Sonicare Elite 7800/7500/7300 vs. Plus/Advance/Quadpacer
Written: Feb 24 '03 (Updated Mar 24 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: cleans teeth very well. less expensive through your dentist.
Cons: high retail price. confusingly similar versions. no choice in brush-head size.
The Bottom Line: Compared to the old Sonicare, the Elite is more expensive, and better at cleaning your teeth.
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| snsh's Full Review: Philips Sonicare Elite Professional 7800 Toothbrus... |
[note: this review is written for users of the old Sonicare looking to purchase Sonicare Elite]
I have been with the Sonicare Pro for about three years. It is the only powered toothbrush I have ever used, and I swear by it. Why? It makes my mouth feel cleaner, my teeth feel stronger, and my gums feel healthier. However the basic Sonicare design has not changed much in over 10 years, until this year as Philips introduces a redesigned model called Sonicare Elite. Here is what changed:
Old Sonicare features:
-sonic cleaning action
-2 minute timer
-choice of normal/ultracompact brush-heads
-30 second quadpacer (newer models)
-rubberized grip (newer models)
-rechargeable NiCd battery
-easystart variable speed control (newer models)
-handle that accumulates crud
-cost $60-$100 retail
Of course, most important is its ability to clean your teeth.
New Sonicare features:
-softer, stranger bristles
-charge gauge
-angled head
-small brush-head only
-splashback shield removed to reach back teeth easily
-slimmer, lighter handle
-rechargeable NiCD with "center-line" electronics to eliminate memory effect
-handle resistant to crud
-cost $80-$130 retail (as low as $40 nonretail)
The bristles are supposed to be moving at a higher velocity than before. Since the vibration rate of 31,000-strokes/minute has not changed, the bristles must be traveling back-and-forth farther each stroke. This would be the "meat" of the improved Sonicare.
Sonicare touts a clinical study that shows the new Elite model removes 20% more plaque between teeth than the old Advance models. They also claim that the new brush creates fluid-flow that cleans inside gaps and crevices.
My Sonicare Elite experience:
The new bristles are definitely much softer than before. They are even softer than on my old Crest Deep Clean toothbrush. Unfortunately, softer means less durable, so I now anticipate buying replacement brush-heads more often.
Brushing with the Elite leaves me with a cleaner feeling than I got with old Sonicare, especially around my back teeth and molars. This actually worries me because it tempts me to skip flossing.
Most other new features make no difference to me. The old handle fit my hands well enough. My battery was always fully charged. I disassembled the handle and rinsed out the crud after each use. When I felt like brushing at lower speed, I simply reset the easystart. The new luxury holder attaches to the wall, which does not suit me. The travel case is still too bulky.
Price and availability:
How do you buy the Sonicare Elite? Sonicare has always confused me by selling the same product in several subtly different configurations and model numbers. The Sonicare Elite is being marketed in six such configurations.
All models:
-brush-head
-charger base
-travel case
-brush-head stand
-slim handle with some type of low-battery indicator
-2 year limited warranty
Elite 7200 Series:
-very basic model
-identical to the 7300, minus the travel case
Elite 7300 Series:
-basic model
-$120 retail
Elite 7500 Series:
-fancy model
-$140 retail
-luxury holder for wall mounting
-multisegment LED battery gauge
-fast/slow button
-rubberier grip
Elite 7600 Series Bonus Pack:
-fancier model
-identical to the 7500, plus an extra brush-head
Elite 7800 Series Professional Trial Pack:
-demo model for dentist/hygenist use
-sold for $40, but sometimes resold on eBay for $80-$90
-programmable quadpacer for +30 seconds of brushing
-much like the 7500, minus the luxury holder
Elite 7800 Series Professional Pack:
-professional model dispensed by dentists
-$140 suggested, but some dentists and eBayers sell for $80
-programmable quadpacer for +30 seconds of brushing
-much like the 7500, plus an extra brush-head and a CD-ROM
For best value, buy the 7800 Pro Pack through your dentist or on eBay. If your dentist is selling the Pro Pack for $90, ok. If your dentist is selling it for $100, bargain them down.
Other considerations:
Use the right toothpaste. I discuss the importance in this review: Selecting a Toothpaste for Powered Brushing. The review gives abrasivity data for some common toothpastes.
With the NiCd battery, the handle is best left on the charging base 24/7. If you constantly allow the battery drain to condition it against memory-effect, you will kill the battery, no joke. Leave it on the charger.
Replacement heads cost between $8-12. My current one is a year old and still seems fine. If your brush-heads seem to mash down over time, you are pressing too hard.
Recommendation:
This is the best toothbrush I have ever used. It is much better than manual toothbrushes, and somewhat better than the old Sonicare. I recommend buying the 7800 Professional model through your dentist or through eBay.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
snsh
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Location: New England
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 7 members
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