Finding the best camera sensor cleaning can save you a fortune. It could even save your reputation and a ton of time. Digital cameras with interchangeable lenses have one huge disadvantage compared to film. Any dust or other foreign objects on the sensor will spoil every photo you take.
So you need to keep your sensor clean. When I change a lens, my priority is to make sure the sensor is exposed to the outside world for as short a time as possible. It’s relatively easy to clean your lens, but it’s more difficult to clean the sensor. And a speck of dust or a hair will be in perfect focus.
OK, so now that we know the problem, we need to find the solution. And the solution is, in fact, a solution. You need to gently clean away the dirt. As with cleaning a lens, the priority is to blow away dust and then wipe away any grease or smudges. For that, you need a camera sensor cleaning kit. And we’ve put together a fine selection for you to choose from.
Our top pick is the LensPen SKLK-1 Camera Cleaning Kit. It is easy to use, has a well-designed loupe, and all the other tools you’re likely to need.
What Is the Best Camera Sensor Cleaner?
In all these kits, you’ll find some or all of the following elements. A brush, a blower, swabs, cleaning fluid, a loupe, and a light. Swabs are specific to the sensor size, so you’ll want to make sure you get the right one(s).
- Illuminated loupe for seeing everything clearly
- MicroKlear cloth for safe, all-surface cleaning
- Hurricane Blower for dust-free sensors
- Retractable brush for hard-to-reach spots
- Light fits over the swab handles for perfect illumination
- Light makes swabs easy to use
- Different fluids available for specific problems
- Swabs available for different sensors
- Comes with neat travel pouch
- Different swabs for different sensors
- Comes with cleaning fluid
- Dry and moist wipes for perfect results
- Unique spot treatment tool
- Tool tip can be easily cleaned
- Limits the chance of residue or streaks
- Perfect for tackling individual blemishes
- Safely removes all debris from camera sensors
- Ensures clear, contamination-free photos and videos
- Illuminated loupe helps with your work
- Compact, travel-friendly kit for on-the-go users
- Unique approach to dust removal
- Uses static to attract dust
- Requires minimal contact with sensor
- Motor uses static to repel old dust between uses
- Great value for a basic kit
- The Rocket Air Blaster is very effective
- Comes with a lens pen for cleaning the sensor and lenses
- Essential everyday kit for your camera bag
- Comprehensive kit for total camera care
- MicroKlear cloth for safe, thorough cleaning
- Hurricane Blower removes dust effectively
- Retractable brush for hard-to-reach areas
- Swabs are vacuum-packed to ensure cleanliness
- Alcohol-free fluid is gentle and effective
- Other swabs available for different sensors
- Simple and effective
- All-inclusive package for comprehensive sensor cleaning
- Safely removes both dry and wet debris
- Ensures clear, contaminant-free images and video
- Illuminated loupe for easier cleaning
- A comprehensive kit in a high-quality case
- Anti-static gloves help prevent contamination
- Swabs for two different sensor sizes
- Multi-tip lens pen
Choosing the Best Camera Sensor Cleaner
Now we’ve looked at our recommendations, let’s examine each one in a little more detail.
1. LensPen SKLK-1 Camera Cleaning Kit
| Brand |
Brand
Lenspen
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
Yes
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
Yes
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
N/A
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
All
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Includes LensPen, illuminated loupe, blower, and pouch
|
| Best For |
Best For
Detailed spot-cleaning your sensor
|
The LensPen SKLK-1 Camera Cleaning Kit provides a great solution to the camera sensor cleaner problem. It has three basic components: an illuminated loupe, a blower, and a LensPen cleaner. The LensPen has long been well-regarded by photographers for its lens-cleaning abilities. It only makes sense that they make sensor cleaners, as well.
The loupe by itself is an impressive piece of equipment. First of all, it is illuminated, so you get to see your target very well. Secondly, it is designed to fit inside the camera body. This leaves both your hands free to do the cleaning. And finally, this cleaning is made possible by a generous cutout in the loupe body. You can access the sensor while looking through the loupe.
This is excellent in itself and shows a thoughtful, problem-solving approach to designing a camera sensor cleaner. But you also get the “rocket” blower. This generously sized rubber blower gives a strong puff of air to blow away any dust.
Finally, the LensPen itself has a special tip to clean the sensor of smudges and smears. The LensPen SKLK-1 Camera Cleaning Kit provides a very user-friendly experience.
2. VisibleDust EZ SwabLight Kit
| Brand |
Brand
VisibleDust
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
No
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
Yes
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
3
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
24 mm
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
LED light slots over swab for perfect illumination
|
| Best For |
Best For
Cleaning specific blemishes with specialized fluids
|
The VisibleDust EZ SwabLight Kit is a great foundation for a comprehensive sensor cleaning kit. The basic kit contains three swabs (you can choose the size you need) and a general-purpose fluid. You can then add different-sized swabs and specialist fluids. For instance, their fluid for tackling oily marks is ideal for fingerprints or saliva.
Perhaps the most useful part of this kit is the LED light that attaches to the swab handle. There are two main benefits to this. First of all, the swab now has an easy-to-grip fingerhold. And more importantly, the light shines directly at the surface you are cleaning. Hopefully, you will neither miss a mark nor overclean where it’s not needed.
The VisibleDust EZ SwabLight Kit gives you a high-quality starting point for your sensor cleaning needs.
3. Photographic Solutions Digital Survival Kit
| Brand |
Brand
Photographic Solutions
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
No
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
No
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
4
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
20, 17, or 24 mm
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Includes pouch, wipes, swabs, and fluids
|
| Best For |
Best For
Keeping in your bag when traveling for emergencies
|
The Photographic Solutions Digital Survival Kit is an ideal travel companion for your camera. Camera cleaning and maintenance should ideally be carried out in a planned way. But like car repairs, you might need to tackle a problem when you’re far from home. This camera sensor cleaning kit is the ideal solution.
As well as the swabs (you can choose the size according to your sensor), you get a handy zippered pouch, sensor cleaning fluid, and both dry and moist wipes. It’s a great resource to keep with you, whether you’re out for the day or for a month.
We think you’ll also like the price, which is very competitive for what you get. If you’re a traveling photographer, then the Photographic Solutions Digital Survival Kit is a great addition to your kit.
4. Kinetronics SpeckGrabber Pro
| Brand |
Brand
Kinetronics
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
No
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
No
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
N/A
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
All
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Designed to pick up individual specks of dust
|
| Best For |
Best For
Quickly removing individual problems
|
The Kinetronics SpeckGrabber Pro is an interesting take on the camera sensor cleaner. If you only have a single speck of dust or three, why risk wiping across your whole sensor? Instead, simply pick up the offending piece of dust on the end of the SpeckGrabber.
It’s actually a very sensible approach. You can quickly and easily remove debris without the risk of causing damage. There is a cleaning pad to refresh the end of the SpeckGrabber between uses.
The Kinetronics SpeckGrabber Pro won’t solve every camera sensor problem. But it does offer a simple and very effective solution to the dust-on-the-sensor problem.
5. Delkin SensorScope Camera Travel Kit
| Brand |
Brand
Delkin
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
Yes
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
Yes
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
15
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
16 mm
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Complete kit in a bag, with loupe, air blaster, and swabs
|
| Best For |
Best For
Taking a full kit on your travels or for keeping at home
|
The Delkin SensorScope Camera Travel Kit is pretty comprehensive and comes at an attractive price. In the bag, you’ll find an illuminated loupe, a bulb air blower, swabs, cleaning fluid, and a microfiber cloth. That’s about all you’ll need from a camera sensor cleaner. That is unless you have a full frame camera, as the wands only come in 16 mm.
Still, the 5x magnification of the illuminated loupe will help you identify smears and dust. And it will make cleaning them much easier.
The large rocket-style air bulb should make short work of loose dust. And the combination of double-ended swabs and the Delkin SensorSolution. This fluid is designed as a low-residue product to break down oily residue on the sensor.
Given the price, the Delkin SensorScope Camera Travel Kit is worth considering. And not just for your travels. It’s a useful kit to have at home as well.
6. VisibleDust Arctic Butterfly 724
| Brand |
Brand
VisibleDust
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
No
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
Yes
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
N/A
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
All
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Electric motor charges the brush with static to attract dust from the sensor
|
| Best For |
Best For
Sensors where there is only dust and no smears or smudges
|
The VisibleDust Arctic Butterfly 724 is a little bit of an oddity. And quite an expensive one at that. It is an electric-powered brush with two LEDs. The motor spins the brush to eject any dust particles on it prior to cleaning. This spinning also makes the brush head statically charged.
When you gently wipe the brush (not spinning) over the sensor, it attracts any dust on the surface. While it does that pretty well, it is limited to just that. There’s no blower, swabs, or fluid. The LEDs are handy, and it does what it does well.
But this won’t be the total solution to your camera sensor cleaner needs. But as long as you understand its limitations and can swallow its hefty price tag, you might want to give the VisibleDust Arctic Butterfly 724 a look.
7. Giottos Cleaning Kit: AA1903 Blaster, VCC113 Cloth, Lens Pen
| Brand |
Brand
Giottos
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
No
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
No
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
N/A
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
All
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Giotto's famous Air Blaster and a lens pen
|
| Best For |
Best For
Dealing with dust and the occasional smudge
|
We’re not cheapskates, but one thing we like about the Giottos Cleaning Kit is the price. For a camera sensor cleaner, it’s great value. It’s limited in features, but it will tackle the most common and troublesome problems.
The well-known and distinctively bright red Rocket Air Blaster should take care of any debris that is lingering on your sensor. It’s also handy for computer keyboards, by the way.
But back to your sensor, any smears can be dealt with by the lens pen. And you can use it on your lenses too. It’s a simple kit that will deal with most sensor cleaning problems that present themselves. The Giottos Cleaning Kit is a handy thing to have in your camera bag.
8. Altura Photo Camera Cleaning Kit for DSLR & Mirrorless
| Brand |
Brand
Altura Photo
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
No
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
No
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
6
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
16 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Hard-shell carrying case and a wealth of tools
|
| Best For |
Best For
Always keeping with you in your camera bag for almost any circumstance
|
The Altura Photo Camera Cleaning Kit packs almost everything you’ll need into a nice, zippered clamshell case. What’s missing from this camera sensor cleaner is a loupe or light. But everything else is there. And we like the price.
You get a pen, two microfiber cloths, a brush, a blower, six swabs, and some disposable tissues. This is clearly a kit designed for more than just the sensor. You can deal with your lenses and filters just as easily.
I’m a sucker for cases to keep things in, and the neat clamshell case here is perfect. If you’re looking for a good-value, general-purpose camera cleaning kit, the Altura Photo Camera Cleaning Kit is worth looking at.
9. UES APSC-16 Camera Sensor Cleaning Kit
| Brand |
Brand
UES
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
No
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
No
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
16
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
16 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Includes swabs and cleaning fluid
|
| Best For |
Best For
APS-C camera sensors
|
The UES APSC-16 Camera Sensor Cleaning Kit is simple and straightforward. There are swabs and a bottle of fluid. The emphasis is on doing a small number of things to an excellent standard. The swabs are vacuum-packed and are produced in a dust-free atmosphere.
The fluid is alcohol-free and made from ultrapure water. This should make sure that it leaves no streaks. And that’s it. You can choose larger swabs for full frame sensors, making the UES APSC-16 Camera Sensor Cleaning Kit suitable for almost everyone.
10. Movo Complete Camera Cleaning Kit for DSLR Cameras
| Brand |
Brand
Movo
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
Yes
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
Yes
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
10
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
16 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Hard case contains everything you need for cleaning your camera
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a great-value complete cleaning kit
|
The Movo Complete Camera Cleaning Kit offers a comprehensive camera sensor cleaner at an attractive price. It all comes in a neat hard-shell case. It’s particularly nice to see an illuminated loupe included in the kit.
Perhaps the only hole in the armory is, in fact, the lack of a hole. You can’t work on the sensor while looking through the loupe. On the other hand, the six LEDs provide excellent illumination. When you identify what and where the problems are, you have everything you need to deal with them.
The kit has a powerful blower, brush, swabs, lens pen, and cloth to deal with whatever you encounter. There’s a special tin-oxide cleaning liquid to deal with smears. There’s not much missing from the Movo Complete Camera Cleaning Kit, but it does come with a hefty price tag.
11. K&F Concept Professional Camera Cleaning Kit
| Brand |
Brand
K&F Concept
|
| Includes Loupe? |
Includes Loupe?
No
|
| Includes Lamp? |
Includes Lamp?
No
|
| Number of Swabs |
Number of Swabs
24
|
| Sensor Size |
Sensor Size
16 and 24 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Lens cleaning brush has multiple tips, complete with gloves and carrying bag
|
| Best For |
Best For
Various sensor sizes and lenses
|
The K&F Concept Professional Camera Cleaning Kit is a good choice if you have more than one sensor size on your cameras. It comes with two sizes of swabs, and you can add more as you need. It’s unusual in our review, as it contains a pair of anti-static gloves. The last thing you want is to add static to your gear, so this is a nice touch.
Another feature worth noting is the interchangeable tip on the lens cleaning pen. This gives you two different shape tips, plus a carbon tip for removing stubborn dirt (but this isn’t recommended for the sensor).
These, combined with the spray, rocket blower, and microfiber cloths, add up to a reasonably comprehensive kit. K&F is a well-respected brand in the camera world, and this K&F Concept Professional Camera Cleaning Kit is a good example of why.
Buyer’s Guide for the Best Sensor Cleaning Kit
It’s interesting that no two kits here seem to offer exactly the same set of products. That indicates that maybe the manufacturers don’t know for sure what it is we want. And it can make it difficult for you if this is your first voyage into the inner workings of your gear. So you might have questions. And here are the answers.
Do I Need to Clean My Sensor?
This is a simple and rather important question. The answer is hopefully, no, possibly yes. As in many areas of life, it’s good to hope for the best but plan for the worst. Many cameras have sensor cleaning routines built in. My Canon, for instance, vibrates the sensor every time it is turned on or off. This helps shake any particles off.
It also has a backup plan. If you spot a speck of dust in your photos, you can train the camera to ignore it in every photo you take. It’s no substitute for cleaning the sensor, but it’s a good feature.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Unfortunately, a lot. You might be nervous about delving into the inner workings of your camera. And you’d be right to be so. You could destroy your sensor if you’re not careful. But, it is unlikely. And with planning, care, and the right gear, cleaning your camera’s sensor is viable for most of us.
Sensor Cleaning Tips and Tricks
The best way to edit your photos, I always think, is to take perfect pictures in the first place. The same goes for your sensor. The best way to clean your sensor is to not let it get dirty. As we’ve seen already, this means keeping a lens or cap on the body at all times and making lens changes as quickly as possible. And if at all possible, not doing it in dusty, windy, or other risky places.
If you do end up with a blemish on your sensor, then caution, care, and planning are key. Prepare your workspace carefully. Make sure you have everything you need at hand. Try to make sure the room isn’t dusty and that you’re not wearing clothes that shed fiber or dust. And work slowly and methodically, following the instructions that came with the kit.
If you do that, then you should find your camera has a new lease of life. And you have a warm feeling of accomplishment.
Conclusion: The Best Camera Sensor Cleaner
It’s not easy deciding what you need, especially if you’re new to the world of the camera sensor cleaner. But we think you should find something suitable here. We really like the LensPen SKLK-1 Camera Cleaning Kit. The loupe makes it really easy to work on your sensor. And you’ll even be able to use it on lenses.
