This phone case sprays hand sanitizer, and it's an odd essential I take everywhere

I need to start this review on an honest note: I almost ignored the offer to try this nifty phone case. Not because it was admittedly one of the more random product pitches I’ve ever seen, but I wasn’t even sure there was a market for it. 

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A phone case with a built-in sprayer? Who needs that? After a few minutes of review, however, I realized that my phone goes everywhere I go. And as an avid hand sanitizer user, wouldn’t it make sense to combine the two? Suddenly, my interest was piqued. 

That, dear readers, is how I got my hands on the Suriv case, and I’ve been spritzing sanitizer straight from my phone ever since. 

Here’s what you need to know: Yes, it works. No, it’s not hard to use, and no, it’s not practical for everyone. Let’s get into it. 

The case is available in several colors for iPhone 12 models and up. It does not have prints or designs, so if you’re looking for extra pizzaz, this might not be for you. 

The case is also shock-resistant and leak-proof, and comes with a few accessories to facilitate filling and emptying. You’ll get a reusable refillable cartridge, an extra plug-in case you lose the original, and an extractor. The Suriv case features an easy-to-spray push button, a spray lock to ensure no leaks, raised camera edges, antimicrobial properties, and a limited lifetime warranty. 

Yes, it is marketed to hold hand sanitizer, but it can also hold other things as well: perfume, sun screen, even bug spray. In that sense, it’s customizable. I chose to test with hand sanitizer since I use it every day, though I can totally see myself flipping to sunscreen soon enough. 

It sprays a gentle, fine mist, doesn’t leak, and is very easy to set up. I think it took about five minutes to get my Suriv case ready to go. The hardest part was spritzing my Touchland hand sanitizer enough times to get an ample amount of liquid to fill my case. Gel hand sanitizers are not recommended, so you’ll want to skip the classic Germ-X or Purell for a liquid sanitizer. 

After using the included tools to steal some hand sanitizer, I simply popped open the plug on the Suriv case, dispensed the liquid sanitizer, plugged it back up, unlocked it, and it was good to go. Suriv recommends using a coin to twist the plug securely, but I used my thumbnail with no issue.

That was it. Removing the product is equally simple and requires nearly the same steps in reverse. The only issue I could potentially see arising for some with the Suriv case is cross-contamination via multiple products. Since it’s intended to hold liquid, you can easily fill the case with water to flush out whatever product you had prior.

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Beyond this, I think it’s pretty ingenious. Although you lose MagSafe function and gain some bulk on the back of your phone, the Suriv case still fits into a pocket comfortably and isn’t too heavy. On the cost side, $40 is not bad for a phone case, as I initially predicted it would be more. 

I can see this becoming a great companion for those heading on summer adventures soon (camping, beach, lake, roadtrips, etc.) and is a bold entry into the mobile accessory market. Suriv isn’t looking to compete with Otterbox, Speck, or Casetify, it instead came smashing into the lineup with something so unexpected I almost counted it out. But in the end, I’m glad I didn’t. 

ZDNET’s buying advice 

For most people, the Suriv case fills a situational use case. This likely won’t be your everyday phone case, especially if you rely on MagSafe charging and accessories or prefer a slim look. 

Instead, I would consider this a viable option for travel, vacation, or outdoor excursions. If you’re a loyal hand sanitizer user or work in healthcare, childcare, or education, I could also see this as a good lifestyle option.