Sonicare Advance 4100 Electric Toothbrush

Suggested Retail Price: $59.99

Rating: 7/10

Advantages

• Good at removing stain
• Two-minute timer signals recommended brushing time
• Long charge time
• Limited 2 year warranty   

Disadvantages

• Very few extra features
• Will not last as long as many other models
• Can feel ticklish for some people until they adjust to the high speed

Included Accessories

• Charger base with easy-wrap cord
• Owner's manual

Review

If you want a cheap Sonicare brand electric toothbrush, then the Advance 4100 might be your best bet.  This is the most basic model available from Sonicare.  While it works well and operates similarly to other Sonicare electric toothbrushes, this model comes with almost no extras.  If you primarily want a cheap brush, you may be happier with a model like the Oral B Vitality, unless you really want a Sonicare brand brush.

Even though it does not have many extras, the Advance 4100 is still very useful at cleaning teeth.  Like other Sonicare models, this electric toothbrush uses their sonic pulse technology to give 31,000 brush strokes per minute.  They guarantee that regular use can reduce stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco over a period of 28 days.  And like the more expensive Sonicare models, this one still is good at eliminating plaque and fighting cavities.

The most obvious difference between the Advance 4100 and the other Sonicare electric toothbrush models is, of course, the lack of extra modes or features.  While it still has the two-minute timer to signal brushing time, it does not have a beep every 30 seconds like many other models.  Additionally, there is no travel case included, which is a shame because it does have a two week charge time that would make travel easier.  And unlike many other Sonicare models, there are not multiple speeds or modes that can be used.

Although it's a shame that there are so few extras, the biggest disadvantage is that this electric toothbrush is that it will not last as long as a most models will.  The batteries are a special rechargeable type called nickel-cadmium, or NiCd batteries.  For some people, these batteries will die out after a couple of years, and unfortunately, the Advance 4100 is not designed to have the batteries replaced in them, rendering it useless.  But there's a useful technique with NiCd batteries to extend there life.  Instead of keeping your electric toothbrush in the charger at all times, keep it away from the charger until the battery is drained and it needs a recharge.  If you do this, your batteries, and brush, will last much longer.