The Short Answer
No Hohem phone gimbal is waterproof. The iSteady Mobile Plus is rated IPX4, which means splash resistant, not submersible. Other current Hohem phone gimbals have no water rating, so keep them out of rain, sea spray and sand, and dry them right away.
Siargao, golden hour, waves rolling in, and the perfect walk-along-the-shore shot. Then a rogue wave, or the first drops of a 4 p.m. downpour. It is the question we get before every summer and every rainy season: can my gimbal handle this?
Short version: treat every phone gimbal as an electronic device with exposed motors and charging ports, because that is what it is. Even the one Hohem model with a splash rating is built for light rain, not swimming. Here is what the ratings mean and how to shoot near water without killing your gear.
What the Ratings Mean
IP ratings describe protection against dust (first digit) and water (second digit). An "X" means it was not tested for dust.
| Rating | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| No rating | No tested water protection | Most phone gimbals, including most Hohem models |
| IPX4 | Resists splashing water from any direction | Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus |
| IPX7 / IPX8 | Survives submersion for a set time and depth | Many phones and action cameras, not phone gimbals |
Your phone may be IP68, but the gimbal holding it is not. The weak point is the gimbal, not the phone.
Which Hohem Models Can Handle Rain?
- iSteady Mobile Plus: IPX4 splash resistant. Fine for a light drizzle or a splash, as long as you dry it afterward.
- V2S, V3, V3 Ultra, X3, M6, M7: no water rating in Hohem's published specs. Keep them dry.
- MT2, MT3, MT3 Pro camera gimbals: no water rating. Protect them as you would your camera.
Shooting Near Water Safely
- Keep your distance from the waterline. A longer lens or a step back beats a wet gimbal.
- Use the extension rod to get low angles without kneeling in the surf.
- Carry a dry bag or zip bag to stash the gimbal fast when rain starts.
- Cover it in light rain with a small clear rain sleeve or even a plastic bag, leaving the arm free to move.
- For swimming or snorkeling, use your phone in a proper waterproof pouch or an action camera, not a gimbal.
Sand Is the Other Enemy
Sand gets into the joints and motors, where it grinds and causes noise or stiffness. Never set the gimbal down directly on the beach. Stand it on a bag or towel, and fold it into its case when you walk. A small soft brush or a blower clears grit from the arms before you fold it. V-series owners can use the Hohem V3 travel case.
If Your Gimbal Got Wet
- Power it off immediately and remove the phone.
- Do not charge it while wet. Water in the charging port plus current is how damage happens.
- Wipe it dry with a soft cloth. For salt water, wipe with a cloth lightly dampened with fresh water, then dry, since salt corrodes.
- Let it air-dry at room temperature for at least a day with the arms unfolded. Skip the hair dryer; high heat can damage parts.
- Test it gently. If it beeps, vibrates or will not power on, see our beeping and vibration fixes or contact us.
Water damage is generally not treated as a manufacturing defect, so prevention is the real protection.
Heat and Humidity
Philippine beaches add another factor: heat. Hohem's M6 manual lists a working range of -10 to 45°C. A gimbal left in a car or on hot sand can get close to that limit, so keep it in shade between shots. After a humid day, open the case at home so trapped moisture can dry out.
A Rainy-Season Shooting Kit
From June to October, afternoon rain can arrive with little warning. A small kit in your bag keeps a shoot going:
- Zip bag or dry bag big enough for the folded gimbal.
- Microfiber cloth for the phone lens and gimbal arms.
- Clear rain sleeve or a shower cap for light drizzle.
- Compact umbrella you can hold or clip while shooting under cover.
- Power bank in its own bag, since you should not charge a damp gimbal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus waterproof?
It is splash resistant (IPX4), not waterproof. It handles light rain and splashes, but not submersion.
Can I use a gimbal at the beach?
Yes, with care. Stay back from the waves, keep it off the sand, and pack it away if rain or spray picks up.
Are any phone gimbals waterproof?
Phone gimbals with full waterproofing are rare. For underwater shots, use a waterproof phone pouch or an action camera instead.
More in this series: solo travel vlogging setup and how to use a phone gimbal.
Questions? Contact our team. VMI Direct is an authorized Hohem distributor in the Philippines.
Written by Johannes Yu, VMI Direct. Ratings from Hohem's published product specifications.
