Waterpik Cordless Slide review

The unique, collapsible functionality works surprisingly well

Typically, water flossers are too large to travel with. Even cordless models, which are more convenient than countertop models, can be bulky. In the Slide, Waterpik has come up with a solution that does a good job of addressing this. 

The Slide collapses down to a size that is 50% smaller than its expanded footprint, measuring 5.7 x 1.8 x 2.25 inches. That is a similar size (albeit a bit thicker) than a typical smartphone.

For comparison's sake, the Waterpik Cordless Advanced measures 11.6 x 2.8 x 4 inches and is over 4 ounces heavier.

Now, you could be forgiven for thinking that this would come with a compromise in performance, but honestly, it doesn’t. There are some trade offs, but not to the point that they are off-putting. If you travel a lot, it’s worth disregarding them. 

The flossing time is a bit less than other models - you’ll probably need to refill to complete your clean

Due to its smaller tank, the Slide has a smaller capacity than other models. It offers around 38 seconds of usage time on the highest pressure setting and 46 seconds on the lowest. 

For proficient users, this might just be enough flossing time. For many it will mean refilling the tank to achieve a thorough clean. For example, you may need to fill it once to do your top row of teeth and once to do the bottom. For me, this isn’t a big deal. 

By comparison, the Cordless Advanced gives 45 to 65 seconds of usage. Depending on how good you are with the flosser, you may still need to fill this twice for each session. The downside of the Advanced (and most other flossers) is that it isn’t as portable.

The nozzle doesn’t rotate, but you can work around it

Once the nozzle is placed, it is fixed. You can’t rotate it at all.

This can make it a little more challenging to position the flosser tip to reach all areas of the mouth.

Subsequently, you have to twist and tilt the body to position the tip accordingly. When the water in the tank is running out this can lead to an inconsistent water flow.

Most other water flossers, including Waterpiks, do offer some option of rotation. The Panasonic EW-DJ10 does, but not easily. And the ease of which nozzles rotate does vary from one model to another.

It is possible to eject and reposition the nozzle so the tip is at a different angle. But there are limited options and this is an inconvenient approach.

Overall, nozzle rotation is something that can enhance your experience, but it’s not a huge factor. Again, go for the Slide if you really need something that doesn’t take up much space, either at home or when traveling. If space-saving isn’t such a big deal, give strong consideration to the Waterpik Cordless Advanced.

The main trade-offs aren’t deal-breakers

Compared to other flossers, the Slide’s main trade-offs are its shorter flossing time and the lack of a rotating nozzle. These aren’t major issues though, and the cleaning results are just as good as the other Waterpik models I have tested. Like many of Waterpik’s products, the Slide is approved by the American Dental Association. 

I've used many Waterpik flossers and have been impressed by the cleaning results. In fact, brand aside, few water flossers fail to perform satisfactorily. 

Given its unique form factor, the Slide’s compromises can be overlooked for the convenience it offers. 

Do bear in mind most dental professionals promote interdental brushes and string floss over water flossers. Or using a water flosser in addition to these for optimum results. 

Although, water flossing alone is better than not cleaning between the teeth at all. Just be sure to master the technique for your own benefit.

It’s one of the quieter models when in use

The noise level isn’t a factor I would prioritize when buying a water flosser, but if you are trying to be as quiet as possible, the Slide is a good choice.

The lowest pressure setting has a decibel reading of approximately 62dB.

At full power, this rises to 71dB. 

It will increase to about 75dB once the tank is empty and the pump is still running.

The water tank is easy to clean and dry

A common complaint of water flossers is the challenge of drying out the water tank and keeping it clean.

With the Slide, you can actually pull the 2 pieces apart from each other so the tank can be easily washed and dried.

A particularly small, but clever touch is the reservoir door. Hinged from the top, it allows the maximum amount of excess water to be drained out of the tank without taking the flosser apart.

Other models are often hinged the other way. This usually results in a lip that makes it harder to remove remaining water.

A handy travel plug and case come with the Pro model

Both the standard and Pro model come with a small but particularly handy accessory. Called a ‘travel plug’, the small piece of plastic clips into where the nozzle sits. It helps prevent any residual water escaping.

With the Professional model only you also get get a basic but functional drawstring pouch case. This allows you to store and protect the flosser when on the go. It’s made from a durable wipe clean material, ideal for a water flosser.

The nozzles and even the charging cable can be stowed inside.

There is no nozzle specific case. Nor can the nozzles be stored inside the Slide, like you can with the Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 or the Panasonic EW-DJ10.

It looks stylish and feels fairly good in hand

I think the Professional variant looks particularly good, although the slightly squarer design works for and against it.

Even though the edges are rounded, the squarer design can feel a bit more angular in hand, which may not feel as good. That said, it can aid with grip.

The standard Slide and models like the Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 feel smoother in the palm because of the rounded body of the handpiece.

Whilst function is most important, having a choice of colors gives the flosser a bit more personality and makes me feel more inclined to use it. It’s nice it isn’t just your standard white color choice here.

The 3 different pressure settings offer more than enough power for those wanting a gentle or intense clean

You can choose between 3 different pressure settings, low, medium or high.

The lowest is 50PSI with the highest being 80PSI.

The highest setting is slightly lower than you might get on a countertop unit, but comparable to most other cordless models. It is more than powerful enough. More power doesn’t equal a better clean, technique has a big part to play.

3 different LEDs on the flosser light up to show which pressure setting has been chosen. The size of the LED is smaller or larger too depending on the pressure chosen. They are stacked, low to high, so the largest LED is the highest setting, immediately below the power button.

Models like the Cordless Advanced have text under each LED to make it really clear which setting is selected. Other models illuminate all LEDs when the highest mode is chosen.

Each approach works, but I think the text labels make it clearer.

Keep pressing the power button to cycle through the pressure settings

A single press of the flat power button will turn the unit on.

It will default to the last setting used.

Press it again to change the pressure setting. The unit will cycle through the modes when the button is pressed (within 5 seconds of being turned on).

If it’s been on for more than 5 seconds you need to give a slightly longer press to begin going through the modes. During normal usage, press and hold it for about 2 seconds to turn the unit off. It does not automatically power off when the water tank has drained.

The thumb falls fairly naturally to the button. Although it lacks texture, the break around the button signals to the fingertip exactly where it is. It is neither too stiff or too soft and gives reasonable feedback when pressed. It doesn’t provide any audible clicks.

3 different styles of nozzle tips are included to suit individual needs

Included in the box are 3 different styles of nozzle.

It is the classic high pressure tip that is best suited to most people. 

The orthodontic and plaque seeker tip suit those with more specific needs.

The ortho tip has bristles that help disrupt plaque and clean debris off of fixed dental appliances such as braces.

The plaque seeker tip has bristles too. They are longer and engineered to clean more effectively around dental implants and bridges.

Any of Waterpik's range of tips can be used on the Slide if you choose. You will just need to purchase them separately.

It’s recommended that you replace the classic high pressure tip every 6 months, or every 3 for the other tip types.

It’s worth paying $10 more for the Professional model

There are 2 different versions of the Slide, the standard and the Professional model.

The differences are relatively subtle. But for the approx $10 premium, the Professional variant shown throughout is the one we would pick. You get an extra nozzle, travel case and more color choices.

The key differences are:

• Price
  • Standard - $79.99
  • Professional $89.99
• Design & colors
  • Standard
    • More rounded design
    • White (WF-16W010)
  • Professional
    • Squarer design with chrome accents
    • White (WF-17CD010-1)
    • Blue (WF-17CD013-4)
    • Modern gray (WF-17CD017-1)
• Travel case
  • A travel bag is included with the Professional
• Nozzles/tips
  • Standard - 3 (1 x classic high pressure, 1 x orthodontic & 1 x plaque seeker).
  • Professional - 4 (2 x classic high pressure, 1 x orthodontic & 1 x plaque seeker) 
• Size
  • Standard - 11.25 inches high x 1.9 wide x 2.4 deep
  • Professional - 11.25 inches high x 1.8 wide x 2.25 deep. 

Over 3 years the Slide will cost about $100 - comparable to other top flossers

The retail price of the Cordless Slide Professional is $89.99.

You can save $10 if you opt for the standard model.

Personally, I think the extra $10 is justified to gain the travel pouch and choice of colors.

Over the space of 3 years, we estimate the total cost of the Slide to be about $100 to $110. This accounts for the $10-20 discount that is often possible on retail prices and includes replacement nozzles, which typically cost $10 per 2 pack.

The price is comparable to the likes of the Cordless Advanced and Sonicare’s Cordless 3000, which are the main recommendations from our best cordless water flosser list..

Panasonic’s EW-DJ10 does work out about $20 cheaper. The main difference between them is that the EW-DJ10 uses replaceable batteries.

You can get similar products to the Slide for almost half as much, but they aren’t from established brands. This means they don’t have the long term history and may not be as reliable. Replacement parts can also be harder to source. 

You should get a month’s use from a single charge

Assuming you use this once a day, you will get about 30 days of use on a full charge of the battery according to Waterpik.

The exact usage time will vary depending on the pressure setting and how many times you refill the tank.

But, for most users, you are going to be getting up to about a month's use, which is pretty good.

In my testing, I achieved slightly longer than this. Using the highest setting I got 30 minutes or approximately 39 flossing sessions.

It takes about 4 hours to fully charge the lithium-ion battery, which is not designed to be user replaceable.

The USB type-c charger adds convenience

The Slide has on the rear of the unit a USB type-c charging connector. This is convenient because these cables are common these days — they are used on many smartphones and other electrical products. 

The only other unit I have seen this connector on so far is the Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000.

A USB type-A male to USB type-c male cable is provided in the box. You don’t get a power brick/adapter included. You will need to use or source your own.

There is a flexible rubber cover that goes over the port when not in use to protect against water ingress. There is a good degree of flexibility in this and little chance of it being damaged. It can’t be lost as it is physically attached to the flosser.

The notification LED lets you know when the charge is running low

When connected to power, an LED above the battery icon will emit a slow pulsing glow (on and then off). 

Once the unit is fully charged the LED will remain on (a solid white light) until the charger is disconnected. 

When the battery is in need of charging (approximately 30% charge left) the charge indicator light emits a rapid triple blink during and after use.

This is a fairly standard feature for water flossers and nothing to shout about, but it worked well in my testing.

The water resistant design means you can use it in the shower

The Cordless Slide will get wet when in use, there is no avoiding this. But, for those who like to floss when in the shower, the good news is the Slide is water resistant.

It’s not designed to sink to the bottom of the bathtub, but it is protected from ingression from a running tap or shower. Just be sure the cover over the charging port is securely sealed before using it.

My thoughts on reliability and repairability

2 years (24 months) of warranty is supplied as standard with the Cordless Slide.

This is pretty average and to be expected of a product of this type and price.

Waterpik does offer 3 year warranties on some other models, it would have been nice if the Slide was one.

Whilst no product is infallible, Waterpik flossers are on the whole reliable. I’ve got no major concerns from using it myself. 

It would be better if you could repair it yourself if required, but the sealed design prohibits this. It isn’t a sustainable approach but one that has to be balanced with the safety of an electronic product used with water.

To prolong the life, be sure to check the charging port cover is securely seated after each recharge and ensure you clean and dry it thoroughly.

Environmental impact

The Cordless Slide comes packaged in a small box, about half the size of most water flossers, because it is collapsed inside the box.

No power brick is provided, cutting down on electronic components. And although a charging cable is included, it is USB type-c. This means it will likely be usable with a number of other products you own, such as a smartphone. It isn't specific to the Slide.

The actual box was plain and simple and much more environmentally considerate than others too.

The inclusion of additional tips feels a bit wasteful. This is because not all will make use of these as they are circumstance specific.

It would be good if the Slide had been designed to be repairable, should it be required. Unfortunately, things like the battery can’t be replaced by yourself, without damaging the unit.

Tips are made from petroleum based plastic and there are no schemes to recycle these. With good care it's possible to use the classic jet tips for longer than the recommended 6 months.