Anccer · Waterproof Smartphone & Tech Cases
Outdoor Products SmartPhone Watertight Phone Case
Unknown coating composition; waterproof phone cases often use PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments.
Anccer does not disclose coating chemistry or PFAS status. Waterproof phone cases typically rely on fluorinated water-repellent treatments, though some use PFAS-free alternatives. No third-party verification found.
The safe swap
Tech21
Tech21 EvoClear for Apple iPhone 17 Pro
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
Polycarbonate or TPU plastic with unspecified 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
This case combines polycarbonate (a rigid, clear plastic) or TPU (thermoplastic urethane, a flexible rubber-like polymer) as the structural base. The waterproof capability comes from an unspecified coating applied to the exterior or seams. Neither polycarbonate nor TPU are known to leach problematic substances under normal phone-case use conditions (room temperature, no direct food contact). The coating composition is the critical unknown: waterproof phone cases typically rely on water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments, which historically have included PFAS chemistry, though some newer alternatives exist.
The brand's record and disclosure
Anccer is a third-party phone accessory brand with limited public transparency on material sourcing or chemical treatment protocols. No established certifications (like Cradle to Cradle or OEKO-TEX) are advertised for this product line. The brand has not publicly addressed PFAS use or phased alternatives, which is consistent with many mid-tier accessory manufacturers. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific model.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof phone cases occupy a middle ground: they are less prone to off-gassing than foam-cushioned cases, but more dependent on chemical coatings than bare silicone alternatives. Premium brands (e.g., LifeProof, OtterBox) often disclose waterproofing methods more explicitly; budget brands rarely do. The lack of disclosure from Anccer is a competitive disadvantage but not unusual for the price tier. Uncoated TPU cases without waterproofing claims avoid the water-repellent coating chemical question entirely, though they sacrifice water resistance.
If you buy it
Store the case away from direct heat (>50C / 122F) to avoid accelerated polymer degradation or coating breakdown. Inspect the case monthly for visible cracks, peeling, or separation at seams, which can compromise the waterproof seal and potentially expose the underlying plastic. Do not use abrasive cleaners or prolonged immersion; rinse with fresh water and air-dry after saltwater or chlorinated-water exposure. If the coating becomes visibly compromised, discontinue use and replace, as the waterproofing efficacy (and any chemical barrier function) is lost.
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.”
Polycarbonate/TPU base polymer safety (phone-case use)
Neither polycarbonate nor TPU is documented to leach harmful substances into skin or oral contact during normal phone-case handling at room temperature. Risk is negligible for this application.
Waterproof coating degradation and exposure
Unspecified water-repellent coating is likely present but uncharacterized. If coating degrades over months of use, underlying plastic may be exposed to environmental stressors. Degradation itself poses no direct ingestion risk but signals reduced waterproof function.
Microplastic shedding from worn case
Repeated flexing and abrasion of the TPU or polycarbonate can generate microplastics, particularly at seams or corners. Environmental dispersal is the concern; direct ingestion via food contact is unlikely for a phone case.
Coating adhesion and leachables in high-humidity or salt-water exposure
The interface between the base polymer and waterproof coating is a weak point. Prolonged saltwater or pool-chemical exposure could theoretically destabilize coating adhesion; chemical identity of any leached coating residues remains unknown due to lack of disclosure.
Off-gassing from adhesives or assembly residues
Phone cases are not heated during use and have minimal air-permeability to the wearer, so volatile organic compound emission is not a documented concern. No reports of odor or respiratory effects from Anccer cases are on record.
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 Smartphone & Tech Cases
Tech21
EvoClear for Apple iPhone 17 Pro
polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
Polycarbonate phone case.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Apple
TechWoven MagSafe Case for iPhone 17 Pro
Woven fabric composite with elastomer MagSafe attachment
Limited PFAS risk from material choice, but no brand disclosure
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max TechWoven Case with MagSafe
Woven textile blend with MagSafe metal ring
Lower concern; typical smartphone case materials lack PFAS triggers.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smartphone & tech cases 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.