OtterBox · Insulated Travel Mugs
16 Oz. Otterbox Elevation Core Colors Stainless Steel Tumbler
Bare stainless steel carries minimal PFAS risk.
Stainless steel tumbler with no reported coating or water-resistant finish. Bare stainless steel carries minimal PFAS concern, though the brand discloses nothing about materials.
The better-graded swap
Thermos
Thermos Stainless Steel Mug
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 with no disclosed coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What 16 Oz. Otterbox Elevation Steel Tumbler is made of, ingredients and materials
This tumbler is constructed from stainless steel with no disclosed interior or exterior coating, enamel, or ceramic finish. Bare stainless steel (typically 18/8 or 18/10 grade) is chemically stable and does not leach lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals into beverages under normal use. The material choice eliminates the primary coating-degradation hazards common to painted or glazed cookware.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Stainless steel corrosion and pitting
Low-grade stainless or dissimilar-metal contact (e.g., aluminum in lid) can corrode over years, especially if exposed to salt spray or acidic contents stored long-term. No public recalls exist for this model, but pitting is a known material-life issue with budget stainless tumblers.
Lid and gasket material degradation
OtterBox tumblers use plastic (likely polypropylene or silicone) gaskets and lids. These can degrade, crack, or absorb odors/bacteria if not replaced; no chemical leaching is expected, but microbial growth in the double-wall insulation is a maintenance concern if seals fail.
Double-wall insulation material unknown
The insulating medium between walls is not disclosed; it is likely air or polyurethane foam. If foam, off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is possible during manufacturing, but finished product exposure risk is minimal. No evidence of this causing harm in use.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Lead
The tumbler contains stainless steel hardware with no disclosed painted or plated finishes. No recalls or reports of heavy metal contamination in OtterBox tumblers exist in public records.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating or finish on exterior branding
Core Colors tumbler does not feature internal coatings; exterior color is part of the anodized or powder-coated stainless finish. No cadmium or lead in anodize layers is standard for food-contact stainless cookware, and no OtterBox tumbler recalls for paint contamination are documented.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
OtterBox is known for rugged consumer products (cases, outdoor gear) and has not published detailed chemical composition or PFAS statements for this tumbler line. The company maintains no visible third-party safety certifications (NSF, FDA approval statements) for food-contact products. Lack of disclosure is typical for the brand but does not indicate a hazard given the material class.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated stainless steel tumblers present lower concern than enameled cast iron, non-stick (Teflon-type coating) tumblers, or ceramic-lined variants, which carry coating-degradation or fume risks. They are functionally equivalent to Hydro Flask, YETI, and other bare-metal competitors in terms of chemical safety. Insulation design (double-wall vacuum) does not introduce leaching hazards.
If you buy it
Hand wash or use gentle dishwasher cycles to avoid seal degradation over time; inspect the lid gasket annually and replace if cracked, as material degradation can allow bacterial colonization in the insulation layer. Avoid prolonged contact with highly acidic beverages (lemon juice, vinegar) at room temperature for extended storage, as stainless steel can pit under aggressive conditions. The tumbler presents lower concern for use with hot and cold drinks; no temperature-related hazard of this kind is on record.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- OtterBox has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to 16 Oz. Otterbox Elevation Core Colors Stainless Steel Tumbler?
- stainless steel exterior, ceramic lining interior
- Ceramic coating degradation over time
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Stainless steel body, plastic lid
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Plastic lid polymer identity and leaching potential
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Stainless steel body, no interior coating disclosed
- Silicone and plastic lid/valve leachables
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More insulated travel mugs 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.