Once considered as a mini luxury appliance, UV sterilizers have become a household essential. Especially now that disinfecting is part of our everyday activities, a multipurpose and user-friendly sterilizer makes our daily routine more efficient. From sanitizing grocery items, utensils, toys, mobile phones, and doorknobs – UV sterilizers help in ensuring our safety and good health.
UV sterilizers eliminate harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses by using ultraviolet light. This method damages the DNA structure of these microbes, thus destroying their ability to multiply and cause disease. In this article, we prepared a buying guide, and our top 10 recommended UV sterilizers that are available online.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Table of Contents
Compared to steam sterilization and other manual cleaning methods such as using soap and water and rubbing alcohol, UV sterilization effectively sanitizes different surfaces with less hand contact and without leaving any residue. Also, there is no risk of burns caused by hot water or steam and you can avoid any water mess or spills on your countertop too.
Moreover, UV sterilization is more comprehensive because it can cover all the angles of your items. Some UV sterilizers have filtration systems that eliminate dust and other hazardous substance as well. In general, UV sterilizers promote consistency in disinfecting by reducing some elements of human error and incorporating useful advances in technology.
Now that disinfecting is one of the top priorities in a household, pick a UV sterilizer that suits your lifestyle and routine. Let us guide you on what to consider before buying a UV sterilizer.
In general, there are 2 kinds of UV sterilizers – the portable type, which is operated by batteries, and the electric sterilizer box that is stationed at home.
Sterilizer bags, meanwhile, offer an enclosed space for sterilizing while you’re on-the-go. For example, you can place your wallet, mobile phone, keys, and other important IDs or passes inside the bag.
You can sterilize your personal items before stepping outside and once more after your errand, while inside the vehicle on the way home. Most sterilizer bags are also rechargeable and are waterproof for an extra layer of protection.
Sterilizer boxes are just as effective as portable sterilizers. These are bigger and entail a more permanent place in your home. They need an electric power source to operate. A sterilizer box is ideal for creating a “disinfecting station” in your home for your grocery purchases and commonly used items such as remote controls and kitchen utensils.
A popular variation of a sterilizer box is a sterilizer cabinet. Most moms use this for sanitizing baby bottles, toys and kids’ accessories. Sterilizer cabinets offer large compartments and racks so you can sanitize several items at once.
UV-C light has the shortest wavelength among the types of ultraviolet light. It is commonly found in man-made sources but only in small doses. It is referred to as the germicidal UV light because it can disintegrate the DNA of microorganisms, thus preventing it to multiply and cause disease. That is why UV sterilization is usually done through UV-C lamps.
UV-C disinfection is most effective within a wavelength range of 200-280nm, so take note whether the sterilizer bulbs work within these values or not. However, UV-C light is also the most harmful to humans. Make sure to avoid direct exposure to UV-C, specifically the eyes and your skin.
It will be handy to prepare a checklist of specifications so you can compare and contrast the performance of each sterilizer brand. Check the models' pros and cons, then choose a UV sterilizer according to your prioritized specs. Aside from using UV-C light, here are some basic features of a UV sterilizer.
Some UV sterilizers perform quicker, and others are more effective when the items are exposed to the UV-C light for a longer period. Take note of how many minutes a sterilizer takes to complete a cycle.
A sterilizer that automatically switches off is a big check on the “pros list” - it serves as a safety feature to avoid direct exposure to UV-C light. Meanwhile, having a timer and a sound alarm when the sterilization is done are also helpful features that make sterilizing more hassle-free.
The range of disinfection will give you an idea of how many items can be sanitized all at once. If you’re planning to sterilize a few articles or products at a time – sterilizer wands are a good way to go. These are perfect for sanitizing on-the-spot, for example, your phone, wallet, or a package that has been delivered to your doorstep.
Sterilizer boxes offer more capacity and provide an organized way of sanitizing. However, UV is only effective when its light path is not blocked, so make sure that your items are directly in line with the UV light. Remember to check if the sterilizer box has multiple light bulbs that will generate UV light from different angles.
Room sterilizers offer a wider range of disinfection. These are simply placed at the center of a room and can sterilize an open surface area up to 20 square meters. These sterilizers are most effective when the lights are off, and the windows curtains or blinds are drawn.
It will sanitize all your furniture and personal items at once between 15 minutes to one hour depending on your chosen mode. However, remember that no person, pet, and plant is allowed inside the room during the sterilization.
From ₱1,800
This lightweight UV sterilizer comes in the best portable size, it can fit inside any bag, even in your jeans. It combines easy handling and reliability in one effective sterilizer. It can eliminate up to 99.9% of harmful germs, bacteria, viruses, allergens, and molds using UV-C light technology.
It is most recommended for on-the-spot sterilizing for example, during grocery shopping where you need to sanitize doors, pushcarts, your wallet, and mobile phone. To operate, just open the unit and press the ON button for five seconds. Move the light slowly to illuminate and disinfect the items. Keep the wand within ¼ inch of the surface you are sanitizing for a minimum of 15 seconds.
This pocket sterilizer is available in 4 fun colors – White, Mint Sorbet, Crimson Red, and Seascape. As a safety feature, the UV-C light switches off when the wand is turned upward to avoid eye and skin contact.
From ₱3,999
This 2-in-1 UV sterilizer box can safely dry and sterilize your items using 7-sided refraction. This way, it covers all the angles for sanitizing delicate items especially baby accessories and toys. It features a light indicator on top, which switches ON when the machine is in use as well as a buzzer sound that alarms when its sterilization cycle is done.
This sterilizer is equipped with Philips UV light and can accommodate electronic gadgets such as phones and remote controls. It has a HEPA filtration system for an effective 99.7% screening of dust, hair, and odor. Its lid opens from the top, providing comfortable access to the sterilized items, no need to bend over or squat to reach for smaller accessories inside the sterilizer.
It also has a Storage Mode to keep your items sanitized for as long as 72 hours. Under this function, it will automatically sterilize the contents for 2 minutes every 2 hours. This Babybee sterilizer is available in 2 colors – white and teal.
From ₱5,691
This sterilizer bag can fit your necessities when running some errands. It has a spacious compartment for your phone, wallet, masks, gloves, and alcohol or hand sanitizer. You can easily disinfect your personal items on your way back home with just a press of a button.
It has UV-C light to eliminate 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and molds and it can disinfect your items in just 59 seconds. Its built-in 2000 mAh powerbank allows you to recharge anytime and anywhere. It is waterproof and dust-proof. More importantly, it offers five-side sterilization to fully sanitize your belongings.
It has a magnet sensor switch that will automatically pause the sterilizing cycle when the top cover is lifted open. This mommy bag is available in gray with a bottom layer that comes in Pink and Blue.
From ₱15,000
This UV sterilizer can sanitize up to 15 square meters of open area. You can sterilize a living space in your home such as the sala, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
This sterilizer kills 99.9% of germs, viruses, molds, and harmful bacteria through UV-C light technology. To operate, simply place the Portable Germ Zapper at the center of the room, switch off any light and draw the curtains and blinds, turn the sterilizer ON using its soft-touch power button, or its remote control, and leave the space.
It also has a 10-second timer delay, so you’ll have enough time to walk out of the room before the unit starts emitting UV-C light to sterilize. However, always remember to remove pets and plants during disinfection.
From ₱4,000
This UV sterilizer is built with 13 UV LED bulbs and can eliminate 99.9% of viruses and bacteria in just 10 seconds. It is also one of the smallest models – perfect for traveling and quick errands.
It is lightweight and user-friendly with its one-touch slide activation. It automatically shuts off after 3 minutes of usage, and whenever it is turned over – a security feature to prevent UV exposure. Also, it can protect your eyes with its gyro sensor.
Use this mini sterilizer for sanitizing your keyboard and office furniture, cosmetics and toiletries, mobile phones, and face masks. These are also effective in disinfecting publicly accessed areas such as toilets, elevator buttons, escalator handles, and doorknobs.
This UV sterilizer is available in White and Black, and only weighs 80 grams – lighter than an average cellphone.
From ₱6,941
This UV sterilizer wand provides security measures for safe sanitizing. These include a double-click power button serving as a child-lock safety feature and protective goggles to prevent direct contact with the eyes. It also automatically shuts down when the wand is overturned. It is foldable and has a slim, handheld design making it very portable and easy to carry.
It uses 20 UV LED beads to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria. This is suitable for sanitizing packages, car seats, cribs, and crawling mats, as well as other items that are fixed or mounted on the wall.
To operate, unlock the child safety lock and unfold the flip panel. Wear the protective goggles and double click the sterilizing button. Scan back and forth with a 1-inch distance from the surface. Just make sure to avoid direct contact with the LED beads when the unit is in use.
From ₱14,899
This UV Sterilizer cabinet can be operated from anywhere in the house. Simply connect it to your smartphone using the Haenim App. Through Bluetooth technology, you can adjust the function mode, select the duration of sterilization, and monitor its progress, while attending to other house chores or activities.
Its 4 function modes include – Auto, which dries and sterilizes your items; UV to solely sterilize items that are already dry; Dry for items that you have recently washed with water; and Storage to keep your items sanitized every 2 hours for 8 hours.
This sterilizer has the widest door opening and removable racks for easier access. It can accommodate several items such as your baby’s toys in one cycle. Sterilized items are warm, and not very hot to touch, so you won’t need tongs to unload them.
From ₱4,178
Since mobile phones are used all day, every day – it is best to invest in a UV sterilizer that will thoroughly sanitize it as well as other gadgets and commonly used personal items. Especially when these are brought outside during errands, an effective way to prevent the risk of UV exposure is to use an enclosed sterilizer box.
This sterilizer box eliminates 99.9% of germs and harmful bacteria in 3 minutes. Just avoid overlapping of items so the UV-C light can directly illuminate the contents. A light indicator will turn ON when the sterilization is complete.
The unit also automatically shuts off when the sterilization is over and whenever the lid is opened 45 degrees to protect the eyes and skin.
You can also use this sterilizer box for sanitizing beauty tools, small baby accessories, and reusable face masks after washing them carefully.
From ₱2,200
This handheld UV sterilizer stick is recommended for sanitizing up close your furniture and other spaces in your home that are either fixed or are too heavy to carry. It is lightweight and cordless so you can get easily into hard-to-reach areas like the back of your couch or under the bed.
It can eliminate up to 99.9% of harmful germs, bacteria, viruses, and molds. To operate, simply press the power button for 3 seconds and once the light indicator turns green, you can start swiping over the items – the closer, the better while maintaining a half-inch distance from the UV stick.
The unit must be fully charged for 3 hours before you can start using it. Remember to store the UV sterilizer stick in a cool, dry place and away from children.
From ₱1,148
This disinfection lamp utilizes both UV and Ozone sterilization, which means sanitation is done thru UVC light technology and air purification – ideal for areas with limited air circulation and sunlight exposure.
It also covers all angles and is perfect for disinfecting a small-scale space such as the closet, cupboards, car, and bathrooms. It is also portable and can be recharged using a USB cable. Like all UV lamps, do not directly irradiate around people, pets, and plants.
Create a sanitation routine in your household to ensure your family’s health. From disinfecting mats for the front door, soap dispensers for washing your hands, and quick-remedy wipes for personal items, we found the best disinfecting products that will complement your UV sterilizer. Click the article links below to see the detailed list.
Maintain a clean and safe environment inside your household by using UV sterilizers. Especially if you have seniors and little ones at home, sanitize commonly used items such as gate handles, doorknobs, appliances, and utensils, as well as newly purchased items before arranging them in your pantry and other storage areas.
UV sterilizers have become an everyday necessity these days and investing in a reliable model is very much recommended. To get your money's worth, choose a UV sterilizer that suits your lifestyle and your needs. Whether you’re going for a portable sterilizer or a sterilizer box, add an extra layer of protection by always washing your hands after a sterilizing routine.
Author: Ayeza E. Mangulabnan
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