Honestly, I don't clean my makeup brushes. It's contradictory for a beauty writer to admit. I don't want to spend another five to nine (or so it feels like) cleaning my beauty tools after my nine to five.
However, washing makeup brushes is equally as vital as face cleaning. "If you invest time in cleaning and moisturizing your face daily, but you apply makeup with dirty brushes that have built-up makeup, oil and bacteria, you’re undoing all that hard work.
Because of that, I tested and found the best and most convenient makeup brush cleaner. I examined five makeup brush cleaners over two weeks, rating them on ease of use, cleaning, storage, and adaptability. I also chose the best of the five based on which saved me the most time washing and drying.
Best Overall Makeup Brush Cleaner
Norate Makeup Brush Cleaner
- Ease of use: 4.8/5
- Ability to clean: 4.5/5
- Ease of storing: 5/5
- Versatility: 4/5
- Overall rating: 4.8/5
I tested Norate's cosmetic brush cleaning last and found it the best. The makeup cleaner was one of the few in this list that could clean all my cosmetic products, including my hardest-to-clean eye shadow brush, beauty sponge, and dense foundation brush.
I tested brush cleaners to find the most convenient for my daily life. It must be easy to use, portable, and fast at removing makeup. The Norate cosmetics brush cleaning met all those requirements and more. It's little but not too small, and plugging it in makes it easy to use and waterproof. Very quickly, my brushes and beauty sponge were cleaned.
When cleaning several instruments, you don't have to work much, which is great. The Norate cleaner spins like a carousel when plugged in, cleaning instruments in seconds.
Small ridges on the silicone bed (where you put your tools) are tough on liquids and powders but gentle on bristles. Simply immerse your tool in water and dab soap on the silicone bed to clean. My fluffy and dense brushes remained intact after eight hours of air drying.
Best of all, Norate's makeup cleaner boasts powerful bottom suction cups. It can stick to any surface, making it ideal for washing brushes anyplace, though it may slip if placed at an angle.
What to Know
One of our editors who tested this makeup brush cleaner shared that it far exceeded her expectations, effortlessly tackling even the most stubborn beauty tools.
Material: Silicone | Weight: 9.9 oz | Dimensions: 3.93 × 3.93 × 2.66 in | Best for: All makeup brushes and beauty sponges
What we love:
- Secure suction base attaches easily to most surfaces
- Compact, portable, and fully waterproof design
- Rotating action cleans efficiently without tangling or clinging
Keep in mind:
- Suction cups may slip slightly when placed at an angle
- Requires a plug for operation
More Makeup Brush Cleaner Picks, Hand-Tested for Performance
Best For Fluffy Brushes:
Plum Beauty Makeup Brush Cleaner
- Ease of use: 3.8/5
- Ability to clean: 4/5
- Ease of storing: 4/5
- Versatility: 3.5/5
- Overall rating: 3.8/5
The makeup brush cleaner concept is brilliant. The device cleans and dries brushes instead of air-drying them.
How it works: The handle holds a brush while spinning/cleaning it in soapy water. For water-free brush drying, I placed the duo in a dry bowl. My brush dried in 40-60 seconds. This alleviated the agony of overnight brush drying.
The makeup cleaner is good but has problems. A short, narrow brush handle attachment can be attached to the bottom of the device to prevent the brush from falling out during spinning. Thus, you can only clean so many brushes. You may fit medium- and large-sized brushes without adhering the attachment.
It vibrates while spinning your brush dry or clean. My hand became uncomfortable after the powerful vibration. The item works, but sensitive hands should use it carefully. The blush powder fell off dense brushes with richer makeup, as shown below.
What to Know
This clever device spins your makeup brushes, allowing you to clean and dry them in a fraction of the time.
- Material: Plastic
- Weight: N/A
- Dimensions: N/A
- Best for: Medium to large brushes and standard handles
What we love:
- Includes an extra insert for smaller brush sizes
- Comes with batteries, ready to use out of the box
- Effectively cleans and dries brushes for quick reuse
Keep in mind:
- The vibration can feel slightly intense during use
- You’ll need to have a cleaning bowl prepared beforehand
Best for hands-free cleaning:
Cisbelw Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner
- Ease of use: 3.8/5
- Ability to clean: 3.5/5
- Ease of storing: 3/5
- Versatility: 3/5
- Overall rating: 3.3/5
The Cisbelw makeup brush cleaning doesn't require hand scrubbing, unlike the other gadgets on this list.
The silicone top includes several holes to place brush handles through to clean equipment. Use the top to clean or air-dry equipment. It only fit my smaller brush handles.
As you relax, the device's water flow gently removes buildup from your brushes. While not as intense as other devices, this moderate wash helps protect brush bristles.
I think the stiff silicone bed for manually cleaning other brush sizes negates its purpose. With its size, the machine may be best used at home.
What to Know
This automatic makeup brush cleaner takes the effort out of brush maintenance, requiring almost no work on your part to get tools spotless.
- Material: Silicone and Plastic
- Weight: 10.8 oz
- Dimensions: 6 × 3.5 × 3.5 in
- Best for: Small brushes and slim handles
What we love:
- Fully automated handles the cleaning process for you
- Dual-purpose design allows the top to be used for air drying
- Can clean multiple brushes at the same time, saving effort and time
Keep in mind:
- Not suitable for larger, wide-head brushes
- Works best when used exclusively for makeup brushes
Best for a mess-free clean:
Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner Machine
- Ease of use: 4.3/5
- Ability to clean: 4/5
- Ease of storing: 5/5
- Versatility: 4/5
- Overall rating: 4.3/5
Most compact is Alyfini's cleaning machine. While small, its curved design means you don't need a separate basin to clean brushes. It concentrates filthy water. Although you must use the device near a sink to pour away the water after each use, it saves you the hefty clean-up other cleaners demand.
This device spins slower than our ultimate winner, but it can clean sponges (just hold onto it). The ridges weren't as delicate, but my brushes' hairs were still fluffed.
What to Know
An editor who tested this makeup brush cleaning device described it as small but impressively powerful, delivering a deep clean despite its compact size.
- Material: Silicone and Plastic
- Weight: 6.72 oz
- Dimensions: 3.5 × 3.5 × 3.5 in
- Best for: All types of beauty brushes and sponges
What we love:
- Compact, travel-friendly design that fits easily into any kit
- Bowl-shaped base helps minimize splashing and mess
- Strong, consistent rotation speed for effective cleaning
Keep in mind:
- You’ll need to empty and refill the bowl after each use
- Requires a plug for operation
Best for drying:
Ricris Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner Machine
- Ease of use: 4.8/5
- Ability to clean: 4.6/5
- Ease of storing: 3.5/5
- Versatility: 5/5
- Overall rating: 4.5/5
The company claims this brush-cleaning tool works with 95% of brushes. I tested five brushes of different sizes and found the assertion true.
The kit includes eight silicone connections of various sizes to connect your brush handle to the device. The connectors are flexible enough for wide handles, however they must be dry before use.
This machine spins your brush to clean and dry it, like other cleaners we've tested. However, the set includes a soapy water dish.
The spinning tool wasn't as intensive as others (it was comfy and slower), but it worked. This device dried my equipment rapidly, which was its best feature. After spinning for less 20 seconds, my brushes were dry. I noticed they were fluffier.
This device cleaned and dried faster than all others on this list, making it a good choice for time-pressed people.
What to Know
According to the brand, this makeup brush cleaner is compatible with nearly all brush types on the market, making it a versatile choice for any beauty routine.
- Material: N/A
- Weight: 10.86 oz
- Dimensions: 6.3 × 5.51 × 3.94 in
- Best for: All makeup brushes
What we love:
- Dries brushes quickly—usually within 30 to 60 seconds
- Includes multiple inserts to fit a wide range of brush sizes
- Comes with a convenient cleaning bowl for easy setup
Keep in mind:
- Can operate with either a plug or batteries
- Batteries must be purchased separately
FAQs
1. What is the best soap for makeup brush cleansers?
A mild, fragrance-free soap that dissolves oils and pigment without hurting bristles is great for makeup brush cleaners. Baby shampoo, castile soap, or cosmetic brush-cleaning bars are good options. Avoid harsh dish soaps and alcohol-based cleaners, which can damage bristles and base glue.
2. What’s the best way to clean a makeup brush?
3. How long should you let your makeup brushes dry after cleaning?
4. Why is cleaning your makeup brushes important?
Clean brushes regularly to remove bacteria, old makeup, and skin oils that cause acne and discomfort. Clean tools mix makeup smoothly and prolong brush life. Lack of cleaning can cause dull bristles, uneven application, and skin infections.
5. How do you clean makeup brushes without a cleaning device?