Electric toothbrushes are not just fancy gadgets; research shows they are better for dental care1. Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months, and electric ones come with replaceable bristle heads. This means you can change your toothbrush regularly without spending so much while generating less waste.
However, there’s much to be said about the waste you still generate. For example, you could add four plastic toothbrush heads to the landfill or ocean each year. And whereas this may seem insignificant, if you’re on the journey to sustainable living and zero waste, it all counts. Further, when you have the option to choose eco-electric toothbrush heads and maintain your oral health in an eco-friendly way, it's an easy choice.
For a complete eco-friendly oral hygiene routine, also check out our recommendations for eco-friendly electric toothbrushes, zero-waste toothpaste & eco-friendly floss.
Here are ten environmentally friendly electric toothbrush replacement heads worth your consideration.
Quick links to the best eco-friendly electric toothbrush heads we've featured:
Plus Ultra eco electric toothbrush heads have high-quality nylon bristles. But that’s about all the plastic in them; they make the body from industrially compostable cornstarch. In addition, the packaging is compostable FSC-certified paper. The heads are compatible with all Philips Sonicare electric toothbrushes, and each pack contains three heads.
Users rave about how well they clean and how durable they are. However, folks with extra sensitive teeth and gum should buy a test pack before going all in.
What we like
We like that Plus Ultra offers customers a chance to offset their carbon footprint for $1 at checkout. It's a great way to make your shipping more eco-friendly.
The cons
If you are big on indicator bristles, you may not like this brand’s all-white bristle head. But it is not a big deal because you can tell when it is due for replacement just by looking and feeling.
This brand's bamboo electric toothbrush would be great for people who want nothing to do with plastics. It is made from FSC-certified bamboo castor oil bristles and has a cornstarch center adapter. Compatibility is with Philips Sonicare series 3, 6, and 9. Each pack contains three heads.
What we like
This product is completely biodegradable; within six months or more, the entire product will decompose in a home compost system. Plus, primal life organics ships these to you in zero-waste packaging.
The cons
With its squishy and gentle bristles, this product is excellent for people with sensitive gums. However, if you prefer hard bristles, you may need something else.
Buy Primal Life Organics Replacement Heads
Reduce the plastic in your toothbrush by opting for these biodegradable bamboo electric toothbrush heads. The nylon bristle is infused with charcoal for a better cleaning experience. Each pack contains four heads compatible with Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush click-on models. They also do a line of standard bamboo toothbrushes as a backup for those moments without a charge.
What we like
True to the brand, this product is made from sustainably grown bamboo. They make the box and wrapper from recycled paper, while the adapter is a bioplastic made from corn starch. As a result, each bamboo electric toothbrush head has 88% less plastic than regular heads.
The cons
It might take a while to get used to the rough feeling of the unpolished, dry bamboo in the mouth. However, it is better unpolished so as not to leach chemicals into one’s mouth.
This bamboo electric toothbrush head has soft bristles that clean so gently that kids can use it. They make the heads compatible with Oral B electric toothbrushes, except the Pulsonic and iO models. Each pack contains four pieces, each with a different bristle color. That makes it easier to prevent mixing up toothbrushes in shared bathrooms.
They use sustainably sourced bamboo and plastic-free packaging. They make the pack using bamboo paper, and the individual pouches are made from corn starch. You’ll be able to compost the entire product at home.
What we like
How about changing the world for the better as you brush your teeth? A Good Company will donate 4% of every purchase of its bamboo electric toothbrush head replacements to help communities become more sustainable.
The cons
This brand claims that its bristles are recyclable, but bristles are challenging to recycle, if not impossible. Moreover, it's not commercially viable, so you'll hardly find a recycler willing to take a small number of bristles off your hands.
With charcoal-infused bristles, LiveCoco’s replacement heads provide extra whitening power. They are compatible with Oral-B electric toothbrush bases, and customer reviews say they fit perfectly every time. There are just two heads in one pack, so you should buy for the whole year (2 boxes) to reduce your carbon footprint from shipping and packaging.
In terms of quality, this product is comparable to the branded heads. Plus, it comes at a lower price. In addition, the bristles are gentle and have no unpleasant taste or smell.
What we like
The best thing about this electric toothbrush head is that it is fully recyclable if you ship them back to the manufacturer in London. But don't worry; there are collection points across America and Europe.
The cons
If you buy this toothbrush and move away, you may not be able to ship it back for recycling. And beyond a certain distance, the transportation miles required may be too much to justify the shipping. Furthermore, whereas recyclable plastic and bristles are a win, it's still plastic
Foreo is a famous luxury skin and dental health brand. Their silicone toothbrushes are quite the innovation. If you use any foreo sonic toothbrushes, you'll be glad to know you can order replacement heads. The replacements are as great as the original, same medical-grade silicone and BPA-free nylon bristles.
What we like
This product lasts longer than regular nylon bristle heads. You can use it for six months or more. Also, it is possible to recycle silicone at home if all other recycling options fail.
The cons
The pack contains only one replacement head; if you were to purchase this for a relatively large family, that is a lot of packs. It would be nice if foreo had options for packages with more heads.
(NB Brushheads only work with their electric toothbrushes)
Brushd recyclable electric toothbrush heads have versions compatible with Philips Sonicare models or Oral B electric toothbrush bases. If you are getting a new toothbrush entirely, the brand also has its own electric toothbrush and heads specifically for that too. They come in packs of two or four pieces.
What we like
Brushd plants a tree every time a customer subscribes. The brand recycles old toothbrush heads into new ones. And they have made recycling a little easier; all you need to do is mail back used heads to them in the pouch they provide.
The cons
The bristles are soft, so if you are not a fan of soft toothbrushes, this brand might not work for you.
Buy Brushd Electric Toothbrush Heads
Booheads natural electric toothbrush replacement heads have plant-based bristles. The bristles have medium strength and clean nicely without hurting sensitive gums. The heads fit snuggly on both Ordo Sonic and Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush models. You can choose a two-count pack or a four-count pack.
What we like
What’s not like about Booheads bamboo electric toothbrush all-natural replacement heads? You can compost them at home after removing the bristle part.
The cons
A little bit bigger than other heads, so it may require getting used to. The good thing is the product is smooth and lightweight, which makes it easier.
This is easily one of the best money-for-value electric toothbrush replacement heads on this list. It comes in a pack of 8 at a low price, and reviews say the product is durable. In addition, the heads are compatible with Oral-B models.
What we like
Each pack contains eight pieces, about two years' worth for one person. Compare it with the shipping and packaging carbon footprint you'll rack up over time by buying a pack with a smaller quantity; there's a huge difference.
The cons
To recycle this product, you'll have to send it to the manufacturer, but they don’t list the manufacturer's address. So instead, you'll be asked to send your contact details to an email to receive a prepaid and pre-addressed bag. Some people may not like the idea.
Pure Earth bamboo electric toothbrush has charcoal-infused bristles which help keep your teeth in tip-top shape. The heads are compatible with Sonicare bases. The body is water resistant; it won’t rot or chip away. It is also oiled, so it feels smooth and won't blister your mouth.
What we like
This brand uses sustainably grown bamboo, BPA-free nylon, and recyclable packaging.
The cons
The bamboo part can only be composted at a commercial facility, which would take about six months. If you need access to such facilities, trying to compost it at home may take years.
We created this list of electric toothbrush replacement heads to help you find the best environmentally friendly options. Save the planet by using eco-electric toothbrush heads. They are biodegradable, recyclable, and don't pollute the earth like regular ones.
| 1 | Pitchika, V, Pink, C, Völzke, H, Welk, A, Kocher, T, Holtfreter, B. Long-term impact of powered toothbrush on oral health: 11-year cohort study. J Clin Periodontol. 2019; 46: 713– 722. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13126 |
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
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