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Top 13 Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2022

Hanna Rönnqvist

We extensively tested 15 electric toothbrushes and declare the Oral-B Pro 2000 to be our Best Choice. It performs well for its reasonable price, comes with all the necessary functions and efficiently removes plaque and bacterial build-up. Our recommended toothbrush in the premium category is the Oral-B Genius 10000N.

Top 11 Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2022

As one of the best electric toothbrushes on the market, it has many smart accessories and a fun and practical app that will make your brushing even more efficient. The best cheap electric toothbrush that we reviewed is the Oral-B Pro 600, a decent budget brush which is extremely easy to use. With over half the models in our test being made by one manufacturer, our test should help you to compare the Oral-B toothbrushes effectively if you are particularly looking at models from this manufacturer. This will help you to decide which model of electric toothbrush is right for you.

How we did the test

Our tests are independently conducted and reflect the test editor's honest and objective opinions. Selection of products and test results are in no way influenced by manufacturers, retailers or other internal or external parties.

We carried out the tests ourselves and tested all of the toothbrushes as they are intended to be used in reality. A dental hygienist was responsible for deciding the test structure and defining which test parameters should be used. A number of different users took part in the test, including both experienced and inexperienced electric toothbrush users. Children from 2 to 7 years tested the children’s toothbrushes in the test to help us establish which are the best electric toothbrushes for kids. Ultimately, we decided to focus on examining the following parameters:

  • Function: We looked at the type of brushing technique (whether oscillations, rotations or pulses), motor power, brush mode and the design of the brush head. We also looked at any relevant accessories, whether any app support was included, the charging functionality and any included travel kits. Does the electric toothbrush come with a timer? Is this timer built in or external?

  • Use and ergonomics: What is the electric toothbrush like to use in terms of grip, control and accuracy? How well does the handle fit in larger, medium or child size hands? Does the electric toothbrush have useful functions to motivate the user to brush their teeth better? Is the battery rechargeable, and how long is the battery life?

  • Brushing result and feeling of cleanliness: We paid particular focus on difficult-to-reach areas where bacterial film often builds up, especially at the gum line, deeper inside the mouth around the molars and in spaces between the teeth.

We judged the toothbrushes’ value for money on how well the models fulfilled expectations for the above parameters in relation to their price. We kept the electric toothbrushes that performed well for further longer-term testing. In many cases this was for several years and we will continuously add updates to the reviews.

1. Oral-B Pro 2 2000 - BEST CHOICE ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH 2022

A highly effective electric toothbrush that features both the most necessary functions and a modest price

Brush speed: 8000 oscillations/rotations and 40,000 pulses per minute. Brush modes (2): Daily Clean, Gum Care Built-in timer: Yes Pressure sensor: Yes App support: No

Oral-B Pro 2 2000N CrossAction

The Oral-B Pro 2 2000 is the basic model in Braun’s Pro series. Models with a higher serial number may have more accessories, brush heads, app support, timers and brush modes, but ultimately, it's the same electric toothbrush with the same effective motor inside. This makes the Oral-B Pro 2 2000 incredibly good value for money as the “normal” brush mode oscillates, rotates and feels exactly like the significantly more expensive models in the 4000, 5000 and 7000 series. Of course it's fun to experiment with app support and different functions, but our view is that the “normal” brush mode is what most people will use on a daily basis. Apart from this mode, you can activate the “Gum Care” mode by pressing the button once more for a type of massage that pulses in intensity. As with many expensive models from the same manufacturer, this Oral-B electric toothbrush comes with a pressure sensor.

test-eltandborste-braun-oralb

The small round brush head makes it easy to carry out accurate brushing in areas where there is a lot of bacterial build up, such as on the areas closest to the gum line and around the molars. The handle felt comfortable for both large and small hands and a warning lamp flashes if you press too hard. This is a useful function, particularly for new users. If you have a lot of problems with plaque build-up or need extra motivation in your toothbrushing, it could be worth buying a more expensive model with more brush modes, brush heads and app support. However, if you feel that you simply want a really good electric toothbrush for an unbeatable price, the Oral-B Pro 2 2000 delivers exactly that. Due to its balance of performance and price, this is the top electric toothbrush in our test.

Powerful motoreffective on plaque and bacterial filmexcellent results
Few brush modesno app support

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Oral-B Pro 2 3D White Pink Electric Toothbrush

£40.00

Oral B Pro 2 3D White Electric Toothbrush - White - Pink

£44.99

Oral B Oral-B Pro 2 Rechargeable 3DWhite 2000W Electric Toothbrush - Pink

£44.99

2. Oral-B Genius 10000N - BEST PREMIUM BRUSH

Intelligent and practical electric toothbrush that lives up to its name by delivering pleasantly effective tooth cleaning

Pressure sensor: Yes Brush speed: 10,500 oscillations/rotations and 48,000 pulses per minute Brush modes (6): Daily Clean, Pro Clean, Sensitive, Whitening, Gum Massage and Tongue Cleaner Built-in timer: Yes App support: Yes

Oral-B Genius 10000N

With the Oral-B Genius 10000N, that clean mouth feeling you normally only get on the way home from the dentist’s can become an everyday experience. This electric toothbrush has everything – and of course you have to pay accordingly. But rather than an unfortunate expense, the price you pay for a Genius 10000N feels more like an investment in your own oral hygiene.

The Oral B Genius 10000N comes with a complete arsenal of accessories. The travelling case is quite large but also works as a charger, so you don’t usually have to pack that too. The four brush heads include a Floss Action head that makes short work of plaque and other deposits. The toothbrush heads last well, and it’s really instructive to see how the blue bristles fade over time. When they’re more white than blue it’s time to replace the brush head.

The actual process of brushing your teeth is extremely easy. There’s an app to help you get the maximum effect from your toothbrush, and a holder to attach your smartphone to the bathroom wall is included. But even without the app, the Oral B Genius 10000N provides a clear guide to brushing your teeth. A white light shines during use, which changes to red immediately if you press too hard. Flashing lights and audio signals indicate when it's time to change to the other side of your mouth. The on/off button is easy to use, as are the buttons to change between the six different brushing modes.

The power and speed of the Genius 10000N are incredibly impressive. There’s a brushing mode for all occasions, and even if you’re used to an electric toothbrush you’ll experience the results you get from the Oral B Genius 100000N as magical.

Incredibly effective brushingclear signalsuseful accessories
Travelling case is rather large

3. Oral-B Genius 9000

One of the market’s best electric toothbrushes, with many useful accessories

Brush speed: 10,500 oscillations/rotations, 40,000 pulses per minute Brush modes (6): Daily Clean, Deep Clean, Gum Care, Soft, Whitening, Tongue Cleaning Built-in timer: Yes Pressure sensor: Yes App support: Yes

Oral-B Genius 9000 Series

The Oral-B Genius 9000 is a next-generation electric toothbrush. It comes equipped with its own app, which is really well designed and engaging. After a while you may realise that the app has actually made it more enjoyable to brush your teeth. The app shows exactly where in the mouth you should brush, how clean your teeth are and when it’s time to move your brush to another position. You can tailor the brushing to your own personal oral health, either by yourself or in consultation with a dental hygienist or dentist. The Genius 9000 includes a holder for your mobile phone so that you can attach it to the wall or on a mirror to properly see it as you brush. If you really want to personalise your teeth brushing process, you can even change the colour of the lamp built into the brush. It also comes with a travel case, which is handy if you plan on taking the toothbrush with you when you travel. The toothbrush’s charging stand is equipped with a head holder, making it easy for several people in the same household to all use the toothbrush.

If you’re not interested in gadgets, the Oral-B Genius 9000 also has plenty of practical properties to justify its hefty price tag. The brush has a number of different programmes which you can easily cycle through by simply pressing a button. The most useful modes are the ones for normal brushing and for cleaning between teeth. We felt that the modes for polishing and brushing the tongue didn’t have as noticeable an effect.

The motor in the Genius 9000 is strong, with a highly effective 10,500 oscillations/rotations and 40,000 pulses per minute. Even people who have extensive experience of using an electric toothbrush will experience the wow factor of the Oral-B Genius 9000. Our testers said that their mouths had never felt cleaner and that brushing their teeth had never been more entertaining. While the price is high, if you have a substantial budget available the Genius 9000 is an excellent choice and perhaps the best toothbrush available on the market.

Very effectiveuseful accessoriesenjoyable and practical app
High price

4. Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 electric toothbrush, HX6850/57

A stylish sonic toothbrush with UV cleaning for germophobes

Pressure sensor: Yes Brush speed: Up to 62,000 movements per minute Brushing modes (3): Clean, White, Gum Care Built-in Timer: Yes App support: No

Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 HX6850

The ProtectiveClean 5100 comes in a smart black colour and with a good package of basic features. It has three modes and a built-in timer that not only tells you when it’s time to change zones, but also warns you if you’re pressing too hard. It’s a good choice if you want a slightly more advanced toothbrush, but don't require app support or similar luxury features.

Comes with an UV station to kill bacteria and viruses

What stands out about the version that we tested is that in addition to the travel case, it comes with a small UV-light disinfection station for up to two brush heads at a time. We have to admit that no one in our test panel is an out-and-out germophobe but nevertheless the cleaning was tested every time we charged the brush (but not daily, as there’s no power outlet in the bathroom). The panel doesn't get the impression that much is happening with UV lighting, but on the other hand it means that the brush head is in a small “house” and doesn’t get dusty, which can be nice if you use the station daily. The disadvantage is that the charger is 10 times the size of a small single charger without an UV station.

Really effective pressure feedback and good battery life

Unlike cheaper models, the 5100 reacts with a pulsating handle if you apply even slightly too much pressure – a good reminder if you tend to brush too hard. The timer works fine and tells you every 30 seconds when to change the zone. If two users are sharing the same handle, the toothbrush heads will remember the last programme you used, provided you have compatible toothbrush heads – otherwise it’s easy to switch programmes using the handle’s other button.

Generally speaking, the 5100 is a good intermediate-stage brush if you want a more advanced toothbrush than the basic range, but don't want to pay hundreds of pounds extra for app connectivity and similar “luxury features”. If you also appreciate being able to give your brush head regular disinfection, this model is a good choice.

Attractiveclean feelgood feedback on hard pressureUV station
Bulky chargerno app supporton the expensive side

5. Sonicare 9900 Prestige - Electric toothbrush with SenseIQ

Very expensive but luxurious brush for those who want the latest technology such as AI and app

Speed: 62,000 movements per minute Modes: 5 Timer: Yes App: Yes Colours: 2

Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900 HX9992

When it comes to electric toothbrushes, this brush is comparable to a brand new Lexus. Luxurious, fancy – and far from everyone can afford it. But those few lucky people who can get a well-oiled machine that will keep them happy for many years.

Luxurious accessories and stylish buttonless design

Prestige has a stylish, smooth finish, and the buttons have no visible edges. The handle is a little slimmer than on other Philips models, making it both easy to store and flexible. The test specimen has a matte champagne shaded surface, rose gold details, and comes with a really handy travel case that charges your toothbrush while it’s in storage – so you can leave the charging station at home when you travel.

Pairing your toothbrush with your phone can be a little tricky at first, but after an update on the charger, it works flawlessly. The app also works well and keeps statistics on how you brush and for how long, when the toothbrush head should be changed, and logs your “brushing sessions”. You don't need to take your phone with you either – the brushing you do without the app is stored in your toothbrush until you connect again.

In addition to statistics, the app can also guide and give you real-time feedback on your brushing progress. It is clearly visible in the graphics when it is time to switch between the six zones in the mouth (which is also signalled by a short pause in vibrations every 20 seconds) and the toothbrush itself detects which part of the zone you are brushing. This is particularly suitable for competitive people, as it quickly becomes a sport to have all areas of the app’s graphics white. Unfortunately, the feedback does not work 100%, and you may find yourself angling the toothbrush in different directions in the same place in your mouth, trying to get the app to connect – rather than focusing on getting the whole zone as clean as possible.

Multiple cleaning programs and automatic feedback

Philips toothbrushes are sonic, which means that the head does not rotate but vibrates at a high frequency – up to 62,000 vibrations per minute. This can tickle a lot for someone using it for the first time, but if you use it for a few days you get used to it quickly – you can also adjust the intensity down to three levels.

The brush is equipped with AI, which detects if you press too hard and automatically reduces the intensity to protect your enamel. The base of the toothbrush also lights up in different colours if you use the wrong technique, such as pressing too hard or “scrubbing” – it can be felt in the handle and is clearly visible in the bathroom mirror as an effective reminder.

There are five cleaning programs, allowing you to also clean gums, focus extra on removing stains, or extra gentle brushing. Switching between the programs works fine, both on the handle (when you find the invisible button) and in the app.

All in all, the Prestige 9900 is a great toothbrush. It’s stylish, luxurious, and our mouths have never felt as clean as after a White+ program. The price tag is almost shockingly steep, but if you want the most convenient travel case and the most stylish toothbrush, paired with the latest technology in sonic electric toothbrushes, this is the product for you.

Highly effective cleaningsmart apptravel case with wireless charging
Very expensivebrushing feedback does not work perfectly

6. Philips ProtectiveClean 4500

A zingily effective and affordable electric toothbrush

Pressure sensor: Yes Brush speed: 62,000 brush strokes per minute Brush modes (2): Cleaning, White Built-in timer: Yes App support: No

Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4500 HX6830

Just like other Sonicare toothbrushes, the Philips Sonicare Protective Clean offers a truly tingling experience to begin with. The first time use it you actually find yourself wondering whether your mouth should really prickle this much. It’s the sonic brush method that causes this sensation. Fortunately you quickly get used to it, and it soon makes other electric toothbrushes feel like they’re humming half-heartedly in comparison.

The Protective Clean is a slim toothbrush. The design is really attractive and the black colour makes it feel stylish when it’s standing in the bathroom waiting to be used. The toothbrush is also very nice to hold, with sufficient weight to lie perfectly in hand without feeling too heavy.

While the Protective Clean only offers two programs – one for cleaning and one for whiter teeth – the brush is equipped with a function called BrushSync. This means the electric toothbrush synchronises with the toothbrush head you’ve chosen and selects the program on the basis of this (assuming you’re using a toothbrush head for the Sonicare line).

A timer makes sure you brush your teeth for the recommended two minutes and indicates when it’s time to move onto the next part of your mouth. The toothbrush also reminds you when it’s time to change the head, which is useful if you’re the kind of person who tends to forget to do it as often as you should.

This is a good value for money electric toothbrush in the medium segment that effectively cleans your teeth and also looks good in the bathroom. And the tingling sensation is actually really positive after a while.

Attractive designgood value for moneyreminds you to replace brush head
Tingles a lot before you’re used to itonly includes one toothbrush head

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7. Beconfident Sonic Whitening Toothbrush

Effective sonic electric toothbrush that promises whiter teeth

Speed: 38,000 rotations per minute Modes: 5 Timer: Yes App: No

BeconfiDent Sonic Silver Whitening

The Beconfident Sonic Whitening Toothbrush isn’t just a slim electric toothbrush with an attractive design and grip, it also makes your teeth really clean thanks to its 38,000 vibrations per minute. There are two types of electric toothbrushes: oscillating brushes and sonic ones. A sonic toothbrush vibrates and requires you to do the actual brushing movements yourself, while an oscillating brush rotates, which helps to make it quieter during use. The Beconfident Sonic Whitening Toothbrush is a sonic brush, which also means that it tickles a bit when you use it, although you quickly become used to and comfortable with this.

According to the manufacturer, the Beconfident Sonic Whitening Toothbrush will make your teeth whiter, amongst other things by using toothpastes that come from their own brand. Beconfident have five different flavours in their toothpaste range, and if you've got fed up with the normal mint flavour you can try out things like strawberry or coconut.

The Beconfident Sonic Whitening Toothbrush comes with an integrated two-minute timer that reminds you to change brushing zone every 30 seconds. When two minutes have passed, the brush then switches off. We’d have preferred it if the brush continued to run for a little longer when required, rather than having to start it again. Of course it’s entirely possible to restart it, but it’s more likely that once it stops, you’ll just put it back in the bathroom cabinet.

The Sonic Whitening Toothbrush has a very comfortable and slightly slimmer brush head that’s unlike the many round ones available on the market. It sits well in the mouth and feels very comfortable.

The Beconfident Sonic Whitening Toothbrush cleans your teeth wonderfully well, but whether or not they become ‘immediately whiter’, we’ll let you decide for yourself.

Long battery lifegood gripslim brush head
Turns off immediately after completing the 2 minute programme

8. Oral-B Junior

Electric toothbrush without extra features, perfect for younger children

Speed: 28,800 rotations per minute Modes: 1 Timer: Yes App: No

Oral-B Junior 6+

An electric toothbrush for the younger members of your family, the Oral-B Junior allows children to choose between two bright colours – purple and green. Apart from being able to choose a colour, the toothbrush is sparse in terms of features and lacks both an app to connect to a phone and other technical extras. However, such a simple design is not a minus in this case – quite the opposite.

After a few months of testing, it’s pretty clear that children don’t need several different modes on a toothbrush or have any reason to connect one to an app. It’s enough for them just to have a basic brush and use it.

In other tests where children used more advanced electric toothbrushes, they found, for instance, that sonic brushes are too ticklish to use. The Oral-B Junior isn’t sonic, and instead just gives off an electric hum that can sometimes tickle childish noses – but this turns out to largely be a question of habit. The Oral-B Junior can tell if the pressure on the teeth is too great, and softens the movement in response to minimise the brush head's impact on teeth and gums.

Like many other electric toothbrushes, the Oral-B Junior also has an integrated timer. Teeth should be brushed for a total of two minutes, and the toothbrush vibrates when it’s time to move on to the next brushing zone. After emitting a vibration every 30 seconds, it then indicates the end with a few more vibrations, although it keeps running. This is a useful function, as a little extra brushing may sometimes be needed.

Both the young test panel and their parents appreciated the instructive aspect of the built-in time indicator, and brushing has often been extra easy without constant requests to know how much time has elapsed.

For children aged six years and up, the Oral-B Junior is an extremely good electric toothbrush.

Good priceuser-friendlyfeels nice in the mouthworks well
Needs charging a bit too often

9. Philips Sonicare For Kids

A colourful toothbrush that includes stickers, sound signalling functionality and an app to control brushing

Brush speed: 500 brush strokes per second Brush modes (2): 3-6 years, 7 years and upwards Built-in timer: Yes Pressure sensor: Yes App support: Yes Target group: Children’s toothbrush

Philips Sonicare for Kids HX6322

Philips Sonicare For Kids is an electric toothbrush for children that although impressed us in nearly all areas, unfortunately fell short right at the finishing line. With this model it was the design of the actual brush head that we couldn’t get to grips with. It’s always a challenge to brush right to the back of the mouth and the spaces between the teeth. This problem is further complicated in a small child's mouth. Yet in the case of this brush, Philips have chosen to make their brush head rectangular and relatively large. For 2 year olds and smaller children it’s doubtful whether they would even be able to reach the brush head everywhere in their mouth, although it did work better for larger children. For this reason we would have preferred to see a smaller, rounder brush head.

Other than this shortfall, the Philips Sonicare For Kids feels very well designed for its target group. The toothbrush includes a number of stickers so that the child can customise the appearance of the toothbrush. It comes in colours which are bright and cheerful and the chargeable handle works well with different hand sizes. The motor is both strong and effective and the electric toothbrush has a fun music loop that signals when it’s time to change side in the mouth and when to change from the lower to upper teeth. There is also a “Kid Timer” that gradually increases brushing time over the course of 90 days to the recommended time of 2.5 minutes. With this feature children can naturally get used to brushing their teeth for longer and longer. With the Philips Sonicare For Kids, toothbrushing will undoubtedly become both simpler and more enjoyable. If it only had a better-designed brush head it, we would give it top marks.

Quick and effective motorgood sound signalling to control brushingstickers included
Brush head doesn’t feel optimised for a small children's mouths

10. Oral-B Pro 600

A good budget brush, but with a relatively weak motor

Brush speed: 8000 oscillations/rotations and 20,000 pulses per minute. Built-in timer: Yes Pressure sensor: Yes App support: No

Oral-B Pro 600

The Oral-B Pro 600 is an electric toothbrush that will quickly become a faithful companion in your everyday bathroom routine. If you’re primarily interested in a brush that can provide good, thorough brushing and place less value on extra functions, the Pro 600 is a good budget alternative to pricier, more function rich models. The package includes a chargeable handle, a charging station and a brush head. The Pro 600 can also be supplemented with other brush heads and is compatible with heads including Cross Action, Sensitive Clean, Floss Action, 3D White and Trizone. The toothbrush has one brush mode called Daily Clean, which works at 8800 oscillations/rotations and 20,000 pulses per minute.

The Pro 600 has a light indicator showing the battery charge. The use period for a full charge is around 30 minutes, which corresponds to around a 6-7 day battery life if you brush for 2 minutes both morning and evening. The toothbrush also has a mechanical pressure sensor to ensure gentle brushing, combined with a two-minute timer to ensure you use it for the recommended brushing time.

In comparison with the Oral-B Pro 2000 however, the Pro 600 felt like it was running on low batteries. There simply isn’t the same power in the motor. If you are trying to gain an understanding of the differences between Oral-B’s electric toothbrush models, the Pro 600 is a good example of a cheaper toothbrush that works well while lacking many advanced features of its pricier siblings. Despite this it is still much more effective than a manual toothbrush and it does its job faithfully for long periods without losing effectiveness. We therefore recommend the Oral-B Pro 600 to anyone who wants a good electric toothbrush without spending too much on buying one.

Low priceeasy to use
Weak motor compared with more expensive models

11. Oral-B Pro 700

A good budget choice with simple functions, similar to its sister model the Pro 600

Brush speed: 8,800 oscillations/rotations and 20,000 pulses per minute Brush modes (1): Daily Clean Built-in timer: Yes Pressure sensor: Yes App support: No

Oral-B Pro 700 Cross Action

The Oral-B Pro 700 and the slightly cheaper Pro 600 model are confusingly similar. That the price only differs marginally also makes it difficult to understand what distinguishes one electric toothbrush from the other in layman’s terms. Ultimately it seems that the Oral-B Pro 700 features a slightly more updated design. However, on the inside they are both the same. The Pro 700 includes a charging station, chargeable handle and a brush head. The electric toothbrush is compatible with all types of replacement heads from Oral-B, including Cross Action, Sensi Clean, 3D White, Floss Action and TriZone heads.

When the Pro 700 is fully charged, the battery lasts for around a week's use assuming that you brush for about two minutes a time twice a day. The electric toothbrush has a built-in mechanical pressure sensor, one brush mode and a battery indicator on the handle. With 8800 oscillations/rotations and 20,000 pulses a minute the Pro 700 does a reasonable job, compared with the Pro 2000 from Oral-B the motor feels both old and tired. The difference can be heard almost immediately. If you’re looking for a budget model electric toothbrush that provides good value for money, the Pro 600 is a better choice. We don't recommend paying extra for the updated design of the Pro 700. If your budget is a little bigger, we recommend going for Oral-B’s 2000 series in order to get even better value for money.

Good gripeasy to usewell designed brush head
Effectiveness feels a little doubtful compared with other Oral-B models

12. GUM Sonic Daily White

Affordable and easy to use electric toothbrush without charger for those who want to try electric toothbrushes

Speed: 12,000 movements per minute. Modes: 1 Timer: No App: No Colours: 2

GUM Sonic Daily

GUM Sonic Daily looks like a regular toothbrush and runs for up to three months on a standard AAA battery. Brushing cannot fully compete with the more conventional electric toothbrushes, yet it is an affordable entry-level model for anyone who wants to update their manual toothbrush.

Gentle brush head and long battery life

GUM Sonic Daily looks like a regular toothbrush with its slim handle and classic brush head – but with two green, slightly raised buttons in a rubber material on the shaft. The buttons are clearly marked and respond easily when pressed with a clear click when switching the toothbrush on or off.

The brush head is among the best of Sonic Daily. It looks like a fairly classic toothbrush head at first glance, but it has slightly longer bristles that are also tapered at the tip to easily reach hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, such as between teeth and the gumline. The bristles are very soft and feel gentle in the way your dentist would probably recommend while worrying about your erosion injuries. The panel could perhaps have wanted a slightly smaller head, or at least the possibility of adding smaller sized brush heads.

There is no built-in protection against brushing too hard, but due to the soft bristles, the panel still felt that the toothbrush was very gentle on both gums and enamel during use. There are also no brushing programs or timers – you have to keep track of time as you would with manual brushing.

Okay vibrations in a good entry-level electric toothbrush

To be honest, the vibrations were merely OK. They roughly correspond to the middle setting of most adjustable electric toothbrushes the panel tests and, if you are used to an oscillating toothbrush, you probably won't think that this one does its job well enough. However, if you're switching from a manual toothbrush, you will still get a clear improvement from the gentle vibrations, the long soft bristles, and the convenience of a brush that easily fits into your toiletry bag – and lasts 2–3 months on an AAA battery.

Gum Sonic Daily is a great starter brush for anyone who wants to try an electric toothbrush without spending a fortune, or as a travel brush when you don't want to think about a charger. It simplifies brushing by requiring less movement, which is sure to suit both older children and older consumers. Considering the low price of just over 100 SEK (including one battery), we must say that it is an affordable entry-level product for those who have not previously had an electric toothbrush.

Cheapgentle brush headlong battery life
Not the most effective brush

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13. FOREO ISSA 2

Attractively designed electric toothbrush with impressively long battery life

Pressure sensor: No Brush speed: 11,000 pulses per minute Brush modes (1): Daily Clean Built-in timer: Yes App support: No

Foreo ISSA 2 Mint

The FOREO ISSA 2 is lots of things: attractive, compact, waterproof, hypoallergenic and designed in Sweden. But unfortunately there’s one thing it really isn’t – and that’s any good. There’s no doubt that a lot of thought has gone into the idea. But after using it for a while, you have to wonder whether the developers have ever actually put a FOREO ISSA 2 in their own mouths. Because no matter how you use it, the toothbrush head is just too big.

This may not be something you notice immediately, but once a few days have passed you start to feel the deposits building up in all the corners where the ISSA 2 simply can’t reach. Right in behind your back teeth, on the backs of the lower front teeth...unfortunately it’s a long list.

Nor does it make any difference whether you use the completely silicone head or the one with both silicone and PBT polymer bristles. They’re both equally bulky. One brush head even starts to shed bristles when, in desperation, we start to press a little harder during brushing, which is most unpleasant. The fact that the toothbrush heads are so useless is a real shame. Because from the seam downwards, the ISSA 2 has loads of potential.

According to FOREO, one charge lasts for an entire year’s brushing, and everything we’ve seen indicates this is true. The neat size and low weight of the toothbrush together with the incredible battery life mean the ISSA 2 is ideal as a travel toothbrush. It’s also really convenient that you charge it with a cable that goes into the toothbrush itself rather than requiring a bulky charging station. But even this can’t counteract the fact that there's only one brush mode, even if you can adjust the speed.

The FOREO ISSA 2 gets points for the nice colours, for the battery life and for the courage to think differently. But electric toothbrushes are first and foremost about practical use and not about design. If the brush heads aren’t redesigned from the ground up, there’s no reason to even consider buying this electric toothbrush.

Fantastically long battery lifevery lightcan be used in the showerattractive design
Brush head too largedoesn’t clean the teethsilicone bristles can fall out

Everything about Electric toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are an increasingly common sight in the bathroom. Dental health is important and of course we want to do the best we can to make sure we have a fresh mouth and a gleaming smile. The benefits of an electric toothbrush is that they are more effective than a manual toothbrush at promoting good oral hygiene and effectively counteracting caries, plaque and gum disease and inflammation. Compared with manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes can help to combat yellow teeth that may have discolouration or spots from coffee and tobacco and allow you to achieve whiter teeth. Electric toothbrushes are also great for teenagers or adults with braces, as they are much better at removing plaque which can build up around them than manual toothbrushes.

With a manual toothbrush it can feel like you have to stand there for an age when you're brushing your teeth. In contrast to this, the majority of electric toothbrushes have some form of built-in timer which helps you brush your teeth for the correct amount of time recommended by dentists. Cheaper variants often have fewer refinements and accessories. Do you really need all these modern features? Of course it's an individual choice. While it may be tempting to pick up an electric toothbrush for under £20, if you've decided to invest in better dental health a higher priced multi-functional model could be a wiser choice towards making brushing your teeth both more enjoyable and more effective. For those with sensitive teeth, an electric toothbrush with more modes and power levels could be more at successful at minimizing the underlying dental problems which often cause tooth sensitivity, such as receding gums.

The difference between Oral-B and Philips

Clinical findings show that battery-powered electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual toothbrushes. We have only tested electric toothbrushes from the biggest brands; Oral-B, which is manufactured by Braun, and Philips. Both claim to be the most recommended by dentists and dental hygienists and come with their own pros and cons.

There are a number of differences in the techniques used by these electric toothbrushes. Oral-B toothbrushes pulse and rotate in an oscillating movement, while Philips toothbrushes vibrate in a sonic, pulsing movement which stimulates the saliva. The brushing feel is different and which you prefer will be a personal choice. Both techniques are gentle and effective at removing plaque and bacterial film, producing a cleaner and fresher feeling in the mouth than a manual toothbrush.

Many of Oral-B’s toothbrushes are available to buy in a twin pack, which is perfect if you are couple or buying them for your children. Both Oral-B and Philips toothbrushes are able to accommodate many types of replacement head refills, such as those with a rounded head or with extra soft bristles for sensitive teeth. Some third party companies develop eco-friendly heads which are compatible with both models.

Brushing technique

Your brushing technique is important to ensure that your teeth cleaning is good for your gums and wider dental health. Brush your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride twice a day for two minutes. Move the electrical toothbrush gently and slowly from tooth to tooth. Don't scrub, rather allow the toothbrush to do the work for you. Pause for a little while on each tooth before moving on. First brush the outside of the teeth, then the inside. Be extra careful at the gum line where plaque and bacterial film often build up. End with the biting surfaces of the side teeth. All electric toothbrushes in the test are guaranteed to use the correct brushing pressure. According to the manufacturer's instructions you should change the brush head with a replacement head every three months.

Supplement your brushing with dental floss or toothpicks and a tongue scraper to counteract caries, periodontitis and bad breath.

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