All models
Best all-round: C1 SimplyClean / Amazon / ~$35.35
Best for a gentler clean: S Sensitive / Amazon, eBay / ~$32.95
BrushSync enabled models
Best all-round: C2 Optimal Plaque Control / eBay, Amazon / ~$25.7
Best for a gentler clean: A3 Premium All-In-One (Until S2 Sensitive launches) / Amazon, eBay / ~$40.17
Why we picked them
We've tested lots of different Sonicare brush handles with all of the various heads that Philips has to offer. All did a decent job of lifting plaque from our teeth. We can't say our testing has ever revealed a brush head we recommend avoiding.
The C1 SimplyClean, also known as ProResults, is the best for just getting the job done, in our opinion. It is also one of the most affordable options.
With medium firmness bristles, the large oval head generally covers a couple of teeth at a time. Plaque and debris caught on the teeth and gum line are efficiently brushed away as the bristles sweep back and forth over the tooth surface.
The S Sensitive is our other top recommendation.
In our testing we've found that the feeling after brushing isn't quite as invigorating, but it was far gentler on our teeth and soft gum tissue. We've got no complaints with the cleaning results given the less intense and more delicate sensation it offers.
We've found that the ultra soft bristles are far more considerate of inflamed and tender gum tissue compared with the medium firmness bristles that the majority of Philips brush heads have. If you have sensitivity or gum recession this head is a must-pick.
The S Sensitive head is compatible with virtually all Sonicare brush handles. However, this head does not have BrushSync technology.
If your toothbrush has BrushSync and you want to ensure you get timely reminders on brush head replacement, the C2 Optimal Plaque Control/Defence brush head is our recommendation.
It is a little smaller (approximately 15-20%) than the C1 SimplyClean. We know some people prefer this as it can help with positioning the brush head into certain parts of the mouth.
We have found cleaning results are comparable.
Key things to know
Video explanation
In this video we explain what each brush head does and why we picked our top recommendations.
Do the specialized heads work?
Yes, Sonicare's specialized heads can be useful for some people. In the sections below we've said a bit about our experience with two of the most popular ones – sensitive and whitening.
Sensitive heads
Regular tooth brushing can help reduce gum inflammation, bleeding and sensitivity. However, for some of us, no matter what we do our teeth and gums are still delicate and require the lightest of touches.
Despite being optimized for sensitivity, these heads can be used by anyone daily.
The ultra soft bristles move over the teeth and gum surfaces with a motion that feels less abrasive than some other brush heads. Dentists typically recommend soft bristles over firm, making this a more sensible choice.
The long oval-like shape typically covers a couple of teeth at a time. Unlike the W profile of the C1 SimplyClean, the head has more of a wave formation to it that creates a C-like shape that cups the rounded profile of the teeth as you brush.
The head is densely packed with bristles, but the outer clusters are shorter in length than those in the middle. Our team found that with regular use this head helped reduce bleeding and inflammation of the gum tissue, restoring red and puffy gums to a healthy light pink colour.
The S Sensitive brush head is suitable for use with any of the modes and intensities available on a Sonicare brush. That said, we have found the head provides the softest brushing sensation when the intensity is set to low and a mode like sensitive or gum health is selected.
The S Sensitive head is not BrushSync-enabled. If you do want a BrushSync head with soft bristles, your current best option is the A3 Premium All-In-One.
However, it is expected that the S2 Sensitive head will soon be available to buy in Canada. It is currently available in Europe and is the updated equivalent to the S Sensitive.
The S2 Sensitive is the only other brush head to have 'ultra soft' bristles and be equipped with the RFID chip. Unlike the A3 head, it's not backed with the soft touch silicone.
It has 3,000 bristles each 0.01mm thick and a profile that is not as wide or long as other head styles. This can help with reaching in the mouth but does limit the coverage it can offer at any one time.
Whitening heads
Optimized for whitening the Diamond shaped bristle tips in this densely packed brush head help remove surface stains from the teeth more effectively than some other heads.
We have seen first hand how it can make visible improvements to a user's teeth. However, one must be aware that you can't expect sensational results in most situations. If you are a heavy smoker, red wine, tea or coffee drinker, using this head will likely deliver some positive results.
But, if you are an oral care aficionado and regularly whiten your teeth or get a professional cleaning, you are unlikely to notice any difference.
To enhance the effect of the whitening head it is best, although not essential, to use it with a whitening mode or higher intensity setting that Sonicare handles offer. It can also be beneficial to use a whitening toothpaste with it. Such pastes are usually more abrasive in order to help lift stains, but we don't advise long term use of them as it can result in more wear of the tooth surface.
The W DiamondClean or W2 Optimal White head is BrushSync-enabled. There is no equivalent without an RFID chip.
Regular heads like the C1 SimplyClean can achieve similar results to the DiamondClean, it just might take longer.
Other specialized brush heads
Philips has reduced the number of specialized brush heads it offers in recent years.
Where they once made a compact and standard sized version of many heads now, in most instances, they only make the standard sized option. The compact variant can be useful for crowded teeth and smaller mouths.
Other specialized options like the T1 TongueCare+ head, which had 240 microbristles, are no longer sold. We generally prefer tongue scrapers, although brushing the tongue with a normal head is still far better than nothing.
The main alternatives are adaptations of existing heads. The key differentiator is the soft silicone back and sides of the head. This makes them more pleasant on the teeth and gums when in use. It reduces the chattering sound and effect should the vibrating head come into contact with the tooth. Unfortunately, we've found these heads are often more expensive. Subsequently, it becomes harder to justify their value.
The brush head to replace them all
As the name suggests the A3 Premium All-In-One is the brush head for those wanting a bit of everything.
It has softer bristles compared to the medium ones found on many Sonicare heads. It makes for a more pleasant experience if your teeth and gums are tender. Given many dentists recommend soft bristles, it is arguably a better choice.
The triangular shaped tips to the bristles are designed to effectively clean the tooth surface and buff away discolouration and stains, replicating the whitening effect of the W DiamondClean head.
And of course, the tufts of bristles are positioned and shaped to maximize plaque removal.
We can vouch for the A3's performance — it has achieved excellent results during the times we have used it and is a delight to brush with.
It is arguably worthy of being a top pick, but although it is softer and more effective in plaque and stain removal, we can't say it is noticeably better. Using the A3 head will (for most) not result in radical shifts in your cleaning compared to one of the other brush head styles.
The A3 is typically more expensive than other brush heads and therefore, like other premium options, it is hard to justify above the cheaper alternatives.
Genuine vs generic
From our use and testing, we believe that Philips Sonicare's original brush heads, often known as "genuine heads", are the best. They will always be our primary recommendation.
However, there are a large number of generic or aftermarket options. These heads often look very similar to and perform comparably to the originals. The big advantage of these is that they are considerably cheaper.
For example, an off-brand head can cost $2 or less compared to the $13 per manufacturer original brush head. You could save around $120 over 3 years.
But, as it stands, no third party brush heads support BrushSync, so you are forced to stick with Sonicare's own heads if you wish to make use of this technology.
And as you might well imagine, not all brush heads are the same. The very cheapest and most affordable (under $2) are that cheap for a reason. It certainly isn't applicable to all, but I have heard of bristles coming loose, heads breaking and bristles wearing faster.
The cheapest third-party Sonicare heads will not have rounded tips to the bristles. We've found that this results in a sharper and harsher feeling on the teeth and gums. It can make for an unpleasant brushing experience, particularly if you have sensitive gums.
Paying around $2.50-3 per head has, in our testing, resulted in a better experience. In fact, many of these heads are very good and in a blindfolded test, it has proven hard to tell the difference to the manufacturer's.
We've also found that some have the symbols to identify whose brush head is whose, which the manufacturer originals lack.
BrushSync heads are useful but not essential
The majority of Sonicare brush heads are BrushSync enabled. This means a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) microchip has been built into the brush head.
When fitted to a compatible brush handle, the use of the head is tracked. Once the recommended usage time is exceeded, an alert is presented on the handle. It's an obvious alert that your brush head needs replacing.
On select models the technology goes one step further. The handle will automatically change the cleaning mode, based on the style of the attached head.
It is a useful feature if you have a habit of forgetting to replace your brush head regularly. You don't need it though.
We have found having the chip makes recycling the heads more difficult. The cost of each head tends to be higher than those without.
BrushSync-enabled heads will fit and work with handles that don't have BrushSync, but the "smart" technology does not work. Similarly handles with BrushSync technology can use those heads without the chip, but you won't be alerted when a replacement head is due.
Compatibility: which heads fit and work with my brush handle?
The following table shows which brush heads fit and are compatible with which brush handles:
| Bursh Head Style | Brush Head Image | Handle Compatibility | BrushSync Enabled** |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 SimplyClean/ProResults |  | All Sonicare handles* | No |
| C2 Optimal Plaque Control/Plaque Defence |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| C3 Premium Plaque Control/Plaque Defence |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| G2 Optimal Gum Care |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| G3 Premium Gum Care |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| W DiamondClean/W2 Optimal White |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| W3 Premium White |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| S Sensitive |  | All Sonicare handles* | No |
| S2 Sensitive |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| A3 Premium All-In-One |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
**Must be used with BrushSync enabled handle to gain benefits
How do I know when it's time to replace a head?
With most Sonicare heads, blue 'reminder bristles' within the head will fade in colour over a period of about 3 months.
If your brush handle is BrushSync enabled, the light and icon on the toothbrush handle will illuminate Amber to alert you when a replacement is due. Bluetooth-enabled brushes may offer an alert within the Philips Sonicare smartphone app too.
If the head shows obvious signs of wear it is recommended to replace the head sooner rather than later.
Dental professionals generally advise replacing your brush head every 3 months because bristles wear with use. Using it for longer than recommended can lead to less effective cleaning results and damage to the teeth and gums.
How to fit Philips brush heads
To replace a Sonicare brush head, you pull (with a small amount of force) the existing head off the handle and push the replacement on in its place. There is no need to twist or lock the head into place.
The only exception is a much older E-Series brush handle which screws on and off. Such handles are not that common anymore.
We demonstrate the method in the video below.
Are Sonicare brush heads interchangeable?
Yes, Philips Sonicare brush heads are fully interchangeable.
Whether your brush came with a SimplyClean or A3 Premium All-In-One brush head you can easily clip on a W DiamondClean or C2 Plaque Control head if that is your preference.
The only catch is that if you have a BrushSync-enabled handle and fit a brush head that does not support it, you will not get any alerts when it is time to replace the head.
Similarly, a BrushSync-enabled head, fitted to a handle without BrushSync compatibility, does not enable any reminder feature because the handle does not have the necessary hardware built in.
The interchangeable nature of the brush heads are explained in the following video:
There's no way to identify whose head is whose
Philips does not print icons or offer coloured rings on brush heads to help you differentiate between your brush head and that of another family member.
It is a point of frustration for many.
Our best advice is to mark them yourself with a piece of coloured tape, nail varnish or similar.
As mentioned above, some third-party heads do include an icon or similar to help you to distinguish between brush heads.
Thanks for the response, I have been away hence the delay in responding. I am really missing my electric toothbrush. I did look inside the shaft of the new head and there is nothing there or broken off the old head. The original brush head was the C3 and the replacement which came with the unit is the G3.
I tried putting the old head back on and it too will not push fully into place. There is a gap between the base of the head and the hand unit. The brish does turn on with or without the head but is very noisy , like a rattle in the unit, much louder than the normal sound. because of the rattle the unit vibrates in my hand more than it should. I do not want to use it in this state. What do you suggest? This is the first time I have tried to change the head and the brush was working well up until my taking the head off to replace it. Thanks very much for any assistance you can provide.
Hello again Janet.
There is normally a very small gap between the brush head and the handle. They do not sit completely flush together.
From your comment, you seem to know this and can tell something isn't right. The way you describe it says this to me too. If it is nosier etc something sounds off.
I suggest you give Sonicare's customer care team a call on 1-800-682-7664 and hopefully they can resolve this for you.
Hello, my Sonic care brush signalled it was time to change the head .when I tried to install the new head the G3 which came with the unit as a spare , it would not fit snugly or click when pushed into place. It runs on but with a lot of vibration and noise. M I missing something on the install? I pulled the old one off and simply trip to push on the new one .
Hi Janet. It really should be a case of simply pulling the old one off and pushing the new one on as you say.
When you remove the head, you see a metal shaft that extends from within the brush handle? There is no plastic attached or anything to indicate the old brush head has broken in some way and left something over the shaft making the fitting more difficult?
If you look at the bottom of the brush head, up the shaft, does the fitting look the same on old and new or anything to indicate a fault?