Google Fitbit Air Active Band vs Classic Plus Stainless Steel Magnetic Closure WatchBand for Apple Watch: which is safer?
Google Fitbit Air Active Band is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Fitbit
Google Fitbit Air Active Band
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Excellent 77/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Elastomer band, likely rubber or silicone
Confidence
45%
PossibleContact dermatitis or skin sensitization from elastomer additives
PossibleBacterial or mold growth in crevices
X-Doria
Classic Plus Stainless Steel Magnetic Closure WatchBand for Apple Watch
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Good 59/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 1
Material
Stainless steel, magnetic closure
Confidence
82%
PossibleNickel leaching from stainless steel
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Contact dermatitis or skin sensitization from elastomer additives and Bacterial or mold growth in crevices on the Fitbit and not on the X-Doria.
- We flag Nickel leaching from stainless steel on the X-Doria and not on the Fitbit.
- The Fitbit is Elastomer band, likely rubber or silicone where the X-Doria is Stainless steel, magnetic closure, 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.
- We are less certain about the Fitbit grade, at 45% confidence against 82%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers 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