Tech21 · Waterproof Smartphone & Tech Cases
Tech21 Evo Check for iPhone 13 Ultra-Protective Phone Case with 16ft Multi-Drop Protection
Unknown coating composition. Insufficient data to assess PFAS risk.
Tech21 does not disclose PFAS status for this case. Polymer phone cases often contain unspecified coatings that may include PFAS-based water or slip resistance treatments. No lab data available.
The safe swap
Tech21
Tech21 EvoClear for Apple iPhone 17 Pro
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
Thermoplastic elastomer blend, likely TPE or similar polymer
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Unknown / proprietary coating
Proprietary coating with no disclosed chemistry.
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
Tech21 Evo Check uses a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blend, a synthetic rubber-like polymer that is soft, flexible, and impact-absorbing. TPE is not inherently toxic at room temperature and does not contain the problematic fluorinated coatings found in some nonstick cookware or water-resistant textiles. The material is designed to flex and grip without rigid brittleness, which actually reduces fracture debris that could shed microplastics.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tech21 is owned by Otter Products and has built reputation on protective cases without prominent chemical transparency claims. No major recalls or chemical safety controversies are on public record for this product line. The brand does not publish PFAS-free certifications or detailed material safety data sheets for consumers, leaving polymer sourcing and any water-resistant treatments unverified.
How it compares in its category
Silicone and TPE cases are chemically safer alternatives to older polyurethane or heavily coated cases, which sometimes contained antimicrobial additives or flame retardants. Tech21's thick TPE formulation is middle-of-the-road for drop protection cases; competitors like Spigen use similar TPE without known chemical hazard differences. Case choice in this category is driven more by durability and grip than chemical risk differentiation.
If you buy it
Keep the case away from extreme heat (above 60°C) to avoid potential polymer softening or outgassing, though normal phone use and sunlight exposure pose no practical risk. Wash periodically with mild soap and water to remove dust; do not use harsh solvents or bleach. Replace if the material becomes visibly sticky, cracked, or develops permanent deformations, as degraded polymer can shed fine particles. Store in a cool, dry place; the material will not degrade significantly during normal shelf life.
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.”
Microplastic shedding from polymer degradation
TPE cases can shed tiny particles over years of flexing and UV exposure, particularly if the case cracks or becomes sticky. Risk is low during normal use but increases with age and mechanical stress; replacement every 2-3 years minimizes exposure.
Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
No off-gassing incidents have been reported for TPE phone cases. TPE polymers are generally low-VOC at room temperature, and the sealed phone design limits any vapor exposure compared to open-air textiles or furniture.
Heavy metals in polymer additives
TPE used in phone cases is not known to contain cadmium, lead, or antimony at unsafe levels. No recalls or safety warnings exist for Tech21 cases on this basis, and the material class does not require these additives for function.
Flame retardant chemicals
Phone cases are not regulated for flammability in the US and do not require brominated or other flame retardants by law. Tech21 does not advertise flame-retardant treatment, suggesting none is present.
Unverified coating composition and PFAS risk
Tech21 does not disclose whether any water-resistant or grip-enhancing surface treatment contains PFAS. The opacity here is a data gap; graded separately at 50/100 risk. Practical risk to skin contact is low, but manufacturing workers and aquatic environments may face exposure if fluorinated coatings are used.
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 & Tech Cases
Tech21
EvoClear for Apple iPhone 17 Pro
polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
Polycarbonate phone case.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Apple
TechWoven MagSafe Case for iPhone 17 Pro
Woven fabric composite with elastomer MagSafe attachment
Limited PFAS risk from material choice, but no brand disclosure
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max TechWoven Case with MagSafe
Woven textile blend with MagSafe metal ring
Lower concern; typical smartphone case materials lack PFAS triggers.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smartphone & tech 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.