Top 10 Best Camera Lens Cleaners in 2021 (Nikon, Care Touch, and More)

Below are the best camera lens cleaners we've handpicked for their effectiveness and positive reviewer feedback. You'll find standalone materials and cleaning kits. Browse through to find the best one to suit your camera's needs! 

There are a few factors to keep in mind when buying a camera lens cleaner. The buying guide below will walk you through your purchase! 

The most crucial factor to keep in mind when purchasing a camera lens cleaner is deciding on the cleaning instrument. Typically, you can choose between a cleaning kit or standalone items, like microfiber cleaning cloths or moist wipes.

A popular standalone cleaning instrument is a microfiber cleaning cloth. These are very easy to store and can be kept in your camera case.

If you’re looking for a quick and hassle-free clean, a microfiber cleaning cloth is perfect. This can be used on your lens and the camera's body. It works on all camera types and LCD screens, such as phones, tablets, and laptops. You can also use microfiber cleaning cloths on your eyeglasses!

However, it might be hard to remove stubborn stains and tiny dust particles stuck in the corners of your lens with this type of cloth. 

You can also use pre-moistened wipes. These wipes contain a cleaning solution and can only be used once. Moist wipes come in small packets and are safe to use on camera lenses, glasses, and different LCD screens. They are gentle and non-abrasive on lenses. 

Unlike microfiber cleaning cloths, it is easier to remove stubborn stains and smudges on your lenses with moist wipes. In addition, the alcohol solution in the wipes does a great job of eliminating smudge marks.

Wipes are great to have in your camera bag for quick cleanse. Simply dispose of them once you are done. A drawback is that it can not be reused, unlike a microfiber cleaning cloth.

Camera lens cleaning kits often include all the equipment needed to clean all types of cameras, but they are primarily used on DSLR cameras.

If you decide to go with a cleaning kit, check to see that it has the following staple items: an air blower, a microfiber cleaning cloth, a cleaning solution, and a lens cleaning brush or pen. Additional items to look out for are lens papers and a storage bag.

Air blowers are used to remove the dust particles and dirt on your lens’ surfaces and crevices. Try to avoid blowing on the screen to remove the dust as your saliva or breath increases condensation, making it more difficult to remove the dirt. 

Next, use the cleaning brushes to remove dirt that can’t be removed with the blower. Detach your lens and brush away any dust and dirt. Some pen brushes can be used to remove both dry and oily grime, like smudges.

Lastly, use a microfiber cloth and cleaning solution for the final touches. Never spray the solution directly on the lens. Moist wipes with a cleaning solution are a good alternative if you don’t have a microfiber cloth and cleaning solution at hand. 

Before buying a camera lens cleaner, always consider your camera model. Some cameras will benefit from complete cleaning kits, while others don’t need blowers and fancy paraphernalia.

Some compact digital cameras don’t come with interchangeable lenses. Instead, these cameras are pocket-sized, easy-to-use, fully automatic, and feature a point-and-shoot photography style.

Digital camera lenses commonly come with a rectangular-shaped window. You can use microfiber cloths, cleaning solutions, and moist wipes on this type of lens.

Since the lens can’t be detached from the camera body, there’s no need to get kits with brushes and blowers to remove dust particles inside.

On the other hand, DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) and SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) cameras benefit from cleaning kits with different cleaning equipment.

These cameras are pretty costly and require proper care; the better the quality lens you get, the more maintenance it will need. These lenses can be fragile, sensitive, and made of more expensive materials. 

Camera lens cleaning kits are must-haves for every photographer. Smudges, fingerprints, and dirt stains are inevitable whenever you’re taking pictures and changing your lens.

As we mentioned above, a good cleaning kit contains an air blower, a microfiber cleaning cloth, a cleaning solution, and a lens cleaning brush or pen. Look for these staples when buying a cleaning kit for your DSLR camera. 

Cleaning solutions are specially designed to work on lenses' advanced optical coatings without damaging them. Because of this, it is not recommended to use household glass cleaners, acetone, or plain water on a lens.

Acetone does a great job of removing dirt, but it can damage the optical coatings on camera lenses. In addition, acetone is too harsh and can adversely affect the plastic and paint on your camera lens barrel.

Stick to dedicated cleaning solutions containing some alcohol and deionized water. Most lens cleaning solutions are diluted with water to protect your lens and lengthen its life. 

As a photographer, you’re already aware of how much equipment you take with you to shoots, such as extra lenses, tripods, another camera, and more.

When purchasing a camera lens cleaner, consider how much space you have in your camera bag. If you own a pocket-sized digital camera, a microfiber cleaning cloth or moist wipes are ideal. These are small enough to store discreetly and safely with your camera.

On the other hand, if you have a DSLR camera, make sure your cleaning kit comes with a pouch or bag to keep all the items in one place for easy storage. 

Are you looking for equipment to make your life as a photographer easier? Check out these items below! 

Maintaining your equipment by proper cleaning is a great way to prolong your camera's lenses. Whether you're an aspiring photographer or already seasoned in the craft, always remember to buy the proper cleaning instrument. Make sure to consider your camera's model, too. With that, we hope you have an idea of what to purchase!

Author: Kazuko Otsuka

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If you're in the market for more useful camera gear, consider this tripod recommended by food blogger Bryan Ngo! It's strong, highly adjustable, and portable.