Performance

Parents say it does a better job than a manual brush. The Philips Sonicare for Kids uses rapid side-to-side vibrations to clean teeth and users at Amazon.com say that it does an excellent job of doing so. The toothbrush, at maximum settings, produces up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute. It has two brushing modes: low mode (gentler) for children ages 4 and up and high mode (more powerful) for ages 7 and up. Many parents note that, since they moved their child to the Sonicare from a regular toothbrush, their dental hygienist has noted better overall oral hygiene and easier professional cleanings.

Ease of use

Brushing made fun and easy. Many parents say that the Sonicare for Kids is the first toothbrush that their child seems to enjoy using. The toothbrush has a two-minute timer that chimes musical tones at 30-second intervals to alert children to move to a different area of the mouth, and parents say it can be a bit confusing for younger kids at first, so there may be a learning curve. It also has smaller brush heads that are made to fit comfortably in children’s mouths, but it’s really best for ages 4 and up; quite a few parents buy it for younger children only to be disappointed that it’s too large and cumbersome for them. There were a lot of reports of a finicky Bluetooth connectivity when this first came out but we see very few now; apparently that has been addressed.

Features

Loaded, maybe over-loaded, with kid-friendly features. The Philips Sonicare for Kids is loaded with features that are supposed to help make brushing fun, including a base with interchangeable panels and musical tones, not to mention the Bluetooth-enabled app. While many parents say their child loves the app, plenty of others say their kids get bored with it very quickly — and it’s really only appealing for the younger set. A few also say they wish the app was more customizable for multiple children — if one is watching the other brush, they know what the “prize” is before it’s their turn.

Cost of ownership

Replacement brush heads on the high side, price-wise. We spotted a number of comments from parents who were pleased at how well the Sonicare for Kids has held up over the past couple of years, even when used by more than one child. Of course, there are outliers, and several owners at Amazon.com say the unit stopped working properly after just a few months. However, the toothbrush comes with a two-year warranty, and most reviewers say the company honors it willingly and has great customer service. While the brush itself is less expensive than full-size models, the cost of the standard-sized Philips Sonicare for Kids Replacement Toothbrush Heads, HX6032/94 (Est. $20 for two) can add up over time. The manufacturer recommends replacing the brush heads every three months.

Specs

Type Rechargeable electric toothbrush
Timer Yes
Brush heads included 1
Brush movement Lateral
Battery life 3 weeks
Warranty 2 years