Sonicare Electric Toothbrush Comparisons

Oral-B iO vs Sonicare DiamondClean

January 28, 2024 by Jon Love

Our choice: Oral-B iO

Best overall: Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6) / Amazon, Walmart / ~$160.97

Top of the range: Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige / Amazon, Walmart / ~$499.97

Best value: Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3) / Amazon, Walmart / ~$81

Our verdict

The Oral-B iO Series 6 is my pick. To me, it feels like the perfect balance between features and price with no significant compromises.

After each use my teeth feel wonderfully clean and because the round brush head is smaller it is easier to move into the tightest spaces in the mouth.

You’re getting many premium features that make daily use more enjoyable. And the real-time tracking is not much worse than the 9900 Prestige which costs almost twice as much.

If you prefer to have all the features and want the absolute best, I do think the Prestige is the brush to go for. It looks and feels better in hand, you just need deep pockets.

The reality is you don’t need all the tech and extras most of these brushes offer. The iO3 cleans the teeth just as well for a lot less money. It’s the best for those on a budget and a more sensible option to buy.

Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)

$160.97 Amazon Walmart - check price

Oral-B iO vs Sonicare - equivalent models

At the time of writing there are 8 different iO models and 6 DiamondClean brushes (not accounting for colour variations & ‘special edition’ versions).

From a feature and price perspective, I feel the following are equivalent models.

Oral-B	Philips Sonicare
iO Series 10	DiamondClean Prestige 9900
iO Series 9	DiamondClean Prestige 9900
iO Series 8	DiamondClean Smart 9750
iO Series 7	DiamondClean Smart 9750
iO Series 6	DiamondClean Smart 9350
iO Series 5	DiamondClean Smart 9350
iO Series 4	DiamondClean 9000
iO Series 3	DiamondClean 9000

The iO Series is one range or family of toothbrushes from Oral-B. They also offer ranges such as Vitality, Pro and Genius, all of which have several models within them.

It is a similar story for Philips. ‘DiamondClean’ (non-smart) and ‘DiamondClean Smart’ are essentially 2 different ranges of brushes, but those under the ‘DiamondClean’ range have what many would consider to be smart features.

ExpertClean, ProtectiveClean, 4000 Series, 3000 Series and more are other toothbrush ranges Sonicare offer.

Oral-B iO vs Sonicare DiamondClean 7 — iO Series 3, 4, 5 and 8

Our top iO Series picks from Oral-B

Focusing solely on the iO Series, my top 3 models to choose are:

Best overall: iO Series 6
Top of the range: iO Series 9
Best value: iO Series 3

Technically, the iO Series 10 is the top of the range Oral-B model, but we do not advise buying it. We recommend the iO9 instead.

This is because the Series 10 has a much higher selling price that is very difficult to justify for the small differences between these 2 models. Our iO10 vs iO9 comparison video goes into more detail.

Our top DiamondClean picks from Sonicare

Focusing solely on the DiamondClean, my top 3 models to choose are:

Best overall: DiamondClean Smart 9750
Top of the range: DiamondClean Prestige 9900
Best value: DiamondClean 9000

Do be aware Philips has manufactured many other DiamondClean and DiamondClean Smart models in the past that are no longer available.

Oral-B iO vs Sonicare DiamondClean 8 — Midnight Blue Sonicare DiamondClean Prestige 9900

Cheaper and more affordable models clean just as well

The iO and DiamondClean brushes are more premium models from each brand. Both make cheaper brushes that clean the teeth comparably.

The Sonicare 4100 Series and the Oral-B Smart 2000 are our top picks for an electric brush from the respective brands. Both have the 3 features our dentists believe should be present in an electric toothbrush, a 2 minute timer, pacer and a pressure sensor.

The main downside of these other options is that they lack additional features that might enhance your daily usability of the brush.

You can save hundreds of dollars by opting for one of these instead.

Philips Sonicare 4100 Series

$68.25 Amazon Walmart - check price

Oral-B Smart 2000

$89.97 Amazon

Key differences


Find out more
Electric Teeth Rating
Retail price
Approximate 3 year cost
Cleaning Action
Number of cleaning modes
Brushing intensities
Timer
Pacer
Pressure Sensor
Battery life
Battery type
Number of heads included
Travel case included
Bluetooth connectivity
Position tracking
Noise
Warranty

Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition	Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
-	-	-	Review	Review	Review

$100	$270	$240	$380	$400	$500
$245	$383	$357	$427	$440	$543
Oscillating-rotating & micro-vibrations	Sonic	Oscillating-rotating & micro-vibrations	Sonic	Oscillating-rotating & micro-vibrations	Sonic
3	4	5	5	7	5
-	3	-	3	-	3

30 second quadpacer	20 second sextants	30 second quadpacer	20 second sextants	30 second quadpacer	20 second sextants

14 days	14 days	14 days	14 days	14 days	14 days
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
1	1	1	4	4	1
-
-
-	-
64dB	71dB	64dB	71dB	72dB	71dB
2 years	2 years	2 years	2 years	2 years	2 years

Please note. Every effort is made to ensure the key differences listed are correct, but these differences are subject to change without notice. Products and the box contents can be changed without notice and different variants can exist.

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Oral-B iO Series and Philips Sonicare?

Design

Sonicare brushes look and feel better
Oral-B has improved with the iO range
Sonicare design is more thoughtful for different users

Oral-B has come a long way in its design, ditching gloss plastics, and chunky textured surfaces to achieve a cleaner and more modern look.

Despite this, I think Sonicare models look better than the iO range.

Oral-B iO vs Sonicare DiamondClean 48 — Oral-B iO Series 10 (left) vs Sonicare DiamondClean Prestige 9900 (left)

Although they are of plastic construction and not metal like SURI, the colours and matt finish to the handle look and feel classier, making them more fitting of their price tag.

All the brushes lack raised or textured surfaces for grip, but the iO in my experience still feels more slippy in the hand.

The position of the light ring for the iO’s visible pressure sensor is more logical than Sonicare’s. It is easier to see and detect than the one on the end of the Sonicare handle.

Oral-B iO vs Sonicare DiamondClean 49 — Smart pressure sensor on iO Series shows when you are applying the correct pressure

I feel Philips has considered different users' needs better. The fact the pressure sensor vibrates the handle is useful for the blind or visually impaired. Oral-B doesn’t cater to those well.

A Sonicare brush will beep and vibrate when placed on a charging stand to confirm it is on charge. It’s a small, but clever touch that just works.

This transitions to accessories too. The travel case for the DiamondClean models has far better material choices and usability than those offered by Oral-B.

I do think Sonicare has made the buttons on the Prestige more difficult to use. They require a firm press as they are pressure sensitive with no tactical feedback or clicky sound when pressed. I’ve found the buttons quite firm as an able-bodied person. Anyone with weak fingers and dexterity issues will struggle. The seamless button design was implemented to resolve reliability issues with buttons on previous models.

Oral-B iO vs Sonicare DiamondClean 50 — Orange light shows that you are scrubbing the teeth with the Philips Sonicare

Cleaning modes

Oral-B has most brushing modes
Both offer the preferred modes you want

Oral-B takes the crown with 7 brushing modes on the iO9 and 10 compared to the 4 or 5 on the DiamondClean models.


Number of cleaning modes
Clean
Sensitive
Gum
White
Deep Clean
Tongue
Other modes
Cleaning mode notification
Brushing intensities
Cleaning Modes Additional Information

Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)	Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)	Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
3	5	7	4	5	5

			-	-
-

-	-	-
-	-		-		-
-	intense	Super sensitive, intense	-	-	-
-					-
-	-	-	3	3	3
-	Cleaning mode labels & icons on display	Cleaning mode labels & icons on display	-	-	Cleaning modes can be changed via the app only. Adaptive intensity based on pressure & scrubbing.

In all my years of testing and writing about electric toothbrushes, I’ve yet to see any compelling evidence for all the extra modes. None are going to radically change the cleaning results.

I’ve yet to meet anyone who regularly switches between any more than 2 modes.

A standard clean and gentle mode (Sensitive or gum care) is enough. These cater for most users, including new electric brush owners who might find the brushing power a bit strong. All the models have these.

Changing between modes is a bit easier on the DiamondClean models, for the most part. They have a dedicated mode button and clear backlit text labels to show which modes are active. This doesn’t apply to all the iO models. Some have none at all, others icons and the more expensive models displays, which are far more functional.

The Prestige makes changing brushing modes most difficult. You have to access the app to change the mode and confirm which one is active. It’s frustrating, but oddly not a big issue given most, myself included rarely change between them.

In the mouth, the brushing sensation does differ. DiamondClean models feel more gentle, but the sonic vibrations can be a bit ticklish on the teeth and gums.

Oral-B’s cleaning action is more intense, a deeper sensation that I prefer, but it might feel a little harsher to some.

If you have gum recession or gum disease Sonicare is the better choice.

Bluetooth and technology, including real-time tracking

iO’s tracking is better on the most premium models
Sonicare doesn’t track your biting surfaces
All give a good insight into your oral care habits

All brushes, bar the iO3 have Bluetooth connectivity.

The iO4 and DiamondClean 9000 do connect to phones via their respective apps, but neither offer real-time tracking. They won’t show you areas of the mouth you have and have not brushed. They log how often you brush, how long and extra stuff such as if you flossed etc.

All the other handles can track in real-time. This means you can take corrective action immediately to finish your brushing session with the best brushing results and coverage score possible.

The iO5, 6, 7 and 8 tracks 6 zones of the mouth.
The Prestige 9900 and DiamondClean Smart models track 12.
The iO9 and Series 10 track 16.


Bluetooth connectivity
Position tracking
Smart Features Additional information

Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)	Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)	Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
-
-			-
-	6 zone real-time tracking	16 zone real-time (3D Teeth Tracking)	-	Real time position tracking.	Real time position tracking. Cleaning modes can be changed via the app only.

You do gain a bit more insight from the iO9 and 10, but it isn’t necessarily significant.

It is easier to tell you might not have brushed the biting surfaces of the back right teeth than you can on the Prestige for example. Sonicare models don’t count the biting surface as a zone oddly.

I test brushes for a living and I don’t use these features regularly. I know some do, but the vast majority only use them periodically or stop after a while.

It is useful data they all offer, but they can be a bit of a faff, as to make the best use of them, you need your phone which you when you brush, which isn’t always desired or convenient.

You need to be committed to getting maximum benefit from the tech.

Although the iO4 and DiamondClean 9000 don’t track zones, they do still build up a bit of a picture of your routine and allow you to glean some insights and find areas for improvement.

The Prestige 9900 and DiamondClean Smart have scrubbing sensors. This is an alert system that makes you aware if you are moving the brush too much and not achieving the correct technique.

The 9000 and 9750 have brush head mode pairing. This is where the brush automatically changes the brushing mode based on what style of head is attached. It saves 1 or 2 button presses each time you use a different head if you like to switch modes at the same time. I’d never suggest picking a brush for this feature alone.

iO10 in hand with smartphone app showing real-time brushing — 16 zone real-time tracking available on iO Series 9 and 10

Travel cases

Sonicare’s cases are better
USB charging rather than Oral-B’s clunky proprietary charger

There is no question that Philips has nailed the travel cases compared to Oral-B.


Travel case included
Charging travel case
Brush head storage
Travel case Additional information

Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)	Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)	Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
-
-	-		-
-	2	1	1	2	1
-	-	Proprietary power cable supporting 100-240v with 2 pin US adapter. No battery in the case itself.	-	USB Type A cable hardwired into case. No battery in the case.	USB Type C connector. USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable included. No battery in the case.

The 9900 Prestige travel case is one of the most compact and travel friendly options I have ever used. The built-in USB Type-C port allows the brush to be charged whilst inside, which is useful.

Oral-B’s iO9 and 10 which come with charging cases rely on bulky, proprietary power adapters which make for a more cumbersome accessory when on the go.

The DiamondClean Smart 9750 and 9000 also offer in the case charging, with a hardwired USB cable built in.

Battery and charging

Both have a claimed 2 week battery life
Sonicare far outperforms the claimed life where Oral-B struggles
Some Oral-B models can charge faster
Sonicare support a wider voltage range - better for travellers

Looking at the specifications alone, the brushes are comparable. All use rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries, which are said to offer around 2 weeks of use on a full charge.

However, specifications and reality differ quite considerably.

As a general rule, the Sonicare models perform far better, giving 1 or more weeks of extra use. Whereas the iO7, 8, 9 and 10 can struggle to regularly achieve 2 weeks.

Their displays seem to activate when they shouldn’t causing unnecessary drain on the battery. I’ve quite often been surprised my iO has needed charging at times when I didn’t think it would.


Battery life
Hands-on battery life
Battery notification
Charging time
Voltage support
Charging stand connector

Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)	Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)	Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
14 days	14 days	14 days	14 days	14 days	14 days
17 days	14 days	14 days	33 days	25 days	28 days
Yes – LED on handle	Yes – In-handle display & smartphone app	Yes – In-handle display & smartphone app	Yes – In-handle display & smartphone app	Yes – In-handle display & smartphone app	Yes – In-handle display & smartphone app
Up to 16 hours	Up to 12 hours	~3 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours
110-130v	110-130v	100-240v	110-220v	110-220v	110-220v
2 pin US	2 pin US	2 pin US	2 pin US	2 pin US	USB Type A

Oral-B does offer quicker charging times, of up to 3 hours on some iO models. This might be good if you need to get a quick charge of your brush, but it’s certainly not a reason to opt for iO over Sonicare.

Sonicare charging stands tend to have support for 110-220v making them more convenient for travel, whereas only a select number of Oral-B’s stands support this voltage range. Most are limited to 110-130v, meaning adapters are required when using overseas.

It’s worth noting that neither brand's batteries are designed to be replaced.

Everything else

I’d hate to bore you with every last detailed difference between models, but there are some key extra things you should know.

Automatic power off

Sonicare brushes power off automatically after their brushing cycle. If you want to brush for longer you need to press the power button to turn it on again. Whereas Oral-B brushes keep running until you turn them off.

I like how obvious Sonicare makes it that the brushing cycle is complete. But, it’s your personal preference as to which you prefer.

Noise

Most Oral-B models don’t operate past 64dB, but I’ve found the iO 7, 8 and 9 do peak at over 70 decibels.

Most of the DiamondCleans are no louder than about 71dB, but it can depend on the mode and intensity chosen. Often they are far quieter.

Sonicare models have a less mechanical noise and pitch whereas Sonicare is more of a subtle audible hum.

Size and weight

There isn't a lot between them. Tenths of inches and a few ounces subject to which model you are comparing.


Toothbrush height with head
Width
Depth/thickness
Weight with head

Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)	Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)	Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
24cm / 9.5 inches	24cm / 9.5 inches	24cm / 9.5 inches	25.5cm / 10 inches	25.5cm / 10 inches	24cm / 9.4 inches
2.8cm / 1.1 inches	2.8cm / 1.1 inches	2.8cm / 1.1 inches	2.6cm / 1 inches	2.7cm / 1.1 inches	2.7cm / 1.1 inches
2.8cm / 1.1 inches	2.8cm / 1.1 inches	2.8cm / 1.1 inches	3cm / 1.2 inches	3cm / 1.2 inches	2.8cm / 1.1 inches
136g / 4.8oz	134g / 4.7oz	140g / 4.9oz	142g / 5oz	142g / 5oz	123g / 4.3oz

Keeping them clean

Sonicare models are easier to keep clean.

It’s fairly easy to wipe off grime and debris that builds up on the head and handles, but the iO has a brush head design and attachment which can result in a buildup of mold. This isn’t something experienced on Sonicare models.

Our video shows the bacteria growth inside an Oral-B head, if not cleaned properly.

Warranty

Both brands offer a 2 year warranty as standard.

Accreditations

Many Oral-B brushes have been tested and approved by the likes of the American Dental Association.

Being approved does give an extra level of confidence that brushes perform to a certain standard. However, the brands do have to pay for these, so the cynic would argue Oral-B have paid for that extra vote of confidence in their products.

Does one clean better than the other?

The short answer is no.

From my time using them, I prefer Oral-B’s cleaning action. It feels more intense and like it’s cleaning deeper. But my plaque disclosing results haven’t shown any reason to suggest the DiamondClean brushes clean worse.

If you brush twice a day, for 2 minutes each time, with the correct technique, then the reality is that all models from either brand are going to achieve comparable results.

Your dentist wouldn’t be able to tell you were using one brand or model over another.

Therefore it’s not worth worrying about. Your brushing time, frequency and technique have a far bigger impact on your dental health. You could have the ‘best’ toothbrush, but unless you use it correctly you’re not going to benefit.

But, this study, would suggest the iO Series removed up to 48% more plaque at the gumline and 62% more effective at reducing gum problems. Make up your own mind as to whether there might be some bias, given the research was funded by Oral-B’s parent company Procter and Gamble

The way the bristles move is different. The iO bristles have an oscillating, rotating and vibrating cleaning action compared to the back and forth bristle movements of Sonicare.

Clinical studies such as this one suggest a marked difference in the clean offered by the oscillating rotating brush compared to the sonic option.

On the other hand, a 2019 study in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry (page A9) funded by Philips Oral Healthcare shows their sonic toothbrush outperforms the oscillating-rotating Oral-B.

An independent review of existing studies found that there is some evidence that Oral-B brushes are better at cleaning. However, the difference is small and the clinical significance of this is unclear.

Thus, reconfirming that one doesn’t clean better than the other.

Complicating matters further, the real-time tracking that is available on some of these might allow better cleaning results to be achieved, from one model vs another.

Specific models such as the DiamondClean 9000 track and log some of your brushing habits, but it does not track and display your brushing in real-time. It won’t show you areas of the mouth and teeth you haven’t brushed, whereas the others do.

Those that do can help you learn to improve your brushing technique. In turn, you will get better results long term. But, this data is making you a better brusher. The brush itself is not cleaning the teeth any better.

In reality, it is a lot of effort for very little gain. I’ve got all these models and more. Do I use the tracking data and log into the app regularly - no, I don’t.

People who have bought these models and similar ones have said the same thing to me.

This tech isn’t necessarily a waste, but there is no point paying for and having it unless you will use it.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes.

As a general rule, the Oral-B brushes are better value and cheaper to own. But, it does depend on the model you are looking at or comparing.

The iO3 has a retail price of $100 compared to the $270 of the DiamondClean 9000.

However, at the top of the range, the Oral-B iO10 is $500 like the Prestige 9900.

In the following table, we compare the retail price against the actual price the brushes normally sell for in the shops.

We’ve also included a 3 year ownership cost to demonstrate how the cost of brush heads impacts things.


Retail price
Typical selling price
Approximate 3 year cost

Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)	Oral-B iO Series 4 (iO4)	Oral-B iO Series 5 (iO5)	Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)	Oral-B iO Series 7 (iO7)	Oral-B iO Series 8 (iO8)	Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)	Oral-B iO Series 10 (iO10)	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9350	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
$100	$140	$190	$240	$300	$340	$400	$500	$270	$270	$380	$500
$80	$112	$152	$192	$240	$272	$320	$400	$240	$215	$310	$400
$245	$277	$317	$357	$390	$407	$440	$520	$383	$345	$427	$543

Conclusion

The iO3 from Oral-B is the best value purchase. It gives you all the essentials you need. It cleans the teeth well and is the brush I would recommend to my friends and family if they wanted one from the iO Series.

It’s the Prestige I would recommend to anyone who isn’t price sensitive and wants ‘the best’ because they can, providing they know it isn’t going to clean their teeth better than other options.

If you want the best of both worlds then the iO6 is the brush to go for. The display creates a more interactive and useful way to change cleaning modes and see how much time remains as you brush. It gives enough information on your brushing habits that you can make positive changes. Most importantly, it doesn’t cost too much.

Philips Sonicare Prestige vs DiamondClean vs DiamondClean Smart

January 26, 2024 by Jon Love

Which one would we choose?

Best overall: Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750 / Amazon, eBay / ~$322.5

Top of the range: Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige / Amazon, Walmart / ~$499.97

Best value: Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition / Amazon / ~$249.99

Our verdict

The Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900 is the ultimate choice, it represents the best of Sonicare.

From my testing, I feel that it is the best smart toothbrush available today. It has a comprehensive range of features and a great travel case. It cleans the teeth exceptionally well, whilst looking good and feeling great in the hand.

Yet it is the DiamondClean Smart 9750 which is my best overall recommendation as it strikes the balance between performance, features and price. Compared to the 9900, little is sacrificed despite the lower price.

The DiamondClean 9000 has fewer features but still has the essential ones you need. I can vouch for it cleaning the teeth just as well.

In fact, all three brushes all cleaned my teeth equally well as one another. The differences in features had a small impact on user experience, but not my overall dental health.

Key differences


Find out more
Electric Teeth Rating
Retail price
Approximate 3 year cost
Cleaning Action
Number of cleaning modes
Brushing intensities
Timer
Pacer
Pressure Sensor
Battery life
Battery type
Number of heads included
Travel case included
Bluetooth connectivity
Position tracking
Noise
Warranty

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition
Review	Review	-

$500	$380	$270
$543	$427	$383
Sonic	Sonic	Sonic
5	5	4
3	3	3

20 second sextants	20 second sextants	20 second sextants

14 days	14 days	14 days
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
1	4	1


		-
71dB	71dB	71dB
2 years	2 years	2 years

Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige vs DiamondClean Smart 9750

Handle design/colours
- The Prestige is available in 3 colours (blue, gold & pink) compared to the 2 colours (gold & blue) of the DiamondClean Smart 9750.
- The DiamondClean 9750 has text labels on the handle to show which mode is active. The Prestige does not. This information is shown in the smartphone app only.
- You can change the brushing mode on the 9750 using the mode button. To change modes on the 9900 Prestige you have to do this in the smartphone app.
- The Prestige is slightly slimmer and lighter in hand.
- The Prestige has a seamless button design for improved durability.
Cleaning modes
- The 9750 changes cleaning mode based on the style of brush head attached.
- The 9750 has a tongue care mode that the 9900 does not have, but the Prestige has a sensitive mode that the 9700 doesn’t have.
Technology
- The Prestige 9900’s scrubbing sensor lights up yellow around the bottom of the brush handle. The 9750 has the sensor but shows this in the app only.
Battery
- The Prestige achieved 4 weeks of use on a full charge vs 3+ weeks of the 9700. Both have a claimed life of 14 days.
- The 9900 Prestige has a charging stand with a USB Type-A connector whereas the 9750 has a 2 pin adapter.
Accessories & box contents
- The 9750 comes with 4 brush heads compared to the 1 with the Prestige.
- The 9900 Prestige’s travel case uses a USB Type-C power connector, whereas the 9750 has a USB cable hardwired into it.
- The DiamondClean Smart’s 9700 travel case can hold 2 brush heads compared to the 1 of the Prestige.
Price
- The Prestige has a retail price of $500 compared to the $380 of the 9750.

So many DiamondClean models, it’s confusing

Philips has previously and currently does manufacture lots of different ‘DiamondClean’ branded electric toothbrushes.

Some fall under the ‘DiamondClean Smart’ range, whilst others ‘DiamondClean’ (non-smart) family of brushes.

Yet, those under the ‘DiamondClean’ range have what many would consider to be smart features such as Bluetooth connectivity. The DiamondClean 9000 is one such example.

The range of brushes, not accounting for colour variations, is unnecessarily complicated. It makes it very difficult to choose between one model and another when in reality they are very similar.

I’ve listed my recommendations above. Yet, if you wish to compare specific models specifications, do make use of our electric toothbrush comparison tool.

Philips Sonicare Prestige vs DiamondClean vs DiamondClean Smart 69 — The Prestige 9900 is the slimmest and lightest of the brushes compared

Detailed comparison: Sonicare 9000 vs 9900 vs 9750

Having used lots of different toothbrushes, including all the current Sonicare brushes, I can confirm that none of these brushes offer a dramatically better clean than each other.

Believe it or not, whilst they might clean a bit better than the cheapest Sonicare brushes, the differences are not significant. Picking one brush over the other isn’t going to radically improve your toothbrushing or general dental health.

Where these brushes differ is in the features they offer and how you and I interact with them daily.

A great example of this is with the travel cases they all come with.

Philips Sonicare Prestige vs DiamondClean vs DiamondClean Smart 70 — The Prestige travel case is compact, but holds only 1 brush head vs the 2 of others

Both the Prestige and DiamondClean allow the toothbrush to be charged whilst in the case,

provided they are connected to a power source. The Prestige uses a detachable USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable. Whereas the DiamondClean 9750 has a USB Type-A cable that is hardwired into the case. The Type-C is newer and future proofed. But there is a notable convenience to having the cable built into the case.

Philips Sonicare Prestige vs DiamondClean vs DiamondClean Smart 71 — Convenience is achieved via the built-in USB cable of the DiamondClean Smart case

The 9000 does or does not come with a charging travel case depending on the version you buy. The ‘special edition’ is the most widely sold and that case does not offer charging. The standard variant does. It has a built-in USB cable like the 9750.

I think you’d agree, when you travel, you want to travel lighter, if possible. Thus, the Prestige stands out here. The travel case is slimmer and more compact, complete with a wrist strap compared to the more bulky, strapless cases of the 9750 and 9000 brushes. The handle itself is a bit slimmer (tenths of inches between them). It is also about .7 ounces lighter.

However, if you like to travel with a spare or share a brush handle with a partner, the bulkier cases might suit you better. They hold 2 heads rather than the 1 of the Prestige.

Unless my teeth and gums are particularly sensitive, I tend to stick to the default cleaning mode. Thus, multiple modes have limited benefits for me. But, I know many people, this might be you, really like the ability to dial in the cleaning power to just the way you like.

All 3 brushes allow this to some extent. All have a high, medium and low brushing intensity in addition to their cleaning modes. The 9000 has 4 modes, clean, white, gum and deep clean, the same as the 9700 and the 9900. But the Prestige and DiamondClean Smart each have an extra mode. Where the Prestige has a sensitive mode, the 9700 has a tongue care option.


Number of cleaning modes
Clean
Sensitive
Sensitive
Gum
White
Deep Clean
Cleaning mode notification
Brushing intensities

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition
5	5	4

	-	-
	-	-



-
3	3	3

These differences are very subtle in the scheme of things and are not going to have any notable impact on your long term oral health.

The brushes default to the last used mode, but the DiamondClean 9000 and the Diamond Clean Smart 9750 do allow you to change the mode right from the brush handle, using the dedicated cleaning mode button. The Prestige does not have this. You have to go into the app to change modes. It’s annoying, but I speak from experience when I say I barely ever change brushing modes, so this limitation of the Prestige isn’t as significant as it might seem at first.

I prefer the backlit brushing mode labels you get on the DiamondClean 9000 and 9750. It makes it obvious at a glance which mode you have active. You need to refer to the app with the Prestige. It’s a bit frustrating.

Philips Sonicare Prestige vs DiamondClean vs DiamondClean Smart 72 — Mode labels make it very easy to see what mode is selected

Durability has been improved with a seamless button design on the Prestige. This prevents gunk and grime from building up around the power button like it can on the DiamondClean 9000 and Smart 9750. The downside is that the pressure sensitive button on the Prestige is quite firm. Those with arthritis or dexterity issues won’t like this.

I do like Sonicare’s implementation of the pressure sensor. The vibrations through the handle are very obvious. This is great for someone who might be blind or partially sighted. But, the 9000 does lack a visible sensor like the DiamondClean Smart 9700 and the Prestige. If you brush in front of a mirror, your eye is drawn to the purple light emitted. Again, it’s not a big issue, just a small difference. Either way, you are still alerted when you are putting your teeth at risk by brushing too hard.

It’s a similar situation with the scrubbing sensor available on the Prestige 9900 and 9750. Both alert you via the app, but only the 9900’s light ring will be lit yellow. If you are blind, there is no way to easily tell the difference between the scrubbing and pressure sensor. The handle vibration pattern is the same.

Philips Sonicare Prestige vs DiamondClean vs DiamondClean Smart 73

I think we all like to get a bit extra for our money, so the fact the DiamondClean Smart comes with 7 extra brush heads compared to the 1 supplied with the 9000 and 9900 is nice. All models can use the same brush head styles, albeit the ones supplied are different.

Oddly it is the cheaper 9000 and 9750 that have the brush head mode pairing feature. This changes the brushing mode based on the type of head you attach. It saves 1 or 2 button presses should you like to change mode when you change the bristles. It is far from necessary. I find I use the same brush head style. There is very little reason to be switching heads regularly.

A rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery is sealed inside the water resistant brush handle. Philips suggests all 3 offer up to 2 weeks of use on a full charge.

Exact usage time varies based on mode and intensity. I’ve found that the Prestige performed best with around 4 weeks of use, the Smart 9700, a little over 3 weeks and the DiamondClean a couple of days behind that.

Both the DiamondClean 9000 and the Smart 9700 have a 2 pin power adapter on the end of the charging stand, suitable for a US power outlet. The Prestige has a USB Type-A connector. There is a USB to 2 pin adapter supplied in the box.

Philips Sonicare Prestige vs DiamondClean vs DiamondClean Smart 74

The stand style differs slightly too. The 9900 and 9000 have a charging base and puck configuration, whereas the DiamondClean Smart comes with the classier looking, but much more bulky glass charging stand.

Where these models perhaps differ most is with the Bluetooth technology and position sensors built into the handles. I will be the first to tell you that you don’t need Bluetooth connectivity on a toothbrush. Yet all 3 have it. The 9000 doesn’t offer real-time tracking though like the other 2 models.


Bluetooth connectivity
Position tracking
Smart Features Additional information

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition

		-
Real time position tracking. Cleaning modes can be changed via the app only.	Real time position tracking.	-

What this means is that you get no feedback from the app as you brush. Data is logged and can be reviewed after brushing. It monitors brushing time and frequency. It doesn’t show what surfaces of the teeth you have and haven’t brushed like the DiamondClean 9750 and the Prestige. With these models, you can take immediate action to correct any errors in your technique.

Philips Sonicare Prestige vs DiamondClean vs DiamondClean Smart 75 — Only the DiamondClean 9000 does not have real-time tracking

Does one clean better than the other?

No. They all clean the teeth comparatively.

However, if you want to be pedantic, there is an argument that the DiamondClean Smart and Prestige models may achieve better results than the DiamondClean 9000.

This is because of the educational tools and data they offer over the 9000.

The 9000 tracks and logs some of your brushing habits, but it does not track and display your brushing in real time. It won’t show you areas of the mouth and teeth you haven’t brushed, whereas the others do.

If you are committed to monitoring this information, you can learn to improve your brushing technique.

But, ultimately this is making you a better brusher. The brush itself is not cleaning the teeth any better.

Philips Sonicare Prestige vs DiamondClean vs DiamondClean Smart 76

In reality, it is a lot of effort for very little gain. I’ve got all these models and more. Do I use the tracking data and log into the app regularly - no, I don’t.

People who have bought these models and similar ones have said the same thing to me.

This tech isn’t necessarily a waste, but there is no point paying for and having it unless you will use it.

Is one better priced than the other?

Most definitely.

The Prestige 9900 is the most expensive ($500) whereas the DiamondClean 9000 is the most affordable ($270). There is a staggering $230 price difference in their suggested retail price.

The Smart 9750 costs $120 less than the Prestige at $380.

Be aware that the 4100 Series electric toothbrush at around $65 is sufficient for most.

Even having used these extensively, there is nothing that really says these products are worth these asking prices.

Thankfully, typical selling prices tend to be a bit less. You are looking at about $240 for the 9000, $310 for the 9750 and $400 for the 9900.

I can’t honestly say the $160 premium for the Prestige is worth it. It’s only justifiable if you desire and want the best.

Ongoing ownership costs are similar as they all use the same style of brush head. But, because the 9700 comes with more brush heads in the box, it does work out better value, as you don’t have to buy so many replacement sets of bristles.

The table below shows the most up to date information on prices, enabling you to make a more informed decision.


Retail price
Typical selling price
Approximate 3 year cost

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750	Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition
$500	$380	$270
$400	$310	$240
$543	$427	$383

Conclusion

The DiamondClean 9000 is the cheapest and still far more than you need in terms of features.

A balance between features and price comes in the form of the DiamondClean Smart 9750, whilst the Prestige offers the complete package, at a price.

All brushes clean the teeth comparably.

It is the 9750 DiamondClean that is my pick if you want a premium toothbrush, but also don’t want to spend more than you have to.

Philips Sonicare 4100 Series vs 4500 vs 6100 ProtectiveClean

January 25, 2024 by Jon Love

Our choice: 4100 Series

The 4100 Series brush has all the dentist recommended features and is available for a fair price. It is our most recommended Sonicare toothbrush as a result.

For not much extra you can benefit from better battery life and a travel case from the 4500.

If you specifically want additional cleaning modes and more control of the power of the toothbrush, then the 6100 would be the better choice.

Philips Sonicare 4100 Series

$68.25 Amazon Walmart - check price

2nd choice: Sonicare 4500 ProtectiveClean / Amazon, Walmart / ~$89.99

Key differences


Find out more
Electric Teeth Rating
Retail price
Approximate 3 year cost
Cleaning Action
Number of cleaning modes
Brushing intensities
Timer
Pacer
Pressure Sensor
Battery life
Battery type
Number of heads included
Travel case included
Bluetooth connectivity
Position tracking
Noise
Warranty

Our Choice Philips Sonicare 4100 Series	Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4500	Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100
Review	Review	Review

$80	$100	$155
$208	$226	$255
Sonic	Sonic	Sonic
1	2	3
2	-	3

30 second quadpacer	30 second quadpacer	30 second quadpacer

14 days	14 days	14 days
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
1	1	1
-
-	-	-
-	-	-
60dB	59dB	64dB
2 years	2 years	2 years

Cleaning/brushing action
- The 4500 & 6100 ProtectiveClean has the more powerful motor offering up to 62,000 movements compared to the 4100 Series. Actual cleaning results are comparable.
Handle design/colours
- The 6100 is available in 5 colour options compared to the 3 of the 4100 Series and 2 of the 4500.
- The 4500 & 6100 have LEDs and text labels to show which cleaning modes are selected. The 4100 doesn’t have these.
- The 45 & 6100 have an additional mode/intensity button.
- The 4100 is slimmer and lighter at 3.4 ounces compared to the 4.7 of the 6100.
Cleaning modes
- The 6100 ProtectiveClean offers 3 cleaning modes (clean, gum care and whitening) compared to 2 of the 4500 (clean & gum care) and 1 (clean) mode of the 4100 Series.
- The 6100 offers 3 brushing intensities compared to the 2 of the 4100. The 4500 ProtectiveClean has no intensity settings.
- The 6100 will automatically select the most appropriate cleaning mode based on the brush head attached.
Battery
- In my testing, the 6100 & 4500 achieved around 5 weeks of life compared to the 17 days of the 4100.
Accessories & box contents
- The 4100 is supplied with a C2 Optimal Plaque Control brush head, whereas the 6100 comes with a W DiamondClean and the 4500 a G2 Optimal Gum Care.
- The 4100 Series has a USB charging stand compared to the 2 pin US equipped stand supplied with the 45 and 6100.
- The 4500 and 6100 come with a travel case.
Price
- The 4100 Series is cheaper, with a retail price of $80 compared to the $100 of the 4500 and $155 of the 6100.

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4500, 6100 and 4100 Series?

I can confidently say from my time using all three of these brushes, that what differences exist are in the scheme of things relatively subtle. Picking one brush over the other isn’t going to radically improve your toothbrushing or general dental health. Both clean the teeth well and make for nice brushes to use daily.

Philips Sonicare 4100 Series vs 4500 vs 6100 ProtectiveClean 96

The 4100 Series is technically the newer of the 3 brushes, launching in 2023. Whereas the ProtectiveClean 6100 and 4500 were first introduced in 2017.

The 4100 is noticeably slimmer and lighter. There’s a difference of 35g or 1.3 ounces. A positive for most users as your hand and arm are less likely to tire during use.


Toothbrush height with head
Width
Depth/thickness
Weight with head

Philips Sonicare 4100 Series	Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4500	Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100
23.4cm / 9.2 inches	25cm / 9.8 inches	25cm / 9.8 inches
2.5cm / 0.9 inches	2.8cm / 1.1 inches	2.8cm / 1.1 inches
2.7cm / 1 inches	3cm / 1.1 inches	3cm / 1.1 inches
97g / 3.4oz	130g / 4.6oz	132g / 4.7oz

Being slimmer might make it slightly more difficult to hold if you or the intended user are unable to form a tight grip on the brush handle. But, we are talking about a few millimetres or points of inches difference.

If the colour of the brush handle is very important to you, then you have a little extra choice with the 6100. At the time of comparison, you have 5 options (white, black, blue, purple & pink) vs 3 of the 4100 (white, black & pink). The 4500 is available in just 2 colours, white and black.

One of the more meaningful differences between these brushes for me is the LEDs and cleaning mode labels available on the 4500 and 6100. You can very clearly see which of the brushing modes you have selected.

Philips Sonicare 4100 Series vs 4500 vs 6100 ProtectiveClean 97 — LEDs make it very clear which modes are active & what intensity is selected on the 6100

There are no LEDs or labels on the 4100 Series. You can hear and feel the difference between the high and low intensities the 4100 offers. Therefore it’s not a huge inconvenience. But, you don’t get the reassurance that you’ve selected the mode you want, like you do with the ProtectiveClean models. I feel like you have to pay more attention when using the 4100.

A small added benefit of the 45 and 6100 is that you can change modes before turning the brush on. You can’t with the 4100. That’s because the others have an additional mode button.

Although all brushes can use the same brush heads, the 6100 has Brush-Sync mode pairing. This means the handle automatically selects the most appropriate cleaning mode based on the brush head attached. It’s not a must have feature. There is little reason to regularly swap between brush head styles. If you do, it saves 1 or 2 button presses.

Philips Sonicare 4100 Series vs 4500 vs 6100 ProtectiveClean 98 — The ProtectiveClean 4500 and 6100 come with the same travel case - holds the handle and up to 2 brush heads

It is the supplied travel case that is the most beneficial extra of the 4500 and 6100 in my opinion. The plastic case holds the handle and up to 2 brush heads. It’s basic, but functional and will benefit regular travellers.

You can get a travel case for the 4100 Series, they are sold separately, or you need to buy the 4900 Series, which comes with one in the box.

It’s not clear whether all brushes use the same battery, but I can confirm both use a rechargeable Lithium-Ion cell. Philips claims 14 days of use on a full charge. I achieved an impressive 5 weeks on the standard clean mode of the ProtectiveClean modes, vs the 17 days of the 4100 Series. This is a fair difference in daily use.


Battery type
Battery life
Hands-on battery life
Charging stand connector

Philips Sonicare 4100 Series	Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4500	Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
14 days	14 days	14 days
17 days	35 days	35 days
USB Type A	2 pin US	2 pin US

The 4100 has a newer style of charging stand. It has a USB type A cable hardwired into it, compared to the 2 pin power adapter on the 4500 and 6100’s stand.

No USB to 2 pin adapter comes included with the 4100. So to charge from the power outlet you need to buy an adapter or use one you may already own. It’s a bit of an inconvenience for some and might make the 6100 more appealing. It’s not a huge issue and makes the 4100 a better option if you travel, particularly internationally.

Does one clean better than the other?

The short answer is no.

The cleaning results from the 4100 Series or the ProtectiveClean models are comparable, I have no complaints having used them all.

However, there is the potential that the 4500 and 6100 might deliver marginally better results long term. Although I have no clinical evidence to confirm this. This is because the motors of the ProtectiveClean models are configured slightly differently

They deliver up to 62,000 movements per minute, whereas the 4100 Series does not. The 4100 feels slightly less powerful during use.

Philips Sonicare 4100 Series vs 4500 vs 6100 ProtectiveClean 99

I’ve not found this difference immediately obvious during my testing, because the 4100 has been tuned in such a way it feels very similar.

If you have used a premium Sonicare brush before, you might notice the difference. New sonic toothbrush users have nothing to compare to.

What difference might exist, is very small and will have minimal impact on your overall oral health.

This difference alone is not a reason to opt for the 45 or 6100 in my opinion.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes, the 4100 Series is the cheaper and more affordable toothbrush.

It has a retail price of $80, almost half that of the $155 of the ProtectiveClean 6100 Series. The 4500 is $100.

I couldn’t justify the $75 premium for the 6100 over the 4100. From my time using both, I don’t feel the 6100 cleans the teeth any better. The extras you are getting and paying for enhance daily usability slightly.

But, a $20 premium for the 4500 is acceptable, given the more powerful motor and the included travel case.

Based on typical selling prices, rather than suggested retailed prices the premium reduces to around $45 for the 6100 over the 4100.

Ongoing costs are comparable as all models use the same brush heads, which typically cost $13 each.

Over 3 years of ownership, you are likely to be about $50 better off by opting for the 4100 Series compared to the 6100 ProtectiveClean.

The 4500 is only about $20 more than the 4100.

Conclusion

These are 3 very good electric toothbrushes that I’ve enjoyed using daily.

Technically the 6100 is the ‘better’ brush, but in everyday use for most people, the 4100 Series is the best option.

It cleans the teeth well, and benefits from the dentist recommended features (timer, pacer and pressure sensor).

The 6100 has several small advantages, notably the customization and control of brushing modes. These don’t have any significant bearing on your oral health.

	Our Choice Philips Sonicare 4100 Series	Our Choice Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4500	Our Choice Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100
Electric Teeth Rating
Amazon	$68.25	$89.99	$129.99
Walmart	View price	View price	View price

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series

December 29, 2023 by Jon Love

Which one would we choose?

Best overall: Philips Sonicare 4100 Series / Amazon, Walmart / ~$68.25

Best budget: Philips Sonicare 1100 Series / Amazon, Walmart / ~$32.99

The 4100 Series has all of the features our dentists recommended.

It provides the most thorough and satisfying clean of all the models compared here.

Although it provides the same number of brush strokes, the motor has been tuned differently for better results.

It is our main recommendation for the best Sonicare toothbrush.

As a more affordable option, the 1100 Series is our 2nd choice. It does lack the pressure sensor, though, so don’t brush with too much force if you opt for this.

All models within the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series have a lot of similarities, including the same handle size, weight and battery. There is, in reality, little difference between them.

Key differences

1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series are the broader product range names. Under each of these families might well be a few different models with subtle differences between each.

The following table lists the key differences between lead model in each range.


Find out more
Electric Teeth Rating
Retail price
Approximate 3 year cost
Cleaning Action
Number of cleaning modes
Brushing intensities
Timer
Pacer
Pressure Sensor
Battery life
Battery type
Number of heads included
Brush heads included
BrushSync
Travel case included
Noise
Warranty

Philips Sonicare 1100 Series	Philips Sonicare 2100 Series	Philips Sonicare 3100 Series	Our Choice Philips Sonicare 4100 Series
-	Review	Review	Review

$30	$45	$65	$80
$140	$150	$190	$208
Sonic	Sonic	Sonic	Sonic
1	1	1	1
-	2	2	2

30 second quadpacer	30 second quadpacer	30 second quadpacer	30 second quadpacer
-	-
14 days	14 days	14 days	14 days
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
1	1	1	1
1 x C1 SimplyClean	1 x C1 SimplyClean	1 x C1 ProResults	1 x C2 Optimal Plaque Control
-	-	Brush head replacement reminder	Brush head replacement reminder
-	-	-	-
57dB	60dB	57dB	60dB
2 years	2 years	2 years	2 years

Brush vs brush comparisons

We are often asked which model we pick between 2 specific models. For example 1100 vs 21000. The table shows our answers.

Models Compared	Our Choice
1100 vs 2100 Series	1100 Series (Amazon)
1100 vs 3100 Series	3100 Series (Amazon)
1100 vs 4100 Series	4100 Series (Amazon)
2100 vs 3100 Series	3100 Series (Amazon)
2100 vs 4100 Series	4100 Series (Amazon)
3100 vs 4100 Series	4100 Series (Amazon)

Brush vs brush key differences

Click below for a list of the key differences between each model.

1100 vs 2100 Series

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 118

The 2100 has 2 brushing intensities compared to the 1 intensity/mode of the 1100.
The 1100 comes in white gray colour compared to the white mint of the 2100.
The 1100 has a retail price of $29.99 compared to the $45 of the 2100.

1100 vs 3100 Series

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 119

The 3100 has 2 brushing intensities compared to the 1 intensity/mode of the 1100.
The 3100 has a pressure sensor.
The 3100 has a brush head replacement reminder system (part of BrushSync technology).
The 3100 comes with 1 x C1 ProResults brush head compared to the 1 x SimplyClean of the 1100.
The 3100 is available in 3 colour options, white, black and deep pink compared to the 1, white gray color option of the 1100.
The 1100 has a retail price of $29.99 compared to the $59.99 of the 3100.

1100 vs 4100 Series

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 120

The 4100 has 2 brushing intensities compared to the 1 intensity/mode of the 1100.
The amplitude of 4100’s motor has been tuned to provide a more intense cleaning action, despite the same number of brush strokes.
The 4100 has a pressure sensor.
The 4100 has a brush head replacement reminder system (part of BrushSync technology).
The 4100 comes with 1 x C2 Optimal Plaque Control brush head compared to the 1 x SimplyClean of the 1100.
The 4100 is available in 4 colour options, white, black, sugar rose and deep pink, compared to the 1, white gray colour option of the 1100.
The 1100 has a retail price of $29.99 compared to the $79.99 of the 4100.

2100 vs 3100 Series

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 121

The 3100 has a pressure sensor.
The 3100 has a brush head replacement reminder system (part of BrushSync technology).
The 3100 comes with 1 x C1 ProResults brush head compared to the 1 x SimplyClean of the 2100.
The 3100 is available in 3 colour options, white, black and deep pink compared to the 1, white mint colour option of the 2100.
The 2100 has a retail price of $45 compared to the $59.99 of the 3100.

2100 vs 4100 Series

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 122

The amplitude of 4100’s motor has been tuned to provide a more intense cleaning action, despite the same number of brush strokes.
The 4100 has a pressure sensor.
The 4100 has a brush head replacement reminder system (part of BrushSync technology).
The 4100 comes with 1 x C2 Optimal Plaque Control brush head compared to the 1 x SimplyClean of the 2100.
The 4100 is available in 4 colour options, white, black, sugar rose and deep pink compared to the 1, white mint colour option of the 2100.
The 2100 has a retail price of $45 compared to the $79.99 of the 4100.

3100 vs 4100 Series

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 123

The amplitude of 4100’s motor has been tuned to provide a more intense cleaning action, despite the same number of brush strokes.
The 4100 comes with 1 x C2 Optimal Plaque Control brush head compared to the 1 x C1 ProResults of the 3100.
The 4100 is available in 4 colour options, white, black, sugar rose and deep pink, compared to the 3 colour options, white, black and deep pink of the 3100.
The 3100 has a retail price of $59.99 compared to the $79.99 of the 4100.

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 124

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series Sonicare toothbrushes?

As the table and bullet point lists above have shown, the real differences between each of these models are fairly limited.

Each brush is most certainly more similar than it is different.

Here is a list of ways in which they are similar:

Built-in 2 minute timer
Built-in 30 second pacer
Battery charge notification LED
USB charging stand
Handle size
Handle weight
Handle materials
Clicky power button
Push on, pull off brush heads
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery sealed inside
Water resistant brush handle
2 minute timer

The differences between each model relate more to everyday use and helping you to get the best from your oral care routine.

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 125

The 4100 Series does provide the best overall cleaning experience, as I explain in the section below. Its brush motor has been tuned for a more satisfying clean.

Although all 4 models have 1 cleaning mode, known as clean, the 2100, 3100 and 4100 do offer different brushing intensities though.

You have the choice of 2 settings, high and low.

As the names imply, low is a more gentle and less vigorous brushing sensation. This option is ideally suited for new electric brush users or those with sensitivity in the teeth or gums.

The higher of the 2 intensities will theoretically provide the best cleaning results.

You need to press the power button multiple times to switch between the modes. The handle will remember the last intensity used and default to this next time.

Due to the tuning of the 4100’s motor, its high intensity setting is more powerful than that of the 1-3000 Series.

I don’t have the data to specify exactly, but, in my opinion, the low setting of the 4100 feels more like the high setting on the 1100, 2100 and 3100.

The 3100 and 4100 have the pressure sensor that the other models lack.

A pressure sensor alerts you when you apply too much force to the teeth and gums as you brush. It is a feature that our dentists prefer to be present in an electric brush.

When the sensor detects too much force, the handle vibrates with a pattern quite different from the normal vibration in the handle. It is difficult to ignore this.

At the same time, the brush head replacement light will flash, although this is nigh on impossible to actually see.

You will likely notice a change in the sound of the brush too.

Once any pressure is relieved, the vibration will stop.

The sensor is running all the time and will activate every time you apply too much force, unless it is disabled.

Another feature of both the 3100 and 4100 is the brush head replacement reminder light.

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 126

This is 1 part of BrushSync technology.

The handle reads and tracks an RFID chip built into a compatible brush head. Once the recommended usage time for that head has been exceeded, the reminder light will flash.

The light is a way of signalling to you and me as a user that it is time to replace the bristles. Failing to do so can compromise the cleaning results and our teeth and gums.

When a new head is fitted, the reminder light is essentially reset.

The heads supplied do differ.

Whilst technically these have been designed with slightly different goals in mind, they all do a good job of cleaning the teeth and removing plaque.

The greatest difference exists with the C2 Optimal Plaque Control head. It doesn’t have the W profile like the SimplyClean/ProResults. The clusters of bristles are configured differently.

I can’t really say 1 is much better or worse than the other, just slightly different.

The only other way in which the brushes really differ is the color of the handle and accessories.

The default colour for these is white.

Some white handles have a coloured power button that gives an accent to the handle. Others have coloured handles with white brush heads.

It is only the black coloured handles that tend to come provided with a colour matched charging stand. The brush head still tends to be white though.

Does one clean better than the other?

The short answer is no.

Use any of these brushes twice a day, for 2 minutes each time, along with the correct brushing technique and you are going to get very good cleaning results.

However, there is a difference between the configuration of the brush motor in the 4100 Series.

Sonicare claims that the 4100 Series removes 5 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, whereas the likes of the 1100 removes only 3 times more plaque.

Let me explain why.

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 127

The 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series all have brush motors that offer 31,000 brush strokes per minute.

But, the 4000 Series motor has been tuned so that the ‘amplitude’ (the distance covered or the sweep angle of the bristles) is higher.

In daily use, this means the brush feels more powerful and the cleaning more thorough.

You might not desire more power and a deeper cleaning, but based on Sonicares data this does make somewhat of a meaningful difference to your oral health.

Plaque is the very reason we brush our teeth, so the more of it we can disrupt and remove the better.

Our hands-on testing is not scientific and we don’t verify the claims Sonicare makes. But, we can speak firsthand when we say the difference is noticeable, particularly when used side by side.

Of course, few will ever use side by side. And in reality, the cleaning offered by the 1000, 2000 and 3000 Series is more than sufficient.

If you have not used a power toothbrush before, the brushing sensation and experience you get will still feel more powerful than a manual toothbrush.

Existing electric brush users, notably Sonicare users might well be able to feel the difference in the brushing sensation, if you pick the 1100, 2100 or 3100

Do also be aware that many existing Sonicare toothbrushes actually offer up to 62,000 movements. None of these models do.

Movements are only 1 part of the equation in achieving clean teeth. And due to the way the 4100 Series has been tuned, it is very difficult to notice the difference, even though it does exist.

Of the models compared here, the 4000 Series can potentially provide the best cleaning results.

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 128

But complicating things further are the different brush heads and brushing intensities on offer across the range of models.

How much difference this makes is up for debate and there is a lack of reliable evidence. For most, it is not worth worrying about. More important is to brush regularly, for the right time and with the correct technique.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes, but the price difference isn’t as great as you might expect.

The retail prices are as follows:

1100 - $29.99
2100 - $45.00
3100 - $59.99
4100 - $79.99

As you can see, the 1100 is the most affordable. This isn’t too surprising given it has the least features.

Whilst the 4100 is best, it is $50 more.

AdmittAdmittedly that is over twice the price of the 1100 Series, but given Sonicares most expensive model is $500, that isn’t much of a price difference.

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 129

Within the power toothbrush market, it is quite common for the actual selling price to be a bit less than retail.

It does vary from one seller to another and prices change at different times of the year. But, it is quite a discount of around 20% is often achievable.

The only exception to this is the 1100 because it is so competitively priced already. You may save a 1 or 2 dollars, but not much

The discounted sales prices look as follows

1100 - $29.99
2100 - $40.00
3100 - $45-50
4100 - $65

Taking this into consideration the 4100 is now only $35 more expensive than the 1100, which really isn’t that great when you consider the extras you are getting.

Philips Sonicare 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs 4000 Series 130

As you might have expected by now, there are added complications.

The 1000 can make use of Sonicares standard brush heads that do not have the RFID chip required for the BrushSync technology to work. These heads typically cost $10 per head.

The 2000, 3000 and 4000 can though use the BrushSync enabled head which often command a premium of $3 per head, so $13 in total.

Each can use the standard head, but you in turn lose the benefits of the brush head replacement reminder.

To give a benchmark, over 3 years of ownership (based on 1 user) the costs are as follows:

1100 - $140
2100 - $150
3100 - $193
4100 - $208

Therefore if you are on a budget, the 1100 proves itself to be best value. Over 3 years, however, the premium for the 4100 isn’t that significant.

Try not to let price be the primary factor in your decision. It could be worth waiting a little while longer to save the money, if you feel a more expensive brush will suit you better.

But, as I have stated before, any of these brushes can clean the teeth well.

Conclusion

All things considered, any of these brushes can clean the teeth better than a manual toothbrush.

But, when selecting between these 4 different series, it is the 4000/4100 Series that is my top choice.

It has the essential features that our in-house dentists recommend.

It gives the most satisfying cleaning results, even if the actual cleaning differences between each are hard to determine.

It is a good all round brush that blends performance with functionality and price.

For those with a tighter budget, the 1100 Series is a great 2nd choice and will still provide benefits to your oral health.