UV-light-based sanitizers have been blowing up this last year as companies such to provide solutions to consumers that might help them sanitize the surfaces and items that surround them every day. Everything from wands to containers that allow you to place items into them. One of which was the original Coral UV container (our review) that got a lot of attention last summer. Now, Corel is back with the next-gen solution with the Coral UV 2 LED UV-C Sterilizer and Dryer.
A slightly larger solution with an LED approach instead of using the Philips tubes of the original product. This means you can fit larger items (or more items) while also saving a little on energy consumption. Especially if you plan to make use of it a lot throughout the day.
Originally targeted for parents with children, allowing a convenient solution for sanitizing baby bottles, the upgraded edition jumps on the fact that everyone is clearly going to use it for just about anything they want to toss into it. Keys, wallet, smartphone, or anything else you commonly come into contact with throughout the day. Simply place the items into the Coral UV 2, shut the slide, and choose the amount of time you want to sanitize it for.
It also offers the option of drying the item in case it was recently washed, and has a simple built-in filter for filter the air coming out the back of the unit (which is now easier to get to than the last model). You can choose different times to sanitize for, starting from 10 minutes to using it as a 24-hour UV-C cleansing storage solution.
Taking a look at the difference between the two units (last year’s model vs this year’s model), you can tell the difference in size immediately. It isn’t a huge increase, but it is enough to notice the difference the moment you set eyes on it. This will make a huge impact on the types of items you can place into it.
The cable design is also better, providing a thicker insulated jacket around the cable and featuring a three-prong design (giving it a ground where last year’s model did not have this).
The user-friendliness of the touch-screen controls on the lid is quite similar to the last model. Instructions are simply something you can place to the side as everything is quite self-explainable. The only reason to pick them up is to get an idea of some of the uses for each option.
It is light in weight and easy to move around to another location if you need to, and operates quietly, even when the fan kicks on in the back (a simple fan noise, but nothing invasive). The lid features a small window that lights up during use
It comes with all of the silver sections inside protected by a plastic film to prevent scratching, although this shouldn’t be an issue as they don’t stuff anything inside (a smart choice by the company). It comes with a metal basket that sits inside the unit, suspended from the top section, just like the previous model did. It is included separately from the unit inside the box.
Performance
We are usually pretty skeptical when it comes to the performance of UV-C devices since we have seen so many that don’t do anything at all. Especially the majority of the “wand” solutions out there, which are almost always a complete gimmick (zero effect or not enough effect to matter for the type of operating). Also (especially), the LED solutions sometimes don’t even feature LEDs that hit within the UV spectrum.
Thankfully, last year’s Corel UV unit actually had a noticeable effect. It wasn’t on the level of something you’d find in hospitals, but this was expected. Consumer devices usually have to meet different guidelines/codes and then there is the price. Pricey, sure, but it is (at least) not as much as something you’d find in a hospital or other commercial setting.
Now, looking at this year’s model (the Corel UV 2), we found that it actually has similar performance levels as the previous. At first, we thought that the LED lights may cause it to suffer some, but this doesn’t appear to be the case.
We did find that if you really want a noticeable effect, though, you have to place the item(s) in there for more than the initial 10 minutes.
We used a number of cards to measure the UV-C light, all of which resulting in the same values. 10 minutes of operation resulted in a moderate (yet low for UV-C) effect. Placing the timer at a greater value increases this ever-so-slightly, but still not enough to hit the next measurement (“high”).
This matched the performance of last year’s model as well. It is enough to have an effect on the items inside, but nothing like a hospital-grade unit would accomplish. However, it still has enough to have that effect you would be hoping for. Just don’t expect much from 10 minutes’ worth of use.
As mentioned, it does come with a metal tray, similar to the last model. There is also a very simple set of instructions. Nothing else is included in the box, although nothing else is needed. Although, for the price, including a UV card to show it is actually working could help raise awareness and relief that the product you bought is working (but that’s just our opinion).
It even has a lifetime warranty. At least, for Kickstarter backers it does. Everyone else will receive a normal/limited warranty.
So does it work? Sure. A mild effect for a consumer product when compared to something you’d find in a commercial/industrial setting. However, effective when we compare it to almost everything else that has ever come into us that doesn’t have any effect at all. So that is a relief to find something that actually does do something (and is larger than some of those small options that only fit a smartphone).
The MSRP launch price is $159, although Kickstarter backers will be able to enjoy a discounted price of just $119 until May 16th.
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Our Rating | Average Price* $169.99 | ||
*Average price is based on the time this article was published
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