All models
Best all-round: C1 ProResults / Amazon, Philips / ~£16.39
Best for a gentler clean: S Sensitive / Amazon / ~£34.17
BrushSync enabled models
Best all-round: C2 Optimal Plaque Control / Amazon, Philips / ~£29.92
Best for a gentler clean: S2 Sensitive / Amazon, Philips / ~£26.3
Why we picked them
We've tested lots of different Sonicare brush handles with all of the various heads that Philips has to offer. All did a decent job of lifting plaque from our teeth. We can't say our testing has ever revealed a brush head we recommend avoiding.
The C1 ProResults, also known as SimplyClean, is the best for just getting the job done, in our opinion. It is also one of the most affordable options.
With medium firmness bristles, the large oval head generally covers a couple of teeth at a time. Plaque and debris caught on the teeth and gum line are efficiently brushed away as the bristles sweep back and forth over the tooth surface.
The S Sensitive is our other top recommendation.
In our testing we've found that the feeling after brushing isn't quite as invigorating, but it was far gentler on our teeth and soft gum tissue. We've got no complaints with the cleaning results given the less intense and more delicate sensation it offers.
We've found that the ultra soft bristles are far more considerate of inflamed and tender gum tissue compared with the medium firmness bristles that the majority of Philips brush heads have. If you have sensitivity or gum recession this head is a must-pick.
The S Sensitive head is compatible with virtually all Sonicare brush handles. However, this head does not have BrushSync technology.
If your toothbrush has BrushSync and you want to ensure you get timely reminders on brush head replacement, the C2 Optimal Plaque Defence brush head is our recommendation.
It is a little smaller (approximately 15-20%) than the C1 ProResults. We know some people prefer this as it can help with positioning the brush head into certain parts of the mouth.
We have found cleaning results are comparable.
Key things to know
Video explanation
In this video we explain what each brush head does and why we picked our top recommendations.
Do the specialised heads work?
Yes, Sonicare's specialised heads can be useful for some people. In the sections below we've said a bit about our experience with two of the most popular ones – sensitive and whitening.
Sensitive heads
Regular tooth brushing can help reduce gum inflammation, bleeding and sensitivity. However, for some of us, no matter what we do our teeth and gums are still delicate and require the lightest of touches.
Despite being optimized for sensitivity, these heads can be used by anyone daily.
The ultra soft bristles move over the teeth and gum surfaces with a motion that feels less abrasive than some other brush heads. Dentists typically recommend soft bristles over firm, making this a more sensible choice.
The long oval-like shape typically covers a couple of teeth at a time. Unlike the W profile of the C1 ProResults, the head has more of a wave formation to it that creates a C-like shape that cups the rounded profile of the teeth as you brush.
The head is densely packed with bristles, but the outer clusters are shorter in length than those in the middle. Our team found that with regular use this head helped reduce bleeding and inflammation of the gum tissue, restoring red and puffy gums to a healthy light pink colour.
The S Sensitive brush head is suitable for use with any of the modes and intensities available on a Sonicare brush. That said, we have found the head provides the softest brushing sensation when the intensity is set to low and a mode like sensitive or gum health is selected.
The S Sensitive head is not BrushSync-enabled. If you do want a BrushSync head with soft bristles, your current best option is the S2 Sensitive.
Essentially the updated equivalent to the S Sensitive. The S2 Sensitive is the only other brush head to have 'ultra soft' bristles and be equipped with the RFID chip.
It has 3,000 bristles each 0.01mm thick and a profile that is not as wide or long as other head styles. This can help with reaching in the mouth but does limit the coverage it can offer at any one time.
Whitening heads
Optimized for whitening the Diamond shaped bristle tips in this densely packed brush head help remove surface stains from the teeth more effectively than some other heads.
We have seen first hand how it can make visible improvements to a user's teeth. However, one must be aware that you can't expect sensational results in most situations. If you are a heavy smoker, red wine, tea or coffee drinker, using this head will likely deliver some positive results.
But, if you are an oral care aficionado and regularly whiten your teeth or get a professional cleaning, you are unlikely to notice any difference.
To enhance the effect of the whitening head it is best, although not essential, to use it with a whitening mode or higher intensity setting that Sonicare handles offer. It can also be beneficial to use a whitening toothpaste with it. Such pastes are usually more abrasive in order to help lift stains, but we don't advise long term use of them as it can result in more wear of the tooth surface.
The W2 Optimal White or W DiamondClean head is BrushSync-enabled. There is no equivalent without an RFID chip.
Regular heads like the C1 ProResults can achieve similar results to the DiamondClean, it just might take longer.
Other specialised brush heads
Philips has reduced the number of specialized brush heads it offers in recent years.
Where they once made a compact and standard sized version of many heads now, in most instances, they only make the standard sized option. The compact variant can be useful for crowded teeth and smaller mouths.
Other specialised options like the T1 TongueCare+ head, which had 240 microbristles, are no longer sold. We generally prefer tongue scrapers, although brushing the tongue with a normal head is still far better than nothing.
The main alternatives are adaptations of existing heads. The key differentiator is the soft silicone back and sides of the head. This makes them more pleasant on the teeth and gums when in use. It reduces the chattering sound and effect should the vibrating head come into contact with the tooth. Unfortunately, we've found these heads are often more expensive. Subsequently, it becomes harder to justify their value.
The brush head to replace them all
As the name suggests the A3 Premium All-In-One is the brush head for those wanting a bit of everything.
It has softer bristles compared to the medium ones found on many Sonicare heads. It makes for a more pleasant experience if your teeth and gums are tender. Given many dentists recommend soft bristles, it is arguably a better choice.
The triangular shaped tips to the bristles are designed to effectively clean the tooth surface and buff away discolouration and stains, replicating the whitening effect of the W DiamondClean head.
And of course, the tufts of bristles are positioned and shaped to maximize plaque removal.
We can vouch for the A3's performance — it has achieved excellent results during the times we have used it and is a delight to brush with.
It is arguably worthy of being a top pick, but although it is softer and more effective in plaque and stain removal, we can't say it is noticeably better. Using the A3 head will (for most) not result in radical shifts in your cleaning compared to one of the other brush head styles.
The A3 is typically more expensive than other brush heads and therefore, like other premium options, it is hard to justify above the cheaper alternatives.
Genuine vs generic
From our use and testing, we believe that Philips Sonicare's original brush heads, often known as "genuine heads", are the best. They will always be our primary recommendation.
However, there are a large number of generic or aftermarket options. These heads often look very similar to and perform comparably to the originals. The big advantage of these is that they are considerably cheaper.
For example, an off-brand head can cost £2 or less compared to the £7 per manufacturer original brush head. You could save around £60 over 3 years.
But, as it stands, no third party brush heads support BrushSync, so you are forced to stick with Sonicare's own heads if you wish to make use of this technology.
And as you might well imagine, not all brush heads are the same. The very cheapest and most affordable (under £1) are that cheap for a reason. It certainly isn't applicable to all, but I have heard of bristles coming loose, heads breaking and bristles wearing faster.
The cheapest third-party Sonicare heads will not have rounded tips to the bristles. We've found that this results in a sharper and harsher feeling on the teeth and gums. It can make for an unpleasant brushing experience, particularly if you have sensitive gums.
Paying around £2-3 per head has, in our testing, resulted in a better experience. In fact, many of these heads are very good and in a blindfolded test, it has proven hard to tell the difference to the manufacturer's.
We've also found that some have the symbols to identify whose brush head is whose, which the manufacturer originals lack.
If you would like to save a few pounds without too much compromise on quality, these heads are a good option:
BrushSync heads are useful but not essential
The majority of Sonicare brush heads are BrushSync enabled. This means a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) microchip has been built into the brush head.
When fitted to a compatible brush handle, the use of the head is tracked. Once the recommended usage time is exceeded, an alert is presented on the handle. It's an obvious alert that your brush head needs replacing.
On select models the technology goes one step further. The handle will automatically change the cleaning mode, based on the style of the attached head. A detailed explanation of how it works can be found in our BrushSync explained article.
It is a useful feature if you have a habit of forgetting to replace your brush head regularly. You don't need it though.
We have found having the chip makes recycling the heads more difficult. The cost of each head tends to be higher than those without.
BrushSync-enabled heads will fit and work with handles that don't have BrushSync, but the "smart" technology does not work. Similarly handles with BrushSync technology can use those heads without the chip, but you won't be alerted when a replacement head is due.
Compatibility: which heads fit and work with my brush handle?
The following table shows which brush heads fit and are compatible with which brush handles:
| Bursh Head Style | Brush Head Image | Handle Compatibility | BrushSync Enabled** |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 SimplyClean/ProResults |  | All Sonicare handles* | No |
| C2 Optimal Plaque Control/Plaque Defence |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| C3 Premium Plaque Control/Plaque Defence |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| G2 Optimal Gum Care |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| G3 Premium Gum Care |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| W DiamondClean/W2 Optimal White |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| W3 Premium White |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| S Sensitive |  | All Sonicare handles* | No |
| S2 Sensitive |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
| A3 Premium All-In-One |  | All Sonicare handles* | Yes |
**Must be used with BrushSync enabled handle to gain benefits
How do I know when it's time to replace a head?
With most Sonicare heads, blue 'reminder bristles' within the head will fade in colour over a period of about 3 months.
If your brush handle is BrushSync enabled, the light and icon on the toothbrush handle will illuminate Amber to alert you when a replacement is due. Bluetooth-enabled brushes may offer an alert within the Philips Sonicare smartphone app too.
If the head shows obvious signs of wear it is recommended to replace the head sooner rather than later.
Dental professionals generally advise replacing your brush head every 3 months because bristles wear with use. Using it for longer than recommended can lead to less effective cleaning results and damage to the teeth and gums.
How to fit Philips brush heads
To replace a Sonicare brush head, you pull (with a small amount of force) the existing head off the handle and push the replacement on in its place. There is no need to twist or lock the head into place.
The only exception is a much older E-Series brush handle which screws on and off. Such handles are not that common anymore.
We demonstrate the method in the video below.
Are Sonicare brush heads interchangeable?
Yes, Philips Sonicare brush heads are fully interchangeable.
Whether your brush came with a SimplyClean or A3 Premium All-In-One brush head you can easily clip on a W DiamondClean or C2 Plaque Control head if that is your preference.
The only catch is that if you have a BrushSync-enabled handle and fit a brush head that does not support it, you will not get any alerts when it is time to replace the head.
Similarly, a BrushSync-enabled head, fitted to a handle without BrushSync compatibility, does not enable any reminder feature because the handle does not have the necessary hardware built in.
The interchangeable nature of the brush heads are explained in the following video:
There's no way to identify whose head is whose
Philips does not print icons or offer coloured rings on brush heads to help you differentiate between your brush head and that of another family member.
It is a point of frustration for many.
Our best advice is to mark them yourself with a piece of coloured tape, nail varnish or similar.
As mentioned above, some third-party heads do include an icon or similar to help you to distinguish between brush heads.
What is a sufficient brush head when you don't have any dental problems? C1, C2, W1 or W2?
C1 or C2 would be my pick. Not a great deal of difference between them.
C1 heads don't tend to have the BrushSync RFID chip built in. So if you want this feature (if you have a compatible handle) you will want to opt for the C2.
Hi,
I have HX3410AG
210209-1A
Base
I have C1 .
2105206
Head.
I can’t find these heads in stores now
Can I use C2 ?
Penny
Hi Penny.
Yes, you can use the C2 heads on the Philips Sonicare DailyClean Toothbrush. Just be aware the 'BrushSync' features that come with the C2 head won't function with the brush handle you have.
The C1 brush heads are also known as ProResults heads - You can find some here.
My family have used Phillips Sonicare for many years with compact brush heads and I am disappointed that many of us with smaller mouths or gag reflexes are now having to migrate to Oral B simply due to the larger brush heads. I know I could use generic heads but their quality is questionnable.
I would add, prior to Philliips, we used Oral B!
So we give up, in my view, a superior product, due to the size of their brushes!
The video talks about correct brushing technique. Can you share link to a page /video that describes correct technique for Philips sonicare brush?
Sure check out this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBETJnUwwwc
Can i use the W/C3 brushheads daily? Would they be corrosive?
Yes you can use daily if you wish, but there are not our top choices. They won't damage the teeth.
OK thanks. Which is the top choice then?
My top choice is ProResults or the C2 Optimal Plaque Defence brush heads.
Both brush heads offer a superior all round cleaning performance, ideal for daily use.
The C2 Optimal Plaque Defence is better suited to those brush handles that have BrushSync technology.
However, if you are specifically referring to which between the W & C3 heads that you originally asked about, I would pick C3.
The C3 is BrushSync enabled and it is essentially the slightly more premium version of the C2.
Amazingly, in all the detail on this website, I haven't been able to find a description of what the brushheads for each product actually do in terms of how they move.
You would think that this would be the most interesting or important characteristic for a purchaser.
In an hour of reading this site I have been unable to identify a toothbrush that offers a rotation-only motion. I do not want a hammer or pulse motion.
Hi Peter. Thanks for the comment.
I am sorry that you have not found the information you have been looking for. We strive to serve the needs and wants of most people, but appreciate we won't always get it right.
Sonicare toothbrush have a side to side sweeping cleaning action.
Oral-B brushes have a rotation movement, but the vast majority also have pulsations too, which is another dimension I don't think you are looking for.
Oral-B do have a few models, notably the Oral-B Vitality that do not offer the pulsations and stick only with the rotation movement.
If you don't want an Oral-B branded brush, you will need to look for others. The vast majority of other brands use sonic cleaning action, like Sonicare. I haven't tested much in the way of other rotating brushes. One option could be the Amazon Solimo rechargeable toothbrush.
Thanks for the reply. That is helpful.
The problem is that sonic, deep clean and suchlike are really just marketing terms. They do not give a picture of what happens.
So is side-to-side brushing the totality of the sonic system? The word 'sonic' suggests ultrasound. Can a toothbrush really deliver ulrasound?
There are toothbrushes that are classed as 'Ultrasonic' and use ultrasound. More info here.
The reality is they are few and far between and the ones that do exist are quite expensive.
So 'sonic' toothbrushes are not really sonic in the scientific sense at all? They are simply side-to-side brushes without pulse or hammer motion and that's it?
No, the Sonic brushes are sonic. This includes both Philips Sonicare and Braun Oral-B.
There are ultrasonic toothbrushes, which are different to standard sonic toothbrushes. The problem is some companies, label their sonic brushes as ultrasonic when they are not.
According to Colgate's website sonic merely means that the speed of the toothbrush causes it to make a noise when it works.
"Sonic toothbrushes. Sonic toothbrushes have vibrating brush heads that move bristles side-to-side at high speeds. To be classified as a sonic toothbrush, the vibration has to be fast enough to produce an audible hum. Sonic toothbrushes on the market today offer frequencies up to and over 50,000 movements per minute"
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/selecting-dental-products/what-is-a-sonic-toothbrush
Understood Peter.
The sonic technology seen on Sonicare brushes uses 2 methods to clean the teeth. The first is a mechanical side-to-side cleaning motion of the brush to remove plaque by essentially sweeping and scrubbing the surfaces, like a manual brush (although the motor moves the bristles, not you).
The second is a non-contact approach that uses the sonic technology that disrupts plaque beyond the tips of the bristles.
Apologies, but I am unsure of the point or question you are asking. Perhaps I have missed this? What is it you ultimately want to know?
Please understand that I do appreciate your taking the trouble to answer so many questions. However if you look at the answer you gave above you will see that although you explain how the side-to-side brushing works you still haven't explained how the sonic action works. You say what sonic does but you don't say how it does it.
The reason for my enquiry is that a toothbrush with pulse action once caused me to have an epileptic fit following an operation for a sub-dural haematoma.
I am looking for a toothbrush that causes minimum vibration to my head. Please could you therefore explain how the sonic system works - not what it does but how.
Hello again Peter.
I am afraid I am not a product designer/engineer to be able to properly say how it works. I don't feel qualified to answer this question.
Perhaps it is best to speak to Sonicare directly and see what they advise given the impact it could potentially have on your health. Sorry I cannot help further.
Hi , I recently bought a Sonicare 5100 , my dentist says there is a mini toothbrush head for it , part number W2C , which she thinks would be good for my teeth , but I can’t see it anywhere
Can you help please ?
They are not advertised on Sonicares UK website. I have seen them available in select other parts of the world. That said, you can buy them on Amazon here.
Sonicare once offered many more compact brush heads, but the choices are much more limited today.
There are some third party companies that make compact heads too, but these of course are not manufacturer originals.
Hi,
Thanks for the video. It really did clear a lot of things up for me, however, I do have a question.
At what age is a kid no longer a kid? My son has the Philips Sonicare for Kids Electric Toothbrush (HX6322/04) and has been using the HX6042/36 toothbrush head. The packaging says 7+ but doesn't give an indication of up to what age it is suitable for.
My son is 11 years old now, so was wondering if I should start swapping his kids toothbrush head for an adult one?
And if yes, which adult toothbrush head you would recommend?
Thanks,
Erik
Hi Erik.
Great question. So the brush head your son has been using is the full sized kids head as opposed to the compact one that does exist.
This is basically the same as the adult sized head, so it would be fine for your son to move to the adult heads now. They actually should fit to the brush handle he has. So if there is nothing wrong with it and he is happy to continue to use it, then let him.
As for the head to go for, the recommendation is the same for him as it is anyone else really. ProResults or the C2 Optimal Plaque Defence.
Do monitor your son for the first few uses with an adult head, to make sure he is happy, but I suspect he will be fine. I hope this helps.
Hi,
Thanks very much for the quick reply!
Erik
Jon,
Does a C1 ProResults brush head fit a 4300 Protective Clean brush handle?
Thanks
David Bell
Yes it does David.
I cannot find a model number anywhere. There is the number 0457 on the spindle to which one attaches the new head. The click on heads do not fit
Chris. I am afraid I don't know what model you have then to advise.
This page lists out all the Sonicare models and none of the codes match that I can see.
I think you will need to contact Sonicare on 0 20 79 49 02 40 to discuss and get advice.
I have an old sonicare toothbrush which has a central plastic spindle on which you push the new head - it is not click on! How do I find replacements? They all seem to be click on
Hi Christopher.
Do you know the name of this model? Is there a model number on the bottom of the brush handle? I am not sure I am familiar with it. There are 1 or 2 models that have screw-on heads.
You have tried the current range or heads and confirm they do not fit?
I have a daily clean tooth brush with the zig zag shape spindle
But can not find any replacement heads
Please can you advise which ones will fit, as the other models have straight spindles.
Kind regards Anthony.
Any of those shown in the article should fit. I recommend the ProResults as the best option for you.
I’m looking for mini toothbrush heads for my sonicare toothbrush, can you help me ?
Kathy, The range and availability of compact heads for Sonicare has dramatically reduced. Here on Amazon are some compact interspace brush heads if these work for you.
Hi Jon,
Thanks for this very comprehensive review. I have always used the compact/mini brush heads for the Sonicare Diamondclean, but see from your review that they were discontinued last year. I'm afraid I can no longer find these anywhere - I would have stocked up earlier had I known! Do you know anywhere that is still selling them in the UK or online, or could you suggest a good quality replacement in the compact size? I am wary of third party replacement heads.
Thanks,
Angela
Hi Ann.
I am sorry to say that I can't advise on a location as to where you will find these compact brush heads. I have done a bit of searching myself and no joy.
I totally understand your apprehension in regards to third party, but I think it will be your only option.
Hi Jon
Fantastic review, can I get a round brush head to fit this toothbrush? I have looked and see that Sonicare don’t do one, however can I use a different model head?
Many thanks
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne.
Thanks for the kind words.
It is not possible to fit a small round brush head to a Sonicare toothbrush handle.
IF you want this, you will need to opt for an Oral-B toothbrush.
Why can't I find a round brush head for my Sonicare toothbrush?
Hi Peter,
Sonicare and Oral-B use different technology for their brush heads, and Sonicare does not make round brush heads in the same style as Oral-B.
Hi I own a Philips HX939B tooth brush,it was an expensive item £150 in Argos I can’t seem to see any brush heads that fit my machine can anyone help with a compatible genuine Philips brush....thanks
Ron,
If my info serves me correctly, all of these listed here will fit.
You have a Sonicare DiamondClean brush handle. If you need more assistance, let me know.
Hi,
I have a DiamondClean HX9393/93. It is OK, but it sprays water from the mouth all around.
Is there any help?
Hi. When you say it spays water, you mean out of your mouth? If so, perhaps bringing the lips closed together to create less of a gap for water to escape.
A very different subject: My now-deceased husband and I have used Soncicare Electric toothbrush probably since they were initially on the market---he died in '99 and we were using multiple brush heads with a single handle. But our brush heads screw on, not click. I'm now on the second brush handle after several decades and it, too, has a screw-on brush head; a family member just brought home a package from Target, and I could not tell until I opened it that it is not the correct type. How do I purchase the screw-on type that I need for my Sonicare brush handle?
Hi Ann.
If you click here, you should see the screw on style brush heads. I think these are what you are after.
I agree with A Stephenson,; excellent article.
Can you tell me how to mark my toothbrush head and my husbands to differentiate them, please?
My last Oral B toothbrushes (nothing like as good as the Sonicare) had the advantage of coloured rings but I can find no way of identifying mine from his, except by marker pens, which rub off!!!
Many thanks
Hi Gilly,
Pleased to hear you found the article helpful. :-)
Well assuming you are using the same style brush head as your husband, then sadly, to my knowledge there is no easy solution when using the official brush heads.
Your idea of a marker pen is good, but if they rub off not great. Some have opted to put stickers on neck of their brush heads, but I know of not 'better' solution.
Whilst I do not endorse 3rd party brush heads as the best, there are some very good options.
There are the these heads available on Amazon, for Sonicare, but have the coloured rings like Oral-B. I have some of these myself and I would struggle to fault them really for the quality of their overall clean and performance for the price. At the time of writing they are more expensive. I believe I paid around £12ish.
Thank you Jon,
That's helpful, but rather short sighted of Philips!
Gilly
Try a spot of nail polish at the very base of the tooth brush head. Works for us.
What about the rubber, interdental "brush". How is it used, it came with my kit, but I'm not sure what to do with it.
Hi.
Can you give a little more information on the interdental brush you are referring to. What did it come with? Which kit are you referring to?
Yes, after looking closer, its not rubber, it has a small, pointed bristle head. It came with my SonicFX base, and set of brushes. I think they are called "interdental" brushes on their reorder web page.
Hi.
Thanks for the extra information.
This page has all the brush heads available for Philips Sonicare electric toothbrushes, but the brush head you speak of has been supplied by a different brand/toothbrush, made by SonicFX.
I know what type of brush head you now mean as many of the far eastern branded toothbrushes come with these.
The idea is you use it in a similar way that you would an interdental brush such as those made by Tepe if you have ever used one of them.
You place it in-between the teeth to help clean interdental spaces. It depends how helpful you find it, but I have typically found floss or proper interdental brushes to be more effective.
Excellent article. Vastly more useful than Philips' incompetent, opaque website.
Keep the good work up guys.
Thank you! :-)