Simple Modern · Insulated Travel Mugs
Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler with Lid and Straw
Lower concern. Stainless steel and plastic construction typical of insulated tumblers.
Simple Modern tumblers use stainless steel double-wall construction with plastic lids and straws. Standard materials carry lower PFAS risk.
The better-graded swap
Owala
Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Tumbler
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, plastic lid and straw
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler with Lid is made of, ingredients and materials
This tumbler uses food-grade stainless steel for the outer and inner walls, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals or compounds into beverages under normal use. The lid and straw are typically made from polypropylene (PP) or similar plastics, which are lower-risk plastics compared to polycarbonate or vinyl. Double-wall insulation construction means no thermal gradient that would cause material breakdown or accelerated leaching.
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 lid and straw degradation
Polypropylene components may develop small cracks or stress marks over time with repeated thermal cycling and mechanical stress. Microcracking is not an acute hazard but can trap bacteria; inspect quarterly and replace if visible damage occurs.
Bacterial growth in straw and threads
Narrow straw bore and sealed threads are difficult to dry completely; if left damp, they can harbor mold or bacterial colonies within days. This is a hygiene issue, not a material toxicity issue, but is avoidable with prompt hand washing and air drying.
Lid seal failure and leaching from failed seal
Silicone gaskets in the lid may degrade or slip out of place after extended use, compromising the seal. Once the seal fails, the insulation function is lost but beverage safety is not affected; however, a loose lid increases contact between liquid and plastic lid material.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Lead
Food-grade stainless steel (typically 18/8 or 18/10) does not intentionally contain lead or cadmium and is regulated for food contact in the US and EU. No contamination incidents are on record for Simple Modern tumblers or this product class.
Source, ATSDR ↗Aluminum leaching
This product uses stainless steel, not aluminum, so aluminum leaching is not a concern. Aluminum-core insulation is not present in typical Simple Modern designs.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Simple Modern does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing, chemical certifications, or PFAS avoidance statements as of available records. The brand markets toward casual consumers and eco-conscious buyers but has not published third-party safety testing results or transparency reports. No major recalls or contamination incidents are established for this product line. Parent company and manufacturing locations are not widely documented in public safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel tumblers have lower concern than ceramic-coated or aluminum alternatives because they eliminate concerns about glaze lead, enamel degradation, and aluminum leaching. Simple Modern's construction is typical for mid-market insulated drinkware and sits between budget plastic-only tumblers and premium vacuum-sealed stainless options. No major safety advantage or disadvantage relative to Hydro Flask, YETI, or Contigo models in the same price range.
If you buy it
Hand wash the lid and straw after each use to prevent bacterial biofilm buildup in threads and straw bore, especially if beverages sit overnight. Do not place the plastic lid in a dishwasher if you want to extend its lifespan and avoid potential warping. Avoid filling with boiling water and then immediately capping, as pressure buildup can degrade the seal over time. Replace the straw or lid if cracks, discoloration, or odor develops, typically after 12-24 months of daily use.
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
- 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.