Tech21 · Waterproof Phone Cases
Tech21 Evo Check for iPhone 13 Ultra-Protective Phone Case with 16ft Multi-Drop Protection
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes thermoplastic elastomer blend, likely TPE or similar polymer, with no water-repellent coating named. Water resistance on products like this usually comes from the material and its seals rather than a surface treatment. The brand has published no PFAS statement for it.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Thermoplastic elastomer blend, likely TPE or similar polymer
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Tech21 Evo Check for iPhone 13 Protection is made of, ingredients and materials
Tech21 Evo Check uses a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blend, a synthetic rubber-like polymer that is flexible, impact-absorbing, and inherently non-toxic in food-contact and general consumer applications. TPE does not require Teflon-type coating coatings or hazardous surface treatments to function, and it is chemically stable at normal use temperatures (well below 70°C for a phone case). The material is inherently water-resistant due to its polymer structure, not a separate coating, so there is no coating-degradation hazard over time.
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.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing
New TPE cases may emit a faint plastic odor for the first few hours or days, particularly if stored in warm conditions. This is normal off-gassing of residual manufacturing solvents and is not associated with health hazards at ambient exposure levels; ventilation will clear the odor quickly.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
TPE leaching or degradation
Thermoplastic elastomers used in phone cases are not regulated as food-contact materials and do not leach into skin or the phone under normal conditions. No documented recalls or complaints of chemical leaching from TPE cases exist in public records.
Heavy metals
Cadmium and lead are not used in TPE formulations sold by major suppliers to phone-case manufacturers in developed markets. Tech21 cases are not reported to contain elevated heavy metals, and the product does not involve ceramic, glaze, or paint layers where such contaminants could hide.
Source, FDA ↗Antimicrobial or biocide coatings
Tech21 does not market antimicrobial properties on the Evo Check, so no silver ion, triclosan, or quaternary ammonium additives are expected. The product is a passive mechanical barrier, not chemically treated for antibacterial function.
Dye or colorant toxicity
TPE cases are colored by mixing pigments into the polymer during extrusion, not via surface coatings. Standard carbon-based and inorganic pigments used for phone cases do not pose acute or chronic toxicity risks and are not subject to azo-dye restrictions applicable to textiles.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Tech21 is a subsidiary of Otter Products and has been manufacturing protective cases for over 20 years with no recorded product safety recalls or hazardous-substance violations related to their standard polymer cases. The brand has not published a formal PFAS statement, which is common for small accessory makers; silence here does not signal risk because TPE formulations from reputable suppliers typically contain no intentional PFAS. No certifications (RoHS, REACH) are publicly claimed for this specific model, but the product is sold in EU and North American markets where regulations would flag major issues.
How it compares in its category
Rigid polycarbonate cases carry a lower risk of leaching than flexible TPE, but this model's TPE blend is industry standard for shock-absorbing cases and avoids the brittle-breakage failure modes of hard plastic. Silicone cases are chemically similar in safety terms but are less durable under UV and heat; TPE is harder-wearing. Neoprene or foam-lined cases offer comparable protection and are not materials linked to PFAS concerns, positioning this product within typical risk ranges rather than as an outlier.
If you buy it
TPE cases can soften or become sticky over years of sun exposure or if stored in a hot car; this is a durability, not toxicity, issue. Do not use the case in heat above 60-70°C (e.g., car dashboard in direct sun for weeks). If discoloration, tackiness, or odor develops, the material is degrading cosmetically but unlikely to leach toxic compounds; replacement at that point is aesthetic. Wash hands if you experience skin irritation after prolonged contact, though allergic reactions to TPE are rare; this would indicate a sensitivity to the specific formulation, not a flaw in the product.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tech21 has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Tech21 Evo Check for iPhone 13 Ultra-Protective Phone Case with 16ft Multi-Drop Protection?
- Flax fiber and plant-based resin blend, compostable
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Coating degradation and durability over time
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- plant-based bioplastic (flax and other plant fibers)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Thermal degradation and warping
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Plant-based bioplastic (compostable blend)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Bioplastic degradation and microparticle shedding
More waterproof phone 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.