Were you given an electric toothbrush? Here's the one that suits you best

The trust we place in major brands is far from always confirmed by independent tests. This is the finding of a study by Swiss magazine K-Tipp, which scrutinized 12 well-known electric toothbrushes. Several crucial aspects were analyzed: bristle quality, battery life and shock resistance.

The results of the study surprised many consumers: Oral-B and Philips, recognized names in oral hygiene, did not top the rankings and, in some cases, even came last, with average or even negative ratings.

Hair shape makes all the difference

The test highlights an important, often underestimated point: electric toothbrushes are not interchangeable, and the real difference lies in the shape of the bristles. According to Swiss Dental Association guidelines, the bristles must be perfectly rounded to clean effectively without irritating or damaging the gums. Cut or only partially rounded bristles increase the risk of microcracks in the oral mucosa.

On average, the models tested had 92% correctly rounded bristles, but not all toothbrushes achieve this level of quality.

The best and the worst

At the top of the ranking is a barely known name: theOclean X Ultra S. This toothbrush scored top marks for its impeccable bristles, first-rate battery life and excellent ease of use. You can brush up to 58 times on a single charge. The only downside is the appearance of small scratches on the casing after 20 drop tests from a height of 80 centimetres. The price is between 80 and 100 euros.

In second place is the Waterpik Sensonic STW-03 toothbrush, rated as 'very good'. This model passed the drop test without visible damage, but its battery life is inferior to that of the number one, with 27 brushes per charge. Again, the price is around 80 euros.

The performance of major brands

For Oral-B, the verdict is "good" for the Pro Series 1, an economical toothbrush costing around 35 euros, which convinces with the quality of its bristles and an autonomy of at least 20 brushes. The iO Series 6+ also receives a positive review.

Conversely, the Oral-B Pro Vitality toothbrush finishes the ranking with an 'insufficient' rating. The main problem is the battery, which runs down after just nine brushing sessions and therefore needs to be recharged frequently. Procter & Gamble disputed these results, claiming that battery life, measured internally, is around twice as long.

At Philips, the Sonicare Diamond Clean 9000 finds itself in the middle of the pack with a "good" rating after re-evaluation. Initially, this model was rejected on the grounds of poor hair quality. Philips then pointed the finger at the possible presence of counterfeit brush heads, and a second test with original heads actually improved the score: the proportion of rounded bristles rose to 89%, compared with 74% previously.

On the other hand, the Philips Sonicare 5300 falls to tenth place, with a score that's just good enough. The drop in score is mainly due to the quality of the standard "Optimal White" accessory.

The complete ranking

Here's the full list of test results:

Very good :

- Oclean X Ultra S (1st place)

- Waterpik Sensonic STW-03 toothbrush (2nd place)

Good :

- Coop Dentamed Prosonic

- Laifen Wave AB5

- Oral-B iO Series 6+

- Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean 9000

- Oral-B Pro Series 1

- Trisa Sonic Ultimate

- Trisa Sonic Advanced

Satisfactory :

- Philips Sonicare 5300 (10th place)

Unsatisfactory:

- Happy Brush Eco Vibe 3 (cracked housing after 4 drop tests)

- Oral-B Pro Vitality (insufficient autonomy)

This test sends consumers a clear message: a high price and a well-known brand is not automatically a guarantee of quality. Staying well informed, comparing test data and looking beyond the logo remains the best strategy for choosing an electric toothbrush that truly meets their expectations.

(MP/© K-Tipp via GreenMe.It/Translation and adaptation: The Global Money/Illustration: Giorgi Iremadze via Unsplash)