Insulated Travel Mugs, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 15 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic insulated travel mugs, ranked safest first
Bad · Better · Best insulated travel mugs
The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
S'well
S'well 24oz Tumbler with Straw
Low concern. Stainless steel core unlikely to hold PFAS.
S'well
S'ip by S'well Takeaway Mug
Low concern. Stainless steel design with no reported coatings.
Thermos
THERMOS Stainless Steel King Travel Mug
Lower concern; bare stainless steel has minimal PFAS risk.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
Thermos
Stainless Steel King Travel Mug
Stainless steel interior and exterior, plastic lid
Plastic lid polymer degradation
Limited concern
Gasket/seal material composition
Limited concern
Thermal shock stress on seals
Limited concern
Lower concern; bare stainless steel has minimal PFAS risk.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Thermos
Icon 16 oz Stainless Steel Mug
stainless steel, no stated interior coating
Seal degradation and bacterial growth
Limited concern
Lid or cup material (not specified)
Limited concern
Lower concern; bare stainless steel has minimal PFAS risk.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Thermos
18 oz. Icon Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Mug
stainless steel exterior, vacuum insulation, stainless steel interior
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
Limited concern
Chromium leaching from stainless steel
Limited concern
Thermal shock and seal degradation
Moderate concern
Lower concern; stainless steel mug has no water-repellent coating.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Thermos
16oz Stainless King Coffee Mug
stainless steel interior, plastic exterior
Plastic exterior degradation and leachates
Limited concern
Rubber gasket degradation
Limited concern
Lead
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; stainless steel contact surface unlikely PFAS source.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Thermos
Icon 16 oz Stainless Steel Tumbler
Stainless steel interior, BPA-free plastic exterior
Plastic exterior degradation and microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Silicone gasket bacterial or mold growth
Limited concern
Lower concern; stainless steel tumbler has no known PFAS risk.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Thermos
Guardian Stainless Steel Mug
Stainless steel (uncoated)
Bacterial growth in storage
Limited concern
Lower concern; bare stainless steel mug has no known PFAS risk.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Thermos
Stainless Steel Mug
stainless steel, no stated coating
Seam or lid leachables
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in valve/seal areas
Limited concern
Lower concern; bare stainless steel unlikely to contain PFAS.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
S'well
40 oz Stainless Steel Traveler
18/8 stainless steel interior and exterior, plastic lid components
BPA & bisphenols
Limited concern
Plastic lid degradation over time
High concern
Lid seal integrity loss
Limited concern
Lower concern; bare stainless steel vessel, verify lid material separately.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
S'well
Recycled Stainless Steel Explorer 24oz Green Jasper
Recycled stainless steel, no coating disclosed
Bacterial growth in seams or caps
Limited concern
Low concern. Bare stainless steel carries minimal PFAS risk.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
S'well
S'ip by S'well Takeaway Mug
Stainless steel exterior, insulated
BPA & bisphenols
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in lid seals
Limited concern
Thermal shock or seal failure from temperature cycling
Limited concern
Low concern. Stainless steel design with no reported coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
S'well
Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug with Handle
Stainless steel body, plastic handle and cap
Plastic cap/handle thermal migration
Limited concern
Undisclosed polymer type and additives in handle/cap
Limited concern
Vacuum seal degradation and mold growth
Limited concern
PFAS
Moderate concern
Low concern, though S'well discloses no PFAS information.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Thermos
Foam Insulated Travel Mug GS1500TRI6
Stainless steel interior, foam insulation outer shell
Foam insulation degradation
Limited concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Bacterial colonization in crevices
Limited concern
Lower concern; stainless steel interior, typical foam shell unlikely PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
S'well
S'ip by S'well Travel Mug
Stainless steel with plastic lid components
BPA & bisphenols
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in lid crevices and seals
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from lid wear
Limited concern
Lower concern; brand silence on materials limits certainty.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
S'well
Mug Pink
Stainless steel double-wall vacuum insulated
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
Limited concern
Vacuum seal degradation
Limited concern
Lid or seal material hazards
Limited concern
Low concern. Stainless steel construction unlikely to hold PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
S'well
24oz Tumbler with Straw
Stainless steel double-wall with plastic lid and straw
BPA & bisphenols
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Rubber gasket degradation and mold growth
Moderate concern
Lid printing or coating adhesion
Limited concern
Low concern. Stainless steel core unlikely to hold PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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