Apple's $19 Polishing Cloth: Is It Worth the Hype or the Cash?

Apple's events are typically filled with announcements about technical products that push the envelope on entertainment, communication or productivity. But the October 18 Apple event included a small surprise that's about as tech-free as you can get: a polishing cloth Apple bills as made of "soft, nonabrasive material" that cleans any Apple display.

Do you really need a $19 cloth to clear up smudges on your MacBook or iPhone screen? Get some answers below.

A Not-New "New" Product

Apple might have carted out the polishing cloth during its product announcement event, but the cloth itself isn't a new product. Apple's shipped it since 2019 to go along with the Pro Display XDR. That's because the Pro Display XDR has a nano-texture glass display, and Apple only recommends one cloth for cleaning it — the pricey polishing cloth in question.

Since the cloth wasn't available anywhere else, Apple previously included it as part of the deal for Pro Display XDR buyers.

Who Needs the $19 Cloth — And Who Doesn't?

Apple remains the only provider of the recommended cleaning cloth for the Pro Display XDR. If you own that device and lost the cloth, it may be worth splurging on a new one. After all, $19 is a lot less than a screen repair or replacement can cost.

If you're not dealing with nano-texture glass, you can probably save $18 and pop on a lint-free, microfiber cleaning cloth at a dollar or discount store instead. Or use the $19 to buy dozens of those in bulk.

Apple's polishing cloth sold out within days of its announcement and is backordered for a few months. But don't let FOMO push you over the edge in buying a cloth you actually don't need.