Tech21 · Waterproof Phone Chargers & Cables
Tech21 10ft USB-A to USB-C Data Cable
Lower concern. Standard USB cable with no PFAS-prone components identified.
Tech21 USB cables use typical copper and polymer jackets without reported water resistance or nonstick coatings. No PFAS disclosure found, but standard construction poses minimal PFAS risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Copper wire, PVC/TPE jacket
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
This cable uses copper wire for conductivity wrapped in a PVC or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) outer jacket. PVC is rigid and cheaper; TPE is more flexible and temperature-tolerant. Both are standard for consumer USB cables and neither leaches toxic metals under normal use. The insulation does not contact food or skin prolonged, which eliminates the main pathways for chemical migration.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tech21 is a mid-tier mobile accessories brand owned by Zagg (now part of GN Store Nord). The company has not published detailed material safety disclosures or third-party testing results for cables. No major product recalls or chemical safety controversies are on public record for this cable line. The brand maintains basic compliance certifications (FCC, CE) but does not highlight independent testing for leachables or flame properties.
How it compares in its category
USB cables are among the lowest-risk consumer electronics due to short material-to-body contact and no food or beverage contact. Tech21's cable is comparable to major retailers' house-brand offerings (Amazon Basics, Anker) in material choice. No meaningful safety differentiation exists between reputable 10ft cables; durability and connector longevity matter more than chemical hazard.
If you buy it
Avoid coiling the cable tightly around objects or pinching the jacket, which accelerates PVC/TPE brittleness and internal wire fracturing. Do not expose to sustained heat above 60C (140F), as jacket softening can occur. Replace the cable if the outer jacket is visibly cracked, frayed, or wire shows; this increases electrical resistance and short-circuit risk. Store in a cool, dry place; prolonged UV exposure or ozone (near air purifiers) can degrade polymer jackets over years.
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.”
PVC degradation and phthalate migration (if PVC jacket used)
If the jacket is PVC rather than TPE, it may contain phthalate plasticizers. Under normal use (room temperature, no direct skin contact beyond grip), migration is minimal. Heat stress or aging can accelerate degradation; no testing data published for this specific cable.
Electrical safety and insulation breakdown
Generic USB cable failure mode: jacket cracking exposes copper wire, creating shock hazard if wet contact occurs or internal shorts. This is a durability issue, not material toxicity, but represents the primary safety risk during cable lifetime. Tech21 cables have standard connector reliability; no specific defect pattern identified.
Heavy metals in solder/connectors
USB connectors and solder joints may contain trace lead or cadmium in older manufacturing. Modern cables generally use lead-free solder; no evidence Tech21 uses non-compliant metals, but company does not disclose solder composition.
Flame retardant additives
USB cable jackets are not required to meet flame retardant standards in most markets. Tech21 does not list brominated or chlorinated flame retardants in available product specs. Risk is theoretical and lower than textiles or foams.
Microplastic shedding from jacket abrasion
Repeated flexing and abrasion of PVC/TPE jackets can shed microparticles, especially if the cable is coiled tightly or dragged. Exposure to humans is indirect; environmental contamination is the concern. No quantified testing for this cable product.
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.