Tech21 · Waterproof Phone Chargers & Cables
Tech21 Wireless Charging Pad - White
Lower concern wireless charger. No PFAS-prone coatings evident.
Wireless charging pads are simple electronics without water-repellent coatings or nonstick surfaces. No public disclosure of PFAS, but no lab testing found either. Standard consumer electronics carry minimal PFAS risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Plastic housing, internal electronics, coil
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 pad uses a plastic housing (likely polycarbonate or ABS) over an internal copper induction coil and standard electronics. Plastic housings in wireless chargers do not typically leach chemicals into food or skin contact since the product never reaches high temperatures during normal use and sits on a desk or nightstand. The internal electronics are potted or encapsulated, preventing direct contact with solder, flux residues, or component materials. No ceramic, enamel, or coating-intensive finishes are present that would introduce lead, cadmium, or degradation risks common in cookware.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tech21 is a consumer electronics accessories brand owned by Lifeproof and has no public record of chemical safety disclosures, recalls linked to toxic substances, or formal certifications (e.g., RoHS, CE compliance statements) that are widely publicized. The brand's silence on PFAS and material sourcing is typical for the wireless charger segment, where regulatory pressure remains lower than in cookware or cosmetics. No established controversies regarding heavy metals, flame retardants, or other hazardous additives in their plastic products have been reported in consumer or regulatory databases.
How it compares in its category
Wireless chargers as a category present minimal chemical hazard compared to cookware (no leaching risk), textiles (no dyes or finishes), or personal care products (no skin contact chemicals). Most competing pads (Samsung, Belkin, Anker) use similar plastic-and-coil designs with comparable material profiles. Tech21's product offers no unusual chemical advantages or disadvantages relative to standard competitors; the hazard profile is commodity-level for this device class.
If you buy it
Keep the charger in a dry, temperature-stable location; wireless chargers operate at low surface heat (typically 35-50°C) so plastic off-gassing is negligible. Do not deliberately heat, crack, or incinerate the housing, as internal electronics may release particulates. Replace the unit if the casing develops deep cracks or if the coil stops functioning; repair is not practical and cracked plastic could expose internal materials. Clean the surface with a dry cloth; do not use solvents or submerge the device.
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 off-gassing (VOCs)
Wireless chargers do not reach temperatures that trigger significant volatile organic compound release from plastic. No off-gassing complaints or test data specific to Tech21 wireless chargers have been reported.
Internal electronics leachates (lead in solder, flux residues)
Internal components are typically encapsulated and not exposed to moisture, skin, or food contact. RoHS compliance (restricting lead in solder) is now standard in the consumer electronics industry, though Tech21 has not publicly stated compliance.
Flame retardants in plastic housing
Some polycarbonate or ABS plastics used in electronics housings contain halogenated or phosphorus-based flame retardants to meet fire safety codes. No specific information on Tech21's formulation is available; this is a category-wide possibility, not a documented issue with this brand.
Microplastic shedding from coating wear
The white plastic finish may experience minor cosmetic wear over years, but wireless chargers do not generate friction or mechanical stress that would produce microplastic fragments at use.
Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from induction coil
Induction chargers produce radiofrequency and magnetic fields; however, FCC and international standards (IEC) regulate these emissions, and no credible evidence links wireless charger EMF to health hazards at normal use distances. This is a physical hazard category, not a chemical one.
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.