If you are looking for an electric toothbrush that is to be used mostly, or even only for travel, the selection process is a little bit different then if you are looking for something to use at home.
The best home oriented electric toothbrush in the world may not fair so well for traveling. There are a few considerations to think about that we can now go over in order to ensure that you get the best travel electric toothbrush possible.
Travel Case
You can, of course, buy a traveling case separately for most units out there, but the best electric toothbrushes for travel may already feature one in the purchase package.
The travel case is a fairly standard inclusion in most of the higher end electric toothbrush packages, but you should never assume that you are going to get one.
If having a travel case is important to you (and if you do indeed plan to travel, it probably should be) make sure that it is included with the package, or at least factor for the cost of buying a travel case accessory if the brush you like does not include one
Charging Options
Electric toothbrushes are getting progressively fancier with their charging options. Some even feature “glass cup” charging stations that allow you to juice up your brush without plugging it in.
Cool right? But if travel is your objective what you really want is something that can charge on the go easily.
There is a variety of different travel charging options out there (not the least of which is simply bringing your standard charger with you on the road).
However, it is worth mentioning that there is tech out there that is making charging your devices on the go easier than it ever was before.
One of the most interesting ways that on the go charging is facilitated is through travel cases that feature built in chargers with the USB port.
Through this tech you can charge your brush even after you pack it away for the night. Some options even feature a separate jack so that you can also charge your phone at the same time.
PIC: USB charging of Sonicare
Battery Life:
Nightmare scenario: you are on the road and you realize that you didn’t bring your charger with you.
Depending on the model of brush that you have, this may not be an extremely big issue. There are plenty of toothbrushes out there that have battery life’s that can last for weeks at a time.
If you get a brush with a good battery life, you may be able to get away with occasionally forgetting your charger at home.
There are 6 models that are worth recommending the existing product lines of Sonicare and Oral-B. Let’s have a look.
Sonicare DiamondClean Smart
There is no getting around the fact that the DiamondClean Smart Series is an extremely pricey toothbrush. The majority of shoppers are likely to find that it is well outside of their budget.
However, if you do have an atypically high budget to work with, you are going to find that there is a lot to like about this unit, both for use at home and on the road.
The product is designed to appeal to shoppers that appreciate elegance, class, and the latest in technology.
Key Features and Technology
Besides the essential features of every electric toothbrush, i.e oscillation, rotation, and overall efficiency at busting away mouth bacteria and germs, the majority of the key features of the DiamondClean Smart are designed to ensure it utilizes the best oral hygiene technology possible.
The unit features a deluxe travel case with a built-in USB charging station, a charging glass for at home use, five modes, and a Bluetooth App so that you can get feedback on your brushing through a smart phone.
If you want the most up to date tech that you can get in an electric toothbrush, you would be hard put to find an option that is better at delivering it.
Accessories and Packaging
As mentioned somewhat in the features segment, accessories primarily include the charging glass, as well as the travel USB charging station.
The unit also comes with four brush heads: one for gum care, one for plaque control, one “Premium White” brush head, and one designed for tongue care.
PROS
- Luxury travel case with USB charging port
- Charging glass
- Sonicare App support
- Five brushing modes
- Four brush heads included
CONS
- Extremely Pricey
Sonicare Essence+
On the other end of the price spectrum we have the Phillips Essence Plus. This is a no frills toothbrush that succeeds at being extremely affordable, while still delivering the quality clean that you would expect from an electric toothbrush.
Why does this find its place on our list for travel brushes? While it does not excel in the department of travel friendly features, it is extremely affordable.
This is the sort of brush that you might purchase exclusively for the purposes of travel so that you don’t have to worry about an expensive brush like the DiamondClean getting lost or damaged on the road.
Key Features and Technology
The features are relatively basic here, but you do get what you need. The brush still oscillates, rotates and cleans the same way you would hope that an electric brush would.
You do get one feature that demonstrates that the brush is at least somewhat up to date on contemporary technology. The handle features a vibration component that goes off after two minutes so that you brush the correct amount of time each time.
Accessories and Packaging
This is definitely not an accessory rich handle. You pretty much just get the brush, a brush head, and a charger.
If you want more than this you are going to have to be willing to pay for it. You will likely also note that there is no travel case feature, which means that you will have to purchase one separately, or forgo one altogether.
PROS
- Very affordable price
- 2 min – Timer equipped
CONS
- Very basic functions
- No travel case in the package
Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100
Another brush that we will be looking at from Phillips today is something of a middle of the road option. It’s not nearly as pricey as the DiamondClean, nor is it as basic as the Essence Plus. If you want an option that has solid features with a doable price tag, the ProtectiveClean 5100 is one to consider.
The tech on this brush is modern, and mostly in line with what one would expect from a contemporary higher tier electric toothbrush, and will be enough to equip users with the tech they need to create a satisfying brushing experience.
Key Features and Technology
Unlike the last brush that we looked at, this unit is really pretty feature rich. It features three modes (Clean, White and Gum Care), a timer (to tell you how long to brush) and a pacer (to remind you to give each region of your mouth equal attention.
The unit even reminds you when to replace your brush head through what the manufacturer refers to as the “Brush Sync Replacement Reminder”.
It even has the long, two-week battery life that may get you out of trouble if you forget your charger at home.
Accessories and Packaging
In terms of accessories, this brush continues to look good. The unit comes with a brush head, a travel case, and a travel charger.
A single brush head may not be enough to keep you supplied long term, but given the price of this option it is somewhat acceptable that it doesn’t come with a big pack of brush heads like some of the more expensive options out there.
In short, you get pretty much everything that you could want or need for the purposes of travel with this product.
PROS
- Travel case
- Moderate price
- 3 brushing modes
- 2 weeks long battery life
CONS
- Basic relative to higher end brushes
Oral-B Pro 7000
As one would imagine, Oral-B has its own line of high end toothbrushes, and the Oral-B Pro 7000 is one of the best options that they have.
Like the DiamondClean, this unit is all about the cutting edge tech. With this brush you are getting more or less an option that meets or exceeds the expectations typical to high-end brush technology.
With Bluetooth, as well as a wide range of other features designed to create a luxury brush experience, it’s certainly a crowd pleaser, but it is also an expensive crowd pleaser.
Because of the price of this unit it will mostly favor people with higher budgets.
Key Features and Technology
In terms of features and technology, there is a lot to like with this brush. The unit comes with six different modes (Daily Clean, Deep Clean, Whitening, Massage, Sensitive and Tongue Cleaning) a “wireless smartguide” to give you keen insights on where to brush,
It also includes a pressure sensor to alert you if you are brushing too hard, a water resistant build, and App technology that gives you real time feedback on your brushing strategy.
Accessories and Packaging
The unit is also pretty accessory rich. The package comes with three replacement brush heads, a travel/charge case, and an external timer that gives you an immediate visual reference for how much longer you need to brush
PROS
- Travel Case
- 6 brushing modes
- Oral-B App support
CONS
- A little bit higher price
Oral-B Pro 3000
The Oral-B 3000 is tiered as a more moderate brush in the company’s product line. The features all still skew towards the higher end of the spectrum in terms of quality, but it is much more affordable than the 7000.
Like the Sonicare 5100, this is the sort of brush that you might want to go with if you are looking for quality that does not cost an arm and a leg.
Key Features and Technology
Like the Pro 7000 that we just looked at, this unit features Bluetooth connectivity so that you can enjoy real time feedback from App support.
It also features three modes of use (gum care, sensitive, and massage), a timer pacer that ensures you brush every region of your mouth for the doctor recommended two minutes, and a pressure sensor that lights up when you brush too hard.
In short, the brush provides at least a sample f most of the key brush technology that is featured on higher end units.
Accessories and Packaging
This unit is not very accessory rich. You get the handle, a brush head, a charger, and a stand. It’s fairly bare bones, but for the price, some buyers might not mind.
PROS
- Affordable
- 3 Modes of Use
- Timer
- Pacer
- Pressure Sensor
CONS
- A little bit lacking in accessories
Oral-B 1000
Last, we have the Oral-B 1000. Like the Essence Plus, this unit is segmented for buyers who are looking for something that is affordable.
This is a simpler brush, but by forgoing the frills, you get a product that is inexpensive enough that it may not be so anxiety inducing to try and travel with it.
Even without the frills, you still get an affordable product from a toothbrush company that has some of the most dentist recommendations, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at.
Key Features and Technology
While you do not get the same technological feats that are demonstrated in some of the other brushes that we have looked at today, there are still a few components of this handle that are worthy of your appreciation.
While this brush does not feature the Bluetooth technology that was at work in some of the higher end handles that we looked at, it does still feature the timer and pacer components that will ensure you enjoy a comprehensive brushing experience.
It also includes a pressure sensor that will stop the brush if you are pressing too hard to ensure that you don’t damage your gums.
These features aside, the handle is quite basic. For the price though, many shoppers may not mind.
Accessories and Packaging
The accessories are similarly basic. The package comes with one brush head, and one charger.
PROS
- Affordable
- Pacer
- Timer
- Pressure Sensor
CONS
- Very basic functions
- Lacks travel case
Conclusions
As you can see, there is a variety of options out there for shoppers of every financial background. If you are looking for the very best brush that you can possibly get, you may try your luck with something like the DiamondClean.
On the other hand, if you are just looking for something affordable that you don’t need to worry about losing or damaging on the road, think about going with a simpler option, like the Essence Plus or Pro 1000.
