UVC Box Sanitizers vs. UV Wands

In recent months, sanitization has become more a part of our daily routine than ever. Households across the globe are coming to terms with the need to strategize how to keep their surfaces disinfected and their family safe.


Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is increasingly essential to disinfect items that many of us often handle but forget to sanitize, such as phones, watches, ATM cards, and house keys. 


With so many sanitization products that claim to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on the market, how can you choose what is best?


While you might be able to get away with spraying alcohol and bleach on some things, another form of sanitization is gaining popularity: UV light. Two primary UV disinfectant devices are UV box sanitizers and UV sanitizing wands. Both UV boxes and wands kill germs using ultraviolet light technology. 


Here’s a comparison of UV wands vs. Puritize brand UV sanitizing boxes to see which device can disinfect surfaces most effectively. Before contrasting UV cleaners, take a look at how UV light works. 

What is a UV Sanitizer?

While there are different ultraviolet light classes, the type of UV that has proven effective at killing germs is called UVC light. The earth’s atmosphere blocks this type of UV light generated by the sun from reaching the earth’s surface.


UVC light ranges in wavelength from 100 to 280 nanometers and has been used for decades in the medical field and other industries to sanitize surfaces, air, and even water. 


“UVC radiation has been shown to destroy the outer protein coating of the SARS-Coronavirus, which is a different virus from the current SARS-CoV-2 virus. The destruction ultimately leads to inactivation of the virus,” explains the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), adding “UVC radiation may also be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus that causes the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).”


Apart from commercial and medical applications, domestic products with ultraviolet-c light bulbs are on the rise, allowing for at-home use of this technology. One such innovation is UV light wands. 

UV Light Wand Sanitizers

When appropriately used, hygienic sterilizing wands using UVC light can decontaminate surfaces. However, these wands come with some notable risks. 

Convenience of UV Wands

When comparing UV sanitizing products, consumers may be drawn to the convenience of light wands. UV wands range in size, price, and quality and offer handheld, ultraviolet disinfection technology.


UVC wands are portable and can be used at home, on the go, in the car, at the office, or anywhere — but how effective are they?

Effectiveness of UV Wands

While UVC can effectively kill germs on flat surfaces, UV wands leave significant room for user error. For example, with a handheld wand, it’s difficult to control the wand’s distance from the target surface, along with the length of exposure. 


With flat, one-directional light from a UV wand, it may also be challenging to achieve thorough surface disinfection. 

Safety of UV Wands

The biggest concern associated with UV light wands is safety. While UV radiation can be used to decontaminate surfaces, it also poses a threat to exposed human skin and eyes.


Health Feedback warns, “Exposure to ultraviolet light in the UV-C range can cause damage to the corneas and skin in the form of burns and skin cancer.” 


While UV wands are convenient and can be used to kill germs on flat surfaces, they can also be misused, less than effective, and potentially harmful. The risks of potentially mishandling or misusing a UV wand outweigh the sanitization benefits. 


On top of potentially exposing you to harmful UVC light and ineffectively sanitizing surfaces, many UV wands are simply poorly made, and may never sanitize a surface no matter how long you expose it to the light. 


Thankfully, not all UV sanitizers are built the same.

Puritize UV Light Box Sanitizers

The double-patented Puritze UV light sanitizer has a waffle-like grid design to disinfect from every direction. 

Convenience of Puritize UV Light Boxes

The Puritize UV sanitizer is ideal for at-home use. Measuring 16.5” x 9.5” x 6", it can fit a wide range of household items, working to disinfect frequently-touched yet often overlooked objects. 


Items you can sanitize in a UV light box include: 


  • Masks
  • Electronic devices (phones, tablets, etc.)
  • Toothbrushes
  • Car keys
  • Credit cards
  • Water bottles
  • Children’s toys
  • Remote controllers
  • Office supplies
  • Makeup brushes
  • Dishes
  • Much more

The Puritize box is also outfitted with three USB ports to charge your devices during sanitization. 

Effectiveness of Puritize UV Light Boxes

Within a ten minute sanitizing process, the Puritize sanitizer can kill up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on surfaces. 


As with other UV light products, sanitization happens on a microscopic level. It will not remove visible dirt or debris from the surface of an object. 

Safety of Puritize UV Light Boxes

Since using UV light to disinfect surfaces can be dangerous when done improperly, the Puritize UV light box is engineered with several key safety features, including:


  • A programmable privacy lock
  • An automatic turn on and off
  • A built-in safety mechanism to ensure the UV lamps will not illuminate if the box is open
  • A set of LED lights to indicate if the bulbs are not working properly

When operating any UVC product, be sure to read and adhere to all safety information and operating instructions from the manufacturer. Bear in mind that UV light may cause fading on certain items.  

What is the Best UV Sanitizer?

While the idea of a portable, handheld UV sanitization device is excellent in theory, UV wands can potentially do more harm than good. 


A safer way to use UV sanitization at home is to use the Puritize UV light box to disinfect household items. The intuitive design minimizes room for user error, and the safety features ensure your skin and eyes will not be exposed to the light. 

The Bottom Line

Taking extra precautions to keep your family safe is more important now than ever. While a UV sanitizer cannot replace basic disease prevention measures, such as regular hand washing, social distancing, and wearing masks, a well-engineered Puritize UV device can help you disinfect your possessions.


Using a Puritize UV box allows you to kill germs on your frequently handled items such as your phone, glasses, wallet, and keys. Disinfecting your items in the Puritize box as soon as you get home can help you prevent the spread of bacteria you may have picked up while you were out. 


Find out more about Puritize and the science and safety features behind this innovation in the world of home UV sanitization. 

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