The 10 Best Screen Cleaners
Editor's Notes
November 27, 2020:
If you’re looking for a travel option that can be thrown into a bag, you’ll probably want to check out individual wipes instead of cumbersome spray bottles and gadgets. The iCloth Individual Packets remain on our list for offering a quality, water-based formula and convenient packets of single, premoistened wipes. We’ve also updated our list to include a couple other on-the-go options, like the Zeiss Wipes, which are also individually wrapped and disposable. They may be overlooked as a quality screen cleaner due their being labeled as “lens wipes,” but they are just as effective on iPhone and computer screens as they are on eye glasses, offering a fast-drying and streak-free finish. However, it’s worth noting that the cloths’ odor may be overwhelming for people sensitive to fragrance. Weiman E-tronic 93 wipes are our other recent addition. Instead of individually wrapped packets, they come in a pull-dispense container and can be conveniently placed in your car for a quick-grab option. It features a moisture-locking lid to help prevent wipes from drying out.
If you prefer a classic, spray and wipe situation, our list has plenty of great choices. CareTouch Lens Kit is another option marketed specifically for eye glasses and camera lenses, while doubling as a top-notch screen cleaner. One order comes with 18 ounces of formula, and a travel-sized bottle. The popular and cleverly-branded Whoosh! Screen Shine also deserves to retain it’s spot. It’s a favorite for getting the job done effortlessly. One spray and wipe will remove gunk, and the formula is designed to coat the surface, discouraging further dust and dirt from accumulating. Screen Mom Natural retains its top spot on our list for offering a quality, eco-friendly formula that is plant based and odorless. It’s ammonia and alcohol-free, and works wonderfully. As a bonus, all the spray options listed here come with one or more microfiber cloths that are gentle on surfaces and can be used time and time again.
Though sprays and wipes are popular choices, we also included a couple alternative solutions for keeping screens clean. The OXO Good Grips Sweep and Swipe is a unique double-sided tool, with a dust-removing brush on one end and a microfiber pad on the other. This collapsible, compact gadget can sit on your desk, and is a good choice for those who prefer a dry clean. Another innovative selection is the PhoneSoap 3, which cleans more than just your screen. True germaphobes can disinfect the entire gadget, killing 99.99% of germs, while simultaneously charging up.
September 05, 2019:
Believe it or not, our tablets and smart phones are among the dirtiest devices we own. They are magnets for fingerprints, smudges, oils from your fingers, and bacteria. And even screens that we touch less often, such as TVs and computer monitors, gather dust and grime just from every day use.
It's important to clean your screens, but you want to do so properly to avoid damaging them, so there are a few things you should avoid when doing the job. First, avoid harsh chemicals such as those found in household cleaner and glass cleaners like Windex. Over time, alcohol and ammonia can damage the protective coating on your screens, making them more susceptible to scratches. Also avoid paper towels and tissue paper; they are not as soft as your hands might think they are, and they can cause micro-scratches that dull your screen over time.
To do the job properly, you want distilled water or a gentle solution such as those found in our selections, along with an extremely soft microfiber cloth. Most of our selections come with one or more such cloths, including the Care Touch Lens Kit, which we placed in one of our top slots. With its 18 ounces of solution, it's a great deal for a relatively low per-ounce price.