Best Sonic Toothbrushes

• The most important facts in brief
• Sonic toothbrushes are a special type of electric toothbrush with an elongated brush head and strong vibration.
• They clean the teeth particularly thoroughly and gently at the same time.
• Sonic toothbrushes achieve up to 60,000 vibrations per minute. That is 100 times more than you can produce on average with a manual toothbrush.
• The most important selection criteria are the oscillations per minute, the available cleaning programmes, the handling and the battery life.
• Practical additional features are a timer, various cleaning programmes and a pressure control.

Optimal dental care thanks to sound

Clean, well-groomed teeth are not only important for our outward appearance, but above all for our health. Our oral health has a significant influence on our entire body. Studies have shown, for example, that there is a correlation between gum inflammation and cardiovascular disease. This makes regular and thorough dental hygiene all the more important. An essential part of this is brushing your teeth.

What is a sonic toothbrush?

In addition to simple manual toothbrushes and classic electric toothbrushes with oscillating-rotating brush heads, you can also find so-called sonic toothbrushes on the market. In contrast to oscillating-rotating toothbrushes, models with sonic technology do not have a round but an elongated brush head, similar to that of a typical manual toothbrush. They are also powered by a sonic transducer rather than an electric motor. It ensures that the brush head vibrates at a relatively high frequency of 250 to 300 Hertz. The high-frequency vibration of the sonic toothbrush causes the individual bristles to vibrate, which in turn mechanically clean the teeth. Depending on the model, 25,000 to 60,000 vibrations per minute are generated. In comparison, a manual toothbrush produces an average of 600 brush movements per minute. With a sonic toothbrush, you clean your teeth many times more thoroughly than with an ordinary manual toothbrush.

In terms of its structure, the sonic toothbrush does not differ from the classic electric toothbrush. It also consists of a handpiece on which the controls are located, a charging station and an attachment brush. Just like a manual toothbrush, you need to replace the attachment brush regularly, about every three months, to ensure hygienic brushing.

The different cleaning technologies

Electric toothbrushes generally clean the teeth more thoroughly than a manual toothbrush would. However, not all electric toothbrushes are the same. The different models can be divided into rotating-oscillating toothbrushes, sonic toothbrushes and ultrasonic toothbrushes. The three types differ mainly in the frequency of their vibrations and the resulting cleaning effect.

Healthier teeth thanks to electric toothbrushes
In a long-term study, scientists from the University of Greifswald examined the connection between electric toothbrushing and periodontitis, caries and the number of teeth present. They were able to show that electric toothbrushes are most beneficial for maintaining good oral health. They are associated with a reduced progression of periodontitis and more preserved teeth.

Oscillating-rotating toothbrushes: Perfect for getting started

Compared to ultrasonic and sonic toothbrushes, round-head toothbrushes are inexpensive. Simple entry-level models are already available for under ten euros. Expensive models such as the ORAL-B Genius X Luxe Edition cost up to 300 euros.

Ultrasonic toothbrushes: The high-end variant

The terms ultrasonic toothbrushes and sonic toothbrushes are often used synonymously. However, this is simply wrong. It is true that both versions are visually similar as further developments of the classic electric toothbrush. However, unlike sonic toothbrushes, ultrasonic toothbrushes work with real ultrasound. This technology enables up to 96 million bristle vibrations per minute. Unlike sonic and rotary toothbrushes, it is not the bristles that are responsible for cleaning the teeth, but the ultrasound.

Sonic toothbrushes: The happy medium

Unlike the ultrasonic toothbrush, with a sonic toothbrush you do not need any special toothpaste or brushing technique. You let the elongated brush head glide over the tooth surfaces with little pressure. In this way, you clean your teeth not only more thoroughly, but also more gently than with a manual or rotary toothbrush.

In terms of price, sonic toothbrushes are also in between the rotary and ultrasonic toothbrushes. Inexpensive models are available from around 40 euros, about four times the price of an inexpensive rotary toothbrush and less than half the price of an inexpensive ultrasonic toothbrush. For a high-priced sonic toothbrush, like the models in the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean series, you pay up to 230 euros. Another advantage of sonic toothbrushes is that they use less electricity than rotary and ultrasonic toothbrushes and therefore need to be recharged less often.

Who is a sonic toothbrush suitable for?

Sonic toothbrushes are a better alternative to manual and rotary toothbrushes because they are more thorough and gentle on the teeth. Because sonic toothbrushes exert little pressure, they are ideal for people who suffer from sensitive teeth, sensitive gums or even gum inflammation (periodontitis). Those who wear fixed braces also benefit from a model with sonic technology, as it allows them to thoroughly clean even the hard-to-reach areas. Even with a crown, bridge or implants, you can use a sonic toothbrush without any problems. However, you should wait for the healing phase.

For children, dentists recommend brushing with a manual toothbrush until they are four years old. Some manufacturers offer sonic toothbrushes for children as young as two or three years old.

Special sonic toothbrushes for children
Sonic toothbrushes for children are characterised by a smaller, narrower handle that fits well in children’s delicate hands. The brush head is also slightly smaller than that of a sonic toothbrush for adults. In addition, children’s toothbrushes are usually equipped with additional features suitable for children, such as flashing lights that make brushing teeth more exciting.

Important selection criteria

The various sonic toothbrushes on the market differ, among other things, in the frequency at which they vibrate, battery life, ease of use and, of course, price. While inexpensive models are usually limited to the basic functions, high-priced sonic toothbrushes often come with some additional features such as a timer or UV disinfection.

How fast does the sonic toothbrush vibrate?

The number of vibrations that the brush head completes in one minute is decisive for the cleaning performance of the sonic toothbrush. The faster the brush head and bristles vibrate, the more thoroughly they remove deposits from the teeth. On average, sonic toothbrushes achieve between 25,000 and 60,000 vibrations per minute. A sonic toothbrush should not vibrate less than 20,000 times per minute. Manufacturers usually state the number of vibrations in the product information in vibrations per minute. For example, the Oral-B Pulsonic Slim Luxe 4200 sonic toothbrush reaches more than 31,000 vibrations per minute, according to the manufacturer, while the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean HX9359/89 vibrates twice as fast at 62,000 vibrations per minute.

The type of brush head

Not only the shape and length of the brush head, but also the arrangement, number, density, length and hardness of the bristles play a role in oral hygiene. Many manufacturers, including Philips, have different brush heads for special requirements in their range. These include, for example, the following:

• Brush heads with narrow and specially curved bristles for thorough plaque removal.
• Compact brush heads with soft side bristles for healthier gums
• Dense, specially arranged bristles for whiter teeth
• Smaller brush heads with soft bristles for children
• Extra soft bristles for sensitive gums and teeth
• Extra-long bristles for optimal cleaning of interdental spaces
• Flexible micro bristles for cleaning the tongue

Handling and handle

A good sonic toothbrush is easy and comfortable to use. This includes comprehensible operating instructions that explain all the important features. Usually, the operation of an electric toothbrush is not too complex, but is limited to one to three buttons for switching on and off and for selecting the cleaning programme.

Disinfection with UV light
UV disinfection is suitable for combating many germs on the brush head. The UV light kills microorganisms by damaging their DNA. Moreover, this type of cleaning leaves no chemical traces.

Battery life and charge indicator

Most modern sonic toothbrushes are rechargeable toothbrushes with a built-in lithium-ion battery, but there are also battery-powered models. For the latter, the use of rechargeable batteries is recommended.

Rechargeable toothbrushes typically come with a charging station on which they can be placed. When it comes to the battery, you should pay attention to the runtime and charging time when choosing your model. It usually takes between three and four hours to fully charge, and the runtimes vary greatly depending on the model. For example, the battery of the Phillips Sonicare EasyClean sonic toothbrush lasts up to 200 minutes when fully charged. If you use the brush three times a day for two minutes each, you can use it for around a month before it needs to be recharged. The sister model Sonicare ProtectiveClean vibrates twice as fast in comparison and accordingly consumes more battery, so that one charge is only enough for up to two weeks.

A long battery life is especially important if you want to take your sonic toothbrush on longer trips without having to carry the charger with you. Sonic toothbrushes that can be charged via a USB port are ideal for this purpose. A suitable micro-USB charger, e.g. for charging a smartphone, is usually in your luggage anyway. Another practical feature is a charge level indicator, usually an LED light that flashes to alert you to a low battery level.

Protecting the battery for a longer life
Humid air and temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius damage the battery and shorten its life. Therefore, you should ensure sufficient ventilation in the bathroom or store the battery in another room.

What cleaning programmes does the sonic toothbrush have?

Not only are there various brush heads for different needs, many sonic toothbrushes also come with several cleaning modes. The basic equipment includes a standard cleaning programme that reliably removes food residues and plaque from your teeth. If your teeth or gums are sensitive, we recommend an additional sensitive care programme for particularly gentle brushing. A gum massage programme can also be useful in this case. Common cleaning programmes, especially in higher-priced models, include a tooth whitening mode, a polishing programme, a deep cleaning programme and a tongue cleaning mode.

Useful features and accessories

Especially higher-priced sonic toothbrushes are equipped with several additional features in addition to several cleaning modes. A very useful feature is the so-called pressure control. This is a sensor that senses how hard you hold the toothbrush against your teeth. If you press too hard, the motor stops or a warning signal sounds, depending on the model. A timer that signals when you have reached the optimum brushing time of two minutes is also useful. In addition, some sonic toothbrushes have a quadrant timer that tells you exactly how long you have to brush each half of the jaw (quadrant). Some models also tell you when it’s time to change the brush head.

How much does a sonic toothbrush cost?

In terms of price, sonic toothbrushes are roughly between inexpensive rotary models and expensive ultrasonic toothbrushes. However, there are also sometimes large price differences between the various models with sonic technology. Simple sonic toothbrushes without many frills, for example the Philips Sonicare EasyClean HX6511/22 or the Fairywill Electric Toothbrush, are available from around 40 euros. In the mid-price segment, you will find sonic toothbrushes with some useful additional features such as different cleaning modes, timer and pressure control, for example the Oral-B Pulsonic Slim Luxe 4200, for 80 to 150 euros. Luxury variants with numerous additional features and in a noble design, such as the Philips HX 9396/89 Diamond Clean in the colour rosé gold, are available for prices up to over 200 euros.

Don’t forget the follow-up costs

When choosing your sonic toothbrush, you should bear in mind that you not only spend money on the toothbrush, but also have to buy replacement brushes regularly. The prices for replacement brush heads vary depending on the manufacturer and the type of brush. In general, standard brush heads are cheaper than special brushes. Depending on the brand, a standard brush costs between two and five euros. Buying larger packs, such as ten instead of two brush heads, can sometimes save you money thanks to quantity discounts. There are also cheaper imitation products for some brand-name toothbrushes. However, experience shows that these are of lower quality than the original toothbrushes.

The right way to use a sonic toothbrush

How much toothpaste do I use with the sonic toothbrush? How much pressure should or may I use? How do I keep my sonic toothbrush clean and when is it time to change the brush head? The following tips will help you to use your sonic toothbrush correctly.

What should I pay attention to when brushing with a sonic toothbrush?

2. Less toothpaste is more: a dab is usually enough.
3. Spread the toothpaste in your mouth before brushing.
4. Do not switch on the toothbrush until it is in your mouth and after you have spread the toothpaste.
5. Do not scrub and apply little pressure. The toothbrush does most of the work itself.
6. Get into the habit of brushing your teeth regularly so that you don’t forget any spots.
7. Always brush from the gum to the tooth (from red to white).
8. Brush each tooth for about three to four seconds.
9. In total, the optimal brushing time is two to three minutes.

Cleaning the sonic toothbrush

You should also clean your toothbrush completely at least once a week. To do this, remove the brush head from the handpiece and rinse the underside with warm water. You should also thoroughly rinse the metal shaft on the handpiece onto which the brush is attached. Then clean the entire handpiece with a damp cloth.

How often should I change the brush head?

For good oral hygiene, it is necessary to replace the manual toothbrush with a new one at regular intervals. This is partly because of germs and partly because the bristles wear down, which reduces the cleaning power. The same applies to electric toothbrushes. However, you don’t have to replace the entire toothbrush, but only the attachment brush. You should replace it about every three months, or at the latest when the bristles start to stick out in all directions.

General tips for healthy teeth

As the basis of oral and dental hygiene, brushing cannot be replaced by any other measure. Experts recommend brushing your teeth for two to three minutes at least twice a day, ideally after each meal. In addition, the following tips will help promote and maintain the health of your teeth:

• Use toothpaste with fluoride to strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay.
• Harden teeth with chewable foods such as apples and nuts.
• Chew sugar-free gum on the go after meals to clean teeth.
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks to reduce the risk of plaque.
• Have your teeth checked regularly by a dentist, ideally twice a year.

Sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes have the advantage of cleaning even the hard-to-reach spaces between teeth. To be on the safe side, it is still advisable to use dental floss, an oral irrigator or an interdental brush in addition to the toothbrush.

Popular manufacturers and models

Are you looking for a sonic toothbrush with special cleaning programmes, extra features or accessories? Below we present some popular models or manufacturers or series and their special features.

Phillips Sonicare DiamondClean – the premium toothbrushes

Sonicare DiamondClean is a sonic toothbrush series by Philips that features a particularly flexible brush head for optimal plaque removal. Models in the series cost over 200 euros and are thus in the upper price segment. However, this is also reflected in their features. With 62,000 vibrations per minute, the brush head also vibrates comparatively quickly. DiamondClean brushes come with five cleaning programmes:

• The standard Clean programme
• The Deep Clean programme
• The gum massage mode Gum Care
• The gentle Sensitive mode
• White mode for whiter teeth

According to Philips, the battery of the DiamondClean models lasts up to three weeks. Very stylish: you can charge the toothbrush in the toothbrush glass provided or on the go in the stylish travel case.

Philips Sonicare EasyClean – ideal for beginners

The Philips Sonicare EasyClean series does not offer quite as much luxury as the DiamondClean models, but it is more affordable and optimised for the needs of beginners. Among other things, EasyClean toothbrushes come with a so-called Easy-Start function, with which you slowly get used to brushing with a sonic toothbrush. Over 14 applications, the toothbrush slowly increases the brushing intensity. In addition to a standard cleaning programme, a two-minute and a quadrant timer are also included. In terms of speed, EasyClean models are similar to DiamondClean toothbrushes: they also achieve up to 62,000 oscillations per minute. Priced at less than 100 euros, EasyClean brushes cost less than half as much as DiamondClean models.

Oral-B Pulsonic Slim – slim and light brushes in the mid-price segment.

The Oral-B Pulsonic Slim series is characterised by a very slim and light handpiece. This means that the sonic toothbrushes fit comfortably in the hand and are also ideal for travelling, as they do not add unnecessary weight to your luggage. Pulsonic Slim brushes are available in three versions:

Pulsonic Slim 1100 with two cleaning modes and 27,000 vibrations per minute.
Pulsonic Slim One with two cleaning modes and 31,000 oscillations per minute
Pulsonic Slim Luxe with three cleaning modes and more than 31,000 oscillations per minute
All three variants have an integrated two-minute timer and a battery life of up to two weeks. With prices between 80 and 130 euros, the Oral-B models are in the mid-price segment.

Happybrush – sustainable materials and fair prices

The Happybrush brand focuses on effective cleaning, modern design, sustainable materials and fair prices. Among other things, the attachment brushes of the sonic toothbrush consist of 40 percent renewable raw materials and the packaging is made exclusively of cardboard.

The current Schall Vibe 3 model comes with three cleaning modes:

• Normal: with 25,000 vibrations per minute and 100 percent power.
• Sensitive: with 30,000 vibrations per minute and 80 percent power
• Polishing: with 30,000 to 40,000 vibrations per minute and 80 to 100 percent power

The Happybrush Vibe 3 is waterproof and, thanks to its powerful lithium-ion battery, it can be used for about six weeks without having to plug it in. Together with its slim design and low weight, this makes it the ideal travel companion. Practical: The Happybrush is available in a starter package. In addition to the handpiece, the attachment brush and the charging station, it also contains a USB cable with plug and a tube of toothpaste. At around 60 euros for the starter package and 10 euros for three replacement attachment brushes, the manufacturer keeps its promise of fair prices.

Silk’n SonicSmile – for whiter teeth

The Silk’n brand stands for professional cosmetic appliances for home use and with the Silk’n SonicSmile also has an electric toothbrush with sonic technology in its range. The SonicSmile vibrates at 31,000 vibrations per minute and comes with an intelligent interval timer and five different brushing modes:

• Study to get used to the sonic technology
• Clean as the standard cleaning programme
• White for whiter teeth
• Polish for polishing the teeth
• Massage for massaging the gums

The delivery includes two replacement brushes, an induction charging station and a USB plug. With one battery charge, you can use the sonic toothbrush for up to three weeks. With a price of just under 150 euros, the SonicSmile is in the mid-price segment. For about 30 euros more, the toothbrush is available in the luxury edition SonicSmile Deluxe. Here, two double-sided tongue cleaning brushes and a practical travel charging case are also included in the scope of delivery.