Who makes a good and reliable ultrasonic cleaner?

[Duff MachinistParticipant @duffmachinist36701]

Howdo all,

I’ve used a number of benchtop ultrasonic cleaners (UCs) in the past, but never owned one. Now’s the time to own one. My experiences of them have been pretty poor ranging from cheap Chinese rubbish to expensive German rubbish. Manufacturers from both countries, and others, can produce good products, but by the same degree, there are some poor ones out there too, and a recognised (respected) brand name is no longer a guarantee.

I know what type I need (size – c.6 litres, wattage, etc.), but my main issue is finding a manufacturer that can make a reliable machine that isn’t going to die after a dozen uses, and actually uses ultrasound effectively and efficiently. I haven’t found any of the ubiquitous Chinese made ones to be wholly reliable (or effective) and was surprised that the only two German ones (one each of Elma and I can’t remember the name of the other) I used had some failings too. I’ve not tried any made in the UK or other European country (including Germany), so am hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

I would prefer to avoid digital UCs, anything fancy, and paying 4 figures, so if anyone has a good experience I would like to hear from you.

 

Best wishes,

Duff.

 

P.S. I live in Europe so availability will need to be taken into account.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I have never been able to justify buying one, but these are very well-respected:

https://walkerelectronics.co.uk/product-overview/

MichaelG.

[Bantam BillParticipant @bantambill]

I’ve found these US cleaners to be very good, https://www.allendale-ultrasonics.co.uk

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

What is a “digital” USC and what is wrong with them?

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Like BB I got mine about 8 years ago from allendale

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

The ones we used at work were by “Decon” but it looks as they now make only the detergents and neutralisers, not the cleaning-baths themselves.

A pity, for they were simple and reliable units.

I don’t think ultrasonic cleaners the be-all and end-all; not by any fault of the equipment but by the physics. Some appear made for quite specific areas of work anyway, but trying to use it to clear swarf coated in cutting-lubricant from deep tapped holes, or washing fine-pitch gears, is probably asking a lot of the process.

The work is best suspended directly, or in a coarse-mesh basket too, not placed in a glass jar as some users appear to advocate but which I think would waste most of the sound energy by reflections and mis-matching impedances.

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

The reason you might be advised to put small items in a glass jar is so that you only need a small quantity of an expensive cleaning fluid, the bulk of the tank can then be filled with water which is cheap.

I use a Guyson Ultrasonic tank and it has been very effective and reliable.
https://guyson.co.uk/product-category/ultrasonic-systems/ultrasonic-baths-and-tanks/benchtop-ultrasonic-baths/

Phil P

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

I have a VEVOR 3 litre one, used on and of for about a dozen years with no problems.  It’s probably made in China like everything else.  It does have digital display and timer and temperature controls but they are easy to use.  They have a wide range of sizes and powers available.

Russell

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

When I had to clean some microwave filter bodies machined from aluminium I immersed them in solvent in thick polythene bags and placed those in the water in the bath.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Is it my imagination or have I seen them in Aldi/Lidl? Some of their stuff is surprisingly good for the money sometimes.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Phil –

You don’t need “expensive” cleaning fluids unless you are cleaning very critical items like watch movements or perhaps electrical equipment.

I don’t know what our company paid but I don’t think the fluids we used, mixed with water, were all that costly. They seemed to be little more than detergent to break down the grease, helped by the water being moderately hot, and the sound did the rest.

If I was using ultrasonic cleaning on engineering items I’d give them an initial wash with white spirit to remove the worst, rinse them in hot washing-soda solution (not for aluminium and zinc) then use the ultrasonic bath for the final cleaning.

Looking at Decon’s own web-site (it was their products we used), it seems their main product is not dissimilar from washing-up liquid or laundry detergent, but among points to consider, taken from the manufacturer’s own literature:

Ensure it will not attack the work-piece material. Alkaline detergents eat aluminium, for example*; and

The work may need soaking first, before turning on the electronics.

*That can be exacerbated if the aluminium has steel, especially stainless-steel, parts such as screws fitted to it. And no, anodising will not protect it from such contact corrosion.

 

 

[Vic]

On Vic Said:

Is it my imagination or have I seen them in Aldi/Lidl? Some of their stuff is surprisingly good for the money sometimes.

I have had one for a few years – Aldi I think – it’s ok for small carburettor parts and similar but with the emphasis on small.

Prior to that I had a similar Lidl model that died.

[Duff Machinist]

On 3 October 2025 at 01:15 Duff Machinist Said:

Howdo all,

I’ve used a number of benchtop ultrasonic cleaners (UCs) in the past, but never owned one. Now’s the time to own one. My experiences of them have been pretty poor ranging from cheap Chinese rubbish to expensive German rubbish. Manufacturers from both countries, and others, can produce good products, but by the same degree, there are some poor ones out there too, and a recognised (respected) brand name is no longer a guarantee.

I know what type I need (size – c.6 litres, wattage, etc.), but my main issue is finding a manufacturer that can make a reliable machine that isn’t going to die after a dozen uses, and actually uses ultrasound effectively and efficiently. I haven’t found any of the ubiquitous Chinese made ones to be wholly reliable (or effective) and was surprised that the only two German ones (one each of Elma and I can’t remember the name of the other) I used had some failings too. I’ve not tried any made in the UK or other European country (including Germany), so am hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

I would prefer to avoid digital UCs, anything fancy, and paying 4 figures, so if anyone has a good experience I would like to hear from you.

 

Best wishes,

Duff.

 

P.S. I live in Europe so availability will need to be taken into account.

I have industrial UC cleaner experience from a long while ago – 1970’s. A large 30 gallon 5 kw 6 large transducers, heater etc that wasn’t digital and needed constant retuning to get it to resonate properly, a right PITA.

You could do worse than look at Vevor’s range available in europe.

https://eur.vevor.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-c_11064/10l-digital-ultrasonic-cleaner-with-heater-28-40khz-0-80-large-stainless-steel-p_010748451323

I’ve bought equipment from them before, delivered to France and I’ve found them decent to deal with.

 

[Duff MachinistParticipant @duffmachinist36701]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

I did look at the Vevor, Guyson, and the Allendale links, but all those are made in China, and indeed show the same machines in some cases; just relabeled with minor cosmetic differences. Nonetheless, all power to those who are happy with them. I have nothing against Chinese products per se, but knowing their business practices, I’m not inclined to buy into it (the practice I type of is that, quite often, they produce a new product that is made very well, get rave reviews for the quality/price, but then, once the product has become established, they “degrade” their product by cutting corners and using lesser [cheaper] quality components. The product when new is sometimes sold at a loss, but the money is made when they take the said shortcuts in production. Once the market has finally cottoned on to that, they’ve already made their money and scarpered). Also QC is a bit lax – you might get a good one that lasts years, but quite possibly not. Anyway, I digress.

Walker is on the list of potentials (thanks Michael), but will dig a bit deeper. The 80T looks like it might be large enough, and not at a very stupid price. Ta.

 

Oh, by the way, I meant digital readouts and such. I prefer analogue – less to go wrong, but it’s not necessarily a deal breaker.

 

Cheers,

Duff.

[Bill PhinnParticipant @billphinn90025]

I’ve owned an analogue Elma for 11 years. I’ve had no problems with it.

Could you elaborate on what problems you found with your Elma/the Elma you used?

[Bill Phinn]

On Bill Phinn Said:

I’ve owned an analogue Elma for 11 years. I’ve had no problems with it.

Could you elaborate on what problems you found with your Elma?

Hi Bill,

 

It wasn’t my machine, but had use of it. When it failed (stopped working altogether) we had a look inside and couldn’t see any immediate issues – it was well built. It turned out it was an issue with the circuit board. I gather it was replaced and is presumably working again. It was a relatively new machine so presumably under warrantee. I have to confess I was put off by that failure. However, perhaps I should have another look. They should be good for the price they charge.

[howardb]

,On howardb Said:

<SNIP>

I have industrial UC cleaner experience from a long while ago – 1970’s. A large 30 gallon 5 kw 6 large transducers, heater etc that wasn’t digital and needed constant retuning to get it to resonate properly, a right PITA.

You could do worse than look at Vevor’s range available in europe.

https://eur.vevor.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-c_11064/10l-digital-ultrasonic-cleaner-with-heater-28-40khz-0-80-large-stainless-steel-p_010748451323

I’ve bought equipment from them before, delivered to France and I’ve found them decent to deal with.

The reason that ultrasonic cleaners arn’t on the UK Vevor website is because they don’t meet product safety standards.

[Duff Machinist]

On Duff Machinist Said:

Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

I did look at the Vevor, Guyson, and the Allendale links, but all those are made in China, and indeed show the same machines in some cases; just relabeled with minor cosmetic differences.

….
….

Duff

My Guyson tank is from back in the day when they were actually made in Skipton North Yorkshire. As you say they are now imported.
I was Chief Design engineer at Guyson’s for 35 years and was actually involved in them being manufactured and tested.

Phil P

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