Buying guide for Best smartphone sanitizers
Your smartphone is a bacteria magnet. You carry it everywhere, exposing it to hordes of germs. The heat radiating from the battery also makes it the perfect breeding ground for microorganisms. If you often take your phone into the bathroom, use public transit, or stuff your phone in your clothes while you work out, your phone gets dirty. But it’s an expensive piece of technology, and you can’t immerse it in water. So what’s a smartphone user to do?
Luckily, there are several different sanitizing products – both high tech and non-tech – available to address this issue. They not only clean your phone but they can help remove fingerprints and smudges, too.
Having a smartphone sanitizer is a necessity for any smartphone user looking to improve their phone-related hygiene, and we’ve compiled this shopping guide to help you find the right one for you. When you’re ready to buy, check out our top recommendations, too.
Key considerations
If you’re still wondering if you need a smartphone sanitizer, here is some information on how the technology works, along with some essential considerations to think about as you shop.
How does a smartphone sanitizer work?
Ultraviolet light is the most common technology used in smartphone sanitizers. UV light kills bacteria by destroying the DNA and preventing the microorganisms from multiplying. There are three types of UV light; the kind used by smartphone sanitizers is UV-C, with a wavelength of 253 nanometers (nm).
Types of smartphone sanitizers
Here are the three main types of sanitizers you’ll encounter while shopping:
Encased UV sanitizers: These have a closed case that’s designed to fit your phone and keep it protected while it’s being cleaned. Encased sanitizers use UV light to kill bacteria.
UV wand sanitizers: These handheld sanitizers also utilize UV light. You wave the wand over your smartphone to kill germs. The downside to wands is that you must hold them. Sanitizing typically requires at least five minutes to be effective, so holding a wand for that long isn’t very comfortable.
Wipes: This is the non-tech, budget option for sanitizing your gadgets. Avoid wipes that are not designed for cleaning electronics because moisture and strong chemicals may damage your phone.
Expert Tip
Bacteria make their way into your body when you touch your eyes or nose. Although you might not be able to avoid all the bacteria on your phone, you can be diligent about washing your hands.
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Smartphone sanitizer features
Power source
Most smartphone sanitizer cases require an outlet, but many also include a rechargeable battery for portability. Wands are usually battery powered, while wipes, obviously, need no power source.
Versatility
See if you can use the sanitizer to clean other devices besides your smartphone or if it will hold more than one phone at a time. Some sanitizers double as a power bank to recharge your phone. Take stock of your devices and decide if you want a sanitizer that works for multiple gadgets.
Size
Sanitizers range in size from small enough for one phone to large enough to fit a tablet. If you want to tote your sanitizer around, choose a unit that isn’t too heavy.
Cleaning time
A minimum of five minutes is usually required for effective sanitization, but many models suggest a cleaning period of at least ten minutes. If you’re strapped for time, you might prefer to use wipes.
Compatibility
Will your extra-large smartphone fit inside the sanitizer case? If you have a unique phone that isn’t compatible with sanitizer cases, choose a sanitizer wand instead. Also check to see if the UV light reaches all areas of your phone or you need to flip your phone over to clean the other side.
Durability
If you can’t replace the UV bulb when it burns out, you’ll need to purchase a whole new sanitizer. Models with replaceable parts are more cost effective in the long run.
Charging
Some devices have one or more USB ports for charging your smartphone while it’s being cleaned. You can even use certain smaller sanitizers as power packs on the go.
Reflective coating
To make sure the UV light reaches all the nooks and crannies of your phone, look for a sanitizer with reflective interior surfaces.
Aromatherapy
Some sanitizers include an oil diffuser. It doesn’t enhance the cleaning power of the device, but makes your phone smell nice!
Auto shutoff
You’ll often find this feature in wand sanitizers. If you hold the wand upright, it will automatically shut off to prevent you from directing UV light at you or someone else. Some encased sanitizers allow you to select the length of the cleaning cycle time, after which the UV light automatically turns off.
Did you know?
The type of UV light emitted by smartphone sanitizers does not produce heat, so it can’t melt or burn your device.
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Smartphone sanitizer prices
Inexpensive
For less than $20, you can find disinfecting wipes designed for electronic devices.
Mid-range
Between $20 and $40, you’ll find encased UV sanitizers with room for most standard smartphones. Expect to find features such as one or more USB ports for charging, too. Wand sanitizers are also available at this price point.
Expensive
If you spend more than $40, you’ll find UV sanitizers capable of fitting larger devices and with features such as aromatherapy or reflective surfaces for more effective cleaning.
"Sanitizer durability is crucial since you’ll be using the device regularly. Daily cleaning is recommended for smartphones."
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Tips
Don’t use soap or water to clean your phone. You could damage it irreparably.
Use your sanitizer to clean other things. Kitchen utensils and earbuds can benefit from sanitizing, too.
Don’t ever point a UV wand at your or anyone’s face. The light is harmful to the skin and eyes.
Use wipes in conjunction with a UV sanitizer. This will help make sure you get rid of as many bacteria as possible.
Close the sanitizer before turning it on. If you’re using a sanitizer with a reflective interior, close it before turning on the UV light to avoid harming your eyes.
- Consider a washable phone cover. Still worried about germs? Consider investing in a phone cover that you can stick in the top rack of the built-in dishwasher to disinfect.
FAQ
Q. How can I verify claims like “kills 99.9% of bacteria”?
A. The UV light used in portable sanitizing products is not capable of killing all the bacteria on your device. You’ll likely require a combination of a UV sanitizer and tech-safe wipes to get the job done. To improve the cleaning results of your portable UV device, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and leave your phone in long enough for the UV light to work. Don’t be fooled by products that mimic the bluish appearance of UV light. If the device is so cheap that it’s too good to be true, you’re likely not getting an effective phone sanitizer. Browse products that cite specific research, and do your homework before making your final choice. Unfortunately, there’s no way to perform at-home tests to validate the effectiveness of smartphone sanitizers.
Q. How long does a UV sanitizer last? Will the UV light become less effective over time?
A. You might need to replace the UV bulb if it burns out. Choose a product whose bulb can be replaced or you’ll need to purchase a whole new sanitizer when the bulb goes kaput.
Q. Are sanitizers safe to use? Will this technology damage my phone in any way?
A. The UV light in a sanitizer isn’t on long enough to damage your phone. Don’t use this device to sanitize your hands or other body parts. The light can burn the skin.
