We all know there are germs all around us, and recent studies point out that our smartphones are the biggest germ collectors of all. One company has decided to tackle the issue head on, and our PhoneSoap review takes a look at a device that sanitizes your phone while you charge it. Before we get into the review, take a look at this fun gross infographic from PhoneSoap themselves (click to enlarge).
Now that you’re probably thoroughly disgusted, let’s move along!
Specifications
The PhoneSoap 2.0 UV sanitizer features the following specifications:
- 2X 254nm UV-C Lamps
- 5V USB port
- Inner dimensions:
- Millimeters: 173 L X 95 W X 20 H
- Inches: 6.8 L x 3.74 W x .78 H
- Outer dimensions:
- Millimeter: 216 L x 127 W X 44.8 H
- Inches: 8.5 L X 5 W X 1.76 H
What’s in the Box
When you purchase a PhoneSoap 2.0, you get:
- 1 PhoneSoap 2.0 UV Sanitizer
- power plug
- USB to micro USB cord
Design
When I first saw the PhoneSoap UV Sanitizer, I couldn’t help but think it resembled a tanning bed for my smartphone. The plastic clamshell box features the PhoneSoap logo on top, a micro USB port on the back for plugging in the device, and a USB port for charging your phone while it’s being sanitized. The bottom features four rubber feet, with vents on the bottom which act as “unique acoustic outlets” to let you hear your notifications and alarms while your phone is charging.
Open up the PhoneSoap, and you’ll see two UV-C lamps, one on the top and one on the bottom which is covered by a clear glass piece on which your phone rests. There are also four vents — two on each side of the bottom — and a cutout on the right hand side which is used to feed your micro USB cable through for charging your phone while it is being sanitized.
The PhoneSoap 2.0 fits larger phones and is available in black or white. A PhoneSoap XL for tablets and larger devices is available for pre-order.
Ease of Use
As far as using the PhoneSoap 2.0 UV Sanitizer, there’s not much to it. Plug it in, feed the USB to micro USB cable through the slot, attach it to your phone, place your phone on the bottom of the device, and close the lid. Once closed, the PhoneSoap logo will glow blue during the sanitizing process which takes about four minutes.
Performance
Here’s the tricky part… as far as performance goes, the PhoneSoap UV Sanitizer works. Close the lid, the light comes on and then after about 4 or 5 minutes shuts off. Does it actually work though? According to PhoneSoap:
The two UV-C lamps in PhoneSoap 2.0 produce a very specific wavelength of light which encompass your phone and pass through the cell walls of bacteria and virus to impair their DNA. Once the DNA is compromised, the cells die and can no longer cause infections or disease. The best part, PhoneSoap 2.0 kills “SuperBugs” that have developed resistance to the chemicals and antibiotics that used to be effective. Let there be light!
Now I’m no chemist or biologist, so I can’t really confirm or deny PhoneSoaps claims, however UV germicidal irradiation was first discovered back in 1878 by Arthur Downs and Thomas P. Blunt. The company has a video available though in which The Discovery Channel took PhoneSoap for a test run to test its effectiveness. Watch below, and I’ll let you make up your own mind.
Price/Value
The PhoneSoap 2.0 UV Sanitizer sells for $59.95 on the PhoneSoap website. As far as value goes, if you concerned about germs on your devices, you probably can’t put a price tag on that. For the price though I would have liked to see a bit more solid construction as opposed to just using plastic.
Wrap-up
If you’re worried about germs, the PhoneSoap 2.0 UV Sanitizer is one possible way to sanitize your smartphone — and other devices — on a regular basis through the use of UV-C light.
[rwp-review id=”0″]*We were sent a demo unit of the PhoneSoap 2.0 UV Sanitizer for the purposes of this review.
Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
