What should I replace my Sonicare with?

January 5, 2009 12:29 PM

My Sonicare toothbrush is dying. Please help me replace it.

I have a Sonicare 7300. It's batteries are very rapidly failing. It's lasting maybe 3 brushing sessions between complete charges. So, I need to replace it.

I feel that I have two options:

1] Buy another, similar Sonicare*, with a totally encapsulated battery that will suffer from the same problem at some point (battery memory effect), which will not have a problem with water ingress and will be nice and powerful.

2] Buy a Sonicare Hydroclean, which I can use rechargeable batteries in (I would use Ni-MH), will be cheaper than another Sonicare, but may not be as powerful, and may have a problem with water ingress.

I have the following requirements:

1] A powerful brushing action.
2] A unit that stays dry internally. I don't want something that's going to rust up in a weeks time.
3] Batteries that either last, or can be changed easily. I know I can Dremel the cashing of my toothbrush open and solder some new batteries in, but that's out of my skill range.

So, my questions are:

1] Is a Hydroclean brush as powerful as a normal Sonicare? I really like that the brush I have now is powerful, and it feels invigorating (which I really like first thing in the morning).
2] The O-ring on the base of the Hydroclean looks a bit flimsy. Do they let in a lot of water, and if so, is there a solution?
3] Should I just suck up the fact that the batteries are not that good in a normal Sonicare, and splash out on something more powerful, or should I go with the cheaper-but-less-powerful Hydroclean?

Personal experiences are very welcome.

* Or another brand, I'm not fussy.

posted by Solomon to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

How long have you had the Sonicare? Mine (same model) started having problems holding a charge just under a year of regular usage. I somehow managed to have kept the original receipt and Phillips gave me a brand new one for free.
posted by ijoshua at 12:38 PM on January 5, 2009

Pony up and buy a new Sonicare. I've been using the same one for about 4 years now and it's still pretty healthy on battery life. They last a LONG time and the length of charge really shouldn't be an issue unless you're getting less than 5. I dock the thing after every brush so you never really wear the battery down.

Best place to find them are either CostCo, Bed, Bath & Beyond or Online (Pricegrabber/Amazon etc). You can get the one with the UV sanitizer for pretty cheap if you look around.

I recommend this model: http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Sonicare-Rechargeable-Toothbrush-Sanitizer/dp/B000UK2W4C/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1231188052&sr=8-1

You're better off buying the sanitizer bundled than separately as you save much more money that way. Average price I've seen is $100-$115
posted by PetiePal at 12:44 PM on January 5, 2009

Are Sonicares really worth it? I mean am I really foolish for continuing to use a regular toothbrush?
posted by namewithhe1d at 12:45 PM on January 5, 2009

Response by poster: @ ijoshua: It's about 3 years old. I don't have the receipt any more, sadly, though I doubt they'd help after that length of time.

@ PetiePal: Am I right in thinking that I have to remove the head every time I want to use the sanitiser? I can see myself forgetting to put the head back on, and trying to brush my teeth with the handle at some point if that's the case.

My problem is that I'm getting 3 charges, and then it needs fully recharging. Keeping it on the cradle just seems to exacerbate the problem.
posted by Solomon at 12:48 PM on January 5, 2009

Response by poster: @ namewithe1d: Oh yes. Very much so. My teeth are much better now I use a Sonicare.

@ jamaro: I wish I could solder, but I can't. Otherwise I'd have a go, and save myself some money. I can see myself trying and getting into a complete mess, and needing to buy a new toothbrush anyway.
posted by Solomon at 12:52 PM on January 5, 2009

As one of those people who enjoys brushing her teeth to an extent that many people find "weird", I wholeheartedly endorse the Oral-B Sonic Complete. Love love LOVE it. Have had mine for at least 5 years and haven't had any problems whatsoever.
posted by VioletU at 1:19 PM on January 5, 2009

Best answer: I love my Sonicare Flexcare. I tried going back to a regular toothbrush while Mrs. Silvertree was gone for a few months. I couldn't stand it. I lasted a week.
posted by Silvertree at 6:33 PM on January 5, 2009

Have you tried running it completely out of juice? It might be to late for your current unit, but you might consider occasionally running the thing until it can't run at all anymore. These folks have more to say about battery memory than I would ever want to, and offer similar advice.
posted by zenon at 8:07 PM on January 5, 2009

I replaced my rechargeable Sonicare with a model that runs off two AA batteries. It seems just as powerful to me. I´ve been using standard alkaline batteries, which are very cheap at Costco. I don´t know if you would experience a loss of power running it off 2.4 volts from your rechargeable batteries.

I have been happy with the battery life, lower cost of the unit, and not needing to travel with the charging base.
posted by yohko at 6:51 PM on January 9, 2009