Withings · Waterproof Fitness Trackers
Withings Scanwatch Nova Brilliant Smartwatch
No PFAS disclosure; waterproofing treatment unknown and unverified.
Withings does not disclose PFAS use or avoidance in this smartwatch. Water resistance treatment source remains undisclosed, creating moderate uncertainty about potential PFAS content.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
stainless steel case, glass screen, polymer band with water resistance treatment
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 Scanwatch Nova case is stainless steel (chemically inert, no leaching risk) with Gorilla Glass screen (silica-based, durable, no known toxicity). The polymer band, material type not publicly specified by Withings, has a water resistance treatment applied to it. This treatment is the critical unknown: if fluorinated (PFAS-based), it poses ingestion and accumulation risk; if silicone or non-fluorinated polymer, risk is minimal. Withings has not disclosed the chemical basis of this treatment.
The brand's record and disclosure
Withings publishes material composition for some products but remains silent on the polymer band's water-resistance chemical. No independent testing or third-party certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, Bluesign) appear on product literature. The company has not publicly committed to PFAS phase-out or disclosed supply-chain audits for this model. This silence on a wearable item in direct skin contact is a transparency gap, not evidence of contamination, but it limits your ability to verify safety.
How it compares in its category
Most smartwatches use similar stainless/glass + polymer hybrid construction. Competitors like Garmin and Apple also apply water-resistant coatings to bands but do not always disclose chemistry. Withings is neither notably worse nor better on transparency in this category; the industry-wide practice of treating polymer bands without public disclosure is the norm. If PFAS in band coatings is a concern for you, no major smartwatch brand currently offers PFAS-free certified alternatives with equivalent water resistance.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged skin contact with the band in high-temperature environments (e.g., saunas, hot water soaks), as heat can increase leaching from polymer coatings. Clean the band periodically with plain water and mild soap; do not use harsh solvents. Replace the band if visible cracking, peeling, or discoloration develops, which may indicate coating breakdown. If PFAS exposure is a priority concern, contact Withings directly requesting polymer band composition and water-treatment chemistry; silence suggests they may not have vendor-level transparency themselves.
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.”
Polymer band water-resistance coating (unknown chemistry)
Withings has not disclosed whether the band's water-resistance treatment is PFAS-based fluorinated polymer or an alternative. Fluorinated coatings are common in the industry; without disclosure, risk cannot be ruled out. Direct skin contact amplifies exposure if compound is present.
Microplastic shedding from polymer band degradation
Over time, polymer bands degrade through UV, sweat, and mechanical wear. No data on the Nova band's shedding rate or polymer durability profile is publicly available. Inhalation or ingestion of microscopic particles during wear and cleaning cannot be quantified.
Heavy metals in stainless steel (nickel)
Stainless steel cases typically contain 8-10% nickel. FDA-grade surgical stainless (316L) is standard for wearables and is not a concern for most users; however, individuals with nickel sensitivity may experience contact dermatitis. Withings does not specify alloy grade for the Nova case.
Glass screen edge delamination or micro-fractures
Gorilla Glass is durable but can develop edge defects after impact. Micro-fractures are cosmetic unless they progress; no toxicity risk from glass itself, but sharp edges pose minor injury risk.
Adhesive/sealant toxicity in band-to-case joints
Smartwatch assembly uses epoxy or polyurethane adhesives in band attachment points. FDA-approved medical-grade adhesives are standard in consumer wearables; Withings does not disclose adhesive type or off-gassing profile. Risk is minimal if product is used as designed.
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 Fitness Trackers
Withings
BeamO 3-in-1 Health MultiScan
Medical-grade stainless steel, plastic housing, medical sensors
Medical device with inherently low PFAS risk profile.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
Whoop
Peak Health and Fitness Wearable 12-Month Membership
silicone band, electronics, stainless steel hardware
Wearable membership with minimal PFAS risk indicators.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Whoop
MG Navigator Band
Elastomer band (silicone-based or similar)
Lower concern fitness band, but brand silence on materials limits certainty.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof 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.