Apple’s $19 polishing cloth is a great option for those who want to keep their devices looking new. However, there are other options that can be used to clean devices. Here are five alternatives to Apple’s cloth:

  1. Glass cleaner: This option is great for removing fingerprints and other contaminants from glass surfaces. It can also be used on metal surfaces.
  2. Carpet cleaner: This option is great for cleaning carpets and upholstery. It can also be used on furniture and floors.
  3. Furniture polish: This option is great for removing dirt, dust, and other debris from furniture surfaces. It can also be used on wood floors and furniture.
  4. Lint-free cloths: These options are perfect for those who want to avoid lint build-up on their devices or screens. They work by using a special detergent that does not leave any residue behind after being removed from the device or screen

What Is Apple’s Polishing Cloth?

Apple’s $19 Polishing Cloth first debuted with the Pro Display XDR in 2019. For the $5,999 price, Apple included the cloth as an extra. The cloth is made of “soft, nonabrasive material” according to Apple, which makes it ideal for cleaning nano-texture glass like on the Pro Display XDR.

As a separate product, Apple touts it as the best way to clean your devices, citing “compatibility” with as many as 88 different Apple products. Of course, if your device has a glossy panel of any kind, the cloth with be compatible.

What Makes It So Special?

There’s no exotic materials or impressive level of engineering happening here, so it remains unclear exactly why Apple charges $19 for this cleaning cloth. And, while it’s designed for nano-texture glass whereas a lot of cleaning cloths aren’t, that doesn’t necessarily make it worth its rather high asking price.

This cloth seems to be popular for one simple reason: it’s a piece of cloth with an Apple logo on it. The second it went on sale, people started ordering it and purchasing it at Apple stores, immediately succeeded by many photos of the cloth being taken and uploaded to social media. It became a viral sensation in a very short amount of time, and delivery dates quickly began slipping. At the time of writing this article, current estimates have the Polishing Cloth shipping 10-12 weeks after initially placing an order.

Of course, you don’t have to buy this $19 piece of fabric to clear your device of any smudges or fingerprints. Virtually any third-party solution will do the job, and we’ve done the research to find five of the best, for less.

MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

MagicFiber is one of the biggest companies in the microfiber cleaning cloth space, and it’s been making rock-solid cloths to clean all of your devices for years. Its standard pack of six cloths is priced at just $8.95 and promises no leftover streaks, lint, dirt, or smudges after cleaning. It’s a no-brainer and a terrific way to save over 50 percent compared to Apple’s offering.

Progo Ultra Absorbent Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

Progo’s Ultra Absorbent Microfiber Cleaning Cloths are another alternative to Apple’s Polishing Cloth. Shipping in another six-pack, these cloths are more substantial and much more absorbent. Not only will you really be able to rub off deeper smudges and other imperfections from your gadgets, but you can also spray cleaning solution on them and use them around the house. They’re also affordable at $9.60.

Kuzy Microfiber Keyboard Cover Cloth

A lot of people have been buying Apple’s Polishing Cloth to clean their MacBooks, too, and there are some solid third-party solutions that can do more than just wipe your laptop down. Kuzy’s Microfiber Keyboard Cover Cloth is exactly as its title suggests; it’s large enough to cover your keyboard to protect both it and your display when you close your laptop. According to Kuzy, it’s large enough for virtually every modern MacBook as well as other laptops.

It’s also thin enough to not get in the way, and it’s plenty affordable at $6.99. Of course, you can use it to clean all of your devices as well.

Camkix Cleaning Cloth with Open Bottom Pouch and Carabiner

If you’re looking for a microfiber cloth that’s more functional than Apple’s, check out what Camkix has to offer. Its cleaning cloth, available in a pack of four, comes in a carrying case with a carabiner so you can securely attach it to a backpack or camera case. It’s affordably priced at $13.99 and makes for a great addition to any traveler’s everyday carry.

EVEO Electronic Wipes

You might be able to clean a lot of filth from your device with Apple’s Polishing Cloth, but for the deepest and most thorough clean you can get, check out EVEO’s Electronic Wipes. Available in a two-pack with 40 wipes in each, these wipes are specially designed to clean any gunk or goop off your gadgets’ screens no matter how crusty or stubborn it is. The wipes come with a hefty microfiber cloth for polishing so you can achieve that new-screen look.

The wipes are also relatively affordable at $17.99. That’s still $2 less than what Apple charges, and you’ll get a much better clean.