OtterBox · Insulated Travel Mugs
OtterBox Elevation Can Cooler
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes stainless steel, copper lined, powder-coated finish, with no water-repellent coating named. Water resistance on products like this usually comes from the material and its seals rather than a surface treatment. The brand has published no PFAS statement for it.
The better-graded swap
Thermos
Thermos 18 oz. Icon Vacuum Insulated 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, copper lined, powder-coated finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What OtterBox Elevation Can Cooler is made of, ingredients and materials
The Elevation Can Cooler uses food-grade stainless steel as its primary material with a copper lining for thermal performance. The exterior is finished with a powder-coated surface, which is a dry coating method that bonds powdered resin to the metal substrate. Powder coatings do not typically contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or phthalates like liquid paints, and stainless steel itself does not leach heavy metals under normal beverage storage conditions. Copper lining poses no leaching risk for beverages held briefly, as copper does not migrate into cold or room-temperature liquids without prolonged acidic or heated contact.
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.
Powder-coat degradation
Repeated scratching, hot-dishwasher cycles, or physical impacts can chip the powder coat and expose the underlying stainless steel or copper, potentially altering the product's appearance and water-resistance over years of use. No recalls exist for this product.
Lid gasket degradation
Silicone or rubber gaskets on the lid can crack or shrink with age and temperature cycling, reducing the seal integrity and allowing mold or bacterial growth in the insulation layer if water enters. This is a maintenance issue, not a material toxicity risk.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Copper lining oxidation
Stainless steel and copper are not chemically hazardous under normal beverage storage. Copper does not leach into cold or neutral beverages in the short contact times typical of beverage coolers, and no public safety data links this design to copper exposure concerns.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Powder-coat finishes do not off-gas VOCs or formaldehyde the way liquid enamels or epoxies can, because they cure via heat and cross-linking without solvent release. No complaints or test data from OtterBox or independent labs suggest off-gassing from this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Lead
Stainless steel itself contains no lead or cadmium, and powder coatings formulated for food-contact or consumer goods are not permitted to contain lead in the US or EU. No recall or advisory exists for this product on heavy metals in the coating.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
OtterBox has not published a formal PFAS statement regarding this product or its material supply chain. The brand is known for protective cases and accessories but has not established industry-leading transparency practices around chemical composition in the same way some specialty kitchenware manufacturers have. No established recalls or safety controversies surround the Elevation Can Cooler specifically. The absence of a PFAS commitment or third-party certification (such as NSF or Cradle to Cradle) means you cannot independently verify claims about the coating or copper sourcing.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel and copper insulated coolers have lower concern for microplastic and BPA risks compared to plastic insulators in the travel beverage category. Most competitors in this price tier (Yeti, Hydro Flask, RTIC) use similar stainless and powder-coat construction with comparable transparency gaps on chemical sourcing. The Elevation's powder coat is standard practice and poses lower off-gassing risk than older epoxy-lined or lead-bearing ceramic alternatives. Its main differentiation is ruggedness, not chemical safety.
If you buy it
Hand wash with mild soap and dry promptly to prevent powder-coat water spotting and to preserve the seal around the lid gasket. Do not soak for extended periods or expose to harsh abrasives, which can degrade the powder coat and expose underlying metal. The copper lining is not reactive to short-term beverage contact but avoid storing acidic liquids (citrus, vinegar-based drinks) overnight, as copper can oxidize if left in contact. Inspect the seal and lid annually; replace if cracking or peeling appears to prevent water infiltration and mold growth in the insulation cavity.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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 OtterBox Elevation Can Cooler?
- 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.