Did you know that during the Victorian era, some women used to have all of their teeth removed to save their future husbands from costly dental procedures?
Tooth decay was rampant back then, thanks to the increased availability of sugar, and oral hygiene tools were far from ideal (think twigs and cloths).
Fortunately, toothbrushes have experienced a bit of an upgrade since then 😬 and now we’re presented with the problem of how to dispose of our brushes, rather than how to dispose of our teeth…
Whilst I’m relieved that I don’t have to resort to wooden dentures (ouchie!), I also want to minimise my impact on the planet; so, I’ve searched high and low to find sustainable toothbrush options that are both effective and eco-friendly.
And I may have found just the thing: the SURI toothbrush!
In this SURI toothbrush review, I’ll dive into the sustainability features of this toothbrush and whether it lives up to its promise of keeping our teeth in tip-top condition. I’ll also discuss my experience with replacing (not repairing) my SURI toothbrush and share my thoughts on potential greenwashing.
Because, tooth be told, a good dental routine is the key to a grin-tastic day!
Summary
Slim, lightweight, sleek and powerful. The battery life is incredible, the self-cleaning travel case is super handy, the teeth clean is next level and the toothbrush is reusable, repairable (kind of) and truly recyclable. Honestly, SURI is the best thing since sourdough bread.
Nevertheless, it’s not perfect; I would recommend drying your toothbrush after use and storing it on the mirror mount to avoid any charging issues and to prevent the colour from chipping away, and I’m unsure that SURI lives up to its full promise of being a repairable toothbrush. Still way more sustainable than your average toothbrush though!
Pros
- Suuuuper long battery life
- UV-C light travel case
- Sonic vibrations
- Plant-based toothbrush heads
- Aluminium body
- Reusable, repairable, recyclable
- Manoeuvrable head
- 100% waterproof
- Rapid, polite and efficient customer service
Cons
- Colour on the base chips away
- Tad pricey
- Correct positioning is needed in the travel case to charge
- Charging issues can occur if not stored appropriately
- Replacements given instead of repairs
Are electric toothbrushes really better?
Dentists generally agree that electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual toothbrushes. This is because the rapid movement of the bristles helps to dislodge plaque more effectively.
Many electric toothbrushes, including SURI, come with built-in timers to ensure you brush for the recommended two minutes. What’s more, electric toothbrushes do most of the work for you, which is great for those with limited dexterity or mobility issues.
Sonic vs. oscillating
Both sonic and oscillating electric toothbrushes have been clinically proven to be effective, so the key is to use them properly and maintain consistent brushing habits for optimal oral hygiene. Ultimately, the better option depends on personal preference.
Why trust my Suri toothbrush review?
To provide an in-depth review of the SURI electric toothbrush, I did the following:
- Used the SURI toothbrush for two years to observe its performance
- Experienced customer service and the repair/replacement system – both my partner and I had our toothbrushes replaced (mine was replaced twice!) after experiencing faults
- Gathered feedback from hundreds of users to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of their experiences
- Reviewed the latest scientific papers and research by dental professionals about electric toothbrushes
- Investigated the product specifications and additional features
What is the Suri toothbrush?
The SURI toothbrush is an award-winning sustainable electric toothbrush crafted from recyclable aluminium and featuring plant-based heads made from castor oil and corn starch.
SURI is not only fully recyclable, but it also boasts a brilliant modular design. Unlike traditional electric toothbrushes that are sealed shut, SURI was ingeniously engineered for easy repairs and hassle-free part replacements…or so it seems at first glance.
Key features
- 40+ day battery life
- Two modes: clean and polish
- UV-C light travel case
- Recyclable plant-based heads and aluminium body
- Modular design for easy repair and part replacements
- Magnetic mirror mount
- USB charging stand
- 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute
- In-built two minute timer with 30 second haptic feedback
- IPX7 rated waterproof
- Whisper quiet (54dB)
- 4-hour fast charge
- Super slimline brush
- 100-day money back guarantee (with a full refund)
My experience of using the Suri toothbrush
I was fortunate enough to snag a few SURI toothbrushes during their early bird sale, and my partner, my sister and I have been putting them to the test for a full two years now. Let me tell you, we’re all thoroughly impressed.
I was a bamboo brush user for years, so the sonic vibrations took a bit of getting used to but, once I had used it for about a week, my mind was made up: SURI will be my toothbrush of choice for life.
Here’s what we love and don’t love about the SURI electric toothbrush:
What we love about SURI
1. Simplicity
Our very first impressions were that the SURI toothbrush was really really really ridiculously good looking. The slimline design is so simple and elegant and the earthy tones of the aluminium colours add a touch of natural beauty.
It’s also a simple electric toothbrush that comes without fancy apps or pressure settings. SURI prioritises functionality above unnecessary features, which I love because…well, who needs yet another app?
2. Sonic vibrations
Harnessing the power of 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute, the SURI toothbrush delivers an exceptional clean.
Scientific studies have consistently demonstrated that sonic toothbrushes are highly effective at plaque removal and reducing gingivitis compared to their manual counterparts.
Whilst oscillating heads have shown slightly better efficacy than sonic heads, SURI has opted for the latter since this has enabled them to create toothbrush heads and bristles from recyclable plant-based materials.
From my personal experience, I also find that oscillating heads can catch my gums, which can be painful. Moreover, since using SURI, I no longer suffer from bleeding gums.
As I previously mentioned, adapting to the sonic vibrations of the SURI toothbrush did take some getting used to, especially when I accidentally touched a tooth with the hard part of the head. However, with time and practice, I have grown to prefer the unique brushing sensation and have become much more skilled at manoeuvring it around my mouth!
3. Plant-based heads
I’m plant-based, SURI is plant-based. It’s a match made in heaven!
Plus, there are four stunning, natural, earthy colours to choose from.
4. Suuuuuper long battery life
After my replacement (read more below), I’ve had my SURI for over a year now and I can count the number of times I’ve charged it on one hand. It’s honestly amazing how long it lasts! Way better than the Oral electric toothbrush I used to have.
SURI promises 40+ days of battery and I can assure you that I’ve not had to charge mine for longer than that. My sister and our partners have also found the same.
What’s more, SURI’s superior battery can be easily replaced, unlike other toothbrushes, which have to be thrown away once the battery wears out. Having said that, my partner and I have both had problems with our batteries and were sent replacements instead of simply having our batteries replaced. I explore this disappointing issue in more detail below.
5. UV-C light travel case
Remote working has its pros and cons and I’ve encountered my fair share of toothbrush mishaps on some of my vegan travel adventures. Bristles getting bent, brushes getting dirty in transit…you name it.
That’s why I was overjoyed to discover that the SURI toothbrush comes with a travel case. Not only does it provide convenient storage, but it also doubles as a UV-C light cleaning case. In just one minute, this ingenious feature eliminates 99.9% of harmful bacteria, ensuring a clean and hygienic brushing experience wherever I go. It’s a game-changer for travellers like me!
6. It's recyclable!
The SURI toothbrush is completely plastic-free, meaning none of its components contribute to the microplastic problem when recycled. Additionally, when a faulty or old toothbrush is returned, the SURI repairs team disassemble it to either reuse the components or recycle them responsibly.
Reduce your impact even further with these eco-friendly vegan bathroom products!
7. Super fast customer service
Whenever I’ve had to contact the customer service team (as an introvert, I prefer email), they’ve responded within a day, sometimes within the first half an hour. They’re polite, follow thorough troubleshooting checklists and quickly solve any problems I might have. Whilst I’m disappointed in their repair service, it’s nice to have a brand new, working toothbrush sent out immediately.
What we don't love about SURI
1. Can experience charging issues if not stored correctly
SURI’s biggest drawback is the charging port. Both my partner and I have experienced problems with this. However, once we learnt from our mistakes, this was no longer a problem. You see, both of us were storing our toothbrushes stood upright and often without drying them. In fact, my partner was storing his in a glass toothbrush holder (which often had water pooled at the bottom).
You can prevent this from happening by storing your SURI on the mirror mount or by lying it down in a horizontal position after use (just make sure it’s been wiped dry before you pop it in the travel case).
2. The colour chips away at the base
In addition to the charging issues associated with storing your toothbrush standing upright, the paint on the base can chip away easily. Not that this really matters since you don’t usually see the base of the toothbrush…
3. Cost
At £95 for the brush, UV-C case, mirror mount and slimline charger (or £75 for just the toothbrush), there’s no denying that SURI is not the cheapest electric toothbrush on the market. However, when you consider the exceptional durability, power and sustainability it offers, I believe it’s a truly worthwhile investment.
With its sleek and elegant design, SURI combines style and functionality in one package. Its modular design allows for easy disassembly and recyclability. That said, in my opinion, it falls short in terms of repairability, and therefore, the longevity that SURI promises…
4. Not really repairable
SURI claims that its toothbrushes are designed for easy repair, extending their lifespan significantly. Repairs are free of charge if you’re still within the one-year warranty period. However, when my partner and I encountered faults, we tried to have our toothbrushes repaired but were unsuccessful. When requesting a repair, the customer service team responded:
“I understand that you would like to have the brush repaired, but please be informed that even if we offer a repair service, our system will still send you a replacement. Aside from that, our brush repair service costs £25.00. Our repairs team will inspect the malfunctioning brush to determine what is causing the problem, then disassemble it to reuse or recycle the components responsibly.”
Whilst I appreciate that the components are disassembled, reused and recycled, I don’t understand why we can’t simply have the battery replaced. It seems contradictory for SURI to promise to keep toothbrushes out of landfills forever, yet send out entirely new ones instead of just replacing parts.
That said, the prompt response and speed with which we received replacements were commendable. Even beyond the warranty period, SURI offers an affordable repair service (though it’s really more of a replacement service) for a reasonable fee (£25).
What are other customers saying about Suri?
With a whopping 7490+ reviews on Trustpilot and counting, the SURI toothbrush is making waves! Garnering an impressive average rating of 4.8 stars out of 5, this toothbrush is clearly a force to be reckoned with.
Here are a few of the quotes I’ve pulled from various SURI toothbrush reviews across the internet:
“Leaves my teeth feeling super clean and the charge last so long”
“The toothbrush is absolutely brilliant, my teeth and gums feel so clean and healthy. I used to use an Oral B toothbrush and I thought that was good but this toothbrush is way better, even my dentist has noticed the difference.”
“I never expected to feel such love for a toothbrush”
“Thanks to the haptic indicator I actually spend less, but more effective, time brushing.”
Where can you buy Suri?
You can buy a SURI toothbrush direct from the trysuri.com website!
The Vegan Sisters verdict
The SURI toothbrush truly stands out with its slim, lightweight and sleek design. But don’t let its elegance deceive you, this toothbrush is really powerful and its impressive battery life ensures that you won’t be searching for a charger frequently.
The toothbrush’s self-cleaning travel case is a game-changer, making it super handy for those who are always on the move. With the built-in UV-C light, harmful bacteria are eradicated in just one minute, ensuring that your SURI toothbrush remains pristine and hygienic wherever you go.
The teeth clean you get from SURI is undoubtedly next level; the sonic vibrations offer a fantastic clean, proving to be more effective in removing plaque and reducing gingivitis compared to manual toothbrushes. Plus, the toothbrush heads are made from recyclable plant-based materials, adding to SURI’s eco-friendly credentials.
Having said that, in terms of sustainability, I’m disappointed with some of SURI’s claims. It’s nice to receive a brand new toothbrush if something goes wrong but it somewhat defeats the purpose of having a repairable toothbrush, don’t you think? Nevertheless, their brushes are still a significant improvement over conventional electric toothbrushes. Whilst the modular design does not quite deliver the easy repairs and part replacements that were promised, it does allow for straightforward disassembly. Additionally, the plant-based materials are easily recyclable, reducing waste and making it a truly eco-friendly bathroom product.
And the price? Well, I personally think it’s a worthwhile investment for a plant-based electric toothbrush that cleans so effectively!
