Tech21 · Waterproof Phone Chargers & Cable Cases
Tech21 15W USB-A Car Charger
Car charger; standard electronics unlikely to contain PFAS in typical use.
Tech21 car chargers are standard USB power adapters with no known PFAS-related risks. No special coatings or waterproofing requiring PFAS are typical in this product category.
Shop Tech21 on Amazon →Material
Plastic housing, copper/metal internal components
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 Tech21 15W USB-A charger uses plastic housing (likely polycarbonate or ABS) with internal copper wiring and standard electronic components. Plastic housings in chargers are not a primary chemical leaching concern because the device does not contact food, skin for extended periods, or high-temperature environments. Internal metal components are isolated and pose no direct exposure risk under normal charging use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tech21 is a consumer electronics accessories brand without published safety disclosures or certifications for chemical content. No recalls or established health controversies have been documented for Tech21 chargers in public records. The brand operates without transparent material safety data typical of larger manufacturers, but this reflects industry norms for budget electronics rather than flagged risk.
How it compares in its category
USB chargers are among the lowest-risk consumer electronics because they contain no toxic coatings, flame retardants, or high-temperature polymers that off-gas. The 15W output is standard and does not indicate thermal stress that would degrade plastic housing. This charger is functionally equivalent in safety profile to comparable offerings from Anker, Belkin, or Amazon Basics.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry location; excessive heat (above 50C ambient) can degrade plastic over years but poses no acute hazard. Do not disassemble or expose internal components to moisture. Replace only if the plastic housing cracks, exposes internal wiring, or the charger stops functioning. Standard USB chargers have no moving parts or consumables requiring maintenance.
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 housing degradation from heat exposure
Extended exposure to high ambient temperatures or direct sunlight may cause cosmetic cracking over years, but charger housings are engineered to tolerate typical vehicle conditions (0-60C). No degradation byproducts of concern have been documented for ABS or polycarbonate in this application.
Electrical safety and short-circuit risk
Any USB charger can pose shock or fire risk if the housing is physically damaged or internal components are exposed to moisture. Tech21 chargers are not UL or FCC certified per publicly available information; certification status should be verified on the device or manual if electrical safety is a priority.
Heavy metals in solder or electronic components
Standard electronics-grade solder and internal metals in USB chargers are regulated under RoHS directives in most markets, limiting lead and cadmium. Tech21 does not explicitly state RoHS compliance, but no recalls or contamination reports exist for this product line.
Flame retardants in plastic casing
USB chargers are not classified as flammability-critical products in most regulations, so plastic housings typically contain no added flame retardants. Standard ABS or polycarbonate without additives poses no chemical exposure risk during normal use.
Off-gassing or volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Plastic charger housings do not typically off-gas under normal operating temperatures. Any minor VOC release during manufacturing is negligible by the time the product reaches consumer use and stored in open-air environments like vehicles.
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.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Phone Chargers & Cable Cases
Nomad
Universal Cable
Braided nylon and metal connectors
Lower concern. Nylon cable has minimal PFAS risk.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
More waterproof phone chargers & cable 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.