Customer Reviews

Zapi UV Toothbrush Sanitizer, White

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I purchased these gizmos for my kids. Unfortunately the kids are not good about removing excess water from the brushes before putting it into the holder, which doesn't have adequate drainage. At least once a week, I have to take the thing apart and soak up the water. In addition, the batteries don't last very long and the uv light isn't really strong enough to sanitize. I've even seen mildew grow inside the holder. I am very disappointed.

This product is horrible. The drainage is inadequate and the rust begins to form quickly. Gadget World is not interested in helping you. Custmer service is useless.

We bought three of these (one blue, one orange, and one white) for Easter. The white one arrived broken; that is, it would not light up inside (the santatizing part) even though the exterior light would come one. The others worked fine at that point. Amazon sent a replacement white one, and it worked for a while. Within a month of use, the blue one stopped working. We replace the batteries, but it never worked again. The next week, the orange one met the same fate, and this week, the white one broke for a second time. I don't ever recall when 4 separate copies of the same item lasting less than 2 months, but there appears to be a defect in the manufacturing. I wished they would have worked as the idea was cool. Unfortunately, I wasted $90 instead. I would stay away from this one.

What a great idea. What a poor execution of an idea. Who was in charge of product development? I would recommend they actually should have tried to use the device before they put it on the market. Zero stars.

Key points:
* Wastes batteries. I'm not sure how this happens since it doesn't work most of the time.
* The light, and pretty much any other access point that water can get through, it will and does. Which makes the actual usage intermitent. I found that if you let it dry out for a few days it will usually dry enough for it to work again. Shaking helps - sometimes. But, isn't the point to be using it every time you use your toothbrush? Critics may say, "shake the toothbrush off before you put it away". Been there. Done that. As carefull as I am, water leaks in, accumulates and compromises the usability.
* For the money this costs it should have a life span of more than a few weeks. A disclaimer should be included as to how long the unit will actually operate in regular use. This unit is virtually disposable given it's life span.

I recieved Violight as a gift some time after the one I purchased gave out - which lasted about 5 weeks. The new one was no better and lasted about 6 weeks. I also recieved the Zapi UV Toothbrush Sanitizer, also by Violight, as a gift; it lasted about 4 weeks. They didn't learn anything from the failures of the first effort. Still leaks water into the unit and makes for build up of moisture and subsequently mold/mildew if you don't take it apart frequently to clean it. The opening for the toothbrush won't easily accept wider head brushes. Horrible design because as my brush scrapes through the opening I think "great it's going to be cleaned off... but what about when I pull it back through?"...

Final review - Violight, go back to the drawing board. Don't waste your money.

About two years ago, I purchased a VIOlight countertop unit, the one that holds four toothbrushes and plugs into the wall.

That thing has been great. Drains well, light has NOT needed replacing yet, no growth, easy clean.

I was looking at buying a second one for the kid's bathroom so we could store the kids toothbrush there. I went with the Zapi because it was cute, cheaper, more compact, and really, I expected it to work as well as the big countertop unit I bought for my bathroom.

I've had it for about 4 months now and here's what I've seen:
1. Growth due to poor drainage. This thing is supposed to kill germs, not be a germ farm.
2. Inconsistent function of the light-it's been worse than using a cell phone in a basement...I've taken the thing apart and reassembled it...I've replaced the batteries...I've turned it upside down, sideways, wiggled and jiggled it, all while depressing the button to turn it on, and it only randomly comes on whenever it feels like it.

I would recommend the VIOlight V100 sanitizer any day-I'm really happy with it. But I really can't recommend this thing, the design really needs to be rethought.

I bought my Zapi 1 year ago and I thought it worked pretty well. However I noticed that mildew would grow in the base. I don't understand how that happens when the UV light is advertised as killing germs and bacteria? I'm disappointed.

I brought this Zapi UV Toothbrush Santizer for my daughter. It does work but it is hard to remove the top to clean. You need to use a small flat head screwdriver. It is also cumbersome to re-assembly the device--you have to align it correctly or it doesn't turn off.

I love the way it works, but I've had to replace the batteries after 7 or 8 uses. I've done this 3 times so far! Yes, I used brand new Energizer batteries.

Don't waste your money on the Zapi. I bought one and the UV light doesn't function. This would be fine if Violight sold replacement lights. I work on computers, I could replace the UV light even though there are some fine wires. But no, I don't even have that option. I am calling tomorrow, but since I never registered for the warranty, I am not hopeful. This sounds like a great idea, it's a cute product, but the manufacturing quality control just isn't there.

If you want to blow $20+ dollars to stare at a colored, lead-weighted egg that has a bright LED but non-functioning UV light, this toy is for you.

Otherwise, pass on by.

Violight: Are you reading these reviews? When are you going to get your manufacturing act together? When are you going to offer an easier way to get a replacement bulb on your other units?

Eric

Everything the other reviewers said was true: mold, poor drainage, uses batteries fast, cheap looking, etc. I came back to Amazon to buy another one--any brand but this one--and I thought I owe it to anyone thinking about buying this one to tell you: think again and look at the other options on Amazon.