Buying guide for best UV phone sanitizers
You rely on your smartphone for dozens of tasks every day. Because you use it so frequently, it can collect unwanted contaminants like bacteria. Not a pleasant thought considering the fact that you hold your device to your face and touch it between bites of food. A UV phone sanitizer can keep your phone clean and free of germs that could make you sick.
The sun naturally generates UV light, and small doses of focused UV light don’t affect the integrity of items like smartphones. UV phone sanitizers use a particular type of UV light (UV-C) to generate electromagnetic radiation that damages or kills bacteria and microbes. UV-C bulbs provide the most effective way to destroy bacteria because of the light’s short wavelength.
There are a few key features to consider to find the best model for your needs, and a good shopping guide and recommendations can get you started.
How to buy the best UV phone sanitizer
Size
Make sure the UV phone sanitizer you select is the right size to accommodate your phone. This is especially important if you have a large one. If you have a small or average-sized phone, pretty much any sanitizer should work.
Sanitizing speed
Most of these products take 5 to 10 minutes to sanitize the phone, phone case, or other items. However, there are some fast-cycle products that claim to finish the job in as little as 30 seconds.
High-quality units automatically turn off the device after the sanitizing cycle. This prevents the phone from being damaged by too much intense UV-C light. The automatic shutoff is especially useful for sanitizing your phone while you’re sleeping.
If you want to put earbuds or keys inside the UV phone sanitizer, make sure the items aren’t touching each other so the UV-C light can reach all surfaces.
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Features to look for in UV phone sanitizers
Bulb location
You can only sanitize one side of the phone at a time in a UV phone sanitizer that only has UV-C bulbs inside the lid or at the bottom of the case. If you want to speed up the sanitizing process, select a case that has lights at the top and bottom so it can sanitize both sides of the phone at once.
Most of these products have one or two bulbs in the lid and one or two bulbs at the bottom, but you can find some that have several bulbs (and as many as a couple dozen) in both locations. More bulbs means faster results.
Case materials
Most UV phone sanitizers have an interior lined with aluminum, which reflects the UV-C light around your phone. Cases with an aluminum exterior are sturdier than plastic ones.
Ports
Some UV phone sanitizers have a case that accommodates a USB cable, so you can charge your phone while sanitizing it. Some units allow for inductive charging during the sanitizing process if you have a phone that supports this.
Sanitizing other items
Some of these devices are large enough to hold other items. If you’d like to sanitize eyeglasses, earbuds, keys, smartwatches, jewelry, or wallets, look for a unit that can handle your items.
Color
If you plan to keep your UV phone sanitizer on a nightstand, you might want a case that matches your décor. Most of these devices are white, gray, or black, but you can find some in other colors like turquoise, purple, or beige.
DID YOU KNOW?
The average American touches a smartphone screen a hundred or more times every day.
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How much do UV phone sanitizers cost?
Inexpensive
The least expensive devices cost $5 to $20. These may only have one or two UV-C bulbs, so they might not work as quickly or effectively as a unit with more bulbs. Some of these devices may only be able to clean one side of the phone at a time. Not all inexpensive sanitizers offer automatic shutoff.
Mid-range
These units cost $20 to $50. Many of these devices use multiple UV light sources for a more effective sanitizing process. Units in this price range clean both sides of the phone at the same time. These devices are typically larger than less expensive ones and are able to accommodate phones of different sizes, as well as other items like earbuds at the same time. These devices have automatic shutoff too.
Expensive
The priciest UV phone sanitizers cost $50 to $200. Many of these units fit a specific type and size of phone. They can clean all sides of the phone efficiently using several UV-C lamps throughout the interior of the box, often in 5 minutes or less. You can find devices at this price that allow you to charge the phone while sanitizing it. Manufacturers of pricey UV phone sanitizers offer cases in several colors too.
Although the UV light can kill or damage bacteria and microbes on smooth surfaces, it doesn’t reach inside crevices on the phone or case.
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Tips
A UV phone sanitizer is a great tool, but you need to use it correctly. You also have other options for keeping your smartphone clean and sanitized.
- Remove the case from the phone. No matter how you clean your phone, cleaning the phone and case separately delivers the best results.
- Clean the phone with a cloth first. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the dust off the phone and case. If the phone has sticky substances or grime on it, slightly dampen the cloth to rub away the grime.
- Sanitize your phone with a cleanser. If desired, you can use a 70% isopropyl alcohol-based cleansing solution. Apply the cleanser to the microfiber cloth, not directly to the phone or case. Liquids and smartphones don’t mix well. When cleaning, use as little liquid as possible.
- Let the phone dry completely. If you use a liquid to clean your phone, don’t replace the case until the phone and case are completely dry. Wipe them down with a clean cloth and wait a few more minutes to allow any remaining moisture to evaporate. Do not apply heat to try to dry the phone or case more quickly.
- Sanitize your phone with UV light. If you don’t want to clean your phone with liquid, a UV phone sanitizer will get the job done.
FAQ
Q. Are UV phone sanitizers safe to use?
A. Yes, these sanitizers use a relatively low-power UV-C lamp, so the chances of the lamp harming you are small. However, the FDA points out that some UV-C lamps contain small amounts of mercury. You should clean up any broken lamp or bulb carefully following the EPA’s guidelines.
Q. Does the FDA regulate the UV-C lamps in phone sanitizers?
A. Because ultraviolet lamps are electronic products that emit radiation, manufacturers must follow FDA regulatory requirements. UV lamps intended for medical device disinfecting must follow more stringent regulatory requirements than phone sanitizers.
Q. Do I have to clean the UV-C bulbs inside the sanitizer?
A. You can wipe down the surface of the UV-C bulbs with a dry microfiber cloth every month or so. If the bulbs are dirty, put a small amount of rubbing alcohol on the cloth before you wipe them down.
Q. Is there a UV phone sanitizer that eliminates 100% of contaminants?
A. It’s hard to independently measure the exact percentage of bacteria and other microbes that an average UV phone sanitizer damages or kills. However, most manufacturers claim to remove at least 99.99% of these contaminants. We haven’t found a device made for sanitizing phones at home that claims 100% removal.
