Loop Smart Screen-Free Wearable Health 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.

Polar Loop Smart Screen-Free Wearable Health Band

Polar

Loop Smart Screen-Free Wearable Health Band

PFAS grade

Excellent 85/100

Overall grade

Good 59/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 5

Material

Elastomer band

Confidence

35%

PossibleElastomer additives (colorants, antioxidants, plasticizers)

PossibleAllergenic dyes or pigments in band coloring

PossibleBacterial or fungal growth in band crevices

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 additives (colorants, antioxidants, plasticizers), Allergenic dyes or pigments in band coloring, Bacterial or fungal growth in band crevices and Thermal degradation of elastomer when overheated on the Polar 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 Polar.
  • The Polar is Elastomer 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