PureWick vs Surity vs Quietdry
Short answer: PureWick, Surity and Quietdry all do the same job — pull urine away from the body into a bedside container overnight, so the person stays dry without an internal catheter. The difference is what touches the skin. PureWick and Surity use a disposable absorbent external catheter ("wick") that is replaced regularly, so you buy refill packs. Quietdry uses a washable silicone cup, so there are no wicks to reorder. PureWick and Surity may be covered by insurance in some cases; Quietdry is a one-time cash purchase.
At a glance
| PureWick™ at Home (BD) | Surity® | Quietdry Night System | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What touches the skin | Disposable wicking external catheter (female or male version) | Disposable foam/fabric external catheter (female; male version also listed) | Washable medical-silicone cup held by a cotton/mesh brief |
| How urine moves | Continuous low suction from a bedside pump into a 2,000 mL canister | Suction unit into a canister; catheters also fit the PureWick unit | Sensor in the cup starts the pump when urine arrives and stops it when the cup is empty; drains to a 2 L jug (or 2 L bag) |
| Starter price (cash) | Women: $538.70 / $608.70 with battery / $794.69 portable Men: $779.00 / $849.00 / $1,034.99 (each includes 30 external catheters) |
System $386.00 / $428.00 with battery / $497.00 with battery and remote (catheters sold separately) | US$299, all three fits, everything in the box |
| What you rebuy | External catheters, sold in packs of 30 (from $209.70 per 30 for women's) | External catheters from $176.70 per 30 (women's); Refresh Kit $59 | No catheters or wicks — cup and briefs are washed and reused; one small sensor tip is replaced as it wears |
| Fits | Female; male (male version is designed for men who can't use condom catheters) | Female; male | Men · Men (retracted fit) · Women |
| Battery option | Battery models: up to 8 hours cordless (BD figure) | Rechargeable battery option | 12 V, 2,800 mAh rechargeable unit with charger; we don't quote hours until tested |
| Insurance / Medicare | Can be covered by Medicare Part B through a DME supplier when criteria are met; BD's own web store is cash only | Check with your supplier/plan | Not billed to insurance. HSA/FSA eligibility depends on your plan administrator |
| Trial / returns | See seller's terms | See seller's terms | 60-night money-back trial, or a free fit swap |
Prices as listed on purewickathome.com and surity.care, checked 30 September 2026, before tax. They change — always check the seller's site.
What a year of nights costs
If one external catheter is used per night (about 12 packs of 30 a year), the first-year cash cost looks like this for a woman:
| Up front | Refills in year one | Year-one total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PureWick (corded, women's) | $538.70 (incl. first 30) | 11 × $209.70 = $2,306.70 | ≈ $2,845 |
| Surity (system only + women's catheters) | $386.00 | 12 × $176.70 = $2,120.40 | ≈ $2,506 |
| Quietdry | $299 | $0 in wicks or catheters | $299 |
Quietdry has one wear part, a small sensor tip, replaced as it wears; it is not counted here. Your numbers will differ: some people use fewer catheters, some more, and insurance can change the picture completely for PureWick. Men's PureWick catheters cost more than women's.
When Quietdry makes more sense
- You are paying cash and the monthly refill bill is the problem.
- You care for a man with retracted anatomy — Quietdry has a dedicated retracted-fit cup. More for men.
- You'd rather wash than restock. The cup rinses clean each morning and the briefs go in the laundry.
- You want to try before committing: 60 nights to decide, full refund or a free fit swap.
What about the cheap "electric urine collectors" on Amazon?
Several unbranded cup-and-pump collectors sell on Amazon, typically around $200 (one we checked on 26 September 2026 was listed at $213.06). The design is similar to Quietdry's: a silicone cup in a brief and a sensing pump. What differs is what happens after you buy — who answers when the fit is wrong, whether you can swap the cup, and whether you can send it back after a few nights. Quietdry gives you three fits, a person to email and 60 nights to decide.
Five things to check before you buy any system
- Anatomy and fit. Female, male or retracted male — the collector must match.
- Position in bed. Back only, or back and side? Ask how the collector stays sealed when the person turns.
- Ongoing cost. Multiply the refill price by how many nights a year you'll use it.
- Cleaning. Who empties and cleans it in the morning, and how long does it take?
- Returns. What happens if it doesn't suit after a week?
Questions caregivers ask
Is Quietdry the same as PureWick?
No. Both collect urine externally with suction, but PureWick uses a disposable wick replaced regularly, and Quietdry uses a washable silicone cup and a sensor that runs the pump only when urine arrives.
Can I use Surity or PureWick catheters with Quietdry?
No. Quietdry's cup, tubing and pump are designed as one set. Surity's female catheters are listed by Surity as compatible with the PureWick unit.
Which is best for side sleepers?
Any external collector can leak if it shifts when the person turns. Quietdry's cup has a raised soft rim and is held by a brief with adjustable straps for side-lying; whichever you choose, check the seal after each turn for the first few nights.
Is any of these a treatment for incontinence?
No. They collect urine; they don't treat the cause. Talk to the care team about the underlying condition.
See the Quietdry Night System — US$299, 60-night trial →
PureWick™ is a trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD). Surity® is a trademark of its owner. Quietdry is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by either company. Quietdry is a non-invasive external powered urine collector for home care; it collects urine and does not treat any medical condition.