JBL · Waterproof Personal Electronics Cases
Replacement Micro USB Charger Cord for JBL Clip 3 2, JBL Flip 4
Low risk. Standard USB cable with no known high-risk coatings.
Replacement micro USB cable uses standard copper and PVC or TPE materials. No water resistance or stain-resistant treatment present.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Copper wire, PVC/TPE cable jacket
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Electrical shock from damaged insulation
If the PVC or TPE jacket cracks or tears from physical wear or rough handling, exposed copper wire becomes a shock hazard. This is not a manufacturing defect but a foreseeable outcome of cable aging and improper storage.
Heat buildup in damaged or defective cable
A short circuit in the wire or connector, or use with a non-compliant power adapter, can cause the cable to overheat and potentially ignite nearby flammable materials. No recall history for JBL cables indicates this is rare but remains a general risk for all USB cables.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Phthalate leaching from PVC jacket
If the cable uses traditional PVC rather than phthalate-free PVC, trace phthalates could migrate during storage or heat exposure. JBL does not disclose whether phthalate plasticizers are used in this specific product; available data does not confirm phthalate presence or absence.
Lead
Micro USB connectors may use lead-based solder depending on manufacturing origin and supplier. JBL does not publish material declarations for soldered joints. No recall or test data for this product suggests lead solder presence, but no public certification excludes it either.
Source, ATSDR ↗Bacterial or mold growth in stored cable
If stored in a damp environment, the cable surface (especially near connectors) can support microbial growth if not dried after moisture exposure. This is an environmental storage issue, not a manufacturing defect, and is preventable through proper care.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This cable uses copper wire for conductivity inside a PVC or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) outer jacket. PVC is rigid and cheaper; TPE is softer and more flexible but both are chemically stable when undamaged. The connector is standard USB micro format with no special coatings. No flammable or toxic materials are inherent to this construction when functioning normally.
The brand's record and disclosure
JBL (Harman International, owned by Samsung) does not publicly disclose detailed material composition or third-party certifications for basic accessories like replacement cables. No recalls or documented safety failures have been issued for JBL micro USB charger cords. The brand does not advertise low-hazard or certified-safe status for these products, reflecting typical industry transparency levels for commodity cables.
How it compares in its category
Replacement micro USB cables are among the lowest-risk electronics accessories. Most competitors (Amazon Basics, Anker, Monoprice) use identical PVC or TPE jackets with copper wire. Differentiation is minimal; this cable is mid-market priced and functionally equivalent to generic alternatives. No material advantage or disadvantage versus other major brands in durability or safety profile.
If you buy it
Store the cable loosely coiled, not kinked, to prevent wire fracture and overheating during use. Avoid exposure to sharp objects, extreme heat (above 60C ambient), or moisture that could corrode copper or degrade the jacket. Replace immediately if the jacket shows cracks, fraying, or exposed wire; this creates electrical shock and fire risk. Inspect monthly if used daily, especially near the connector where flexing causes wear.
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
- JBL has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof personal electronics 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.