Many dentists recommend the sonic toothbrushes for first-time users of electric toothbrushes, since comparing with the rotates and pulsates cleaning (like Oral-B), the sonic wave works gently to your sensitive teeth and gums and you will feel more like a traditional manual brush.
Below sketches show the differences between Manual, Rotates – Pulsates and Sonic toothbrushes.
The was no doubt that the Philips Sonicare series offering the most advanced brushing technologies of the sonic electric toothbrushes, but with too many options comes more responsibility than most consumers are looking for. If you’re like most buyers, you don’t have time to sift through the dozens of different Sonicare electric toothbrushes that are filling the market.
We get it. That’s precisely why we have assembled this guide full of reviews on a variety of Phillips Sonicare products. Read on to find out which is right for you.
The important factors – What are good sonic electric toothbrushes
It is an important question to answer when you decided to looking for a sonic tooth brush. The factors of are numerous but mainly concentrate on following aspects
Modes of brushing
Ultimately, it is the brushing modes that will make the biggest impact on what sort of user experience you have. The modes effectively indicate both how quickly the bristles will move (Most Sonicare toothbrushes could provide a 62,000 brush head strokes per minute, which is much faster than the Oral-B), and in what fashion they will do so. For example, you might find handles with modes for whitening, everyday cleaning, massaging your gums, or even navigating sensitive areas of your mouth.
Depending on your oral health needs, you may find yourself depending quite heavily on the utility of these various modes of use. Whatever which mode is provided, the right electric toothbrush will be able to eliminate up to 100% more plaque around the gum area manual options do.
Bluetooth connectivity
The Bluetooth technology is also advancing the ball forward when it comes to the world of “Smart” electric toothbrushes. Through the App support, the Bluetooth connectivity can give users lots of data about their brushing and shown on the smartphone, including the real-time feedbacks like brushing areas, timer, pressures which can lead to important changes to their overall oral health.
Finally, you will also find handles on our list suitable to a wide range of different budgets. Whether you are looking to spend as little as possible, or whatever it takes to get the perfect product for your situation, there will be an option for you.
As we move through our reviews today, look out for features of these natures. As always, the premium is on finding something that combines quality with value.
5 Best Sonicare electric toothbrushes
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 (HX6857, HX6850)
What’s in the Box?
- Protective Clean 5100 handle X 1
- Optimal Gum Care brush head X 1
- Base charger X 1
- Travel case X 1
The ProtectiveClean 5100 is a moderately priced toothbrush with a collection of mid to high-end features that make it an attractive option for buyers hoping to combine value and quality.
This brush features three modes of operation: Clean, white, and gum care so that you can brush your teeth in the exact manner you see fit.
Perhaps best of all it features a pressure sensor that keeps your gums safe as you brush. The way these feature works is pretty simple, if the brush detects that you are applying too much pressure it will notify you with a vibration.
The idea is to give you safe access to the entirety of the brush’s power. It also includes a smart timer that will ensure you brush for the dentist recommended two minutes each time and a pacer that breaks your brush sessions up into four parts.
The brush will even send you a notification when it is time to replace your brush head, making it easy to ensure you aren’t using their brush heads for longer than you’re supposed to.
Last but not least, it comes with all of the accessories you could need to get started: a charger, a travel case.
The reason you might not buy this brush is fairly simple: though it’s a great product it is simpler than many of the brushes that are on the market these days. For a similar price, you can get more features, (Bluetooth, more modes, more power, etc.).
Still, if you’re a big fan of the Phillips’ brand this is a good option to consider.
Major features of Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 include:
- Dimension: 2.6 x 6.8 x 9.3 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1 pound
- Up to 62,000 brush movements/min
- Improving your gum health up to 100% more vs. the manual toothbrush
- Brush Sync replacement reminder
- 2 Weeks standing Lithium ION rechargeable battery
For more product specifications, please see our comprehensive analysis of Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100, 5100, 6100 Review and Comparison
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9300 (HX9903)
What’s in the Box?
- DiamondClean Smart 9300 handle X 1
- C3 Premium Plaque Control brush head X 1
- G3 Premium Gum Care brush head X 1
- W3 Premium White brush head X 1
- Glass charger X 1
- Premium travel case X 1
The Philips DiamondClean Smart 9300 is the sort of toothbrush you buy if budget is no concern of yours. It costs a good deal but if you are looking for cutting edge technology you will certainly find it here.
It starts with the powerful 120-220 voltage rating which supplies enough power to remove up to 100% more stains and removes 100% more stains within 3 days and improve gum health up to 7x in 2 weeks.
It also comes with three different brush heads so you won’t need to buy refills right away, a high-end travel case that includes a USB hookup so you can easily charge your brush on the road, and unique charge glass accessory as well.
With the glass charger, you simply set the toothbrush in a glass shaped container and it will charge when not in use.
You also get pressure sensors, the timer/pacer function seen in the last handle, and an impressive network of app support. The app that works cooperatively with this brush gives you data on your brushing and can do other impressive things as well like recommend brush heads.
And finally, you get four different modes of use: Clean, White+, Deep Clean+, Gum Health. The features keep this handle firmly in the category of a high-end brush. As mentioned earlier, you do pay for this level of quality but for a certain type of buyer, it will be money well spent.
Major features of the Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9300 include:
- Dimension: 4.4 x 6.8 x 9.9 inches
- Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
- Up to 62,000 brush movements/min
- 4 brushing modes with 3 intensity settings
- Sonicare App and Bluetooth connectivity
- Smart head recognition and brushing mode pairing technology
- Brushing data tracking, 3 D month map and personalized in-App coaching
- 2 Weeks standing Lithium ION rechargeable battery
For more product specifications, please see our comprehensive analysis of Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9300,9500,9700,9750 Review
Philips Sonicare Flexcare Platinum Connected (HX9192)
What’s in the Box?
- Flexcare Platinum Connected handle X 1
- AdaptiveClean brush head X 1
- InterCare brush head X 1
- Base charger X 1
- Travel case with 2 brush head storage X 1
Also on the high-end of the spectrum, we have the Flexcare Platinum Connected. This handle advertises 10X more plaque removal than manual options which will have a significant improvement on your overall oral health if you are upgrading from a manual brush.
It’s also a sensor heavy brush (same functions with the top series – DiamondClean Smart) that provides lots of feedback on your overall brushing experience. You do get the standard pressure sensor which will notify you if you are brushing too hard.
Additionally, it features a unique tracking sensor that will inform you which areas of your mouth you are missing in your brushing. This feature will help to ensure you that you’re being completely thorough every time you brush your teeth.
This data culminates in the Touchup feature, viewable via the Bluetooth connected App. The report then gives you a map of your mouth so that you can see what part of your mouth needs to be touched up.
Finally, you get a deluxe travel case and three different modes of cleaning: clean, white, and deep clean. On the one hand, you can spend a lot less money to get many more modes of use. Many other mid to high-end units feature 6+.
However, the brush does compensate somewhat by featuring three levels of intensity as well. The intensity options help to further improve the versatility of the handle.
One thing to look out for pertains to the tracking feature which is called location sensor. The advertising is a little bit murkier than the actual user experience plays out. It does track your brushing but not on a tooth by tooth basis. Instead, the tracking function instead segments your mouth into six different regions. If you’re shorting yourself in one of those areas it will let you know.
Otherwise, it is a great handle that just about anyone will appreciate.
Major features of the Sonicare Flexcare Platinum Connected include:
- Dimension: 3.7 x 6.7 x 9.3 inches
- Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
- Up to 62,000 brush movements/min
- Slim ergonomic design
- Sonicare App and Bluetooth connectivity
- Smart Sensors technology
- 2 Weeks standing Lithium ION rechargeable battery
For more product specifications, please see our comprehensive analysis of Philips Sonicare FlexCare Family Review and Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected VS. Sonicare DiamondClean Smart.
Phillips Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control (HX6211)
What’s in the Box?
- 2 Series plaque control handle X 1
- ProResults plaque control brush head X 1
- Base charger X 1
Second to last, we look at the Sonicare 2 series. This unit is more moderately priced than most of the others that we have seen. This is what you might call a beginner’s electric brush. In fact, it even includes a slow start feature that gradually introduces the power level over your first sixteen uses.
In other words, though the handle is capable of 31,000 brush movements per minute, you won’t experience it that way for a while. This feature is a great way to ease into the world of electric toothbrushes.
It also features a handy timer feature that will help make it easy to get the dentist recommended two minutes of brushing.
The 2 series only offer you basic function, but then that’s what it’s supposed to be. You do get an impressive, two-week long battery life and an ergonomic handle.
On the other hand, it takes a significant amount of time to charge (over 8-hours) and it only features one mode of use.
We also found the vibration patterns to be not nearly as nuanced as most of the other Sonicare brushes that we have interacted with. This, most likely, is a product of the fact that the engineering isn’t as much the point of focus as I was with the other handles.
As a result, same users found that the head vibrates in a way that can be a little bit uncomfortable on the gums.
Ultimately, the handle isn’t revolutionizing the world of electric toothbrushes, but it will get the job done for buyers on a budget.
Major features of the Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control include:
- Dimension: 3.7 x 6.7 x 9.3 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.21 pounds
- Up to 31,000 brush movements/min
- Removes up to 6x more plaque than a manual toothbrush and helps to reduce cavities
- Intrinsic grip handle with ergonomic design
- 2 Weeks standing NiMH rechargeable battery
For more product specifications, please see our comprehensive analysis of Philips Sonicare 2 Series Review and Philips Sonicare 2 Series vs. Sonicare 3 Series.
Philips Sonicare Essence+ (HX3211)
What’s in the Box?
- Essence+ handle X 1
- SimplyClean standard brush head X 1
- Base charger X 1
Last, we go now to the most affordable handle on our list today. The Essence+ is certainly light on the features. Like the last that we saw, there is only one mode of use and, aside from a timer and pacer function, it doesn’t really have any extra features to speak of.
You do get accessories—in this case, a charger and stand, and the heads have also been optimized for easy replacement which is somewhat handy to have.
That said, the alteration to the brush head design does make them feel unstable. The head tends to wobble on the base of the handle somewhat when in use which can be irritating and even distracting over time.
We also found that the battery doesn’t last for as long as advertised. Though the manufacturer claims you will get two or more weeks out of it, the true number seems to be closer to one week when used twice daily.
For the average budget buyer, these issues probably will not be deal breakers. However, if you are looking for a better set of features it’s worth noting that they are out there. For the same price, there are many brushes that offer substantially more.
Major features of the Sonicare Essence+ include:
- Dimension: 1.4 x 1.8 x 7.8 inches
- Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
- Up to 31,000 brush movement/min
- Removes up to 3x more plaque than a manual toothbrush
- Rubber grip handle with ergonomic design
- 10 days standing NiMH rechargeable battery
Considerations and conclusions for choosing a Sonicare electric toothbrush
Technology has made even simple activities, like brushing one’s the hyper-personalized. The features and options available with electric toothbrushes these days are unreal. The plethora of options is good in the long run. It means it is infinitely possible to get a product perfectly suited for your needs.
So, there it is. The five Sonicare products that we have seen today are all great for a certain type of user. The job then becomes deciding which of them is right for you.
It’s all about striking a balance. Buyers who are on a restrictive budget can still get a product that is worth their time. The powerful motor associated with most electric toothbrushes, and virtually all featured on our list today will be excellent at removing plaque and bacteria from around your gums.
The extra features are just that: extras. Still, they are worth your time if you have the budget to make them work
If you do want to enjoy some higher-end features such as app support or a plethora of options consider a higher-end option like the Phillips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart series.
These toothbrushes will cost you more money, but if the quality is your chief concern it’s a bill well worth paying.
Of course, at the end of the day, all five of the brushes seen today are great at what they do. Hopefully now though, you won’t have any trouble figuring out which is great for you.
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