Garmin · Waterproof Fitness Trackers & Cases
Garmin Instinct E 45mm GPS Smartwatch
Waterproofing likely uses PFAS; Garmin silent on composition.
Smartwatches typically use water-resistant coatings possibly containing PFAS. Garmin provides no public material disclosures or PFAS statements.
The better-graded swap
Epson
ProSense GPS Running Watch
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polymer case, elastomer band, glass/plastic screen, waterproof seals
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Garmin Instinct E 45mm GPS Smartwatch is made of, ingredients and materials
The Instinct E 45mm uses a polymer (likely polycarbonate or similar engineered plastic) case, elastomer band (rubber-like polymer), and glass or plastic composite screen. Elastomer bands can degrade over time from sweat, UV exposure, and temperature cycling, potentially releasing minor volatile compounds. The waterproof seals almost certainly rely on PFAS-based coatings or sealants, a standard industry practice for electronic watches, though Garmin does not disclose specific sealant chemistry.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Elastomer band degradation and volatile release
Elastomer bands on wearables can soften and degrade from prolonged sweat, heat, and UV exposure, potentially releasing minor volatile organic compounds or plasticizer additives. This is more pronounced in tropical or high-sweat use scenarios and becomes more likely after 2-3 years of daily wear.
Polymer case brittleness and microcracking
Polycarbonate and similar engineering polymers used in watch cases can become brittle or develop stress cracks from thermal cycling and impact, particularly around screen bezels. Microcracking does not create acute health risk but can compromise waterproofing.
Waterproof seal integrity over time
Electronic watches, including Garmin Instinct models, commonly experience seal failure after 3-5 years of heavy use, resulting in water intrusion and corrosion. This is a wear-related failure, not a material toxicity hazard, but compromised seals increase risk of internal corrosion and component leaching.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Screen material composition (glass vs. plastic blend)
Garmin does not specify whether the screen is mineral glass, tempered glass, or polycarbonate composite. No established safety concern exists for typical smartwatch screen materials in normal use, though plastic-based screens may leach minor additives if heated above 60C.
Heavy metals
Smartwatch circuit boards and connectors are not typically tested by consumer safety agencies and formal composition data is unavailable. Industry standard manufacturing uses lead-free solder (RoHS compliant) but Garmin does not publish full material specifications for the Instinct E.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Garmin publishes safety and compliance data for watches but is notably silent on PFAS use or alternatives in waterproofing systems. The company has no public commitment to PFAS phase-out and does not label products for PFAS content. No major recalls or material hazard controversies have been established for Garmin smartwatches in the available record, though the broader wearables category is not heavily scrutinized for polymer leaching.
How it compares in its category
Smartwatches across all major brands (Apple, Fitbit, Suunto) use similar waterproofing chemistry and do not disclose PFAS levels; the Instinct E is typical in this regard. Polymer cases and elastomer bands are standard; alternatives like titanium or full silicone do not reduce PFAS concern in seals. This watch sits in the mainstream sports-watch category with no material advantage or disadvantage versus competitors.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct heat above 50C (122F) or aggressive solvents, which can accelerate polymer and seal degradation. Replace the elastomer band if it becomes sticky, crumbly, or visibly degraded, as these are signs of chemical breakdown. Rinse after saltwater use and allow seals to dry fully before exposure to fresh water to minimize corrosion risk. Do not open the watch yourself; water damage or seal compromise requires professional service.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Garmin has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof fitness trackers & cases grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.