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
Contigo
Contigo Cortland Chill 2.0 Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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
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 ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
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.
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 we don’t know
- 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.
Better-graded alternatives in Insulated Travel Mugs
Thermos
Stainless Steel King Travel Mug
Stainless steel interior and exterior, plastic lid
Plastic lid polymer degradation
Limited concern
Gasket/seal material composition
Limited concern
Thermal shock stress on seals
Limited concern
Lower concern; bare stainless steel has minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Thermos
Icon 16 oz Stainless Steel Mug
stainless steel, no stated interior coating
Seal degradation and bacterial growth
Limited concern
Lid or cup material (not specified)
Limited concern
Low concern from bare stainless steel construction.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Thermos
18 oz. Icon Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Mug
stainless steel exterior, vacuum insulation, stainless steel interior
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
Limited concern
Chromium leaching from stainless steel
Limited concern
Thermal shock and seal degradation
Moderate concern
Lower concern; stainless steel mug has no water-repellent coating.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.