Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000 vs 5000 vs 7000

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the power flosser 3000, 5000 and 7000?

I can’t deny that Sonicare is trying to make products that cater to all, both in terms of features and price.

That said, having 5 different options available, with what are in reality relatively small differences between each, does make things a bit more complicated than they need to be.

However, I do hope to try and clarify the key differences between each of these models and help you make a more informed purchase decision.

They are all really similar

Just before I dig into the differences between these, I do just wish to touch upon how they are all actually very similar.

All of the mentioned models are able to offer this X shaped jet of water when using the provided F3 Quad Stream nozzle.

This is one of the key differentiators that Philips have over their competitors and it is a feature they promote heavily.

By pushing the water out in an X formation, water is actually separated into 4 jets which cover more surface area between the teeth and along the gumline.  This should result in a faster and deeper clean when compared to string floss.

All variants have a built-in timer and pacer to encourage an even clean of the gaps between the teeth.

The Pulse Wave technology Philips builds in is designed to guide you from tooth to tooth when deep clean mode is selected. This should help you get it right and a thorough clean every time.

All models have a built-in timer or pacer, whatever you prefer to call it that encourages flossing evenly for 1 minute.  

The 3 different nozzle styles are interchangeable and can be used with any of the power flosser models.

The supplied power adapter supports 100-240v.  This means when you travel you need to worry only about a plug adapter, if required, rather than a voltage adapter too.

All models come with a 2 year warranty as standard.

2 or 4 cleaning modes to choose between

The power flosser is available with up to 4 different cleaning modes.

Your choices are:

• Clean
• Deep clean
• Sensitive
• Massage

Philips describes the modes and what they offer as follows:

• Clean
  • This mode, with pacer, provides standard water pressure for a great clean.
• Deep clean
  • This mode, with Pulse Wave technology, provides strong and gentle pulses of water for a thorough clean.
• Sensitive
  • This mode, with Pulse Wave technology, provides gentle pulses of water for beginners or those with sensitive gums.
• Massage
  • This mode, with pacer, offers soothing pulses of water to massage your gums.

3 of the 5 models have 2 modes, daily clean and deep clean, whilst the 7000 range has 2 extra modes, sensitive and massage.

When any of the modes are set, the LED light above the cleaning mode name will be lit.

The following table shows which model has which cleaning modes.

More control with 10 intensities

It is quite typical for a countertop water flosser to offer 10 different intensity settings, and the power flosser range does.

The pressure is controlled via a rotating dial on the front of the unit.

The dial has a smooth rotating action and does not click or give any audible or resistive feedback as you move through levels 1 to 10.

The 7000 models do have an LED that will illuminate as you select each intensity.  Therefore it is clear you have selected level 7 for example.

You do not get the LED light with the 3 or 5000 countertop models.

The cordless 3000 does only offer 3 intensity settings, these are low, medium and high.  There are fewer intensity options on this due to the portable nature of the product.

LEDs are lit with the cordless variant when each intensity is set.

As a very approximate comparison the pressure on the cordless vs the countertop is as follows:

• Low = Level 2
• Medium = Level 5
• High = Level 8

Take a look at the following table to see what models offer what intensity settings.

Dock the handle more easily with the magnet and auto shut-off

Built into the back of the flosser handle on the 5 and 7000 series is a magnet.  This magnetizes to another magnet strategically placed on the handle dock of the main unit.

When within half an inch of each other, the magnets attract to pull the handle into its resting place.  As this happens it also triggers an automatic shut-off system.  This means that if you had not already used the slider switch on the handle to pause the water flow, as soon as the handle is docked, the water flow is stopped as the switch is moved into the off position.

The countertop 3000 model does not have this magnetic dock.  Instead, the handle needs to be placed into the plastic framed holder on the main unit.  There is no automatic shut-off facility.  

Different nozzles

Each model comes with different nozzles or jet tips included in the box.

The more premium options come with more.

Philips Sonicare offers 3 different nozzle types.  They are:

• F1 standard
  • Standard nozzle with a single stream of water for removing debris and plaque.
• F2 comfort
  • Soft rubber nozzle for comfort and ease of positioning for those with sensitive gums.
• F3 quad stream
  • Soft rubber nozzle that directs water into a crossshaped stream that gently removes plaque for an effortlessly thorough clean.

All of the nozzles can be purchased separately and can be used on any of the power flosser units, they are interchangeable.  You are not restricted to using only the nozzle that came included in the box.

If the particular power flosser supports it, the nozzle can be rotated.

The following table shows which nozzles come included with each power flosser.

Included with the 7000 series power flosser is hard plastic case that is designed to hold and protect up to 3 nozzles.  You don’t get this with the 3 or 5000 variants.

Floss for longer with the larger water tanks

Depending on the model you select, the capacity of the water reservoir will differ.

The cordless 3000 is designed to be more friendly for travel. As a consequence, it is designed to be practical but limit the weight and size.  It comes with an 8.4oz/250ml reservoir.

The 3000 and 5000 come with an 18.6oz/550ml reservoir and the 7000 range have the largest tank capacity of the power flosser range at 20.3oz/600ml.

With the cordless you can achieve a full clean of the mouth in the 60 seconds usage time you get on the clean mode, set to the highest intensity.

Using the countertop units, the minimum running time is more than sufficient in my opinion.

For the vast majority of users, you should get at least 2 flossing sessions from a full tank.  But the exact time will depend on the time you like to floss for, the mode and the intensity selected.

Floss for the right amount of time

All of the power flossers have a built-in time and pacer to help encourage you to clean between the teeth for long enough, so that you do a proper job and get the best results.

It is advised to spend 30 seconds cleaning between the teeth in each arch.  15 seconds on the front outer surfaces and 15 on the back/inner surfaces.

So, with both arches, that totals 60 seconds/1 minute in total.

The pacer helps to ensure you give each arch equal attention. A pause in the water flow with the change in sound and flossing sensation act as you alerts.

The difference is that the cordless 3000’s pacer is activated every 15 seconds, whilst the other models pacers activate at 30 seconds intervals.

I don’t know why it is different.

So, for every 1 minute of flossing the pacer kicks in 4 times on the cordless 3000 and only twice with the other countertop models.

No mains adapter is required for the cordless option

Of the 5 different models available at the time of writing, it is only the cordless power flosser 3000 that doesn’t require a power cable to be connected for it to function.

This is because it has a rechargeable battery built-in.  It uses this to enable the unit to be cordless in daily operation.

The claimed life is 14 days. In my testing, fully charged it offered around 54 days of usage time. This was when using the clean mode set to the high intensity and assuming 1 minutes use each time.

It comes with a USB type-c charger to replenish the battery.  

All of the countertop models require the power adapter to be connected to the wall socket to function.

It is only the cordless option that uses the USB type c connector.  The countertop units have a detachable power cord, but at one end is a barrel pin connector that fits into the base of the flosser and at the other is the 2 pin power adapter to connect to the socket.

The 7000 toothbrush system includes an electric toothbrush

One model within the power flosser range offers more than just a water flosser.  The 7000 toothbrush system, as the name implies, comes with a Sonicare electric toothbrush.

The provided brush is the Sonicare ExpertClean 7300. We have our own hands-on review of the 7300 available here.

This is a very capable toothbrush in its own right.

There are a couple of benefits to it being included.

There is the potential of a cost saving in buying this package as opposed to buying the power flosser and the ExpertClean separately.

But, although you get a dedicated charging stand for the toothbrush included, this version of the power flosser has been modified to offer a charger for the toothbrush too.

By connecting the power adapter for the flosser to the socket, you can power the water flosser and also recharge the toothbrush, using just 1 power outlet, rather than the 2 normally required for separate items.

What is nice is that the toothbrush isn’t completely reliant on the power flosser.  They can be used independently.  It is rare, but should one fail, you don’t have both components fail.

A travel case comes with the cordless option only

The countertop models don’t come with a travel case.  There is little need.  They are not designed to be transported regularly.  The idea is you unbox them, put them in place on your bathroom countertop and there it stays.

That said, the 7000 variants do come with a hard plastic case for the nozzles.  You can place up to 3 into this case. This helps keep them clean and protected when not in use.

And the toothbrush system 7000 does come with a case for the toothbrush handle and brush heads.  But, they are not coming with cases for the main power flosser unit.

It is only the cordless 3000 that comes with what you and I would normally consider as a true travel case.

The black drawstring bag is a fraction wider and taller than the cordless 3000.  You place it into the bag, reservoir down, and then draw the string closed at the top to keep the flosser and the accessories safe. 

The travel pouch is made from a wipe clean material and will help prevent damage from occurring and help prevent water leaks onto other items too.

Any color as long as it is white

All variants come in a white color.

The color accents are the grey fonts for the cleaning modes, intensity and appropriately placed icons.

It is only the cordless 3000 that comes in a different color option.  You have the choice of a black unit too.

There are no more fun and interesting color choices available as there often are with Sonicares electric toothbrushes.

Does one clean better than the other?

The short answer is no.

Picking one of the power flossers and using it is going to be more beneficial for your oral health than worrying too much about selecting a specific model.

It is likely that your water flossing technique, routine and total flossing time will have a more meaningful impact.

However, for those wanting a bit more insight, it is ‘possible’ that the countertop may produce better results long term than the cordless power flosser.  Or it could be the other way around.

I am not aware of any clinical data that compares each individual Sonicare power flosser model. And in my own hands-on testing, I couldn’t say either was better or worse.

Philips has conducted research that has shown that the countertop models are up to 180% more effective than string floss.  This is when the Quad Stream nozzle is used and the intensity level is set to 8.

The cordless does not have a level 8 intensity setting, although the ‘high’ intensity that is on offer should be comparable.

With the countertop options, you have the choice of 10 pressure settings compared to the 3 of the cordless, which might in certain circumstances have a bearing.

However, countering that, the cordless gives the option of nozzle rotation that isn’t available on the countertop models.

So, rotating the nozzle might allow for better positioning of the jet of water and in turn more effective cleaning.

The 7000 variant does offer 2 additional modes not available on the 3 and 5000 units.  

I acknowledge that these cleaning modes do perform differently and may be beneficial for some.

However, this is going to be subject to your individual circumstances. You may be able to develop a better oral care routine and reduce bleeding and inflammation in ways you couldn’t with the 5000 and 3000.  But, even then to really say conclusively that the extra modes make a difference compared to only having those available on the 3 or 5000 is virtually impossible under the circumstances in which I am using these products.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes, the cordless power flosser 3000 is the most cost effective.

The retail prices of the Sonicare flossers are as follows:

• Cordless 3000 - $79.99
• 3000 countertop - $89.96
• 5000 countertop - $99.96
• 7000 countertop - $139.99
• 7000 toothbrush system - $249.99

You will note that there is just $10 difference between the 3000 and 5000 and that is because there is barely any technical differences between them.

A $40 premium over the 5000, the 7000 does offer a few extra features.

And not surprisingly the 7000 toothbrush system commands a further $110 over the 7000 because you get the ExpertClean toothbrush included.

Given that the toothbrush usually sells for around $150 on its own, there is a $40 saving for buying it with the power flosser.

Prices are always subject to change and can vary from one seller to another.

It isn’t uncommon to see discounts of up to around 20% on these types of products, so it is quite possible that you can benefit from some extra savings.

For example, the countertop 3000 will from time to time be selling around the $70-75 price point.  It isn’t a huge saving on the retail price, but a saving nonetheless.

If the 5000 is selling for less than the 3000 it of course makes sense to opt for that.

You need to make the decision as to which model you want, based on the information I have provided and the pricing at the time you are buying.  

I think the price premium for the 5000 and 7000 over the 3000 is fair given the extras. That said I see little reason you need these.  But, if you feel they will impact and benefit you, then by all means opt for them.

The ongoing costs for all models are the same because they use the same nozzles. Only if you want extra nozzles might this differ.