Funny, i don't remember reading that Jonny Ive was moonlighting over at Philips. But this is their second new dental product in a row--the first being the AirFloss--that might lead you to think that Sonicare design was now being done by Apple. And I mean that in the most complimentary way. This is, without question, the most modern and elegantly designed electric toothbrush on the market today, and I can only compare holding it to the feeling you get when you hold an Apple product. But is it worth the premium price being charged for it?THE ANSWER IS YES, IF...
1) You have money to splurge a bit and value great design very highly. The ceramic feel of the power handle (though not actually ceramic), the hidden areas that illuminate to indicate mode and battery status, the brilliance of a travel case that both closes magnetically and charges the power handle via USB cable from your computer or the included USB power adapter--the whole package has just been thought through with incredible attention to detail. There's even an alternative to the one feature I didn't like, which was the charging glass--it looked too big and clunky in photos, which is exactly how it looks when you actually see it. Plus, do we really need to mimic the old, unsanitary practice of standing wet toothbrushes up in a glass to store them? Fortunately, there's a much smaller and more elegant charging stand included that can be used instead of the glass. You never see that in photos of this toothbrush, and I was very pleased.
2) You don't care if the premium price buys you no functional or performance advantage of any type over cheaper models in the Sonicare line. You know you're paying for the design, and you're fine with it. (Yes, I agree that the DiamondClean brush heads ARE a notable improvement, but they can be used on other, less expensive Sonicare models. See below.)
THE ANSWER IS NO, IF...
1) You expect a premium price to buy you better functionality and performance over less expensive models. The DiamondClean toothbrush doesn't, trust me. Ignore most of the five star review hype that you read about this brush ("Cleanest Teeth EVER!") and focus on these facts:
a) The power handle, which is the heart of any electric toothbrush, is just the FlexCare+ handle with a different skin on it. Specs are identical and--if you go to a store and hold them side by side--you'll see that size, shape and weight are the same. Only the elegant, ceramic-like skin on the DiamondClean model, with it's hidden lights, is different.
b) While the DiamondClean brushes DO clean somewhat better than older Sonicare brush heads, you can use DiamondClean brushes on some of the older, cheaper Sonicare models like FlexCare. Since the power handles are essentially no different, the cleaning you get will be the same.
2) It drives you crazy to pay more and actually get less for your money. As others have pointed out, the DiamondClean doesn't have the UV sanitizer of the less expensive FlexCare models. And I just saw a Costco special that included two Sonicare power handles, two chargers, two travel cases, plus four brush heads that included two DiamondClean ones... all for $120.
3) Design just isn't that important to you.
The value of great design is very much a personal decision. While I decided that the DiamondClean was worth it for me, it might not be for you, depending on your priorities. But either way, I thank you for taking the time to read my review. and I hope you found it "helpful" in making your purchasing decision!
UPDATES: The longer you use a product, the better you get to know it. The section below contains more on the pros and cons I've experienced since I wrote the above review after extended use of the DiamondClean:
PROS: 1) The ceramic-like power handle, which I thought might get slippery during usage when wet, actually maintains a nice grip to it.
CONS: 1) No vent holes in the travel case, made worse by its form-fitting plastic interior. So if you pack the brush head while damp--which often happens when traveling--it stays damp, in a dark, tightly enclosed space--the perfect conditions for promoting bacteria and mold growth. 2) When a second family member recently joined me in using the DiamondClean, I suddenly realized that there's no storage for multiple brush heads. (Except in the travel case.) Plus, there's no system for color-coding the heads for different family members. Bottom line: you have to store multiple brush heads in a medicine cabinet or elsewhere and somehow color code them yourself.
Let me start off by saying this is the 4th Sonicare Toothbrush I've owned.I had the Essence, than the Flexcare, than the Flexcare+ and now the DiamondClean.
If you have the Flexcare or the Flexcare+ do you really need to upgrade to this model?Probably not, Sonicare's own website states you get a 44% better clean using the new DiamondClean heads, so the handle obviously makes no difference.
Don't get me wrong the new handle is very cool, slick design, even slicker charging options, but did Sonicare have to remove features to do this?For instance:
The battery icon is now 1 solid icon rather than 3 different slices, now you can't tell when the battery is getting low.
The button to change modes was removed, now there is one button for power and mode changing, this means unless you want to splatter toothpaste all over your mirror you need to change the mode in your mouth while trying to squint at the brush to see what mode it's on.
Why was the UV cleaner removed?Ok, I really didn't use this often but it was cool to know I had it.
This toothbrush is very expensive, and your basically paying for the cool charging technology, and the absurdly overpriced new brush heads.Currently a pack of 3 runs almost $35. In contrast a pack of 7 ProResults can be had at a big name Warehouse store for around $40.
Also while putting your toothbrush in the cup for charging is cool, is that really practical?If anything it's going to start making the bottom of the handle sort of gross, how many germs collect in that cup overnight unless you clean it every day.
So in conclusion, cool charging technology does not take the place of convenience features.
Buy Philips Sonicare HX9332/05 DiamondClean Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush Now
***FIRSTLY A BIG DISCOVERY***: I bought 2 Diamondclean brushes and had a problem charging both, but only in one specific outlet. Everywhere else it charged fine but the one outlet I needed it to charge in (bathroom) it wouldn't. It drove me crazy to the extent that I had 2 different electricians out and not until just now on my own, did I discover the problem. The base was sitting on my metal medicine cabinet which sits below my mirror (older style built in to apartment prob from 70's) and the metal was preventing the induction charging!!! If this brush's base sit's on metal it WILL NOT CHARGE!! To make matters worse the indicator lights behave as if it is charging so you have no way of knowing. Shame they don't tell you this, would have saved Philips a return for no reason, and saved me 2 electricians and DAYS of headache.I'm a LONG time 10+ years sonicare user and have always had the latest model, last being the flexcare with UV sanitizer. Although this Diamondclean model looks very cool and appears to have a nicer brush head I wasn't expecting that much difference in performace over the flexcare which is already great. Needless to say I was blown away. This is 10 times better than the previous model solely in performance. And I'm referring to performance of the unit in terms of power. Way more powerful. In all honesty my teeth feel CLEANER than after going to the dentist. They literally feel like glass.
Why only 4 stars? (Originally I gave it 3 bc I thought there was a battery issue but I figured it out) Firstly you aren't able to select the setting you want until it's already on and spraying your bathroom with toothpaste. This isn't a huge deal especially if you use the same setting every time (though that kinda defeats the purpose of the selection). You literally have to turn it on (while looking at it) to cycle through the settings and select the one you want. And since the pause only works after it's been in the same setting for like 10 seconds, the alternative is selecting the setting before you put toothpaste on, standing there and holding it for 10 seconds running just to be able to pause it, to then put toothpaste on it. I guess this is the tradeoff of having only one button.
The other issue is the base had imperfections and scuffs. I opened 4 more brushes and most of the shiny chromed bases are scuffed. The glass is also scratched and has a sharp unpolished lip. You wouldn't find something this bad at a 99 cent store. In all honesty I don't think these things will bother or even be apparant to most people. Which is most likely why Philips allows it. IMO they need to step it up in the quality control department if they want to continue to attract discerning customers that will spend $200 on a toothbrush VS the ones that would rather spend $50-$100. I'm the $200 brusher and I expect a base without imperfections and scuffs for my $200 toothbrush. Period.
I found out they are manufactured in both Thailand and China. the base was flawless in the thailand brush. The china brushes were the ones with the lackluster bases.
Read Best Reviews of Philips Sonicare HX9332/05 DiamondClean Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush Here
I have been using electric toothbrushes for more than 10 years and this thing is hands down the best one on the market.
I purchased this toothbrush a few weeks ago and even upgrading from my older Sonicare, I've noticed a huge difference.
I never thought I had sensitive teeth in the past I just thought the feeling I had after brushing was normal.Using the sensitive setting on this toothbrush gives a better clean than I got in the past and doesn't leave my teeth feeling like they vibrating afterwards.Also, about once a week I would have some gum sensitivity where there would be redness and or bleeding which has gone away.
The 30 second interval timer is great as I like to zone out while brushing and this makes sure I move from each section of my mouth when needed.With my old school Oral B toothbrushes I would sometimes go over the two minute timers as my teeth didn't feel super clean but I haven't come close to experiencing that with this brush.
My wife also uses and love this toothbrush.As of now we have been two weeks without recharging this thing we are trying to see how long it will really go.It comes with a travel charger which is super nice, but really, if the battery lasts this long when would you really need it?If for some reason you do need to charge it it comes with the handy charging glass to keep in your hotel room.
This is really the top tier toothbrush, as silly as it sounds.They have a 30 day guarantee so there really is no reason not to try it if you're considering it.
I really do look forward to brushing now and I've been using electric toothbrushes for over a decade that's saying a lot.
Highly Recommended.
Want Philips Sonicare HX9332/05 DiamondClean Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush Discount?
()***Update***
In barely two months, my teeth looked markedly whiter. Two people within the last week made of point of saying that they can tell I have had my teeth whitened (I haven't).
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My new Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Rechargeable Toothbrush is the best electric toothbrush I have ever used and I have owned more than a few.
The number one thing I like is the power. This brush really gets in and does its job using just light pressure.
This particular model has multiple settings: Clean; White; Polish; Gum Care and Sensitive. Except for Sensitive mode, the difference is the amount of time the brush stays on.
Polish is the shortest and keeps the brush on for one minute. Clean adds another minute for a total of two and White adds thirty more seconds for a total of 2 minutes, 30 seconds. I use the "Gum Care" setting which is another 30 seconds for 3 solid minutes of running time. Sensitive mode runs for 2 minutes at less power to be more gentle on teeth and gums.
There is an interval timer for each setting with short beeps and pauses to remind you to move on to the next quadrant of your mouth. Sometimes I space a bit while brushing, so I find the timer a big plus.
There is an "Easy-start feature" that gradually increases the power over the first 14 brushings. It would seem to be especially beneficial for anyone not already using Sonicare brushes, or electric brushes in general. For those replacing or upgrading, the feature has a by-pass option to get the full benefits of the brush day one.
"Select" models of the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 300 Series come with a glass that sits atop the charging stand and holds a handle and brush. For me, it serves no purpose and just takes up room. I have never stored my toothbrush in a drinking glass so I don't see an advantage to having a glass/charger combo. Come to think of it, even if I did store my toothbrush in a drinking glass, I'd use an unbreakable tumbler (I'm clumsy by nature and am often barefoot in the bathroom). I did not test whether or not the Charger Glass is breakable, but the word "glass" gives me a clue. If it saves a buck or two, I would opt for the model that does not include the glass in the future.
The Charging Travel Case is cool; the ability to charge the battery by connecting it to my laptop via USB is something I found very smart. The downside of the case is that it does not seem to have been thoroughly thought out. The most glaring omission is not being able to store the USB cord inside the case when not in use. I ended up wrapping the cord around the Case with a loose knot. It's not a huge deal, but the case does loose some of its cool factor with the cord dangling.
The "Hygienic Travel Cap" is a clear plastic cap engineered to fit tightly around the bristle end. It protects the bristles while allowing air to circulate to dry the brush. Unfortunately, the cap cannot be used if using the Charging Travel Case. The brush will not fit in the travel case with the cap on. I use the Charging Travel Case all of the time because it makes the brush really mobile, so the caps became just two more items floating around inside the bathroom junk drawer. For later generations, I recommend that Philips rework the case so that the brushes with caps on will fit.
The only other drawback to this brush is the price. This is one expensive toothbrush and is one to which to upgrade. It is not a starter model for the uninitiated.
All in all, I highly recommend the Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Rechargeable Toothbrush to anyone serious about keeping their teeth and gums in tip-top shape.
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