Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum vs DiamondClean

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Sonicare FlexCare Platinum HX9111/12 and the DiamondClean?

Having gone hands on with both of these electric toothbrushes, as I see it there are 8 key differences between these models that you need to consider and be aware of.

The FlexCare Platinum is sat at the higher mid-range of all the electric toothbrushes, whilst the DiamondClean is firmly in the top of the range space, commanding the higher price.

Let’s take a look at some of the differences in more detail.

As unbiased as I aim to be, when it comes to the physical design of the DiamondClean, I think it is fair to say it wins compared to the FlexCare.

It looks the more premium and has more of a minimalist design, whereas the Platinum feels much more about function.

Now, this functional design should not be knocked.

Coming in the Grey color that the HX9111/12 model does, it hasn’t got that typically clinical look that many toothbrushes have.

The DiamondClean though does come in 5 different color options.

Those choices are White, Black, Pink, Rose Gold and Amethyst.

It is a matte paint finish on the DiamondClean which somehow manages to feel fairly grippy in hand.

The FlexCare Platinum, on the other hand, has a dotted/raised textured area to the back of the bruh handle, that helps you hold onto it.

Both brushes have a cylindrical design and feel well built and solid to the touch.

On the front of the brush handle is where you will find the power button.

With the DiamondClean, this is the only button.  A concave design, it makes for a natural place to rest the thumb.

It provides a decent feedback, but the more pronounced button on the FlexCare Platinum is I think better.

Appearing to disappear into the brush handle body are the cleaning mode icons and battery status icon on the DiamondClean.

These become illuminated once the brush is powered on, a White light shines from behind.

The power button is what is used to cycle through the cleaning modes on this brush handle.

In comparison, the FlexCare Platinum has clearly labeled cleaning modes, complete with an LED above each.

This LED lights up Green when the mode is activated.

Each mode is selected by pressing the dedicated cleaning mode button on the lower half of the brush handle.

Much will depend on your preference of function over design.  In a strange way, the ‘stylish’ nature of the DiamondClean actually goes against it.

Even when it comes to the battery icon, both provide feedback, but the 3 icons on the FlexCare give in my opinion a bit clearer indication upon a glance, than the 1 battery bar of the DiamondClean.

The base of the brush handle on the FlexCare offers up a recess for the charging stand prong to fit in, whilst the DiamondClean has a purely flat surface.  More on this shortly.

The motors in the brush handles power the cleaning modes and with the DiamondClean you get pretty much all you could ask for, 5 modes.

Those modes are Clean, White, Sensitive, Gum Care and Deep Clean.

The Platinum comes with just 3, Clean, White, and Deep Clean.

Differing modes use different levels of power and vibration patterns from the motor.  The DiamondClean has the benefit of some more sensitive modes, that use less power.

However, what the FlexCare has going for it, is the ability to change the intensity of the clean between, low, medium and high at any point, in any mode.

Just make use of the volume like controls (+ and -) on the brush handle.

Sonicare argue you then get 9 possible cleaning options as a result.

This is a neat touch and makes for a more enjoyable brushing experience.

Reduce the intensity if you feel a little tender in the teeth and gums or increase it if you want to make full use of the powerful motor for that invigorating clean.

Sonicare offers a range of interchangeable brush heads that work with the vast majority of their brush handles.

In the box of the DiamondClean comes 3 of those different styles.  You get 1 x AdaptiveClean, 1 x DiamondClean Standard and 1 x InterCare Standard.

The FlexCare Platinum, on the other hand, comes with just 1 x AdaptiveClean.

The heads differ in their style, bristle configuration and cut.

The idea is that each head achieves slightly different results.

Whilst they all offer a good overall clean, the DiamondClean head is engineered in such a way that it should help whiten teeth and buff them up to a good shine.

It is a case of you finding what style of brush head you like and using that.

Both brushes come with a travel case that holds the brush handle and up to 2 brush heads.

Protecting them from damage and accidentally being switched on, the case provided with the DiamondClean is slightly more premium.

Not only being designed in such a way that it looks more premium and feeling more robust, you can actually charge the brush in the case.

Thanks to a detachable USB to microUSB cable, when connected to a USB socket or mains power the brush will charge inside the case.

Ideal for travelers who do not want to take with them the normal charging stand.

When I say normal, the DiamondClean actually comes with a charging glass.

A premium charging solution, the glass sits on a charging plate and the brush sits in the glass at an angle, rather than upright like most other charging stands.

The charging plate has a 2 pin US power adapter on it.

It looks unusual and sophisticated, even if it does take up a bit of extra space on a shelf or worktop.

The FlexCare Platinum on the other hand, has a more traditional setup.

A White plastic charging stand has a hardwired power cable that connects to the mains.  The brush then sits on the charging stand upright.

As you can probably tell and expect, the extra features and premium appeal of the DiamondClean does come at an extra expense.  More on that very shortly.

For the sake of completeness, let me to list some of the similarities.  Both brushes have:

• A 2 minute timer and 30 second pacer built in.
• Automatic power off at the end of the cleaning cycle
• Sonic cleaning action from a motor that delivers 31.000 movements per minute.
• 3 week/21 day battery life from a lithium-ion battery
• Easy-Start – Increases the power of the brush motor over 14 cleans
• Water resistant handle.
• 2 year warranty.

For further information, check out the reviews or product pages on the Sonicare website, all of which are linked at the end of this article.

Does one clean better than the other?

This is very much a subjective question and answer.

The fact that the DiamondClean offers 5 modes compared to the 3 of the FlexCare Platinum is some argument for that.

However, the variable intensities of the Platinum is to ground for debate.

Both brushes offer up to 31,000 movements per minute and compared to a manual brush are proven to be more effective at removing plaque.

However, unless a trial is conducted under clinical conditions, there is no evidence to suggest that either one of these brushes will clean better than the other.

My hands on testing was not scientific or in any way controlled.

Both clean really well and my mouth and teeth feel clean after use.

What is most likely to have the biggest beneficial improvement on your clean is to use the right brushing technique and ensure you brush twice a day for 2 minutes.

Many do not do this currently and doing so will likely bring benefits that no electric toothbrush can match.

Is one better priced than the other?

It is the lesser featured Sonicare FlexCare Platinum that is generally the cheaper of these 2 brushes.

At the time of writing the Platinum is on sale for around $150, whilst the DiamondClean is around $180.

That puts a price difference of $30.

Whether you feel the DiamondClean justifies this or not is, of course, personal opinion, but I think the premium travel case and the design is worth something.

But, given that the FlexCare Platinum does come with its own travel case and is reasonably well featured, I would suggest if the price difference was greater than $30 then the Platinum might be the better buy.

As they share the same style of brush heads there is no difference in price here.  They tend to work out at about $8 per brush head.

You should replace the head every 3 months.

When you consider the price difference of these 2 models over a typical 3 year ownership period, that is a fraction of a cent each day and just a $10 extra cost per year, for something you should use twice a day, every day.

Please note that all prices quoted are approximates and will vary based on location, supplier and time of purchase.  These figures were correct at the time of writing and should not be relied upon as hard fact, but used as a guide during your decision process.