Griffin · Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Griffin Survivor Waterproof And Catalyst For Iphone 5/ 5s - 4 Colors
Skip. Waterproof coating composition undisclosed, potential PFAS risk.
Griffin's Survivor case provides waterproof protection via unspecified coating. No PFAS disclosure from brand; waterproof treatments often contain PFAS. Lower confidence due to lack of material transparency.
The safe swap
Mophie
Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
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
Rubber and plastic case 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 Survivor Catalyst is a dual-layer case combining rubber outer shell with rigid plastic frame and an undisclosed waterproof coating. Rubber itself is chemically inert when new, but the waterproof treatment is the critical unknown: manufacturers typically use either PFAS-based hydrophobic coatings (legacy standard) or silicone/wax alternatives (safer but less durable). Griffin has not publicly disclosed which chemistry is used in this product. Wear and degradation of the coating over time may release coating particles or absorbed substances into contact with skin or the phone.
The brand's record and disclosure
Griffin Technology is a long-established phone accessory maker with no major public safety recalls or certifications tied to this specific case model. The brand does not maintain a disclosed materials transparency or PFAS-free commitment policy. Their silence on waterproof coating composition is typical of the phone case industry but prevents independent hazard assessment. No third-party certifications (such as those from environmental or chemical safety bodies) are associated with this product line.
How it compares in its category
Phone cases sit in a middle ground of risk: they have minimal food or ingestion contact but prolonged skin contact and are regularly heated (phone battery proximity). Most competitors offer similarly opaque coating disclosure. Cases explicitly marketed as PFAS-free or coating-free (bare rubber or uncoated plastic) exist but are rarer and often less water-resistant. The Survivor line is positioned as premium durability, which typically trades material transparency for claimed long-term performance.
If you buy it
Inspect the case regularly for cracking, peeling, or degradation of the outer coating, especially around seams and edges where water-resistance fails first. Do not expose to sustained heat (avoid placing on heat sources or in extreme sunlight for prolonged periods, as the rubber and plastic can leach or degrade faster). Replace the case if waterproof integrity is visibly compromised, as continued use may expose internal plastic or coating residue. Wash hands after extended contact if you have sensitive skin, and do not allow children extended contact with the case material until more coating safety data is available.
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.”
Waterproof coating composition and leaching
The undisclosed waterproof treatment is the primary hazard. If PFAS-based (highly likely for durability), degradation over time could release fluorinated compounds; if silicone-based, leaching is lower but still undocumented. Griffin's silence prevents confirmation.
Rubber degradation and particle shedding
Rubber compounds can degrade, especially near phone heat sources or in UV light, potentially releasing rubber dust and accelerants. This is common across all rubber phone cases but intensified if the protective coating fails prematurely.
Plastic off-gassing (volatile organic compounds)
Rigid plastic frame is unlikely to off-gas volatile compounds at room temperature post-manufacturing. No documented issues reported for Griffin Survivor cases on this front, though individual plastic sourcing is unconfirmed.
Heavy metals in dyes or colorants
Rubber and plastic cases use colorants, but the 4-color lineup for this 2013 model (iPhone 5/5s era) likely employed modern organic dyes. No cadmium or lead contamination has been reported for Griffin cases, and this material class is lower-risk than glazed ceramics.
Coating adhesion and skin contact risk over time
As the waterproof coating ages and flexes with the case, adhesion breakdown can result in flaking microparticles entering skin contact. Long-term human health impact is undocumented, but the risk is real and unmitigated by brand transparency.
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 Cases
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, metal contacts
No known PFAS use; battery cases rarely require fluorinated coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15 Pro
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, rubber grips
Lower concern. Battery cases lack typical PFAS-prone coatings; no public disclosure available.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Pelican
Shield Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Polycarbonate shell, rubber grip
Lower concern; typical phone case with no known PFAS applications.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smartphone 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.