Finding the Best Sonicare Toothbrush: What to Look for and Where to Find It
Introduction – a foreword about Sonicare toothbrushes
Sonicare is, basically, a brand under Philips’ wing. They manufacture dental care products, but excel in making premium-quality toothbrushes and toothbrush accessories.est Their innovative technology incorporates sonic and ultrasonic features combined with inductive charging,
Philips Sonicare brushes are widely famous and regarded as some of the best when it comes to periodontal health, plaque removal, and gingival inflammation prevention. They’re often compared to Oral-B – a rival dental care giant brand. Both brands are quite great, and just until recently, no one knew which brushes were better, but Sonicare made it out as a victor in 2008’s clinical research.
This brand (even though it’s more of a sub-brand) has been around for quite some time, and it intrigued me that they’re so good so much that I just had to give them a shot. Among the numerous high-quality toothbrushes, I’ve handpicked five and declared them the best for the money.
Knowing this, please take not that the models we’re about to review are best in my subjective opinion. Even though I used objective criteria to evaluate the performance of each one, there’s a possibility that some people will like a certain model more while others might not so much. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top Sonicare toothbrush models.
Best Sonicare Toothbrush Comparison Table
Product Name | Notable features | Performance rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean | Four brush heads, five modes of operation, available in five colour variations | Removes regular stains in three days, improves gum health significantly, fierce plaque warrior | |
Philips Sonicare Flexcare | Two Flexcare handles, two diamond-clean standard heads, compact travel charger, two hygienic caps, two hard cases, UV sanitizer | Exceptional oral care bundle, comes with a lot of goodies, excellent performance | |
Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite+ | Two colour and two package options, six customizable settings, quadpacer interval timer, charging port, electric toothbrush, and storage case included | Removes 7 times more plaque when compared to regular brushes, significantly improves gum condition, remarkable performance and versatility | |
Philips Sonicare 2 Series | Available in five colour variations, 31000 strokes-per-minute, sonic technology, easy-start feature | Very easy to use, quite versatile, high performance rating | |
Philips Sonicare Essence+ | Sonicare technology, dynamic-fluid action, 2-min timer, rechargeable design | A bit slow, but still excels in performance |
Top Rated Sonicare Toothbrush Reviews
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Electric, Rechargeable toothbrush HX9957/51
Philips Sonicare made a lot of great toothbrushes over the years, but I found HX9957/51 as one of their finest works so far. This exquisite toothbrush not only excels in performance, but looks quite great as well. Even though it might be the most expensive sonicare model so far, it certainly boasts a considerable value for the price, as you’re about to see.
First of all, let me begin by saying that you’ll have the option of choosing between five colour options and three size variations. The sizing is pretty plain – there’s small, medium, and large (labelled as 9300, 9500, and 9700 respectively) while the colour options are more important than it would seem.
The plain black is, perhaps, the most elegant option, but it’s also the most straightforward one. The “pink” isn’t entirely impressive, given that most toothbrushes come in similar fashion these days, but the “lunar blue” is something unlike anything I’ve seen so far. The “white” is as plain as it sounds, unlike “grey” which hides more colour than it shows.
As for the performance of this remarkable toothbrush, you’ll notice that this isn’t exactly a normal, regular brush. It is capable of removing up to ten times more plaque, all the while improving the overall health of your gums in the matter of weeks. Manual brushes don’t stand a chance when compared to this model, but even some of the best models of the high-end sonic category pale in comparison to this one.
Overall, this is a nearly-perfect electronic brush. That being said, I’d like to point out some flaws I’ve found regarding it – it’s not for people with sensitive teeth, and you might need some time to get accustomed to it. Other than that, everything is plain perfect.
- Exceptionally beautiful toothbrush.
- Excels in performance and aesthetics.
- Available in three size options and three style variations.
- Four brush heads and five modes of operation.
- Incredible value for the cash.
- Costs quite a lot.
- Not for sensitive teeth.
Philips Sonicare Flexcare Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush Premium Edition 2 pack bundle
Next up is a neat Philips Sonicare essentials bundle. It’s comprised of two flexcare handles, two diamond-clean brush heads, a compact travel charger, two hygienic caps, two travel cases, and a UV sanitizer. You might be surprised, but most of these items are quite handy to have. Let’s talk about the features before we get to the performance.
First of all, the Flexcare handles are superior when compared to regular ones. They boast ergonomic design and a simple method of use. Secondly, the diamond-clean brush heads serve as replacement brush heads – they don’t possess any unordinary qualities, but they’re as good as the one equipped on the brush already.
Since this is an electronic toothbrush, having a charger handy makes it more travel-friendly. Of course, it would’ve been better if the batteries were fully rechargeable (rather than the brush itself), but you’ll get a charger as a complementary feature, so it basically doesn’t matter.
The sanitizer is, perhaps, one of the most interesting features this Philips Sonicare bundle comes with. It emits UV lights which quickly kill germs and bacteria stuck on your toothbrush after you’ve cleaned your teeth. Using a sanitizer is quicker and more effective than running your toothbrush under hot water or such.
The toothbrush itself is pretty great as well. It features three modes of operation and two customizable routines. By using the Sonic Technology features, this toothbrush is capable of running 31000 strokes per minute, which is a great thing for a sonic toothbrush.
Among its finest qualities, I’d number teeth whitening and versatility. This combo is certainly one of the most valuable ones on the market, but I’m not exactly certain whether or not everybody needs all the features that come inside.
I’ll be frank – that’s about the only flaw I managed to notice. The bundle features some items that are not exactly necessary, per se, but it would certainly be great to have.
- Outstanding versatility.
- Comes with a full set of brush heads, travel caps, travel cases, and more.
- Three modes of operation, two routines.
- Exceptional teeth whitening functions.
- 31000 strokes per minute.
- Exceptional FlexCare technology combined with patented Sonic™ technology.
- Not every item in this bundle is “essential”.
Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite+ electric rechargeable toothbrush, HX8911
Philips Sonicare HX8911 is one of the best sonicare toothbrushes models I’ve ever come across. It used to belong to the upper bracket of the “medium” price point category, but I think it features a fair price. On the other hand, it’s one of the most versatile toothbrushes as well, as it features plenty of settings and 6 customizable modes.
First of all, it comes in two colour options – the “white” and “iridescent”. Personally, I don’t see any major differences between these variations, and the latter appears bluish rather than truly iridescent. Anyhow, both of them are beautiful, and I daresay that Philips Sonicare HX8911 excels in aesthetics.
Let’s speak about its performance for a bit. For starters, the brand boasts that this toothbrush can remove as much as seven times more plaque when compared to regular (manual) toothbrushes. Philips Sonicare are famous for bold statements such as these, but they always back it up with clinical testing, so I agree with them on this one.
There are six customizable settings at your disposal, which is pretty versatile in my book. What’s more, you can switch between three intensities, including low, mid, and high. The quadpacer timer acts as a reminder when you should switch brushing between quadrants – again, a useful feature that only a handful of electric toothbrush models have.
The set contains a charging port, an electric toothbrush, and a neat storage case. The two gratis features are quite awesome, but it’s only normal since this isn’t your average budget toothbrush. All things considered, this one’s pretty awesome, but it still has a few flaws that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Some people report that that this toothbrush didn’t strike them as reliable, as it turned out to break down after a couple of months. This might have been a bad batch, or even a defunctive item, but we shouldn’t make rules out of exceptions. On the other hand, a majority of customers complain about this toothbrush being too loud.
The vibrations work on a simple rule – the louder the buzzing is, the more sound you’ll experience. That’s nothing more but a proof of high-velocity performance, so, again, this might not be such a flaw after all.
- Outstanding performance.
- Multiple modes and settings.
- Plain method of operation.
- Decently affordable.
- High-velocity electronic toothbrush.
- Mediocre reliability.
- Way too loud for comfort.
Philips Sonicare 2 Series plaque control rechargeable electric toothbrush, HX6211/04
Philips Sonicare HX6211/04 is an upgrade of their older designs from the Series 2 – just like hardware pieces or software, toothbrushes too can receive upgrades, and you’ll notice that this particular model features quite a few.
The overall design resembles a basic, plain toothbrush – nothing too interesting in particular, except for the choice you’ll have regarding the colour variation. This toothbrush can be purchased in black, blue & white, coral, guacamole, and steel blue colour variations. Personally, I found blue & white to be the best, as these colours give off a dental-like impression.
This toothbrush is fully rechargeable (a quality I mentioned earlier) – it can be “charged back to health” with any Philips recharge station, and it takes considerably less time to do so when compared to plain manual battery recharge.
The first thing I noticed about this toothbrush is that it’s fast, and I mean really fast. Using the latest sonic technology, the Philips Sonicare HX6211/04 gives off 31000 strokes-per-minute, combined with dynamic fluid-action system that promotes clean, whitened teeth. Even though this toothbrush features a rapid method of operation, it’s slightly less effective than my top pick (HX9957/51).
Among the other notable features, I’d like to mention the “Smart-timer” which can be set to any given interval up to 2 minutes, and the easy-start feature. The latter increases the power, bypassing the previous functions, allowing for a quick burst of supersonic pulses, thus reducing the time needed to brush your teeth.
The only bad thing is that the brush head is quite small. It might be difficult for you to get accustomed to it, but it’s quite awesome in general.
- Excels in performance.
- Outstanding durability.
- Recommended by most professional dental-care workers.
- Available in different colours.
- Small brush head.
Philips Sonicare Essence+ rechargeable electric toothbrush, Mid Blue, HX3211
The last Philips Sonicare toothbrush in this review is the sonicare essence+ toothbrush in the budget price range. It’s available in three colour variations, it’s plain, and it’s highly effective at whitening teeth and keeping your gums safe.
The HX3211 is significantly cheaper when compared to other models in this review, but it’s slightly inferior in terms of versatility and performance. Whereas most high-end brushes come with features that can remove nearly 100% plaque, this one’s “only” twice or thrice as good as a regular manual toothbrush.
Philips Sonicare used their patented technology – using dynamic fluid-action tech, you’ll be able to clean and whiten your teeth while improving the overall health of your gums.
A single charge is capable of lasting up to ten days – that might not seem like much, but batteries that are constantly pumping power usually last half as much.
On the other hand, there’s the 2-minute timer – a neat little reminder feature which can help you gain helpful teeth cleaning habits.
That being said, not everything is perfect about this toothbrush. Firstly, it’s significantly less durable than other sonicare brushes. Furthermore, it’s capable of dealing with plaque, but in an inferior, even less-effective way when compared to the top picks in this review. All things considered, it’s pretty great for the cash, given that affordability is its forte.
- The most affordable sonicare toothbrush.
- Convenient, easy to use features.
- Very effective at dealing with plaque and leftover food debris.
- Dynamic fluid-action technology.
- Inferior in terms of efficiency and durability when compared to other models in this review.
How to Use a Sonicare Toothbrush
Sonicare toothbrush models are, basically, electric toothbrushes. Certain models might boast sonic, or supersonic qualities, but they’re all electric in nature. They should be used as any other electric toothbrush – simply use the features and settings at your disposal. However, there are quite a few differences you should know about.
First of all, most sonicare toothbrush models come with a plethora of additional settings and modes of operation. For instance, regardless of which model you’ve chosen, you’ll be able to switch between different intensity settings. Some are better for people with sensitive teeth, others should be used to reach those hard-to-get spots.
Apart from that, all you need to do is know how to pick the best sonicare toothbrush – consult the section below for more information regarding that topic.
Why should you use a sonicare toothbrush
There’re plenty of reasons why you should consider owning a Sonicare toothbrush. First of all, these brushes excel in all fields of performance – they’re versatile, they can remove any and all plaque from your teeth, and they’re not even that expensive.
Other than that, these toothbrushes often come with exceptionally convenient features that make them even more valuable – such as the UV sanitizer used to remove germs from the toothbrush, the travel cases in case you need them with you on your travels, and more. For detailed information regarding the most notable benefits, consider the “Buying guide” below.
Buying guide – things to consider
Sonicare toothbrushes are widely known to be some of the best dental care products, and it’s only normal that you want to know more about them. Picking the top sonicare toothbrush isn’t rocket science, but you should know that there are different models that boast different qualities. This section will explain everything you need to know:
The price – Philips Sonicare toothbrushes are scattered throughout all price point categories
If you’ve checked out the reviews of the sonicare toothbrush, you might’ve noticed that the price difference between the most expensive and the cheapest model can be measured in a hundred dollars (and, perhaps more).
The reason why such diversity throughout price point categories exist is so that everyone can be able to own a Sonicare toothbrush. Certain people value their dental health above all else, and would pay no heed to the steepness of the price. Others (with shallower pockets) should at least consider some budget models like HX3211 – it’s one of the cheapest Sonicare toothbrush models, but it’s certainly valuable for the cash.
Durability – Brush heads need to be as durable as possible, as replacements are quite expensive
Most Philips sonicare brushes are durable, but it’s imperative that you find the model that features a durable brush head. You’ll be able to get several replacement if you choose a Sonicare bundle, but these items are pretty expensive when bought standalone.
You might’ve realized after reading the reviews, but most Sonicare toothbrushes come with two or three special brush heads – for example, Philips Sonicare Flexcare Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush Premium Edition comes with two diamond-clean brush heads.
The overall durability of the brush in question can be determined by checking out its design, feeling it out under your hands, and inquiring about the materials on the manufacturer’s F.A.Q. page – note that each brand is obliged by law to answer any questions regarding the safety and materials, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble with this.
Performance – What makes Sonicare toothbrushes different and better from other toothbrush models?
Essentially, a Sonicare toothbrush cleans and whitens teeth better than any standard electronic toothbrush. Why is that so? Well, first of all, Sonicare implements the use of top-shelf features combined with their patented Sonicare technology – the latest letter in technology, if I might add.
The features that comprise the Sonicare brushes’ construction are also very versatile – you’ll be able to choose between several modes of operation, and that’s not even all. Most Sonicare brushes will whiten your teeth and remove any and all plaque in the matter of weeks, whereas plain electronic toothbrushes need months.
Versatility – Things Sonicare toothbrushes can do what others can’t
One of the best things a Sonicare toothbrush will give you is the choice of multiple methods of operation. Certain modes (for example – gentle) are particularly good for people with sensitive teeth. Other modes allow you to reach hard-to-get spots while there are certain options that significantly reduce the time needed to brush your teeth.
Other than that, most Sonicare toothbrushes come with convenient features that make them good for all sorts of things – compact features that are ideal for travel, features that remove the germs from your brush (UV sanitizer), and more.
The final verdict
Sonicare toothbrushes are definitely the best which were ever made. Even if you don’t want to take me up on my word, you can ask any professional dental-care worker – these brushes are recommended for their exceptional performance, value, and versatility.
Even though it would be hard to determine which toothbrush is the best one, I’ve handpicked the five best models which I deem are the most valuable. Browse through my selection of the best sonicare toothbrush models – I wish you good luck with your search!