When choosing a rugged tablet for industrial work, one of the first specifications you'll encounter is the IP rating. Many manufacturers advertise devices as IP67 or IP68, but the differences between these ratings are often misunderstood.

If your teams work in construction, mining, logistics, utilities, agriculture, or emergency response, selecting the appropriate protection level can significantly improve equipment reliability while avoiding unnecessary costs.

This guide explains what IP67 and IP68 mean, compares their performance, and helps you determine which rugged tablet best fits your operational environment.

What Does an IP Rating Mean?

IP stands for Ingress Protection, an international standard (IEC 60529) that measures how well electronic devices resist dust and water.

An IP rating consists of two numbers:

Example: IP68

• 6 = Completely dustproof
• 8 = Waterproof beyond 1 meter (manufacturer specified)

Dust Protection: No Difference

Both IP67 and IP68 have the first digit 6.

This means both devices are:

• Completely sealed against dust
• Protected from sand
• Resistant to fine particles
• Suitable for mining, construction, deserts, and factories

For dust resistance, there is no practical difference.

Water Protection: Where They Differ

The second number determines waterproof capability.

IP67 devices survive accidental drops into water. IP68 devices provide a higher waterproof level, allowing deeper or longer immersion according to the manufacturer's certification.

Visual Comparison

Why Rugged Tablets Need Waterproof Protection

Unlike consumer tablets, industrial tablets frequently encounter harsh environments such as:

• Mud
• Dust
• Heavy rain
• Snow
• Humidity
• Concrete slurry
• Water spray
• Outdoor sunlight

A standard consumer tablet may fail after a brief exposure to moisture, whereas rugged tablets are designed to continue operating under these challenging conditions.

Which Industries Prefer IP67?

IP67 rugged tablets are commonly used in:

• Warehouse management
• Manufacturing
• Logistics
• Vehicle inspection
• Smart retail
• Utility inspection
• Asset management

Typical environments involve occasional rain or accidental water exposure rather than prolonged immersion.

Which Industries Need IP68?

IP68 rugged tablets are preferred in:

• Marine engineering
• Port operations
• Oil & gas
• Mining
• Forestry
• Agriculture
• Flood rescue
• Emergency response
• Outdoor surveying
• Pipeline inspection

These environments involve frequent exposure to water, mud, or submerged working conditions.

Is IP68 Always Better?

Not necessarily.

Many buyers assume IP68 is always superior, but choosing the right rating depends on your actual working conditions.

Consider:

• Will the tablet be submerged?
• Is heavy rain common?
• Does the device need frequent cleaning with water?
• Will it be used near rivers, ports, or coastal environments?

If the answer to these questions is no, an IP67 tablet often provides sufficient protection while reducing overall procurement costs.

Other Rugged Certifications Matter Too

An IP rating is only one part of a rugged tablet's durability.

You should also evaluate:

• MIL-STD-810H – Military-grade testing for shock, vibration, drop resistance, high altitude, and temperature extremes.
• Operating Temperature – Industrial tablets often support -20°C to 60°C (or -30°C to 70°C for some models).
• Gorilla Glass – Enhanced resistance to scratches and impacts.
• Battery Life – Outdoor users typically require 8–12 hours with hot-swappable batteries and fast charging.
• GNSS Positioning – Many rugged tablets integrate GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, and optional RTK GNSS, especially valuable for surveying, GIS mapping, and field inspection.
  
• Related GNSS & Positioning Resources
  

How to Choose the Right Rugged Tablet

Consider the following factors:

For a deeper dive, read our detailed guide: How to Choose a Rugged Windows Tablet.

Why Businesses Choose Starmax Rugged Tablets

Starmax rugged tablets are designed for demanding industrial environments with features including:

• High-performance processors
• Sunlight-readable displays
• Long battery life
• Optional barcode scanners
• Fingerprint recognition
• NFC and RFID support
• High-precision GNSS options
• IP67/IP68 protection (depending on model)
• Windows and Android platforms

These capabilities help organizations improve productivity while reducing downtime in the field.

Conclusion

Both IP67 and IP68 rugged tablets provide excellent dust protection and are suitable for industrial use. The key distinction lies in their resistance to water immersion.

For warehouses, manufacturing, logistics, and general field work, IP67 is often sufficient. For industries exposed to frequent water, mud, or harsh outdoor conditions—such as mining, agriculture, marine operations, and emergency response—IP68 offers greater protection and peace of mind.

Choosing the right rugged tablet should be based on your actual operating environment rather than selecting the highest rating by default.

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