Contigo · Insulated Drink Tumblers & Travel Mugs
Contigo Byron 2.0 Insulated Travel Mug
Low-Medium risk. Stainless steel body is unlikely to hold PFAS.
This stainless steel travel mug has a plastic lid and interior. The brand hasn't disclosed any PFAS information or detailed the plastic lid's composition.
The safe swap
Yeti
Rambler Tumbler YETI
80/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Stainless steel exterior, BPA-free plastic lid and interior
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Phthalates
Flexible sealing gaskets in the lid may contain phthalate plasticizers to maintain flexibility. Contigo does not publish full plasticizer disclosure. Risk is minimal with proper seal integrity and standard beverage temperatures.
Source: ATSDR ↗Stainless steel nickel leaching
Food-grade stainless steel (18/8) contains chromium and nickel; trace nickel can migrate into acidic liquids over time. This is an inherent property of all stainless steel drinkware, not unique to this brand. Risk is low for most users but relevant for nickel-sensitive individuals.
Microplastics
Repeated exposure to hot beverages or boiling water can degrade the plastic lid and seals, potentially releasing microplastics into drinks over years of use. The manufacturer does not specify a temperature ceiling for the lid material.
Source: EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
BPA & bisphenols
Contigo explicitly markets the Byron 2.0 as BPA-free. No recalls or detected BPA contamination reported for this model. Plastic components do not contact liquid directly during normal use if seals remain intact.
Source: FDA ↗Bacterial growth in insulated cavity
The double-wall design traps air and moisture; if not disassembled and dried regularly, condensation could support mold or bacterial biofilm. This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect. No recalls related to pathogen contamination reported.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Byron 2.0 uses food-grade stainless steel (18/8 or similar) for the exterior and insulating walls, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals or off-gas under normal beverage use. The lid and interior sealing surfaces are BPA-free plastic, likely polypropylene or acetal copolymer, which avoids the endocrine disruptor concerns of older polycarbonate designs. Stainless steel is one of the safest container materials for hot and cold liquids because its passive oxide layer prevents corrosion and metal migration into beverages.
The brand's record and disclosure
Contigo has marketed the Byron 2.0 as BPA-free but does not publish detailed material certifications or PFAS testing data publicly. The brand has not faced significant product recalls or safety controversies on this model line as of available reporting. No third-party certifications (such as NSF, FDA approval statements, or independent chemical audits) are prominently advertised, which is typical but not exceptional for this price segment.
How it compares in its category
The Byron 2.0 is a mid-market insulated tumbler using conventional stainless steel construction, similar to Hydro Flask, S'well, and Klean Kanteen base models. Stainless steel tumblers as a category are safer than double-wall glass or plastic-intensive designs in terms of leaching risk. Price and performance are competitive; safety profile is standard for the category, with no material advantages or disadvantages versus similarly constructed rivals.
If you buy it
Wash the lid thoroughly before first use and inspect for cracks or degradation, as plastic components are the primary contact point with beverages. Do not microwave the lid and avoid prolonged exposure to boiling water, which can degrade plastic over time. Replace the lid if threads loosen or seals crack; stainless steel bodies are durable but plastic parts typically fail first. Avoid storing acidic beverages (citrus, vinegar-based) for extended periods, as even stainless steel can develop pitting under extreme conditions.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Contigo has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Insulated Drink Tumblers & Travel Mugs
Yeti
Rambler Tumbler YETI
18/8 stainless steel, no coating
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
Limited concern
Low risk. Bare stainless steel tumbler with no known PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
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stainless steel body, silicone gasket/lid seal
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Limited concern
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⚠Risky category by default
Contigo
Cortland Chill 2.0 Stainless Steel Water Bottle
stainless steel, no reported coating
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Limited concern
Bacterial growth in inaccessible spaces
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Low-Medium risk. Bare stainless steel bottle with no known problematic coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
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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.