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- I'm a germaphobe, and PhoneSoap gives me peace of mind by cleaning my device with minimal effort.
- PhoneSoap is a small device that uses UV-C light to sanitize your phone.
- Keeping your phone clean is a good way to reduce exposure to bacteria.
- The company claims that our cell phones hold 18 times more bacteria than a public restroom.
PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger Check price at Amazon Check price at PhoneSoap 
HoMedics UV-Clean Phone Sanitizer Check price at Amazon Check price at Walmart Check price at HoMedics How often do you wash your hands? What about your face? Or your clothes?
The answer probably is — or should be (though I'm not here to tell you how to live your life): a lot.
Now how often do you wash your phone?
The answer is probably close to never, but it shouldn't be. For most of us, our phones are like appendages, traveling with us everywhere we go, accompanying us through all of our daily activities. Maybe you take a cloth to your phone now and then to wipe away the smudges and call it a day, but if you think that actually cleans it, you're in for a rude awakening.
A cell phone reportedly has 18 times more bacteria than a public restroom. That might sound crazy, but think about it — everything your hands touch touches your phone too. So, that bacteria lurking on the grocery cart you pushed, the doorknob you opened, the subway pole you held — well, you know where it ends up.
If these cringe-worthy facts just made you never want to touch your phone again, I get it. Luckily, there's a solution — and no, it doesn't involve dousing your phone in hand sanitizer.
Meet PhoneSoap, the little gadget that safely sanitizes your phone, leaving your device free of bacteria and you with some peace of mind.
Updated on 4/12/21 by Lisa Eadicicco: This story was originally published on 3/12/20 and has been updated to include more details on the differences between PhoneSoap models.
How it works
PhoneSoap has a simple but effective design. It looks like a small, rectangular box — making it the perfect size to keep on your bedside table, at your office desk, or even your kitchen counter. On the outside of the box, you'll find space for three cables — the power cord, a USB, and a USB-C. To get the PhoneSoap set up, plug the included power cord into the wall, then into the PhoneSoap, and you're all set to get sanitizing. Place your phone inside the gadget and close it. Once closed, you'll see the lightning bolt power signal turn blue — this means it's charging. After ten minutes, the light will turn off, and your phone is ready to go. If you'd like to charge your phone simultaneously, you have the option to plug in your USB or USB-C cord.
PhoneSoap comes in four different models: the standard PhoneSoap 3, the PhoneSoap Pro, which sanitizes your phone twice as fast, a battery-powered model for mobile use called the PhoneSoap Go, and a version that supports wireless charging so that you don't have to use a cable to power up your device.
Here's a snapshot of how the different models compare:
| PhoneSoap 3 | PhoneSoap Pro | PhoneSoap Go | PhoneSoap Wireless | |
| Price | $79.95 | $119.95 | $99.95 | $99.95 |
| Sanitizing time | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Charging methods | USB, USB-C | USB, USB-C | USB, USB-C | Wireless charging, USB |
| Number of UV-C lamps | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
So, you put your phone in a box and it cleans it, but how does it actually get the cleaning done? The power of PhoneSoap comes in the form of UV-C light. Inside the little box are two powerful UV-C lightbulbs. UV-C light is germicidal, meaning it breaks down the DNA of nasty bacteria so it can no longer function or reproduce. The bulbs on the top and bottom of the device, paired with the reflective interior inside the entire gadget, help achieve 360-degree disinfection — so even the tiny, hard-to-reach crevices of your phone are clean. The UV-C light is so powerful that it only needs ten minutes to get your phone clean — after that time, PhoneSoap automatically turns off, so don't worry about your phone getting overheated.
Does it really work?
You've probably heard that bacteria is good for you. It boosts our immunity, right? Well, the answer is not that simple. Our bodies do count on some strains of bacteria to function correctly, but many forms of bacteria are harmful and can cause illness and infections. Laboratory tests have shown that PhoneSoap kills 99.9% of common household germs, including bacteria that leads to E.Coli, Salmonella, Staph, Flu, and the common cold.
To some, this product might seem more placebo effect than practical, but the numbers tell a different story — 99.9% is almost all of the germy grime on your phone. Plus, sanitizing with UV-C light isn't new — hospitals and laboratories have been using UV light to keep facilities sterile since the mid-20th century.
As for us, the consumers, I guess there's no way we can really tell that our phone is cleaner. What we can rely on, though, is the data from all of the testing PhoneSoap has done to gauge the effectiveness of the product, and the lab pictures they've got to accompany it (see above).
It's worth noting that PhoneSoap has not been tested against COVID-19 yet, so there's no evidence to show that it kills the virus itself. However, keeping your phone clean is still a good way to reduce exposure to bacterias that could impact your health and potentially weaken your immune system.
My experience
My family has had a communal PhoneSoap for a few years now, and it has been a great investment in our health. At $80, it seems like a lot upfront for something you don't necessarily need, but, you may need it more than you think.
My parents are the kind who always, without fail, have a bottle of hand sanitizer on them. In my house, we take a lot of other precautions to keep clean, so why should we just throw our phones (which touch all sorts of germs) on the kitchen counter, on our beds, or on the couch like it's no big deal?
It's easy to ignore the fact that our phones hold so much bacteria, but once you know the nasty facts, you may find it harder to do so. PhoneSoap gives me peace of mind that I can still keep my phone in my back pocket and use it as much as I want without having to worry that I'm transferring a host of bacteria from my screen to my face.
The process couldn't be easier. 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. When you take it out, there will be no noticeable difference, but your phone will be cleaner than before. I also use the PhoneSoap to sanitize my wallet, keys, AirPods, and any other small items I touch multiple times in a day. If you live with roommates or family members, this product is easy and safe to share with others.
The bottom line
For better or for worse, our phones are sticking with us. 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. PhoneSoap is a simple solution to keep harmful bacteria from spreading — not only from your phone to you but from you to others as well. If you live with anyone who may have a compromised immune system — young children, elderly or ill individuals — PhoneSoap could be a particularly valuable investment.
At $80, it's generally just an excellent investment for anyone. PhoneSoap is large enough to fit all phones on the market, even with a case. Additionally, you can throw in anything else that will fit — earphones, watches, even wallets.
And it's more than just peace of mind. PhoneSoap gives real results that'll help keep you and the people around you healthier. Germaphobe or not, if you're going to treat your phone like your third hand, you should clean it like one, too.
Check price at Amazon Check price at PhoneSoap
Remi Rosmarin Commerce Reporter Remi is a former reporter for Business Insider's affiliate commerce team, Insider Reviews. After graduating from Colgate University with a degree in Creative Writing and Political Science, Remi joined Business Insider to help readers find the best products worth buying. Since joining the team in 2018, Remi has reviewed hundreds of products and interviewed founders of industry disruptors, such as direct-to-consumer startups Koio and Absolut Art. She specializes in women's lifestyle, but loves to learn about any and all products that add value and excitement to our everyday lives. Say hello at rrosmarin@businessinsider.com. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
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