S'well · Portable Water Bottles
S'well - 24oz Explorer Bottle - Assorted (Himalayan Salt)
Lower concern. Stainless steel body with plastic and silicone lid components.
The stainless steel body is not a material linked to PFAS. The plastic and silicone lid and cap components have no coating or water-repellent finish on record. S'well has no PFAS statement on record for this product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Stainless steel body, plastic/silicone lid and cap
Lab data
No public lab test
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What S'well - 24oz Explorer (Himalayan Salt) is made of, ingredients and materials
The S'well Explorer Bottle uses a double-walled stainless steel body (18/8 food-grade steel), which is chemically inert and does not leach metals or chemicals into water at rest or during normal temperature use. The lid and cap are plastic or silicone elastomer. Stainless steel is a material not linked to PFAS, as its chromium oxide surface layer passivates and prevents ion migration into beverages, even with acidic or salty contents.
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.
Silicone/plastic lid bacterial growth and contamination
The plastic or silicone lid and cap can harbor bacteria, mold, or biofilm if not cleaned thoroughly or dried completely between uses, especially in the threads and gasket groove. This is a care and maintenance issue, not a material defect.
Seal or gasket degradation over time
Silicone gaskets can degrade with repeated thermal stress, UV exposure, or exposure to certain solvents, leading to loss of water-tightness. S'well does not publish replacement gasket availability or durability specifications.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
S'well does not specify the plastic polymer type of the lid or confirm BPA-free status in public marketing. However, no recalls or reported contamination incidents exist in available records. Contact with water at room temperature poses minimal leaching risk from standard food-grade plastics.
Source, FDA ↗Stainless steel body corrosion or chromium leaching
18/8 stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion under normal use conditions. Chromium leaching is not a documented concern for food-grade stainless steel bottles at neutral pH or even with acidic beverages like juice or vinegar.
Heavy metals
No paint, glaze, or ceramic lining is used; the stainless steel body is bare metal. Risk of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals from finishes is not applicable to this design.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
S'well has not published detailed safety data sheets or third-party certifications (NSF, BPA-free claims) as standard marketing materials. The brand does not disclose PFAS testing results or manufacturing process controls transparently. However, S'well products have not been subject to major safety recalls or regulatory enforcement actions in public records, suggesting baseline compliance with FDA and consumer product standards.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the premium reusable bottle segment. Unlike plastic-body bottles (polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate), stainless steel eliminates BPA, phthalate, and microplastic risks entirely. Compared to ceramic-lined bottles, there is no risk of glaze lead contamination. S'well is positioned at mid-to-high price; comparable alternatives include Hydro Flask and Klean Kanteen, which similarly use stainless steel but often provide clearer material disclosures.
If you buy it
Avoid dishwasher cycles above 140F (60C) if the bottle will be used with hot liquids; thermal cycling can stress seals over time. Hand wash the lid and silicone gasket regularly to prevent mold or bacterial biofilm, especially if left damp. Do not freeze carbonated beverages in the bottle, as pressure buildup can damage the seal or dent the body. Replace the silicone gasket or lid if visible cracks, discoloration, or odor develop (typically every 1-2 years with heavy use).
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- S'well has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to S'well - 24oz Explorer Bottle - Assorted (Himalayan Salt)?
- 18/8 stainless steel, no interior coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Cap or closure contamination
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- stainless steel body, foam insulation, stainless steel cap
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Cap gasket and seal contamination
- Stainless steel body, no coating disclosed
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial or mold growth in storage
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More portable water bottles 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.