Our verdict
Best all-round: C2 Optimal Plaque Control / Amazon, Philips / ~$27.96
Best for senstive teeth: S Sensitive / Amazon, Philips / ~$27.96
Best for whitening: W DiamondClean / Amazon, Philips / ~$26.96
Quick summary
We rate the S Sensitive and the C2 Optimal Plaque Control as the best Sonicare brush heads.
The C2 Optimal Plaque Control is better suited to those brush handles that have BrushSync technology (more on that below).
For sensitive teeth and gums, we recommend the G2 Optimal Gum Care for BrushSync brushes.
For non-BrushSync brushes, we recommend the S Sensitive.
Do be aware that you will get more benefit from brushing twice a day for 2 minutes with the correct technique than you will worrying about which brush head style to choose.
If you want to know more about each brush head or the other choices you have, this guide tells you all you need to know. It includes a comparison chart and explainer video.
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| Amazon | $27.96 | $27.96 |
| Philips | View price | View price |
📣 Editor's Note: Click here if you are looking for heads for the Philips One by Sonicare.
Best all-round Philips Sonicare head
You want to opt for the Sonicare S Sensitive or C2 Optimal Plaque Control brush heads.
Both brush heads offer a superior all round cleaning performance, ideal for daily use.
The C2 Optimal Plaque Control is better suited to those brush handles that have BrushSync technology (more on that below).
There may well be one better suited to you, which you can decide upon based on the information provided below.
I explain all the different Philips Sonicare Sonic brush heads in detail on this page and make it easier for you to understand which brush head to opt for.
I’ve also created our own comparison & compatibility chart to help with this.
Best for sensitive teeth
For some brushing teeth can be a more difficult experience than for others, particularly if you suffer from sensitive teeth and gums.
Whether this is something you have always suffered from or whether as a result of surgery or infection, then there are options which can ease the process of cleaning your teeth with a Sonicare electric brush, but still bring many of the benefits.
In this instance you will require the S Sensitive or the G2 Optimal Gum Care toothbrush head.
For maximum effect, use the Sensitive brush head with the sensitive or gum health cleaning mode available on many Sonicare toothbrushes.
The G2 Optimal Gum Care head is BrushSync compatible.
It is possible to use any of the Sonicare brush heads with the sensitive cleaning mode on Sonicare brush handle, but the clean and experience may not be as enjoyable if you suffer from sensitive gums.
If you regularly experience sensitive teeth and gums, you should seek further advice from a dentist as you may need to consider a change in diet, specialist toothpastes or even dental treatment.
Best for whitening teeth
The W DiamondClean brush head is the ideal brush head for helping to whiten the teeth.
The W DiamondClean brush head is optimized to remove surface stains from the exterior surfaces of the teeth, to restore the natural, often whiter color of your teeth. Diet and lifestyle habits can cause staining to build-up on the tooth surface that makes the teeth look dull and discolored.
The tightly compacted diamond shaped bristles create a stain-removal pad and offer a superior clean. This brush head is BrushSync compatible too.
If you have a whitening mode on your toothbrush handle, this is the ideal mode to pair with this brush head to achieve the best whitening effect.
Best for braces
The S Sensitive or the C2 Optimal Plaque Control brush heads are the best value for money options.
It is easy to think that you need specialist brushes, and they do exist. However, with a Sonicare electric toothbrush you can use any of the brush heads safely with braces, you do not need a special brush head.
Competing brand Oral-B do recommend an Ortho brush head, but even your favorite Sonicare brush head will work effectively at cleaning away plaque and food debris if you should have braces.
The C2 Optimal Plaque Defence is better suited to those brush handles that have BrushSync technology (more on that below).
This video explains the cleaning process around braces with a Sonicare brush.
Which Philips electric toothbrush head should I use?
The decision of which Sonicare toothbrush head is ultimately yours, and depends on what you need.
Based on the information provided in this article, hopefully you can make a decision that best reflects your needs and desires.
As a Sonicare brush, all heads offer a sweeping motion like a manual brush and not the oscillating and rotating motion that competing brand Oral-B do.
All Philips toothbrush heads will help to remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush whilst improving gum health and your overall oral hygiene.
Each of these have potential advantages based on your specific needs.
Click a brush head type in the list below to jump to a detailed explanation of how it works, a list of places to buy, and a list of brushes it's compatible with.
- C1 SimplyClean - A contoured profile to the brush head achieves twice the plaque removal than a manual brush.
- C2 Optimal Plaque Control - BrushSync compatible it is possible to remove 7 times more plaque than a manual brush head, thanks to the soft bristles and specially curved power tip makes reaching the teeth at the back of your mouth a breeze.
- C3 Premium Plaque Control – BrushSync compatible the bristles on this head offer up to 4 times more surface contact whilst the flexible sides are soft on the cheeks and gums.
- G2 Optimal Gum Care - BrushSync compatible this head is gentle, yet effective plaque removal, particularly along the gumline, improving your gum health.
- G3 Premium Gum Care – BrushSync compatible the head absorbs excess pressure through the bristles and flexible sides and can remove 10 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush.
- I InterCare - BrushSync compatible, within 2 weeks bleeding and inflammation at the gumline will be reduced. Long bristles read deep between teeth to dislodge more plaque and bacteria within interdental spaces.
- S Sensitive – Ultra-soft bristles for gentle, effective cleaning. It also features a special trim profile to cushion teeth for a gentler brushing experience.
- W DiamondClean - BrushSync compatible effective surface stain removal offers up to a 100% whiter smile in just 7 days thanks to the Diamond shaped bristles.
- W3 Premium White – BrushSync compatible, in just improvements in your oral health can be seen in as little as 3 days. Removing plaque and surface stains, the bristles make plenty of contact with the teeth and gums, but is able to flex and adapt to the differing shapes to ensure maximum results at all times.
- T1 TongueCare+ - BrushSync compatible, this paddle shaped brush head has 240 MicroBristles that clean deep into the pores of the tongue surface.
- E-Series - The classic Sonicare brush head with a contoured profile to naturally fit the shape of your teeth for a thorough clean. Screw on style brush head.
- PowerUp - Designed specifically for the battery operated PowerUp the large head is designed for a good overall clean and even features crisscross bristles on the side for effective gumline cleaning.
- A3 Premium All-in-One - Designed to be a multipurpose brush head this all-in-one option removes 20x more plaque than a manual toothbrush. It helps remove stains and care for the gums. It does away with the need to switch brush heads for specific needs. BrushSync compatible.
It is easy to think you need to use all the different Philips electric toothbrush heads to achieve the best clean of your teeth and gums. You do not.
You can still have white teeth, healthy gums and reduced plaque by using the W2 Optimal White or W3 Premium White brush heads.
Using the G2 Optimal Gum Care brush head may improve your experience but will not mean that your teeth are more stained because it does not aggravate the tooth surface as much.
Cleaning your teeth properly twice a day for 2 minutes each time is the most important part here.
Our full guide explains how to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush as a poor teeth cleaning approach is more damaging than the incorrect brush head. The reality is each brush head can just give that extra bit of focus in achieving and assisting oral health care goals.
Sonicare brush heads explained
Different brush head styles, with a differing number of brush heads in the pack; it is extremely easy to become overwhelmed by all the different Philips Sonicare toothbrush heads.
You then have to worry as to whether they are compatible with your Sonicare brush handle.
I do hope that this page, complete with detailed explanations and brush head comparisons, will answer many of your questions and help you find the right brush head for you and your Sonicare brush. So let's jump straight in.
The main brush types:
At the time of writing, I calculate that there are some 14 different types of brush heads.
- C1 Pro Results
- C2 Optimal Plaque Control
- C3 Premium Plaque Control
- G2 Optimal Gum Care
- G3 Premium Gum Care
- I InterCare
- S Sensitive
- W DiamondClean
- W3 Premium White
- T1 TongueCare+
- SimplyClean
- E-Series
- PowerUp
- A3 Premium All-in-One
There is also then the Kids range, but more on that later.
You then have different brush head colors
Philips Sonicare produces toothbrush handles in a range of different colors.
White is the default color for the plastic used to make the brush heads.
White tends to complement most colors, but in some instances a color matched brush head can look better.
In addition to the white colored heads, Sonicare do offer black colored brush heads.
The only difference with these black colored heads is the color of the plastic used. There are no design or function differences.
The black colored heads can be purchased in most of the 7 ranges. However, at the time of writing, you cannot get black colored versions of:
- C2 Optimal Plaque Control
- G2 Optimal Gum Care
- I Intercare
- C1 ProResults
- SimplyClean
- S Sensitive
- E-Series
- PowerUp
You then have different pack sizes
Brush head design style considered, the next thing to contend with is the size of the pack they come provided in.
When you buy replacements or spares, you can get them in different pack sizes. We are not talking about the physical size of the packaging, but the number of brush heads included.
You can’t buy just 1 brush head at a time.
The smallest pack size is 2 brush heads, but most common in the USA is a pack of 3 heads.
However, packs of 4, 5, 6 and 8 also exist.
If you want to save money when buying heads, buying a larger pack, is typically the best way to save a few dollars.
Specialist brush heads/nozzles
It can easily be argued that each brush head within the Sonicare range is specialist, in that they are each designed to do something specific.
However, the following are even more specialist. Technically, these are not brush heads, they are nozzles.
These are what some might call the heads, for the Sonicare Power Flosser range of water flossers.
These are not compatible with a Sonicare toothbrush, only the Power Flossers.
3 different nozzle styles exist, they are:
- F1 standard nozzle (HX3042/00) - For a continuous water jet.
- F2 comfort nozzle (HX3052/00) - Soft rubber tipped nozzle with a continuous water jet.
- F3 Quad stream nozzle (HX3062/00) - Soft rubber tipped nozzle that forms water into an X shape.
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| Amazon | $12.99 | $14.99 | $20.49 |
| Philips | View price | View price | View price |
Now discontinued, Sonicare previously produced the AirFloss.
It combined air with a small amount of water and was a more convenient option for cleaning between the teeth. It wasn't strictly a water flosser.
It too used nozzles, and although discontinued, replacement tips can still be purchased as a 2 pack (HX8032/23).
BrushSync (smart) brush heads
The newest innovation in electric toothbrush technology from Sonicare is the introduction of BrushSync.
It is a technology that offers communication between the brush handle and brush head.
The following video explains what you need to know, but a written explanation is included below too.
BrushSync compatible brush heads communicate with the handle via an RFID chip they have built-in.
The technology comprises of 2 different functions.
- Brush head replacement reminder
- Mode pairing
The brush head replacement reminder tells you, via an LED on the brush handle when it is time to change or replace your brush head.
When a brush head is fitted to the brush handle for the first time, the chip is detected and the warning light will flash 3 times. This acts as confirmation that the handle has detected the head and that the electronics inside the handle will now keep track of it.
As you use the brush head, the handle continues to track how often it has been used.
The handle knows that the brush head should be replaced every 3 months. So, once the handle detects that the brush head has been used for this amount of time, the ‘BrushSync’ LED on the brush handle will light up an Amber/Orange colour. It is at this point you should fit a new head.
But, things get more intelligent.
If it detects you have brushed 3 times a day every day or brushed with more pressure, it will activate the BrushSync alert sooner, as the bristles will have worn out sooner than the typical 3 month time period.
It will also delay alerting you to replace the Sonicare toothbrush head, if you used that head just once a day over 3 months. It would not tell you to replace it until it had been used for equivalent to 4 minutes a day for 3 months.
As the BrushSync mode pairing name kind of implies, the brush automatically selects the appropriate cleaning mode and intensity based on the brush head attached.
This means that if you fit the W2 Optimal White head to the handle, it will automatically select the White cleaning mode.
If you were to buy and fit the C2 Optimal Plaque Defence brush head to the handle, it would pair with the ‘Clean’ mode whilst the G2 Optimal Gum Care brush head will pair with the Gum Care mode.
The idea of this pairing is to achieve the best cleaning results possible.
Not all brush handles have both BrushSync features. Most common is the head replacement reminder. If the handle has mode pairing, then it will likely have the replacement reminder too.
For BrushSync to function, you must use a BrushSync compatible head, these are:
- C2 Optimal Plaque Control
- C3 Premium Plaque Control
- G2 Optimal Gum Care
- G3 Premium Gum Care
- I InterCare
- W DiamondClean
- W3 Premium White
- A3 Premium All-in-One
It is perfectly possible to use a non BrushSync compatible head on a BrushSync enabled handle, but you will not enjoy the benefits it brings. This is the same if you use one of the BrushSync heads listed on a handle that does not support BrushSync.
We have written more about this in our BrushSync explained post.
The heads are interchangeable
Philips Sonicare heads are interchangeable.
This means that all of the brush heads offered by Sonicare work with almost all of the electric toothbrushes.
So, whether you have a Sonicare DiamondClean or ProtectiveClean model you can use any of the previously mentioned brush heads.
There are a few odd exceptions, notably older Sonicare toothbrush models that have different attachments, screw on rather than click on.
One of the biggest benefits of this design and interchangeable nature is that it allows you to take advantage of the different benefits both brush handle and head bring.
If your oral hygiene goal is whiter teeth, you can select a brush handle and appropriate brush head that help achieve this goal.
It also accommodates the needs of families where a brush handle may well be shared amongst different users.
No longer does one person in a household need to have a different brush to another. Share the same handle, just swap the brush head.
Do be aware, that whilst the heads are interchangeable, BrushSync compatible brush heads, must be used with a BrushSync enabled handle for the BrushSync features to function.
Third party or aftermarket alternatives can be purchased. It is advised to only use Philips Sonicare brush heads with the brush handles as performance and wear on the brush using other brush heads cannot be guaranteed.
A look at the individual types of brush head
Hopefully, that overview has helped, but now we shall take a much more thorough look at the heads on offer and better understand their differences and selling points.
C1 SimplyClean
Click on style heads, the SimplyClean brush head offers Sonicare’s classic brush head style that offers a good standard of overall gleaning to the teeth and gums.
Bleeding and sensitive gums can be a sign of poor oral health, it can also be as a result of dental work or you can be prone to suffering with this more than most.
Sonic motion from the brush handle is transferred into rapid movements amongst the bristles that create a dynamic motion to drive fluids over and around the teeth for thorough cleaning.
Reminder bristles ensure you get the most effective clean At first glance it may not be obvious, but brush heads lose stiffness and gradually wear down over months of normal use. Blue reminder bristles fade to white and help you recognize when it’s time for a replacement. For optimal results, replace your brush head every three months.
The SimplyClean brush head is compatible with:
- Prestige 9900*
- DiamondClean Smart*
- DiamondClean
- ExpertClean*
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- ProtectiveClean*
- 4100 Series*
- 3100 Series*
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 2 Series
*Although the head will fit and work. The brushsync features will be disabled.
S Sensitive
Bleeding and sensitive gums can be a sign of poor oral health, it can also be as a result of dental work or you can be prone to suffering with this more than most.
The Sensitive brush head is designed to make the experience of cleaning your teeth with a Sonicare electric toothbrush that bit better.
The stiffness of the bristles are 25% less than a normal brush head resulting in a less abrasive feeling as the power of the motor delivers the clean to the teeth and gums.
To further offer a softer yet effective clean, the head has a trim profile that cushions the teeth
All Sonicare electric toothbrush handles can use the Sensitive brush head with the exception of PowerUp Battery and Essence.
Pair this brush head with the Sensitive, Gum Care or Massage cleaning modes available on Sonicare brushes to ensure the power delivery is not too much and works to ease the pain you may suffer.
This brush head clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
Reminder bristles ensure you get the most effective clean. At first glance, it may not be obvious, but brush heads lose stiffness and gradually wear down over months of normal use. Blue reminder bristles fade to white and help you recognize when it’s time for a replacement. For optimal results, replace your brush head every three months.
The Sensitive brush head is compatible with:
- Prestige 9900*
- DiamondClean Smart*
- DiamondClean
- ExpertClean*
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- ProtectiveClean*
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 4100 Series*
- 3100 Series*
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
*Although the head will fit and work. The brushsync features will be disabled.
C2 Optimal Plaque Control
Lots of bristles are packed tightly together to create the shape and sized tufts seen on the Plaque Defence brush head.
Their angle, length and positioning make them effective for all over cleaning and plaque removal. They are in fact 7 times more effective than a manual toothbrush.
Perfectly suited for those wishing to ensure optimum plaque removal as part of their daily brushing routine, the C2 brush head does too boast a specially designed curvature to the tip of the brush head, that helps reach the very back teeth.
Philips's development team have engineered this brush head to make best use of the sonic motion that a Sonicare handle can offer. The dynamic fluid action that is created as a result of the high frequency and high-amplitude brush movements works to offer a deep cleaning action from all areas of the brush head, driving fluid deep between the teeth and along the gumline.
This brush head clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
It fits all Philips Sonicare toothbrush handles except, PowerUp Battery and Essence.
A built-in RFID chip makes this a BrushSync compatible head.
Subject to brush handle, it will pre-select the most appropriate cleaning mode as well as reminding you via an LED on the brush handle, when it requires replacing.
Not as high tech, but effective nonetheless is the reminder system built into the brush head itself. The Blue colored bristles on the head fade in time and with use, to a translucent/White color.
The C2 Optimal Plaque Control brush head is compatible with:
- 3100 Series
- 4100 Series
- ProtectiveClean
- ExpertClean
- DiamondClean Smart
- Prestige 9900
- Any other Sonicare model with BrushSync mode pairing
It is possible to use the C2 Optimal Plaque Control head on the following models, but the ‘Smart’ feature of the brush head WILL NOT work.
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
C3 Premium Plaque Control
Offering the deepest clean yet for and 4 times more surface contact than a manual brush head, the Plaque Control toothbrush head from Sonicare follows the unique shape of the teeth and gums.
Flexible sides complement the unique bristle pattern design to remove up to 10 times more plaque, even in the hard to reach areas. Cleaning thoroughly in between teeth and along the gumline, the soft rubbers sides of the Plaque Control brush head adapt to the contours of your mouth.
Precision engineered, the brush head makes use of all the sonic vibrations passed out by the brush handles motor. It whips toothpaste into bubbles and drives them deep between your teeth and along the gumline for gentle and effective cleaning.
This brush head simply clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
This is no ordinary brush head though. Thanks to a built-in chip, when you fit onto a compatible brush handle, the microchip communicates with the brush handle to launch the optimum cleaning mode and intensity level for the most effective plaque removal experience.
Fading reminder bristles are present to help you recognize when it is time to change the head (recommendation of every 3 months). But better still, if using a Smart Sonicare brush handle the brush will monitor how often the head is used and how hard you brush and remind you at precisely the right time to change.
The C3 Premium Plaque Control brush head is compatible with:
- 3100 Series
- 4100 Series
- ProtectiveClean
- ExpertClean
- DiamondClean Smart
- Prestige 9900
- Any other Sonicare model with BrushSync mode pairing
It is possible to use the C3 Premium Plaque Control head on the following models, but the ‘Smart’ feature of the brush head WILL NOT work.
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
G2 Optimal Gum Care
Densely packed bristles are organized to create a trim profile that is effective at removing plaque, particularly along the gumline and stimulating better gum health.
Up to a 100% improvement is possible when compared to a manual brush head.
Clusters of bristles form a large surface area that covers the whole tooth but reaches up and along the gumline as the brush head is moved tooth to tooth.
Effective plaque removal helps improve and maintain great gum health.
A specially curved power tip aids with reaching the back teeth, so you really do achieve a good all over clean.
When the Sonic motion from the brush motor travels to the bristles tips, the result is a series of movements that create microbubbles that drives toothpaste deep between the teeth and into the soft gum tissue
This brush head clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
It fits all Philips Sonicare toothbrush handles except, PowerUp Battery and Essence.
The Blue colored bristles on the head are in fact reminder bristles that fade in time and with use. It is a visual reminder to you as and when the head needs replacing, to ensure you get optimum cleaning results.
However, with this brush head, the reminder will be electronic (subject to brush handle) thanks to the BrushSync technology built-in.
It will too, with the appropriate handle select the most appropriate cleaning mode.
The G2 Optimal Gum Care brush head is compatible with:
- 3100 Series
- 4100 Series
- ProtectiveClean
- ExpertClean
- DiamondClean Smart
- Prestige 9900
- Any other Sonicare model with BrushSync mode pairing
It is possible to use the G2 Optimal Gum Care head on the following models, but the ‘Smart’ feature of the brush head WILL NOT work.
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
G3 Premium Gum Care
Taking the pressure out of the brushing motion to offer a softer, more enjoyable clean, you can have gums up to 7 times healthier in just 2 weeks.
Flexible sides and bristles absorb excess pressure so that your gums are protected, even when you brush too hard.
The bristles work to remove as much plaque and bacteria from along the gumline to improve your gum health.
Capable of removing up to 10 times more plaque than a manual brush, whilst achieving 2 times more surface contact, the Gum Care brush head makes use of all the sonic vibrations passed out by the brush handles motor. It whips toothpaste into bubbles and drives them deep between your teeth and along the gumline for gentle and effective cleaning.
This brush head simply clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
This is no ordinary brush head though. Thanks to a built-in chip, when you fit onto a compatible brush handle, the microchip communicates with the brush handle to launch the optimum cleaning mode and intensity level for the most effective plaque removal experience.
Fading reminder bristles are present to help you recognize when it is time to change the head (recommendation of every 3 months). But better still, if using a Smart Sonicare brush handle the brush will monitor how often the head is used and how hard you brush and remind you at precisely the right time to change.
The G3 Premium Gum Care brush head is compatible with:
- 3100 Series
- 4100 Series
- ProtectiveClean
- ExpertClean
- DiamondClean Smart
- Prestige 9900
- Any other Sonicare model with BrushSync mode pairing
It is possible to use the G3 Premium Gum Care head on the following models, but the ‘Smart’ feature of the brush head WILL NOT work.
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
I Intercare
Capable of reducing gingival bleeding and inflammation within 2 weeks, the long bristles reach deep into interdental spaces to remove more plaque and bacteria.
The powerful motor of the Sonicare brush handles drive a high-frequency and high-amplitude that results in brush movements of 31,000 strokes per minute.
The I Intercare heads offer superior cleaning performance and create is a dynamic fluid action that drives fluid deep between teeth, even in hard to reach areas and along the gum line.
Suitable for a variety of users, but particularly those looking to improve gum health.
This is no ordinary brush head, though. Thanks to a built-in chip, when you fit it onto a compatible brush handle, the microchip communicates with the brush handle to launch the optimum cleaning mode and intensity level for the most effective plaque removal experience.
Fading reminder bristles are present to help you recognize when it is time to change the head (recommendation of every 3 months). But better still, if using a Smart Sonicare brush handle the brush will monitor how often the head is used and how hard you brush and remind you at precisely the right time to change.
The I InterCare brush head is compatible with:
- 3100 Series
- 4100 Series
- ProtectiveClean
- ExpertClean
- DiamondClean Smart
- Prestige 9900
- Any other Sonicare model with BrushSync mode pairing
It is possible to use the I InterCare head on the following models, but the ‘Smart’ feature of the brush head WILL NOT work:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- HealthyWhite+
- HealthyWhite
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
W DiamondClean
The Sonicare W DiamondClean brush head is specially designed to remove up to 100% more stains for whiter teeth in just 7 days.
In the middle of the brush head is a tight cluster of bristles that form the Whitening pad, that removes the exterior stains found on the tooth surface.
Densely packed, Diamond shaped bristles lift stains caused by food, drink and lifestyle habits.
Philips's development team have engineered this brush head to make best use of the sonic motion that a Sonicare handle can offer. The dynamic fluid action that is created as a result of the high frequency and high-amplitude brush movements works to offer a deep cleaning action from all areas of the brush head, driving fluid deep between the teeth and along the gumline.
This brush head clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
It fits all Philips Sonicare toothbrush handles except, PowerUp Battery and Essence.
The Blue colored bristles on the head are in fact reminder bristles that fade in time and with use. It is a visual reminder to you as and when the head needs replacing, to ensure you get optimum cleaning results.
However, with this brush head, the reminder will be electronic (subject to brush handle) thanks to the BrushSync technology built-in.
It will also, with the appropriate handle, select the most appropriate cleaning mode.
The W DiamondClean brush head is compatible with:
- 3100 Series
- 4100 Series
- ProtectiveClean
- ExpertClean
- DiamondClean Smart
- Prestige 9900
- Any other Sonicare model with BrushSync mode pairing
It is possible to use the W DiamondClean head on the following models, but the ‘Smart’ feature of the brush head WILL NOT work.
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
W3 Premium White
More effective at removing plaque and staining on the tooth surfaces, within just 3 days whiter teeth are possible.
Flexible sides let the bristles move to the exact shape of your teeth and mouth whilst absorbing excess pressure.
The bristles work to remove as much plaque and bacteria from the tooth surfaces for healthier and whiter teeth.
Capable of removing up to 10 times more plaque than a manual brush, whilst achieving 4 times more surface contact, the Premium White brush head makes use of all the sonic vibrations passed out by the brush handles motor. It whips toothpaste into bubbles and drives them deep between your teeth and along the gumline for gentle and effective cleaning.
This brush head simply clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
This is no ordinary brush head though. Thanks to a built-in chip, when you fit onto a compatible brush handle, the microchip communicates with the brush handle to launch the optimum cleaning mode and intensity level for the most effective plaque removal experience.
Fading reminder bristles are present to help you recognize when it is time to change the head (recommendation of every 3 months). But better still, if using a Smart Sonicare brush handle the brush will monitor how often the head is used and how hard you brush and remind you at precisely the right time to change.
The W3 Premium White brush head is compatible with:
- 3100 Series
- 4100 Series
- ProtectiveClean
- ExpertClean
- DiamondClean Smart
- Prestige 9900
- Any other Sonicare model with BrushSync mode pairing
It is possible to use the W3 Premium White Care head on the following models, but the ‘Smart’ feature of the brush head WILL NOT work.
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
T1 TongueCare+
Designed to clean the pores of the tongue surface to aid an all over mouth clean and get to the areas most commonly associated with bad breath.
The TongueCare+ brush head is a specialist head that has a more unique design than most.
The paddle shaped head contains 240 MicroBristles.
The ergonomic shape of the head enables you to reach every part of your tongue. The small and flexible head makes it easy to clean away bad-breath causing bacteria that gets trapped in the tiny pores of the tongues surface.
This brush head simply clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
This is no ordinary brush head though. Thanks to a built-in chip, when you fit onto a compatible brush handle, the microchip communicates with the brush handle to launch the optimum cleaning mode and intensity level for the most effective plaque removal experience.
The T1 TongueCare+ brush head is compatible with:
T1 TongueCare+ brush head is ideally suited to work with:
- DiamondClean Smart
This is the only brush in the Sonicare range with a dedicated tongue cleaning mode.
Despite this, it will work with:
- 3100 Series
- 4100 Series
- ProtectiveClean
- ExpertClean
- Prestige 9900
- Any other Sonicare model with BrushSync mode pairing
It is possible to use the T1 TongueCare+ head on the following models, but the ‘Smart’ feature of the brush head WILL NOT work.
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
A3 Premium All-in-One
As the name implies, this is designed to be a multipurpose brush head.
It does away with the need to switch between multiple heads. It reduces the need for using different cleaning modes too.
Use this on the standard clean mode and get great results.
It is clinically proven to remove 20x more plaque than a manual brush. It has be shown to achieve healthier gums and up to 100% stain reduction from the tooth surface too.
Different shaped bristle clusters and angled bristles help to ensure effective cleaning of the tooth surface. The head cups the teeth with longer bristles at the top and bottom to reach around the tooth.
Shorter bristles in the middle make good contact with the tooth surface and the bristles on the side of the head are longer and flex to absorb unwanted excess pressure as they clean along the gumline.
It is the triangular tips of each bristle that help buff the tooth surface to remove stains. Triangular tips offer more surface area for cleaning compared to the rounded tips you usually get.
This brush head simply clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
This is no ordinary brush head though. Thanks to a built-in chip, when you fit onto a compatible brush handle, the microchip communicates with the brush handle to launch the optimum cleaning mode and intensity level for the most effective plaque removal experience.
The A3 Premium All-in-One brush head is compatible with:
A3 Premium All-in-One brush heads are ideally suited to work with:
- 3100 Series
- 4100 Series
- ProtectiveClean
- ExpertClean
- DiamondClean Smart
- Prestige 9900
- Any other Sonicare model with BrushSync mode pairing
It is possible to use the A3 head on the following models, but the ‘Smart’ feature of the brush head WILL NOT work.
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
E- Series
A classic Sonicare brush head, the contoured bristles offer a great clean to the teeth and gums.
Ideally suited for everyday use, plaque removal is effective with this E-Series brush head.
It takes the sonic movement delivered from the brush motor and drives the bristles around the teeth to get that overall clean but too create an action that helps drive the toothpaste and cleaning effect deeper between teeth.
The head screws on, rather than clips onto the brush handle and is therefore suitable for select models, notably the Sonicare Essence.
Reminder bristles ensure you get the most effective clean At first glance it may not be obvious, but brush heads lose stiffness and gradually wear down over months of normal use. Blue reminder bristles fade to white and help you recognize when it’s time for a replacement. For optimal results, replace your brush head every three months.
The E-Series brush head is compatible with:
- Essence (E-Series)
PowerUp
Designed to be used with the battery powered PowerUp electric toothbrush these larger brush heads give a great overall clean.
Covering a large surface area the teeth and gums get swept with the soft bristles placed in this head.
A criss-cross configuration on the side of the head work to clean effectively along the gumline, a common location for plaque buildup.
Available with Blue or Orange bristles, it is the Orange bristles that are the softest for those who are particularly sensitive to the rapid motion offered by a toothbrush head.
This brush head clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
Fading indicator/reminder bristles are built into the brush head.
Blue bristles fade over time to a pale Blue/Translucent color as they are used and worn. For optimal results, replace your brush head every three months.
The PowerUp brush head is compatible with:
- PowerUp Battery
What cleaning modes do Sonicare brushes have?
If you fit a BrushSync head to a compatible handle it will select the most appropriate cleaning mode and intensity.
These are ideal settings and not essential.
It is possible that a W DiamondClean White brush head on a White cleaning mode will achieve better results than the same brush head on a Gum Care mode.
However, there are other influencing factors such as how you use the brush and your diet that will likely have bigger effects than using the specific brush head with the ideal cleaning mode.
Of course, if you have the option to do so, then great.
Depending on the brush handle you have will depend on the cleaning modes that it offers.
All have the standard ‘Clean’ mode which lasts for the dentist recommended 2 minutes.
However, some models, notably the more premium ones offer extra modes that can help you achieve different healthcare goals.
The main cleaning modes available across the Sonicare range are:
- Clean
- White/White+
- Deep Clean/Deep Clean+
- Gum Care/Gum Health
- Sensitive
- Massage
- Refresh
- Polish
- Tongue Care
What do the Sonicare brush head model numbers mean?
As you will now be aware there are a very large number of different brush heads, all with similar, yet slightly different names.
The names are more descriptive than part codes, but these codes are often given to products by their manufacturers to help differentiate them internally.
It is the product code that makes each item unique.
Be it a brush head or a brush handle Sonicare give it a code.
So what do the product codes mean in relation to the brush heads on offer?
This is a question we cannot provide a definitive answer to.
All the brush head part numbers start with HX followed by 4 numbers then there is often a forward slash (/) and two more numbers. For example: HX6074/26
The only consistent figure we know of that you can use to help identify a pack is the 4th digit after the 2 letters. Using the above example we mean the 4.
This relates to the number of brush heads included in the pack. 2 if there are 2 brush heads, 4 if 4 heads are included, 6 and 8, you get the idea.
Sonicare brush head comparison chart
To make things a bit easier to understand, I have created our own brush heads comparison chart to act as a visual aid when choosing a new brush head:
Which brush heads are compatible with my Sonicare electric toothbrush?
Unless you own a Sonicare E-Series (Essence) or PowerUp brush handle, all of the brush heads shown will fit and work with your Sonicare electric toothbrush.
The Sonicare AirFloss and Power Flosser Nozzles will not work with all of the brush handles. They fit only the Sonicare Airfloss and Power Flosser devices.
Sonicare brush heads for kids
The main focus of this article has been on the brush heads designed and engineered for Adults, but Sonicare do produce electric toothbrushes for children too.
There are 2 different brush heads that work on their brush handles.
These heads are very similar in what they aim to achieve, but have been designed with the smaller and more delicate mouths of children in mind.
You will find lots of super soft bristles on the brush head, which not only gently remove plaque and food debris, but allow children to take advantage of the power of an electric toothbrush without discomfort that might come from firmer bristles that could damage the soft tissues within their mouth.
The whole head is even coated in a soft rubber so that as it passes across the cheeks and gums, its is not as abrasive as a harder plastic.
With a contoured profile to fit your child’s teeth, the standard sized heads are most suited to children aged 7+ whilst the smaller compact option are best suited to kids aged 3/4+.
Simple to replace, click on and off just like adult heads.
You can buy them in the following pack sizes, all available here from Amazon:
- 2 standard brush heads (HX6042/94) (view on Amazon)
- 2 compact brush heads (HX6032/94) (view on Amazon)
The Sonicare For Kids brush head is compatible with:
Sonicare For Kids brush heads work with a more select range of brush handles, these are:
- For Kids
- For Kids with Bluetooth
Philips One by Sonicare brush heads
Rather confusingly, Philips have another toothbrush that boasts the Sonicare brand. It is called the Philips One by Sonicare.
Whilst made by Philips and branded Sonicare, the heads it uses are different to all those listed above.
The heads for the Philips One toothbrush fit ONLY the One and no other Sonicare electric toothbrush model. Other brush heads, such as those listed above do not fit the One by Sonicare either.
There is just 1 style of brush head for this toothbrush. The heads come in only 1 size too. There is no standard or compact sized head.
The head itself is similarly sized to the brush heads you would find on a typical Sonicare electric toothbrush.
A W bristle profile is built into the head, with longer bristles at either end and the middle of the head.
The bristles are of 2 colors, green and white.
Philips does not specifically state that these are soft bristles, but they certainly felt fairly soft. A bit firmer than the softest brush heads I have used, but much more gentle on the teeth and gums than some of the firmer bristled heads I have used.
They come in 7 different color options, to match the brush handle. Those options, along with their part codes are listed below.
- Miami – BH1022/01
- Mango – BH1022/02
- Mint – BH1022/03
- Midnight – BH1022/04
- Shimmer – BH1022/05
- Shadow – BH1022/06
- Snow – BH1022/07
Each head is sold as a pack of 2. Unless you take advantage of Philips subscription plan. On subscription, a single brush head is delivered to your door every 3 months.
The brush heads can be bought as a 2 pack from major retailers like Walmart, Target and Walgreens.
The Philips One by Sonicare brush heads are compatible with:
- Philips One by Sonicare battery
- Philips One by Sonicare rechargeable
How and when to replace the brush heads
As things go in life, using a toothbrush head for 4 months is not the worst thing you could do, but if you can change the brush head every 3 months it would be best and will keep your dentist happy.
Even if you are using the right technique, our mouths and teeth with regular brushing will cause bristles to wear.
Even the best brush heads are not designed to be as effective after roughly 3 months use, thus, you should replace them.
What might appear to be a perfectly acceptable and usable brush head can be doing more damage than you may think if you continue to use if for longer than you should.
Uneven wear, frayed bristles and bacteria are all reasons to change that brush head. You don’t want it to be cutting or scratching the gums and teeth.
For those using a BrushSync compatible handle and brush head, the Amber BrushSync LED will illuminate to alert you when a replacement head is required or of course, the fading indicator bristles will give you the visual clue you need.
Fading indicator & reminder bristles
Particular bristles on the head will start out blue and will over a 3 month period fade to become a pale blue/translucent white color.
These are the reminder or indicator bristles give you a guide to the usable life left.
The lighter the bristles, the older and more worn the brush head is.
At first glance it may not be obvious, but brush heads lose stiffness and gradually wear down over months of normal use.
For optimal results, replace your brush head every three months.
Bristle condition
Take a look at the bristles, are they still fairly uniform in their direction and look. Does the bristle layout look similar to when the brush head was new?
If bristles are shorter, frayed or all over the place then it is time to change.
Brushing with too much pressure is often a cause of wearing out brush heads quicker than normal.
Replacement reminders LED & smartphone application
For those using a BrushSync enabled handle and a compatible brush head, an Amber LED will illuminate when a replacement head is required.
Each head is tracked based on its individual use, so you get the alert at just the right time.
For those with BrushSync and Bluetooth enabled brushes, the smartphone application will also show the brush head usage data. It clearly shows for each brush head how many times it has been used and how many uses are left.
This means, even if you ever want to check in and get a gauge of how much it has been used, you can.
How to replace Sonicare electric toothbrush heads - click on and off
How do you replace the heads on the Sonicare brushes? In two simple stages:
1. Pull the brush head away from the brush handle with a small amount of force to release the connection. There will likely be a click and you will revel a metal prong that is the shaft that connects to the motor. The head is now detached.
2. Fit a brush head by pushing the metal tip of the brush motor at the top of the brush handle into the hole in the bottom of the brush head. As the two are pushed together there will be a click, the head is now attached.
Discontinued Philips Sonicare toothbrush heads
It happens fairly infrequently, but every few years, the range of Philips Sonicare heads alters.
The change to their range is to give you and me the best cleaning experience, when using a Sonicare toothbrush.
The newer brush heads are often more efficient, benefit from improved quality, the latest manufacturing standards and can have new technology built-in.
Approximately midway through 2019, Philips Sonicare refreshed their toothbrush head range.
Prior to 2019, brush heads could be purchased in a standard and compact size. This option has been removed.
Subsequently, this has meant that a number of brush heads have been discontinued.
Although Sonicare no longer manufactures these heads, stock has and will continue to remain available for some time after.
The following is a list of brush heads that Sonicare used to manufacture, but have now discontinued.
DiamondClean
The DiamondClean toothbrush head for Sonicare electric toothbrushes can remove up to 100% more stains for whiter teeth in just 7 days.
Specially designed Diamond-shaped bristles assist in achieving whitening.
This head features a central stain-removal pad, made from densely packed diamond-shaped bristles, to remove surface stains caused by food, drinks and smoking.
Philips development team have engineered this brush head to make best use of the sonic motion that a Sonicare handle can offer. The dynamic fluid action that is created as a result of the high frequency and high-amplitude brush movements works to offer a deep cleaning action from all areas of the brush head, driving fluid deep between the teeth and along the gumline.
This brush head clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
It fits all Philips Sonicare toothbrush handles except, PowerUp Battery and Essence.
Reminder bristles ensure you get the most effective clean. At first glance, it may not be obvious, but brush heads lose stiffness and gradually wear down over months of normal use. Blue reminder bristles fade to white and help you recognize when it’s time for a replacement. For optimal results, replace your brush head every three months.
The DiamondClean brush head is compatible with:
- 9900 Prestige*
- DiamondClean Smart*
- DiamondClean
- ExpertClean*
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- ProtectiveClean*
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 4100 Series*
- 3100 Series*
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
*Although the head will fit and work. The brushsync features will be disabled.
AdaptiveClean
4 times more surface contact than a DiamondClean brush head, the AdaptiveClean toothbrush head from Sonicare follows the unique shape of the teeth and gums.
A soft, flexible rubber sided head allows the bristles of the brush to adjust to the shape of each tooth’s surface.
As such this can lead to up to 10 times more plaque removal than a manual toothbrush along the gum line and between teeth. Even the hardest to reach areas get a deep clean, that is still gentle on the gums.
Tracking along the gum line the rubber sides of the brush head absorbs excessive pressure you might apply, further protecting the soft tissue.
Offering the deepest clean, the Sonicare electric toothbrush is not as effective without such an engineered brush head. Taking full advantage of the high-frequency and high-amplitude brush movements, performing over 31,000 strokes per minute, the brush head takes that power and drives toothpaste and fluid deep in between teeth.
This brush head simply clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning and is compatible with all Sonicare brushes with the exception of PowerUp Battery and Essence models.
Fading reminder bristles are also present to help you recognize when it is time to change the brush head, if you did not mark this within your diary.
The AdaptiveClean brush head is compatible with:
- 9900 Prestige*
- DiamondClean Smart*
- DiamondClean
- ExpertClean*
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- ProtectiveClean*
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 4100 Series*
- 3100 Series*
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
*Although the head will fit and work. The brushsync features will be disabled.
InterCare
Designed to reach deep between teeth and into hard to reach areas the InterClean brush heads feature extra-long, high-density bristles to target hidden plaque caught deep between teeth and in other hard-to-clean areas.
Available in the standard and compact size the InterCare brush head like the others available, takes full advantage of the power delivered by the different Sonicare brush handles.
The powerful motor drives a high-frequency and high-amplitude brush movements to perform over 31,000 strokes per minute. The result is the power fully extends from the brush handle all the way to the tip of the brush head.
Within the mouth the result is a dynamic fluid action that drives fluid deep between teeth, even in hard to reach areas and along the gum line.
Suitable for a variety of users, but particularly those looking to improve gum health. In just 2 weeks the results can be seen and Phillips suggest up to 7 times more plaque removal than a manual brush.
This brush head clicks on and off your brush handle for a secure fit and easy maintenance and cleaning.
It fits all Philips Sonicare toothbrush handles except, PowerUp Battery and Essence.
Reminder bristles ensure you get the most effective clean. At first glance, it may not be obvious, but brush heads lose stiffness and gradually wear down over months of normal use. Blue reminder bristles fade to white and help you recognize when it’s time for a replacement.
For optimal results, replace your brush head every three months.
The InterCare brush head is compatible with:
InterCare brush heads work with most Sonicare ‘click on’ compatible brush handles including:
- 9900 Prestige*
- DiamondClean Smart*
- DiamondClean
- ExpertClean*
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- ProtectiveClean*
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 4100 Series*
- 3100 Series*
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
*Although the head will fit and work. The brushsync features will be disabled.
ProResults Gum Health
Capable of removing up to 6 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush after 4 weeks use, the densely-packed, and high-quality tufts of bristles found on ProResults Gum Health brush heads help to effectively remove plaque and improve gum health.
Specially curved power tufts easily reach teeth at the back of the mouth, whilst the gentle trim profile cushions teeth for an extra gentle brushing experience.
Sonicare brushes can offer up to 31,000 strokes per minute so the ProResults Gum Health head has been designed to take advantage of this to effectively clean tooth surfaces that bristles can reach and into deeper gaps between teeth.
This does not mean a harsh or aggressive brushing experience, in fact, quite the opposite.
Like the other brush heads available, simply click on and off and replace every 3 months.
Not sure how long ago you changed? Just take a look at the blue indicator bristles. If they look more white than blue, it is time for a change.
The head fits all Philips Sonicare toothbrush handles except: PowerUp Battery and Essence.
The ProResults Gum Health brush head is compatible with:
- 9900 Prestige*
- DiamondClean Smart*
- DiamondClean
- ExpertClean*
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- ProtectiveClean*
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 4100 Series*
- 3100 Series*
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
*Although the head will fit and work. The brushsync features will be disabled.
ProResults Plaque Control
This is the all round brush head that you will likely wish to opt for if you are not trying to achieve something specific.
With a design and bristle structure that looks to effectively remove plaque, improve gum health and get to those hard to reach areas, the ProResults head for Sonicare brushes is available in both a standard and compact size, to suit your needs.
With a contoured profile the head and bristles fit naturally to the shape of your teeth to help achieve that all round effective clean. The click on and off brush head includes the reminder bristles which fade from blue to white over 3 months and helps you know when to replace the head.
Suitable for all brush handles from Sonicare with the exception of PowerUP Battery and Essence, the ProResults can deliver over 31,000 brush strokes per minute on the appropriate cleaning mode, achieving the maximum cleaning effectiveness.
The ProResults Plaque Control brush head is compatible with:
- 9900 Prestige*
- DiamondClean Smart*
- DiamondClean
- ExpertClean*
- FlexCare Platinum Connected
- FlexCare Platinum
- FlexCare+
- FlexCare
- ProtectiveClean*
- HealthyWhite
- HealthyWhite
- 4100 Series*
- 3100 Series*
- 2100 Series
- 1100 Series
- 2 Series
*Although the head will fit and work. The brushsync features will be disabled.
Thanks for the comprehensive explanations about brush heads. Who knew! I purchased my FlexCare+ 900+ Series toothbrush in 2014 and love it. I've always relied on the loss of bristle color to cue me to replace the brush head. I recently purchased replacement heads from Amazon and was using a G2. At midnight last night my toothbrush started a relentless beeping (1 then 2). I replaced the G2 with a C3. I managed to brush my teeth but about 3am the brush started beeping again. At some point it stopped then started again at about 3pm. Can you please help with this crazy-making problem?
Hi. I am afraid I don't know what the cause of this noise is. It's highly unlikely to be linked to the brush head and more likely some sort of fault with the toothbrush itself. It could be worth contacting Sonicare to see if they have any suggestions, but given the brush is nigh on 10 years old, I suspect the outcome is unfortunately going to be replacing it.
Thoughts on the A3 All-in-One brush head?
Hi Karin. Yes, it's a good head. As the name implies it is an all-in-one do it all that I like. The bristles are soft which is great. I've generally found this head to cost a bit more on average than some others. I can't say the benefits necessarily make it worth the premium, but it depends on where you are buying it and what the current prices are. IN real world testing the cleaning results are not really any better from what I can tell. Ultimately comparable to most.
How should one dispose of the Sonicare toothbrush heads?
You can recycle them. Details of electric toothbrush head recycling schemes can be found here.
Do you know if the brushsync feature will be confused and/or worthless if two people are sharing the same base, but using different brush heads?
It 'should' track 2 heads just fine Morgan. each head has a unique identifier so it knows the difference.
Hi, thanks for your reviews! Found nobody better to ask this to: imagine I'm on a budget and I can afford either a premium 9xxx handle and C2 heads for 2 years, or a cheaper, lower Hz/RPM handle and A3 heads. Which is more important to have for the best cleaning and healthy gums: the best heads or the fastest brushes? Thanks!
Hi Mike. Great question with potentially different answers, depending on who you ask the question. The honest answer is that I don't know. I have no evidence to really support me and say one is better than the other. As far as I am aware, there is no clinical evidence that has looked at such. Probably not what you wanted to read. But... Based on what I know and have learned over the years from speaking to manufacturers and dental professionals, I would say go with the cheaper, lower speed handles and the better head, instead of batter handle and c2 heads. The number of movements doesn't make a significant difference. With either, in many respects, your brushing time and technique are more important. In a real world scenario, a cheaper handle and the cheaper brush heads are still more than adequate. We are likely talking about very small differences between the different configurations. I doubt the differences would be clinically significant. I hope that helps somewhat.
Thank you for all your work in figuring this out. Why Philips does not understand the confusion here is beyond me. I have spent hours looking for replacement heads for my Philips Sonicare Dailyclean 2100 series. Model #HX3211/17 Best I could come up with was, ESeries and PowerUP will not fit my series. And all others will, except if one keeps reading Philips One won't fit. Which doesn't give me confidence to buy any.
Jeanette. The Philips One by Sonicare brush heads won't fit your model. Nor will the E-Series brush heads because they are screw on heads. All the other styles of push-on heads will fit.
Hello, I know this post has been 'up for a while' so I am not expecting a reply, however, my question is this. If I buy a cheaper 'handle' and a more expensive brush-head would I get the same result as if I had bought the handle with the brush-head. That is to say I am thinking of purchasing the DiamondClean 9000, however, a thought struck, that if I buy a cheaper handle and the Diamondclean brush-head/s would I not get the same results that are being claimed by buying both handle and brush-head together?
Hi Adele. The results should be the same. With a few exceptions, the majority of Sonicare brush handles offer the same number of brush/bristle movements irrespective of the head attached. The cleaning modes available do differ, so the exact number of bristle movements and the angle of the bristle swing can vary. But for example, if you used the 'clean' mode on either the cheaper Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 or the more expensive Sonicare DiamondClean 9000, if you use the same brush head, the cleaning results will be the same. Thus, if you can save money by buying a cheaper handle and the brush head separately than together go for it. I hope that makes sense and helps.
W3 Premium White - would you recommend using the W3 on a daily basis?
It can be used daily if a whitening head is your preference, but it is not our first choice.
C2 and C3 are the exact same.
How are they?
Great info! Please help me with the following: I bought a pack of 5 Sonicare C1 SimplyClean Brush Heads (HX6015/03). On the package, it says, "Extra-soft rounded bristles; gentle on sensitive teeth & gums." Nowhere does it say whether the heads are "soft," "medium," or "hard." I called, live-chatted, emailed to Philips, but no one could tell me whether the brush heads are "soft" "medium" etc. A pharmacist said that he would consider it, "soft." I did see "medium" somewhere when I Googled about this package. So, are the brush heads HX6015/03 "soft" (printed on the package, "extra-soft") or "medium" (buried somewhere on Google)?
Thanks for the question. I would say they are soft. Personally, I would not class them as extra soft. To me, Sonicare's own S Sensitive head feels a little softer, but this is in part due to the cut/profile of the bristles. I think it could be argued that they verge into the medium territory, because of the cut/profile. I should also state that it is possible revisions have been made to the head compared to the ones I have. What makes a bristle soft/medium/firm I think it is open to interpretation a little. It is not something that is referred to a great deal with electric toothbrush heads. I think this is because with few exceptions most fall into the soft/medium category rather than firm. Ultimately if anyone can give you the information, it should be Philips themselves, but it seems like they can't for whatever reason. I know this answer might not be conclusive, but I do hope it helps somewhat.
I am new to the electric toothbrush game and I have noticed that the icons no longer come on the toothbrush heads. I see other people saying icons like a circle square diamond triangle etc. Did sonicare discontinue this feature on their replacement heads? Would they be bringing this feature back? What shapes were there when they did this?
Hi Stephanie. This does appear to have been a feature that has slowly disappeared from the Sonicare range of toothbrushes. The icon seems to have been replaced with the 'BrushSync' head icon now seen on the vast majority of heads available. I can't say whether it will be coming back or not, I am inclined to say no, given current heads don't have it. Typical shapes were circles, triangles and squares.
This comprehensive information is done WELL-I appreciate the work and specific details that are given. I have a small mouth with some crooked teeth, and it sounds like I'd benefit from a c2 or A3/2021with compact/dense bristles. I have looked at the suggested on-line websites and retail stores but unable to find the compact bristles on the regular brush head. Please advise. Thank you, Cheryl
Hi Cheryl. I am pleased you have found it helpful. Compact heads are much harder to come by now. I have seen no official announcement, but I do suspect that these are being phased out due to the lack of availability.
Thank you for the post! I found really useful to have the summary chart.
Can you tell me which ones come with larger head sizes? I can’t find any information that sorts by the brush head size. I’m looking for something larger.
Hi Mehul. Pretty much all Sonicare toothbrushes come with their larger sized heads. It is quite rare to have a toothbrush with a 'compact' head included. Or are you looking for something larger than the Philips 'standard' brush heads?
Something larger. Not that I have oversized teeth lol but it just feels like I’m using a kids size.
To be honest Mehul, in terms of electric toothbrushes, you don't tend to get much larger. There might be exceptions but I can't think of any particularly large brush heads I have seen or used. The larger head can actually make brushing more difficult. There are manual brushes that have larger heads. Radius are one company that make such.
Thank you so much for the guidance. Great information here.
Thank you for such a detailed explanation of Sonic's various brushes. This was very helpful. Do you think that the UV Sanitizer (HX 6907) is worth purchasing?
Honestly Donna I don't think it is a must have. Some, rightly so place a great deal of value on this item and I am not going to argue with that. However millions of people around the world use electric toothbrushes daily without a sanitizer. As long as you follow some fairy simple principles about keeping the brush head clean you don't need it.
You have got to be kidding me. It's like trying to get a masters degree in sonicare toothbrushes. I think I'll go back to a manual
I havrhave several different models of Sonicare electric toothbrushes. HX9140 141122, HX 681A, HX(140 I 'm looking for the smaller sized brush head I think it's called "compact" but I can't find any reference to that when I look online for new brushes. I don't want a softer brush, just a smaller one. Can you advise me?
Hi Alexandra. Compact brush heads have been phased out by Sonicare and are difficult to source now. There are third party manufacturers that sell compact heads, but they are not made by Sonicare. A search online on the likes of Amazon will show you your options.
Someone said: "Brush heads dosent matter, what matters is the toothpaste and how you brush your teeth, diffrent brush heads are just commercials." Are brush heads actually that important?
There is limited data Marko to suggest 1 brush head is really any better than the other. This is why we advise just picking 1 and focusing on brushing. How you brush your teeth (technique, time & routine) are far more important and will have more beneficial impact than a specific style of brush head or toothpaste.
What is diffrence between the C3 Prenium Plaque Control vs C2 Optimal Plaque Control and the G2 Optimal Gum Care vs G3 Prenium Gum Care
Marko, I have done my best to explain these differences on the page already. Ultimately, very little. Most important is to pick a brush head style and stick with it.
What is the diffrence between the Phillips Sonicare AdapitiveClean Head vs the C3 Prenium Plauge Control brush heads?
Marko. Very little! The main difference is that the C3 Premium Plaque Control brush head has a built-in RFID chip, to allow it to work with Sonicare's BrushSync technology. The AdaptiveClean head has essentially been discontinued now. The C3 is arguable a replacement to it with the same bristle configuration.
Just wanted to say thank you for such a detailed and comprehensive guide. Very impressive and helpful in selecting new replacement heads (I've been using Sonicare since the late 90's when the choices were, shall we say, "limited" :-) )
No problem Rob. Very pleased to read that you found it helpful.
i noticed that some of the brush heads are made with a gel/silicon coating. is this the C3, W3, and G3? is this why the brushes are damaged by toothpastes that include coconut oil or essential oils? do all the BrushSync heads have the same problem? are there any heads that will not be hurt by using natural, herbal toothpastes? also, what's the best way to sterilise the brush heads between uses? would soaking the bristles in hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol be safe or would that shorten the life of the brush heads?
Hey. Yes, it is the C3, W3 and G3 brush heads that have a gel/silicon coating to them. As far as I am aware, the coconut oil can affect the bristles rather than the coating. I understand the bristles can become loose, thus affecting potentially all Sonicare brush heads. This question might be better answered by Sonicare themselves, but I believe I am correct. There is a chance you might not be affected, but the fact that the warning is now included with the brushes means the likelihood is probably relatively high. I can't say that soaking the brush heads in such substances would shorten the life of them. I have not done any extensive testing or seen any evidence to suggest doing so would. UV light is most commonly used for helping kill off the bacteria on the brush heads, however, soaking them in the liquids you mention is something I know some people do.
Great information article and videos! I highly recommend anyone who is considering buying a Phillips Sonic toothbrush or is trying to replace a toothbrush head to view the videos at a minimum. The article reinforces the video in detail and is a good affirmation of what you viewed. Thank you for helping me wade through the overwhelming options. I now feel confident making replacement purchases.
Thanks Kirsty for the kind words. Overwhelming is a good word to use to explain the range of Sonicare heads. I am pleased you found it all useful 😊
I have a 4 pack of DiamondClean. Is it okay to use this brushhead for a year? You haven't marked it as "Everyday Brushing Solution". Thanks for clarification.
Yes it is ok. It has been designed with a more specific goal in mind, teeth whitening but it can be used on a daily basis. We just believe there are brush heads that are better suited to daily use if you don't have a particular need or goal in mind.
Ye Gods and little fishes, I never thought it to be possible to write such a huge raft of material about tooth brush heads. You must be sponsored by Philips, yes? Unfortunately the only possible result of trying to absorb this mammoth compendium is confusion. I expect that the ultimate blame is on Philips for making such a unnecessarily huge and confusing product range. Perhaps I can help simplify things a little. In my experience:: The InterCare head is the best because it is best at removing food debris, and hence decay, from all the nooks and crannies, and it prompts good blood flow into the gums. The Optimal Plaque Control is the worst because the head automatically ejects (spins off) and is rendered useless when only about two thirds worn. With these brush heads being so expensive, it must be the USER, not Philips, who decides when a brush head is trashed. I strongly suspect that this revenue-accelerating ploy is used on other Philips brush heads - be warned! Fortunately this nasty little trick is NOT used on the InterCare heads.
Thanks for your comment. Full disclosure, we are NOT sponsored by Phillips. All information has been sourced through extensive research with the intention of serving site visitors like yourself. There is a lot of information, there is no denying and I would agree that the range from Philips is confusing and does not need to be as large as it is. I have not come across evidence to support your claim that the Optimal Plaque Control automatically ejects and do not understand how this could even happen unless there is a faulty batch where the attachment fails after some time. Have you spoken to Philips about this issue? Nonetheless, pleased to read you have a head that you find works well for yourself.
Great info! Thank you. Do you know if the C1 and Sensitive have the imprint on the metal part where they attach to the handle? The W type and others do. Do they have numbers imprinted in the front of the brush instead on the plastic under their type: C1 then a row of numbers vertical under for example?
I can confirm, from looking at the brush heads I have myself, that the C1 Pro Results and S Sensitive brush head do not have any numbers printed on the metal ring on the base of the brush head. Both have numbers printed on the front of the brush head shaft (towards the very bottom). These numbers are in place of the C1 etc that is printed on other brush heads.
Which brush heads are compatible with the hx6730(2series plaque defense)? The Chinese customer service told me only C2 fit. Thank you.
Liyu, The following heads are compatible with the HX6730 (2 series plaque defense) toothbrush. C1 Pro Results C2 Optimal Plaque Control C3 Premium Plaque Control G2 Optimal Gum Care G3 Premium Gum Care I InterCare S Sensitive W DiamondClean W3 Premium White T1 TongueCare+ SimplyClean Whilst all will technically fit & work with this toothbrush, many have BrushSync technology built-in which you will not benefit from when used on the HX6730 brush handle. They tend to be more expensive. Therefore the best value options are: C1 Pro Results S Sensitive SimplyClean
I purchased C 2 replacement brush for my Flex and it doesn't fit causes the unit to vibrate and is very loud.
Hi Nancy. Thanks for the comment. This is a little odd as it should fit just fine and perform like any other brush head you have used in the past. If it doesn't fit correctly, then this is likely the cause of the loud vibrations. It could be worth going back to the seller to see if it can be replaced.
I have a Sonicare G2 electric toothbrush and cannot find replacements for the head only. Costco, Walgreens and Target do not sell this particular model. I don't see it on your website, either. Is there any more of these available through you on line. If so, which one is compatible to mine? the bottom of the holder says HX682P 181211-2A PLEASE REPLY
Hi Joan. From the part numbers you give, any of the brush heads listed in this article, with the exception of E-Series, PowerUp and Kids heads will fit.
you certainly seem to know all about Sonicare toothbrushes. i just bought an Essence model which is inexpensive. should i have bought a "higher end" model for my dental care? Is so which one? also do you happen to know the the model number of the replacement head that fits the Essence in case you recommend i keep it? it doesn't say on the box or in the brochure (strange). thanks in advance if you can help me.
Hi Jerry. The Essence is perfectly functional. Other brushes from Sonicare tend to be a bit more expensive, but the benefit can be the slimmer and lighter handle, battery life and some other features. However, at the core the Essence does what it needs to and you don't have to change it. The list below contains the part numbers of the compatible heads for your toothbrush Jerry. Standard E Series heads 3 pack – HX7023/64 2 pack – HX7022/66 Sensitive standard size 2 pack – HX7053/64 Compact size 2 pack – HX7012/64
Hi Jon, Before I order brush heads, the chart shows both the G2 optimal gum care head and the G3 premium gum care head have a 'Y' under 'special brushing solution' instead of under 'everyday brushing solution.' I didn't see this explained, so does this mean you can't use regular toothpaste with these brush heads? Thanks
This may be a dumb question, but whenever a new brush head is put on, does it go through the easystart cycle again, or does that function come from the handle and not the brush itself? Otherwise, seems like every a new brush is put on, you'd have to deactivate that feature.
Hi Mark, The Easy-Start is linked to the brush handle used and not the brush head. Fitting a new head will not launch the easy start mode again. It is configured so that out of the box, the brush begins in the easy start mode. Once the mode has run, it will not run again unless you re-activate it.
I got a variety pack of the G3/C3/P3. When comparing them, the only difference seems to be the color. Same number of bristles. Same size. Same feel. I was expecting something other than color to be different.
Dave, Are you sure the bristles are the same on these heads? They are designed to be different. They look similar but there are subtle differences.
I'm still a bit confused. There are two seemingly identical series of brush heads with one entry for each special function: W/G2/C2 (I'll call these the twos) W3/G3/C3 (I'll call these the threes) What's the difference between the twos and the threes? The twos seem to be slightly cheaper, about $26 for a 3 pack of the twos versus about $25 for a two pack of the threes (prices from Amazon). Other than that, they seem to have identical features and purpose. Any ideas on why they have these two different lines of brushes?
Hi Paul. Sonicare doesn't make things easy to understand. Whilst I have tried to make things clear, apologies if I have not been clear enough. I have to try and wade through all the information and pick out the differences. Essentially the W/G2/C2 are 'standard' brush heads. The W3/G3/C3 are the 'premium' range of brush heads. The standard range is perfectly functional and does the job. There are 2 key differences. The 'premium' range have a silicone/rubber wrapped around the back of the brush head. As this rubber material comes into contact with your gums and ofter soft surfaces of the mouth it is a little softer with more flex than the standard plastic backs found on the standard brush heads. The bristles are also arranged slightly differently. In theory, this means they do an even better job of cleaning, but I am not sure technically/clinically how much difference it really makes. I hope this helps.
Thanks for the comprehensive review of these brush heads. Your site has the most clear toothbrush replacement info, and it's been extremely helpful. I can only find the C3 Premium Plaque Control Heads online. Have they been discontinued? If so, what's the next best deep cleaning brush you'd recommend? Thanks
Hi Dee. I am glad you have found the article helpful. It was my aim when writing this. Sadly the manufacturers don't always make it simple. You said:
I think you may mean you can't find the C3 Premium Plaque Control heads? Here they are on the Sonicare website with links to where you can purchase them.On Amazon, many user comments report poor quality, obviously counterfeit, Sonicare toothbrush heads of various models. There are so many such reports that you should caution your readers to avoid buying these heads from Amazon.
Thanks for the comment John. You are correct there are many counterfeit brush heads on the market. We only link to the manufacturer original ones to help reduce the chance of people buying the 'copies/fakes'. We will soon have a piece on the site that goes into more detail about counterfeit brush heads and will link readers to it when it is available.
hi, i notice the w diamondclean and the w3 is quite similar? what are the differences and which one do you recommend ?
Hi James. Yes they are very similar. I see little benefit in going for what tend to be the more expensive W3 option. There is a soft gel/silicon coating to the back and sides of the head which can be a touch softer on the cheeks and gums etc if they touch, but from a cleaning ability there is no real difference. All the claims of potential x times better plaque removal etc are virtually impossible to replicate and tell as every individual and situation is different. Most claims are based when comparing to a manual brush etc.
Beware of the C3 plaque removing heads if you use natural toothpaste. The oils in many brands of natural toothpaste make the bristles fall out while brushing. I contacted Sonicare about it and they said that Coconut oil, peppermint oil and clove oil damage the heads. There is no warning to this effect on the packaging.
Hi Susan. This is interesting information, it is the first time I have heard such, thanks for making us aware. What is it about the oils that make the bristles fall out, do you know?
Hi Jon, I was at Costco yesterday and they actually DID have a sticker on the Plaque Control and DiamondClean packages with the warning "Avoid direct contact with products that contain essential oils or coconut oil. Use may result in bristle tufts dislodging." You can read that warning if you scroll down a bit to the last line in the Product Description at this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/DiamondClean-replacement-toothbrush-HX6063-64/dp/B0086VIA3O
Thanks for letting me know Ted.
We have a kids one, but was wondering if I can use an adult replacement head now. It doesn't say any where if the adult ones will work as they get older. It still works great, so I hate to replace it just because she's older. The adult heads are so much easier to find.
Hi Heather. You can use an adults brush head on a kids brush handle. It may not look great, the white brush head on the bold coloured handle, but if you are not worried (I wouldn't be too concerned) then it is fine.
If a family are all using the same device how can we stop getting our brush heads muddled up. Our Oral B brush heads had little coloured rings so we could differentiate which one belonged to whom. My new Sonicare came with 2 brush heads but no coloured rings. This is going to cause a major problem in my home so I want to find a way of labelling our own brush heads. I need to buy a pack of four C3 heads so any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks
Hi Anette. You are not the first to voice this problem. Some put a marker on the brush head using things like colored nail polish or some sort of marker pen. A piece of colored tape could work too. Whilst the manufacturer own brush heads are generally best, there are some third party brush heads compatible with Sonicare brush handles that offer the colored rings. These brush heads do not support BrushSync technology though if your brush handle has this built in.
Hi, Thanks for all the useful info. I have a question: are Sonicare heads interchangeable among different brands? Is it safe to use a Sonicare head from a different manufacturer? For example, I recently bought OVONNI BH-126 and was not able to find replacement heads, I was advised to use replacement heads from ISELECTOR. Thanks :)
Hi Ben, I have not heard of this brush brand and model that you mention. If the companies advice is to use heads from ISELECTOR then I would suggest you can follow this. As a general rule, most brands alter their fittings in some way so that you can use only their brush heads or those specifically designed for their brushes. For example you can't use and Oral-B brush head on a Phipips Sonicare or the vice versa. There are other companies who specifically make compatible brush heads for many different brands of toothbrush. This means these head fit and work with ranges such as Sonicare brush handles, but are not identical to the Philips Sonicare original brush heads. 99.9% of the time these are perfectly fine, fitting perfectly and cleaning the teeth without issue. Strictly speaking the use of third party brush heads like this goes against the manufacturers recommendation and you cannot necessarily be assured of the quality in the same way. I hope this helps.
Are all the sonicare heads soft bristled? I noticed recently on some of the replacement head packaging a picture of a feather with Medium written below it.
Hi Annisa, I can't comment on the exact softness rating for each brush head, but all between soft-medium stiffness/firmness. None of the brush heads bristles, are to my knowledge, firm or really stiff. Dentists generally recommend soft an/or medium bristles, so this is what Sonicare offer.
What's the difference between the C3 and W3 (other than their advertised purposes)? Their bristle layouts appear to be identical--is there a difference between the bristles themselves on the two heads?
Kristen, You are right. The bristle layout is the same. The colour of the bristles is different, but to our knowledge everything else appears to be identical.
Is the Essence+ plus different than the essence? iI has a snap on head and a curvy metal attachment. Which brush heads are compatible with the Essence Plus? Thank you
Hi. Yes, rather confusingly the Essence and Essence+ are different when it comes to brush heads. The Essence has a specific style of brush head that screws on and off, whilst the Essence+ uses the push on and pull off style brush head that is most common across the Sonicare range. If you own the Essence Plus (+) you can use any of the following brush head styles: DiamondClean W DiamondClean C3 Premium Plaque Control G3 Premium Gum Care W3 Premium White AdaptiveClean I InterCare InterCare Pro Results ProResults Gum Health G2 Optimal Gum Care C2 Optimal Plaque Control ProResults Plaque Control Sensitive SimplyClean Sonicare tend to sell the Essence+ with 1 of these style heads: DiamondClean ProResults SimplyClean Sensitive brush If you need further help, just let me know.
The information here does not include what the icons on the brushes mean! Circle, square and diamond icons are on the individual brushes. What do they mean?!!! I have a Phillips Diamond Clean Sonicare.
Hi Melodee, It is my belief that the icons, be that circle, square, diamond etc are ways in which you can tell which brush head is yours, if the same style of brush head is being used. In a family environment for example, if all users were using an Adaptive Clean brush head: Parent 1 - Square Parent 2 - Circle Child - Diamond There might be another reason, but not one I am aware of.
Thanks for the article. I would have thought the diamond clean was the best as it has the word diamond in it. Silly me. I like to purchase my heads at Costco as you can get 6 for like $40 when they’re on sale. As they only have the diamond clean and the premium plaque control I’ll take the latter. Here is the link in case you would like to let others know. Another reason for me purchasing them at Costco is I am nearly certain that they are authentic which seems to be an issue when purchasing them online especially. Thanks again! https://www.costco.com/toothbrush-replacement-heads.html
Hi Douglas, Thanks for the comment. The range of brush heads are confusing for sure. When it comes down to it, they are all going to help you maintain good oral health, but as this article explains, some might be a bit better than others for certain things. Costco should only sell the genuine brush heads. Whilst the majority of online sellers do to sell genuine parts, there are some who produce replicas/fakes rather than the real thing.