UV Sanitizers Are an Essential Investment to Make Right Now
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UV Sanitizers Are an Essential Investment to Make Right Now
UV sanitizers existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic made us obsessed with disinfecting everything. These nifty little devices allow us to miraculously zap away countless common germs in just a manner of minutes, making them worthy of a spot in our daily routines long before “coronavirus” was part of our everyday vocabulary.
These products' onboard ultraviolet lights have proven to be effective in reducing the spread of germs a long time ago. And since our phones have proven to be dirtier than a toilet seat according to scientists, it shouldn’t take a life-disrupting global health crisis to make disinfecting your tech a priority.Thanks to the pandemic, the popularity of UV sanitizers among consumers has grown exponentially over the past year. And thankfully, big-name accessory makers responded accordingly by launching a plethora of new products in various form factors and price points. To discover the best worth buying, we spent the past week researching and testing top-rated offerings from leading brands like Belkin, PhoneSoap, and mophie, among others.
The Best UV Sanitizers Out Today
- Our Top Pick: PhoneSoap Pro
- Best Budget: Samsung Qi Wireless Charger and UV Sanitizer
- Fastest Cleaning Cycle: simplehuman cleanstation
- Most Portable: PhoneSoap Go
- Biggest Capacity: HomeSoap UV Sanitizer
- Convenient Wireless Charging: mophie UV Sanitizer with Wireless Charging
- Adjustable Speed: Belkin Boost↑Charge UV Sanitizer + Wireless Charger
- Best Self-Cleaning Bottle: LARQ PureVis Self-Cleaning Bottle
How Does a UV Sanitizer Exactly Work?
Thanks to built-in ultraviolet (UV-C) lights, the sanitizers we picked can destroy bacteria and viruses almost entirely by disrupting their DNA without the help of toxic chemicals. The process typically takes a few minutes (anywhere between 5 and 10), though there are sanitizers that need only seconds to complete the task.
It's important to note that UV-C sanitizers work best on non-porous surfaces, such as plastic and metal. Having said that, UV sanitizers might not be as effective when used on fabric- and leather-covered objects and gadgets.
What to Consider
Capacity, cleaning cycle time, and form factors are the most important things to consider before picking the best UV sanitizer for you. The majority of products we picked are designed to keep germs off your phone, keys, wallet, sunglasses, and other small objects like a battery pack and wireless earbuds, to name just a few. If you're looking to sanitize bigger gadgets and other objects, consider spending more on a bigger UV-C sanitizer with enough space to accommodate them.
The amount of time a product requires to complete the sanitization process is also crucial. Usually, the more you spend on a UV-C sanitizer, the faster it will be. Additional features like an onboard wireless charger or USB ports for powering up your phone and other gadgets are also important to consider.
Find a UV sanitizer that best suits your needs and budget among our top picks below.
Phonesoap - 2/9
1) PhoneSoap Pro UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger
PhoneSoap
amazon.com
$119.95
Key Specs
• 5-minute cleaning cycle
• Built-in USB-A and USB-C ports
• 1-year warrantyPhoneSoap’s Pro UV sanitizer is our favorite in this product category, thanks to fast cleaning cycles and superb germ-fighting capabilities. According to its maker, the product’s UV-C light is even effective against the COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Other key features of the product include a decor-friendly housing that’s available in a multitude of colors, as well as a pair of charging ports for powering up phones and other gadgets.
More: The Best Screen Cleaners for Disinfecting Your Gadgets
amazon.com - 3/9
2) Samsung Qi Wireless Charger and UV Sanitizer
SAMSUNG
amazon.com
$29.95
Key Specs
• 10-minute cleaning cycle
• Integrated 10-watt wireless charger
• 1-year warrantyThis UV sanitizer by Samsung is the one to get if you are looking to get rid of germs on a tight budget. The accessory has a minimalist design, ample space for any smartphone or other small gadgets, and a reasonably fast cleaning cycle.
Best of all, and as its name suggests, the gadget’s interior also has a Qi wireless charging pad that’s handy for powering up many of today’s best smartphones and wireless earbuds.amazon.com - 4/9
3) simplehuman cleanstation
simplehuman
simplehuman.com
$200.00
Key Specs
• 30-second cleaning cycle
• Stainless steel housing
• 2-year warrantyThe simplehuman cleanstation is today’s fastest, sleekest, most enjoyable UV sanitizer and totally worth splurging on, so long as you don’t mind using it to clean only your smartphone.
Its hands-free sanitation cycle takes only 30 seconds — enough time to wash your hands properly. All you have to do is place your phone into the product’s slot to begin the cleaning process — it will disappear for half a minute and smoothly return germ-free.simplehuman.com - 5/9
4) PhoneSoap Go UV Sanitizer
PhoneSoap
amazon.com
$90.95
Key Specs
• 10-minute cleaning cycle
• Built-in USB-A and USB-C charging ports
• 1-year warrantyThe PhoneSoap Go sets itself apart from all other options on this list by rocking a rechargeable battery with enough capacity for up to 45 cleaning cycles. The standout feature will allow you to clean your phone and other small objects on the go, making the product an excellent travel companion.
Combined with its onboard battery pack, the Go’s built-in USB-A and USB-C ports can also charge your mobile gadgets if necessary.amazon.com - 6/9
5) mophie UV Sanitizer with Wireless Charging
mophie
walmart.com
$57.58
Key Specs
• 5-minute cleaning cycle
• Integrated 10-watt wireless charger
• 2-year warrantyThis UV sanitizer by mophie — one of our favorite makers of charging accessories — has a fast and super convenient wireless charging pad that’s neatly integrated into its top cover. This means that, when not in use for quickly disinfecting your phone and other small objects, the easy-to-use product can double as an understated charging pad.
A bundled USB-C power adapter and a robust 2-year warranty round up the product’s noteworthy highlights.walmart.com - 7/9
6) HomeSoap UV Sanitizer
PhoneSoap
amazon.com
$199.95
Key Specs
• 10-minute cleaning cycle
• Built-in USB-A and USB-C charging ports
• 1-year warrantyThe HomeSoap has a larger sanitizing bay than any competitor. It has enough space to deliver 360-degree germ protection to not only your smartphone and other small objects but also an iPad and other big-screen tablets, as well as universal remote controls and gaming controllers, among many others.
Available in black or white, the HomeSoap has a cleaning cycle that takes a reasonable 10 minutes and a pair of USB ports for charging other gadgets.amazon.com - 8/9
7) Belkin Boost↑Charge UV Sanitizer + Wireless Charger
Belkin
amazon.com
$79.99
Key Specs
• Adjustable cleaning cycles
• Integrated wireless charging pad
• 2-year warrantyBelkin’s Boost↑Charge UV Sanitizer + Wireless Charger stands out by offering a duo of germ-zapping modes, which include a quick 3-minute one and a more thorough 10-minute session. You can choose which mode to activate and disable the sanitization process by clicking on the gadget’s sole button.
To top things off, the accessory has a wireless charging pad that’s integrated into its cover and a versatile USB-C charging adapter.amazon.com - 9/9
8) LARQ PureVis Self-Cleaning Bottle
LARQ
amazon.com
$118.00
Key Specs
• 1-minute cleaning cycle
• Insulated design
• 1-year warrantyThe high-tech LARQ PureVis bottle’s cap packs a non-toxic UV-C LED light, which needs only a minute to sanitize its interior and your water. Available with a 17- or a 25-ounce capacity in several colors, the bottle has an insulated design, allowing it to keep the liquids hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours. Its sanitizer’s battery can last up to a month between charges.
amazon.com
We can all use one.
