Toothbrush specs can be dizzying. You're just looking for something that cleans your teeth for a reasonable price. Maybe you value comfort. Maybe you want special attention to gum health. But as you browse, you're bombarded with an overwhelming variety of features.
Each brand has some new innovation that promises to "revolutionise" the future of brushing. It could be a specially designed brush head, a new motor, or even the power of sonic. But do you really understand the difference between a sonic and oscillating toothbrush? And does it even make a difference?
We're cutting through the noise, comparing how leading brands actually improve brushing. We're looking to see which features truly matter — and which are more hype than help. Let's get started.
What Features Really Matter (And Do Consumers Really Care)
Electric toothbrushes come packed with features, from smart screens and Bluetooth apps to half a dozen brushing modes. But when you look past the marketing, only a handful of features make a real difference to everyday brushing:
· Efficacy: Plaque removal depends more on brush-head design, timers, and pacing than on raw motor speed.
· Comfort: Noise, grip, and vibration strength affect whether people actually use the brush daily.
· Gum health: Pressure sensors and soft-bristled heads protect against overbrushing — highly valued in markets like Germany.
· Price & durability: Consumers care about the total cost of ownership (replacement heads, battery life, charging) more than flashy extras.
At Oclean, we're primarily focused on the European market. We find that feature preferences can differ a little from country to country. So, while in Spain, quietness and portability are valued, elsewhere, it's all about comfort or price. We've tried to factor that into our analysis.
Efficacy | Getting Teeth Cleaner Faster
Efficacy is the most important factor. If a toothbrush doesn't clean your teeth, then what's the point? This is where the battle between sonic and oscillating toothbrushes heats up.
Let's be clear: Sonic is the absolute winner.
Independent reviews back this up — a 2022 study found sonic brushes outperform oscillating ones for both plaque removal and reducing gum inflammation.
But it's not just sonic vs oscillating. It's also the motor speed and head design. The faster the motor moves, the more it pushes the toothpaste mixture above and below the gumline, cleaning where the bristles alone cannot access.
Let's compare the three leading brands:
Oclean X Ultra
Oclean's standout feature is its magnetic levitation (Maglev) motor that delivers up to 84,000 movements per minute. This tech produces stable, high-frequency vibrations that drive toothpaste and fluid deeper along the gumline — areas ordinary bristles can't reach.
Combined with slim, tapered brush heads and intelligent brushing guidance, it offers both thorough plaque removal and gentler gum care.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean
A long-time favourite that delivers steady sonic cleaning (around 62,000 brush movements per minute). It doesn't shout about smart features, but it consistently removes plaque and is kind to sensitive gums — which is why dentists still recommend it.
Oral-B iO Series 6
Rather than sonic vibrations, Oral-B uses oscillating-rotating brush heads with added micro-vibrations. It's excellent at scrubbing plaque away, though the feel is firmer and the brush is noisier than most sonic designs. The built-in pressure sensor is a reassuring touch if you tend to press too hard.
Comfort | Noise, Grip, and Daily Usability
Next up is comfort.
Sure, an electric toothbrush can promise better cleaning, but if it sounds like a hydraulic drill, most people aren't going to buy it.
Comfort is a combination of ergonomic, noise, and weight. Spanish users often value the quietness of brushes as well as how easily they fit into travel kits. The preference is for slim, comfortable toothbrushes without the noise.
German users, in contrast, can favour a slightly chunkier brush as it gives the impression of long-term durability and heft — reliability matters.
Oclean Air 2
Quieter than a whisper (literally), the Oclean Air 2 is unlike any other electric toothbrush on the market. It delivers 80,000 movements/minute thanks to the Maglev motor and yet is less than 45dB. That's less noise than your average library.
Plus, with 30-day battery life, IPX7 waterproof technology, and weighing <95g, this slim, sleek brush fits as easily in your travel bag as it does on your bathroom shelf.
But if you really value quietness on the move — including our Spanish customers — try the Air 2T. It comes with a handy travel case (alongside all the features Oclean users have come to expect).
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean
The DiamondClean has a premium look and feel, but that comes with a heavier handle and a more solid build. Many users remark on its sturdy grip, though some find it less "feather-light" than travel-friendly models.
Consumers often highlight the weight as a sign of long-term durability, reflecting a preference for products that feel built to last.
Oral-B iO9
The iO9 has softened the harsher mechanical sounds of older Oral-B brushes, though it still runs louder than most sonic designs. Independent tests have measured it at around 72 dB — an improvement, but still noticeable.
Reviewers frequently describe the audible "buzz" as reassuring, interpreting it as a sign of clinical strength, even if it's not the most comfortable sensation.
Why comfort matters more than you think. Quiet, well-balanced, ergonomic brushes encourage consistency. It might sound strange. But even a little discomfort puts you off brushing. Whereas, if it feels smooth and unobtrusive, you're more likely to stick with it twice a day.
Think about that when you're balancing cleaning power against comfort. Better the brush you use than the one you don't.
Gum Health | Pressure Protection & Head Design
Gum disease is a precursor to all other tooth problems. It's how the decay first sets in.
Protecting against gum disease is a balance between cleaning below the gumline and avoiding overbrushing. In fact, brushing too hard can cause gum recession — this, in turn, allows bacteria and food debris to accumulate in the gaps.
It's a dangerous consequence.
That's where toothbrushes with pressure sensors, automatic timers, and brushing guides come in handy. It might feel like a lot of unnecessary features, but it makes a real difference.
Oclean X Pro 20
Oclean believes in offering the most powerful clean in the gentlest way possible.
The Maglev 4.0 motor moves so fast that you don't need to apply a lot of pressure. In fact, most of the cleaning comes from simply gliding it over your teeth.
To ensure you're brushing correctly, the brush monitors every single brushing session. The mouth is split into 12 cleaning zones, and the data is fed back to an app for AI brushing solutions. We keep it nice and simple, correcting you when necessary: red zones mean unclean, and yellow means not fully cleaned.
So you're never at risk of overbrushing.
Oral-B iO
Combines oscillating-rotating brushing with micro-vibrations and features a smart pressure sensor with a light ring that changes colour — red if you're brushing too hard, green when you're doing it just right.
It's easy to understand at a glance, though the brushing feel is a little firmer compared to sonic brushes, especially if you're using the standard Oral-B heads.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean
Offers sonic cleaning with a pressure sensor that makes the brush gently pulse when you apply too much force. It's a softer, more subtle kind of feedback, and when paired with Sonicare's flexible, gum-friendly heads, it works well for users who want protection without constant interruptions.
Head design matters too. Softer, tapered brush heads (as used by Oclean) are gentler on gums. Some Oral-B heads — though effective at cleaning — can feel a little firmer. Use caution when assuming all heads behave the same across brands (they don't).
Best Models for Different Priorities
Every mouth is different — and so are people's priorities.
Maybe you're after quiet brushing, gum-friendly heads, or just something simple that gets the job done. Whatever it is you're after, there's a brush for you.
Let's be fair: most leading brands will clean your teeth well if used properly. Oral-B's pressure light system is genuinely clever. Philips' gentle brushing action makes it a solid pick for sensitive gums.
But if you're looking for the best electric toothbrush in 2025, Oclean stands out. It combines smart design, sonic technology, and comfort-focused features — without the inflated price tag.
· Want something ultra-quiet and easy to travel with? The Air 2T is in a class of its own.
· Looking for power and precision? The X Ultra offers Maglev motor tech with advanced zone tracking.
· Need something balanced and beginner-friendly? The X Pro 20 brings smart brushing guidance and gentle cleaning into one sleek package.
That's not hype. That's what the spec sheets — and the feedback — say.
So, when you're choosing, forget gimmicks. Focus on what actually helps you brush better:
✓ Pressure protection
✓ Quiet performance
✓ Gentle bristle design
✓ Smart guidance that keeps you on track
And that's exactly what Oclean builds for.
