Philips Sonicare 1100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush (White Grey, HX3641/02)

elgringoguapo

Oct 5, 2024 3:22 PM

595 Comments

Joined Dec 2009

elgringoguapoOct 5, 2024 3:22 PM

595 Comments

Quote from cjsanandreas

:

Had two of these break under warranty. They never used to do this (had one that lasted 5 years prior).

I suspect the issue is water ingress from the head, I now shake the thing dry before putting it to charge.

The power button goes faulty (presumably from corrosion), even the one I'm using now is steadily getting less responsive.

I've heard others say dropping them breaks them easily, I haven't had this problem but this is also delayed onset symptom of water corrosion.

I wish someone else would make an ultrasonic toothbrush because Philips is really trying my patience.

If you live near an Aldi, a few times a year they sell an UltraSonic toothbrush that is really solid and has lasted me years, it even uses Sonicare heads. Brand is Dentiguard

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1

boldt

Oct 5, 2024 3:27 PM

601 Comments

Joined Dec 2008

boldtOct 5, 2024 3:27 PM

601 Comments

Quote from pgharibi

:

A stronger motor is not necessarily better for your teeth. Many people brush too hard. It can hurt your gums to do so with a powerful brush.

You don't have to run it at full power

1

betteridea

Oct 5, 2024 4:04 PM

40 Comments

Joined Dec 2011

betterideaOct 5, 2024 4:04 PM

40 Comments

Does anyone know whether C1 is better than C2 in terms of plaque removal?

sr27

Oct 5, 2024 4:09 PM

1.2K Comments

Joined Apr 2008

sr27Oct 5, 2024 4:09 PM

1.2K Comments

Quote from cjsanandreas

:

Had two of these break under warranty. They never used to do this (had one that lasted 5 years prior).

I suspect the issue is water ingress from the head, I now shake the thing dry before putting it to charge.

The power button goes faulty (presumably from corrosion), even the one I'm using now is steadily getting less responsive.

I've heard others say dropping them breaks them easily, I haven't had this problem but this is also delayed onset symptom of water corrosion.

I wish someone else would make an ultrasonic toothbrush because Philips is really trying my patience.

Even their "premium" models easily break. Mine dropped from my hand on to a thick bath mat and broke in a month.

Yeah, I wish someone else made an alternative. But I think Philips patents these things so they can charge ridiculous prices for junk.

bretmkal

Oct 5, 2024 5:05 PM

1.8K Comments

Joined Nov 2011

bretmkalOct 5, 2024 5:05 PM

1.8K Comments

I'm surprised to see all the negative feedback, I've had a sonicare 4100 for quite a while and it's still going strong.

acegolfer

Oct 5, 2024 9:01 PM

1.2K Comments

Joined Mar 2005

acegolferOct 5, 2024 9:01 PM

1.2K Comments

Quote from cjsanandreas

:

Had two of these break under warranty. They never used to do this (had one that lasted 5 years prior).

I suspect the issue is water ingress from the head, I now shake the thing dry before putting it to charge.

The power button goes faulty (presumably from corrosion), even the one I'm using now is steadily getting less responsive.

I've heard others say dropping them breaks them easily, I haven't had this problem but this is also delayed onset symptom of water corrosion.

I wish someone else would make an ultrasonic toothbrush because Philips is really trying my patience.

Had exactly the same power button issue with 2 previous units. Not going to buy another one at this price. I'll consider if price drops further.

1

MemorableStew1728

Oct 5, 2024 9:29 PM

1.1K Comments

Joined Jan 2019

MemorableStew1728Oct 5, 2024 9:29 PM

1.1K Comments

Quote from cjsanandreas

:

Had two of these break under warranty. They never used to do this (had one that lasted 5 years prior).

I suspect the issue is water ingress from the head, I now shake the thing dry before putting it to charge.

The power button goes faulty (presumably from corrosion), even the one I'm using now is steadily getting less responsive.

I've heard others say dropping them breaks them easily, I haven't had this problem but this is also delayed onset symptom of water corrosion.

I wish someone else would make an ultrasonic toothbrush because Philips is really trying my patience.

I wonder if shaking it dry and doing something like storing it upside down will help. In theory, would help water flow away from the electric parts rather than possibly collect there (power button, head, charging area)

Lovegasoline

Oct 6, 2024 9:37 PM

598 Comments

Joined Dec 2008

LovegasolineOct 6, 2024 9:37 PM

598 Comments

I've had I think x3 Sonicare over the years. They do end up breaking (but to be fair they also took the occasional dive to the floor which isn't ideal).
My last unit died a few months ago (not sure how old but maybe 5+/- yrs?) and I could also see that the rubber seal around the metal post that receives the replaceable brush and the body had deteriorated and corroded from age. Due to that I figured it wasn't worth it to try and repair (perhaps I could have repaired the electronics and added a dot of silicone caulk to function as a seal).

However, 3+ years ago this same unit started making a loud noise although the vibrations weren't transmitted to the toothbrush (probably from dropping one too many times). Instead of trashing it I found a Youtube tutorial on opening a plug at the toothbrush's base to access the innards,and instructions on resetting/aligning the distance of the internal mechanism that controls the vibratory intensity. That did the trick and it operated pretty much like new again for 3+ more years.

I do view these as disposable units, they are not designed to endure beyond a certain lifespan without repairing them to give them some additional lifespan (which is doable if one has the inclination and aptitude), and it's not worth paying a lot for the more fully featured expensive units which seem to die on the same timeline from user feedback. Plan on them expiring not too long after coming off warranty and thus needing to be replaced (unless you get lucky with the very odd robust unit and/or plan to do your own repair): then you can make an informed decision on the economy of buying the brand without being too disappointed when it dies.

I've been using a manual toothbrush the last few months but am going to try a cheap cordless brand currently on a Slickdeal ($13+/-) and not cry when it breaks.

Last edited by Lovegasoline October 6, 2024 at 07:34 PM.

neonneon

Oct 6, 2024 10:58 PM

2.1K Comments

Joined Aug 2005

neonneonOct 6, 2024 10:58 PM

2.1K Comments

Same experiences here. Our old sonicare toothbrushes all worked great and lasted forever. AND NOW… for the last three years, NONE have lasted even a year, whether the cheap OR fancy models… and that's even with me dissembling them to fix them as they break (which I'm unfortunately pretty good at now). Lately the power button goes out, and I'm NOT breaking out my micro soldering equipment to put in a new button… that is where I draw the line. Mad

I MUCH prefer sonicare vs oral-B… but finally had to switch over because sonicare is a legit scam at this point. Boo.

3

themoonrulz

Oct 7, 2024 3:12 PM

112 Comments

Joined Oct 2011

themoonrulzOct 7, 2024 3:12 PM

112 Comments

Quote from pgharibi

:

A stronger motor is not necessarily better for your teeth. Many people brush too hard. It can hurt your gums to do so with a powerful brush.

It's the pressure, not the speed that hurts gums. Higher speed in a Sonicare is more vibration which helps with cleaning.

1

lostinthesea

Oct 8, 2024 2:47 AM

663 Comments

Joined Oct 2011

lostintheseaOct 8, 2024 2:47 AM

663 Comments

Quote from cjsanandreas

:

Had two of these break under warranty. They never used to do this (had one that lasted 5 years prior).

I suspect the issue is water ingress from the head, I now shake the thing dry before putting it to charge.

The power button goes faulty (presumably from corrosion), even the one I'm using now is steadily getting less responsive.

I've heard others say dropping them breaks them easily, I haven't had this problem but this is also delayed onset symptom of water corrosion.

I wish someone else would make an ultrasonic toothbrush because Philips is really trying my patience.

I have owned like four $100+ sonicare toothbrushes. 2 of them broke just past the one year warranty. Any water gets in from any location and these things are done. I've had the rubber from the power button break, the rubber from the top gasket where you attach the head break... I've also had the charger base break because a little too much water got in while trying to clean it. Even though it was unplugged, trying to lightly rinse gunk off the base destroyed it. None of the 4 expensive toothbrushes made it to 3 years, so I just stopped buying them. I couldn't justify the expensive price.

I instead bought an "Utrasonic black series toothbrush" advertised on Slickdeals during prime day, 4 years ago for $26. It is pretty much an ultrasonic clone. It is still going strong and I have gone through many replacement heads.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072YVWBXH

Last edited by lostinthesea October 7, 2024 at 07:50 PM.

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1

gathermewool

Oct 8, 2024 5:39 PM

1.8K Comments

Joined Sep 2018

gathermewoolOct 8, 2024 5:39 PM

1.8K Comments

My 4100, after 2+ years, is now developing a button issue. It's becoming increasingly harder to start and stop the brush. I've got my son's abandoned 1100 as a less-than-ideal backup and, if that fails, my ancient Sonicare with the giant twist too that I've had for over a decade.

Truth be told, I'll go through the remaining brush heads I have and then switch to oral b. I've had a Sonicare since around 2005, but I'm not brand loyal. To hell with these guys and their junk.

1

TrailerParkRicky

Oct 12, 2024 11:28 AM

209 Comments

Joined Dec 2017

TrailerParkRickyOct 12, 2024 11:28 AM

209 Comments

Quote from starcaptor

:

Give fairywill a try. It's a popular Chinese brand that's been on SD many times in the past. They have other names too (bitvae?), but the quality has been good enough that my whole family uses them now.

I previously used sonicare (both styles of replacement heads) for 14 years...since college. Fairywill doesn't vibrate quite as quickly, but you will not notice a difference in clean.

I should mention that the handles are often around $10 and the replacement brush heads can be had for under $2 each. My original handle has been going strong for just over four years now. the charge lasts just over three weeks.

Fairywill is Ali baba trash. Weak and ineffective Bought one on vacation in case it never showed up when I forgot my sonicare. Surprised anyone recommends it.

2

starcaptor

Oct 19, 2024 3:19 PM

3.8K Comments

Joined Sep 2003

starcaptorOct 19, 2024 3:19 PM

3.8K Comments

Quote from TrailerParkRicky

:

Fairywill is Ali baba trash. Weak and ineffective Bought one on vacation in case it never showed up when I forgot my sonicare. Surprised anyone recommends it.

Ive had sonicare handles most of my adult life, including when they were still powered by NiCad batteries and cost $150 for a single handle. The old ones were really good, even when they got all gunky. Lasted well past five years. The first one lasted through two college degrees.

By the 2010s, they only lasted 2-3 years, and by 2016, none lasted past one year...I didnt feel so bad since the handles got so cheap, but if there wasnt a SD, I would be spending $50 a year on handles just for myself. The ones with the heavy handle that charges on a flat base (The essence ones) seem to last the longest.

In 2020 I took a chance on fairywill via a SD, and I have been very satisfied. Changed my whole extended family to them (whenever THEIR sonicare handles finally died!) They are mentioned frequently on SD.

Philips Sonicare 1100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush (White Grey, HX3641/02)

$20

$25

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