Tank volume, frequency and heat, read for what goes in the basket
An ultrasonic cleaner fills a tank with sound waves that make tiny bubbles collapse against a surface, lifting dirt from places a brush cannot reach — printer nozzles, soldered boards, small resin parts, tools. Tank volume is quoted in litres and the internal dimensions matter more: a long, shallow tank takes a part that a larger square one will not. Frequency is published in kilohertz, and lower frequencies clean more aggressively while higher ones suit delicate items — some units switch between two. Ultrasonic power is a watt figure that describes the transducers, often printed beside a separate heater power, and the two must not be added together or confused. A heater helps with grease; a timer and a basket that keeps parts off the tank floor protect both. A drain valve makes emptying a large tank manageable. Then the liquids: water with a suitable detergent works for most jobs, and the maker lists what the tank tolerates — flammable solvents are commonly excluded from ultrasonic tanks, and electronics are cleaned only when their own maker allows it. We compare tank volume and dimensions, frequency, ultrasonic and heater power, timer, basket, drain and permitted liquids.
400 ml · 48 kHz · digital time display, switches off at the set time · 304 stainless steel tank · detachable lid · tap water named
A compact 400 ml ultrasonic cleaner working at 48 kHz, with a digital display of the cleaning time, automatic switch-off at the end of the set time and a detachable lid, whose listing publishes no power figure.
Best for: Cleaning glasses, rings and watch bracelets at home in plain water.
≈ 25 €
420 ml · 45,000 Hz · transparent lid window · auto-off within 3 minutes · 10 minutes on, 10 minutes rest · SUS304 tank · tap water or a drop of washing-up liquid
A 420 ml ultrasonic cleaner at 45,000 Hz with a transparent lid window and automatic switch-off after a cleaning run, whose maker limits continuous use to ten minutes followed by ten minutes of rest.
Best for: Short cleaning runs for rings, necklaces, glasses and razor heads at home.
≈ 40 €
45,000 Hz · concentrate or water · light and portable · for glasses, jewellery, silver, braces and dentures · no volume, power or timer published
A small, portable ultrasonic cleaner sold mainly for glasses, working at 45,000 Hz with water or a cleaning concentrate, whose listing gives no tank volume, power or timer.
Best for: Someone who wears glasses and wants to clean them, and small jewellery, at a desk or when travelling.
≈ £43 / 50 €
3 l · 40 kHz · 120 W ultrasonic, 200 W heating · 0–80 °C · 0–30 min · two transducers · 304 stainless steel with lid · carry handle
A 3 litre benchtop ultrasonic cleaner with two transducers at 40 kHz, 120 W of ultrasonic power and a 200 W heater adjustable to 80 °C, a 0–30 minute timer and a stainless steel lid.
Best for: A workbench cleaner for printer nozzles, small tools and parts that benefit from warm liquid and longer cycles.
≈ $65 / 46 €
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