The best ultrasonic cleaners, plus tips on how and when to use them

When you look after something, it lasts. Words to live by, right? Looking after your belongings isn't only cost-effective, it's a great way to live more sustainably while lengthening the life cycle of items, whether it's sentimental jewellery or your reading glasses - it's a real win-win.

Investing in an ultrasonic cleaner is a great way to take better care of your belongings. Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency, high-intensity sound waves in a fluid to remove foreign contaminants from your products and leave them squeaky clean.

So, which is the best ultrasonic cleaner for your household? We thought you’d never ask. The Recommended team have scoured the web and pulled together our top picks of the best ultrasonic cleaners to suit every need. We’ve also included a handy buyer’s guide to answer your burning ultrasonic questions at the bottom of this page.

The best ultrasonic cleaners at a glance:

• Best all-rounder: LifeBasis CDS-100 Ultrasonic Cleaner
• Best for cleaning jewellery: LifeBasis Ultrasonic Cleaner
• Best for dentures: Uten Ultrasonic Cleaner
• Best glasses cleaner: NAVOROGE Ultrasonic Cleaner
• Best large capacity cleaner: Lifebasis 1.4L Ultrasonic Cleaner

The best ultrasonic cleaners

Best all-rounder: LifeBasis CDS-100 Ultrasonic Cleaner

Quality results

Sound wave frequency: 42000 Hz

Designed with a built-in cooling fan that works to increase longevity, this ultrasonic cleaner delivers a thorough clean to the hardest-to-reach places of your favourite items - it’s a super durable option for 360° all-around cleaning. It features five cleaning settings for use on all manner of household items, and it has a transparent lid so you can watch it work its magic.

Best for cleaning jewellery: LifeBasis Ultrasonic Cleaner

For added sparkle

Sound wave frequency: 42000 Hz

This ultrasonic cleaner works quickly and efficiently with a heightened, powerful frequency of up to 45000 Hz. The design is elegant and compact and features a 420ml tank capacity for a thorough cleaning. Its three-minute default setting is perfect for cleaning up your favourite necklaces, rings, watches and earrings.

Best for dentures: Uten Ultrasonic Cleaner

Optimal hygiene

Sound wave frequency: 40000 Hz

This ultrasonic cleaner is made from strong and durable stainless steel and delivers a 40000 Hz ultrasonic frequency for top-quality results. This cleaner also features a removable cleaning basket for ease of use and simple maintenance, making it ideal for cleaning even the messiest of items, like dentures.

Best glasses cleaner: NAVOROGE Ultrasonic Cleaner

360° deep cleaning

Sound wave frequency: 47000Hz

This ultrasonic cleaner is the perfect size to deep clean glasses and sunglasses, attacking and removing stubborn stains and grease for a powerful 360° clean. It is super versatile and operates at a low-level noise for minimal disturbance.

Best large capacity cleaner: Lifebasis 1.4L Ultrasonic Cleaner

Room for everything

Sound wave frequency: 42000 Hz

This ultrasonic cleaner has a larger capacity, making it perfect for cleaning silverware sets and cutlery. It also features an intuitive control panel and digital timer, as well as an in-built cooling fan to prevent overheating.

Ultrasonic cleaners buyer’s guide

What is an ultrasonic cleaner, and how does it work?

An ultrasonic cleaner is a super smart device that uses high-frequency sound waves to clean items inside. Once items are immersed into the tank of water or cleaning solution, whether jewellery or dentures, ultrasonic waves will create small bubbles to generate a very powerful clean. This is known as cavitation - removing dirt and grime from the surfaces of the items being cleaned.

What are the benefits of using an ultrasonic cleaner?

There are several benefits to using an ultrasonic cleaner, including the following:

• Efficient cleaning: Ultrasonic cleaners can clean items much more thoroughly and efficiently than other cleaning methods. This also means less manual cleaning is required.
• Time-saving: Ultrasonic cleaners are fast and can clean more than one item at once, saving time and increasing productivity.
• Gentle cleaning: Ultrasonic cleaning devices can provide a gentle, less abrasive clean for delicate items, for example, jewellery, as it does not involve harsh scrubbing or chemicals.
• Environmentally friendly: Ultrasonic cleaning does not require harsh chemicals, making it an eco-friendly option.

What items can be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner?

An ultrasonic cleaner is a handy, versatile tool for cleaning a large range of household items. Here are some of the most common items that benefit most from ultrasonic cleaning:

• Jewellery and watches: From earrings and necklaces to bracelets and rings, ultrasonic cleaners are great for cleaning all types of jewellery, removing the hardest-to-get-to bits of dirt and leaving them sparkling clean. They are also ideal for cleaning watches, reaching links and clasps for a much more thorough clean.
• Dentures: Ultrasonic cleaners are useful for cleaning and sanitising dentures, removing any debris or bacteria from the surface effectively.
• Glasses and sunglasses: Ultrasonic cleaners can easily remove any smudges or bits of dirt from glasses and sunglasses, ensuring they stay clean for optimum clear vision.
• Silverware: Silverware can easily tarnish - an ultrasonic cleaner can help restore its shine by removing any debris buildup.
• Cutlery: Ultrasonic cleaners can help keep your cutlery shining by removing dirt and grime from between the prongs of forks and the serrated edges of knives.
• Razors: An ultrasonic cleaner can effectively remove hair, debris and bacteria from razor blades, keeping them clean, hygienic, and sharp.

What size ultrasonic cleaner do I need?

Ultrasonic cleaners come in various sizes - the size you need will depend on the type and number of items you plan to clean.

• Small cleaners: Best for cleaning small items, e.g. jewellery.
• Medium cleaners: Best for cleaning larger items, e.g. silverware and musical instruments.
• Large cleaners: Best for cleaning big items or even for industrial use, e.g. cleaning large batches of medical instruments.

What features should I look for in an ultrasonic cleaner?

When choosing an ultrasonic cleaner, it is important to look for the following features:

• Frequency range: The frequency range of the ultrasonic cleaner should be suitable for the different items you will be cleaning.
• Tank size: The size of the cleaner’s tank should align with the size of the items you plan to clean.
• Power output: The power output of the ultrasonic cleaner should be strong enough for the items you plan to clean.
• Timer and temperature controls: Having time and temperature controls will allow you to tailor the cleaning process to suit your needs.
• Drainage and filtration system: Ultrasonic cleaners with efficient drainage and filtration systems will make cleaning and maintenance easy.

Are ultrasonic cleaners safe to use on all materials?

Ultrasonic cleaners are safe to use on most materials, but there can be some exceptions. You should always check the manufacturer's instructions before using an ultrasonic cleaner on any item, and it’s best to avoid the following:

• Some plastics and rubber materials - these may break down or become discoloured.
• Delicate items that are not waterproof - e.g. some watches and electronics, as the cleaning process may cause damage to them.
• Soft gems and stones - e.g. pearls, as the cleaning process can damage them.

How do I properly maintain and clean my ultrasonic cleaner?

It’s important to regularly clean and maintain your ultrasonic cleaner to keep it in its best condition and produce sparkling results. Here are some top tips:

1. Drain and clean the tank after every use to remove any residue or debris.
2. Use a mild cleaning solution to clean the tank, making sure to rinse it thoroughly. Make sure to replace the cleaning solution regularly to maximise cleaning power.
3. Clean the transducers regularly to avoid any buildup of debris that could impact the overall cleaning process.
4. Store the ultrasonic cleaner in a dry, clean place to prevent any damage or corrosion.

If you want to read more expert-recommended round-ups and product guides, check out our Household page, where you’ll find more home recommendations, including the best mini dishwashers, the best handheld vacuums, and the best water flossers.