Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

tzhu07

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 12, 2008
197
27
I'm currently using an older Sonicare model, as pictured:


It's starting to fall apart. Wondering what would be a worthy upgrade to this?

I'm thinking of sticking with Sonicare.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
My sister is an oral surgeon, primary training through a dental program. Her general opinion on electric toothbrushes is that they're all for the most part equally good and a better choice than traditional brushing.

You're basically stuck with 2 major companies: Oral B and Phillips Sonicare.

In terms comparison
Oral B: Cheaper cost, cheaper replacement heads, more brushing modes, pressure sensor
Sonicare: More expensive, more expensive heads, smaller brush heads (easier to get into tight places), better battery life, nice cleaning autoclave option on more expensive models.

I have an Oral B Triumph 5000, probably 2-3 years old- still running fine though the battery life isn't what it used to be. I thought it was ridiculous with the wireless display with a clock and screen to tell me where to brush- but they now have BlueTooth connected toothbrushes which I think is over the top.

Anyways, I don't think you can go wrong with either brand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: determined09
I have the Sonicare diamond clean. Mouth feels much cleaner than with my previous Oral B electric but it's a bit messier to use. It tends to have a finer vibration and so it's hard to control the spray of toothpaste that seems to land on the mirror. Yeah, a bit disgusting. But can't really go back to an inferior clean now.
 
Oral B dropped 240 volt support a year or so ago. When I called them they told me that I would have to get a converter to use the toothbrush overseas. All my other devices are 110/240, and they are two cheap to include that support?

I asked my dentist about Sonicare vs Oral B and he replied that they were the same, but then added you have to make a bit more of an effort to clean your gums with the Sonicare.

So for a 2 month overseas trip I purchased the Philips Sonicare Flexcare Platinum BLUETOOTH CONNECTED Toothbrush HX9192/01 which has 220V support.

Having used both I prefer the Oral B. The flat brush on the Sonicare (vs the rotary on the Oral B) has difficulty getting to all areas of the gums given my dental configuration. It just feels darn awkward. The Oral B in contrast, since the head is smaller, goes every where. The Sonicare has a faster vibration tho. Don't know about the sonic part. Results seem the same with both, but I feel better after the Oral B since I am able to apply equal cleaning pressure to all teeth and gums.
 
I've been using Sonicare Diamond clean for years. Prior to that I used various models of Oral B. The diamond clean car charge via USB (glass and case), I could take it with me traveling for a few days without having to recharge. Best cleaning toothbrush I've owned.
 
I like the Sonicare DiamondClean electronic toothbrush which I've had for about year and half. I like the fact that each replace brush heads come with a new brush cover which is great. I'm not sure if the Oral-B replacement brush heads come with a brush cover.

For some reason this chart doesn't include the Oral-B 8000 model.
OralB-Sonicare-chart-v3.png
 
Last edited:
I have this one http://www.bestelectrictoothbrushlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Philips-sonicare-HX935204.jpg , the black model because I'm a tough guy. Can't recommend it highly enough but I also shouldn't because I haven't used any other model. Before this one I had a regular brush and since then I've noticed my teeth are much smoother. Really love the travel case too.

I've also been using dental picks and mouthwash with peroxide in (For 1 week a month), and my mouth is flawless. I recommend using teeth staining tablets every so often to make sure you're getting them troublesome places.
 
I have the Sonicare Platinum. Dentist recommended I get an electric one and that's the one I chose. It's lasted me a while so far and I find it pretty effective. I notice that there's less on the floss when I floss now compared with when I was using a regular toothbrush. So I'd stick with Sonicare :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: determined09
I have an older version of the Sonicare Flexcare:

sonicare-flexcare-plus.jpg

No problems with it.
 
I've been very pleased with my Sonicare. My understanding is the action of the head, high velocity oscillation, is patented. I'm so impressed with it, that it would be unlikely that I would take a chance on an Oral B unless I could try one for free.
 
For dental hygiene my recommendation goes to these two products

1. Phillips Sonicare toothbrush. There is no going back to an old fashioned brush, period. Something like this.
21bu0-spKmL.jpg


2. And even more importantly for gum health, the Waterpik. It's so important, that if I could not afford both, I'd buy the Waterpik first. It is amazing how effective this is. Old fashioned flossing can't compete.

51AFnd9ZvCL._SY355_.jpg
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
  • Like
Reactions: Ladyc0524
For dental hygiene my recommendation goes to these two products

1. Phillips Sonicare toothbrush. There is no going back to an old fashioned brush, period. Something like this.
21bu0-spKmL.jpg


2. And even more importantly for gum health, the Waterpik. It's so important, that if I could not afford both, I'd buy the Waterpik first. It is amazing how effective this is. Old fashioned flossing can't compete.

51AFnd9ZvCL._SY355_.jpg

I have the waterpik now. Thinking about an electric toothbrush now.. the $20 price tag on that is tempting though
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Colgate Omron C350 - toothbrush heads are inexpensive and last a long time.

Regretted that I didn't switch to an electric toothbrush earlier. My mouth hygiene has improved greatly.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3366.JPG
    IMG_3366.JPG
    136 KB · Views: 575
I have an Oral B Triumph 5000, a few years old now.

My sister is a DMD, MD. She says it doesn't really matter which toothbrush you use, but electric (even a $10 disposable one) work better than the regular ones.

I also have a WaterPik, it's handy, much easier than flossing. It takes up a bit of space on my bathroom countertop which is annoying.
 
Nope. Never used one. Hasn't ever seemed like a justifiable expense for the disparity between the cost of a manual and an electric.
 
I use a Philips Sonicare that I got for Christmas and I love it (and can't see myself going back). I find it brushes better than a "manual" one. Not that you can't achieve the same effect with a manual one, but it takes more effort.
 
If yes, what kind are you using, and how are you liking it? This is the one I'm eyeing:

The only downfall I'm seeing is having to replace the brush heads every 3 months and they seem to be around $25 a pack. o_O
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Philips-...ategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=YDw8OM7Sha4L4R7TsUYUAU

I'm using one exactly like that model. Just about 4 years older. I like it, but am thinking of going to the style with the spinning tip. Otherwise, I use it regularly without difficulty. I'm a trucker so away from the house for several weeks, and if the charge drops off completely, it will still recharge when I'm home. The battery has lasted a long time, and a typical charge lasts me a a month. Hope this helps :)
[doublepost=1488747869][/doublepost]
yep I've used a Quip for the past year and a half and haven't looked back. They send me toothpaste, a new head and battery every three months so I don't have to think about it.
https://www.getquip.com/?utm_source...ln_3Os19A8oEKK9x_XvD1TJA_-TBP8I1FFxoCdUPw_wcB

Just looked at the quip and it does look nice. Thx
 
I use the exact model you're considering. I love it. My dentist told me I either needed to buy an electric toothbrush or come see him an additional time per year. That was a no brainer. :)

You can purchase third party heads for this model that are far cheaper than the Philips brand.
 
For years I have used Philips Sonicare and then Waterpik right after flossing. My teeth are beautiful. :D
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.