Watch Series 6 GPS Aluminum Case vs Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men: which is safer?
TomTom Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Apple
Watch Series 6 GPS Aluminum Case
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Good 67/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Aluminum case
Confidence
42%
PossibleNickel release (contact dermatitis)
PossibleAnodize coating degradation
ReportedBand material hazards (separate from case)
Our pick
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
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Nickel release (contact dermatitis), Anodize coating degradation and Band material hazards (separate from case) 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 where the TomTom is On watch case and band, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
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