Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men vs Redmi Watch 5 Active Smartwatch: which is safer?

TomTom Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

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

Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active Smartwatch

Xiaomi

Redmi Watch 5 Active Smartwatch

PFAS grade

Excellent 85/100

Overall grade

Good 69/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Plastic case, glass display, stainless steel band

Confidence

35%

PossiblePlastic degradation and microplastic shedding

PossibleBattery leakage and electrolyte exposure

PossibleAdhesive outgassing or skin contact irritation

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Polymer case and band degradation and Bacterial or mold growth in seals and band on the TomTom and not on the Xiaomi.
  • We flag Plastic degradation and microplastic shedding, Battery leakage and electrolyte exposure, Adhesive outgassing or skin contact irritation and Nickel or cobalt allergy from stainless steel band on the Xiaomi and not on the TomTom.
  • The TomTom is On watch case and band where the Xiaomi is Plastic case, glass display, stainless steel 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