Crossover 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 Instinct
Crossover
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossiblePolymer degradation and off-gassing under heat
PossibleMetal corrosion at polymer-stainless steel interface
PossibleBacterial growth in sealed crevices
Our pick
TomTom
Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossiblePolymer case and band degradation
PossibleBacterial or mold growth in seals and band
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Polymer degradation and off-gassing under heat, Metal corrosion at polymer-stainless steel interface and Bacterial growth in sealed crevices on the Garmin Instinct 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 Instinct.
- The Garmin Instinct is Polymer case, stainless steel 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.
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