S'well · Filtered Water Bottles
S'well Kids Traveler with Flip Straw Lid
Lower concern; stainless-steel core with no known PFAS-prone features, but plastic lid composition unconfirmed.
S'well's Kids Traveler is primarily stainless steel, a PFAS-resistant material. The flip-straw lid material (likely polypropylene or similar) is not detailed publicly. S'well makes no PFAS claims and provides no third-party verification; contact the brand directly if lid coating details matter to you.
Shop S'well on Amazon →Material
Stainless steel body, plastic flip-straw lid
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The S'well Kids Traveler body is stainless steel, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals or chemicals into water under normal use. The flip-straw lid is plastic, likely polypropylene or similar food-grade polymer, but the exact resin code and additives are not disclosed by S'well in publicly available materials. Stainless steel is a safe substrate for hydration; the risk profile depends entirely on the lid's composition and any coatings applied to the interior or seals.
The brand's record and disclosure
S'well has marketed heavily on sustainability and safety but does not publicly disclose detailed material specifications, additive lists, or third-party certifications for this product line. The brand has not faced major recalls or safety warnings related to their water bottles in the US market. However, S'well's silence on PFAS testing and polymer sourcing is notable in a category where competitors increasingly provide material transparency. No independent testing results for this specific product model are available in the public domain.
How it compares in its category
Most insulated kids' water bottles use stainless steel bodies paired with plastic or silicone lids; S'well's design is typical in this respect. Competitors like Hydro Flask and Contigo offer similar material profiles but some provide clearer disclosure of lid polymers and absence of BPA. S'well's pricing sits at the premium end, which does not necessarily correlate with higher safety testing or transparency. The flip-straw lid is a common feature but adds a plastic component that increases the surface area in contact with water.
If you buy it
Hand wash the lid immediately after use to prevent bacterial biofilm in the straw mechanism, which is a known maintenance gap in flip-straw designs. Do not expose the plastic lid to heat above 140°F (60°C) or prolonged direct sunlight, as polymer degradation and leaching may occur. Replace the lid if cracks, discoloration, or odor develop, as these suggest material breakdown. Avoid extended contact with acidic beverages, which may accelerate polymer degradation over years of use.
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.”
Plastic lid polymer degradation and leaching
The flip-straw lid material is not publicly specified by S'well. If polypropylene or polyethylene, degradation is unlikely under normal cold-water use; if an unknown polymer or recycled resin, stability is unconfirmed. Heat, UV, and acidic drinks accelerate any polymer breakdown.
Bacterial growth in straw mechanism
Flip-straw designs across the category (S'well, competitors) are prone to trapped moisture and biofilm if not thoroughly dried. This is a maintenance issue, not a material defect, but presents mild hygiene risk if cleaning is neglected.
BPA or BPS in plastic lid
S'well does not explicitly state BPA-free status for this product. Modern food-grade polypropylene typically contains no BPA, but S'well's silence means independent verification is absent. Assume likely BPA-free based on category norms, but not confirmed.
Adhesive or sealant leaching from lid-to-body seal
No specific information on adhesive composition or thermal stability of the seal interface is publicly available. Stainless steel-to-plastic seals are common and generally safe, but degradation over many years of thermal cycling is not ruled out.
Aluminum or other metals in interior coating (if present)
S'well's insulated bottles typically use a stainless steel interior without added coatings; no leaching risk is known. If an interior lining or proprietary coating exists, composition is not disclosed.
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 filtered water bottles 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.