The Best UV Sanitizers for Keeping Germs Off Your Phone
When it comes to everyday objects in modern life, our smartphones are probably the one object we interact with the most. But what we don’t often realize is that those devices end up covered in germs. (Studies have suggested that the average smartphone has 10 times more germs than a toilet seat.) That’s why it probably doesn’t hurt to get your hands on one of the best UV sanitizers.
Even before the coronavirus led to a surging interest in hygiene and sanitization, popular UV sanitizers like PhoneSoap were the best way to quickly clean your favorite devices. How do they work? Well, by bathing your phone in UV-C light. studies have shown that phone sanitizers are effective at killing bacteria, viruses and fungi, and the majority of phone sanitizer brands claim that their products are 99.9 percent effective against common household bacteria and viruses.
While you could also just wipe down your phone with a mix of water and rubbing alcohol, there is one good reason to opt for a UV sanitizer instead: convenience. In most cases, you toss your phone in a box, press a button, and 5-10 minutes later your phone is ready to go. Plus, you can clean anything else that fits in your sanitizer — keys, earbuds, face masks, smartwatches — and they will come out devoid of germs as well. The best UV sanitizers will even wirelessly charge your devices as they clean them.
Unfortunately, ever since COVID-19, a lot of cheap, low quality UV sanitizers have appeared on sites like Amazon. With that in mind, here are five of the best UV sanitizers that are actually worth your time and money.
1. Best UV Sanitizer: PhoneSoap 3
BEST OVERALL
PhoneSoap stands out from the pack because they’re one of the few brands whose UV sanitizers have lamps positioned above and below the phone, providing an extra degree of assurance that every surface is getting a blast of germ-killing light. And with the addition of a USB port to plug in a charging cable while the phone is sanitizing, the PhoneSoap 3 UV Sanitizer is the pick that will fit most people’s needs. Until recently, PhoneSoap was the only UV sanitizer worth the money. And while there are now more options, PhoneSoap sanitizers are still the best you’ll find.
Buy: PhoneSoap 3 UV Sanitizer $79.95
2. PhoneSoap Pro UV Sanitizer
RUNNER UP
If you’re the type of person who is forever busy from sunrise to sunset, or you just want to be extra confident that your items are as germ-free as possible, the PhoneSoap Pro is the best UV Sanitizer for you. It has twice as many bulbs as the PhoneSoap 3.0, which means that it can complete a cycle in five minutes instead of 10. Alternatively, you could give your phone a double dose of sanitation action in the time it would take the PhoneSoap 3.0 to finish. This added power comes at an added price, of course, but what’s a little extra money for greater peace of mind? Plus, PhoneSoap Pro comes in a variety of stylish colors.
3. Homedics UV-CLEAN Phone Sanitizer
BEST PORTABLE OPTION
If you want a UV sanitizer that you can stash in a bag and use on a whim, the Homedics UV-CLEAN Phone Sanitizer is the way to go. This case has a design that’s relatively flat when not in use and expands into a light-filled box when you’re ready to rid your phone of bacteria and viruses. But the real killer feature is that the UV-CLEAN is battery-powered, and it can sanitize your phone 70 times before you have to recharge it.
Buy: Homedics UC-CLEAN Phone Sanitizer $59.99
4. HomeSoap UV Sanitizer
MOST VERSATILE
When it comes to the best UV sanitizers, all of them can disinfect more than just phones, but there might be some contaminated items that are too big to fit in a normal-sized sanitizer. Enter the HomeSoap, which is big enough to handle a laptop, tablet, TV remotes or even a Nintendo Switch.
5. Mophie UV Sanitizer
BEST FOR WIRELESS CHARGING
A UV sanitizer is likely not something you’re going to be putting into a drawer multiple times a day. So if it’s going to be on your desk, nightstand or counter, why not get one that does more than just sanitize? The Mophie UV Sanitizer adds wireless charging into the mix whenever you set your phone on top of the case, eliminating the hassle of dealing with charging cables. Plus with Mophie being well-established when it comes to chargers and this sanitizer being certified under the Qi wireless charging standard, you don’t have to worry about it damaging your phone battery.
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