The best screen cleaners of 2024

If you’re reading this article on a dirty, smudged phone or laptop display, it may be time to invest in a screen cleaner. Aside from the poor aesthetics of a filthy device, your dirty electronics could actually make you sick. According to a tired-but-worryingly-reputable study, your cell phone is ten times dirtier than a toilet seat. Gross. Lucky for you, the solution isn’t to revert into the 19th century before we had all these pesky screens. There are plenty of effective, affordable screen cleaners out there to help you keep your electronics smudge-free and with less worrisome bacteria. We compiled a list of the best screen cleaners in every category so you can use your phone without fearing an infection.

• Best overall: WHOOSH! Screen Cleaning Kit 
• Best value: MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths 
• Best for smartphones: ZEISS Mobile Screen Wipes 
• Best natural: Screen Mom Screen Cleaner Kit
• Best all-in-one kit: EVEO Screen PRO Cleaner Spray

How we selected the best screen cleaners

The most important consideration for us was how safe the screen cleaner is for use on your expensive electronics. The last thing you want to do is ruin your electronic screen or lens with a low-quality, abrasive cleaner. Following safety, we examined ease-of-use and convenience, use of toxic vs. non-toxic ingredients, and unbiased reviews. 

Most screen cleaners are under $20, so affordability wasn’t the biggest factor, though it was something we looked at in side-by-side comparisons. How many ounces or wipes are you getting for your dollar? After it was all said and done, we considered dozens of the most popular and found the best screen cleaners to compile our list.

The best screen cleaners: Reviews & Recommendations

Best overall: WHOOSH! Screen Cleaning Kit 

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Specs: 

• Includes spray bottle and 2 microfiber cloths
• Works on all electronic screens
• Alcohol and ammonia-free
• Travel-sized bottle (1 oz or 3.4 oz)

Pros

• Compatible with all screens and devices
• All-in-one kit includes microfiber cloths
• Safe; free of ammonia, dyes, and fragrances

Cons

• Smaller sized bottle
• Pricey

A great all-in-one screen cleaner, this product comes with a spray bottle of cleaning solution and two microfiber cloths for wiping. WHOOSH! claims to be the only approved screen cleaner used by Apple stores worldwide. The gentle formula is free of alcohol, ammonia, dyes, and fragrances, so you’ll feel good about using it on the products you touch all day, every day.

The WHOOSH! Screen Cleaner comes in two different sizes, a 1 oz. and a 3.4 oz., both with two microfiber cloths. Either option is good for travel, since the 3.4 oz. adheres to the TSA regulations regarding liquids. We’d recommend going with the larger option, since it is undoubtedly a better deal with more than triple the amount of product for only a couple of dollars more. 

The microfiber cloths are treated with a solution, which provides antibacterial, anti-mold, and anti-odor properties. They can safely be machine washed up to 50 times, so they’re easy to use again and again. Overall, you can’t go wrong with the WHOOSH! Screen Cleaner as a safe, easy to use, and affordable option.

Best value: MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

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Specs:

• Comes in various pack sizes from 2 to 30
• Individually packaged
• Just the cloth with no cleaning solution

Pros

• No chemicals
• Affordable
• Reusable
• Portable and travel-friendly

Cons

• Removes germs but doesn’t kill them
• Small cloth is not the best for large TV screens
• No included solution

MagicFiber microfiber screen cleaning cloths are a simple and affordable solution. The downside to choosing this option is that a microfiber cloth will remove, but not kill germs, so it won’t leave your devices feeling as squeaky-clean as a spray or wipe would. 

MagicFiber cloths come in a variety of sizes, ranging from a 2-pack to a 30-pack. They are small at 6×7 inches, so they’re portable and easy to store in your laptop case or purse. A lint-resistant, chemical-free way to clean your electronics, these microfiber cloths make it simple and easy to keep your screens smudge-free. 

They’re also eco-friendly, and designed to be washed and reused up to 500 times. A one-time, low-cost purchase will keep your screens clean for years to come. Another benefit is that you can use them to polish other things, such as glassware, lenses, watches, and jewelry. 

Best for smartphones: ZEISS Mobile Screen Wipes

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Specs:

• Available in packs of 30, 60 and 120
• Individually wrapped to retain moisture
• Alcohol-free

Pros

• Convenient and easy to use
• Travel-friendly
• Alcohol-free

Cons

• Small size is better for small devices
• Single-use product

Perfect for the frequent flyer or on-the-go mom, ZEISS mobile screen wipes come in individually wrapped packages, so you can throw a few in your bag and go. The packaging isn’t the most eco-friendly, but it does guarantee product integrity. The wipes retain just enough moisture to clean your screens, but not too much where it damages your electronics. 

ZEISS wipes remove smudges from fingerprints, dirt, grime, and bacteria. They are safe to use on all electronic devices, but the wipes are marketed as mobile screen wipes, and they are pretty small. If you’re looking for the best screen cleaners for a large television, these aren’t the choice. For phones, laptops, computers, and tablets, you can’t beat them. Their gentle, alcohol-free formula promises a streak-free finish that is delicate on your screens or lenses. 

You have the option to buy in a bulk pack of 120 wipes, or you can start small with a 30-count pack. This product rivals a microfiber cloth because you don’t have to worry about it getting dirty when you store it, but the downside is that you can only use each wipe once before it dries out. 

Best natural: Screen Mom Screen Cleaner Kit

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Specs:

• Non-toxic, plant-based formula
• Extra large microfiber towel
• Safe to use on all electronic screens
• 16 oz. spray bottle

Pros

• Non-toxic and safe to use
• Eco-friendly
• Large, reusable microfiber towel

Cons

• Not safe for MacBooks
• More expensive than other options

This non-toxic screen cleaner is perfect for anyone whose primary concern is product safety. Screen Mom uses only plant-based ingredients and no harmful chemicals. The product is free of alcohol, ammonia, phosphates, and fragrance. The natural formula boasts a streak-free shine, but it does come at a premium price point. It is more eco-friendly than some of the other options, offering product refills to cut down on waste.

The microfiber towel is another sustainable touch, as it is washable, reusable, and lint-free. It measures 16×16 inches, making it more than twice the size of the MagicFiber microfiber towels. Because of the size, this product is a much better option for cleaning large electronic devices like a flat-screen TV. 

Their website does include a disclaimer regarding MacBooks, so you may want to steer clear if you’re looking to clean your MacBook screen. The special anti-glare coating isn’t compatible with some cleaners (and Apple recommends cleaning your Mac without any special products). For TVs, smartphones, and other electronic devices, this non-toxic product is a great option.

Best all-in-one kit: EVEO Screen Cleaner PRO Spray

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Specs:

• Soft, plush microfiber cloth
• 16 oz. spray bottle
• Non-toxic ingredients

Pros

• Non-toxic ingredients
• Easy-to-use spray bottle
• Reusable and eco-friendly

Cons

• Pricey

This screen cleaner kit comes at a premium price point, but offers everything you need. The non-toxic ingredients are a plus – the spray is free of alcohol, phosphates, ammonia, and fragrance. It’s been tested and claims to be safe on all sorts of screens, including LED, LCD, CRT, OLED, and AMOLED screens. This product is protective as well as cleansing. After each use, it leaves behind a streak-free invisible film to prevent the future accumulation of lint, dust, and grime. 

We recommend this product over the original EVEO Screen Cleaner because of the ingredient list. Unlike the original, this cleaner is non-toxic and alcohol-free, so you can feel better about using it on your delicate electronics. 

You can buy the screen cleaner in packs of 1, 2, or 4, each including their respective number of microfiber cloths. The manufacturer claims 1,000 sprays in each bottle, so the product can last for months, which helps bring down the cost per use. The microfiber cloth is reusable, making the product a more eco-friendly option overall. 

What to consider when buying the best screen cleaners

There are a few things to consider when looking for a new screen cleaner, including safe ingredients, convenience, size and volume.

Safe Ingredients

Steer clear of anything containing alcohol and ammonia. They’re common ingredients in some household cleaning products, as they are effective at sanitizing and killing germs. However, when used on your phone, the high acidity in these ingredients can cause damage to your screen.

When you’re shopping for the best screen cleaners, avoid these ingredients whenever possible. The truth is, you can get the job done effectively without them.

Size and Volume

Every screen cleaner we surveyed costs between $6 and $20. Without much of a difference in price points, you want to look at the actual volume of product you’re getting. A 3-ounce bottle of screen cleaner for $12 is a better deal than a 1-ounce bottle for $10. When you’re looking at screen cleaners, price differences will be less obvious, so it’s important to consider the amount of product.

Convenience

We’ve all bought something that seemed useful at the time, but never ended up using it. If a product isn’t easy to use, it gives us an excuse to be lazy and neglect it. Consider how easy the screen cleaner will be to use and store, and how it will fit into your lifestyle. If a spray and towel sound like too many steps for you, go with a single-use wipe or microfiber cloth instead. 

You’ll also want to consider storage and portability. Screen cleaners are something you’ll want to bring with you when you travel, so going with a smaller size might be a better choice. A simple microfiber cloth can travel with you anywhere. 

A note about MacBook screens

If you have an Apple MacBook, be sure to check out Apple’s official recommendations when cleaning the screen. Some MacBooks have an anti-reflective coating that you can damage with incorrect techniques. Once the coating is ruined, it can’t be fixed, so the stakes are high. 

FAQs 

A final word about the best screen cleaners

We looked at dozens of screen cleaners, and these 5 came out on top due to their high customer reviews, safe ingredients and easy-to-use designs. It’s important to remember that you should always check the manufacturer’s instructions on safe cleaning practices before using any product on your screen. Your electronic screen is an important part of the device, and it’s easy to damage. 

It’s important to clean the dirt, grime, and smudging off your screens to keep yourself and your home sanitary. These screen cleaners are all excellent options when it comes to keeping your devices from becoming 10 times dirtier than your toilet.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.