Withings · Waterproof Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
Withings ScanWatch Vitals
No PFAS disclosure. Waterproof smartwatch with unknown treatment composition.
Withings provides no public information about PFAS in ScanWatch Vitals. Waterproof smartwatches typically use water-repellent coating coatings that may contain PFAS, but specific materials are undisclosed.
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, sapphire crystal, silicone/rubber strap with 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 ScanWatch Vitals case is stainless steel (chemically stable, low leaching risk) with a sapphire crystal screen (scratch-resistant, inert). The critical unknown is the waterproof coating applied to the silicone/rubber strap. Silicone itself is generally considered food-contact safe, but the hydrophobic surface treatment used to achieve water resistance is proprietary and undisclosed. Withings has not published material safety data sheets or confirmed the absence of PFAS-based water repellents, which are common in wearable textiles and coatings.
The brand's record and disclosure
Withings (owned by Nokia) does not publish comprehensive chemical composition or PFAS avoidance commitments for any of its wearables. No independent certifications (e.g., Oeko-Tex, GOTS) have been applied to ScanWatch materials. The company has not addressed waterproof treatment chemistry publicly despite the product's water-resistance specification. This silence is notable because many competitors in the premium smartwatch space (e.g., Garmin, Apple) now provide some material transparency or third-party testing.
How it compares in its category
Smartwatches with elastomer straps universally use hydrophobic coatings; Withings is not unique in this gap. However, premium brands increasingly disclose treatment details or migrate to PFAS-free alternatives. The ScanWatch's stainless steel case and sapphire crystal are higher-end materials that lower the risk from case leaching, differentiating it positively from cheaper plastic-bodied watches. The strap coating remains the primary opacity point.
If you buy it
Wash the strap regularly with mild soap and water to reduce buildup of any coating residues or contaminants. Avoid prolonged contact between the strap and food, especially hot or fatty foods that could degrade the waterproof layer. Replace the strap every 1 to 2 years if visible wear, cracking, or discoloration develops; Withings sells replacements. Store away from direct heat and UV light to slow degradation of the elastomer coating.
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.”
Fluorinated water-repellent coatings (likely PFAS-containing)
Withings does not disclose the strap waterproof treatment chemistry. Industry standard for silicone/rubber strap coatings relies on PFAS chemistry; absence of confirmation is a gap, not reassurance.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Over time, silicone elastomer surface treatments can degrade with sweat, friction, and UV exposure. Shed microparticles from a worn coating could be inhaled or ingested in trace amounts; frequency and volume are not quantified.
Stainless steel nickel leaching
The case material is listed as stainless steel but no specific alloy grade is disclosed. Grade 316L (surgical steel, <0.03% nickel) would be low-risk; lower grades could leach trace nickel to skin over prolonged contact, though levels are typically far below regulated thresholds.
Sapphire crystal durability and edge micro-fracturing
Sapphire is inert and non-toxic. Minor scratches or micro-fractures from impact do not pose chemical hazards but can expose underlying case material and weaken water-resistance integrity over years of use.
Silicone elastomer off-gassing or leaching
Medical-grade silicone is generally accepted as low-leaching. Withings does not specify elastomer grade; if non-medical silicone is used, trace volatile organics are theoretically possible but unlikely at skin-contact dose.
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 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.