being vague. It tells you exactly how much dust or water a device can handle.

The code typically consists of two digits, such as IP65, but understanding what each position means is key to making the right purchase.

First digit for solids

This number from 0 до 6 rates protection against solid objects, ranging from fingers to fine dust. In our industry, anything less than a 5 is usually unacceptable. All TouchWo industrial monitors are rated IP6X, which means they are completely dust-tight and sealed against vacuum intrusion.

Second digit for liquids

This number from 0 to 9K rates protection against water ingress, covering everything from dripping water to powerful, hot steam jets. This is where most confusion happens. A higher number generally means stronger protection, but the test methods change drastically from spraying for IP66 to immersion for IP67 and IP68, and finally to high-temperature, high-pressure washdown for IP69K.

What if you see an X in the code?

If a digit is replaced by an X, such as in IPX7, it means the device was not tested for that specific category. It does not automatically mean zero protection. Наприклад, an IPX7 device is certified for immersion but has no official dust rating.​

У промислових умовах, avoid “X” ratings whenever possible. You need certified protection against both dust to prevent overheating and contamination, and water to prevent short circuits and corrosion.

Для підказки: The IP code only describes protection against solids and liquids. It does not rate resistance to corrosion, хімічні речовини, or mechanical impact. Those depend on enclosure materials like stainless steel and structural design.

The IP Rating Chart Comparison

Here is a quick reference to see how different ratings stack up against water exposure:

This is the core of many comparisons, such as IP65 vs IP66, IP65 vs IP67 vs IP68, and full ladders like IP65 vs IP66 vs IP67 vs IP68 for system-wide planning.

Detailed Breakdown for Choosing the Right Protection

IP65 as the Industry Standard for General Use

If you’ve ever wondered about the real IP65 waterproof meaning, here it is in simple terms: an IP65 rating means the device is dust-tight and can handle low-pressure water jets from any angle, but it is not designed for sustained or high-pressure washdowns. In our industry, this is often the starting point for serious industrial and commercial deployments.

When you compare IP65 vs IP66, IP65 gives you robust dust protection and resistance to light spray or gentle hose cleaning, while IP66 takes it further for harsh outdoor or heavy-spray environments. Seen from the other side, IP66 vs IP65 offers the same level of dust protection but a clear upgrade in water-jet resistance, which matters if your devices are exposed to storms or frequent washing.​

• Best for: General automation, retail POS (Торгова точка) terminals, інформаційні кіоски, and indoor control panels.
• TouchWo view: For many projects, IP65 is the most cost-effective sweet spot. As an experienced IP65 touch screen monitor manufacturer, we often recommend IP65 for indoor HMIs and kiosks where the risk is more about dust and occasional splashes than about high-pressure cleaning. For global deployments, TouchWo also supports China IP65 touch screen kiosk projects, from enclosure design to mass production.

IP66 for Heavy Seas and Storms

IP66 steps up the protection to withstand high-pressure water jets from any direction.

If your equipment is outdoors and faces driving rain, strong wind-blown spray, or regular hose-down cleaning, IP66 becomes essential to prevent water ingress that could damage internal components or cause intermittent failures.

IP67 as the Immersion Specialist

IP67 means the device can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes without damage.

• Key nuance: IP67 is tested for temporary immersion, not for high-pressure spray. A device can pass an IP67 immersion test and still fail an IP66 jet test if water is forced through seals by pressure.
  This is why IP67 is not automatically “better” than IP66 for equipment that is cleaned with hoses or pressure washers.
• Best for: Field devices, portable terminals, or measurement equipment that might be dropped into puddles, tanks, or shallow water.

IP68 as the Submarine Standard

Many people assume IP68 is simply “better” than IP67, but it is actually designed for a different scenario: continuous immersion.

• The test: Unlike the short-term dunk of IP67, IP68 devices are sealed to withstand long periods under water at a defined depth and pressure. The exact conditions, наприклад, 3 meters for 24 години, are specified by the manufacturer.
• When it’s overkill: If your screen is never meant to stay underwater for long periods, IP68 may increase cost without adding real benefit. It mainly protects against static water pressure, not necessarily against powerful, hot washdowns.

When engineers compare IP65 vs IP67 vs IP68, the key question is not which number is the highest, but whether the device will face spray, temporary immersion, or long-term submersion. IP65 is usually enough for dry or lightly sprayed areas, IP67 is for short, accidental drops into water, and IP68 is for continuous underwater use. For broader planning across different lines or locations, many customers look at IP65 vs IP66 vs IP67 vs IP68 as a complete progression from basic spray resistance to outdoor heavy cleaning and then to immersion ratings.​

IP69K as the Gold Standard for Hygiene

IP69K is the highest level of water protection in the standard. The “К” originates from a German standard for high-pressure cleaning of vehicles and industrial equipment.​

In some documents, you may also see IP69 mentioned. In industrial computing and washdown applications, IP69K is the more relevant designation, because it explicitly refers to high-pressure, high-temperature cleaning defined in DIN 40050-9.

• The test: Devices must withstand close-range, high-pressure, high-temperature water and steam from multiple angles. This simulates aggressive cleaning procedures with hot water and detergents.
• Best for: Food and beverage plants, meat processing lines, dairies, pharmaceutical factories, and any environment where strict hygiene and frequent washdowns are mandatory.
• Important: IP69K focuses on dust and water under extreme cleaning conditions. Corrosion resistance still depends on enclosure materials, which is why stainless steel housings are commonly used in these environments.​

Which One Should You Buy?

Choosing the right IP rating is about matching environment, cleaning method, and total cost of ownership. Going higher than you need can waste budget, but choosing too low leads to downtime, failures, and higher replacement costs.

As a manufacturer with in-house R&Д, metal processing, touch panel production, і повна збірка ПК, TouchWo can align the IP rating with your real-world conditions instead of forcing you into a one-size-fits-all product.

Use this decision framework as a reference:

Choose IP65 for Retail, Offices and Light Industry

If the device is indoors, away from direct jets of water, and mainly cleaned with cloths or mild spray, IP65 is usually enough.

• Typical scenarios: Кіоски самообслуговування, ticket machines under canopies, HMI (Human Machine Interface) panels on production lines without washdown, reception and lobby terminals.
• TouchWo solution: Standard Touch Screen Monitors and Panel PCs with IP65 front panels and flexible configuration options help you control cost while still protecting critical components. For brands looking for a reliable China IP65 touch screen kiosk partner, TouchWo offers one-stop design, виробництво, and customization for self-service terminals in malls, transport hubs, і smart retail projects.

Choose IP66 for Outdoor, Marine and Heavy Spray

If your screen faces frequent or strong water spray, but not hot, high-pressure steam, you should move to IP66.

• Typical scenarios: Outdoor digital signage, port and marine equipment, fuel dispensers, outdoor control stations, and machinery that is cleaned with a water hose.
• TouchWo solution: We can enhance sealing with custom gaskets and housing designs so your outdoor or marine terminals meet IP66 while maintaining good heat dissipation and serviceability.​

Choose IP69K for Strict Hygiene and Daily Washdowns

If you operate in food, pharma, or chemical environments where equipment is washed down with hot water, steam, and cleaning agents, IP69K is the only safe long-term choice.

• Typical scenarios: Slaughterhouses, dairies, beverage bottling lines, ready-meal factories, and clean rooms with frequent sanitation.
• TouchWo solution: наш ПК із сенсорною панеллю IP69K Series is engineered for these exact challenges. With a seamless true-flat design and IP69K-rated front protection, it allows for high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns without trapping bacteria or moisture. Whether integrated into a control cabinet or a standalone kiosk, it ensures hygiene compliance while delivering reliable touch performance.​

Choose IP68 for Submerged or Below Water Line

If the device must operate underwater or in locations that can remain flooded for long periods, IP68 becomes essential.

• Typical scenarios: Water treatment tanks, underground pits, poolside equipment, or any installation where the screen might sit below the water line.
• TouchWo solution: For these special cases, our engineering team can design custom IP68 enclosures with reinforced seals, specialized materials, and validation for your required depth and duration. These are typically project-based solutions rather than off-the-shelf units.​

Ready to Choose Your IP Rating with Confidence?

By now, you can see that IP65, IP66, IP67, IP68, and IP69K are not just numbers on a datasheet. They decide whether your touch screens can survive dust, rain, immersion, or daily high-pressure washdowns.

As a specialist touch screen manufacturer with in-house R&Д, metal processing, touch panel production, і повна збірка ПК, TouchWo turns IP ratings into reliable hardware that matches your exact use case and budget. Every design is validated through strict dust and water testing, long-hour burn-in, and ISO-style quality control, so the spec sheet ratings reflect real-world reliability. From stainless steel IP69K industrial PCs for food and pharma to customizable IP65/IP66 panel PCs and project-based IP68 solutions, we build what works for your environment.

If you’re planning a new project or upgrading equipment and want to get the IP rating right the first time, contact us today to discuss your application and build a touch solution that truly fits your environment.