There are no less than 5 different models within the Sonicare power flosser range
at the time of review. 4 are countertop models, with only very subtle differences between each.
This review gives my verdict on them all.
It is the power flosser 3000 that is my top pick from the range. Considering it is
Sonicare’s first attempt at a water flosser, all are very impressive.
The cleaning results as as good as expected and the unique
quad stream water jet really does offer a different flossing experience.
It is disappointing that none have rotating nozzles,
nor are they availale in a wider variety of colours.
I could happily use any of these daily. Yet,
despite how good they are, the Waterpik alternative is the more affordable option.
Hey, it’s Jon from Electric Teeth here. Anyone can benefit from what the power
flosser offers. It is a useful additional tool to help you clean more effectively between the teeth.
It can be messy and is technique sensitive, but even I, as a regular flosser appreciate
the convenience this brings. It is easier to get right each time and know it is doing a good job
It is particularly useful for those that have no interdental cleaning habit, or a very poor one.
The convenience and ease of use can help you establish a more regular cleaning routine.
Those with periodontal conditions, dexterity issues and brace wearers can gain advantages too
Corded or countertop units as they are known might well be bulkier than their cordless counterparts,
but they do provide longer usage times and more features.
All of the power flossers offer 10 different pressure settings and at least 2 cleaning modes.
The more premium 7000 models offer most extras. Linked in the top right corner
is my video that compares the different models. Despite the option 4 different modes on the 7000,
I do believe that the 2 found onf the 3 and 5000 is more than enough.
The constant water flow of the clean mode is different to the
pulsating water flow of the deep clean mode. The sensitive and massage mode available on
the 7000 series are different, but arguably comparable to simply adjusting the pressure
dial on the 3 and 5000 to a lower setting. Fill the tank and with any you will achieve
a minimum of 1 minute and 15 seconds, right through to 5 plus minutes,
subject to the mode and pressure setting chosen. Whether you want a more powerful an intense
flossing action or a more gentle and massaging experience the power flossers have you covered.
A full clean of the interdental spaces should take about 60 seconds. This
means you can often get multiple uses from a single fill of the water tank.
During the 60 second cleaning,
it is advised that you spend 15 seconds on the front tooth surfaces in the upper arch
and 15 on the inside surfaces. You then repeat again for the bottom arch and you are done.
But, cleaning the interdental spaces evenly isn’t always that easy.
Built into the power flossers is a pacer that encourages even cleaning.
At 30 second intervals a pause in the water flow
is your cue to move from one arch of the mouth to the other.
When using the Deep Clean mode,
the pacer is deactivated. Instead Pulse Wave technology is enabled.
It is hard to explain, but essentially the rhythm of the pulses along with the variable
sound the flosser makes, you know when to move from one tooth to another.
It works out as roughly 1 second per tooth. So, you floss
1 interdental space for a second. During this time you get pulses.
As the cycle ends you move along the gumline to the next interdental space and hold it there for
a second or so until the pulsing water cycle has run, before moving over to the next tooth.
2 or maybe 3 styles of nozzle, subject to the variant, are provided in the box.
You have the classic jet tip and Sonicare’s new, quad stream tip. The Quad stream tip is
quite unique in that it pushes the water out in an X shape rather than the classic jet approach.
The X creates a larger surface area and should help achieve better cleaning results, even when
your flossing technique might not be perfect. Sonicare claims up to 9 times more plaque removal.
Using the quad stream tip certainly felt different and I could tell
how more of the gum and tooth were being cleaned.
Post use though I can’t say I noticed a meanignful difference in how clean
my mouth felt with the quad steam nozzle vs the standard jet tip.
Either felt like they did a good job at removing plaque and debris and I haven’t been disappointed.
Philips own testing has proven how capable the power flosser is. It can remove up to 99.9% of
plaque on treated surfaces. And is up to 180% more effective than floss for achieving healthier gums.
It perhaps isn’t all that surprising that it has been awared the American
Dental Associations Seal of Acceptance, further confirming its effectiveness
and eligibility to be a part of your oral care routine.
I do need to give credit to Sonicare for a couple of smaller touches that are really only noticeable
when you use the power flosser and compare it to other similar products.
The first is the noise. This is quieter than comparable models.
As a very rough guide when using the clean mode set to level 1
the unit is producing sound in the region of the low 52-54 decibel range.
Increase the pressure setting to 10 andthe sound increased to approx 71-73 dB.
Compare this to the Waterpik Aquarius which is in the low
70’s irrespective of the pressure setting chosen.
The implementation of the power adapter is neat too. It fits into the base. Thus it means the
unit can sit closer to a wall or fit better on a shelf compared to those that require an extra
inch or so’s clearance around the back to accommodate for the power supply.
The use of a magnet to hold the flosser handle in place on the 5 and 7000 units is neat,
as is the automatic power off feature this enables. It is by no means a must have,
it just makes docking the handle that little bit easier. That said,
you still need to pay a bit of attention to make sure the hose coils away correctly.
The power flosser isn’t perfect though.
Whilst I do like the clean and minimal look to the power flosser range,
the lack of color choices is a negative.
Different colour choices don't improve the device,
but they can improve a person's association with a product. If they prefer a more fun or
vibrant colour then this may encourage them to use it more than the basic white version.
The slider switch on the handle does’t slide quite as smoothly as I would have anticipated.
The pressure dial could benefit from more texture to it.
The smooth finish isn’t ideal if your hands are wet or you have limited dexterity.
There is too no option to rotate the nozzle. This can
make it a touch more challenging to reach all areas of the mouth.
The 3000 is the most competitively priced, with the 5 and 7000 commanding a bit more.
The price of the power flosser will vary around the world. The reatil price $89.96 in the US.
Typical selling prices should be a touch lower at approximately $70-75.
This is comparable to the alternatives from market leader Waterpik.
Going against the power flosser is the cost of replacement nozzles. A Sonicare F1 standard nozzle
costs about $6.50 each. That is about $1.50 more expensive than the Waterpik alternative.
The power flosser is a great product that really takes the challenge to Waterpik
and their top of the line Aquarius model.
You could do a lot worse than opting for the power flosser 3000, 5000 or 7000. But it is the Aquarius
from Waterpik that is the better value purchase. It does too benefit from the rotating nozzle.
In the description below are links to buy the power flosser or Waterpik alternaitve. You will
too find my written review that accompanies this video and goes into even more detail.