Netropy said: nikon5400 said: Looks like a great deal.
Does anyone know the difference between cheap and more expensive sonicare brushes? I know some have "programs", but do they all feel the same during and after brushing? I've used E7500 and it's been great, but it was a $150 brush. Wonder if the battery powered ones, that are $30 have the same effect.
Also, does anyone have experience with both, oral-b and sonicare?
I've had the 7500 too and the 5300 and another older higher-end version that was kind of between the two that I don't remember what the model number was. To tell the truth I don't really see much if any practical difference. I bought the 5300 last and I'm just as happy with it as I was with the more expensive versions. I never used the different modes or cared about having multiple LEDs to see the charge level. If there is anything else different about them, then it wasn't significant enough that I remember it. I think that the handle is a little larger diameter on the 5300 and doesn't have the green rubber grip area which didn't really have much function and looked a little dirty after a while anyway. The 5300 has lasted longer than either of the other two (although I did kill the first one by dropping it so that doesn't really count but the battery was on it's last legs anyway by then). That's really the only problem that I've had with any of them - after a couple of years the battery no longer takes a charge and unfortunately it isn't really replaceable (easily anyway). Now if they sold one that I could drop a new AA NiMh battery into when needed, then I might pay more for that but otherwise I'm not spending the extra money on the more expensive ones again.
I had an older Oral-B at one time but it was so long ago now that it's probably not really comparable to the new ones. It was fine. Personally I think that I like the action on the Sonicare better myself but you probably could make an argument either way for the shake versus the spin. I think that the Sonicare probably does a little better getting between teeth but the spin might work a little better for cleaning the flats. That's my impression anyway.
BBB also has a $5 rebate for the heads and after coupon and rebate I think that it works out to about $18-ish for the two-pack before tax which is about the best that I can find anywhere now.Thanks for posting OP, and later posters. Many of my friends love Sonicare. My family has a lot of experience with Oral-B. (I used to give them frequently as gifts). AFAIK, Oral-B still makes two types: spinning brush and ultrasonic units. However, I personally have limited experience with the Sonicare units so I can't compare (or to third party ultrasonics). Yrs ago I tried a Sonicare but didn't like it and returned it. When I tried the Oral-B ultrasonic, it was unpleasant too, but I got used to it. Maybe that means that Oral-b is more wimpy?  Maybe I'd like Sonicare now? However, as much as I've liked Oral-B, the company seems to have changed. They used to make many of their appliances with NIMH batteries, which I really liked. NIMH batteries are more green friendly, and their NIMH batteries seemed to really resist memory effects. It seems like Oral-B has dropped NIMH altogether though. I do know that recent Oral-B NiCad toothbrushes still brush well, but their batteries have a very strong memory effect, and they run out of charge really abruptly. (I've been on business trips and not brought the charging base, and been stranded). Worse, if you don't take care the batteries, they batteries seem to die faster than other vendors' NiCad appliances. Maybe Oral-B is using really crappy NiCad suppliers. It's why I haven't bought new Oral-Bs for myself or as gifts either. One nice feature of many (but not all Oral-b units), is that they can be mounted on the wall, clearing up counter space. The downside is that it then can be tough to charge them when travelling. It did seem like Oral-B ultrasonic replacement brush-heads were overall mostly cheaper than Sonicares', but not by much. However, I don't think mere consumers can really compare them re: cleaning ability, longevity, etc. I have heard some dentists claim that spinning brushes clean better. Some say worse. I've heard other dentists say that spinning brushes damage your gums. Do any dentists want to weigh in here? |