OtterBox · Insulated Drink Tumblers & Travel Mugs
OtterBox Elevation Can Cooler
Skip or verify coating contents with OtterBox before purchasing.
Can cooler uses stainless steel with water-repellent coating. OtterBox does not disclose PFAS status; water-repellent coating coatings often contain PFAS. Contact brand for coating specifics.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Stainless steel with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) 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
cookware 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 Elevation Can Cooler is constructed from food-grade stainless steel, which does not leach metals into cold beverages under normal use. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the exterior is the material of concern. water-repellent coating coatings are often formulated with fluorinated compounds (including PFAS) to achieve water and stain resistance, though some modern alternatives exist. Since this is a beverage cooler contacting only cold liquids and external surfaces, direct ingestion risk is minimal compared to cookware or food-contact plastics, but the coating composition remains undisclosed by OtterBox.
The brand's record and disclosure
OtterBox is primarily known for protective cases and outdoor gear rather than cookware or food-contact products. The company has not published transparent disclosure of water-repellent coating chemistry or PFAS policies for this product line as of available public records. No recalls or safety warnings specific to the Elevation cooler have been issued. Industry-wide, stainless steel coolers are considered low-risk products, but OtterBox's silence on fluorinated compound use leaves the coating status unverified.
How it compares in its category
In the beverage cooler market, stainless steel with water-repellent coating coatings is common and generally considered safer than plastic-lined coolers or those with epoxy linings, which carry microplastic and chemical leaching risks. However, many competitors (Hydro Flask, Yeti, S'well) also do not fully disclose water-repellent coating composition, making this a category-wide transparency gap. Alternatives using silicone gaskets or uncoated stainless steel exist but are less water-resistant. The Elevation's design is mid-range in terms of both price and disclosed safety information.
If you buy it
Use the cooler only for cold or room-temperature beverages; do not expose it to sustained heat above 120F or use it for hot liquids, as thermal stress can degrade the water-repellent coating. Wash by hand with mild soap and water; avoid abrasive scrubbing or dishwashers, which may accelerate coating wear. Inspect the exterior coating annually for peeling, crazing, or loss of water-beading; if degradation occurs, discontinue use to prevent exposure to underlying coating residues. Contact OtterBox directly to request the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the water-repellent coating formulation before purchase if PFAS content is a priority for you.
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.”
water-repellent coating composition (PFAS and alternatives)
OtterBox has not disclosed whether the water-repellent coating contains PFAS compounds. Fluorinated water-repellent coatings commonly use perfluorinated chemicals, but non-PFAS alternatives are available. Since the cooler is external contact only (not food-touching), risk of ingestion is low, but coating degradation over time could release particles.
Stainless steel corrosion and leaching (chromium, nickel)
Food-grade stainless steel (typically 304 or 18/8) is highly resistant to corrosion in cold beverage storage and does not leach chromium or nickel under normal use. No reports of leaching from OtterBox coolers exist in public records.
Coating degradation and particulate release
All exterior coatings degrade with use, heat exposure, and abrasion. As the water-repellent coating layer wears, micro-particles may enter beverages if the cooler is used for food-contact purposes (e.g., storing ice or food). Regular inspection and hand-washing reduce this risk.
Thermal stability of coating under extreme use
No specific thermal stability data published by OtterBox. Beverage coolers are designed for cold storage; exposure to direct sunlight, hot cars, or hot water may accelerate coating breakdown and off-gassing, though absolute risk is not documented.
Gasket and seal materials (rubber/silicone off-gassing)
The cooler lid likely contains elastomeric seals, but OtterBox does not specify material composition. Modern food-grade silicone is low-risk; however, without disclosure, potential for formaldehyde resins or plasticizer leaching cannot be ruled out if lower-cost rubber is used.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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 Insulated Drink Tumblers & Travel Mugs
Yeti
Rambler Tumbler YETI
18/8 stainless steel, no coating
Lower concern. Bare stainless steel tumbler, no known PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
OtterBox
Elevation 20 Tumbler
Stainless steel tumbler with powder coat or polyester exterior
Lower PFAS concern; stainless steel construction poses minimal risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Contigo
Autoseal West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug
stainless steel body, silicone gasket/lid seal
Lower concern. Stainless steel and silicone have minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More insulated drink tumblers & travel mugs 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.