How does a sound wave actually eject water?
A low-frequency tone (typically 165Hz) drives the speaker diaphragm at maximum excursion. That physical vibration breaks the surface tension of any water droplet sitting on the grille and pushes it outward. Apple's Water Eject shortcut and Samsung's Water Lock feature both use the exact same principle.
Is this safe for my phone or AirPods?
Yes. The tool uses your device's normal audio output — the same amplitude range your speaker handles when playing music. We cap peak gain to prevent clipping distortion, and the tone is generated in software so there's no way to exceed your hardware's rated output.
Which frequency is best — 165Hz, 145Hz or 200Hz?
165Hz is the industry benchmark for water ejection (Apple's default). 145Hz works better on larger drivers like JBL Flip, Bose SoundLink and Sonos. 200Hz is optimised for dislodging dust and lint instead of water. Auto mode runs all three in sequence for a complete clean.
Will this fix a permanently damaged speaker?
No — if the driver's voice coil is corroded from long-term water exposure, no amount of sound will bring it back. This tool fixes trapped water and dust, not physical damage. If your speaker is still muffled after 3 cycles, the driver may need replacement.
Does it work on Bluetooth speakers and AirPods?
Yes. Connect your Bluetooth speaker or AirPods, make sure they're playing (not in the case for AirPods), and press Play. Water ejection is most effective when the speaker is out of any case and facing downward.
Is my data private?
Absolutely. The tone is synthesised locally in your browser using the Web Audio API. There is no upload, no recording, no server call during playback, and no tracking of your audio.
Why does the tool need volume at max?
Sound-wave water ejection is amplitude-driven. The louder the tone, the further the diaphragm moves, the more physical force it applies to the water droplet. At 30% volume the wave is too weak to break surface tension.
Can I use this on a MacBook or laptop speaker?
Yes. Laptop speakers are trickier because water often reaches the driver from the keyboard side, but running Deep Clean mode 2–3 times with the laptop upside-down over a towel restores audio in most cases.
What is the best speaker cleaner sound to use?
The best speaker cleaner sound is a pure sine-wave tone between 145Hz and 200Hz, generated in real time — not an MP3. Use 165Hz for iPhone-class drivers, 145Hz for larger JBL / Bose / Sonos units, and 200Hz for pure dust and lint. Sine waves apply the cleanest physical force to the diaphragm without harmonic distortion, which is why square-wave or noise-based "speaker cleaner" apps waste amplitude on inaudible harmonics.
What exactly is the "water eject sound" and how long should I play it?
The water eject sound is a low-frequency sine tone — most commonly 165Hz — played at maximum volume with the speaker facing down. A single 30-second cycle is enough for a light splash. For full submersion (pool, sink) run three 30-second cycles with a 10-second pause between cycles so the driver cools and the ejected droplet has time to fall clear of the grille. Apple's iOS Water Eject shortcut uses the same 165Hz tone at a similar duration.
How do I unclog my phone speaker without opening it?
To unclog a phone speaker without opening it: (1) power down and gently brush the grille with a dry soft-bristle toothbrush to remove surface lint, (2) run this tool's Deep Clean cycle at 100% volume with the speaker facing down over a microfibre cloth, (3) if the speaker still sounds muffled, press low-tack painter's tape onto the grille and peel it away to lift stubborn dust. Avoid compressed air, water, alcohol sprays and inserting pins — all four push debris deeper into the driver.
Is a native speaker cleaner app better than this browser tool?
No. A browser tool that synthesises the tone with the Web Audio API is functionally identical to a native speaker cleaner app — both drive the same audio output at the same amplitude. Browser tools have three advantages: no install permission, no background tracking, and instant updates. The only case a native app wins is when you want a lock-screen widget.
Can I save my own custom cleaning presets?
Yes. Use the Advanced Manual Controls to dial in a custom frequency, sweep range and cycle duration, then tap Save Current in the Saved Presets panel. Presets are stored in your browser's localStorage — nothing is uploaded — so they survive page reloads and stay private to your device.