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AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush vs Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush ranks higher (#2 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on battery, replacement head cost. Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush wins on cleaning feel, gentleness, durability.
The biggest complaint about the AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush is intense vibration, not very gentle; for the Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush it's heads cost about twice as much as oral-b's. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush | Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in electric toothbrushes | #2 | #3 |
| Price tier | $ | $ |
| Type | Sonic | Sonic |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 6% | 10% |
| Overall score | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| Cleaning feel | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Gentleness | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Battery | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Replacement head cost | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 2.5 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $50 · $$ $50–120 · $$$ over $120. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush
- Intense vibration, not very gentle
Electric Teeth found it less gentle than Sonicare or Oral-B, said even the soft mode didn't feel very soft, and described the bristles as stiff. Amazon's summary calls the vibration level mixed and pretty intense. Some 1-star Walmart reviews say the vibration was hard to tolerate.
- No pressure sensor
CNN Underscored says the missing pressure sensor is the main reason it didn't earn a top spot. Electric Teeth also lists it as a con.
Source: CNN Underscored, Electric Teeth - Cheaper build; some die around 6 months
Electric Teeth says it feels cheaper than premium rivals (the chrome rings are plastic) and notes some reports of breakage; the warranty is 1 year. Amazon's summary says durability is mixed, with some owners saying it stopped working after 6 months. Walmart low-star reviews mention dead chargers and heads that don't stay on.
- Small heads
CNN Underscored notes the included heads are on the smaller side, and a Walmart 1-star reviewer compared the head to a toddler's.
Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
- Heads cost about twice as much as Oral-B's
Wirecutter says Sonicare heads can cost more than double Oral-B's and estimates a three-year cost of about $170 versus about $98 for the Pro 1000. Electric Teeth puts heads at about $10 each.
Source: Wirecutter, Electric Teeth - Stops charging or dies within a year
Amazon's review summary says multiple customers report it stopped working in less than a year, and some say it stops charging or feels weak.
- USB-only charger
Since October 2021 the charger has had only a USB plug with no wall adapter (Wirecutter; Philips will send one free on request). Amazon's summary calls charging problematic because only a USB cord is included. Electric Teeth says a full charge can take up to 24 hours.
- Vibration felt through the whole brush
Wirecutter says the vibrations can be felt throughout the brush even on low, and the hard plastic back of the head can knock against opposing teeth. Electric Teeth notes there is no light to show which intensity is selected.
Source: Wirecutter, Electric Teeth
Who should pick which
Pick the AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush if
Tight budgets (8 heads in the box)
Travel (case plus a long battery)
People who like a strong buzz
Skip it if: You have sensitive gums or teeth; You tend to brush too hard and want a pressure sensor; You want premium build quality
Pick the Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush if
A quiet brush
Smaller mouths (narrower heads)
Newcomers who want a pressure sensor and a gentle start-up mode
Skip it if: You want the cheapest heads; You dislike vibration felt through the handle; You want a wall plug in the box
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