PureWick Alternative: How Compatible External Catheters Compare
If you already own a PureWick™ system, you’ve probably noticed what the refill catheters cost. A 30-pack of PureWick™ female wicks runs $255.75 from BD’s official site. The male version is $450. Per catheter, that’s $8.53 and $15.
You don’t have to pay that.
External catheters from other manufacturers work with PureWick™ collection systems — PW100 and PW200 — as long as the catheter connects to the same standard tubing. The connector isn’t proprietary. It’s the same medical-grade tubing connection used across the industry.
What “compatible” actually means
A PureWick™ system has two parts: the collection unit (the pump and canister) and the catheter itself (the disposable wick that sits against the body). The collection unit creates gentle suction through tubing. The catheter attaches to the other end of that tubing.
The tubing connection is standard. Any external catheter designed for suction-based collection systems uses the same fitting. This is how Yowelcom® catheters work with your existing PureWick™ setup — you swap the catheter, keep everything else.
To be clear: Yowelcom® is an independent brand. We are not manufactured by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), the maker of PureWick™. We reference PureWick™ only so you know our catheters fit your system.
Price comparison
Here’s what 30 catheters cost from each brand, at retail without discounts:
| PureWick™ | Yowelcom® | You save | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female, 30-count | $255.75 | $149.00 | $106.75 (42%) |
| Male, 30-count | $450.00 | $189.00 | $261.00 (58%) |
| Female per unit | $8.53 | $4.97 | $3.56 |
| Male per unit | $15.00 | $6.30 | $8.70 |
If you change catheters once a day, that’s roughly one box per month. Over a year:
- PureWick™ female: ~$3,069 in catheters alone
- Yowelcom® female: ~$1,788 — saving around $1,281 per year
- PureWick™ male: ~$5,400
- Yowelcom® male: ~$2,148 — saving around $3,252 per year
Both brands ship free within the U.S.
What’s the same
Both Yowelcom® and PureWick™ catheters are:
- Single-use and individually wrapped
- Latex-free
- Made of medical-grade materials with a wicking design
- Available for both men and women
- Designed for external use only — no insertion
The core function is identical. The catheter sits externally against the body and channels urine into tubing connected to the collection system. Neither brand requires adhesives or straps.
What’s different
The difference is mostly about channel and overhead. BD sells PureWick™ through its medical device distribution network — hospital supply chains, specialty retailers, and its own e-commerce site. That infrastructure costs money, and the price reflects it.
Yowelcom® sells direct-to-consumer only. No distributors, no retail markup. Orders ship from our fulfillment center in La Mirada, California.
The other difference is brand recognition. PureWick™ is the name most people hear first — often from a hospital stay or a nurse’s recommendation. That awareness has real value, but it doesn’t change what the catheter does once it’s out of the box.
A note on insurance
Neither Yowelcom® nor PureWick™ home purchases are typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial insurance when bought direct. Yowelcom® is self-pay only — we do not submit insurance claims. If you’re exploring insurance coverage for catheter supplies, contact your provider directly to ask about your plan’s specific benefits for external catheter supplies.
How to decide
If you already have a PureWick™ PW100 or PW200 collection system, the decision is mostly about price and comfort. Buy a single box of Yowelcom® catheters and try them with your existing setup. If they work for you — and our customers tell us they do — you’ll save between $100 and $270 every month going forward.
Both products are available in our store:
- Yowelcom® Female External Catheter — 30 Count ($149)
- Yowelcom® Male External Catheter — 30 Count ($189)
Questions? Check our FAQ page or reach out to our team.