What's the next step up from a Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner?

[GuyInGarage]

It seems like the bigger harbor freight ultrasonic cleaner gets good reviews, but if I wanted to go up up a step in size and/or quality, what brands or models do people recommend?

I don't want to go crazy. I don't need something huge or expensive.

 

[johnh91]

What kinds of items are you intended to use it with? And what is the largest size?

 

[geneg]

It seems like the bigger harbor freight ultrasonic cleaner gets good reviews, but if I wanted to go up up a step in size and/or quality, what brands or models do people recommend?

I don't want to go crazy. I don't need something huge or expensive.

Vevor. However, it took some time & effort to get a working unit.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I have had great success with my no-name "sonicator" as the wife calls it.

 

[Nessism]

I had a Vevor unit, which is basically the same as the Harbor Freight, and a multitude of others. Mine broke: a board burnt out and one of the transducers fell off. I fixed it, but it never cleaned all that well. Replaced it with a Branson, purchased used off eBay, and it's been great. Take your time and find a low-hours used unit. It's more money, but totally worth it.

 

[vpd66]

I ended up buying a used one off marketplace. It was used for cleaning tattoo gun parts. Just a common avenue to keep your eyes open for.

 

[Rinspeed]

I would suggest buying a used industrial unit made by Crest, Branson Blackstone or L&R. For around $500 you should be able to get a tank around 5 gallons that will easily last a lifetime, new they run around $3,500.

 

[engineer2]

Branson is a good brand.
Crest is another.
Used a lot in labs and for industrial cleaning.
Whatever you get, check parts availability.

 

[GuyInGarage]

What kinds of items are you intended to use it with? And what is the largest size?

I'm looking at a 15l or so model. Tools, dirty bike and car parts, etc.

 

[308guru]

Branson is a good brand.
Crest is another.
Used a lot in labs and for industrial cleaning.
Whatever you get, check parts availability.

I was just going to respond with both Crest and Branson.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Elma is another brand that is common for higher end products.

 

[Davefr]

Elma is another brand that is common for higher end products.

Elma's are excellent units (made in Germany) but be prepared for a hefty price premium over the no name Chinese units. You'll get features like frequency shift, sweep and heaters that bring the tank temp up very quickly.

 

[Sumboodie]

Anything. They are utter ****. Want one? It needs to go to the trash bin.

It's noisy and vibrates and heats, but doesn't clean, even with the special liquid.
Like 20 seconds in the sink with dawn and a brush does better than 2 hours with the noise maker.

Over $200 wasted...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LGBPY32?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012GQOBM8?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wafrederick]

I have a 6L Vevor that has been trouble free here. It does get cleaned out after use, the tank after use with using distilled water cleaning the tank. Also upgraded the plastic fitting that screws into the drain with a brass and a better drain hose from the hardware store. The drain hose it comes with is too thin and kinks easily. I use Pinesol in it for cleaning aluminum since it does not hurt it