IP65 Led Lighting Fixture vs. IP44 LED Fixture — Pick the Right Protection for Your Space

Getting the lighting right isn't just about how bright it is or how good it looks on day one. It's about picking fixtures that will still be working perfectly five or ten years later, no matter what your space throws at them: steam in a bathroom, cooking grease in a kitchen, dust in a workshop, or driving rain outside.

Two ratings come up on almost every job we quote: IP44 and IP65.

IP44 gives you solid splash protection and keeps out anything bigger than a millimetre – perfect for normal domestic wet areas and sheltered spots.

IP65 steps it up to completely dust-tight and able to take a proper jet-wash – the go-to choice anywhere that gets genuinely dirty or seriously wet. Ready to make the smart choice?

Before you choose between an IP44 and an IP65 fitting, you have to understand what those two numbers actually guarantee. Get this wrong and you’ll either waste money over-specifying, or end up with dead lights and angry clients.

IP stands for Ingress Protection – it's the international standard that tells you exactly how well a light keeps out dust, dirt and water.

The rating is always two digits:

First digit = protection against solids (dust, screws, fingers, etc.) Second digit = protection against liquids (rain, splashes, jets, submersion)

First Digit – Solids Protection

• 0 → No protection at all 1–3 → Stops large objects (hands, tools) 4 → Stops objects bigger than 1 mm (most wires, screws) 5 → Dust-protected (small amounts of dust can get in, but won’t cause harm) 6 → Completely dust-tight – zero dust enters, ever
• IP44 has a 4 → fine dust can slowly work its way in over time IP65 has a 6 → nothing gets past the seals, no matter how dusty the environment

Second Digit – Water Protection

• 0 → No water protection 1–3 → Dripping water or light spray from above 4 → Splashes from any direction (shower spray, rain blowing sideways) 5 → Low-pressure water jets from any angle (garden hose, pressure washer on low setting) 6–9 → Everything from powerful jets to full submersion
• IP44 has a 4 → handles splashes and condensation, but fails under a direct jet IP65 has a 5 → you can hose the fitting down without killing it

In short: IP44 = splash-proof and reasonably dust-resistant IP65 = fully dust-tight and genuinely waterproof against jets

That single step from 4 to 6 in the first digit and 4 to 5 in the second is the difference between a light that’s fine in a domestic bathroom and one that will survive a commercial kitchen wash-down or an exposed exterior wall for fifteen years.

Now that you know exactly what the numbers mean, the rest of the decision becomes simple.

Why Getting the IP Rating Right is Non-Negotiable

We've seen it too many times: a beautifully finished project ruined by lights that fail after the first winter because someone fitted the wrong IP rating.

In any area that sees steam, splashes, condensation, dust or proper outdoor weather, ignoring the IP rating isn't just a gamble; it's a guarantee of problems.

Water inside a fitting corrodes the driver, rots the LED board, and turns a £40 light into a potential fire hazard. Dust that creeps past weak seals builds up on the LEDs, traps heat and cuts light output by 30–50 % long before the warranty expires.

The result? Call-backs, replacement costs, unhappy clients and damage to your reputation.

Building regulations in most countries now demand minimum IP ratings in wet zones for exactly these reasons. Fit an IP20 downlight in a bathroom and you're not just breaking the rules; you're setting yourself up for failure.

A correctly rated fitting keeps moisture and dust out for life. That single detail is what turns a 3-year light into a genuine 10–15-year installation.

Real-world proof from our own jobs:

• IP44 mirror lights over basins: still perfect after eight years.
• Cheap "bathroom" lights with no proper rating near a shower enclosure: dead and foggy inside within months.
• IP65 battens in commercial kitchens and exterior canopies: hosed down every day and still running like new a decade later.

Specify too low and you pay with replacements. Specify too high and you've just added unnecessary cost.

Get it exactly right and you install once, walk away, and never have to think about those lights again.

That's why we check the IP rating on every single fitting before it leaves our warehouse. It's the difference between a job that makes money and one that costs you money.

What is an IP44 LED Fixture

IP44 is the rating we specify more than any other on domestic and light-commercial jobs. It's the sweet spot where you get genuine splash protection without paying for over-the-top sealing you'll never need.

What IP44 Actually Guarantees

• Stops anything larger than 1 mm getting inside (screws, most insects, fingers)
• Handles water splashes and spray from any direction – think shower steam, kitchen splashes, rain blowing under a porch
• Tested with oscillating spray for at least 10 minutes with zero water ingress

How They're Built

Most IP44 fittings we supply are die-cast aluminium or high-grade plastic bodies with a proper silicone gasket around the diffuser, push-fit sealed cable glands and a polycarbonate or glass cover. The driver sits inside but isn't fully potted – it doesn't need to be for the conditions these lights are designed for.

Typical performance you can expect:

• 800–2,000 lumens
• 3000 K warm white right up to 6000 K daylight
• 100–120 lm/W efficiency
• Rated –20 °C to +40 °C
• 40,000–50,000 hour real-world life
• 5-year warranty on the good brands we stock

Why Clients Love IP44

Price – usually 30–50 % cheaper than the equivalent IP65 fitting

Lighter and slimmer – perfect for low ceilings and discreet looks

Quick, simple installation – no heavy torque settings on glands

Huge range of styles – recessed downlights, surface cylinders, mirror lights, wall brackets, everything looks tidy

Easy to clean – just a damp cloth, no drama

Where IP44 Works Perfectly (and where it doesn't)

Perfect for:

• Bathrooms (outside the shower zone)
• Kitchens (above worktops and sinks)
• Covered porches and carports
• Laundry rooms
• Indoor swimming pool changing areas (not the pool hall itself)
• Hotel corridors and en-suites
• Domestic garages that don't get hosed down

Don't use IP44:

• In dusty workshops or warehouses
• Anywhere that gets power-washed
• Directly outside unless fully sheltered
• In food factories or commercial kitchens with daily hose-downs

What is an IP65 LED Fixture

IP65 is the rating we reach for the moment a light has to survive real-world punishment: daily hosing, heavy dust, driving rain, steam, or all of the above. It's not marketing hype – it's a proper, fully dust-tight seal combined with genuine jet-proof construction.

What IP65 Actually Means on Site

• First digit 6 → zero dust gets in, even after years in a flour mill or builder's yard
• Second digit 5 → you can blast the fitting with a hose (12.5 litres per minute from 3 metres) and not a drop reaches the electronics

How They're Built to Last

Every decent IP65 fitting we stock has:

• Die-cast aluminium or marine-grade polycarbonate body
• Double-lipped silicone gaskets all round
• Stainless-steel clips and screws (no rust in five years)
• Gore-Tex or ePTFE breather vent – stops condensation without letting water in
• Fully potted or encapsulated driver
• IK08 or IK10 impact rating as standard
• Multiple sealed cable glands (usually 2–4 entries)

Real-world performance from the ranges we fit every week:

• 100–180 lm/W (yes, they're that efficient now)
• 4,000 K neutral white is the most popular, but we keep 3,000 K–6,500 K in stock
• –30 °C to +50 °C operating range
• 70,000–100,000 hour rated life
• 5–10 year on-site replacement warranty

The Advantages That Actually Matter

1. Zero dust build-up inside → consistent light output for a decade
2. Survives daily wash-downs → food factories, car valeting bays, stables
3. Works perfectly outside, no shelter required → walls, canopies, gardens, car parks
4. Runs cooler than you expect → better seals and bigger heat sinks
5. Pays for itself fast → no replacements, no scaffolding call-backs

Yes, they cost more than IP44 and weigh a bit more, but the extra upfront spend disappears the first time you avoid a £2,000 re-visit because the lights died.

Where IP65 is the Only Rating That Makes Sense

• Commercial kitchens & food-production areas
• Exterior wall lights, floodlights, canopy lighting
• Warehouses & factories with dust or wash-downs
• Car parks & loading bays
• Domestic garages that get jet-washed
• Outdoor pathways, patios & driveways that face the weather head-on
• Cold rooms & agricultural buildings
• Coastal installations (salt spray kills lesser ratings in months)

Comparative Analysis: IP44 vs. IP65 Head-to-Head

Now, let's pit them against each other in key categories to see where each excels.

Protection Levels: Solids and Liquids

IP44's 4/4 rating is basic—fine for splashes but vulnerable to dust and jets. IP65's 6/5 is comprehensive, blocking all dust and handling directed water. Winner: IP65 for demanding spaces; IP44 for mild ones.

Table for clarity:

Durability and Lifespan

IP44 fixtures last well in clean, dry-ish areas but degrade faster in dust or humidity. IP65's seals maintain performance longer, often doubling lifespan in real use. Both benefit from LED efficiency, but IP65's better heat dissipation adds years.

Energy Efficiency and Performance

Tied here—both use similar LED tech, achieving 80-150 lm/W. Differences come from application: IP65 might run cooler in wet areas, preserving efficiency.

Cost Considerations

IP44 is cheaper upfront (20-50% less) and in installation (lighter). IP65's higher initial cost is offset by fewer replacements—payback in 1-2 years for tough spots.

Installation and Maintenance

IP44 is simpler to mount, with fewer seals to check. IP65 requires careful gland tightening to maintain rating but needs less frequent cleaning due to dust resistance.

Overall, IP65 wins for protection, but IP44 for value in low-risk areas.

Choosing the Right Fixture: Factors and Recommendations

Key Factors to Consider

• Environment: Assess moisture/dust levels—use IP44 for Zone 2 bathrooms, IP65 for Zone 1 or outdoors.
• Budget: Calculate total ownership cost, including energy and replacements.
• Aesthetics and Functionality: IP44 for slim designs; IP65 for robust ones.
• Regulations: Check local codes (e.g., IP44 min for UK bathrooms).
• Future Needs: Opt for IP65 if conditions might worsen.

Recommendations by Space

• Bathrooms/ Kitchens: IP44 for general; IP65 near showers/sinks.
• Outdoors: IP65 standard; IP44 only sheltered.
• Industrial: IP65 mandatory.
• Residential Garages: IP44 if dry; IP65 if washing cars.

Tools for decision: Site surveys and manufacturer spec sheets.

Installation Guide: Step-by-Step for Both Ratings

Proper installation preserves the rating.

Preparing for Installation

Isolate power, check compatibility, gather tools (drill, screwdrivers, sealants).

IP44 Installation

• Mark positions.
• Wire (L/N/E).
• Mount and seal lightly.
• Test.

IP65 Installation

• Similar, but torque glands, use IP-rated connectors.
• Common mistakes: Over-tightening seals or ignoring earth.

Maintenance and Care: Keeping Fixtures Performing

• Regular Cleaning
  • IP44: Damp cloth. IP65: Hose if needed, but avoid chemicals.
• Troubleshooting
  • Dimming? Check connections. Failure? Moisture ingress—reseal or replace.
• Extending Lifespan
  • Use timers, avoid overloads, inspect annually.

Future Trends: What's Next for Protected LED Lighting

Smart integration (IoT controls), higher efficiencies (200 lm/W), sustainable materials (recycled plastics), and hybrid ratings (e.g., IP65 with IK10 impact).

At CIGE Lighting, we've spent over 15 years supplying and installing weatherproof LED fixtures across homes, factories and commercial sites. The question we get asked on every job is the same: “Do we need IP44 or IP65?”

Here's the simple answer we give every client:

If the light will ever be hosed down, left fully exposed to rain, or sit in a dusty/steamy environment → choose CIGE IP65 fittings.

If it only faces occasional splashes or condensation → our CIGE IP44 range is more than enough and costs less.

IP65 from CIGE is completely dust-tight and survives direct jet-washing – perfect for exterior walls, commercial kitchens, car parks, garages and anywhere the weather hits hard.

IP44 from CIGE gives reliable splash protection at a lower price and lighter weight – ideal for bathrooms, covered porches, domestic kitchens and sheltered areas.

Choose the rating that matches the real conditions, fit quality CIGE gear, and your lights will run perfectly for the next 10–15 years with zero maintenance.