Philips Sonicare DailyClean 3100 Electric Toothbrush, White (UK 2-Pin Bathroom Plug) HX6221/56

Product Information

With the 3100 you don’t have to remember or diarise when to replace the head. It can alert you providing you are using a Sonicare head with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip built into the base. The motor has been tuned differently and doesn’t have the 62,000 movements of some of Sonicare’s more expensive brushes. The 3100’s handle is slimmer and lighter than previous Sonicare models with similar features and price point. Comfortable to hold thanks to the slim rounded profile Durable and quality feeling in the hand

Using them for more than 3 months can result in less effective and more abrasive brushing. This is because the bristles will have worn. This difference isn’t a reason to avoid the 3100, but something to be aware of. It still does a perfectly good job of cleaning your teeth. There is no whitening or gum care mode. Despite the common misconception that additional modes bring extra benefits, they rarely do. Minimal and clean design looks good and makes the brush easy to clean The 2 minute timer and pacer encourage even brushing of your teethA new style of charging stand is included. Compared to previous stands with a 2 pin power adapter, this has a USB type A male connector. The cable is hardwired into it and measures 43 inches (110cm) long. The footprint of the stand is smaller too with a more rounded shape. The 3100’s battery life is a little below average, but this is potentially a trade-off for the slimmer handle. That said there are even slimmer handled brushes like SURI that outperform the 3100, whilst offering a comparable brushing experience. Too much pressure can cause wear on the teeth and gums and in the long term result in irreversible damage. The 3100’s built-in pressure sensor can help you if you know you brush too hard. It stands upright on a countertop and strategically placed nodules on the rear of the handle help prevent it rolling when laid flat. USB connectivity allows us to take advantage of powering it from more sources such as a computer or portable battery bank. It arguably makes it more travel friendly too

ProtectiveClean brushes have fewer cleaning modes than the DiamondClean (between one and three), though most have several intensity options so you should still be able to find one that suits you. Philips Sonicare DailyClean seriesA rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery is sealed inside the 3100 Series brush handle. 2 weeks is the claimed usage time. I achieved an average of 17 days on a full charge.

Either way, the clean from the DailyClean is impressive. I’ve been using the Easyclean for months as my regular toothbrush, and the DailyClean doesn’t really feel any different. Gums are massaged nicely, with good cleaning between the teeth, and your gnashers are left feeling smooth and really clean, thanks to the high-speed vibrations of the head. In the hand, the brush feels solid and well built. There are certainly no creaking or groaning sounds from the plastic. There are no gaps or build issues that I’ve seen. To be honest, I had the DailyClean’s use of a NiMH battery down as a potential dealbreaker, particularly remembering the old CleanCare+ with its battery that couldn’t hold up for two weeks. Yet the DailyClean Plus went through its stated three weeks worth of brushing, then went on, and on, and on a little more. In fact, it went on for a rather tedious 147 minutes, which should keep you brushing for well over a month. The 3100 also has an EasyStart mode, which gradually increases the brushing intensity over the first 14 sessions to ease you in.All Sonicare DailyClean brushes are supplied with one brush head and last up to two weeks on a single charge, but only the DailyClean 3100 has a light to indicate the current battery status, which is a very useful feature. The 1100 and 1200 may be cheaper, but we think it's worth paying a little extra for the battery indicator so your brush doesn't run flat.