StrapsCo Active Protective Case Strap for Fitbit Charge 5 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.

StrapsCo Active Protective Case Strap for Fitbit Charge 5

Fitbit

StrapsCo Active Protective Case Strap for Fitbit Charge 5

PFAS grade

Excellent 85/100

Overall grade

Good 73/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

silicone or elastomer strap, likely no intentional PFAS coating

Confidence

72%

PossibleBacterial or fungal growth (skin contact surface)

PossibleSkin irritation or contact dermatitis

PossibleMaterial degradation and microplastic shedding

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

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Bacterial or fungal growth (skin contact surface), Skin irritation or contact dermatitis and Material degradation and microplastic shedding on the Fitbit 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 Fitbit.
  • The Fitbit is silicone or elastomer strap, likely no intentional PFAS coating 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.
  • We are less certain about the TomTom grade, at 35% confidence against 72%, because it discloses less.

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