Now more than ever, you need to keep your phone clean. Our smartphone is an extension of us but usually lacks regular cleaning in the same way we wash our hands daily. Smartphones are not cheap, and wiping your screen with something wet seems counterintuitive to what we know about keeping our phones dry. Emerging from the depths of this pandemic is the answer to these problems: smartphone sanitizers.
Do not take smartphone sanitizers lightly; you’re counting on them to clean your lifeline. It’s not like wiping off a filthy counter, where you can blatantly see that the cleaning solution isn’t all it’s chalked up to be. Your naked eye won’t be able to verify that true cleaning has taken place, so we’ve found the best gadgets that clean your smartphone for you.
The Best Smartphone Sanitizer
PhoneSoap UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger (BEST CHOICE)
Beginning our smartphone sanitization cycle is the PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer and Universal Charger. It cleans your phone with two germicidal bulbs and 360-degree UV-C disinfection, killing 99.9% of bacteria. The PhoneSoap 3 sanitizer will hold any size phone, including the larger iPhone 11 Max and Galaxy S20.
With USB-A and USB-C charging ports, this gadget charges while it cleans. Not only can you clean your phone, but you can also clean anything else that will fit—credit cards, jewelry, keys, glasses, you name it, it’s clean!
Measuring 8.5 x 5 x 0.75 inches, this cleaning wizard will slide into a large purse or backpack easily. It comes in black, white, silver, gold, orchid, aqua, periwinkle, and lilac, so you can choose a color to match your style.
Homedics UV Clean Phone Sanitizer
HoMedics UV Clean Phone Sanitizer is a portable, two-bulb UV-C LED germicidal disinfectant which leaves your smartphone 99.9% free of viruses. The position of the lights guarantees maximum coverage, and it works in only 30 seconds per side. That’s ideal for busy office days, travel, or after sharing pictures of your latest adventure with your friends.
This cleaning device uses a safety lock to prevent UV exposure while the sanitizer is still on. The gadget is also free of mercury and any harmful chemicals. It can perform 70 cycles on one charge and comes with a one-year warranty.
59S UV Ultraviolet LED Sterilizer Sanitization Box
59S isn’t new to the sanitizing gadget game — it’s pioneered LED sterilization, offering 100% clean and energy-efficient technology. The 59S S2 UV Light Sanitizer Box kills 99.9% of pathogens in just three minutes. 360-degree cleaning is provided by eight UV-C LED germicidal disinfectants to offer thorough cleaning to all your high contact items.
This sanitizing gadget is shaped like a storage container so that you can sanitize multiple items simultaneously. Plug it into a wall socket and place items like masks, phones, wireless earbuds, and watches inside. Simply press the one push-start button, and in 3 minutes, your items are clean. The circular light on top shows the cycle’s progress, while the 59S S2 will alert you when it’s finished.
PhoneSoap Pro UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger
It’s no surprise PhoneSoap offers multiple products on our best smartphone cleaning list. Their Pro model offers similar features to the PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer and Universal Charger but cuts the operating time in half. The 5-minute cleaning time and 360-degree scope are perfect for busy schedules and curious minds alike. It fits larger phones and phone cases like the Otterbox, as well.
The magnetic closure secures the lid in place before starting the sanitization process. You can choose between automatic and manual modes. In automatic mode, it begins as soon as the lid closes; in manual mode, push the button, and an indicator light will notify you when the process finishes.
The USB charging ports juice up your battery while cleaning, too. It comes in lavender, mint, blue, white, and charcoal.
HoMedics UV Clean Sanitizer Bag
Straying from the norm on our guide is the HoMedics UV Clean Sanitizer Bag. This bag is small enough to fit inside of a diaper bag, a large purse, or a work backpack, and can sanitize not only your phone but other everyday items, as well.
The whole process takes a single minute and kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. One charge will give you 18 cleaning cycles, too. The interior uses clips to keep items in place, so the UV-C LED technology can thoroughly disinfect any of your belongings. A tight zipper opens and closes the bag for security against UV-radiation while the cleaning process works.
Rdfmy Cell Phone Sterilizer
The Rdfmy Cell Phone Sterilizer uses dual UV light sanitizing to kill 99.9% of pathogens on your phone. UV-sanitization does not smell great, so Rdfmy incorporated an essential oil diffuser with an aromatherapy inlet to keep the unpleasant smells at bay. It needs a power supply to work but can charge your phone while it sanitizes.
This gadget works it’s 360-degree magic in 6minutes. The panel along the bottom of the device controls the power, and voice playback alerts you when the cycle finishes. Larger phones are compatible with this UV smartphone sanitizer.
Rdfmy UV Sanitizer 4-in-1
The Rdfmy UV Sanitizer 4-in-1 charging station can charge smartphones, apple watches, AirPods, and sterilize them simultaneously. It is compatible with iOS and Android devices and sports built-in charging bays for phones, smartwatches, and Bluetooth earbuds. It needs a power supply while in use, but it’s small enough to slip into your backpack or purse.
The 360-degree sanitization takes 3 minutes, and the light indicates the sanitizer’s statuses.
Lunani Cell Phone Cleaner
Three minutes is all it takes for the Lunani Cell Phone Cleaner to shine six UV-C LED lights on your belongings and clean them after a long, dirty day. The portable smartphone sanitizer can fit phones up to 7.75 inches in length and offers wireless charging while sanitizing.
This gadget offers the option of essential oil diffusion while sanitizing, and will start at the push of a button. The button will glow green when in use and blue when finished. Need to clean more than your phone? No problem: slide your blue light glasses, makeup brushes, keys, wallet, watches, universal remotes, credit cards, or jewelry into the deep pocket and keep yourself germ-free!
Cahot UV Light Sanitizer Box
The Cahot UV Light Sanitizer Box is a little bit of everything — portable, user friendly, and charges wirelessly. The dual UV lights offer 99.9% protection and 360-degree sanitizing. The two different cycles (18 minutes or 30 minutes) can be used based on the microorganisms you’re looking to squash. If you have the time, we’d recommend the 30-minute cycle daily.
This UV sanitizing box fits phones up to 6.2 inches in length and offers an essential oil diffuser to assist in keeping any foul smells at bay. Qi-enabled devices can charge on top of the gadget while other items are being sanitized. Additionally, this device can charge your phone while it’s being sanitized. The auto-off protection with a magnetic switch cover will shut off the UV-C lights if opened early.
Smartphone Sanitizer Buying Guide & FAQ
Features to Look for in Smartphone Sanitizers
Compatibility — Between Samsung, Google, and iPhone, you’re left with different sizes, different charging ports, and a variety of accessories. You’ll need to ensure your phone will fit inside the UV sanitizer before purchasing.
Ensure not only that it fits, but also that the unit closes! UV rays are harmful in close proximities, but the UV-C rays — used in some of the sanitizers — that are strong enough to kill harmful pathogens are more dangerous. The atmosphere protects us from natural UV-C rays, but you’ll need to ensure your new gadget will close completely around your device in your home.
Portability — While it would be safer from a germ perspective to leave your smartphone and accessories in your car or at home when you enter a high volume foot-traffic place, most of the time — like at work — that’s not possible. A portable UV smartphone sanitizer is great for those always on the go.
Imagine being in the airport, and you touch the check-in kiosk to grab your boarding pass but forget your confirmation number — you have to touch your phone to find that number. Once you have your boarding pass, you hand over your ID and boarding pass to the TSA agent, who has handled countless boarding passes and IDs before yours. You grab a bin for your laptop and personal items and wonder — are those bins sanitized? Once through security, you check the time on your phone.
You get the idea, but that’s just a fraction of the contact between what you touch and your smartphone. If this sounds like you, a portable UV sanitizer will keep worries at bay while you’re on the move.
Charging Capability — Charging cords generally come in short lengths, so typically, when your phone is charging, you’re not using it. Why not charge your while it’s inside your UV smartphone sanitizer? Just double-check that the charging cable is compatible with your smartphone.
Smartphone Sanitizer FAQ
Q: What can you disinfect your cell phone with?
A: You can disinfect your phone in many ways, but individuals do become skeptical about wiping the touchscreen of their phones, as we previously mentioned. Smartphone providers confirm you can clean your entire phone with a damp lint-free cloth and soap or alcohol-based disinfectant wipes. Avoid bleach and spraying anything directly on your smartphone or devices, however, as this can damage the internal technology and your touchscreen.
With a UV sanitizing gadget, you can be hands-free and hands-off during the cleaning process. It’s a cool, innovative way to incorporate sanitizing your smartphone into your daily routine.
Q: Do smartphone sanitizers work?
A: With the best UV smartphone sanitizer, yes, smartphone sanitizers work. But some companies jumping at pulling in a profit from the pandemic potentially released their smartphone sanitizers before having gone through proper testing. Look for sanitizers with good reviews and great recommendations.
Q: Are UV cleaners safe for cell phones?
A: UV cleaners use UV-C light. It kills germs but does not harm your phone. However, it can be harmful to you if you are exposed to the UV-C rays, so make sure to keep your sanitizing device shut while in use.