Simple Modern · Insulated Travel Mugs
Simple Modern Classic Tumbler
Low PFAS risk. Stainless steel tumbler, no known coating concerns.
Simple Modern tumblers are double-wall stainless steel construction without nonstick or water-resistant coatings. Material itself poses lower concern.
The better-graded swap
Thermos
THERMOS Stainless Steel King Travel 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
Double-wall stainless steel tumbler
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Simple Modern Classic Tumbler is made of, ingredients and materials
Simple Modern's Classic Tumbler uses 18/8 food-grade stainless steel (double-wall vacuum insulation) with no ceramic, enamel, or polymer coating on the drinking surface. Stainless steel itself is chemically inert and does not leach metals like lead, cadmium, or aluminum under normal use. The lid and seal components may include plastic or silicone, but these are peripheral and not in direct contact with beverages during normal drinking.
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.
Lid and gasket material safety (plastic/silicone)
Simple Modern does not publicly disclose the polymer type or BPA/phthalate testing for lids and seals. Consumer reports do not flag these components as problematic, but absence of certification means potential exposure is not ruled out.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Stainless steel corrosion and metal leaching
18/8 stainless steel is highly corrosion-resistant and does not leach chromium or nickel under normal beverage use. Risk becomes negligible unless the tumbler is scratched deeply or stored with acidic liquids for extended periods.
Aluminum leaching (if base or fasteners use aluminum)
The tumbler body is stainless steel; aluminum is not a primary structural material. Minor aluminum fasteners or spacers pose negligible exposure during beverage contact.
Coating degradation (chipping, peeling)
Double-wall stainless steel tumblers have no applied coating on the interior drinking surface, so coating failure hazards do not apply to this product.
Off-gassing or volatile organic compounds
Stainless steel and silicone do not typically off-gas at room temperature. This hazard is not established for this product type.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Simple Modern does not publish detailed material safety certifications or disclose PFAS testing results on their website. The brand has no documented product recalls related to chemical hazards or material safety. Absence of transparent disclosure is typical for the drinkware market but leaves questions about QC standards and supplier vetting unanswered.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel tumblers present lower concern within insulated drinkware compared to ceramic-coated, non-stick (Teflon-type coating), or aluminum-bodied alternatives. Simple Modern's dual-wall design is standard in the mid-market tumbler category and offers no unusual advantage or drawback compared to similar brands like Hydro Flask or Yeti in terms of material hazard profile.
If you buy it
Stainless steel tumblers are durable and require minimal maintenance beyond regular washing. Avoid prolonged storage of acidic liquids (vinegar, citrus) which may accelerate microscopic corrosion over years of use. Inspect the seal and gaskets annually for cracks or degradation and replace if worn. Do not use in dishwashers if the manufacturer advises against it, as heat and alkaline detergent can dull or pit the steel surface.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Simple Modern has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Insulated Travel Mugs
Owala
FreeSip Sway Stainless Steel
- Stainless steel body, no interior coating disclosed
- Silicone and plastic lid/valve leachables
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Owala
Stainless Steel Straw Tumbler Route 66
- Stainless steel tumbler, bare uncoated
- Coating degradation and microplastic shedding from exterior print
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Thermos
18 oz. Icon Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Mug
- stainless steel exterior, vacuum insulation, stainless steel interior
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Nickel leaching from stainless steel
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
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.