The best TV screen cleaners of 2024 | ZDNET

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Screen size

A general rule for choosing your TV size is to divide your viewing distance (in inches) by 1.4 to get the recommended screen size (in inches). For example, viewing at 7 feet (84 inches) divided by 1.4 suggests a 60-inch (or 65-inch) screen is best for you.

Resolution

When buying a new TV, opt for at least Full HD (1080p). For higher resolution, 4K (2160p) is now standard for most TVs, delivering crisp detail. The current ultimate resolution is 8K (4320p), which is best for very large screens and ideal for viewing new content.

Display technology

LED, OLED, and QLED are common display technologies, each with its benefits. LED is affordable with good brightness, OLED offers exceptional contrast and wide viewing angles, while QLED provides vibrant colors and high brightness suitable for well-lit rooms.

Smart capabilities

Look for TVs with smart platforms like Roku, Fire TV, Google, or Android TV, which provide access to streaming apps and services. Ensure it has the connectivity options you need, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI ports, as well as audio ports to connect your devices and external speakers or soundbars.

Refresh rate and gaming features

For smooth motion in sports and gaming, look for a TV with higher refresh rates (120Hz). If you're a gamer, consider TVs with low input lag, VRR (variable refresh rate), and HDMI 2.1 for next-gen console support, which allows for higher resolutions like 8K.

HDR compatibility

Look for TVs supporting HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HDR10+ for enhanced contrast and color range. This feature significantly improves picture quality, especially for movies and games.

Even though my main living room television is mounted on the wall above where my kids can reach, I somehow end up with handprints and smudges on the screen on a somewhat regular basis. The same goes for my laptop. Of course, my cell phone screen tends to get dirty quickly since I use it often, and my kids' tablets are even worse. In short, I go through a lot of screen cleaner.

Also: The best TVs: Expert tested

Note that most screen cleaners these days are designed to clean all screens -- TVs, phones, laptops, desktop monitors, and tablets. But it's still a good idea to make sure the cleaner you're purchasing is intended for the device you're using it for. My pick for the best TV screen cleaner overall is the WHOOSH! 2.0 Cleaner, which is alcohol and ammonia-free, and comes in a large bottle that will last you a long time. Read on for the rest of our picks for the best screen cleaners you can buy right now.

WHOOSH! takes the top spot on the list of best cleaners for several reasons. It's fantastic for phones (the company claims Apple uses this cleaner in its stores), it's alcohol- and ammonia-free (meaning it's great for those sensitive to strong smells), and it's extremely effective in small amounts, so your purchase should last a while.

It comes in a 16.9-ounce bottle and includes two cleaning cloths.

If you're eco-conscious, the newest version of WHOOSH! uses refillable cartridges, saving up to 75% plastic waste, the company says. There's also a travel sized bottle available if you need on-the-go cleaning, plus wipes if you'd rather not use spray.

With two kids in my house, I'm forever finding handprints and other smudges and smears on my electronics. WHOOSH! is the most effective screen cleaner I've used, and I've been on the same bottle for over a year.

If you're looking for a natural screen cleaner, Calyptus is your answer. It's an American-made, plant-based spray with no ammonia, alcohol, toxic chemicals or fragrances. There's almost no odor at all, in fact. Reviews do mention that since it's natural, it does take a little more muscle at times to wipe away a stubborn streak, but it still cleans very well.

It comes with two 4-ounce spray bottles and four cleaning cloths.

Click Clean is actually a cloth and spray bottle in one, with one side of the spray bottle covered in a microfiber material. It's very compact, easily fitting in a pocket or purse, and even doubles as a phone stand for on-the-go use. The cleaning spray works on any screen -- laptop, phone, or tablet. It could work on a television too, but the smaller size would make that a little cumbersome if you have a larger screen. And while other sprays leave a coating to keep away fingerprints, this one doesn't, according to reviews.

While technically the OXO Good Grips Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner doesn't contain cleaning liquid, it makes the list of best screen cleaners. In addition to the microfiber pad that cleans smudges and fingerprints, it also has a brush that wipes away dust and dirt from crevices. This makes it more ideal for laptop or phone cleaning than other electronics, but it still holds its own in those categories perfectly fine (it may just take a while longer because of the small size). You'll need an additional cleaning spray for deeper dirt, but for light cleaning, this is an excellent option.

Looking for a non-spray electronics screen cleaner? MIracleWipes are among the top-rated gadget wipes. They're able to clean most any device screen, from a television to a laptop to a tablet or phone. A microfiber cloth is included for best results. MiracleWipes work well, but the container only comes with 30 wipes, which can be used up quickly.

Eveo bills itself as a premium screen cleaner, and while that's tough to quantify, this is a top option for electronics cleaning sprays. It works with almost any screen, including LCD, LED, CRT, and OLED. It does include a microfiber cloth and comes in a large 16-ounce spray bottle. If you're looking for a versatile cleaner that can handle any electronic screen, put this on your list.

My pick for the best TV screen cleaner overall is the WHOOSH! 2.0 Cleaner, since it is alcohol- and ammonia-free, and comes in a large bottle that will last you a long time. But there are many others that will do a good job, too.

Picking a screen cleaner might sound like a very simple choice, but when you're dealing with expensive electronics that you use every single day, it's actually a decision to make sure you get right.

When possible, we used our own experience to build this list. Several of these products are ones we really use, so we were familiar with what worked. For ones we haven't personally tried, we chose reliable brands that had a large number of positive reviews. We also tried to select a range of products to include some for the environmentally conscious and some that weren't sprays.

While alcohol wipes are generally safe for most electronic screens, most manufacturers recommend avoiding them for cell phones. Most phones today have a protective coating on the glass, and alcohol can wear that down, making the device dirtier over time. Wipes that contain bleach should never be used on an electronic device. It's best to stick to wipes designed for screens.

Don't spray liquid directly on an electronic screen. Instead, spray a cloth (preferably microfiber) and wipe the screen. Spraying a screen could lead to liquid getting inside, and especially if it contains alcohol, it could damage components.

Many electronic screens aren't glass, and those that are often have very thin, fragile screens. Glass cleaner should never be used on electronics. Instead, use a cleaning solution specifically designed for electronics or at the very least, a damp microfiber cloth with just water.