When it comes to Sonic toothbrushes, Philips Sonicare is the biggest player in the game. As a result they offer more choice in brush heads than any other brand.
If you are anything like us you will find the sheer amount of brush head options confusing. It is not immediately clear the benefit each brush head offers over another and all the current guides are light on information.
So we decided to test and review the entire range of Sonicare brush heads ourselves.
After months of brushing and spitting, we present to you the most detailed and up to date guide comparing all current Philips Sonicare brush heads. Now you can make the right choice when you buy your next brush head.
Contents
Below you will find all the information you need to know on the current models of Philips Sonicare brush heads. Click a link below to jump to the section on that particular brush head.
We list all the compatible Sonicare Brush models under each brush head.
1. Snap-on brush heads
Snap-on brush heads slide over the metal shaft found on modern Sonicare electric toothbrushes and “snap” into place.
- DiamondClean (Standard)
- DiamondClean (Compact)
- InterCare (Standard)
- InterCare (Compact)
- ProResults Plaque Control
- ProResults Gum Health
- Sensitive
- AdaptiveClean
- SimplyClean
- For Kids (Standard)
- For Kids (Compact)
- TongueCare+
2. Screw-on brush heads
Screw-on brush heads require you to twist them onto handle of your Sonicare toothbrush, just like a nut and bolt.
Note: Philips Sonicare constantly updates their product offerings, bringing out new brush heads, re-naming others and discontinuing some entirely. This up to date guide represents all the current brush heads that are available for purchase.
DiamondClean Toothbrush Head (Standard)
Refill Pack Size – 3 pack (HX6063/64) and 2 pack (HX6062/64)
The DiamondClean brush head was designed to ship with the top of the line Sonicare toothbrush that goes by the same name. Philips Sonicare claim that this is their best toobrush head in their current line up.
The center green bristles the polishing bristles. These bristles have been designed to remove surface staining from your teeth and have less flex than the surrounding bristles due to how tightly packed they are.
If you look at the side on photo you may just be able to notice that the green center bristles stick past the middle outer bristles. This means you have to push down a little firmer if you want the outer bristles to come into contact with your teeth.
A side effect of this slightly firmer brushing is that the light green bristles aggressively remove any surface stains you have on your teeth, leaving them noticeably whiter. Great if you are a smoker or coffee drinker.
Those of you with sensitive teeth might find that pressing firmer causes discomfort. If your teeth and gums flair up at the thought then this probably isn’t the brush head for you.
We found that with the outer bristles not making as much contact as they could, more time needed to be spent along the gumline, especially for stubborn plaque build ups. While the center bristles could remove this gumline plaque, they feel quite abrasive.
You may have noticed bristles located at the top and bottom of the brush head are longer than all the others. This added length effectively sweeps away plaque located around the gaps between your teeth.
During our testing we noticed that we couldn’t quite reach the three month mark before our brush head got to the point where it needed to be replaced. We suspect that the slightly firmer brushing style is to blame.
Overall we are pretty happy with the performance of the DiamondClean brush head. If you want a brush head that can remove both stains and plaque then this is as good as it gets. We just wish it performed a little better along the gumline.
Note: The DiamondClean Standard brush heads are also available in a black color (HX6062/94) for those of you who have purchased the Black or Amythest colored DiamondClean handle and want the brush head to match.
Diamond Clean Standard brush heads fit the following Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- HydroClean (discontinued)
DiamondClean Toothbrush Head (Compact)
Refill Pack Size – 2 pack (HX6072/66)
If you have a smaller mouth or just want a brush head that is easy to maneuver around tricky areas (like dental work) then the DiamondClean Compact is a smaller alternative to the standard size.
If you look closely at the bristle layout you will notice that it almost identical to that of the standard size. The only difference is that the Compact is roughly half the size. In fact, the DiamondClean compact has the smallest bristle area out of all the Sonicare brush heads we tested.
The smaller size is a trade off. While it will take longer to clean your teeth; you can do so with a much greater degree of accuracy.
In terms of brushing experience, the compact is near identical to the standard. Both the pros and cons we found on the standard can be applied to the Compact.
We also found that the bristles of the DiamondClean compact wear much quicker than the standard model. We consistently only got 2 months of use out of each brush head before it needed to be replaced.
If you want the smallest Sonicare brush head possible then the mini-sized DiamondClean compact is as small as it gets.
Diamond Clean Compact brush heads fit on the following Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- HydroClean (discontinued)
InterCare Toothbrush Head
Refill Pack Size – 3 pack (HX9003/64) and 2 pack (HX9002/64)
The first thing you will notice picking up the InterCare toothbrush head is the three extra long clusters of light green bristles that tower over the others.
As you may have guessed by the name, this brush head is all about removing interdental plaque, the yellowy-brown stuff that hides between your teeth.
The shorter clusters of bristles are designed to remove plaque from along the gumline and the surface of your teeth.
In our testing we found the longer bristles to work exceptionally well on plaque that sat around the gaps in our teeth. Perhaps most surprising was the speed in which it was removed. The InterCare brush head only needed one or two passes to remove the bulk of the build up.
The taller bristles did most of the work. In fact ,the shorter bristles barely made contact with our teeth and gums at all.
The interesting thing is that after a week of brushing (day and night), the taller bristles started to loosen up. At this point both short and tall bristles made good contact with our teeth. From this point the clean provided by the InterCare was substantially better than the clean you get straight out of the packet.
If are looking for a Sonicare toothbrush head flush out that plaque from between your teeth then this really is your only option. The taller “power tips” on the other brush heads simply can’t compete.
Note: InterCare brush heads are not designed to replace daily flossing, both should be used together for maximum effect.
InterCare brush heads fit the following Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- HydroClean (discontinued)
InterCare Toothbrush Head (Compact)
Refill Pack Size – 3 pack (HX9013/05)
The newest release from Philips Sonicare has taken the InterCare brush head and shrunk it. As you can see, the bristle layout is near identical to the standard sized InterCare.
Essentially the compact InterCare is a interdental cleaner for smaller mouths. While it was still effective on larger mouths, the smaller surface area of the bristles made cleaning more time consuming.
The Compact InterCare shares the same pros and cons as the standard sized brush head. The main difference was that the longer bristles softened up much quicker.
Like it’s big brother, the Compact InterCare brush head appeared to perform remarkably well at sweeping out plaque from between the teeth, outperforming the other compact brush heads in this area.
Note: InterCare brush heads are not designed to replace daily flossing, both should be used together for maximum effect.
InterCare Compact brush heads fit the following Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- HydroClean (discontinued)
ProResults Plaque Control Toothbrush Head
Refill Pack Size – 3 pack (HX9023/64)
As the name suggests this variation of the ProResults brush head is tough on plaque.
The bristles are not only slightly shorter but also more tightly packed than the Gum Health (below). This bristles flex less in this arrangement allowing you to better focus on the surface of your teeth where plaque has built up.
If your biggest dental issue is gum sticking to your teeth like a magnet then the Plaque Control is just what you need. Even with gentle pressure, the bristles effectively lift stubborn plaque clinging to the surface of your teeth.
If you look closely at the picture above you will notice that the tip of the brush head is slightly longer. Philips Sonicare refer to this as the “power tip” and is designed to help remove plaque that hides between the teeth.
The rigid bristles do not work as well between the teeth, a particular problem area when using this toothbrush. However, most of this missed plaque will be picked up when you floss after brushing your teeth. You are flossing aren’t you?
It is worth mentioning that the Plaque Control is the firmer feeling of the two ProResults brush heads. If you prefer to brush with a softer toothbrush then you may find this particular brush head too coarse along the gum line.
But those of you who do not mind firmer bristles will be able to give your teeth an effective clean with this brush head.
Note – While Philips Sonicare refers to the size of the ProResults Plaque Control as “standard”, the bristle arrangement is slightly shorter in length.
ProResults Gum Control brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- HydroClean (discontinued)
ProResults Gum Health Toothbrush Head
Refill Pack Size – 3 pack (HX9033/64)
In stark contrast to the firmness of the Plaque Control, the Gum Health is relatively gentle.
The bristle arrangement is near identical to the that of the Plaque Control. The difference is in the longer bristles and looser packed bristle clusters, resulting in a softer brushing experience.
Curiously the softer power tip of the Gum Health did not have the same problem getting between the teeth as the Plaque Control did. This is likely due to the longer bristles being more flexible.
As the name suggests, the Gum Health is designed to help take care of your gumline. And while it did outperform the Plaque Control, the performance was about on par with all the other Sonicare brush heads.
The softer bristles were less effective at removing stubborn plaque build up. But if you using the correct technique and brushing daily then plaque shouldn’t have a chance to build up in such a way.
The Gum Health provides you with an effective and gentle clean.
Note – While Philips Sonicare refers to the size of the ProResults Gum Health as “standard”, the bristle arrangement is slightly shorter in length.
ProResults Gum Control brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- HydroClean (discontinued)
Sensitive Toothbrush Head
Refill Pack Size – 3 pack (HX6053/64)
With super soft bristles the Sensitive brush head is the gentlest toothbrush head in the Philips Sonicare range.
If you are swapping from another brush head to the sensitive then you will immediately notice the difference along the gum line. The brushing sensation is much less aggressive and for those of you with hypersensitivity, this may be your only choice if you want to experience a Sonicare toothbrush.
The bristles also flex and bounce as you brush over the surface of your teeth and actually helps make the vibrations slightly less jarring.
As far as brushing goes the Sensitive brush head performed exceptionally well at removing plaque along the gum line and from the surface of the teeth. We were even happy with the performance between the teeth.
But the brush head did struggle on stubborn stains. If you have plaque build up that has not been touched for a while then you will need to press down quite hard in order to remove it. This is the trade off with all softer bristled toothbrush heads.
The sensitive brush head does have a downside. If you press down too hard when brushing , the soft bristles will wear much quicker than those found in firmer Sonicare brush heads.
Now this is not necessarily a bad thing. If you brush too hard then you risk wearing down your enamel or causing your gums to recede.
The softer bristles of the sensitive brush head are less abrasive so even if you are heavy handed you wont do the same amount of damage that you would with a firmer bristled brush head. We would prefer to replace a toothbrush head more frequently than do permanent damage to our teeth any day of the week.
If you want to experience the gentlest brushing experience possible then we recommend you use the Sensitive brush head with a Sonicare toothbrush handle that has a sensitive cleaning session.
Sensitive brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- HydroClean (discontinued)
AdaptiveClean Toothbrush Head
Refill Pack Size – 3 pack (HX9043/64) and 2 pack (HX9042/64)
The AdaptiveClean is perhaps the most unusual brush head we have ever come across. As the name suggests, the brush head is designed to bend and flex to the unique shape of your teeth.
The bristles are set into a flexible rubber. As you press down the rubber bends and flexes with your brushing movements.
During brushing this extra movement was more noticeable with up and down strokes rather than side to side
But the soft rubber brush head had an extra benefit. It absorbed some of the pressure applied when we brushed too hard, resulting in a slightly gentler brushing experience than if the bristles were set into hard plastic. However, this is not a gentle brush, the bristles feel the firmest out of all the brush heads we tested.
The bristle arrangement is slightly unusual. If you look closely at the photo above you will notice that each cluster of bristles is spread, leaving gaps between each one.
Along the surface of the teeth the AdaptiveClean really shines. It sweeps away plaque exceptionally well.
But the plaque build up near the gaps in your teeth saw it require more passes than other Sonicare brush heads. The bristles also felt quite firm along the gumline which rules this out as a toothbrush option for those of you with sensitivities, although it did satisfactorily remove plaque here.
It is also worth mentioning that the AdaptiveClean is the largest out of all the Sonicare brush heads. If you find yourself complaining about the small size of the other brush heads then this one is worth checking out.
But if you have a smaller mouth then you may have trouble reaching those tighter areas, particularly around your back teeth.
One of our testers commented that she loved how the AdaptiveClean conformed to her dental work. Those of you with dental work (bridges, crowns, fillings etc.) may appreciate how the brush head can contour to the surface of your teeth, allowing for a greater overall clean.
Overall the AdaptiveClean satisfactorily cleans your teeth, but it isn’t for everyone.
AdaptiveClean brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- HydroClean (discontinued)
SimplyClean Toothbrush Head
Refill Pack Size – 5 pack (HX6015/03) and 2 pack (HX6012/04)
The SimplyClean brush head offers a good all-round clean and is a great choice for those of you who are just starting out.
The Bristles fall between soft and medium firmness, making it not only tough on plaque but soft enough to use comfortably on all but the most sensitive of gumlines.
If you look closely you will notice that the center bristles stick out. These bristles help remove more plaque from the surface of your tooth than if the bristles were flat.
The longer bristles at the top and bottom of the teeth help sweep away plaque from in between your teeth (and get around your back teeth) while the outermost bristles work along your gumline.
While the SimplyClean provides a great whole mouth clean, it does not perform exceptionally in one specific area. If you have problem areas that need special attention such as tooth surface, gumline or in between the teeth then you may want to choose a brush head that focuses on this specific area.
Interestingly, the SimplyClean is the only brush head from Philips Sonicare that comes with colored identification rings. If you share your Sonicare handle, these colored rings allow you to easily spot which brush head belongs to who, so you don’t end up brushing your teeth with someone else’s brush head.
We also thought it was worth mentioning that this is the closest bristle layout and shape you will get to the discontinued ProResults brush head.
If you want a brush head that does it all without the gimmicks then look no further. The SimplyClean offers a great scrub for your teeth without any tradeoffs.
We also thought it was worth mentioning that this is the closest bristle layout and shape you will get to the discontinued ProResults brush head.
Note: The 5 pack of SimplyClean brush heads represented the best value for money out of the entire range of Sonicare brush heads.
SimplyClean brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- HydroClean (discontinued)
Sonicare For Kids (Standard)
Refill Pack Size – 2 pack (HX6042/94)
We commented that the Simply Clean brush head is a great starting point for those who are new to sonic toothbrushes. If you look closely, you will see that the standard Sonicare For Kids brush head uses the exact same bristle layout. The only difference is that the bristles are clear.
The bristles are fall between medium and soft While Philips sonicare claims that the bristles are “extra soft” on the packaging, the shape of the center bristles gives a firmer feeling than the sensitive toothbrush head. Regardless, the result is a comfortable brush head that is tough on plaque.
The longer top and bottom bristles sweep the gaps in between your childs teeth (and help reach around the back teeth)while the longer middle bristles work on removing plaque build up from the tooth’s surface.
The Sonicare For Kids brush head has one other kid friendly feature. The rear of the brush head is coated in a soft rubber.
The rubber prevents that uncomfortable feeling that can occur when the back of the brush head comes into contact with your teeth. A very handy feature since your child will likely be bumping his teeth often until he learns the correct brushing technique.
The rubber coating does make the brush head larger head wider than the rest of the Sonicare range which makes it unsuitable for those of you with smaller mouths.
Adults can use this brush too. While Philips Sonicare claim that the brush head only works with the Sonicare For Kids toothbrush, we found it to easily snap and lock onto all modern Sonicare electric toothbrushes.
This is good news for those of you who already have a Sonicare toothbrush and want to test it out on their kids. If your kids don’t take to it then you wont have wasted money on another toothbrush handle.
There is a downside to the clear bristles. They stain much easier than the colored ones. If your child has recently eaten chocolate cake or anything else with a staining quality then be sure to rinse their mouth out first.
If you are reading this and it is too late, your bristles are already stained, there is no need to throw the brush head in the trash. While stained bristles may look ugly, they still brush exactly the same.
Note: The Sonicare For Kids Standard is recommended for ages 7+
Sonicare For Kids (Standard) brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- Sonicare for kids
Sonicare For Kids (Compact)
Refill Pack Size – 2 pack (HX6032/94)
The Sonicare For Kids Compact is perfect for younger kids with smaller mouths.
If you are still brushing your child’s teeth for them then this is probably the brush head to choose. The smaller size will allow you to easily maneuver the brush head into tight areas like around the back teeth.
The smaller size has another benefit, less toothpaste dribbles down the head and onto the toothbrush handle.
While the compact size lacks the longer center bristles found on the standard, the bristles feel much softer without them.
Just like the standard size, the Compact has a soft rubber back to prevent discomfort if the back of the brush head bumps the surrounding teeth. If you brush your child’s teeth you will know just how easy this is to do as they move their head around.
The bristles effectively remove plaque from even the smallest of teeth. We were very impressed with the gumline performance, an area that is often missed when children brush their own teeth.
Note: The Sonicare For Kids Compact is recommended for ages 4+
Sonicare For Kids (Compact) brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- Sonicare for kids
TongueCare+ brush head
Refill Pack Size – 1 pack + Rx breath spray (HX8071/10), 2 Pack (HX8072/80)
While the TongueCare+ technically more of a tongue cleaner than a toothbrush head, it does fit on the Sonicare Snap-on range of electric toothbrushes so we felt it belonged in our list.
The tongue cleaner is similar to that which you find on the rear of some manual toothbrushes, only larger. It is essentially a piece of silicone with 259 bumps (we counted).
Philips is generous and calls these bumps “MicroBristles” but in reality they are just small bumps designed to scrape away bacteria from your tongue.
The key between the TongueCare+ and your standard tongue scraper is that this uses your Sonicare toothbrush handle to vibrate at 31,000 times per minute; which Philips claims helps to break up tongue debris.
The TongueCare+ is designed to be used with Breath RX spray. Simply spray your tongue and scrape the tongue cleaner back and forth over your tongue.
Truth be told we didn’t find the tong cleaner any more effective than a regular tongue scraper. In fact, it appears the Breath RX spray did most of the work. We were able to achieve a similarly fresh feeling by rinsing with Breath RX mouthwash alone.
If you have a gag reflex then we recommend you go slow and avoid attempting to clean the very back of your tongue.
Philips includes a cover with all the other brush heads to keep them hygienic when not in use. Inexplicably, Philips does not include a hygiene cap with the TongueCare+.
This makes storing the tongue scraper difficult. And since you scrape this product across your tongue, you are going to want to keep it clean and hygienic for the next use.
If you have found that tongue scraping successfully cures your bad breath problem then the TongueCare+ might be worth checking out.
But for those of you who do not need to clean your tongue then the TongueCare+ feels more like an expensive gimmick.
Sonicare TongueCare+ heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- DiamondClean
- FlexCare variants (Plus, Platinum etc.)
- HealthyWhite varients
- 3 Series Gum Health
- 2 Series Plaque Control
- EasyClean
- Sonicare for kids
e-Series Toothbrush Head (Standard)
Refill Pack Size – 2 pack (HX7022/64)
The standard e-Series bristle layout, size and firmness is identical to that of the now discontinued ProResults toothbrush head, one of Philips Sonicare’s most popular snap-on brush heads of all time.
And it was popular with good reason, it performed exceptionally well at removing plaque from all areas of your teeth.
The bristle firmness is best described as firm and removes plaque from the surface of your teeth with very little pressure from you. This is largely thanks to the longer bristles that stick out the center of the brush head.
Long top and bottom bristles allows you to easily clean around your back teeth (molars) and also helps sweep away some of the plaque from sides of your teeth. Coupled with a good floss and it is possible that you will not experience cleaner teeth without visiting your dentist.
While brushing along the gums may provide a little discomfort for those of you with sensitivities, we were very impressed with the plaque removal.
The e-Series standard makes it very apparent why there are only three varieties of Screw-on brush heads, no more are needed. Unless you need a smaller sized brush or have very sensitive teeth and gums, You don’t need any other brush head than this.
Highly recommended. It’s a shame that this brush head it only compatible the older models of Sonicare Toothbrush.
e-Series Standard brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- Essence
- Elite (discontinued)
- Xtreme (discontinued)
e-Series Toothbrush Head (Compact)
Refill Pack Size – 2 pack (HX7012/64)
Maybe you have a smaller mouth that struggles to stay closed with a standard sized brush head inside. Or maybe you just want a small brush head that can easily work it’s way around problem areas like the rear teeth.
Whatever the reason you need a smaller brush head, the e-Series compact is your only choice for those of you brushing with an older Sonicare electric toothbrush model.
Fortunately, the e-Series compact offers a great overall clean. While we did require more passes to sweep away plaque laying between the teeth, the surface and gum performance was exceptional.
The longer bristles at the front coupled with the small sized really allowed us to work around the rear teeth, an area that is often missed by larger brush heads.
The only way we can fault the brush head is that the bristles are a little on the firm side, making it unsuitable for those with sensitive teeth and gums.
e-Series Compact brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- Essence
- Elite (discontinued)
- Xtreme (discontinued)
e-Series Sensitive Toothbrush Head
Refill Pack Size – 3pack (HX7053/64) and 2 pack (HX7012/64)
The e-Series sensitive has been designed to offer a more gentle brushing experience. The softer bristles and shape will allow those of you with sensitive teeth or gums brush without the discomfort an that can be caused by firmer bristles.
interestingly, the e-Series sensitive is identical to the snap-on sensitive. We liked that Philips Sonicare has taken the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it approach”.
As far as brushing goes, the bristles effectively remove surface plaque as well as that hiding between the teeth.
But the gums are where the e-Series sensitive really shines. If plaque build up on your gum line is a big problem then you will be pleased that you can give the area a good scrub without causing pain to your gumline.
The softer bristles flex and bounce, absorbing some of the pressure that comes from pressing down too hard on your teeth. Just be mindful that the softer bristles will wear out quicker if you have a bad habit of pressing too hard, but this is true of all soft bristled toothbrush heads.
If you are after a soft bristled screw-in brush head then this really is your only choice. And that’s not a bad thing since we were impressed with the results.
e-Series Sensitive brush heads fit the following Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush handles:
- Essence
- Elite (discontinued)
- Xtreme (discontinued)
Sonicare 101
Below we will cover some of the questions we frequently get asked about Philips Sonicare brush heads.
Replacing your brush head
Just like your regular manual toothbrush, it is recommended you replace your Philips Sonicare brush head once every three months. Doing so will not only keep your brush head clean and hygienic but also ensure you are getting the best brushing performance possible.
Each brush head has a secret feature designed to remind you to swap your brush head out. You may have noticed that each Philips Sonicare brush head has a patch of dark blue bristles. These are the indicator bristles and over time the will begin to fade until they turn clear.
The indicator bristles have been designed to turn clear at around the three month mark, giving you a visual reminder that it is probably time to change your brush head.
This isn’t a hard and fast rule – things like pressing down too hard, cleaning braces and poor brushing technique can all reduce the life of your brush head.
Why stop at one?
If you have specific problem areas then you always have the option of using two brush heads.
For example you could use a standard sized brush head for general whole mouth clean and then a compact brush head for problem areas such as dental work or crooked teeth.
Because the brush heads are interchangeable, swapping over a brush head only takes a few seconds.
Price
Philips Sonicare replacement brush heads are the most expensive out of all the electric toothbrush brands we tested.
Since four brush heads should last you a year, we recommend you make use of sales and coupons and stock up when you find them being sold for cheap.
Whether you are feeling frugal or just love a good bargain, the sweet spot between price and superior brushing is the Sonicare SimplyClean brush head (5-pack) is the best value for money. A single pack can provide you with over a years worth of brushing.
What about generic brush heads?
You know the saying, if something appears too good to be true then it probably is? That definitely applies to generic Philips Sonicare brush heads.
Generic brush heads look similar to the official Philips Sonicare brush heads except that they do not feature Philips Sonicare branding. The major appeal of generic brush heads is that they are cheap. Very cheap. In some cases we were able to buy 10 generic brush heads for the same price as 3 of the official ones.
But being affordable is the only good thing we have to say about these brush heads. During our testing we came across the following problems:
Poor quality – Even in the same packet of generic brush heads, some would not snap onto our Sonicare brush handle, making them unusable.
Inferior materials – While the bristles may look the same, they definitely don’t feel or brush the same. Problems we experienced included requiring many more passes to remove plaque and bristles falling out while brushing.
Wear quicker – Perhaps the most obvious thing was just how quickly the generic brush heads wear. No generic brush head we tested came close to the three months that we could get out of the official Sonicare brush heads.
Trust us, we don’t like the high price of Philips Sonicare brush heads either and we truly wish they had a low cost option. But until generic brush heads improve in quality, we cannot recommend them, no matter how reasonably priced they may be.
Where to buy Philips Sonicare Toothbrush Heads
We purchased all the Philips Sonicare brush heads in this review from Amazon. Not only do they often offer discount coupons, but have a handy subscription program where you can arrange to have your replacement brush heads delivered every 3 or 6 months, just when you are due to replace them. Talk about simple!
If you prefer to shop locally, you can pick up replacement brush heads from your local pharmacy or bigger retailers like Walmart or Target.
Further Resources:
- Electric Toothbrush Guide – Testing notes on all the different electric toothbrushes.
- Overview – A quick overview of the current Sonicare Brush Heads
- Compatibility – Compatibility list
Are the heads easy to snap on and off in order to share with a spouse? And is there a holder to hold the brush heads?
Thank you for this article! I have never thought of the importance of a grater. I usually just go to the store and pick out the cheapest one. Now, after reading this makes me think more on the things I buy, especially when it comes to cooking utensils. I’ll have to look at my budget and see if I can improve my arsenal of kitchen tools based on your recommendations.
I have a slightly different question: If we should replace the brush heads every three months what do you do when you don’t use the brush that often? For instance I have a second Sonicare at my girl friends house that I use around 15-20 days in three months. If I only use the brush 15-20 days in three months should I be changing out the head after three months or can I use the brush for ninety days even it that happens over a much longer time?
Hey Rick;
Thanks for the question. I can let other readers put in their 2 cents, but as for me, I’m fairly cheap – I mean “frugal”, which means that I push the replacement limit as long as I can. If I were in your position, I would simply check the status of the brush itself to determine the need for replacement. Some brushes have an indicator strip which fades when it’s ready to be replaced. Otherwise, I replace my own brush heads when the bristles start to fray slightly. Sometimes it’s a lot longer than 3 months! Just be sure your bristles aren’t disintegrating or coming out – in which case you would replace the head immediately!
Good points. Thanks for the quick reply. Rick
Thank you so much for all of your research and thorough review!! Trying to figure out which head fits my handle and which is best for me was giving me a headache. I didn’t have any luck with the Philips website. I purchased a 6 pack of InterCare heads at Sams Club but was afraid to open. I didn’t want them to not fit and be stuck. I’m ripping it open now and happily brushing away!! :o)
Hello are all fine this brush heads are available in black?
Thanks for the terrific review! I currently am using the DiamondClean Compact brush to fit my smaller adult mouth. I was curious about your review of the Kids Compact brush and I’m considering trying this brush as an alternative. I’ve found the DiamondClean brushes to be rather firm. Your review says the Kids compact is a little softer and I noticed the price is about $10 less expensive than the adult compact (2 pack). Do you think the shorter size of the brush head is sufficient reach for adults and would I be losing any cleaning quality (as compared to a DiamondClean brush) by going with the children’s compact? Any feedback would be appreciated!
Hi CJ,
The standard kids toothbrush is a similar size to the other adult brush heads in the Sonicare range, so I would suspect that reach would be fine for you. That said, I am not a dentist and if you wanted a definite answer you would be best served by asking your dentist if this is an appropriate solution for your teeth.
Thanks for detailed tested info. I just bought sonicare brush with Diamond Care brush heads, one standard and one compact head. I am trying to snap fit the head in vain. They both won’t snap and leaving airing 2 mm space between seat of the head and the handle. Am doing something wrong in placing the brush heads, since both heads are giving this space and snap sound. Appreciate your time in advance.
Hi Siva,
I can only go off your description but these brush heads are not designed to sit “flush” with the toothbrush handle. A tiny gap is normal and was experienced on every sonicare electric toothbrush we tested. If they did sit flush, they wouldn’t vibrate as effectively. You would essentially be left with a manual toothbrush. If you feel your product is faulty you should get in touch with the Philips customer service department.
This was an amazing amount of information and well given, but I am looking at my 5 pack of brushes and noticed that some have triangles, some circles and one has a solid dot. Do those symbols mean anything?
Thanks for looking into this for me.
Hi Cathy,
I don’t have any brush heads in front of my to compare. These markings are superficial, so I am guessing that they are used so that you can tell your brush head apart from anyone else who shares your electric toothbrush.
The idea of these three markings is to allow for sharing of the electric toothbrush. But there are only three marking, which just does not cut it for a family with more than three members. Moreover, some of the heads sold just do not have any markings. My three sets containing two (2) C3 heads is an example. Plus, I have purchased other heads with no markings. I used to have lots of different colored rings that allowed for four or more users on my “legacy” toothbrush.
This is so that when you travel with a partner you can know the one with the circle is yours and the one with the triangle is your partner’s. This way, when you travel, you can share one brush handle without having to share the brush heads.
Very impressed with the thoroughness of your reviews! Could you please comment on the tendency of the Essence toothbrushes with the e-series brush heads to quickly build up gunk & mildew versus the newer line of toothbrushes that take the snap-on brush heads? I have an Essence (six years old but still lots of life left in it) and deal with the black slime/mold accumulation under the brush head and inside the toothbrush. I now remove the brush heads after each use and air dry, but there is still a bit of gunk build up and this is getting tiresome. I am wondering if the modern Sonicare line with the snap-on heads eliminates this issue completely and if I should make the switch? Thank you!
Hi Maddie,
The older style “screw on” brush heads were much more prone to mildew and cleaning than the newer style. the large plastic cap on the brush head, the one that screws into the toothbrush handle, was quite good at trapping moisture, especially if not remove to dry once you finished brushing your teeth.
The newer toothbrush heads do not have this problem since they only have a small hollowed out middle that snaps onto the shaft of the toothbrush. While you should still remove the brush head and leave it to dry when not in use, the mildew is much less of a problem. The fact that the toothbrush heads are much easier to remove makes it much easier to clean them even when you are feeling tired or rushed.
By “gunk” if you are referring too toothpaste that flows out your mouth and down the handle, before hardening, this is best removed with daily cleaning, before it gets to hard or builds up. Which again, is easier thanks to the easy removal of the brush heads.
Combine this with a greater number of brush heads to choose from and the newer style heads are the obvious choice. That said, if your toothbrush still works and works well, you may want to hold off until your battery finally dies.
Do all the Snap-on brush heads fit on all the modern snap on brush models? It seems to indicate that in your article, but you do not really state that.. I got the impression if you have one of the snap on models that normally takes a brush head listed than you could use any of the other replacement heads. However, you say the kids brush fits on the adult models , but you never say if the adult brushes fir on the kids model ? Could you clarify ?
Also is one tooth brush base better than the others or are they basically the same in effectiveness and the heads matter more?
Hi Bob,
All Sonicare toothbrushes we tested can use the snap-on brush heads, although Philips marketing department now refers to them as “click-on” brush heads.
As we covered in our best electric toothbrush article – Where we compare all the Sonicares and other electric toothbrushes, after a set point, you are just paying for optional features. If you are deciding on which electric toothbrush to buy, that guide should be your starting point along with the attached reviews.
Thank you for this review! You did a great job on the brush head info. I’ve used Sonicare since the late 90’s! I won’t use a regular toothbrush, unless desperate. My e-series battery is now on it’s last, last leg (I’ve forced it for a few months.) I want to buy the diamond clean, and wasn’t sure if it would be worth it or necessary. I think I am going to give it a try.
Also, I agree about the generic versions of brush heads. I bought Kroger/Fry’s brand…I noticed immediately that they were not as good…and the brushes were very loud. That was a long 3 months. lol
Hi JMS,
Thanks for the kind words. We have reviewed just about every sonicare toothbrush there is and in terms of brushing performance there is little difference between them. The main difference comes in the form of add-ons and bonus features such as carry cases and extra heads, if you want the extra features then you won’t be disappointment. But if all you want is a good brushing experience then they all work near identically. Check out our electric toothbrush review section for more details.
I can’t get the head off the body on my Philips Sonicare tooth brush. I’ve tried pulling, twisting, everything and it just won’t come off. Any suggestions?
Hi Carol,
If it’s an authentic Sonicare brush head then it should pull straight off. While we had problems with generic brush heads getting stuck we did not have any problems on any of the official ones we tested. Failing that you may have to contact Philips customer service department.
I am running into a different problem now that I’ve switched to the new system that came with the diamond care heads. The heads get much louder quite quickly with use. They get to be loud enough to cause auditory problems after only a few weeks, which is long before the bristles wear out.
Have you looked at no is over time with these? Might be a useful thing to add to the reviews. I am wondering if a different model head would give me better results.
Hi Scott,
That sounds like an interesting problem and is the first time it has been brought to our attention. During testing this is not something that came up, sound appeared to remain constant much less deafening. Unfortunately we are a review website and unable to help with troubleshooting. Your best option would be to contact Philips customer service, perhaps they could help resolve the issue.
There is a YOUTUBE out there that has a Very Simple Fix….. Just remove the metal / plastic ring inside, at the bottom of the brush head. It easily pops right out!
Which replacement head is the smallest in size. I have braces and my dentist told me to get smallest replacement head.
Hi Misty,
If you want the smallest possible Philips Sonicare brush head then you should choose a compact one. All the compact toothbrush heads are similar in both width and height. Thinking back to when I had braces I found that stiff and densely grouped bristles did not last as long as bristles that were more spread out (this gave them the ability to bend and flex more while returning to their original shape). If I had to choose a small sonicare brush head for braces it would be the Sonicare for kids compact. Ignore the name, they work just as fine for adults. Just be mindful that your brush heads will not last as long as if you were brushing teeth without braces, the bracket and wires really rough up the brush heads, reducing their lifespan. Hope this helps!
Hi we are 4 members in the family, how can I buy the brushes so we have one each and identify them from one another? Tks
Hi Rita,
The SimplyClean 5 pack not only represents the best value for a family but also comes with different colored rings so you can identify which brush head belongs to which member of your family. Alternatively you can purchase different brush heads for different family members based on their needs but this will be a more expensive option.
Will the Simply Clean 5 pack heads fit the sonicate kids brush? Above says that the kids brush fits other models so I am assuming these will fit but I am doubt checking.
Thanks
Hi Mary,
When this guide was originally put together we had no trouble placing the SimplyClean heads on the kids brush.
It is realy difficult to know which brush heads can fit a given toothbrush model. I am at a loss. I have a HX6210 (I am guessing as the only place to look is at the bottom of the TB, with hard to read numbers (I am 67 years old).) A table referencing TB versus heads would be a helpful addition to your excellent report. Thanks
Hi Ozzie,
An excellent suggestion. I ran this past our editor but unfortunately it would be something that is difficult to implement. The part number on the bottom of your toothbrush does not correspond with the part number that Philips publicly refers to the electric toothbrush as, the problem gets worse with models that have had many revisions (The Flexcare Platinum has had over 14). Add international models which again will often feature different model numbers and the whole process is just a little too difficult to roll out.
However, to clarify for your toothbrush, it can fit any “snap-on” brush head.