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
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.