Do Digital Watches Emit EMF Radiation? - Essential Guide - EMF Academy (2024)

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I’ve talked about EMF emissions from tons of different devices and sources on EMF Academy. However, one thing I’ve neglected is simple, digital watches.

Although these aren’t as common anymore as smartwatches (like the Apple watch) or things like a Fitbit, they are still used by millions of people worldwide.

So, the main question has to be, do digital watches emit EMF radiation? Yes, they do emit a small amount of magnetic radiation, a type of electromagnetic radiation. This is a rather small amount, but should still be a concern given its close proximity to the body.

Now, it’s important to know that although it does emit radiation, and you should consider that, for many people, this is likely not much of a concern compared to things like their cell-phone, WiFi, Bluetooth devices, etc. (See the Knowledge section of EMF Academy to learn more about all of these.

However, if you are someone that is hyper-sensitive to EMF radiation, a condition known as EHS, or electro-hypersensitivity, then this could actually cause things like:

• Wrist pain
• Small rash
• Skin sensitivity

As well as just add to the overall EMF radiation absorption your body is subjected to each day. One thing I talk about often in my posts is the proven concept that the danger of EMF radiation is cumulative, not acute.

Meaning that anytime you can reduce your exposure to radiation, you’re protecting yourself in the long term. So, although digital watches do not emit a large amount of radiation, and emit no radio frequency radiation, they should still not be worn if possible.

We’ll talk about ways to protect yourself from a digital watch down below, but suffice it to say, you might as well be wearing a simple analog watch. They look better, typically last much longer, and emit no EMF radiation whatsoever.

Alright, now that we’ve gotten some of the basics out of the way, let’s talk about how much EMF radiation is being emitted from these watches.

EMF Radiation From Digital Watches

First let’s just talk briefly about what EMF radiation is, as it’s important for understanding radiation from simple digital watches.

EMF Radiation, or electromagnetic frequency radiation, is actually comprised of three completely seperate types:

• Magnetic Field Radiation
• Electric Field Radiation
• Radio Frequency Radiation

When we talk about the dangers of EMF radiation we are talking about all three, but by far the most frequent, and potentially most dangerous, is radio frequency radiation. This type of radiation occurs whenever data is passed between devices in packets.

So this would be things like cell-phones, WiFi, bluetooth, smart devices, etc. Anything that receives or broadcasts information via radio waves is likely capable of emitting radio frequency radiation.

So, take a cell phone for example. If you use an EMF meter, like the Trifield TF2 for example, and measure your cell phone while it is on and operating, you will notice that you actually get readings from all three types of radiation. The device itself, along with the battery, emit small amounts of magnetic radiation, and the power converter also emits electric radiation.

However the greatest amount of radiation is coming via the cell-connection to the nearest tower, and the phones connection to WiFi. These two forms of connection emit a large amount of radio frequency radiation, and are the primary reason that cell-phones are considered such a dangerous source of EMFs.

Now, back to digital watches.

When I’m talking about digital watches by the way, I’m excluding any type of smart watch, and only talking about simple watches with a digital readout.

I’ve talked about EMF emissions from tons of different devices and sources on EMF Academy. However, one thing I’ve neglected is simple, digital watches.

Although these aren’t as common anymore as smartwatches (like the Apple watch) or things like a Fitbit, they are still used by millions of people worldwide.

So, the main question has to be, do digital watches emit EMF radiation? Yes, they do emit a small amount of magnetic radiation, a type of electromagnetic radiation. This is a rather small amount, but should still be a concern given its close proximity to the body.

Now, it’s important to know that although it does emit radiation, and you should consider that, for many people, this is likely not much of a concern compared to things like their cell-phone, WiFi, Bluetooth devices, etc. (See the Knowledge section of EMF Academy to learn more about all of these.

However, if you are someone that is hyper-sensitive to EMF radiation, a condition known as EHS, or electro-hypersensitivity, then this could actually cause things like:

• Wrist pain
• Small rash
• Skin sensitivity

As well as just add to the overall EMF radiation absorption your body is subjected to each day. One thing I talk about often in my posts is the proven concept that the danger of EMF radiation is cumulative, not acute.

Meaning that anytime you can reduce your exposure to radiation, you’re protecting yourself in the long term. So, although digital watches do not emit a large amount of radiation, and emit no radio frequency radiation, they should still not be worn if possible.

We’ll talk about ways to protect yourself from a digital watch down below, but suffice it to say, you might as well be wearing a simple analog watch. They look better, typically last much longer, and emit no EMF radiation whatsoever.

Alright, now that we’ve gotten some of the basics out of the way, let’s talk about how much EMF radiation is being emitted from these watches.

EMF Radiation From Digital Watches

First let’s just talk briefly about what EMF radiation is, as it’s important for understanding radiation from simple digital watches.

EMF Radiation, or electromagnetic frequency radiation, is actually comprised of three completely seperate types:

• Magnetic Field Radiation
• Electric Field Radiation
• Radio Frequency Radiation

When we talk about the dangers of EMF radiation we are talking about all three, but by far the most frequent, and potentially most dangerous, is radio frequency radiation. This type of radiation occurs whenever data is passed between devices in packets.

So this would be things like cell-phones, WiFi, bluetooth, smart devices, etc. Anything that receives or broadcasts information via radio waves is likely capable of emitting radio frequency radiation.

So, take a cell phone for example. If you use an EMF meter, like the Trifield TF2 for example, and measure your cell phone while it is on and operating, you will notice that you actually get readings from all three types of radiation. The device itself, along with the battery, emit small amounts of magnetic radiation, and the power converter also emits electric radiation.

However the greatest amount of radiation is coming via the cell-connection to the nearest tower, and the phones connection to WiFi. These two forms of connection emit a large amount of radio frequency radiation, and are the primary reason that cell-phones are considered such a dangerous source of EMFs.

Now, back to digital watches.

When I’m talking about digital watches, by the way, I’m excluding any type of smartwatch, and only talking about simple watches with a digital readout.

Digital watches, when measured, emit a small amount of magnetic, and electric radiation. They, however, emit no radio frequency radiation, since they have no Bluetooth, and no capability to connect to a cellular or WiFi connection.

Is The EMF Radiation From Digital Watches Dangerous?

This depends a bit on a few things, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I don’t believe it is particularly dangerous.

That does not mean I wouldn’t avoid it if I had another alternative, but the radiation emissions from a digital watch is practically nothing compared to a smart watch like an Apple watch, Garmin, Fitbit, etc.

All of these not only maintain a connection to your cell-phone, but also have far more sophisticated electronics, and higher power-emitting batteries (typically lithium-ion). In addition, smartwatches will only become increasingly more as 5G continues to be rolled out.

If you haven’t already, I would highly suggest you read my two posts on 5G radiation dangers, and 5G protection.

Honestly, the only reason that digital watch EMF radiation is a concern whatsoever, is the immediate proximity to your wrist.

I talk about this often in other articles, but there is something called the Inverse Square law of Physics. This is a really important concept in this scenario. Essentially this law states that as we double our distance from a source of radiation, we quarter our exposure to it. This allows for exponential protection as we gain distance.

Nearly all electronic devices emit some EMF radiation, however most of the radiation falls off after a few inches or feet, so our exposure is virtually zero.

For example, a simple digital clock on a dresser on the other side of your bedroom will emit a small amount of EMF radiation, but by the time it gets a foot or so away from the clock, it has fallen to almost imperceptible levels, and is therefore of no concern.

However, when you have a device directly against your body, like a digital watch, we don’t benefit from this protection at all. This is the same reason that things like cell-phones, laptops, tablets, etc. are dangerous, is because we use them so close to our body.

Alright, now that we’ve spent a bit of time talking about how much radiation digital watches emit, and why that could be a small concern for some, let’s just quickly go over the ways that we can reduce this radiation.

How To Protect From Digital Watch Radiation

Remember, I’m only talking about digital watches here, so the reduction options are a bit simplistic. However, if you have more of a smart device like an Apple watch, Fitbit, Garmin or any other smart fitness device, check out some of my other articles like this one.

1. Switch Digital For Analog

Honestly, this is one of the only things you can do other than “don’t wear a watch.” Simple digital watches that have no smart functionality or connectivity to your other devices offer little that an analog watch does not.

Getting a watch with arms instead of a digital readout does reduce slightly less EMF radiation, and is, therefore, a better option in the long run.

2. Try Alternative Protections

I hesitate to even suggest this, but that is mostly my personal bias speaking, because there are many people that absolutely believe some of these options can offer protection.

If you’ve ever read my post on anti-radiation stickers, then you know that I vastly prefer to use things that I can test myself, or at least read credible research showing that it works, and how it works.

However, there are many quality alternative EMF protections from popular companies like Earthcalm that claim to offer protection not just from your watch, but from the EMF’s all around you.

There is also a company called Memon out of the EU that makes some protection devices for Apple watch and other devices that seems to have some legitimacy to it, but I can’t test this for myself, unfortunately.

Final Thoughts

Here is the reality: There are so many EMF radiation exposures in the world today, and to be honest, a simple digital watch is a very small one. Honestly, if your alternative to a smart watch, is a simple watch with a digital readout, then that is truly a good trade.

It’s always good to take a critical look at the devices we use on a daily basis, but the important thing is just making the good decisions when we can, and not letting EMF protection take over our life.

If there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Christian Thomas