Medical Doctors Advise Us to Sanitize Our Phones, Keys, and Other Handheld Devices.

There are many ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizers in the market today. We had picked the best products and consulted germ-expert MDs on how to shop for the best one.

We often share ideas on the best and most exhaustive way on UV clean devices. Right now, cleanliness is especially important considering the global impact of COVID-19 and its many variants.

IIt’s important to know that one of the simplest prevention measures you can take to limit the spread of the coronavirus is proper hand-washing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing your hands with soap and water before eating, after using the bathroom and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, as well as before and after caring for a sick friend or family member. With the increasing spread of the novel coronavirus, the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), and medical experts recommend that you wear cloth masks in public. CDC’s recent studies show individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to other people even though they are asymptomatic. “This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity — for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing — even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms,”. Thus far, more than half of the states have implemented face mask covering requirements to help curb the spread of the virus.

Beyond proper social distancing, washing your hands regularly, and wearing a face mask, brands have created at-home UV sanitizer devices to help reduce bacteria and germs on your phones and other electronic devices. To find out if UV sanitizers are worth buying, we consulted medical doctors for their expertise and rounded up the best UV sanitizers on the market in 2022.

IN THIS ARTICLE What are ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizers? | How do they work? | Best UV light sanitizers 

What are ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizers?

“Unlike the average American, our tech devices don’t take a shower each day,” says Michael Schmidt, Ph.D., a professor with the department of microbiology and immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina. “We take a shower to remove the microbes affiliated with our skin. The only thing that microbes like better than human skin is plastic and glass,” he explained. In other words, microbes are attracted to your smartphone, your earbuds, your tablet, and other products you likely use every day.

Until recently, your best option was to use a microfiber cloth — or an alternative — to physically wipe these microbes away. Recently, companies have been releasing products equipped with ultraviolet (UV) light to sanitize products (or themselves). These UV light sanitizers promise to rid your tech and other household items of germs that might make you sick.

Are UV sterilizers worth it?

Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, says that there is “no question that UV radiation is damaging to the virus.” However, he is quick to note that the efficacy of these UV light devices is limited, especially when compared to hospital-grade UV light sanitizing machines. “I just have a hard time trying to find a role for this (UV light sanitizers) that is effective in the general public where you have an actual, meaningful impact and not some kind of marginal benefit that’s not really worth it,” he says. Adalja adds that a UV sanitizer won’t replace basic hygiene measures including hand washing, refraining from touching your face, and maintaining social distancing. Additionally, the EPA recently approved Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist as products effective against coronavirus, although Adalja says this approval is more of a marketing benefit for the company. “For me, it doesn’t really make much of a difference whether or not you use one (disinfectant) that has that label or does not have that label,” he says.

Ehsan Ali, MD, of Beverly Hills Concierge Doctor Inc, says he actually uses light sanitizing devices in his personal life. “UV light devices are worth purchasing because they are known to be effective and have already been in use pre-COVID for sanitation purposes,” he says. Ali adds that while he uses a UV box for keys and phones, plus a light that covers larger areas, he doesn’t recommend one brand over the other because he feels “they are pretty much the same” across the board. He also says that you can “absolutely” use these UV sanitizers to disinfect other items, such as face masks, retainers, glasses, or makeup brushes.

Overall, if you want to take an extra step to kill bacteria on your phones and other personal items, then consider ordering a UV light sanitizer. These sanitizers can really shine if multiple people are around your tech devices throughout the day — as in an office, for example. They make for a quick clean for your tech after your kids (or grandkids) had their way with it. And they can be helpful after a day out hiking, gardening, running, and so on or a day in cooking, cleaning, or playing around with your pets. Beyond UV-sanitizing devices that clean your tech, there are also products that use UV light to clean what’s inside them, like water bottles that self-clean (because you know you don’t wash your water bottle as often as you should.) These also employ UV-C light to rid germs and viruses on their interior.

Best UV light sanitizers to shop for 2022

 
UV Sanitizer for All Your Hand-Held Devices and Personal Care Items 

Equipped with a high-efficiency UV light, this new UV Sanitizer includes eight UV LED Cheeps, mercury-free lamps that help eliminate germs in about three minutes — the portable design makes it easy to fit in a backpack. It is also Ozon free.

Best UV Sterilizers for Manicure & Salon Tools

The UV Sanitizer, UVC Sterilizer Box, Germicidal Ultraviolet Light Disinfection pod is designed to be larger so it can fit bigger smartphones, their cases, and accessories like AirPods.