Aquasonic 100 vs. Aquasonic CLEAR: What’s the Difference and Which Ultrasound Gel Should You Choose?

Aquasonic 100 vs. Aquasonic CLEAR: What’s the Difference, and Which Ultrasound Gel Should You Choose?

Aquasonic 100 and Aquasonic CLEAR are much more alike than different.

Both are high-viscosity ultrasound coupling gels manufactured by Parker Laboratories for diagnostic and therapeutic medical ultrasound. Both are water-soluble, non-staining, bacteriostatic, hypoallergenic, non-irritating, paraben-free, and formaldehyde-free. Parker identifies both for use across the broad range of frequencies used in medical ultrasound.

The principal difference is straightforward:

Aquasonic 100 is clear blue and has a slight fragrance. Aquasonic CLEAR is colorless and has no fragrance.

And despite what the word “CLEAR” might imply, CLEAR is not a thinner gel. Current Parker safety data sheets specify the same viscosity range for both products: 130,000–195,000 cP.

For most ultrasound procedures, the choice therefore comes down to color and fragrance preference, packaging workflow, and whether sterility is required—not acoustic performance.

Compare Aquasonic 100 Ultrasound Transmission Gel and Aquasonic CLEAR Ultrasound Gel.

Aquasonic 100 vs. CLEAR: Quick Comparison

Technical data confirms that the two formulations have essentially the same physical viscosity and nearly identical pH, while its product literature specifically distinguishes CLEAR by the absence of color and fragrance.

The Biggest Difference: Blue and Lightly Scented vs. Colorless and Fragrance-Free

For most users, this is the decision.

Aquasonic 100

Aquasonic 100 has Parker’s familiar clear-blue appearance and slight fragrance.

Longstanding standard ultrasound transmission gel and specifically highlights its viscous, non-drip formulation.

Choose it when your clinic:

• already standardizes on Aquasonic 100;
• prefers the traditional blue formulation;
• has no reason to avoid added fragrance or color; or
• simply wants Parker’s familiar standard ultrasound gel.

Aquasonic CLEAR

Aquasonic CLEAR removes the added color and fragrance while maintaining Parker’s high-viscosity ultrasound-gel platform.

CLEAR is based on its Aquasonic 100 formula but without fragrance or color.

CLEAR is the more logical choice when:

• A colorless gel is preferred;
• Fragrance-free supplies are preferred;
• A facility wants less visually noticeable gel residue;
• patient or staff preference favors unscented products; or
• The facility wants Parker performance without blue coloring.

That does not mean Aquasonic CLEAR has been shown to transmit ultrasound better.

The meaningful difference is formulation preference rather than acoustic-performance tier.

Is Aquasonic CLEAR Thinner Than Aquasonic 100?

No.

This is one of the most useful distinctions we can make because “clear” is sometimes interpreted as meaning thinner, more watery, or less viscous.

Aquasonic 100 viscosity: 130,000–195,000 cP

Aquasonic CLEAR viscosity: 130,000–195,000 cP

Both are described as viscous aqueous gels.

What that means in practice

SCAN Ultrasound Gel is specifically for applications where a less-viscous coupling medium is preferred; its dual-viscosity design distinguishes it from both Aquasonic 100 and CLEAR.

Selection logic is

Aquasonic 100 → high viscosity + blue + slight fragrance

Aquasonic CLEAR → high viscosity + no color + no fragrance

SCAN → different, less-viscous workflow

Does Aquasonic CLEAR Work as Well as Aquasonic 100?

For their labeled ultrasound-coupling purpose, Parker does not position CLEAR as a lower-performance alternative.

Parker describes CLEAR as derived from the same established Aquasonic 100 formulation and identifies it as acoustically correct across the broad range of frequencies used in medical ultrasound.

The current Instructions for Use go further: Parker covers Aquasonic 100 and Aquasonic CLEAR in the same 2026 IFU and states that both can be used with commercially available ultrasound devices according to the device and facility instructions.

Therefore, there is no basis for a recommendation such as

“Choose blue Aquasonic 100 when you need better ultrasound transmission.”

That would overstate a difference Parker does not claim.

Choose between them according to the characteristics that actually differ.

Aquasonic 100 vs. CLEAR for Therapeutic Ultrasound

Both are suitable for therapeutic medical ultrasound.

The purpose of ultrasound gel is to eliminate the air interface between the sound head and skin so acoustic energy can move through the treatment interface.

Air is a poor coupling medium. A continuous layer of appropriate ultrasound gel helps maintain acoustic contact while allowing the applicator to move over the treatment area.

Both Aquasonic formulations are for diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound.

That makes it suitable for conventional therapeutic ultrasound equipment when permitted by the equipment instructions.

For example, users of portable therapeutic ultrasound can review our US Pro 2000 Ultrasound FAQ and Troubleshooting Guide, which explains the role of adequate gel coverage in maintaining coupling.

For professional systems, browse our Therapeutic Ultrasound Equipment and Combination Therapy Systems.

Can Both Be Used With 1 MHz and 3 MHz Ultrasound?

Both Aquasonic 100 and CLEAR are acoustically correct across the broad range of frequencies used in medical ultrasound rather than limiting either product to one therapeutic frequency.

Therefore, when an ultrasound device operating around 1 MHz, 3 MHz, or 3.3 MHz specifies a conventional water-soluble medical ultrasound coupling gel, either formulation may be appropriate.

The ultrasound-device Instructions for Use still control the final choice.

The gel should not be selected solely from frequency.

Does the Blue Color in Aquasonic 100 Stain?

Aquasonic 100 is non-staining and water-soluble.

So choosing CLEAR merely because Aquasonic 100 is assumed to stain clothing is not necessary.

However, some clinics still prefer colorless gel because there is no blue pigment to see on it.

• skin;
• linens;
• treatment tables;
• light-colored garments; or
• equipment surfaces.

That is a workflow and appearance preference, not evidence that Aquasonic 100 is a staining product.

If minimizing visible color is important, CLEAR is the obvious choice.

Is Aquasonic CLEAR Better for Sensitive Skin?

It is more accurate to say CLEAR eliminates added color and fragrance, not that it guarantees fewer skin reactions.

Both products are hypoallergenic and non-irritating. CLEAR is specifically marketed without fragrance or color.

However, Instructions for Use include the same important warning for these ultrasound gels:

Do not use them in a patient with known sensitivity to propylene glycol because an allergic reaction may occur.

Therefore:

“Hypoallergenic” should not be interpreted as “allergy impossible.”

Aquasonic 100 and CLEAR Are Both Nonsterile in Their Standard Forms

This distinction is important enough to have its own section.

Clear does not mean sterile.

Single-use does not automatically mean sterile.

Standard Aquasonic 100 and Aquasonic CLEAR multi-use products are nonsterile. Current IFU restricts the standard multi-use formulations to external use on intact, unbroken skin and provides additional restrictions for higher-risk situations.

We also sell 20 g single-use Aquasonic 100 and CLEAR packets, but those standard packets are likewise identified as nonsterile.

If the procedure requires sterile ultrasound gel, choose a product explicitly labeled sterile.

We carry Sterile Aquasonic 100 Ultrasound Gel in individually overwrapped 20 g pouches. Parker identifies that version specifically for ultrasound procedures requiring sterility.

Standard vs. single-use vs. sterile

This distinction is more clinically meaningful than blue versus clear when infection-control requirements dictate sterile coupling media.

Which Packaging Is Better for a Clinic?

Both product families cover most common purchasing volumes, so bottle size usually does not force the decision between them.

Both offer:

• small portable tubes;
• approximately 250 mL treatment-room dispensers;
• 1 L containers;
• 5 L bulk systems; and
• 20 g single-use nonsterile packets.

Aquasonic CLEAR also has 03-54 ECONOPAC, a higher-volume configuration containing four 5-liter containers plus refillable dispensers.

Rather than duplicating every Parker part number here, use the individual Balego product pages to select the exact size:

Compare Aquasonic 100 sizes.

Compare Aquasonic CLEAR sizes.

Best format by workflow

Important Rules for 5-Liter Refill Containers

A 5-liter container should not be treated simply as a cheaper oversized bottle.

Parker's 2026 IFU states that refill containers and refillable dispensers—01-50, 03-50, and 03-54—are intended for low-risk patients and procedures in non-acute-care facilities. Facilities should consult their own policy before implementing a refill workflow.

Parker also instructs facilities to:

• Clean and thoroughly dry refillable bottles before refilling;
• disinfect the bottleneck and dispensing tip;
• transfer only into the corresponding labeled dispenser;
• record the lot number;
• avoid “topping off” partially filled bottles; and
• Discard cracked or damaged refill bottles.

This is an important purchasing distinction because the lowest cost per ounce is not automatically the correct clinical format.

Aquasonic 100 vs. CLEAR for Physical Therapy Clinics

For most rehabilitation departments, the decision can be simplified.

Choose Aquasonic 100 if:

Your clinic already standardizes on traditional gel, and there is no reason to avoid its blue color or slight fragrance.

Choose Aquasonic CLEAR if:

You want the same type of high-viscosity ultrasound coupling medium but prefer no added color and no fragrance.

Neither choice changes the fundamental ultrasound modality.

For a clinic using therapeutic ultrasound regularly, the more consequential decisions may actually be:

multi-use vs. single-use

standard vs. sterile

individual bottle vs. properly managed refill system

rather than:

blue vs. clear.

Aquasonic 100 vs. CLEAR vs. TheraSonic

We also carry TheraSonic Ultrasound Gel from the Richmar/Compass Health product ecosystem.

That creates a useful three-way purchasing comparison.

TheraSonic is also a water-soluble viscous coupling medium intended for diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound. Its practical distinction is manufacturer ecosystem and packaging rather than a claim that it produces better clinical ultrasound results.

For clinics already using Richmar ultrasound equipment, TheraSonic may fit purchasing standardization particularly well.

Aquasonic Ultrasound Gel Is Not the Same as Electrode Gel

Aquasonic 100 and Aquasonic CLEAR are ultrasound coupling media.

They should not automatically be substituted for:

• TENS/NMES electrode gel;
• ECG gel;
• EMG gel;
• defibrillation gel;
• conductive adhesive gel; or
• neurodiagnostic paste.

Ultrasound gel is engineered around acoustic transmission.

Electrical contact media are formulated around electrical current or bioelectric signal transmission.

We explain that distinction in SignaGel vs. Electrode Gel: What Is the Difference and Which Should You Use?.

For all available options, browse our Conductive Gels, Lotions & Contact Media.

Can Aquasonic 100 or CLEAR Be Used With Doppler Ultrasound?

Yes.

Both belong to the medical ultrasound coupling-gel family and are used across diagnostic as well as therapeutic medical ultrasound applications. For commercially available ultrasound devices subject to the equipment instructions.

The small 60 g “Doppler-size” tube offered in both families can be particularly practical for portable Doppler equipment and small diagnostic kits.

Does CLEAR Provide Better Image Quality?

Parker does not position CLEAR as an acoustic upgrade over Aquasonic 100.

Both are described as acoustically correct across medical ultrasound frequencies, and Parker explicitly ties CLEAR to the established Aquasonic 100 formulation.

Therefore, a claim that CLEAR inherently produces:

• sharper diagnostic images;
• better therapeutic energy delivery;
• stronger ultrasound transmission; or
• improved coupling

would not be supported by current published information.

The reason to choose CLEAR is primarily what has been removed—color and fragrance—not greater acoustic capability.

Does Aquasonic 100 Have a Strong Fragrance?

No. The current SDS describes the odor as a slight fragrance.

Someone who has used Aquasonic 100 for years may barely notice it.

However, facilities deliberately moving toward fragrance-free supplies may still prefer CLEAR because its SDS lists no odor and Parker markets it as fragrance-free.

Are the pH Levels Different?

Only slightly in published ranges.

Current SDS values are

That small difference should not be used as the primary purchasing argument.

Color and fragrance remain the much clearer differentiators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Aquasonic 100 and Aquasonic CLEAR?

Aquasonic 100 is clear blue with a slight fragrance. Aquasonic CLEAR is colorless and fragrance-free.

Both are high-viscosity medical ultrasound gels intended for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Is Aquasonic CLEAR the same formula as Aquasonic 100?

CLEAR, as based on its established Aquasonic 100 formula and having no added color or fragrance. Independent distributor CIVCO similarly describes CLEAR as providing the same formula and performance without perfume or color.

Is Aquasonic CLEAR thinner?

No.

The current SDS lists both products at 130,000–195,000 cP viscosity.

Does CLEAR transmit ultrasound better?

Parker does not claim that it does.

Both products are acoustically formulated across the broad range of medical ultrasound frequencies.

Why is Aquasonic 100 blue?

Blue coloring is part of the traditional Aquasonic 100 formulation. CLEAR exists for users who prefer the Parker formulation without added color or fragrance.

Does Blue Aquasonic 100 stain clothing?

Parker describes Aquasonic 100 as water-soluble and non-staining.

Is Aquasonic CLEAR fragrance-free?

Yes.

CLEAR as having no fragrance or color, and its current SDS lists its odor as “none.”

Is CLEAR better for sensitive skin?

Both products are described by Parker as hypoallergenic and non-irritating. CLEAR eliminates added color and fragrance, which may be preferred when those ingredients are undesirable.

However, both carry a warning against use in patients with known propylene-glycol sensitivity.

Is Aquasonic CLEAR sterile?

No.

Standard Aquasonic CLEAR is nonsterile.

Is regular Aquasonic 100 sterile?

No.

Standard Aquasonic 100 bottles, tubes, and ordinary 20 g packets are nonsterile.

We sell a separate sterile Aquasonic 100 configuration for procedures requiring sterile gel.

Are single-use Aquasonic packettes sterile?

Not the standard 01-20 and 03-20 packettes. They are single-use but nonsterile.

Can Aquasonic 100 and CLEAR be used for therapeutic ultrasound?

Yes.

Parker identifies both for diagnostic and therapeutic medical ultrasound.

Can they be used with 1 MHz and 3 MHz units?

Acoustically correct across the broad range of medical ultrasound frequencies and compatible with commercially available ultrasound devices, subject to equipment instructions.

Can I refill a small bottle from a 5-liter container?

Only within an appropriate controlled workflow.

2026 IFU restricts its refill systems to low-risk patients and procedures in non-acute-care facilities and gives specific cleaning, labeling, and no-top-off instructions.

Is Aquasonic ultrasound gel suitable for TENS or NMES electrodes?

Do not assume so.

Aquasonic is designed for acoustic ultrasound coupling. When an electrical-stimulation system requires separate electrode gel, use a product specifically identified for that electrical application.

Which Should You Choose: Aquasonic 100 or Aquasonic CLEAR?

For most users, the answer is simpler than the product names suggest.

Choose Aquasonic 100 when you want Parker's traditional blue ultrasound gel and have no reason to avoid its slight fragrance.

Choose Aquasonic CLEAR when you want essentially the same high-viscosity Parker ultrasound-gel platform without added color or fragrance.

Do not choose CLEAR because you expect it to be thinner.

Do not choose Aquasonic 100 because you assume blue gel provides stronger ultrasound coupling.

Parker publishes the same 130,000–195,000 cP viscosity range for both formulations, and both are designed for medical ultrasound coupling.

The more important purchasing decision may sometimes be packaging and infection-control workflow:

Routine intact-skin use: Aquasonic 100 or CLEAR.

Want no color or fragrance: Aquasonic CLEAR.

Want traditional blue Parker gel: Aquasonic 100.

Want individual nonsterile dispensing: choose the appropriate 20 g single-use packette.

The procedure requires sterile gel: use an explicitly sterile product such as Sterile Aquasonic 100.

Want a Richmar/Compass alternative or 8 oz/16 oz bottle sizes? Compare TheraSonic Ultrasound Gel.

Shop Aquasonic 100 Ultrasound Transmission Gel, compare Aquasonic CLEAR Colorless & Fragrance-Free Ultrasound Gel, or browse the complete our Conductive Gels, Lotions & Contact Media collection.

Product-use notice: Follow the ultrasound equipment instructions, Parker's current product labeling, and facility infection-control policy. Standard multi-use Aquasonic 100 and Aquasonic CLEAR are nonsterile and intended for external use on intact, unbroken skin. Parker's current instructions also warn against use in patients with known sensitivity to propylene glycol.