Waterpik WP-360 Review

Design, usability, clean & general use

A more entry level cordless water flosser this is.  It does not offer quite the same level of features and benefits as the likes of the much more expensive Cordless Advanced WP-560 flosser.

In some respects this unit has been built to a price and it is not the best representation of quality and what is possible.

But, in its defense, it does what it is meant to and cleans the teeth and along the gumline well.

Waterpiks clinical research pages show just how effective it is.

Added reassurance comes from the fact that this and other Waterpik flossers have been awarded their ‘Seal of Acceptance’.

To achieve such accreditation, the product must demonstrate efficacy according to requirements developed by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.

Failing to clean properly between the teeth and gums can lead to a buildup of bacteria and plaque that in time, can  turn can result in gum disease.

The cordless flosser removes bacteria deep between teeth and below the gumline where brushing and traditional flossing can’t always reach.  The flow of water offers a varying pressure of 45 to 75 PSI that will massage and stimulate the gums to improve circulation and keep them strong and healthy.

The unit comes in one color option only, White, with the Blue water reservoir that sits on the back of the handle.

The unit looks fairly smart, if a little dated in the design.  There are more shapely models available.

At the end of the day, it is about doing a job and that is does.

At the very top of the unit is where the interchangeable tips or nozzles as I call them fit into.

They clip in place and are released via an eject button that sits at the very top of the front of the unit.

When clipped in place, the mechanism these tips sit in can be rotated, a full 360 degrees.

You will see a series of ridges on the circular ring where the tip fits.  These ridges provide grip and contact points to twist the nozzle into the perfect angle for flossing.

On the front of the handle is a small Blue panel.

There are 3 buttons within this panel, all of which are raised for easy recognition by the fingers and thumbs.

The top button is the eject/release for the nozzle, whilst a power on and power off sit below.

Labels for the on and off button are located to the right hand side.

Roughly halfway down the handle there is a slight kink as the body of the unit extends out slightly to accommodate the water reservoir on the back.

The unit is thicker at the bottom that it is at the top.

It has a wide base and will sit upright on a countertop.

Towards the bottom of the unit is the proprietary charging port, into which the supplied charging cable fits.

At the bottom, the White plastic construction stops and changes to the Blue colored plastic that forms the water reservoir on the back of the unit.

The water tank is detachable from the main unit and has a lid at the top that you open to fill with the water.

It is a tricky balance between size and portability.

The WP-360 measures in as:

• Height (with nozzle) – 11.90 Inches (30.22 Cm)
• Width – 1.82 Inches (4.62 Cm)
• Thickness – 3.00 Inches (7.62 Cm)
• Weight (with nozzle) – 3.00 Inches (7.62 Cm)

This water tank holds 5oz/150 ml which is about enough for 30 seconds of usage.

For most this is not enough to floss properly.

Many, myself included, typically want 45-60 seconds worth, so you could find you feel the same and have to refill the tank each time you use it.

This consequently can affect the battery life.

The lack of built-in timer and pacer also means it’s up to you, to ensure an even clean across the teeth and gums.

Unless you particularly need cordless, a countertop solution could be the one to go for.

The size does too mean it is not great for popping in a bag if you go away.  Frequent travellers may become frustrated by having to take the power cord too, due to the 7 day battery life and the lack of travel case.

But then again, this is not the most expensive flosser, so this is in part to be expected.

The fact the unit has a water tank plays a part too.  There is only so small it can be.

In the box comes 2 different nozzles or tips.

They are:

• 1 x High pressure jet tip (JT-450E)
• 1 x Low pressure jet tip (JT-360E)

As the names imply, depending on which you use will depend on the amount of pressure delivered through to your teeth and gums.

These are just 2 from a range of different tips available.

Other options, available for purchase separately include:

• Classic Jet Tip (JT-100E) – For general use offering twice as effective results than string.
• Toothbrush Tip (TB-100E) – For brushing and flossing at the same time.
• Plaque Seeker Tip (PS-100E) – Ideal for those with implants, crowns, bridges or veneers targeting plaque in hard to reach areas.
• Orthodontic Tip (OD-100E) – Great for those with braces offering up to 3 times more effectiveness than traditional floss.
• Pik Pocket Tip (PP-100E) – Delivering medicament and rinsing deep below the gumline those with periodontal pockets and fucations benefit most here.
• Tongue Cleaner Tip (TC-100E) – Freshens the breath by removing bacteria from the tongue’s surface.

The jet tips generally last about 6 months each, whilst the other more specialist ones last about 3 months.

A pack of 2 often costs $10, so $5 per tip.

From the moment you press that on button water will be pumped out through the jet tip, so be sure to place it in the mouth before turning it on.

It will take some time to perfect the technique and it can be quite messy the first few go’s, but you will get the hang of it.

Traditional string floss can often feel a more harsh and aggressive cleaning option, particularly in tight gaps.

Water flossing feels much softer and the rotating nozzle allows for a finer degree of control.

The unit itself if not water resistant, so should not be used in the shower.

Whilst the WP-360 does the job, the WF-03 from Waterpik is perhaps a better buy.

That model does use removable AA batteries, but comes with different pressure settings as well as a travel case.  Build quality feels a bit better too.

If you really want to invest, there is the Advanced Cordless, but this is very expensive, even though it does offer some benefits.  Read our review of that for more info.