More often than people may realize or care to admit, everyone uses their personal tech devices in ways that border on abuse.
Rigging a sports bra strap as a makeshift smartphone holder. Wiping away brow sweat with your smartwatch. Licking or sucking on AirPods before sticking them in your ears, ostensibly to create a tighter seal or to clean them. (Seriously, don’t.) Whether on a run, at the gym, or just going about their everyday lives, many people have been guilty of those things and more.
While modern devices are designed to withstand everyday wear and tear—including exposure to small amounts of moisture—they’re not entirely invincible, especially when summer rolls around and life gets a lot sweatier.
Although it’s rare, some gadgets can be destroyed beyond repair by perspiration, which can deteriorate your tech over time. “Elements in your sweat can build up and clog, corrode, or break down all sorts of things,” says senior staff writer Lauren Dragan, our in-house headphones expert. Adds senior editor Caitlin McGarry, who heads Wirecutter’s tech coverage, “Sweat is more actually damaging than water due to its salt and mineral content.” (Though if your gear does sustain water damage, we have some suggestions on how to fix it.)
Fortunately, you can take several measures to ensure that your sweat doesn’t do any real damage to your smartphone, smartwatch, or earbuds in the long run.
