JBL · Waterproof Personal Electronics Cases
Replacement Micro USB Charger Cord for JBL Clip 3, 2, JBL Flip 4, 3, 2, JBL Charge 3, 2, 2 Plus Waterproof Portable Blue
Lower concern. Plastic-jacketed copper wire without disclosed water-repellent coating.
Standard micro-USB charging cable with plastic-jacketed copper wire. No water-repellent finish or special coating on record. Material as recorded is not linked to PFAS.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Plastic-jacketed copper wire, standard micro-USB
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.
Plastic jacket degradation and electrical exposure
PVC or TPE jackets can crack or fray with age, heat, or repeated flexing, potentially exposing copper conductors. At micro-USB voltages (5V) this poses low shock risk but is still a failure indicator warranting replacement.
Connector corrosion or internal short
Repeated insertion/removal or exposure to moisture can corrode the metal pins inside the micro-USB connector, causing intermittent charging or internal shorts. This is a wear mechanism, not a manufacturing defect, and is resolved by replacement.
Counterfeit product risk (third-party sellers)
Micro-USB cables sold through unverified resellers often contain substandard copper gauge or inferior jacketing materials that fail rapidly or may overheat. Purchase directly from JBL or established retailers to mitigate this category-wide issue.
Phthalates
If the cable jacket is PVC rather than TPE, plasticizers including phthalates may be present, though direct skin contact during normal use is minimal and health risk is negligible. Incineration of the cable at end-of-life is the primary disposal hazard.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Modern micro-USB connectors are typically lead-free per RoHS directives in most markets. No specific analysis of this JBL cable for legacy lead solder has been published, but this is an obsolete risk for products manufactured after 2010.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a plastic-jacketed copper wire micro-USB connector, the most common charging standard for portable electronics. The jacket is typically PVC or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), which provides flexibility and insulation; the interior copper carries current at the low voltages (5V) used by portable speakers. No exotic coatings, glazes, or adhesives are typical in this commodity product category, so hazard surface area is minimal.
The brand's record and disclosure
JBL (Harman subsidiary, owned by Samsung) does not publicly disclose material composition details for replacement cables on consumer product pages, which is standard industry practice for accessory items. No recalls or safety warnings specific to JBL Micro-USB cables have been documented in public safety databases. The company holds no known certifications for cables beyond standard USB compliance (USB IF logo).
How it compares in its category
Replacement micro-USB cables are functionally interchangeable commodities; this JBL-branded version is likely identical to generic third-party options in material composition. Price typically runs 2-4x higher than unbranded equivalents, paying for brand labeling rather than material safety differences. All reputable manufacturers source from similar suppliers, so material quality variance is negligible across brands at this price point.
If you buy it
Keep the cable away from extreme heat (avoid leaving in direct sun or near heating vents) to prevent plastic jacket degradation, which can expose copper and create shock risk. Inspect the connector and jacket annually for cracks, fraying, or discoloration; replace if damage appears. Store coiled loosely (avoid tight kinks that stress internal wires) and do not forcefully bend near the connector plug. This is a consumable item with typical lifespan of 2-4 years depending on flex frequency.
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.