Owala 40 oz Tumbler
Stainless steel tumbler with lower concern, but brand silent on PFAS.
Owala 40 oz is primarily stainless steel and plastic construction with no known PFAS-containing coatings. Materials themselves are not inherent PFAS sources.
The better-graded swap
S'well
S'well 40 oz Stainless Steel Traveler
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 and plastic (BPA-free)
Lab data
No public lab test
What Owala 40 oz Tumbler is made of, ingredients and materials
The Owala 40 oz tumbler uses 18/8 stainless steel for the main vessel, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals under normal use conditions. The lid and drinking spout are plastic (advertised as BPA-free), meaning the primary structural material avoids the common hazards of ceramic glazes, aluminum, or non-stick coatings. However, the plastic components may off-gas or leach if exposed to high heat (above 140-160°F sustained), and stainless steel's safety depends on avoiding damage that exposes lower-grade underlying layers.
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 component degradation under heat
The BPA-free plastic lid and spout may off-gas or leach trace compounds if exposed to prolonged heat above 140-160°F or repeated hot-water fills. Risk is low under typical cold or warm beverage use but increases with hot liquids.
Stainless steel surface damage and corrosion
Scratches or dents in the 18/8 stainless steel can expose lower-grade steel underneath, potentially allowing minor iron or chromium leaching over time. This is cosmetic wear risk rather than acute hazard under normal use.
Seal gasket and lid bacterial growth
Plastic gaskets and spout seals can trap moisture and bacteria if not fully dried after cleaning. Risk is not specific to Owala but common to all reusable tumblers with removable lids; regular disassembly and air-drying mitigates this.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Lead
No recalls or test reports document lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Owala tumbler plastic components. Risk is present in any painted or pigmented plastic but not established for this brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗Aluminum leaching (inapplicable)
Stainless steel construction eliminates aluminum leaching risk; this hazard does not apply to this product.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Owala has not publicly released comprehensive material safety or toxicology testing reports, and the brand remains silent on PFAS use in manufacturing or coatings. The BPA-free claim is stated but not third-party certified by NSF, FDA, or similar bodies on the product packaging available in public records. No major safety recalls or controversies are documented for this tumbler model as of the latest public information.
How it compares in its category
Owala tumblers occupy the mid-range reusable drinkware market, competing with brands like YETI and Hydro Flask. Stainless steel construction is not a material linked to PFAS concerns for tumbler bodies and avoids risks from ceramic liners or aluminum. Most competitors in this price range use similar stainless steel shells with plastic lids, so the Owala is typical; the main differentiator is brand transparency, where Owala lags behind some competitors who publish material certifications or third-party testing.
If you buy it
Do not use the tumbler for beverages hotter than 160°F sustained, as high heat may degrade the plastic lid seal or spout. Clean only with hand washing or gentle dishwasher cycles; avoid abrasive scouring pads that can scratch the stainless steel interior. Inspect the lid and spout annually for cracks, discoloration, or warping, and replace the lid assembly if damage appears. Store empty and dry to prevent bacterial growth in the seal gasket.
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
- Owala has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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Thermos
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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.