Watch SE 3 GPS 44mm Aluminum Case Sport Band vs Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men: which is safer?

TomTom Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men is the clear pick. Apple Watch SE 3 GPS 44mm Aluminum Case Sport Band carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.

Apple Watch SE 3 GPS 44mm Aluminum Case Sport Band

Apple

Watch SE 3 GPS 44mm Aluminum Case Sport Band

PFAS grade

Poor 40/100

Overall grade

Poor 26/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Aluminum case, fluoroelastomer sport band, ion-x glass

Confidence

45%

PossiblePFAS in water-resistant coatings (seals/gaskets)

ReportedIon-X glass fragmentation

Why this grade

Our pick

TomTom Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men

TomTom

Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men

PFAS grade

Excellent 85/100

Overall grade

Excellent 77/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

On watch case and band

Confidence

35%

PossiblePolymer case and band degradation

PossibleBacterial or mold growth in seals and band

Why this gradeBuy

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag PFAS in water-resistant coatings (seals/gaskets) and Ion-X glass fragmentation on the Apple and not on the TomTom.
  • We flag Polymer case and band degradation and Bacterial or mold growth in seals and band on the TomTom and not on the Apple.
  • The Apple is Aluminum case, fluoroelastomer sport band, ion-x glass where the TomTom is On watch case and band, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the TomTom is the one to buy.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More waterproof fitness trackers & cases: see the full ranking