Oral-B models use rotation (“oscillation”) and pulsation, so the brushes don’t buzz as intensely when the back side of the brush’s head touches your other teeth. All Philips Sonicare models vibrate at the same (high) frequency and produce a more jarring sensation when the back of the brush collides with other teeth. Per American Dental Association recommendations, oral b genius toothbrush the only thing you need to brush your teeth effectively is a toothbrush—manual or electric—that you use properly and the fluoride-containing toothpaste of your choice. The Oral-B Genius 9000 comes out as the slight winner because of its neat trick that allows its premium travel case to charge the smartphone and electric toothbrush together.
And all of the replacement mouthguards cost more than $10 apiece, making these types of toothbrushes far more expensive than any of our other picks. Cleaning modes generally don’t matter, according to experts we spoke with and research we’ve seen. A “sensitive” mode may help people who find a brush’s normal oscillations or vibrations too jarring. “People with sensitive teeth may find that their teeth are less sensitive when the brush head moves slower or less pressure is applied,” said Messina.
Electric toothbrushes are more expensive than manual ones, and not just at the outset. Powered brushes typically cost more than 10 times as much as manual toothbrushes, and you have to replace the brush heads at the same frequency (every three months), each for about the same cost as a manual brush. What you get for the higher cost is less friction in achieving good brushing habits. This unique electric toothbrush is from FOREO, a brand that usually makes high-tech face brushes. It has a similar ‘beauty tech’ vibe, with a smooth silicone handle and curvy design (two times stronger silicone than the previous version). It’s very simple to set up and use, and has an unbelievably long battery life of 365 days per charge (no, I don’t quite know how that works, either – but it’s true. I’ve never had to charge it).
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).
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 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.
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 oral b toothbrush heads 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.
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.
Philips Sonicare’s 9900 Prestige is the brand’s top-of-the-line smart toothbrush. It connects to your phone—to track your brushing habits—and has extraneous cleaning modes. The Philips Sonicare 2100, 5100, 5300, 6100, 6500, and 7500 all feature the same technology as the 4100 and 1100, with 31,000 bristle movements per minute. They differ in levels of intensity (for instance, the 2100 offers two levels while the 6100 offers three) and the number of cleaning modes (the 1100 and 2100 only offer one while the 6100 offers three). The pricier models also include accessories such as a travel case, which are nice but not necessary. Smart-toothbrush capabilities vary widely, but mainly these devices automate the process of tracking your brushing habits, typically by connecting to an app via Bluetooth.
It was the across-the-board winner in my best electric toothbrushes review because it had the best combination of ease-of-use, effectiveness, and value. Other brushes offer multiple brushing modes and high-tech bells and whistles, but you may not need these extras if you’re just looking for a standard electric toothbrush. Zoe Malin has been covering dental hygiene products for over a year at Select and has published oral b genius toothbrush guides about toothpaste, floss, teeth whitening products and more. For this piece, Zoe interviewed three dentists, researched dozens of electric toothbrushes and familiarized herself with the ADA’s guidelines. We included electric toothbrushes recommended by dentists and Select staffers. We tested the Oral-B Smart Limited toothbrush on sensitive gums, and it made a major difference in the entire brushing experience.