Have you just bought a brand spanking new 4K TV with a lovely pristine screen? Or perhaps you seem to be endlessly cleaning the old one? Either way, soon enough you find yourself sitting down to watch your favourite shows on one of the best TVs - but end up staring at fingerprints, smudges, and dust instead. Yes, you’ve unwittingly entered a never-ending war against all of the above. But it’s a battle you can win - thanks to some of the best TV screen cleaner products our experts have ever found.
The best TV screen cleaner of 2023 at a glance:
• Best overall TV screen cleaner: Ecomoist Screen Cleaner 500ml with Two Microfibre Towels - View at Amazon
• Best budget TV screen cleaner: Inspired Plasma TV Screen Cleaner and Anti-Static - View at Amazon
• Best anti-streak TV screen cleaner: Duronic Screen Cleaner Kit With Microfibre Cloth - View at Amazon
• Best antistatic TV screen cleaner: Durable SCREENCLEAN Anti-Static Screen Cleaner Spray - View at Amazon
So, your 4K TV is looking a little less than perfect - no problem. Actual scratches or damage aside, they’re a lot easier and faster to clean than ever. How much the dreaded dust or thumb marks will bother you as you fire up your smart TV apps is really a bit of a sliding scale. Home cinema aficionados will usually want everything to be as close to factory-perfect as possible. But the rest of us, including casual viewers with dogs or kids with jammy fingers, are used to maintaining things a little less vigorously. But, with some of the best TV screen cleaner products to choose from, you’ll be surprised at how things have improved.
Cleaning solutions aren’t all the same anymore. Some are great for cleaning off actual dirt and splashes from that hastily opened can of cola. Others can tackle greasy marks and fingerprints. Some even have advanced antistatic properties to keep that dust at bay for longer. So, get ready to enter the fight against dust and grime - but this time armed to the teeth with the latest and best TV screen cleaner at your hip.
Best TV screen cleaner of 2023
Best overall TV screen cleaner
As the name suggests, Ecomoist are well-known for their eco-friendly products, and this welcome set of screen cleaning products is just that. Once again, we have a large 500ml bottle that’s very easy to handle (unlike some of those tall and thin bottles with pump-action spray nozzles). We think that including two microfibre towels is a great touch, as it means you can keep on cleaning while the other one is in the wash. One is large, the other small, so you can devote one to the TV and the other to smaller devices if you like.
So, on to the all-important ingredients. Ecomoist say that this is free of harsh chemicals like Ammonia and alcoholic substances. It’s also safe around children and pets. But this also means you can use it on any screen, regardless of whether it has any special coatings.
Pros
- Large, easy-to-handle spray bottle
- 99.7% natural ingredients
- Two towels included for plenty of cleaning flexibility
Cons
- Not as fast drying as those with harsher ingredients, so be patient with streaks
Best budget TV screen cleaner
Any budget-buy when it comes to cleaning a TV screen that may have cost the equivalent of a small car isn’t to be taken lightly. Thankfully, this product from Inspired is not only a safe and effective cleaner, but it also sits at an effectively low price. And that’s even more amazing when you see that it also boasts anti-static properties. So, cleaning your screen with this could keep that airborne dust from gravitating towards your screen for longer. Once again, the finish is also largely smear-free, so you can clean quickly and effectively.
Of course, at this low price, it would be hard to expect a free microfibre cloth. So add a little to your budget for a couple of cloths to clean with. Other than that, considering this comes in a 500ml bottle, it’s great value. Despite only listing one ingredient (5% anionic surfactants) it’s likely to be based on deionized water much like the others here - but it does handle greasy fingerprints very well indeed. It also comes without any warnings about use on certain screen types, so user reviews are definitely your friend here. It's highly rated by users too, so an effective TV screen cleaning product all-round.
Pros
- Antistatic properties to keep dust away for longer
- Anti-streaking and quick drying times
- Effective against fingerprints.
Cons
- No cloth included
- No detailed ingredients or usage restrictions are listed (for those who want them)
Best anti-streak TV screen cleaner
If it’s streak-free cleaning you’re after (and, frankly, who isn’t?), this Duronic Screen Cleaner Kit is for you. And it’s no wonder it’s made the top of our list, as the brand itself has been around for years and its products are tried and tested by thousands of TV owners. This comes in a generous 500ml bottle, which means you’ll be spraying all of your large-screen TVs for quite a while before you need a refill.
The lack of streaks is down to the ingredients that (without the use of alcohol) evaporate quickly and cleanly. But, as with all of the best TV screen cleaner products, there’s really no one-size-fits-all. Despite being alcohol-free, this one is not recommended for screens with protective coatings. So, while it will do a brilliant job with LCD, TFT, LED, Plasma and OLED, it’s not for your coated MacBook or iPad screens. For any other non-coated screen, you’re good to go.
Some great additions are the microfibre cloth and the small brush for getting dust out of those tiny cracks and crevices. And the cloth itself is the perfect tightly woven microfibre type that we like - no chance of making any unwanted marks.
Pros
- Streak-free formula suitable for most types of TV screen
- Very little pressure is needed to achieve an excellent clean
- Evaporates quickly for less buffing
Cons
- Not suitable for screens with protective, optical, or anti-glare coatings
Best antistatic TV screen cleaner
This little unassuming bottle from Durable is really your secret weapon when it comes to static-beating cleaning power. There’s only 250ml of the stuff, and there’s no cloth included, but that’s fine for the price. Durable is a familiar brand when it comes to all kinds of electronic equipment cleaning and maintenance, so you can be sure of a safe formula.
Apart from dissipating static charge, this cleaning solution is alcohol-free and won’t leave smudges or streaks - but it's important to clean the TV when it's off and not warm as this can actually make the solution dry too fast and that will result in streaks. It also won’t damage any special screen coatings, so that’s a huge plus. Also, despite not quite having the green credentials of the Ecomoist above, it is free from biocides and ammonia too. Even the bottle is 100% recyclable.
Pros
- Excellent for lasting antistatic properties
- Also a streak-free finish
- Will not harm coated screens
Cons
- No cloth included
- Works best if the TV is off and not warm - otherwise you can get streaks during cleaning
- Contains benzisothiazolone. May produce an allergic reaction.
Best TV screen cleaner wipes
Ecomoist is deservedly back on this list, partly thanks to their eco-credentials. But, also because here we have wipes that are themselves biodegradable (and hypoallergenic). No need for microfibre cloths of course, and you get 150 good-sized wipes in this tub. So, if you like a fast and low-hassle TV screen cleaning option, the Ecomoist Cleaning Wipes are the best value, most effective and most eco-friendly option.
Usage extends to all electronic devices and screens, coated or not, and that is again due to the advanced Green chemical formula. There’s no ammonia or alcohol and yet still leaves a streak-free finish. The wipes also handle fingerprints especially well, and even the tub is recyclable. A win-win for your TV and the planet.
Pros
- Fast and practical to use
- Eco-friendly ingredients and biodegradable material means you can throw these away without worry
- Streak-free for a shiny finish
Cons
- Only 150 wipes, so clean freaks may find themselves running out
Best TV screen cleaner kit
A full-screen cleaning kit with this many extras is few and far between. Other than the fact that this all comes in a handy storage tin, it’s also for use will all kinds of TV screens - and a lot more besides. If you’re looking to get into all the nooks and crannies that come with TVs (AKA: dust-traps) this kit will help you achieve much more than just a shiny screen.
Sporting a large microfiber glove and a matching cloth, plus an antistatic cleaning brush (and a brush-style cloth for computer screens) this kit is fully loaded. And let’s not forget the all-important antibacterial cleaning liquid, which comes in a 150ml spray bottle, alongside a small tub of 60 wipes. It may not last as long as some of the huge 500ml bottles we have on our list, but the point of this kit is really to let you do a deeper clean than normal using all the tools. Want to grab a wipe for that stubborn jammy fingerprint your child left behind, and then finish off with the spray and the glove? The choice is yours.
Pros
- Lots of genuinely useful extras for a more comprehensive antibacterial clean
- Can help with getting dust off those hard-to-reach places on the TV itself, not just the screen
- Microfibre cloth and glove is machine-washable, so you won’t need to buy more
- Can be used on a lot more devices than just a TV
Cons
- A small amount of cleaning solution compared to some
- Ingredients should not come into contact with your eyes
Best TV Screen cleaner for large screen sizes
This kit from Screen Mom contains a gentle cleaning solution that, like others here, is plant-based. But, the key addition here (apart from the 473mml bottle) is the extra-large 40cm x 40cm microfibre cloth. That makes this kit ideal for those with larger screens. After all, applying the spray to a larger cloth will make short work of the job.
The spray itself is odourless and can be used on all screen types. It’s also very good at cleaning greasy marks and streaks. Ingredient-wise, there’s no alcohol, ammonia or harmful phosphates - so, as plant-based cleaning agents go, this one is one of the best. It’s also been tested on all major equipment brands, so you can clean with confidence.
Pros
- A large bottle of plant-based cleaning solution, lasting up to 1500 sprays
- Huge cloth for easy cleaning of larger TV screens
- Odourless solution tackles greasy fingermarks particularly well
- Can be used on much more than just electronics
Cons
- Given how many ways this kit can be used, we’d have liked to have seen a second smaller cloth included
Best TV screen cleaner of 2023: Buyer’s guide
Yes, all smart TVs are basically a screen with speakers that can deliver your favourite TV subscription services. But, these days, the finish of the panels themselves can differ quite a lot. There are anti-reflection coatings, special glass, and LCD screens that have the same flat finish as a standard computer monitor. And they all have their own set of recommendations. So, before you clean any TV, always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning.
In our picks for the best TV screen cleaner, we’ve set out to completely avoid solutions containing harsh chemicals and alcohol - the latter can damage special screen coatings. It’s always a good idea to stick with water-based TV screen cleaners and natural ingredients. The only exception here is any mild detergent, as this is what helps to de-grease those fingerprints and reduce smearing. It may also help with cleaning thanks to rapid evaporation.
All that said, here are our top tips and tricks - regardless of the brand of your screen.
Screen cleaning top tips
Do follow the instructions
Obvious - but we can’t state this strongly enough. Always follow the instructions for your TV screen cleaner. Most of the time these are simply good practices, like the ones here. But, if your chosen cleaning product does contain special ingredients, it might tell you to avoid use on certain types of screens.
Remove rings, watches and other jewellery.
Wearing anything that’s metal like a watch, or that has diamonds - such as rings, is possibly the easiest and most costly mistake to make. Diamonds are harder than toughened glass, so you’ll scratch up your lovely 65-inch TV screen quickly and easily this way.
Turn off the TV well in advance of cleaning.
If you’re locked in a battle with dust, you’ll need to avoid static buildup. Most electronic devices attract dust thanks to static, so if you are going to clean your TV we recommend turning it off at the wall first. If you wait for a while, static should dissipate naturally. But touch the screen and something that’s earthed - like a radiator - and you'll discharge most of the static right away.
Use the supplied cloth, or buy a lint-free microfibre cloth
A clean microfibre cloth is a must-have for even the best TV screen cleaner. If your product doesn’t come with one, always buy a cloth which is designed for cleaning screens and equipment. We like the 5-pack of microfiber cleaning cloths from Eco-Fused. They’re lint-free (so no tiny fibres will be left behind as you clean) and machine-washable.
Never use kitchen roll. Yes, it’s soft and branded as a cleaning product - but, if you scrunch a piece of it in your hand it’s clearly a lot harsher than a microfibre cloth. Pressing this hard enough as you clean can put permanent (but minor) hairline scuffs onto your TV screen. The same goes for toilet roll, even if it is marketed as being as soft as a labrador puppy. Plus, both of those products are definitely not lint-free - so you’ll leave behind fibres as you clean - not the best TV screen cleaner by a long way. And, on that subject…
Never be tempted to just use household cleaning spray
Although household sprays like furniture cleaner, glass cleaner and multi-purpose surface sprays are tempting to use - don’t. Firstly they can contain a cocktail of ingredients that could possibly leave marks on your gorgeous new 55-inch TV screen and damage any screen coatings. Secondly, they’ll often leave a residue that can do long-term harm in much the same way. Lastly, even glass cleaning sprays rely on the fact that you’ll be cleaning clear glass, like windows and doors. But, a TV screen is black when turned off - and the streaky residue from normal glass cleaner can be all too apparent.
Always apply the cleaning solution to the cloth, not the screen
Unless your particular brand of TV screen cleaner advises otherwise, it’s always a good idea to spray the cloth, not the screen. This is for two reasons: Firstly it means you’re not tempted to over-spray or cover the whole screen at once. That means you won’t be there for half an hour polishing away streaks from a drenched screen. Secondly, if you use the cleaner more sparingly you won't be rushing to finish the whole screen before it evaporates.
Clean from centre to edge in a circular motion
It's easier to clean the very edges last. After all, you’re less likely to be focused on that area when the TV is on - even if it’s a massive 80-inch TV screen. So, we recommend starting at the centre and working outwards. Small circular motions mean you’ll naturally avoid streak marks as you go, and it’s also a great way to get rid of stubborn marks. Circles are also naturally gentler than a back-and-forth scrubbing technique, as the latter tempts more elbow grease; and that can easily mark the screen or damage special coatings if overdone.
Don’t rush it - let the cleaning solution do its job
It can be tempting to try to clean your TV screen - including smaller budget TVs - too quickly. And that's especially true if your cleaning solution is the fast-evaporating type. But take your time, use as much of the solution as you need to revisit problem areas, and don’t panic if the whole screen is wet. Some gentle buffing and suddenly it’s all evaporated. It’s better to use a little too much than too little cleaning fluid if your TV is really overdue for a good clean.
Best TV screen cleaner of 2023: FAQs
Is a TV screen cleaner worth it?
Without a doubt. Keeping any electronic equipment (and TV remote controls) nice and clean is good for you and your home. But, by using the best TV screen cleaner you’ll also repel that light film of dust that settles on all TVs. Believe it or not, that does make a difference to the clarity and vibrancy of your picture. Try it for yourself. Next time you’re about to clean that screen, take a quick look at the picture before and after. The same goes for hanging artwork and anything with glass in front of it. Things just look better after even the briefest of cleans.
Can I clean scratches from my TV screen?
Yes, and no. This depends on the depth of the scratch, and also the outermost layer of your screen. Glass is harder to scratch, but also much harder to disguise when you try to clean it. In practice, there’s almost nothing you can do to get rid of serious scratches; but the very light type can often become almost unnoticeable once you’ve cleaned and polished the screen.
What TV screen cleaner is best for a screen with a coating?
With so many screen coatings available, including on TVs that works well bright rooms, we strongly recommend reading the manual. Or. look for your TV on the manufacturer’s website for advice before buying any screen cleaning product. As mentioned in our buyer’s guide - only use clean water and a microfibre cloth (if that's what the manufacturers recommend); while others simply leave the choice up to you.
How can I clean sticky food marks from my TV screen?
Do this gently. But, how you clean will also depend on the manufacturer’s advice (and based on your particular type of screen) . Don’t rush it - use slightly warm water if you need to, and a disposable microfibre lint-free cloth. Do make sure your cloth is lint-free though. The last thing you’ll want are tiny fibres sticking to that dollop of strawberry jam put there by your children the day before.
Chris Duffill is a Tech Product Writer for What's The Best and Yours. His background includes writing, editorial, marketing, design, video and photography. He specialises in home entertainment and audiovisual tech, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, streaming media players, TVs and more. He is also one of our resident experts in computing (PCs, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches) and DSLR photography and all kinds of digital cameras. He also writes about retro gaming, game consoles and various electronic gadgets. If it plugs in, lights up or makes a noise, he’ll write about it.
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