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Once a record collection grows past a few dozen albums, many people start looking at ultrasonic cleaners. Two names come up again and again in forums and reviews: the HumminGuru, a compact desktop machine that made ultrasonic cleaning affordable for ordinary collectors, and the Degritter, a premium machine that is often described as one of the most refined home ultrasonic cleaners available. They do the same basic job, but they are aimed at very different buyers. This comparison walks through how each one works, what living with it is like, and which kind of collector each suits best.
How ultrasonic record cleaning works
An ultrasonic cleaner uses transducers to send high-frequency sound waves through a tank of water. The waves create tiny bubbles that collapse against the record surface. This effect, called cavitation, shakes dirt loose from the walls of the groove without a brush ever touching the vinyl. Both the HumminGuru and the Degritter use this principle, lower the record into the water vertically, rotate it so the whole playing surface passes through the bath, and then dry it with moving air.
The main practical difference between ultrasonic machines is not whether they work but how much control you get, how much water they hold, how quickly they finish a record and how much attention they need between sessions. That is where these two machines split apart.
HumminGuru at a glance
The HumminGuru HG01 is a small desktop machine. According to its listing and manual, it uses a 40 kHz ultrasonic frequency, a water tank of about 350 ml of distilled water, and an automatic clean-and-dry cycle. It accepts 7, 10 and 12-inch records. The manual describes a quick mode of roughly two minutes cleaning plus five minutes drying, and a longer mode with a five-minute clean. It is compact enough to live on a shelf next to your turntable.
HumminGuru HG01 Ultrasonic Record Cleaner
40 kHz ultrasonic; auto clean & dry; 350 ml distilled water; 7/10/12 in; 13.5 x 6 x 11 in
Pros
- Contactless 40 kHz ultrasonic clean plus fan dry
- Uses only 350 ml of distilled water
Cons
- Large up-front cost
- 7 and 10 inch records need adapters (check listing)
The appeal is simple: it brings contact-free ultrasonic cleaning to a price that ordinary collectors can justify, and it needs no plumbing, no vacuum and very little skill. The trade-offs are the small tank, which gets dirty faster and needs changing more often if you clean lots of grimy records, and the fact that it cleans one record at a time with fewer settings to tweak.
Degritter at a glance
The Degritter Mark II is a larger, more expensive machine. Degritter's own product page and manual describe a 120 kHz ultrasonic frequency with a narrow frequency sweep, a removable tank of about 1.3 litres, several washing programmes based on the number of record revolutions, an optional pre-soak, and filtered forced-air drying with adjustable time and fan speed. The manufacturer also describes a cooling cycle that runs if the water gets too warm. In short, it is designed for people who clean a lot of records and want control over each step.
We do not have a verified Amazon listing for the Degritter that we can link to, so there is no product box for it here. If you are considering one, buy from an authorised dealer and check the current specification on Degritter's site, because details can change between production runs.
Side-by-side comparison
The table below compares the HumminGuru with the Spin-Clean manual washer, the most common step below ultrasonic cleaning, because both are products we have verified. The Degritter details follow in the list underneath.
| Product | Key specs | Link |
|---|---|---|
| HumminGuru HG01 Ultrasonic Record Cleaner | 40 kHz ultrasonic; auto clean & dry; 350 ml distilled water; 7/10/12 in; 13.5 x 6 x 11 in | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII Complete Kit | Manual washer basin; alcohol-free fluid (4 oz); brushes; rollers for 33/45/78; 2 drying cloths | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Specs are from manufacturer and retailer listings and can change between versions; check the listing before you buy. We don't show prices because they change often; the button shows the current price on Amazon.
- Ultrasonic frequency: HumminGuru 40 kHz; Degritter around 120 kHz per the manufacturer. Higher frequencies produce smaller cavitation bubbles, which many enthusiasts believe suits the fine detail of a record groove, though both approaches clean records effectively in practice.
- Tank size: about 350 ml for the HumminGuru versus about 1.3 litres for the Degritter. A larger tank stays cleaner for longer across a big session.
- Programmes: the HumminGuru offers a small number of simple modes. The Degritter offers multiple wash lengths, pre-soak and drying adjustments.
- Footprint: the HumminGuru is the smaller desktop unit. The Degritter takes more space and is heavier.
- Price: the Degritter costs several times as much as the HumminGuru. Check current prices at the retailer, as they change.
Cleaning results
Owner reports on Reddit, the Steve Hoffman forums and Audiogon broadly agree on one point: both machines make a clear improvement on dusty and moderately dirty records compared with brushing alone. Where people notice a difference is on very dirty second-hand records and on large batches. With a small tank, the HumminGuru's water gets dirty sooner, and some owners pre-clean filthy records with a manual washer first. Degritter owners tend to report that the larger tank and longer programmes cope better with heavy grime in one pass.
Neither machine can repair scratches, wear or groove damage. If a record still crackles after an ultrasonic clean, the noise may be physical damage rather than dirt. Our guide to why vinyl can crackle after cleaning covers how to tell the difference.
Drying and handling
Both machines dry the record with a fan inside the unit, so you can take the record out and sleeve it after the cycle. In humid rooms, some owners give records a few extra minutes in a rack before sleeving. A simple drying rack is useful with either machine if you like to clean a batch, then let records stand for a while. See how to dry records after washing for more detail.
Running costs and upkeep
- Water: both machines are designed around distilled water. Tap water leaves mineral deposits.
- Filters: both have filters that need regular rinsing. The HumminGuru FAQ recommends rinsing and air-drying the tank filter. Degritter's manual covers its filter replacement schedule.
- Additives: some owners add a small amount of a cleaning surfactant made for ultrasonic record machines. Follow the manufacturer's guidance, because some additives foam or leave residue.
- Water changes: the smaller HumminGuru tank needs changing more often. HumminGuru does not give a fixed record count; owners tend to change the water when it looks dirty.
Who should buy which
Choose the HumminGuru if you have a small to medium collection, mainly buy new records or reasonably clean used ones, want a compact machine, and want to keep spending sensible. For most home collectors, it is the point where ultrasonic cleaning starts to make sense. Our HumminGuru review goes into the day-to-day experience.
Consider the Degritter if you clean large batches regularly, buy lots of dirty second-hand records, run a shop or archive, or simply want the most adjustable and polished machine and accept the much higher price.
Choose neither yet if you only have a few dozen records. A manual washer such as the Spin-Clean, plus a carbon fibre brush, handles most cleaning needs for far less money. See our Spin-Clean vs ultrasonic comparison.
Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII Complete Kit
Manual washer basin; alcohol-free fluid (4 oz); brushes; rollers for 33/45/78; 2 drying cloths
Pros
- No power needed; cleans both sides at once
- Handles 33, 45 and 78 sizes with rollers
Cons
- Manual work; drying cloths need washing
- Bath water gets dirty and must be changed
A sensible upgrade path
Most collectors do not start with ultrasonic cleaning. A common path is: a carbon fibre brush first, a manual washer when you begin buying used records, then an ultrasonic machine once you find yourself washing records every week. Moving to ultrasonic does not make the brush redundant either. Dust settles on clean records every time they come out of the sleeve, so a quick brush before play is still useful.
Questions to ask before you buy either
- How many records will you clean in the first year? If the honest answer is under a hundred, a manual washer and brush will probably cover you.
- Where will it live? Both machines need a flat surface near a power outlet and somewhere to empty water. The Degritter needs more room.
- Do you mind changing water often? A small tank is convenient but needs attention during long sessions.
FAQ
Is the Degritter better than the HumminGuru?
It is more capable and more adjustable, with a bigger tank and more programmes. Whether that is better for you depends on how many records you clean. For light, regular use, many owners find the HumminGuru does the job.
Can I use tap water in either machine?
Both manufacturers design their machines around distilled water. Tap water contains minerals that can leave deposits on records and in the machine.
Do ultrasonic cleaners damage records?
Used as directed, they are designed to be safe for vinyl. Keep the label dry as the machine intends, and do not leave records soaking far longer than the programmes allow.
Can I clean shellac 78s in an ultrasonic machine?
Shellac is more delicate than vinyl and reacts badly to some fluids. Check the manufacturer's advice first, and read our guide to cleaning 78s before you try.