This elegant, premium sonic toothbrush works with ultrasound. Philips claim that at top speed, the brush moves at 100 times per second, which has a clear advantage in cleaning performance, and may be a helpful option for those with limited mobility. It has a seamless design to help keep it clean, and the brush adapts in real-time to lower its intensity (and has a warning light) if the user applies too much pressure or is over-brushing.
For everyday use, the brush has three speeds with audible prompts to move around the teeth, cleaning each of six zones of your mouth within two minutes in the default mode, before switching off automatically.
The toothbrush also comes with an app which can be used to select intensity and cleaning modes (a longer whitening mode, or gum-health mode, for example). You can also use the app to visually guide you through cleaning with a simple map of the zones of your mouth. The Bluetooth brush-head feeds back to the app instantly, to highlight areas that may have been missed. At the end of cleaning, you get a progress report, which aims to train the user to achieve a more thorough clean.
Using the Philips 9900 Prestige sonic toothbrush
For day-to-day day use the brush is a pleasure to use with the pared-down features controlled from the wand. The brush is quieter than a standard electric toothbrush, as the sonic technology emits a more high-pitched sound. The app was novel and informative, but I didn’t use it so regularly.
The brush’s rechargeable battery ran for over two weeks before needing a top-up with twice-daily use. A full recharge took approximately 3 hours, on it’s sleek charger base. It also comes with an elegant travel case with a built-in USB-C port to allow charging on-the-go.
What are the pros?
My teeth felt noticeably smoother right from the first use, as if they had been cleaned by a dentist, and I noticed my mouth still felt clean the next morning after brushing before bed. After a week, my teeth certainly looked shinier and more pearly, and perhaps a little whiter.
Any cons?
The travel case doesn't have an area to store it’s USB-C charger cable, and I found my case didn’t stay fully closed.
Is it worth the money?
While the brush performs very well in everyday mode, more modestly priced sonic toothbrushes compare favourably. Assuming the premium price is, in part, for the app’s features, I would question if anyone would regularly brush their teeth whilst looking at their smartphone. It feels like the price-tag can’t be justified for the sonic brush alone. Plus it's worth bearing in mind that replacement brushes are pricey at £30 for just two.
Would you recommend the Philips 9900 Prestige?
This is a premium brush for gadget-lovers who love sleek products, and enjoy seeing their progress tracked. The USB-C charger case, although not perfect, makes it a good choice for frequent travellers.
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