Make sure to use the correct type of battery, as stated in your toothbrush manual. Additionally, you can check to make sure the handle is flush with the head of the toothbrush. It’s basic, with just one setting, but you do get a timer, with the brush pulsing every 30 seconds and switching itself off after two minutes. Since you’ll reach for a brush many times a day, it’s ideal to get one you like the looks of.
Not only do all the toothbrushes look nigh-on identical, but the manufacturers seem to have decided that confusion is good for business, producing several different ranges with different characteristics all at the same time. It’s hard to distinguish between so many similar products, while the boxes and adverts bombard you with pseudo-science and marketing-speak. The options to try different brushing modes, and the smart toothbrush’s feedback on brushing technique were both more fun than important.
The Philips Sonicare 3 Series feels similar to and works much the same way as the 4100, with a glossy plastic handle and minimal gripping ridges. Now that our runner-up comes with a quadrant timer, this toothbrush oral b toothbrush heads has no features that we think are worth spending extra on. (It offers three total levels of intensity.) Overall, though, the brushing experience is roughly the same as with our runner-up pick.
We haven’t tested mouthguard-style automatic toothbrushes made specifically for adults, such as the Y-Brush and the AutoBrush Pro. But for our guide to the best electric toothbrush for kids, we tested the AutoBrush Kids, which was unimpressive. Not only did it leave behind specks of food, it also required using a special kind of toothpaste made by AutoBrush. However, most toothbrush heads are not recyclable as part of household waste, so they should be tossed in the trash when they’re no longer useful. There are no independent studies comparing sonic toothbrush models or brands to non-sonic brushes (and most industry-supported research includes the brands’ own products).
There are very few cons – if I were to find one, and this really is nit-picking, it would be that the button is very sensitive and can inadvertently turn on, especially when travelling. It helpfully turns itself off after two minutes of brushing and its charge lasted well on test, with most testers planning to use it again. Thanks to its five cleaning modes and a guided brushing timer, testers felt this brush provided a customised clean, which everyone agreed visibly removed plaque.
Our panel rated its two-week battery life and USB travel case that doubles up as a charger. It’s just a shame that there isn’t a pressure sensor to keep us from brushing too rigorously. Its five cleaning modes cover all the most common brushing needs, leaving almost all testers with considerably cleaner teeth, and it comes in a choice of pink, white, black or rose gold. It also offers real-time brushing feedback and advice via a free Bluetooth phone app. If you don’t always use the app, it stores the data and syncs it when you next open it, meaning you don’t miss out on this innovative feature.
Every 30 seconds the toothbrush notifies you to switch the area you are brushing for an effective clean of your entire mouth. It’s equipped with a professional timer to ensure you get your recommended two minutes of brushing. To support you in finding the right one, I rounded up and tested some of the best electric toothbrush options on the market right now. Everyone was happy with the 30-day battery life too, while it received a noise rating of ‘very quiet’ in our lab test. By successfully opening your Oral-B Braun electric toothbrush, you can change the battery, replace the motor or repair the wiring. If you encounter any difficulties, try troubleshooting tricks like applying heat to loosen the glue or carefully prying the cap with dental floss.