Best Commercial Ultrasonic Cleaners – Buyer’s Guide 2022

Removing rust, dust, dirt, and other contaminants from delicate items such as jewelry, PCB boards, sunglasses, and guns can be challenging, especially from pinhole structures. Harsh chemicals may affect their appearance and texture.

Ultrasonic cleaning machines are effective ways to gently and effectively remove grime and dirt from delicate items and can be used for a wide range of workpiece shapes, sizes, and materials, and may not require the part to be disassembled before cleaning.

How Does Ultrasonic Cleaning Work?

When you wash dishes by hand using a wet sponge or a fiber to scrub the surface, the friction, combined with the dish soap, dissolves the residues, which is then rinsed with running water.

An ultrasonic cleaner uses ultrasonic waves, also called high-frequency sound waves, to generate millions of tiny, microscopic bubbles. Once the ultrasonic cleaning machine is switched on, the transducer starts changing size, create high-frequency compression sound waves, resulting in rapid formation and collapse of cavitation bubbles, releasing a substantial amount of energy, and generating an intense “scrubbing” effect. As the compression waves continue, the cavitation bubbles grow larger, the bubbles stir through the liquid, turning it apart. These bubbles expand and then rapidly collapse and are tiny enough to penetrate even microscopic crevices, cleaning them thoroughly and consistently. This action, called “cavitation,” generates a quick, intense jetting action against the object’s surface, often thousands of times every second, to produce clean and dirt-free components.

According to The US Environmental Protection Agency, equipment used in industries such as healthcare must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to meet the highest safety standards. Commercial ultrasonic cleaning is a fast, safe, and efficient cleaning method to efficiently handle challenging cleaning tasks for y laboratories, healthcare, automotive technicians, jewelers, cosmetology, machinery, optical, and other commercial domains.

Types of Ultrasonic Cleaning Machines

Portable Ultrasound machine – Resembling a toy like system, these light-duty cleaning machines feature modest generators and small transducers. These machines are used to wash and clean jewelry, baby toys, clothes, and food items such as veggies, fruits, meats, etc.

Small lab size tabletop cleaners – These machines carry heavier transducers than portable devices and use better generators to efficiently clean lab glass and small objects. The tabletop cleaner comes with the generators integrated into the same case as the tank. These machines are not meant for production cleaning and are not rated for 24/7 operation.

Commercial Ultrasonic Cleaner – Commercial ultrasonic cleaners are designed to handle heavier and intricate industrial machinery and equipment and manage a large volume of equipment. They are equipped with heavy-duty compound transducers and hard-bitten generators that can generate higher wattage per transducers. Their tanks are made from heavy-duty welded stainless steel, and the generator is separated from the tank.  Commercial ultrasonic cleaner offers increased durability, performance, and safety and are designed to meet industry-specific standards and provide superior cleansing performance at a cost-effective price.

Things to Consider When Buying an Ultrasonic Cleaner

Cleaning Frequency:

The frequency of ultrasonic waves is measured in thousands of cycles per second and determines the intensity of these frequencies. Most ultrasonic cleaners operate between 28 and 120 kHz, but the most commonly utilized frequencies are 38 to 40 kHz as they are ideal for the vast majority of commercial cleaning applications.

Low frequency produces comparatively large cavitation bubbles that collapse inward suddenly and violently with more abrasive cleaning. These frequencies are recommended for coarse cleaning and remove dirt and other contaminants from strong and durable items, such as lapping compounds from durable metal surfaces. High frequencies produce small bubbles that offer gentle cleaning actions. For fine cleaning of delicate items and softer objects such as jewelry, soft metals with polished surfaces, and food items, higher frequencies are more suitable.

The power generated by an ultrasonic cleaner should be capable of dealing with a majority of cleaning applications. An ultrasound cleaner with dual-frequency is ideal if you will be cleaning a variety of objects. These machines are equipped with controls that allow to dial-up down the frequency based on the type of cleaning applications are addressed and reduce the need to purchase separate devices for different power requirements.

Cleaning Solution:

The majority of the ultrasonic cleaners use water-based solutions for cleaning purposes, however, a solvent or soap is must to get rid of dirt, grime, and oily residue in metallic items. Hence, ensure that your commercial ultrasonic cleaner supports various cleaning solutions and solvents.

Cleaning Time:

This refers to the time taken to clean an item in the ultrasonic cleaner. You can clean everyday items within 15-30 minutes, but components with sticky oil residue may take more time. Choose an ultrasonic cleaner that provides a range of temperature and timing settings.

Size:

Consider the size of the parts you want to get cleaned and whether you’re going to clean them individually or put them together to determine the size of your ultrasonic cleaner. Please note that Ultrasound cleaners manage two types of volumes, the cleaner solution, and the service volumes, and operate under the Archimedes principle. The cleaner solution volume is the maximum liquid volume needed to fill the tank and the basket, while service volume is the amount of liquid required to reach the optimum liquid volume capacity with fully immersed parts in the cleaning solution in the basket without causing overflow in the tank and without getting in contact with the transducer’s surface. Always consider the largest item or part that will be cleaned regularly in the machine.

Watts per Gallon:

The watts per gallon determine the watt density in which these waves are shot out into the cleaning solution.  The increase in wattage escalates the number of bubbles produced during the cavitation process and enhances the machine’s cleaning action. For cleaning large pieces of metal, lower range frequencies ranging from 20 to 25,000 KHz are ideal as there would be less risk of components getting eroded by higher and more aggressive frequencies. However, smaller parts with complex architecture require more energy to clean; therefore, the watts per gallon in your ultrasonic cleaner should be in the 50-100 watts per gallon range.

Cleaning Temperature:

Temperature is vital for creating cavitation bubbles for cleaning. The right temperature for triggering cavitation generally varies according to the properties of the cleaning solution. However, the range of 55 to 65 Celsius is suitable for cleaning solutions made by mixing water, detergents, or solvents. Using only water will require above 70 Celsius because of the higher surface tension, thus making it harder to break.

When choosing ultrasonic cleaners for carburetors, get a cleaner with a degassing function. It is needed to remove the air after changing the cleaning solution, achieving a more efficient result.

Utilizing the correct baskets/racks:

Parts or products being cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners must not touch the ultrasonic transducers located inside the tank. It may cause the pack’s surface to etch or scratch. While the packs are constructed of stainless steel, over time, this will erode the transducer pack’s integrity and may need replacement if it continues for a long time.

Wave sweep effectively eliminates inactive and dead zones in the cleaning tank by dispersing various frequencies with different wavelengths, resulting in more uniform and effective cleaning, especially components with intricate detail. Ultrasonic cleaners equipped with wave sweep do not require degassing modes as engaging the wave sweep accomplishes accelerated degassing of solutions.

Best Ultrasonic Cleaners (With Reviews)

1. Kendal Commercial Grade 9 Liters 540 Watts Heated ULTRASONIC Cleaner HB49

The Kendal HB49 heated ultrasonic cleaner features four strengthened transducers that provides powerful ultrasonic (42 kHz and 240 Watts ultrasonic cleaning power) and delivers remarkable cleaning results. The commercial-grade digital ultrasonic cleaner uses an efficient heater and large tank capacity for superior cleaning results, making it suitable for professional cleaning.  The machine can efficiently remove accumulated oils, dirt, and grime from glasses, lenses, waterproof watches, jewelry, rings, necklaces, CDs, coins, razors, dentures, mouth guards, car parts, gun parts, lab instruments, etc.

The Kendal Hb49 features a 9 liter (2.38 gallon) working capacity tank making it suitable for long dental equipment and tube, and allows you to clean more stuff at once. The commercial-grade ultrasonic cleaner employs a 300 watts powerful heater that ensures reaching the pre-set temperature quickly, significantly enhancing cleaning for oil and wax.  The machine uses a flow control valve for draining the used liquid for easy cleaning and rinsing.

The Kendal Hb49 features boast an all-stainless construction including body, tank, cover, and mesh basket that is Anti-Acid and Alkaline and resists damage from chemical spills. The machine comes with an LED digital display that shows real-time temperature and can operate in the range of 20 to 80 degrees Celsius.  The digital timer cleaning cycles can be setup from 1 to 99 minutes, however, instructions clearly state not to run longer than 60 minutes straight. You can set the digital programmable unit according to the items’ quantity and condition to be cleaned to choose a working cycle and set a temperature.

Pros

• High Capacity cleaning
• Spacious tank’s volume
• Durable Metal Construction is impervious to solvents
• Draining valve for used liquids

Cons

• Noisy when running

2. iSonic P4890(II) Commercial Ultrasonic Cleaner, Plastic Basket, Heater, Drain, 110V, 2.3Gallons / 9 Litre, 25.5″ Long Tank, Orange/Black 

The iSonic P4890 commercial ultrasonic cleaner comes equipped with four industrial-grade ultrasonic stack transducers that are twice more robust and durable than wafer transducers. Each transducer is controlled by an individual PCB that provides unmatched cleaning power. The Ultrasonic cleaner can hold and clean guns, jewelry, and other items weighing up to 23.5 lbs.

The iSonic P4890 commercial ultrasonic cleaner comes with a stainless steel tank with a 2.3 gallon/ 9-liter capacity. Measuring 25.5 inches, the cleaner can fit even the largest parts, making it suitable for cleaning long items such as pipettes, tubing, gun barrels, and AR uppers. It also features five adjustable heat settings, 104, 113, 122, 131, and 140 °F / 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 °C.  The unit features an overheat protector to prevent the machine from being overused, which could cause overheating. It also comes with drain trays that can be doubled as covers. The device is equipped with a 320-watt metal heater and uses up to 500 watts of 110 AC power and a cleaning frequency of 35,000 Hz to provide robust and deep cleaning.

The iSonic P4890 comes with a 1 to 30-minute full range timer with a quick set button and reducing button for fine-tuning. The commercial ultrasonic cleaner also comes with a solution usage timer to set and track how long the solution is used and a Degas function for removing air bubbles after pouring in freshwater.  The iSonic P4890 comes with five internationally recognized safety certifications: CE, GS, PSE, ETL, CETL, and RoHs, PAHs, REACH, and Phthalates certifications for chemical and heavy metal substance controls. All iSonic products, excluding consumables and low-value items under $10, carry a one year warranty for parts and labor.

Pros

• High Capacity
• Industrial Grade Transducers
• Internationally Certified

Cons

• Only one year warranty

3. VEVOR Commercial Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner Jewelry Eyeglass with Digital Heater Timer Basket

The VEVOR commercial ultrasonic cleaner comes with a cleaning frequency of 40 KHz that produces millions of microscopic cleansing foams to remove dirt from surfaces or crevices powerfully. The rugged portable cleaner is suitable for jewelry, laboratory, circuit board, dental equipment, tableware, industrial, and other washing supplies. For effective cleaning of glasses, jewelry, rings, necklaces, dentures, coins, etc., and is also widely used in hospitals, clinics, and factories.

The VEVOR commercial ultrasonic cleaner comes with powerful transducers built into the sonic cleaner for increased ultrasonic power.  The machine has a temperature range of 0-80℃, which can effectively soften and dissolve oil stains, increase the cleaning effect, increase the water temperature, and clean quickly and effectively.

The sonic jewelry cleaner features a digital timer and temperature display for precise washing time and temperature control. The VEVOR ultrasonic cleaner is made from an upgraded stainless steel water tank made from anti-rust material that provides better corrosion and heat resistance and has a capacity of 10 liters. The overall structure guarantees no leakage.

The VEVOR ultrasonic cleaner comes with a clear LED display for smoother operation. Press the button to adjust the working time and heating temperature, making it convenient to use. The Sonic jewelry cleaning machine comes with a cleaning basket to reduce friction during washing and includes a stainless steel lid to prevent water from splashing out.

Pros:

• Ready to use out of the box
• Includes hose and clamp for easy drainage 
• Comes with rack and tea decanter ball for small parts
• Quick and efficient operation

Cons:

• Slow to heat up  

4. CO-Z 30L Digital Professional Large Ultrasonic Cleaner with Heater, Timer

The CO-Z ultrasonic cleaner comes with ten industrial grade ultrasonic transducers with a wattage of 600W and frequency of 40 kHz to thoroughly cleans your valuables and small items. Constructed with reinforced inner tank walls to withstand ultrasonic waves for extended periods, this professional ultrasonic cleaning machine is an expert in cleaning, maintenance, oxidation, extraction, cavitation, etc.

Featuring an extra-thick 0.06 inch (1.5 mm) stainless steel tank with a capacity of  7.94 Gal. (30L), the CO-Z ultrasonic cleaner holds a large volume. It provides improved sturdiness against tear and wear and enhanced durability with longer service life. The integrated cleaning basket is ideal to safely store your jewelry, glasses, capacitors, PC boards, razors, tattoo machines, laboratory equipment, carburetor, fuel injectors, watches, pipettes, or dentures.

The CO-Z ultrasonic cleaner has an operating temperature range of 68-140º F that provides improved cleaning performance, while the user-friendly pre-set cleaning time options (1-30 minutes) are included for added convenience. The digital control panel allows you to adjust the temperature and operating time for a customized wash. The machine comes with dual fuse protection to prevent burn-out. The commercial cleaner is backed by 1-year limited warranty.

Pros

• Extra Thick Tank
• Reinforced tank inner wall
• Efficient fine cleaning

Cons

• It makes a considerable amount of noise

5. DK SONIC 30L 600W Ultra Sonic Cleaner with Heater and Basket for Metal Parts

The DK SONIC ultrasonic cleaner is equipped with ten industrial reinforced transducers to strengthen the ultrasonic power and deliver superior cleaning results without causing abrasion to the inner tank. The 30L big tank and integrated basket are perfect for holding items in place. The machine’s 40 KHz cleaning frequency is suitable for intensive rinses such as blind holes and deep holes.

The DK Sonic ultrasonic cleaner’s components such as inner tank, casing, cleaning basket, drainage, and lid are made of SUS304 stainless steel. The SUS304 provides better resistance to alkali solution and organic and inorganic acid than SUS201 or other SUS200 stainless steel series, keeping the machine away from corrosion and providing a longer service life. However, SUS304 stainless steel is less resistant to chloride solution, such as hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid hence do not use a flammable, explosive, or volatile cleaning solution.

The DK Sonic Ultrasonic cleaner has an adjustable timer range of 0- 20 minutes and a flexible temperature range between 20 ~ 80 ℃; Heating stops heating automatically when the temperature is higher than the preset value. The machine comes with a user-friendly LED display and also includes auto stand-by and sleep mode. It also features a memory function, and auto power-off keeps you away from danger. The DK Sonic consists of a separate power switch that ensures a longer service life, while the fuse in the power socket can prevent the ultrasonic cleaner from being damaged by an instantaneous over-high voltage.

Pros

• SUS304 stainless steel construction
• Large tank size.
• DEGAS mode.

Cons

• Slightly confusing manual

Maintenance Tips for Ultrasonic Cleaners

• Ensuring the proper maintenance of the ultrasonic cleaner can provide the best performance for a longer duration.
• Do not operate the ultrasonic cleaner when the solution is lesser than recommended as it can damage the transducer.
• Do not slope the solution to prevent it from running into the ultrasonic cleaner
• Please do not allow the instrument to touch the bottom of the tank as it can scratch or etch the ultrasonic cleaner
• Don’t use solutions with a high alkaline or acid level to clean the parts in the ultrasonic cleaner
• Do not place the ultrasonic cleaner on a wet surface or damp towel or clothes.
• Keep the inner wall of the ultrasonic cleaner dry when not in use.
• Thoroughly clean the inner wall after every use and ensure no debris remains inside.
• Please avoid contact between cleaning items and the inner walls; always use the mesh wire basket.