Instinct Rugged GPS Smartwatch vs Classic Plus Stainless Steel Magnetic Closure WatchBand for Apple Watch: which is safer?
Garmin Instinct Rugged GPS Smartwatch is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Garmin
Instinct Rugged GPS Smartwatch
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Excellent 77/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Polycarbonate case, elastomer band
Confidence
45%
PossibleElastomer band allergens or irritants
PossibleMicroplastics from band degradation
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 Elastomer band allergens or irritants and Microplastics from band degradation on the Garmin and not on the X-Doria.
- We flag Nickel leaching from stainless steel on the X-Doria and not on the Garmin.
- The Garmin is Polycarbonate case, elastomer band 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 Garmin 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