The Waterpik Cordless Express is a likeable product.
It does what it was designed to do and offers a good clean of the interdental spaces.
It is one of a select few powered by AA batteries.
Competitively priced it is, unless AA batteries are an absolute must you might
want to consider a different cordless option. Hey, it’s Jon from Electric Teeth here.
You probably don’t need me to tell you that you should be cleaning between
your teeth at least once a day, yet only 30% of Americans floss daily.
I know flossing can be tricky so it is for this reason tools like the Cordless Express exist.
If you are not familiar, a water flosser delivers water at
pressure out through a nozzle attached to the flosser handle.
You angle this at 90 degrees to the gumline and move it along and between the teeth. The
water essentially blasts away the debris and disrupts the plaque causing bacteria.
I have been impressed with how well the Express cleans.
I could see and feel the debris being cleaned from my teeth.
And although I personally prefer the more powerful 75PSI mode compared to the more gentle 45PSI mode,
both did a good job. The slider switch on the unit makes it super simple to switch between them.
Water flossing is technique sensitive. It takes some getting used to and can
initially be a bit messy. Irrespective of how experienced you are, you do need to be lent
over a sink to expel the waste water. But, with that said it still does take
away some of the effort associated with traditional interdental cleaning methods.
One of the benefits of the Express is that it is cordless. You are not tied to a power outlet like
you are a countertop unit. This is because it is powered by 3 removable AA batteries.
Although you are not restricted by a cable you can’t really avoid using it in a bathroom.
During a cleaning cycle it is pushing 5 ounces of water
into the mouth. You need to let this drain out into a sink really.
But, because it is cordless it is more travel friendly.
By the very nature of the product, it isn’t as small as you might hope for. If you wish to
travel particularly light, it might be necessary to sacrifice even this more portable option.
By no means a deal breaker, unlike the Waterpik Cordless Freedom or Cordless Advanced this does
not come with a fabric travel pouch, nor does it come with a plug that goes into
the top of the flosser to stop residual water from spilling out, when on the go.
The large textured surface on the rear of the flosser,
and the overall shape make it fairly comfortable to hold when in use.
It is surprising how some water flossers are more difficult to securely grip.
Like other Waterpik water flossers, the Express Radiance has achieved
the American Dental Association's seal of acceptance, which gives extra peace of mind.
A full tank will give anywhere between 35 and 45 seconds of use.
For most, with enough practice, this is just enough time to get a full clean of the mouth.
For those wanting a deeper and more through clean, you will have to refil the reservoir.
Unlike most other Waterpik flossers you can’t easily rotate the nozzle. It does,
but you have to have it out the mouth and turned off to do so.
It makes getting to some spaces in the mouth a little more tricky.
2 classic jet tips are provided in the box, these suit the vast majority of users.
It is one of multiple different styles that are available, but sold separately.
Many of the other tips are specifically designed for particular use cases.
For example for those with braces or dental implants.
The AA batteries make this a more convenient option for those on the go.
No bulky power cord to take with you and replacement batteries are easily accessed.
Waterpik claims a minimum of 40 uses,
but I managed nearly 3 times as long with the batteries that were supplied.
You don’t get any feedback on the battery life. The pressure
will drop or the flosser just stops when the battery is low.
The Express has a retail price of $40. It typically sells for
just a few dollars less. Expect to pay about $36.
Replace the nozzles every 6 months at a cost of
$5 per nozzle and over 3 years you are looking at $56, or thereabouts.
But, factor in the additional cost of batteries and this adds about $25 to the cost.
OK, rechargeable AA batteries can be a bit more cost effective and
for some the benefits of using AA’s will outweigh the cost.
I like the Express. I think it does the job well for the price.
But, Waterpiks top of the line Cordless Advance is only about
$20 more and is arguably worth the extra, if you are happy with a built-in rechargeable battery.
Or you have the option of the Cordless Freedom. It is very similar to the Express,
it just comes with the missing pouch and plug, suiting some travelers better.
In the video description is a link to my comprehensive written review
of the Express along with links to buy it and the recommended alternatives.
Cleaning between the teeth is just one part of your oral care routine.
It is important to make sure you are completing other tasks too.
Check out this video that demonstrates how to master your oral care routine.