The Best Ultrasonic Cleaners
You've probably seen the dubious before-and-after videos where unknown individuals claim to clean their old silverware in a bath of cola. With an ultrasonic cleaner, you can cast the urban legends aside and be ready for quick and impressive cleaning results on dirty or oxidized jewelry, cutlery, mechanical components, and much more. To help you find the right ultrasonic cleaner for you, we've put together this list of a few of the best on the market.
What to Look For
Though cleaning your jewelry or metalware couldn’t be simpler once you get your hands on an ultrasonic cleaner, finding the right one for the job can make all the difference. We took care to note the capacity, ultrasound frequency, and interface design during our search so that you can find the ideal fit for your needs. Our favorite overall comes from Magnasonic due in part to its intuitive interface that won’t put off beginners. But if you’re looking to scale up operations, we’d recommend the extra-large industrial cleaner from Vevor. Read on below to discover the rest of our top picks.
Magnasonic Professional Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner, 600mL
This medium-capacity device ranks first among our favorites thanks to an intuitive design concept that will have you cleaning your favorite trinkets right out of the box. The Magnasonic Professional cleaner is equipped with an industry-standard ultrasonic emitter that will rattle wayward dirt and debris from jewelry or the like with powerful 42,000-Hz waves. The bold digital display allows easy access to five preset cleaning cycles, so you can plug in and see the shine in no time.
Pros:
- The interior basket keeps valuables safely in place during and between cleans
- Generous 600mL capacity can accommodate glasses and larger jewelry
- Auto shut-off feature saves power and prevents excess cleaning
Cons:
- The limited timer means multiple restarts are needed to achieve longer cleaning cycles
LifeBasis Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner, 850mL
Room to spare
If you’ve never used an ultrasonic cleaner before, you might be surprised to discover the wide range of applications you can find for this nifty gadget around the home. This 850mL option from LifeBasis will give you a little more room to experiment than you’ll find with smaller devices designed exclusively for jewelry. Try using it to spruce up the shine on silver kitchenware, metal dishware, or bicycle components.
Pros:
- Features five pre-programmed cleaning cycles to suit a variety of applications
- Interior dimensions are also optimized for cleaning CDs
Cons:
- Plastic interior components can degrade when using additional cleaning fluids
Vevor Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner, 10L
All in
With a whopping 10 liters of cleaning capacity, this mammoth professional cleaner from Vevor is fit for the most regal of jewelry collections. This quick-working machine combines ultrasonic frequencies with 200 watts of heating power for a deep and thorough clean that’s hard for smaller devices to beat. And with this extra-large tank, there’s plenty of room to scrub down larger tools as well.
Pros:
- Noise reduction technology means this cleaner is quieter than most despite its size
- The touch control panel allows for precise timer and temperature settings
- Double fuse protection will keep your home circuitry safe
Cons:
- The minimal user manual could present a stalling point for the inexperienced
mUGLE Portable Ultrasonic Cleaner, 500mL
Run the jewels
While cleaning up old jewelry might not be the priority we consider when packing up our bags to go on holiday, this portable design from mUGLE offers a handy cleaning solution for lovers of compact tech. The 500-milliliter tank will fit most rings, earrings, necklaces, and small bracelets with ease. And with a downscaled length of just 10 inches, this unit will pack away easily in a storage cupboard or the like between uses.
Pros:
- 46-kilohertz ultrasound offers a deeper clean than most
- Dual-button operation is as simple as it gets
- The universal power cord is easily replaced if lost or damaged
Cons:
- The basic LCD screen can be tricky to interpret on first use
Kunphy Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner, 350mL
Twenty twenty
It’s not just your jewelry that can benefit from a deep ultrasonic cleaning — greasy or oxidized glasses frames can also reap the benefits from a quick bath in the bubbles. This snug 350mL compartment is the perfect size for most frame designs, and the translucent lid will let you keep a beady eye on your specs as they clean inside.
Pros:
- The stainless steel tank features long-lasting corrosion resistance
- Compact design is also great for dentures and razor heads
Cons:
- One-button operation means you can only clean in three-minute cycles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use an ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry with precious stones?
The last thing you want to see when retrieving your prized jewels from an ultrasound bath is a shiny surface littered with cracks or the like. Because of the intense vibration involved, ultrasonic cleaning can wreak havoc on soft or porous materials like pearls, opals, emeralds, and amber. If in doubt, check in with your local jeweler first for advice on specific pieces.
How can I clean my glasses with an ultrasonic cleaner?
Though some glasses frames are suitable for cleaning in an ultrasonic device, there are a few things to bear in mind to avoid damaging them in the process. Lenses with even slight scratches or cracks can be quickly shattered under the pressure of these machines, so it’s often advised to remove them before cleaning. Your optician will know the score, so if you’re sporting valuable frames, it’s worth consulting them before you go ahead with a home clean.
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