Pelican · Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Pelican Voyager MagSafe Case for Apple iPhone 16e / iPhone 15 / iPhone 14 /
Wait for Pelican to disclose waterproof coating chemistry.
Pelican Voyager uses thermoplastic elastomer and polycarbonate with waterproof treatment, but Pelican does not reveal coating details. PFAS in water-repellent coating coatings is standard practice.
The safe swap
Mophie
Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15 Pro
85/100 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
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and polycarbonate with waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Undisclosed waterproof coating chemistry
Pelican has not disclosed whether the waterproof treatment uses PFAS compounds. Industry standard for water-resistant phone cases often relies on fluorinated polymers; this coating is the primary unknown hazard in the product.
Microplastics
TPE can degrade or shed microparticles over years of use, especially in high-stress areas like grip zones. While not acute, prolonged direct skin contact with degraded material warrants replacement.
Source: EPA ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing
New TPE and polycarbonate cases may emit trace VOCs (especially in a sealed box during shipping). Off-gassing is minimal under typical room-temperature storage but may be noticeable in a hot car. Airing the case for 24-48 hours reduces exposure.
What’s reassuring
BPA & bisphenols
TPE and polycarbonate used in phone cases are not formulated with BPA or high-risk phthalates under current manufacturing practices. No recalls or contamination reports for Pelican cases on this hazard.
Source: FDA ↗Adhesive or bonding agent residues
TPE-to-polycarbonate bonding and logo adhesives can contain uncured epoxies or isocyanates if low-cost production is used, but no field reports of dermatitis or sensitization from Pelican cases are on record.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This case combines thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for shock absorption and polycarbonate for rigid structure, both widely used in phone accessories with good chemical stability under normal conditions. The waterproof coating is the material wildcard: Pelican does not publicly specify whether it uses PFAS-based hydrophobic treatments (common in the industry) or alternative chemistries. TPE and polycarbonate themselves do not leach regulated plasticizers like BPA or phthalates under typical phone-use temperatures, but the unidentified coating introduces unknown risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican is known for rugged protective equipment but has not published material safety data sheets, PFAS disclosures, or third-party certifications for their phone cases. The brand has not responded to industry pressure for coating transparency. This contrasts with some competitors (e.g., Spigen, OtterBox) who have begun labeling PFAS-free or PFOA-free formulations. Silence on this point is a red flag given that waterproof coatings are a primary PFAS application.
How it compares in its category
Pelican cases sit in the premium protective segment alongside OtterBox and LifeProof. Most competitors in this tier use undisclosed waterproof coatings, making transparency a weak sector norm. Cases made from silicone or uncoated TPE alone (without waterproof treatment) eliminate coating hazard but sacrifice water resistance; Pelican's coating trade-off is typical but not best-in-class on disclosure. Budget brands (Spigen, Caudabe) often omit waterproofing entirely, reducing chemical exposure but lowering protection.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged skin contact with the case; wash hands after extended handling, especially before eating or touching eyes, to mitigate any residual coating transfer. Do not heat the case above 60°C (140°F); dishwashers or hot car interiors pose no acute risk but are unnecessary. Replace the case if the TPE degrades, cracks, or becomes sticky, which signals potential leaching of additives. Store in a cool, dry place and avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which can degrade TPE over years.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Pelican has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, metal contacts
Lithium-ion battery thermal runaway risk
Limited concern
Electromagnetic field exposure
Limited concern
Counterfeit or degraded battery cell defects
Limited concern
No known PFAS use; battery cases rarely require fluorinated coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15 Pro
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, rubber grips
Lithium-ion battery thermal runaway
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from wear
Limited concern
Lower concern; battery cases lack typical PFAS-prone coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Pelican
Shield Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Polycarbonate shell, rubber grip
Polycarbonate thermal degradation and leaching
Limited concern
Rubber grip degradation and allergens
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from wear
Limited concern
BPA & bisphenols
Limited concern
Lower concern; typical phone case with no suspected PFAS use.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smartphone 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.