This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. PhoneSoap has been tested and clinically proven to kill 99.99% of Influenza type A, an enveloped virus similar to the coronavirus. This top-rated sanitizing wand is from Bonafide Masks, a company that has pivoted to providing N95 masks, face shields, and other PPE during the current pandemic. To some, this product might. Apparently its OK to use Clorox disinfecting wipes and 70% isopropyl alcohol on Apple devices. Thanks to wireless charging capabilities, this PhoneSoap can charge your phone without any cables. James Dickerson, Ph.D . Why not just clean and disinfect it? But revenue so far this month is about 20 times higher than in the same. Its called PhoneSoap 3, and its especially useful during the pandemic. And, unless you're planning on washing your hands and face before and after each time you pick up your device, all that bacteria is sticking with you too. When shopping for the best UV sanitizer to use for Covid, youll want to carefully read over the manufacturers claims and offerings before deciding on the best UV sanitizing device for you. The unit is equipped with UVC lights. While completely successful in the first experiment, PhoneSoap was less successful in the second experiment, where a larger bacteria colony formed after cleaning. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. I could place a pair of Jabra Elite 75t wireless headphones inside, but not the entire charging case. In a press release, Magnolia Bakery says the dose is low enough to avoid health complications such as burns or eye irritation. Everything you need to know about UV phone sanitizers It does this completely using UVC light, with no heat or liquids that could damage your items. PhoneSoap may not be . You put your phone in the PhoneSoap, close the box (make sure you see the lightning symbol turn on), and let it sit for just ten minutes. Further studies show the virus is rarely viable(Opens in a new window) on surfaces, and the CDC states(Opens in a new window) that transmission from contaminated surfaces "is not thought to be a common way that COVID-19 spreads.". As someone who can trace every cheek pimple back to a handheld phone call, I was intrigued by the idea of portable product that might disinfect a phone that goes with me everywhere from the bathroom to the bedroom. There are risks that come with using UV light devices, especially when using them on your skin. The WHO echoes this, reporting on its coronavirus myth-busters webpage that people should not use UV lamps to disinfect their hands or other areas of skin, as UV radiation "can cause skin irritation and damage your eyes.". Early studies and news stories that focused on COVID-19 contamination looked for traces of viral RNA; however, viral RNA is not infectious(Opens in a new window). Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites. And if they do happen to die before then, PhoneSoap will replace them for free. PhoneSoap gives real results that'll help keep you and the people around you healthier. The 10 Best UV Sanitizers in 2021 - UV Sanitizer Devices Heres What You Need to Know, The Popular WiFi Extender That Gets Rid of Dead Zones at Home Is Just $15, Hitting the Road for Summer? A rechargeable lithium ion battery provides up to 50 minutes of use on a single charge. At $80, it's generally just an excellent investment for anyone. It's all about business The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Simply put your phone in the Cleanstation, wash your hands thoroughly, and your phone will be waiting for you when youre done. Consequences of using UV-C light on your body can include severe sunburn-like burns and retinal damage. Or if you want a larger UV-light sanitizer that can hold more objects, the HomeSoap might be right for you. I have the PhoneSoap Go, which can be charged ahead of time and taken on the go to clean your phone at anytime, anywhere. There's man-made UV-C light, too: It's what's in the UV light sanitizers that companies claim kill the coronavirus. The unit is equipped with UVC lights. ", Dr. Tyler Hollmig, director of dermatological surgery at University of Texas Dell Medical School in Austin. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Almost a year into the coronavirus pandemic, the United States is a little cleaning obsessed . Its still unclear, though, whether your warranty will remain valid if anything goes awry. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. Before that he covered mobile and wearable tech as a staff writer at Digital Trends. Since most commercial laboratories don't meet containment standards for handling the novel coronavirus, such testing is as close as we can get, for the time being. It disinfects items in just five minutes and has both manual and automatic settings. Professor Armani also recommends looking at prices, since high-powered UV-C LEDs are expensive, and youll need several for adequate sanitation. According to Otterbox, PhoneSoap3 UV sanitizer kills 99.99 percent of germs such as E. Coli, Salmonella, Staph, MRSA, the flu and common cold within 10 minutes. There's built in MDM (mobile device management) software and a suite of features aimed at tying into your corporate-issue laptop. But there's one huge caveat: "UV light damages human skin, so it should only be used on objects or surfaces," the NASEM continues. Shubham Agarwal is a freelance technology journalist from Ahmedabad, India. As youre probably well-aware, UVA and UVB rays are also more harmful to humans, since prolonged exposure can lead to skin damage, aging and risks of cancer (its the reason why dermatologists always recommend wearing a good sunscreen). Since wireless charging is built in, this is a good accessory for a nightstand. PhoneSoap says the UVC sanitizer kills 99.99% of germs in about ten minutes or less. PhoneSoap 3 was built to accommodate all smartphones, including larger models like the iPhone 8+ and the Galaxy S10+. But as we discovered with UV wands, this approach doesnt yield results unless the object is directly in the light of sight. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Say hello at rrosmarin@businessinsider.com. The pressing question at hand, however, is whether these accessories can kill the coronavirus. Amest Adalja, MD(Opens in a new window), a senior scholar and assistant professor at the John Hopkins University Center for Health Security, is skeptical about the efficacy of consumer UV sanitizers. PhoneSoaps UV sanitizers employ UV-C light, which is able to kill some germs, according to Philip Tierno, PhD, a clinical professor in the department of pathology at New York University Langone Medical Center. So UVC radiation can only inactivate a virus if the virus is directly exposed to the UV rays. Inside the aforementioned sanitation devices, youll find a set of bulbs that, together with a reflective coating, are positioned such that they cover your phone entirely. However, theres still the iPhone SE, now in its third iteration, that still serves a purpose for a specific niche of iPhone user. The Mate 50 Pro is one of its highest-profile new devices to launch without Leicas involvement in the camera, so its fitting to put it up against the iPhone 14 Pro to see whether Huaweis cameras still stack up against the best Apple has in 2022. All rights reserved. Though scientists are working on ways to make these powerful disinfecting products safe for people to use, current devices are not safe to use on your body. Self-cleaning water bottles that use UV-C rays to kill germs likeLarqshould also be safe when used properly, because they typically only work when the cap is screwed on tight, so no UV-C light can leak out. We welcome your feedback. Fortunately, the, We asked Gerba about the UV-C light technology behind the PhoneSoap to see if theres any truth to the claims that it kills 99.9% of household germs, its OK to use Clorox disinfecting wipes and 70% isopropyl alcohol on Apple devices, has been shown to neutralize airborne microbes, Discovery Channel did a deep dive on PhoneSoap, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Head to the companys website to find out more about the products or to purchase. Trending https://www.pcmag.com/news/do-uv-light-phone-sanitizers-really-work, How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, UV light is one type of electromagnetic radiation, The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, defines standards for UV-disinfection-technology settings, Build-at-home UV-C disinfection for healthcare settings, DEA Uses Apple AirTag to Track Drug-Related Shipment From China, We All Live With a Yellow iPhone 14: First Look at Apple's Newest Color Option, The Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for 2023. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Its big enough to hold a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and can easily fit smaller items such as remotes, game controllers, baby bottles, and pacifiers. If you'd like to charge your phone simultaneously, you have the option to plug in your USB or USB-C cord. Enter PhoneSoap Go, the brand's travel-friendly UV sanitizer, that is available in Indigo and White. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. "Our devices really aren't meant for germaphobes," Barnes said. Barnes said interest in PhoneSoap's disinfecting devices has soared amid the COVID-19 pandemic and elevated concerns about disinfecting the things people come in contact with on a regular basis. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. 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. Household UV sterilizer Market 2023: Future Growth and - MarketWatch According to the brand, you can clean your phone and other tech accessories, like earbuds in five minutes, compared to the 10-minute cleaning session of the PhoneSoap 3. The Pro model is also broader with an interior width of 4.3 inches compared to the 3.75 inches-wide interior of the PhoneSoap 3. Prolonged exposure to UVC can cause degradation of some plastic materials. Beyond disinfecting your phone, you can sanitize face masks, keys and even your retainer. Most commercial UV products are sold as sanitizers, and its important to note that sanitization and disinfection aren't synonymous. Disinfection by way of UV light is nothing new: The International Ultraviolet Association says it's been a useful technology for over 40 years, contributing to clean water and clean air. PhoneSoap HomeSoap review: The germ killer for most of your electronics More than you could ever imagine, in fact. Home accessories brand, BRIGHTINWD, says this lamp is effective at getting rid of everything from bacteria and mold. The number of UV-light sanitizing products is growing. PhoneSoap has also been tested to kill strong bacteria such as Staph aureus. Do your research before going to establishments that have installed UV light fixtures. My family has had a communal PhoneSoap for a few years now, and it has been a great investment in our health. UV sanitizers use ultraviolet light to sanitize your phone and offer a second layer of protection against viruses and other harmful microbes. Theres no question that enough UV-C absorption will kill coronaviruses, said Dr. John Taylor, deputy head (academic) and senior lecturer in Virology School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. For most of us, our phones are like appendages, traveling with us everywhere we go, accompanying us through all of our daily activities. Many consumer devices also use UV light to disinfect things, such as self-cleaning UV light water bottles and UV-emitting cases that clean your dirty phone. Can a UV Phone Sanitizer Like PhoneSoap Kill Coronavirus? | Digital Trends Filter 1 result PhoneSoap HomeSoap - White PhoneSoap 3 $199.99 When purchased online PhoneSoap (1) How are you shopping today? Its LumiClear platform is a clear base that raises your phone from the surface of the interior. After many months of discussion and testing,The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine(Opens in a new window)confirmed UV light destroys the novel coronavirus. We're here to help you figure it out. UV-C light is just one disinfection method shown to inactivate the COVID-19 virus(Opens in a new window) in multiple(Opens in a new window) studies(Opens in a new window).