Withings · Waterproof Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
Smartwatch Withings Steel HR Sport
Smartwatch likely lower concern; lacks PFAS transparency.
Withings Steel HR Sport uses stainless steel and glass but makes no PFAS disclosure. Water-resistant seals and coatings composition unknown. Typical for wearables, but lack of transparency limits confidence.
The safe swap
Swatch
Swatch Chrono 42 Quartz Watch
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
Stainless steel case, possibly water-resistant polymer gaskets and coatings
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 Withings Steel HR Sport uses a stainless steel case, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals under normal wear conditions. Water-resistant polymer gaskets and internal coatings may be present to seal the device, but stainless steel cases avoid the ceramic-glaze lead risks or aluminum-leaching concerns seen in some cookware. The display and sensor components are sealed within the case, limiting skin contact to the outer materials.
The brand's record and disclosure
Withings (owned by Nokia Health) does not publish detailed material safety datasheets or PFAS-specific disclosures for wearables. The company markets products with health and fitness credentials but does not independently certify chemical content or undergo third-party toxicology audits. No major product safety recalls or chemical contamination incidents are on public record for this smartwatch model.
How it compares in its category
Smartwatches as a category carry lower inherent chemical risk than cookware or textiles because contact is brief and indirect. The Withings Steel HR Sport avoids common wearable problems like nickel-releasing cheap plating by using stainless steel; competitors using aluminum alloys or coated plastics may pose slightly higher skin-contact or corrosion leaching risks. Overall, this product sits in the middle-to-safer range for smartwatch material choices.
If you buy it
Clean the device and gaskets regularly with mild soap and water to prevent bacterial or mineral buildup at contact points. Avoid prolonged exposure to sweat without rinsing, as chlorides and acids can degrade gasket seals over time. Replace the wrist band if irritation appears (often caused by trapped moisture, not the watch itself). The sealed design means internal repairs are uncommon, but verify warranty coverage before purchase if durability is a concern.
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.”
Skin irritation from gasket or band materials
Water-resistant polymer gaskets may contain unreported additives; prolonged moisture trapping under the band can irritate sensitive skin, though this is typical for all wearables and not specific to Withings.
Nickel release from stainless steel case
Medical-grade stainless steel (typically 316L) is hypoallergenic and nickel-low by design; no documented nickel-leaching incidents for this model exist, making this hazard minimal for most users.
Heavy metals in electronic solder or components
No public test data or recalls indicate lead or cadmium in internal circuit boards; EU RoHS compliance is assumed for electronics sold in Europe, but Withings does not publish component-level certification.
Volatile organic compounds from adhesives or coatings
Internal adhesives and protective coatings may off-gas minimally during manufacturing; once sealed in stainless steel housing, direct inhalation exposure is negligible under normal use.
Microplastic shedding from band material
Replacement wrist bands are often elastomer or polyurethane; these can shed microparticles with wear, though exposure is localized to skin contact rather than ingestion.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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 Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
Swatch
Chrono 42 Quartz Watch
Stainless steel case, mineral/plastic crystal, standard watch components
Lower concern. Standard watch materials pose minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Swatch
SEA WASP
Plastic/resin watch case and strap
Typical consumer watch, no known PFAS risk signal identified
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Swatch
Neon Seppia Big Bold Chrono Quartz Watch
Stainless steel case, plastic/resin band, mineral or acrylic crystal
Lower concern. Standard watch materials typically lack intentional PFAS use.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smartwatches & fitness trackers 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.