Polar · Waterproof Smart Rings & Bands
Smart Ring Pro, No App Subscription, Sleep & Activity Tracker with Heart Rate Monitoring, 7 Days Battery Life, IP68 Wate
Skip until Polar discloses waterproof treatment chemistry.
Polar Smart Ring has IP68 waterproofing but does not disclose the coating used. Waterproof electronics often use PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments; without transparency, risk cannot be assessed.
The safe swap
Fitbit
Oura - Ring 5 - Smart Ring - Size Before You Buy with OR5 Sizing Kit - Size 11 - Silver - (2026)
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Unspecified alloy with IP68 waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Smart Ring Pro uses an unspecified alloy (likely titanium, stainless steel, or nickel-based blend) with an undisclosed IP68 waterproof coating system. The specific chemistry of that coating is the critical unknown: IP68 waterproofing in wearables frequently relies on PFAS-based hydrophobic treatments or silicone conformal coatings, either of which could shed microparticles or off-gas near skin. Polar has not publicly specified which waterproofing method they use, making the material profile incomplete for informed decision-making.
The brand's record and disclosure
Polar (owned by Amer Sports) is a Finnish sports-tech company with moderate transparency on product materials but no published commitment to PFAS elimination or substitution. They do not appear on major PFAS-free certification lists (like Cradle to Cradle or ZDHC Gateway). No recalls or documented health incidents involving this specific ring model have been reported. However, Polar's silence on waterproof coating chemistry is a red flag for a wearable that contacts skin directly.
How it compares in its category
Smart rings are an emerging category with minimal regulatory oversight and highly variable material transparency. Most competitors (Oura, Samsung Galaxy Ring, Ultrahuman) similarly withhold detailed coating specifications. Polar's 7-day battery and heart-rate accuracy are competitive, but the brand does not lead in material safety communication compared to companies like Garmin, which occasionally specify silicone conformal coatings. For wearables touching skin daily, disclosure gaps are more concerning than for occasional-use devices.
If you buy it
Rinse the device with fresh water daily after workouts or water exposure to minimize buildup of sweat, chlorine, or salt on the alloy and coating. Avoid prolonged contact with chlorinated pools; while IP68-rated, repeated chemical stress can degrade coatings over years. Inspect the band and ring surface quarterly for cracks, discoloration, or visible wear; replace if the coating shows signs of damage. Contact Polar support directly before purchase to request the specific waterproof treatment used; if they refuse to disclose, this signals low transparency worth reconsidering.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Undisclosed waterproof coating chemistry
IP68 waterproofing in wearables commonly uses PFAS-based or silicone treatments; Polar has not disclosed which, leaving potential for skin exposure to microparticles or off-gassing if coating degrades.
Nickel or other alloying metals in direct skin contact
If the unspecified alloy contains nickel (common in stainless steel blends), chronic contact with skin could trigger dermatitis in sensitive individuals, though this is typical background risk for all metal wearables.
Coating degradation and micro-shedding over time
Waterproof coatings on wearables naturally degrade with daily wear, sweat, and cleaning; shedding rate depends on the coating chemistry, which Polar has not disclosed, making long-term skin safety assessment impossible.
Battery leakage or contact dermatitis from battery compartment materials
No specific recalls or complaints have been documented for this model; lithium battery compartments are typically sealed and isolated, but compartment coating and gasket materials are not disclosed.
Electronic component off-gassing or solder dust during manufacturing
Not a direct user-exposure hazard for finished device, but manufacturing transparency on lead-free solder and potting compounds is not published by Polar.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Smart Rings & Bands
Fitbit
Oura - Ring 5 - Smart Ring - Size Before You Buy with OR5 Sizing Kit - Size 11 - Silver - (2026)
Titanium and stainless steel with glass sensor
Lower concern smart ring; no PFAS-prone materials identified.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Fitbit
Qalo QRNT Slim Smart Ring
silicone elastomer with metal core
Smart ring with silicone body; lower concern but no public PFAS disclosure.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Withings
Black Smart Ring Size 9 - New Women | Color: Black
Titanium alloy ring with sapphire crystal display
Lower concern. Smart ring materials inherently unlikely to require PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smart rings & bands 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.