QuickFit 20mm Band 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.
Garmin
QuickFit 20mm Band
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Good 73/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
silicone or fluoroelastomer band
Confidence
72%
PossibleBacterial/fungal biofilm growth
PossibleDegradation and microparticle release
PossiblePFAS in fluoroelastomer synthesis
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 Bacterial/fungal biofilm growth, Degradation and microparticle release and PFAS in fluoroelastomer synthesis on the Garmin 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 Garmin.
- The Garmin is silicone or fluoroelastomer band 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