I’ll admit something first. For years, my phone screen cleaner was the bottom of my t-shirt.
When a cleaning pad the size of a postage stamp crossed my desk, I did not expect much. I had already tried cloths and little spray bottles, and I quit both. Here is what happened when I tried WaterBear.
Why My T-Shirt Was Making Things Worse
The numbers surprised me. In 2023, the average person paid $800 for a smartphone. We spend that much on a device we use for nearly everything, and then we wipe it on whatever we happen to be wearing.
I would pull my phone out of my pocket and find it covered in smudges and grime. A quick rub on my shirt felt like it fixed things. It didn’t.
The t-shirt wipe just pushes the smudge around. It leaves an oily film behind, plus germs, bacteria and grime that keep building up.
Glasses are worse. I depend on mine even more than my phone, and I never liked the thought of all that buildup sitting right next to my face.
So I did what most people do. I bought a microfiber cloth and later a “portable” cleaning spray. They worked fine, for a while.
Then real life got in the way. I had to wash the cloth, refill the spray and find room for both in my bag. Eventually I stopped carrying them, and I was back to the t-shirt.
What WaterBear Actually Is
WaterBear came from an entrepreneur and camera enthusiast named Cory Decker. He had the same frustration I did, but he decided to do something about it.
The result is a tiny screen cleaner, about the size of a postage stamp, that sticks right onto your device. Because it lives on the back of your phone or camera, it is always with you. That is the part that won me over.
The brand says WaterBears use NASA technology to remove smears, dirt, oils, fingerprints and even bacteria from lenses of all kinds. They are designed as universal cleaners, so they work on virtually any screen or lens:
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Camera lenses
- Laptops
- E-readers
- Eyeglasses
- Binoculars
How It Works, And Why I Stopped Carrying Cloths
The first thing I noticed is what WaterBear doesn’t use. There are no toxins, no water and no sprays when you clean. You just wipe.
Even so, my screens came out clear, crisp, and free of streaks and residue. No liquid, no spray bottle, no greasy film left behind.
The secret is the material. It is built to attract and trap grime, oils and smudges instead of pushing them around. According to the brand, the fibers are micro-weaved in omnidirectional loops to get the most cleaning out of every swipe.
The material is also permeated with a proprietary antimicrobial infusion, described as a certified antimicrobial formula. So the brand says your devices are not just smudge-free but clean at a microscopic level.
The back is adhesive silicone. It sort of “suctions” onto your phone or camera, and when I peeled mine off it didn’t leave any sticky residue. It is within reach when I need it and out of the way when I don’t.
When a WaterBear starts to lose its sticky texture or cleaning power, you rinse it off and let it air dry. That restores it. It is reusable, so I am not buying refills or washing cloths.
This is not the same as the little cloth that came with your sunglasses. It is unlike any microfiber or fabric I have used. Cory Decker reportedly contacted 87 factories before he found one that could manufacture this specialized material.
Who It Makes Sense For
If you use a phone, camera or glasses every day, this is for you. Most people I know use all three.
I use mine several times a day on my eyeglasses, phone screen, camera lens, sunglasses and tablet. I even use it on my loupe when I am checking proofs.
It is especially handy if you take a lot of photos. A smudged lens is often the reason for a blurry picture, and a quick wipe before shooting makes a real difference.
I ended up sticking them all over my home, my car and my workstation. I also started giving them as gifts, since everyone has at least one thing with a screen or lens.
What Other Buyers Are Saying
I wanted to know if it was just me, so I read what other users had to say.
One person had been hoping for a microfiber cloth that would stick to a phone or camera so it couldn’t get lost. They liked the different sizes and said the pads stick well and clean very smoothly.
Another tried one on a dirty laptop screen. The first wipe picked up so much that they washed and dried it straight away. They now keep one on the back of a MacBook Pro and one on an iPhone. Their only complaint was the look: they wished the bear etching were cuter and came in brighter colors.
A professional photographer said she uses lotion on her hands, so her laptop screen, phone screen and back camera smudge constantly. She keeps a WaterBear on her camera lens for a quick clean before portfolio sessions. When the pads need cleaning, she runs them under water and lets them dry naturally.
A content creator who needs clean lenses all the time admitted being skeptical at first. Their verdict: it sticks perfectly to the back of the phone, and a rinse in cool water brings back the stickiness. They gave it 10 out of 10.
The buzz started through Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Makuake and BackerKit. Since then, WaterBears have gone viral and are selling in over 123 countries worldwide.
Price And Where To Buy
Right now, WaterBears are sold directly by the brand on the official website. For the best deal, I would go straight there rather than looking anywhere else.
Prices and bundle options can change, so check the official site for the current price before you order. If you are like me, a multi-pack makes sense so you can put one on every device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What devices can I use WaterBear on? Virtually any screen or lens, including smartphones, tablets, camera lenses, laptops, e-readers, eyeglasses and binoculars.
Do I need a spray or water to clean my screen? No. WaterBears don’t use toxins, water or sprays when you clean. You only use water when the pad itself needs refreshing.
Will it leave sticky residue on my phone? The adhesive silicone back is designed to hold onto your phone or camera without leaving a sticky residue.
What do I do when it stops sticking or cleaning as well? Rinse it off and let it air dry. That restores its stickiness and its cleaning power.
How big is it? About the size of a postage stamp, and the brand offers different sizes.
Where can I buy WaterBear? They are currently sold directly by the brand on the official website.
My Verdict
I expected a gimmick. What I got is the first screen cleaner I actually use every day, because I can’t forget it at home. My glasses are clearer, my screens are less greasy, and my phone photos aren’t hazy from a fingerprint on the lens.
It is the most convenient way I have found to keep screens and lenses clean. It is my favorite discovery of the year so far.
One honest limitation: it is not maintenance-free. On a very dirty screen it can pick up a lot on the first pass, and you will need to rinse it and wait for it to air dry before it is back to full strength. Keeping a spare on another device fixes that.
This website is an advertising marketplace for companies that provide consumers with products and services. This website is an advertisement and not a news publication. All persons depicted on this site are models. The owner does not recommend or endorse any specific company. Terms, conditions, and exclusions may apply. Representations regarding the efficacy and safety of WaterBear have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease. This information does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied upon as such. Consult with your doctor before modifying your regular medical regime. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page.
