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Buying guide

The Best Hand Sanitizers

We compared seven hand sanitizers on owner ratings, price, and specs. Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer is our top pick for its balance of effectiveness, moisturizing properties, and affordability.

Updated

The bottom line

Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer (asin B0B4BM18DW) is our top pick due to its high customer rating of 4.8/5 from 72634 ratings, effective germ-killing properties, and moisturizing formula with Vitamin E. It is priced at $10.77 for a pack of six 2 Fl Oz bottles. The closest alternative is Amazon Basic Care Hand Sanitizer (asin B08R15JGNX), which offers similar benefits at a higher price of $21.99 for six 12 fl oz bottles. For a budget option, consider Germ-X Advanced Hand Sanitizer (asin B078J5682K) at $6.12 for a 1-liter bottle, though it has fewer owner ratings.

Top pick
Germ-X Original Hand SanitizerGerm-X Original Hand Sanitizer $10.77

Best balance of effectiveness and affordability

Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer kills 99.99% of germs in 15 seconds and is enriched with Vitamin E for moisturizing. It has a high customer rating of 4.8/5 from 72634 ratings. The tradeoff is its smaller bottle size compared to some alternatives.

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Runner-up
Amazon Basic Care Hand SanitizerAmazon Basic Care Hand Sanitizer $21.99

Highly rated with convenient packaging

Amazon Basic Care Hand Sanitizer offers 62% ethyl alcohol for effective germ-killing and is enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E. It has a high customer rating of 4.8/5 from 14984 ratings. The tradeoff is its higher price and slightly sticky feel for some users.

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Budget pick
Germ-X Advanced Hand SanitizerGerm-X Advanced Hand Sanitizer $6.12

Affordable with good owner ratings

Germ-X Advanced Hand Sanitizer is priced at $6.12 for a 1-liter bottle and has a customer rating of 4.7/5 from 10152 ratings. The tradeoff is fewer owner ratings compared to other picks.

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The field, ranked

  1. Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer Best balance of effectiveness, moisturizing, and price. 9.0/10 $10.77 Amazon
  2. Amazon Basic Care Hand Sanitizer Highly rated with convenient packaging, but pricier. 8.5/10 $21.99 Amazon
  3. Amazon Basic Care Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E Good value with moisturizing properties, but strong fragrance. 8.0/10 $15.57 Amazon
  4. Amazon Basics Hand Sanitizer Affordable with effective germ-killing, but larger bottle size. 8.0/10 $15.85 Amazon
  5. Amazon Basic Care Aloe Vera Hand Sanitizer Convenient 4-pack with moisturizing properties, but pricier. 8.0/10 $29.42 Amazon
  6. Germ-X Plant-Based Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel Plant-based with good ratings, but higher price and smaller pack size. 7.5/10 $24.99 Amazon
  7. Germ-X Advanced Hand Sanitizer Affordable with good ratings, but fewer owner reviews. 7.0/10 $6.12 Amazon

What owners say

Owners of Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer (asin B0B4BM18DW) frequently mention its effectiveness and moisturizing properties. One owner noted, 'It doesn’t dry my hands as much as other hand sanitizers, which is important to me since I have eczema.' Amazon Basic Care Hand Sanitizer (asin B08R15JGNX) owners appreciate its convenience and quantity, with one stating, 'Bottle size is great, 4 pack should last 2-3 people a year.' However, some owners find the fragrance of Amazon Basic Care Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E (asin B08R14XP4D) strong and long-lasting.

Also-rans

Germ-X Plant-Based Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel (asin B0BY3LP5PV) and Germ-X Advanced Hand Sanitizer (asin B078J5682K) did not make the top picks due to higher prices and fewer owner ratings, respectively. Germ-X Plant-Based Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel has a smaller pack size and higher price, while Germ-X Advanced Hand Sanitizer has fewer owner ratings compared to other picks.

How this was put together

This guide is based on owner ratings, prices, and product specifications from Amazon. We did not test any products hands-on. The evidence is strongest for Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer (asin B0B4BM18DW) and Amazon Basic Care Hand Sanitizer (asin B08R15JGNX) due to their high number of owner ratings and detailed feedback. Germ-X Advanced Hand Sanitizer (asin B078J5682K) has fewer owner ratings, which limits our confidence in its ranking.