Comparative evaluation of contemporary ultraviolet-C disinfection technologies: UVCeed as a benchmark for smart,...

Surface disinfection remains a cornerstone of infection prevention across healthcare, commercial, and residential settings. While chemical disinfectants especially quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have long been standard, growing concerns regarding toxicity, environmental persistence, and inconsistent application have highlighted the need for safer, more reliable alternatives. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light offers a non-chemical, residue-free method of pathogen inactivation, but the performance of commercially available UV-C devices varies widely due to differences in design, output, and user reliance. This review evaluates the current spectrum of UV-C disinfection technologies - including handheld wands, mobile robots, static enclosures, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)-integrated systems, and ceiling-mounted units - emphasizing their strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases. Among these, the UVCeed mobile UV-C disinfection device emerges as a next-generation solution, leveraging artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and automated dosing to deliver hospital-grade pathogen reduction with unmatched portability, safety, and ease of use. Independently validated to achieve >6-lg reductions of bacterial pathogens and >4-lg reductions of viral surrogates in under one minute. UVCeed offers a scalable, cost-effective, and intelligent alternative to traditional disinfection tools. This paper positions UVCeed as the benchmark for modern, accessible, and effective surface decontamination in an increasingly hygiene-conscious world.