Sonicare has launched several new electric toothbrushes: the 5300, 5500, 6100, 6500 & 7100. They are now available to buy on the Sonicare website and with various retailers. We will be testing and reviewing them shortly.
These brushes are a replacement for the popular Sonicare ProtectiveClean series and ExpertClean series.
They are available in various configurations and colours. In the list below, we have included a link to one version of each model on the Sonicare website:
Headline features
These are the standout features and changes that come with the new Sonicare range:
- New travel case design with and without charging options
- New handle shape — the new handle design is more compact and comparable to the higher end Prestige 9900.
- USB charging stands
- 'Next-Generation Sonicare Technology', which aims to deliver consistent brushing power even when the brush is squeezed in hard to reach areas like the molars.
- Brushes from the 6100 upwards have a visible pressure sensor. Previously this was only available in Sonicare's most expensive brushes. The smart optic sensor precisely detects excessive brushing pressure and then flashes purple to alert users
- All have BrushSync brush head replacement reminder technology
- The 6100 and 6500 series introduce the new sensitive S2 brush head. This has rounded tips and thinner bristles (0.1mm) than any other Sonicare brush head. It has more than 3000 filaments (50% more vs. conventional Sonicare brush head).
- All brushes have 21 day battery life with a Li-Ion battery
- All have 62,000 movements
- Brushes will come in paper-based packaging to cut down on plastic waste
The brushes are very similar in design, but have variations in their feature sets and box contents. There are various colours available, dual handle options and additional brush head variants for each model.
The slideshow below shows some official product shots for each model. Please note there are multiple variations for each model in terms of the travel case and number of brush heads included. The images below only show one variant of each model:
As is usually the case with Sonicare brushes, the features increase as the model number increases. Please note we are yet to have an official spec sheet through, so some of this may be subject to change:
Cleaning modes
- 5300 = 1 (clean)
- 5500 = 2 (clean, white)
- 6100 = 2 (clean, sensitive)
- 6500 = 3 (clean, white, sensitive)
- 7100 = 4 (clean, white, sensitive, gum health)
Brushing intensities
- 5300 = N/A
- 5500 = N/A
- 6100 = 3 (low, medium, high)
- 6500 = 3 (low, medium, high)
- 7100 = 3 (low, medium, high)
Pressure sensor
- 5300 - Handle vibration
- 5500 - Handle vibration
- 6100 - Handle vibration & light ring
- 6500 - Handle vibration & light ring
- 7100 - Handle vibration & light ring
Travel case
- 5100 - Variants with and without
- 5500 - Variants with and without
- 6100 - Variants with and without. Those with seem to come with an extra 2 brush heads
- 6500 - Variants with a non-charging case and variants with a charging case.
- 7100 - Variants with a non-charging case and variants with a charging case.
Bluetooth
- 5300 = N/A
- 5500 = N/A
- 6100 = N/A
- 6500 - Gathers brushing data but does not have real-time tracking (similar to the DiamondClean 9000 / ExpertClean)
- 7100 - Gathers brushing data but does not have real-time tracking (similar to the DiamondClean 9000 / ExpertClean)
Prices
- 5300 = £69.99
- 5500 = TBC
- 6100 = £229.99
- 6500 = £299.99
- 7100 = TBC
A quick look at the 'Next-Generation Sonicare Technology'
This is described on the product listings as:
Enjoy a delightful brushing experience and new level of oral care with next-generation Sonicare technology. While patients brush, the toothbrush's innovative magnetic system adjusts brushing power during each cleaning session, delivering optimal performance of precisely 62,000 bristles movements per minute, even in hard-to-reach areas. Meanwhile, dynamic fluid action supports the brush heads' cleaning performance by gently rinsing along the gumline and between every tooth, helping patients achieve a complete clean every time they brush.
The power adjustment feature adjusts the brush's power depending on how hard the user is pressing. With some brushes, the speed of the motor is reduced if the brush is squeezed in tight areas, for example between the molars and the cheek. Sonicare says its new technology aims to deliver consistent brushing power even when the brush is squeezed in these hard to reach areas.
The Dynamic Fluid action that is mentioned describes the propulsion of fluids (saliva and toothpaste etc) that have been whisked together by the bristle movement to create micro bubbles that are pushed between and around the teeth.
