The Best AR-15 Cleaning Kit for You: 5 Options

If you’re a gun enthusiast, you know that an AR-15 is one of the most popular rifles available on the market today. This semi-automatic rifle has been referred to as one of the “most beloved and most vilified rifles” in the United States.

AR-15 owners understand the importance of keeping these types of guns clean. Regular maintenance and cleaning are imperative if you plan on owning your rifle for a long time. The first step in proper AR-15 care is purchasing an AR-15 cleaning kit.

For this article, we have researched some of the best cleaning kits you can buy. Check out the five best AR-15 cleaning kits and decide which of these is the best option for you.

Quick Guide

If you’re in a hurry, we have put together a consolidated list of cleaning kit options based on their best characteristics.

Best Value for Money: Boosteady Pro .223/5.56 Cleaning Kit

“I am a U.S. Marine still serving, as well as a former gunsmith. So I am really nit-picky on the cleaning gear I use. I LOVE THIS! Better than the ottis that we got issued. Added a bore snack, and some rags, and made some cut to outline places to put the guide rods securely and works like a charm.”

Best Splurge: Otis Technology Cleaning Kit 5.56/0.223

“As a newbie gun owner, I was looking for an all-in-one cleaning kit without the huge price tag. While I did hesitate with this cleaning kit, the numerous positive reviews, on Amazon and YouTube, helped ease my decision making process and me go all-in and buy it. This kit has just about everything you need to clean your rifle..”

Best Budget: Raiseek Gun Cleaning Kit

“The kit comes in a nice carrying case and everything fits nicely into it (there’s plenty of room, so you don’t have to jam the tools into the case). All the tools in this kit are solid brass. All the rods are fairly heavy brass and they all screw together easily.”

Best in Portability: ProCase Gun Cleaning Kit .223/5.56

“I was pleasantly surprised to find quality built cleaning rods and brushes. The hard shell case was a nice addition. Great quality item for the price.”

Best in Versatility: Akgun Pro .223/5.56 Gun Cleaning Kit

“This is a good complete cleaning kit that has all the basics for 5.56 and is in a well small case. It has enough rod to clean a 40” barrel like you will ever need to but if you do you can I recommend this kit as an everyday part of your range bag or rifle case.”

1. Boosteady Pro .223/5.56 Cleaning Kit

With this cleaning kit from Boosteady, you’ll be able to clean all variances in barrel weight, length, and caliber. You can also effectively clean gas or piston operating systems.

The cleaning kit comes in a compact case with a zipper that ensures everything is secured. The kit also includes compartments that keep everything neatly organized, letting you clean your rifle whenever you need without having to dig through your equipment to find the proper brush.

When it comes to the equipment, you’ll receive a .223 caliber brass brush, a .223 caliber chamber brush, a double-ended mini nylon brush, a patch holder, cleaning rods, patches, and metal cleaning picks for a complete ensemble.

However, some customers have had several complaints about this kit. A verified customer has claimed that the barrel brushes are initially stiff and might need some wearing down. Additionally, the brushes do not have a free-spinning bearing that would allow them to move around freely inside the barrel.

Specifications

• Brand: Boosteady
• Color: black
• Package dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 2.4 inches
• Item weight: 12.8 ounces

Pros

• Zippered compact case that is perfect for storing equipment
• Organized compartments to help you find the brushes you need without digging through the case
• Brushes come with threaded ends that can be screwed into rods for a more secure cleaning experience

Cons

• Barrel brushes can be slightly stiff at the beginning
• No free-spinning bearing on the brushes

Buy On Amazon.com

2.  Otis Technology Cleaning Kit 5.56/0.223

Otis is a huge name in the gun cleaning field, and this cleaning kit comes with lubricant, a microfiber gun cloth, a chamber brush, a BONE tool, a brass scraper, brass rods, and a pick to give you a complete cleaning experience.

Everything in the kit is organized in a zippable case that makes accessing your equipment extremely convenient. The 2-inch cotton patches and small slotted tip make cleaning out your gun easy.

The kit also comes with 8-inch and 30-inch aircraft-grade memory-flex cables that make cleaning your rifle from breech to muzzle easier. An obstruction remover is included in the kit, allowing you to knock out debris like mud and snow.

The BONE tool can be used for scraping and cleaning carbon buildup in the bolt carrier. The addition of short cables gives you the ability to also clean your pistols.

Some verified customers have noticed that this kit does not come with Q-tips. Although you can easily add your own, some customers preferred a kit that already included Q-tips. You should also remember to tighten the lubricant tube properly, as it might leak lubricant on your other equipment.

Specifications

• Brand: Otis
• Color: black
• Package dimensions: 8.75 x 5 x 1.75 inches
• Item weight: 8 ounces

Pros

• Two different cables can be used for cleaning rifles, pistols, and other guns
• Obstruction remover can be used to knock out debris like mud, snow, or stuck casings
• Compact sizing is great for traveling

Cons

• More expensive than other options
• Does not come with Q-tips to make your cleaning experience even more complete

Buy On Amazon.com

3. Raiseek Gun Cleaning Kit

This 5.56 gun cleaning kit from Raiseek comes with brushes that let you clean all variances in gun length, caliber, and weight, making it a versatile tool for cleaning guns like the AR-15. There are 19 pieces conveniently organized in a zippered bag.

When it comes to the equipment, you can expect a brass brush, a nylon brush, a cotton mop, a chamber brush, a double-ended mini nylon brush patch holder, rifle rods, clean patches, metal picks, and a 31.5-inch nylon-coated cleaning cable.

The kit only includes one long cleaning cable, so you might not be able to use it for smaller guns. All of the kit’s equipment is made out of high-quality materials. Similar to the Boosteady kit, this kit includes a threaded brush end that can be screwed into the rod.

Before buying this cleaning kit, you should consider factors like zipper quality and patch sizing. Verified customers have claimed that the patches are too large for .22/.224 caliber firearms, which means you might have to trim them accordingly.

Specifications

• Brand: Raiseek
• Color: black
• Package dimensions: 8 x 4.4 x 2.4 inches
• Item weight: 14.07 ounces

Pros

• Inexpensive option considering the equipment offered
• Includes bronze and polymer brushes for different types of cleaning requirements
• Multi-piece cleaning rod and handle have gained positive reviews

Cons

• Low-quality case zipper
• Patches are too large for firearms of .22/.224 caliber

Buy On Amazon.com

4. ProCase Gun Cleaning Kit .223/5.56

This portable gun cleaning kit from ProCase comes with 15 tools, including four bronze bore brushes, a nylon brush, a handle, a stainless steel pick, two packs of cleaning patches, two brass jags, and four brass cleaning rods.

The case includes a compact and narrow design that easily fits into your pocket. It also comes with a lanyard and carabiner, making it extremely easy for you to travel with it. Simply attach it to a backpack to give yourself a hands-free experience.

Similar to the Raiseek kit, this kit’s patches are too large for a .22 caliber rifle. They are more suited to a .45 caliber rifle. Another complaint that verified customers have had is the exclusion of bottles for solvent and oil. This means that you might have to add these components to the kit yourself.

Specifications

• Brand: ProCase
• Color: black
• Package dimensions: 8.27 x 4.33 x 0.5 inches
• Item weight:12.7 ounces

Pros

• Extremely portable design that can be carried in your pocket or attached to your bag with the help of a lanyard or carabiner
• High-quality brushes and picks
• One of the more inexpensive items on the list

Cons

• Patches are too large for a .22 rifle and might need trimming
• Kit does not come with oil or solvent for cleaning and lubrication

Buy On Amazon.com

5. Kosse Gun Cleaning Kit

With materials like solid brass and aluminum, this kit includes high-quality materials to clean your rifle. The softer quality of brass also ensures that you don’t damage your barrel while cleaning out the residue.

Small, lightweight, zippered storage case keeps all gun cleaning tools neatly and orderly and easily fits into any range bag

Comes with a lanyard and a carabiner for convenient carrying, effortlessly attach it to backpack or duffel bag, worry-free from losing it

One complaint that reviewers have had is that the rod handle doesn’t fit the cleaning rod properly. However, this might be a one-off issue. The threaded handle insert is also too large for most AR-15s.

Specifications

• Brand: Kosse
• Color: black
• Package dimensions: 8.27 x 4.33 x 1.77 inches
• Item weight: 7.94 ounces

Pros

• Versatile brass cleaning rods can be put together to create a 31.8-inch long rod
• Organized and zippered case for proper storage
• Gas or piston operating systems can also be cleaned

Cons

• Rod handle might not fit the cleaning rod
• Threaded handle insert can be slightly large

Buy On Amazon.com

The Bottom Line

If you own an AR-15, regular cleaning should be a top priority to keep the gun in good shape. The accuracy, precision, and longevity of the rifle depends on how well you take care of it. To take care of your investment long-term, you need a good cleaning kit that will help you clean all parts of your rifle effectively.

The best AR-15 cleaning kit is the kit that fits your particular needs. Some people care more about budget, while others prefer the convenience of a smaller size. Regardless of your reasons for buying a cleaning kit, you can’t go wrong with any of the options mentioned above.

We hope that this article has helped you decide which of these options is the best AR-15 cleaning kit for you. If you’re interested in similar topics, please feel free to check out our other articles as well!