Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush, Plaque Control, Black

Product Information

Our hands-on testing is not scientific and we don’t verify the claims Sonicare makes. But, we can speak firsthand when we say the difference is noticeable, particularly when used side by side. Sonicare offers an Easy-Start mode which increases the power of the brush over the first 14 cleans, easing in a new user.

The provided C2 head, along with the majority of other bristle options now have Radio Frequency Identification Chip (RFID) built-in. Based on what I know the motors in the 4100 & 4300 are better, but all will clean the teeth comparably, if used correctly. Reply One problem many people encounter when switching from a manual toothbrush to an electric is improper use. People either brush too hard or fail to replace the brush heads when they get worn out. Both can damage enamel and cause oral health issues. 6The light is a way of signalling to you and me as a user that it is time to replace the bristles. Failing to do so can compromise the cleaning results and our teeth and gums. However, both brushes clean the teeth as well as each other and you don’t ‘need’ the extras, thus the Optimal Clean is the brush to go for in most instances. Sonicare Optimal Clean vs DiamondClean Given what you say, it is unlikely you need the DiamondClean range. They offer different modes, which in essence are like different intensities.

The design of the brush handles are very similar. Yes, the 5100 and 6100 have a bit more going on because of the additional cleaning modes and brushing intensities, but they are of a rounded design, with a smooth to the touch paint finish. In 2014, Klukowaska et al again concluded that the oscillating rotating brush from Oral-B outperforming Sonicare. They reported

A flashing Amber LED and five beeps means no brushing sessions left, you need to charge the toothbrush. One such independent study was completed by Cochrane in 2020 and they report that there is some evidence that oscillating technology used by Oral-B is more effective. The Protective Clean has two weeks of battery life on a full charge. This is more than Pro 1000, which lasts anywhere from a week to 10 days. The only exception to this is the 1100 because it is so competitively priced already. You may save a 1 or 2 dollars, but not much I’ve just recently replaced my worn out 5100 with the 4100 and so far like it very much. I have one minor annoyance that I encounter every time I use it however. Most people will likely want to use the high intensity rather than low intensity setting. For some reason, they decided to make the low intensity setting the default setting when you turn the toothbrush on. It’s very easy to switch to high intensity, just press the power button a second time within the first two seconds of use, but I don’t see why it can’t just remember to turn on with whatever intensity level was previously set. As I said, it’s certainly minor yet still an annoyance. It just seems to have been poorly thought out in this regard. Reply

Sonicare has always emphasized aesthetics slightly more than Oral-B, and the Protective Clean is no exception.I don’t believe it is a feature we are all crying out for, but as things go, it is a nice addition and makes further use of the microchip in the brush head. The differences between each model relate more to everyday use and helping you to get the best from your oral care routine. Andrew, I don’t know if this would work for you, but there are some new models, Sonicare 1100, 200 & 3100 Series that offer 31,000 movements, so 15,500 brush strokes.