The Best Record Cleaning Machines 2021

Taking care of our records is an important part of our love for our collections and the world of Vinyl. It is not only very important to keep them in shape, but cleaning our collections can become a very satisfying ritual all in itself. We have all seen collections that suffer from a lack of care, and it should be avoided. Of course, cleaning a small collection takes some time but perhaps not too much. What happens when you have hundreds of records or use the ones you have very often? You could easily find yourself spending a long time cleaning records. That is where technology comes in to lend a helping hand. Today there are several models of machines designed exactly for cleaning records, and we are going to take a look at six of the most interesting ones we were able to find.

It is very important to note that these machines can clean your records without the risk of damaging them, and that is one of the main reasons to get one. You should also consider the price tag here, most of these are not on the cheap side. They are built to last, though, so remember that fact when deciding because it may very well be worth it to spend a few more dollars, you will not have to replace it any time soon.

Ok, with those details in mind let’s jump into the different models.

iSonic P4875II+MVR+CSVR+KWx1 Motorized Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner

We are starting with a powerful piece of equipment. This iSonic machine is surely going to be able to handle a lot of work. You can clean up to five records at the same time, which is quite impressive. This machine is well-suited for those that need to keep a big collection in good shape, or perhaps if you do record maintenance professionally. It may a bit overkill for a small collection, but you never know how big a collection will grow over time.

Another excellent feature that is not present in a few competitors is the ability to set a timer so that you can set it and forget it until the cleaning process is done. The product is well designed, but a bit on the bulky side. That is understandable, though, because it can handle a lot of records at the same time. There is even a variant that can work on ten records at once.

I’ve tested this device and this ultrasonic cleaner does a very good job cleaning my records.

This machine is of excellent build quality and has the features you would expect from a product designed for professional use. The iSonic is motorized and will turn the records for you, and uses a wet system.

Pros:

  • Excellent quality, built to last.
  • Can work fast and on several records at a time.
  • Great for professional settings.

Cons:

  • A bit on the expensive side.
  • It is the biggest machine on this list.

2. WEWU LP Vinyl Record Brackets

This is the second item on our selection capable of handling up to five records at a time. It is a lot lighter than the iSonic model we just took a look at. It also works with a wet system, meaning that it will sink your records in a cleaning solution. This has the advantage of being thorough and getting most of the grime off. This model comes with a hermetic cover to protect the labels, this way you do not need to worry about ruining the labels on your records. You will not need to handle the records once they are wet, due to a specific system that allows you to raise them after the cleaning process is done so that they can dry on their own. It will also make the records spin using its motor, so you can leave your records in the machine until the process is complete.

I was very impressed at the quality of this system.

We feel that this particular model can be great for a user that is not in a professional setting, but has a serious collection and is very active with cleansing vinyl records. It is not quite as professional (or expensive) as other options, but it will be able to service a great number of records in a short amount of time, and its build quality is quite good.


Pros:

  • Less bulky than other similar options.
  • Not too expensive considering all available features.

Cons:

  • Less bulky than other similar options.
  • Not too expensive considering all available features.
  • May be overkill for a small collection.

3. Pro-Ject – VC-E Record Cleaning Machine

This is a very interesting machine. The first on this list to work with a dry system, meaning that you do not need to worry about liquids and the potential risks related to getting your records wet. That is good news for a user that is simply looking for a fast and easy alternative to clean their collection. Its design is slick and looks great. With its aluminum finish, it will fit right into any room dedicated to records, it can sit right next to your record player and look stunning doing so. It also spins quite a bit faster than its wet counterparts, because it does not have to worry about spilling liquids during its operation. This product comes with a great set of accessories, and it is aimed at collectors that want to have a good-looking machine that can perform its duties well. 

The design of this machine is really impressive and it’s very easy to use.

All of these great features do come at a price. Being marketed towards consumers means that it will not look out of place next to your record player, but it is a bit on the expensive side. A small amount of fluid applied to the surface of the record will be enough to get this beautiful machine working, and it will do a great job every time.


Pros:

  • Very nice looking finish.
  • Comes with many accessories.


Cons:

  • Expensive for a consumer-oriented product.

4. Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII

The Spin-Clean will be perfect for a user that is looking to add to his set-up a machine that can effectively clean records without taking much space on their den or being too expensive. This machine is not suited for professional settings because it can only handle one record at a time and it will take a bit of time to clean the whole thing thoroughly, but it will perform great every time and it can fit right into any record collection. Its transparent design may not be for everyone, but if you like the look of it then it is surely for you. It is a very distinct style that works very well in certain settings.

Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII read before you buy
Really love this simple device, super easy to use and clean vinyls!

One thing to keep in mind is that this record cleaner does not have a motor to spin the records, you will have to do it by hand. This is not much of a problem if you just want to clean the record you are about to pop in, but it will be a bit more involved and time-consuming than other options in this list.


Pros:

  • Comes with a very handy anti-static brush.
  • Does not take up much space.


Cons:

  • It’s stylish, but its looks may not be for everyone.
  • Has to be spun by hand.

5. Studebaker Vinyl Record Cleaning System

This Studebaker model has a low profile in terms of size, but it is an excellent choice for collectors out there looking to add a cleaning system to their set-up that works well and looks very nice. There is no motor in this unit, which means that you will have to spin it by hand, but the good news is that it works on both sides of the record simultaneously, which means that it takes a lot less time to thoroughly clean a record up compared to the one-sided solutions. You can adjust it for different sizes and includes several rollers, brushes, and clothes to help you on your task. 

It is not bulky at all, and its wood cabinet makes it look stylish. This device is sure to fit right into your set-up because it does not take up much space and is great to look at. Just like a few of the other options on this list, this model is not suited for those of you out there that need to clean a lot of records at a time or do this professionally. It is great for collectors that want to take in the experience of record playing in full, including the cleaning ritual before or after listening to a great record.

In terms of price, this is an excellent option. It is quite inexpensive compared to other, similar products. It will do its job well and look great doing so.


Pros:

  • Great looks that fit right into any set-up
  • Quite inexpensive. 
  • Works on both sides of the record at the same time.

Cons:

  • Manual operation.
  • Not many accessories are included.

Conclusion

  iSonic P4875II+MVR+CSVR+KWx1 WEWU LP Pro-Ject – VC-E Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII Studebaker Vinyl Record Cleaning System
Ultrasonic Yes Yes No No No
Body Steel Aluminium Aluminium Plastic Wood / Plastic
Size 13″x9. 4″X4. 1 13.98 x 12.2 x 4.88 inches 310 x 266 x 210 mm 6 x 15 x 8 inches 16.69 x 4.53 x 6.5 inches
Record size 12″ or 10″ 12″ or 10″ 12″ or 10″ 12″ or 10″ 12″ or 10″
Weight 11.8 kg 1.8 kg 6.5 kg 2.2 kg 1.3 kg

 

Just like with any other product there are a lot of options out there when it comes to selecting a good record cleaning machine. The ones that we have presented here all have their ups and downs, but will surely work well. When choosing you should make sure that you pick a product that fits all your needs, keep in mind that even though the product may be great it may not be for you specifically. If you have a small collection you may want to add to it a machine that looks great and performs well, but you may not be too concerned with speed or efficiency. On the other hand, if you find yourself cleaning a lot of records and you do not care much about looks there are other options out there that may be better suited for you. Many of these come with a lot of accessories, but they all work in similar ways. 

Be sure to keep your needs and preferences in front of the decision-making process and you are sure to find a great option that suits all your requirements. All of the items on this article are sure to work well and last for a long time fully operational, so it will simply come down to picking what is right for your particular needs. Have fun choosing, and enjoy!

If you are interested in record player stands check out my review here.

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