Apple · Waterproof Phone Chargers & Cables
Twelve South PowerClip Compact USB-C Power Bank
Power bank with no known PFAS-prone materials. No disclosure but lower concern.
Twelve South PowerClip is a USB-C power bank with standard lithium-ion battery and plastic casing, typical of portable chargers with no inherent PFAS risk. Brand provides no PFAS statement but no concerning material indicators present.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, metal contacts
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
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 PowerClip Compact uses a lithium-ion battery cell (standard in all modern power banks), plastic external housing, and metal USB-C connectors. Lithium-ion is a mature, stable chemistry when manufactured to spec and not damaged; the plastic housing is typically polycarbonate or ABS, inert at room temperature and during normal charging cycles. Metal contacts are prone to oxidation and corrosion over years of use, which can degrade charging efficiency but poses no direct health hazard unless shorts occur.
The brand's record and disclosure
Twelve South is a minor accessories brand without major disclosed safety controversies on record. Apple's ecosystem products generally comply with FCC, CE, and RoHS standards, though Twelve South does not publicize detailed material safety data sheets for this model. No recalls or warnings are publicly documented for this specific power bank model. The brand's transparency on hazardous substance restrictions is typical for the category but not comprehensive.
How it compares in its category
Compact USB-C power banks are commodity items with minimal differentiation in safety profile. This model sits in the mid-range for build quality and brand recognition. Most competitors (Anker, Belkin, OtterBox) operate under similar regulatory compliance but vary in long-term reliability reports. Consumer reviews do not flag this model with disproportionate failure rates or charging hazards compared to peers.
If you buy it
Store away from extreme heat (above 45°C / 113°F) and moisture to preserve lithium-ion chemistry. Do not leave fully charged for weeks at a time; lithium-ion cells degrade slightly faster at full charge state. Check USB-C connector annually for corrosion or debris; a dry brush or compressed air can clean contacts. Replace if the battery no longer holds charge after 300-500 cycles (roughly 2-3 years of regular use), or if the casing shows cracks that expose the battery.
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.”
Lithium-ion thermal runaway
All lithium-ion batteries carry an inherent, low-probability risk of rapid heat release if the cell is damaged, short-circuited, or manufactured defectively. Twelve South does not publish independent safety certification reports; this model is subject to standard UL or equivalent testing but no public test data is available.
Plastic housing degradation
Polycarbonate and ABS housings are stable polymers. No known leaching of bisphenol A (BPA) or other endocrine disruptors from power bank cases under normal use conditions; the material is not heated above 50°C during charging.
Metal contact corrosion and microbial growth
USB-C contacts can corrode in humid environments, creating a poor electrical connection that may cause localized heating at the connector interface. This is a reliability hazard rather than a toxicological one, but prolonged contact heating could theoretically degrade the plastic housing around the port.
Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure
Power banks emit negligible electromagnetic radiation during normal charging and use, far below regulatory limits set by the FCC. No peer-reviewed evidence links USB power banks to adverse health effects from EMF.
Battery electrolyte leakage
If the lithium-ion cell is ruptured by mechanical damage, the organic electrolyte inside can leak and irritate skin or eyes. Twelve South does not specify whether the battery is housed in a sealed rigid cell or flexible pouch; intact housings prevent this risk under normal handling.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.
More waterproof phone chargers & cables 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.