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8 Best Screen Cleaners for Every Device, Tested by Cleaning Experts

Make sure your laptop, phone and tablet screens are free from fingerprints.

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best screen cleaners 4 best wipes, cloths and sprays to clean electronic screens
mike garten

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Whether scrolling on your phone, reading on your tablet or working on a laptop, we are surrounded by screens. With frequent use, it doesn’t take long for these devices to become flecked, smudged and smeared. Regularly cleaning devices like your phone is the only way to hold off the grime. Perhaps more importantly, it is one among many practices that can help kill germs on these high-touch surfaces and keep them clean.

When the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab tests screen cleaners, we look for products that are safe to use on a variety of devices, meaning they shouldn't contain any potentially gadget-damaging chemicals like ammonia. Then, we test all screen cleaners to evaluate their performance. We assess how well they remove smudges, dust and stuck-on spills and we see how practical they are to use on a variety of screens, both large and small. Our top picks for screen cleaners are selected from high-performing products from our latest tests.

After our top picks, you can read more about how we evaluate screen cleaners in our Lab — plus learn all about whether or not it’s safe to use disinfecting wipes on phones. For more, check out our guides to cleaning your laptop the right way and the best way to clean a TV screen.

    1
    Best Overall Screen Cleaner

    Weiman Anti-Static Electronic Cleaning Wipes (3 pack)

    GH Seal
    Anti-Static Electronic Cleaning Wipes (3 pack)

    Pros

    • Contains no harsh ingredients
    • Helps repel dust
    • Kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria

    Cons

    • Not portable

    Weiman's wipes earned our Good Housekeeping Seal because this pre-moistened and ready-to-use product allows you to both disinfect and clean without any harsh ingredients that could damage delicate screens. Its new formula kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria after surfaces remain wet for just four minutes. In our Cleaning Lab tests, we found they were well-sized for both large and small devices, plus they worked quickly and cleaned well. They were great at removing dust, fingerprints and other greasy smudges, and screens dried quickly and without leaving any excess moisture, streaks or residue behind. As a bonus, Weiman pre-moistened wipes are great for removing grime from keyboards and for spot cleaning too, though the container is too bulky to carry on the go.

    TypeWipes
    Count30
    2
    Best Value Screen Cleaner

    E-Cloth Personal Electronics Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

    On Sale
    Personal Electronics Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
    Now 49% Off
    Credit: E-Cloth

    Pros

    • Picks up and locks in dirt
    • Can be used wet or dry

    Cons

    • Doesn't kill germs

    Cleaning your devices doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes a basic cloth is all you need to wipe away greasy smudges on your phone, laptop or television screen. E-Cloth’s Personal Electronic Cloth is made of microfiber that picks up and locks in dust and dirt particles within its microscopic structure. While wiping a surface will remove some germs, it won't kill them or disinfect surfaces on its own. Still, this useful cloth won’t scratch the surface and doesn't require liquid cleaner, so it's a safe bet for any device. For devices that can withstand moist cleaning, the E-Cloth can be dampened with water before wiping for even better results. It's under warranty for 1 year or 100 washes (whichever comes first) so you’re guaranteed to get your money’s worth.

    Thanks to its large 8-inch by 12-inch size, there are thousands of tiny crevices for trapping particles, so it can handle multiple cleanings before it needs washing — and it's great for tackling large screens like gaming monitors and TVs. We have tested many E-Cloth microfiber cleaning cloths in the GH Cleaning Lab on glass, appliances and countertops, and we are big fans.

    TypeCloth
    Count1
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    3
    Best Spray Screen Cleaning Kit

    Calyptus Screen Cleaner Spray Kit

    On Sale
    Screen Cleaner Spray Kit

    Pros

    • Cleans very quickly
    • Includes an extra cloth for wiping away streaks

    Cons

    • Smallest bottle is 4 ounces

    In our tests, this spray and cloth combo was fantastic at removing greasy fingerprints, crusted-on spills and dust. It was able to produce a shining screen in under a minute, no matter what kind of mess we threw at it. The kit includes two microfiber cloths: one for lifting dirt and another for drying and polishing the screen. Streaks are no problem with the included shining cloth. We like this cleaning kit so much, we wish we could take it everywhere. Unfortunately, the smallest available bottle is 4 ounces, which is a bit too big to be practical for travel.

    TypeLiquid and microfiber cloths
    Size4 oz.
    4
    Best Portable Screen Cleaning Cloth

    Toddy Gear On-the-Go Smart Cloth

    On-the-Go Smart Cloth

    Pros

    • Folds into a built-in pouch
    • Small and easy to carry

    Cons

    • Doesn't kill germs on its own

    These stylish cloths are a Cleaning Lab favorite not only for how hefty and durable they are but also for their dirt-trapping dual-sided cleaning and polishing fabrics. In our performance tests, they wiped away smears and dust in seconds. They’re colorful and perfectly sized for stashing in a purse, briefcase or glove box for whenever you need to spruce up electronic screens or your car's infotainment center. The 5-inch by 7-inch cloth neatly folds down into its own little pouch so it stays clean between uses, and it's machine washable and dryable if it ever gets overwhelmed with dust. Pair it with your favorite germ-killing screen cleaning spray to aid in disinfecting and removing crusted-on spills.

    TypeCloth
    Count1
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    5
    Best Screen Cleaner for Quick Jobs

    iRoller Screen Cleaner Tool

    On Sale
    Screen Cleaner Tool

    Pros

    • Washable and reusable
    • Good size for small and large screens
    • Portable

    Cons

    • Expensive

    This pocket-size tool allows you to lift smudges from your devices without any spray, cloth or even wiping — and we especially like it for touchscreens. The white, plastic sheath opens to reveal an adhesive roller that pulls up grime, leaving behind a shiny screen. It is the perfect size for swiping your smartphone clean, but it's large enough that it is still practical for tablets and monitors. In our Lab tests, we found that the roller was able to remove the majority of dust and grease with just a few quick swipes. On very dusty surfaces, the roller surface can fill up pretty quickly, and it requires a wash to refresh its grabbing power. Fortunately, washing is as simple as rinsing it under tap water and allowing it to dry.

    TypeRoller
    Count1
    6
    Best Laptop Screen and Keyboard Cleaner

    OXO Good Grips Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner

    Good Grips Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner

    Pros

    • Has a brush for keyboards and crevices
    • Compact and easy to store in a desk drawer
    • Stays clean and protected

    Cons

    • Too small for large screens and TVs

    Keep this ingenious little tool from OXO in a desk drawer to clean your laptop with little hassle. It features a microfiber pad on one end and a retractable brush on the other, and it’s exceptionally easy to use. Just pop off the plastic cover over the microfiber pad to zap a smudge, fingerprint or speck of stuck-on dirt that's blurring your screen. Then, do a deeper clean with the soft-bristle brush that gently reaches into crevices, ports, openings and keys to whisk away crumbs and dust. When done, simply snap the cover back on and retract the brush to keep it clean. Despite the small surface of the microfiber pad, our tests revealed that it is surprisingly powerful at removing dust and lifting thick smudges. Bigger jobs (like cleaning your TV screen) might be too big to cover with this small but mighty tool.

    TypeBrush and microfiber pad
    Count1
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    7
    Best Spray Screen Cleaning Kit for Travel

    WHOOSH Screen Cleaner Kit

    On Sale
    Screen Cleaner Kit

    Pros

    • Kit includes sprays and microfiber cloths
    • Available in larger sizes and wipes

    Cons

    • Small size spray may not last long, but it's refillable

    Whoosh claims to be the screen cleaner of choice at Apple stores, and we understand why. It’s a consumer favorite with over 15,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Our testers noted that it only takes seconds to make screens squeaky clean and shiny. We love that it comes in a two-pack as well, and both bottles are refillable. The small spray is great to tuck into your bag while the larger one stays in a desk drawer or TV stand. The included microfiber cloths are 6 inches square, washable and perfect for phone, tablet, laptop and desktop screens. After cleaning, there is plenty of dry cloth left over to buff out any streaks with a few quick swipes. As with all liquids, we recommend spraying the cloth before wiping. Never spray a screen directly.

    TypeLiquid and microfiber cloths
    Size3.4 oz. + 0.3 oz.
    8
    Best Portable Screen Cleaning Wipes

    Zeiss Mobile Screen Wipes

    On Sale
    Mobile Screen Wipes

    Pros

    • Individually-wrapped
    • Can be used on a variety of surfaces

    Cons

    • Too small for large screens

    Zeiss is likely a familiar brand for anyone who uses high-end cameras, binoculars or microscopes. With a long history in high-quality lenses, Zeiss knows how to clean delicate surfaces without damaging them. These pre-moistened, disposable wipes are individually wrapped so they stay clean, fresh and moist until you open the package. They’re great for on the go since you can easily stash a couple in a pocket, car console, desk or drawer. The wipes remove fingerprints and greasy smears without leaving behind any filmy residue. Keep in mind that you’ll likely only be able to clean one small screen before the wipe is completely dry. They can be used to clean eyeglasses too.

    TypeWipes
    Count120
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    How we test screen cleaners

    a computer monitor with a reflection of somebody spraying a screen cleaner on a cloth
    Philip Friedman

    When we test screen cleaners in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we are first and foremost concerned with how safe they are to use on delicate devices and whether they may cause any possible harm to screens and coatings. For pre-moistened wipes and liquid sprays, we check the ingredients for potentially damaging culprits, like ammonia, and steer clear of recommending products that contain them. For other cleaner types, we look for a convenient and usable size and assess how easy they are to clean and maintain.

    We test all screen cleaners on a variety of devices — large and small and from different manufacturers — for how well they can remove dust, greasy fingerprints and crusted-on spills. We also consider how easy they are to use and store, how quickly they work and whether they leave any residue behind.

    What to look for when shopping for the best screen cleaner

    a hand wiping a black smart phone with an orange cloth
    Philip Friedman

    There are so many ways to clean your screens, but always check your device’s recommended cleaning instructions before deciding on a screen cleaner. Here are some things to consider when shopping for screen cleaners:

    ✔️ Size: It's important to consider 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.

    ✔️ Cloth: Not all cloths can effectively remove fingerprints and dust. Some can actually make your dirty screen look even worse. Stick to microfiber cloths that are delicate enough to leave your screen scratch-free but still collect dirt, dust and grease.

    ✔️ Formula: Always look at the indigents listed for your cleaner — screens are sensitive, and harsh chemicals can cause damage to the surface. For regular use, it's important to use products specially made for screens. Disinfectant wipes containing alcohol can be used occasionally to remove germs but try to avoid bleach- and ammonia-based products.

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    Are disinfecting wipes safe for cleaning screens?

    double line break

    While it is always a good practice to follow your device manufacturer’s recommendations for safety, many of those recommendations are extra gentle to keep from damaging the anti-glare, fingerprint-resistant and other protective coatings on a device's surface.

    Simply wiping with a cloth will remove grime — but if you want to actually kill germs, you need stronger measures. As a result, companies like Apple have recently acknowledged that disinfecting wipes, like those from Clorox and Lysol, and 70% alcohol wipes can safely be used on their devices.

    If you have them at home and want to use them, make sure they are not too wet. Gently wring them out to keep liquid from seeping into any openings or ports. After cleaning and air drying, wipe your device with a clean cloth to buff away any residue.

    Is it ok to use Windex on an electronic screen?

    double line break

    You should never use a conventional glass cleaner like Windex on your electronics. Windows and electronic screens — phones, laptops and TVs — have different cleaning needs. Conventional glass cleaners often contain screen-damaging ingredients like ammonia, and while some electronic screens may have a glass layer over the display, not all do. Plus, the spray can get into ports that need to stay dry to function properly. Use a product specifically made for cleaning electronic screens, like the ones listed above. Alternatively, a dry microfiber cloth is also a safe choice for removing streaks and smudges.

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    Why trust Good Housekeeping?

    double line break

    Carolyn Forte brings over 40 years of experience a as consumer products expert to her role as Executive Director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab. She has deep analytical testing and editorial writing expertise in categories like washers, dryers and vacuum cleaners, cleaning products and all things and tips needed to keep a home clean and organized.

    Noah Pinsonnault works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. In preparing this article, he tested numerous screen cleaners to evaluate their performance and user-friendliness.

    Headshot of Carolyn Forté
    Carolyn Forté
    Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director

    Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

    Headshot of Noah Pinsonnault
    Noah Pinsonnault
    Home Care & Cleaning Reviews Analyst

    Noah works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He draws on scientific expertise garnered during his time as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab and developed protocols for restoration projects. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. 

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