Ultrasonic cleaners or ultrasonic baths are cleaning devices that transmit high-frequency sound waves through liquid to clean laboratory equipment. Cleaning occurs when the sound waves, typically 40 kHz, agitate water or a solvent-based liquid to cause cavitation or bubbling.

One of the methods to accomplish this is employing an ultrasonic cleaner (employed as a sonicator bath), its tank containing water and a surfactant such as a few drops of dishwashing liquid. When activated, the unit’s generators excite transducers bonded to the bottom of the tank to vibrate at ultrasonic frequencies.

Bath sonicators are ultrasonic tools that spread energy diffusely, making them invaluable for the processing of large volumes, cleaning, sterilizing, and degassing. As bath sonicators do not require a lot of power, they are more durable and affordable units.