Withings · Waterproof Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
Withings Smartwatch 0850630 Smartwatch Withings INW510 Scanwatch + Body White
Waterproof smartwatch; water-resistant coatings may contain PFAS, brand silent.
Smartwatches typically use water-resistant or waterproof coatings that may contain PFAS. Withings discloses no PFAS information for this model. Check brand sustainability reports for coating specifics.
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, elastomer/polymer band, waterproof 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 Scanwatch features a stainless steel case (low leaching risk), an elastomer/polymer band (typically thermoplastic or silicone rubber), and waterproof coatings on internal electronics and seals. Stainless steel is a stable metal alloy unlikely to shed lead or cadmium under normal wear. The elastomer band may contain plasticizers or pigments, but direct skin contact exposure is limited to low-migration compounds given the regulatory pathway for wearables. The waterproof coating is the primary chemical concern, as manufacturers often use fluorinated polymers (PFAS-containing) or silicone-based treatments for water resistance.
The brand's record and disclosure
Withings (owned by Nokia Health) does not publicly disclose material composition, chemical additives, or PFAS use in marketing or technical documentation available to consumers. The company has no published sustainability reports or third-party chemical certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, BLUESIGN) for wearables. No recalls related to chemical leaching or coating degradation have been documented for Scanwatch models. Lack of transparency is typical for the smartwatch industry but limits independent verification of coating safety.
How it compares in its category
Most smartwatches use similar water-resistant coating systems without disclosure, making Withings representative of the category norm rather than an outlier. Competitors like Garmin and Apple similarly avoid chemical transparency on wearables. Some premium alternatives (e.g., Oura Ring) use biocompatible material claims but rarely detail waterproofing chemistry. Withings Scanwatch is positioned as a balanced health-tracking watch with robust water resistance (up to 50m), which increases reliance on chemical coatings versus purely sealed mechanical designs.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged exposure to high heat (above 60 degrees Celsius / 140 degrees Fahrenheit) near the case seals or band connections, as coatings may degrade and release trapped moisture or residual chemicals. Clean the band regularly with mild soap and air dry to reduce skin irritation from sweat accumulation under polymer surfaces. Replace the elastomer band every 12-18 months if worn daily, as repeated stretching and UV exposure can compromise material integrity. Store in a cool, dry place; avoid leaving in direct sunlight or hot cars, which accelerates polymer and coating aging.
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 polymer coatings (potential PFAS)
Waterproof smartwatches typically use fluorinated compounds for water resistance. Withings does not disclose coating chemistry, so presence cannot be confirmed, but industry-standard hydrophobic treatments often contain PFAS. Risk of skin migration is low given limited contact area and coating barrier, but environmental persistence is a concern at end-of-life.
Elastomer/polymer band plasticizers and migration
Thermoplastic or silicone elastomer bands are regulated for skin contact and unlikely to leach harmful plasticizers under normal wear. No specific safety alerts or recalls for Withings Scanwatch bands have been reported. Standard EN 12941 and similar wearable material standards likely apply.
Stainless steel leaching (nickel, chromium)
Surgical-grade or marine-grade stainless steel used in smartwatch cases (typically 316L) is highly resistant to corrosion and skin contact leaching in normal conditions. Nickel migration is negligible from polished or coated stainless steel surfaces. No documented nickel dermatitis cases linked to Withings wearables in public records.
Coating degradation and moisture ingress
Water-resistant coatings degrade with age, UV exposure, and repeated thermal cycling. Scanwatch is rated 50m water resistance, but seals and coatings may fail after 3-5 years of daily wear in humid or salt environments. Failure may trap moisture and enable growth of microbes or corrosion, but direct chemical toxicity risk to user is minimal.
Band material allergic sensitization
Elastomer bands can cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive users due to additives or dyes, though formally reported cases for Withings products are absent. Risk is comparable to other elastomer watch bands and mitigated by daily cleaning and periodic band replacement.
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.