At its simplest, a screen cleaner can take the form of a small piece of microfiber material (like our "best cloth" option, the MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth) that you use dry to wipe down your display. Many users, though, take the process a step further with a dedicated screen-cleaning solution, like our top overall recommendation, the Whoosh! Screen Shine Refillable Screen Cleaning Kit.

If you're looking for just a screen-cleaning cloth to use with water, a separate solution, or even on its own, MagicFiber's Microfiber Cleaning Cloth is the premium option to consider. The company specifically designed the extra-soft cloths to be safe for delicate surfaces, with microfibers 200 times thinner than human hairs. This creates more surface area to trap dust, dirt, and grease without leaving lint or scratches, so you'll have no issues using them to clean computer monitors, tablets, and phones, in addition to eyeglasses, camera lenses, and more. My co-tech editor Stefan Vazharov is also a fan of WHOOSH! “I really like it,” he said, “because, in addition to effortlessly cleaning the screen of every gadget I own, it’s plant-based and nontoxic.” The "Swipe" side consists of a small microfiber-covered pad made for wiping smudges and prints off your screen. It works well enough for laptops specifically, but the size and shape make it less versatile than a separate microfiber cloth. Cleaning the microfiber is also difficult, since it can't be removed. A protective cap helps keep the pad clean, but there's no cover for the brush side, which relies on its retractability. We think having a cap for that end as well would help keep it dust-free when not in use, but that's a fairly minor trade-off for a versatile cleaning tool. In recent years, we’ve all become more acutely aware of just how many germs are out there. And, as a result, we've all adopted practices to help keep high-touch surfaces around us clean. And is there anything that gets touched more than the phones, laptops and other gadgets we use to stay connected to the world around us? They are essential lifelines, so it's no wonder they get assaulted with dust, greasy fingerprints, grime and germs — lots and lots of germs. The problem with cleaning any piece of electronics is that moisture can damage it. Common cleaners can damage sensitive electronics, as well. So that dry cloth may seem like the only safe option, but they aren’t sufficient for removing dirt and oils.The brand claims that the Whoosh! Screen Cleaner kills 98% of bacteria versus 58% when using water. I'm no scientist, so I can't say if my attempts yielded those results. However, I can say that my devices appeared much better and it looked like I bought a new pair of glasses. Is Whoosh! safe to use? Although many screen wipes will have a neutral smell, still others will have that cleanser scent that you may or may not like. If this is important to you, you can find wipes in scents like lemon that will give you a more enjoyable experience.

As well as being reusable, an even better way to clean your device's screen without scratching or streaking it is with a soft, gentle cloth – and just like with glass and mirrors around the home, microfibre is the perfect material. To make life easier and eliminate any worry of getting something unsuitable, choosecleaners that come with their own . The optical company Zeiss has a long history of products for cleaning glasses, lens, and other sensitive glass equipment, so the brand's Mobile Screen Wipes have a reputable foundation. The individually wrapped wipes are convenient for sharing and taking on the go while maintaining the moisture of each wipe. The cleaning solution is great at eliminating fingerprints and grease, with a formula specifically designed to be safe for cleaning phones or other electronics and a texture that's both durable and soft. Accompanying the solution are four total 8-by-8-inch cloths that serve two distinct purposes: a pair of microfiber cloths for removing the bulk of dirt and grime, and a pair of "pixel shining" cloths to wipe up leftover oils and solution. In conjunction with the two 4-ounce bottles of cleaning solution, the kit is both effective and cost-efficient, supplying more materials for a lower cost than many premium spray kits. For larger displays, Calyptus also offers a kit with 16-ounce bottles and 16-by-16-inch cloths. The directions say to spray the microfiber cloth first before wiping your desired surface. After spritzing the cloth a few times, I wiped down my phone in vertical strokes. Then, I used the dry side of the cloth to give it some shine. Courtesy / Abigail BarrPlenty of cleaning solutions tout an eco-friendly formula, but Calyptus puts the focus on natural ingredients for its Screen Cleaner Spray Kit. The company produces the plant-based solution in small batches in New York. While some users report the solution leaving streaks or not cleaning as powerfully as they expected (and occasional issues with the spray bottle pump construction), most are impressed by the spray's cleaning performance on various devices across the board. But the easiest way to keep your screen clean is by using one of the many screen-cleaning cloths now on the market. These are formulated specifically to clean a screen without damaging sensitive electronic components. Typically, you’ll find these cloths are made from a soft material designed to clean without leaving lint behind, along with a mild cleaning solution that’s been tested and found safe on computer monitors. One convenient design feature of Insignia's kit is the cloth storage built into the cap of the bottle, helping to keep the cloth both dry and close at hand. An even more portable 2-ounce bottle is available, but the 5-ounce version represents a better deal, and you're likely to use it all soon enough. High-end screen cleaning sprays may provide some extra peace of mind, but even more basic products like this Screen Cleaning Solution from Insignia (Best Buy's in-house brand) can deliver a lot of value for less. The kit includes a spray bottle and small cloth that work well together to wipe dust and smudges from your displays. While the formula is billed as eco-friendly and ammonia- and alcohol-free, the ingredients do include isopropyl alcohol, which is common to many cleaning solutions. It won't be a quantity that negatively affects most devices, but as a general rule for cleaning sprays, apply it to the cloth and never directly onto the screen. Apple says you should use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to clean your iPhone. On the other hand, Google says you can use ordinary household soap on a damp cloth to remove stains. Both agree that cleaning wipes — those that have 70% isopropyl alcohol — are fine, too. That is, just as long as you don't get moisture into any of your smartphone's openings. Apple also says 75% ethyl alcohol wipes and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are safe to use: Just make sure you don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide!

Size: It's best to determine the size of the screens you plan to clean when shopping for cleaners. Microfiber cloths and electronic screen wipes will work on a variety of screen sizes. If you are looking for a wipe that can clean your laptop, mini pre-moistened wipes made for smartphones might not be large enough for a thorough clean. On the flip side, a large TV wipe used on a phone wastes product. The Whoosh! Screen Shine Refillable Screen Cleaning Kit is our best overall screen cleaner for its powerful yet safe solution, large refillable bottle, and high-quality microfiber cloths. For just a microfiber cloth on its own, the small but effective MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth is our top recommendation. What to Look for in Screen Cleaners Type Below, you'll find our favorite screen cleaners, as well as some tips on how to clean your smartphone. And hopefully, we will also help ease your concerns about catching or spreading COVID-19 via your smartphone. The Best Screen Cleaners The cleaner arrived with three microfiber cloths, a full-size 3.4-ounce bottle and a travel-sized spray for on-the-go use. I pulled out my phone to try it on first, having remembered that I recently used it with dirty fingers after eating tacos (and could still see food smears on the screen). It's also important to turn off your device before you clean its screen, and you should never apply the cleaner directly to the screen, either. Spray the cleaner on a lint-free cloth instead, and avoid using rougher materials like paper towels. Consider keeping your smartphone in a sealed case, too, so it's easier and safer to wipe down with disinfectant wipes.Before you clean any screen with a cleaning wipe, go over it with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Make sure you carefully remove any dust or debris that could scratch your screen if you move a cloth across it. Experts recommend using a dry soft cloth to wipe away basic dust and debris. If you need to add a solvent to remove grime, a solution of mild soap and water can be used, but they warn against using liquid, so the water on your cloth will have to be damp, at best.

Unlike some other pre-moistened wipes, the Zeiss Mobile Screen Wipes aren't so wet that they leave damp streaks or require extra drying with a cloth. Some users find, however, that they dry out before cleaning the entire surface. Depending on the size of your screen, you may need multiple wipes, rendering the high-end disposable wipes less sustainable and cost-effective than reusable cloths.With the wide array of screen-cleaning solutions on the market, the choice often boils down to finding a product you can trust to work well without damaging your devices, and the Whoosh! Screen Shine line is about as reliable as they come. The screen cleaner is a popular choice among consumers and experts alike, and it is reportedly used in Apple stores around the world. After being in public places, only touch your phone after you have washed or sanitized your hands, or removed gloves you have worn The product works wonderfully at wiping away dust, oils, smudges, and fingerprints on my iPhone, Nintendo Switch, TV, monitor, MacBook, and tablet. I’ve found that it even makes my devices more resistant to future fingerprints. It doesn't smudge, it's odorless, and just works.