PhoneSoap, the original, and still the most well known, UV phone sanitizer makers.
They’ve been doing their thing since long before the Coronavirus pandemic and have probably had their products independently tested more than anyone else’s.
The results have been consistently excellent against bacteria and, more importantly of course these days, viruses.
To give just one example a 2018 Bioscience Laboratories study found that PhoneSoap completely (well..to 99.99%) disinfected three viruses — Influenza A (seasonal flu), Rhinovirus (common cold) and Rotavirus (viral diarrhea) from a smartphone in one sanitization cycle.
This they do by using a portable source of UV-C light, something commonly used by hospitals and labs for sterilization procedures, with a patented design allowing the entire phone surface to be purified in one go.
The UV-C led light bulbs involved come with a lifetime warranty. But they are built to last roughly 36,000 sanitizer cycles so though you may be escaping lots of diseases you’ll likely not live long enough to take up the offer.
It has a range of three new phone sanitizer models to choose from in 2020: PhoneSoap 3, PhoneSoap Go and PhoneSoap Wireless. Here we review all three.
First things first though, there are two pressing questions likely to be on most reader’s minds.
Does PhoneSoap kill Coronavirus Covid-19?!
A scientific question like this requires a careful answer. Covid-19 is a completely new virus that has not yet had a chance to be tested with PhoneSoap.
PhoneSoap has though been tested with, and been shown to kill, a whole range of viral pathogens such as Influenza A H1N1 (seasonal flu) and the Human Rhinovirus (common cold.)
Secondly, its mode of operation involves UV-C light which has widespread, anecdotally successful, use in hospitals as a defense against Covid-19, so on balance it seems fairly likely to provide protection.
But, as with all scientific matters, PhoneSoap has not been formally tested yet and so it can not (and does not) officially make such a claim.
Where can I buy PhoneSoap online?
Be aware that all PhoneSoap models are proving very difficult to find anywhere during the present pandemic.
Though we have included links below to stores where we feel you have the best chance of buying them, we can not of course guarantee availability at any given moment.
We can say though that of the three PhoneSoap models listed, the PhoneSoap 3 is the most readily available (see link below to buy it).
We will do our best to monitor the situation and if we find any of the products we recommend available elsewhere we will update the links as soon as we can.
So, as mentioned above, there are three main PhoneSoap phone sanitizers on the market today. The chart below (click for a closer look) offers a quick comparison.
PhoneSoap 3:
The PhoneSoap 3 is their original, classic phone sanitizer and one that can cater for all current smartphone models and sizes.
It is simple, relatively affordable box like device that disinfects every nook and crevice of your phone with, as mentioned previously, that cutting edge design that allows full 360 degree coverage.
It also doubles as a charger and comes with both a USB & a USB-C port for later edition iphone charging.
An acoustic audio amplifier means you can hear notifications and calls from inside, and after zap time is up (at the ten minute mark) the device shuts itself off automatically.
As it has to cater for all smartphone sizes it is a fairly bulky item though one with a sleek, polished look, that could almost be described as stylish.
To add to the sleek look you are offered a choice of colors from classic white or black to gold, orchid and aqua blue for example.
Its size means that, though it could slide in and out of a medium sized handbag happily enough, it will more be likely to be something that is kept at home or in a place of work.
PhoneSoap 3 is designed with phones in mind but it can of course sanitize anything that will fit in there, keys, watches, jewelery, eye glasses, credit cards etc. etc., and you can leave your phone in its case while disinfecting.
Though bear in mind that UV light is, in general, far less effective at sanitizing non-linear, uneven or porous surfaces such as, at the extreme end of the scale, fabrics than flat, non-porous surfaces such as metals or plastics.
Back at the start of 2020 they were retailing for less than $100 but you’ll be hard pressed to find any for that price right now. Expect to pay at least $200 while the Covid-19 pandemic is still underway.
THE LOW DOWN:
- Kills 99.99% of microbes in 10 minutes.
- Can be used on all brands and sizes of current smartphones.
- Doubles as a universal phone charger.
- Comes in a wide choice of colors.
PhoneSoap Go:
Very similar in size and design to the PhoneSoap 3 is the PhoneSoap Go but with one important difference; not only does it charge your phone but it can charge it on the move.
Though, as I said, very similar in size and design the PhoneSoap Go is noticeably lighter and it also comes with a pretty stylish case, which is protective but also makes the whole package slightly larger.
It’s reasonably efficient as a power pack; one charge for it allows four full charges for your phone or roughly 45 ten minute sanitizing cycles.
Calls and notifications can be heard from inside and the device shuts itself off when the ten minute cycle is done.
Again to make the point that this like all the PhoneSoap models can sanitize pretty much anything that will fit, but as with all UV light sanitizers it won’t work well with uneven, porous materials, for example fabrics.
Phone covers are fine though and can be left on the phone while disinfecting.
For now you haven’t got the same color options for the PhoneSoap Go as for the PhoneSoap 3, it is currently only available in white and in indigo.
It was originally priced around the $100 dollar mark, though of course expect to pay much more during the current pandemic.
THE LOW DOWN:
- Kills 99.99% of microbes in 10 minutes.
- Can be used on all brands and sizes of current smartphones.
- Doubles as a universal phone charger and power pack.
- Rechargeable battery can power 4 full phone charges or 45 sanitizing cycles.
- Includes a protective carry case.
PhoneSoap Wireless:
A step up again from PhoneSoaps 3 and Go is the PhoneSoap Wireless.
It can do all that the previous two can do but, as you probably guessed it charges your phone wirelessly.
If your phone doesn’t support wireless charging it can also still be charged in the old fashioned way via its USB port.
It doesn’t have a USB-C port, something deemed unnecessary as all phone models (iPhone 8 onwards) which use USB-C can also be charged wirelessly.
Like with the PhoneSoap Go your color choices are limited to two, in this case to gunmetal gray or white, and online prices should be broadly similar too.
THE RUNDOWN:
- Kills 99.99% of microbes in 10 minutes.
- Can be used on all brands and sizes of current smartphones.
- Charges phone wirelessly or via USB.