Bluetooth Smart Watch - Wearable Devices 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.

LifeTrak Bluetooth Smart Watch - Wearable Devices

Lifetrak

Bluetooth Smart Watch - Wearable Devices

PFAS grade

Excellent 85/100

Overall grade

Good 69/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Plastic housing, metal band, elastomer strap

Confidence

35%

PossibleElastomer strap skin irritation or allergic reaction

PossiblePlastic housing degradation and particle shedding

PossibleWaterproof seal failure and moisture ingress

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 Elastomer strap skin irritation or allergic reaction, Plastic housing degradation and particle shedding, Waterproof seal failure and moisture ingress and Battery leakage or thermal runaway (device failure rather than use hazard) on the Lifetrak 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 Lifetrak.
  • The Lifetrak is Plastic housing, metal band, elastomer strap 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