When it comes to Phillips, they are never short of a quality toothbrush. The entire Sonicare series is full of products that tend to various needs of the customers. They are ADA (American Dental Association) approved as well! So, you are always sure that you’re getting a quality product.
There are so many choices in this series to make peoples’ heads spin. Each one with its unique set of benefits and perks that sets it apart. One is never at a loss with a product.
Yet, if we have to be choosy and select one product out of many, I figured we should pick some of the brushes, try them, and come up with a comparison. This is the only way to be nitpicky about things and select one out of the lot. That’s the entire motif of this Phillips Sonicare 4100 vs 5100 vs 6100 face-off.
Let me tell you about my own experience of about these teeth cleaners first. Later, I’ll be dissecting their differences and how one model may or may not supersede the other.
Table of Contents
- In Depth Comparison Table
- Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
- Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 Gum Health
- Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 Whitening Rechargeable electric toothbrush
- What Are the Similarities Between the Brushes?
- Phillips Sonicare 4100 vs 5100 vs 6100: Which One Wins the Battle?
- Sonicare 4100 vs 5100
- Comparing 4100 Against 6100
- Sonicare 5100 vs 6100: The Battle is Neck and Neck
- Which One Should You Pick?
In Depth Comparison Table
| Features | 4100 | 5100 | 6100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure sensor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Modes | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Brush Sync | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intensities | No | No | 3 |
| Smart timer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Travel case | No | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Brush head | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
We all know, Sonicare 4100 is a solid step towards removing plaques. When it comes to automatic toothbrushes, ProtectiveClean 4100 few matches. It’s miles ahead of its manual counterparts when it comes to plaque removal. Users can expect results 7 times better than the manual alternatives.
How? The secret is the curved tip that the bristles have. Makers call it the “Power Tip.” These tips help in reaching every corner of our mouths and removing more plaques and in quick time too.
Users have the advantage of using a pressure sensor here as well. It’s present in Oral-B toothbrushes also. This sensor does the job of letting people know when they are putting too much pressure on the teeth and gums. It vibrates at that time. When the pressure is removed, things return to normal.
Sonicare 4100 boasts an Easy Start program. Users start by brushing slow and gradually picking up the pace. The brush tells them how much of a force to apply and where. Thanks to the EasyStart, people with braces, veneers, crowns, and fillings can use this brush.
Before you ask, the brush will be gentle to the teeth as I said. Yes, even with all the additions packed in.
If the brush can be slow and gentle, how can it remove all the plaques and dirt from our mouths? The answer lies in the “Sonic Technology.” It causes the brush to speed up to 31000 brush strokes per minute (Yes, Sonicare 4100 cranks it up when it needs to) to whip the toothbrush into bubbles.
To make sure people clean their teeth properly, the makers gave Sonicare 4100 two types of timers. Firstly, you have the QuadPacer. It monitors how much time you take to brush each side of your mouth. An alarm goes off if the requirements are met.
That’s not all! Sonicare integrated a feature named “Smart Timer” as well. It regularly reminded me that the allotted 2 minutes for brushing the entire set of teeth was up. It’s a nice reminder for people who lose themselves in the features and benefits of the brush and don’t want to let it go.
During all the cleaning and repeated using, one might forget the fact that the brush heads have a lifespan of their own. Even if you miss the fact, Phillips Sonicare 4100 has got you covered!
It comes with BrushSync system. You’ll find a light at the bottom part of the handle. It flashes amber when the current brush head wears out. Thus, the user knows that it’s time to change the accessory in favor of a new one. Sonicare offers replacements for brush heads as well.
This mid-range electric toothbrush runs on a rechargeable battery. There’s a charging station for people to take advantage of. Believe me when I tell you, the battery doesn’t give in easily. You get to enjoy 14 days or 28 minutes of brushing once it’s fully charged.
Get ProtectiveClean 4100 at Amazon
What I Liked about Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
- It’s a simple device to operate; I didn’t have to cycle through multiple modes to get the right one.
- The 4100 warns you when you’re done with cleaning one quarter of your mouth.
- BrushSync lets you know when it’s the right time to change the brush head to uphold performance
- I liked the fact that Sonicare 4100 shuts off automatically when people are done with it.
- You have different colors at your disposal to pick one from. Also, it’s comfortable to hold in hands.
What I Didn’t Like about Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
- The pressure sensor doesn’t flash and it doesn’t have a visible light. You have to go with vibrations.
- The brush heads are pricy when it comes to Sonicare 4100. You’ll have your hands full.
- I was expecting a travel pouch to hold the components of the box in a secured manner.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 Gum Health
I suggest buying Sonicare 5100 Gum Care toothbrush if you want a step up from the previous model on this article. It may be an entry into the 5000 series but the toothbrush stacks up when we’re doing a Sonicare 4100 vs 5100 comparison thanks to the features.
I immediately noticed the sturdy travel case that came with the package. It was not there when I bought the 4100 model. This is a sturdy piece of accessory with room for all the accessories that the brush comes with. Thanks to the case, it remains protected while being unused. Accidents are less harmful as well.
There’s a pressure sensor in this brush as well. It vibrates when people are putting too much pressure on their teeth and gums. Yes, just like in the case of Sonicare 4100. You won’t have a visible light to tell you the level of the pressure. It’s “Vibration Only.”
What I found interesting is that there are three modes to choose from in this case. Instead of just the one, you get three options that can clean your mouth better. There’s the normal “Clean” mode, the “White” model, and “Gum Care” mode for people with sensitive teeth and gums.
Each brushing mode has its own LED indicator so that people get a clear idea about which one is active at a certain point. Choose one of the modes and turn it on. You won’t even have to scrub as the brush will do that for you. Comfort at its very best!
No matter what mode you choose, the Sonic Technology is at work as always. At the maximum, it can generate 31000 brush strokes per minute (I’m repeating myself here). All the plaques and dirt comes through in between the teeth. The next thing to do is clean the toothpaste using water.
It’s WAY better than a manual toothbrush no matter how you look at things.
Yes, you have the QuadPacer technology which tells you when to move on to the other quarter of your mouth. This eliminates guesswork. You don’t have to keep polishing one end of the mouth for too long.
There’s a nifty timer of two minutes, two and a half minutes, and thee minute-mark in place as well. The timing depends on which mode you’re using. The timer tells you when you’re done. Better yet, I noticed the brush shutting down automatically after I was through brushing the teeth.
Phillips didn’t forget to put an indicator for the brush head on the lower part of the handle. Initially, the indicator on Sonicare 5100 flashes green and then to yellow. Over time, it shifts to amber signaling time has come to swap the rusty, old brush head with a new one.
As far as the battery goes, it’s rechargeable as well. You’ll have a charging dock with the package. Once fully charged, the little lithium-ion battery holds the juice for 14 days or two weeks at a stretch.
Get ProtectiveClean 5100 at Amazon
What I Liked about Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100
- This wonder toothbrush comes with Clean, White, and Gum Care modes for people to use.
- You can monitor the brush head for wear and tear. 5100 will tell you when it’s time to change.
- Users have a time monitoring system in place that tells you when to move on or stop brushing.
- BrushSync tells you when the head is about to expire so that people can buy new ones in time.
- A sturdy travel pouch is on offer with the model. It prevents damages from accidental falls.
What I Didn’t Like about Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100
- I would’ve liked a visible pressure sensor instead of one that vibrates. It’s easy to miss at times.
- Replacement brush heads are not so cheap when you compare the price of the main unit.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 Whitening Rechargeable electric toothbrush
You can’t do a Phillips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 vs 5100 vs 6100 battle royale without testing out the last one. Naturally, I tried my hands on Sonicare 6100. As you expect, this one has the signature Sonic Technology at work as well.
As you know, this feature can increase the brush strokes by 31000 per minute. Combine it with three brushing modes and intensity settings (more on this later) and you have a winner on your hands.
If we do a quick Sonicare 5100 vs 6100 comparisons, we’ll see that the latter also has three modes of brushing. You have the “Clean” mode which is good for normal cleaning, then comes the “White” mode. It is your go-to option if you want to remove the stains. “Gum Care” is meant to massage your gums.
What I found interesting is the “Intensity Settings” packed here by the makers. People can cycle through three-speed levels to find the one that suits them. This works perfectly in sync with the different cleaning modes this item has. One just has to go with a comfortable speed and mode for the brush.
The trick is: You don’t have to do anything. The brush pairs these on its own. Just press the power button and you are all set for a nice brushing session. The LED indicator is pretty clear about the mode you are working with at any given time.
The bristles of ProtectiveClean 6100 are soft unlike most of the competing models. Now, it’s a given that this model is gentle on our gums. But what’s good about it is the fact that the bristles can whisk through veneers, dental procedures like braces, crowns etc. It’s the ideal toothbrush for sensitive teeth.
You can combine all three modes with the intensity settings and use them in combination with different brush heads. People have access to a DiamondClean brush head with the package. But the beauty of Sonicare 6100 is the fact that you can use other brush heads too.
Blink and you’ll miss the BrushSync technology at work here. Yes, this one has the indicator that tells the user when it’s time to change the brush head. You’ll find a green, yellow, and red light flashing depending what state the brush head is in. For me, the ideal time to change one is after six months.
Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about the battery. As it happens, you can depend on the lithium-ion battery at work. It takes less time to get charged. Once charged, users can brush uninterrupted for two weeks as it provides 28 minutes of runtime. There’s a charging dock AKA brush stand included with the package.
Before I miss the last bit, I must tell you about the travel case Sonicare 6100 provides. The sturdy case guards this brush from accidental damages, wear and tear while traveling and in general. The case features a charger as well. I know I said you’ll have two weeks of charging time. Take the charger as an insurance.
Get ProtectiveClean 6100 at Amazon
What I Liked about Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
- I found three different modes of cleaning very useful and good addition to the model itself.
- Besides that, people can use three intensity levels that automatically adjust themselves for cleaning.
- The QuadPacer feature lets you know when it’s time to move to other parts of your mouth.
- You have the smart timer that tells people when they’re done brushing. It shuts down afterwards.
- The BrushSync system tells the user when it’s the optimum time to change the brush head.
- You get the pressure sensor as well. It tells people if they are pressuring the gums too much.
- I loved the travel pouch and the portable charger that tags along. It widens my options in vacations.
What I Didn’t Like about Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
- As I keep saying over and over, additional brush heads are pricier than some of the other brands.
- We’re discussing Sonicare 6100 and the makers still didn’t put out a visible pressure sensor.
- The price keeps it in the mid-range. You pay the cost but receive little upgrades compared to it.
What Are the Similarities Between the Brushes?
Since all these brushes belong to different series of Sonicare (4000, 5000, and 6000 respectively), I didn’t go into comparing these thinking they’ll be similar to each other. To my surprise, I found each of these models pretty identical to the others while using. Let’s document the likenesses before we go into filtering the differences.
- You’ll find BrushSync technology at work in all three of these models. It’s an indicator that tells you the status of your brush head. When the indicator turns red, you ought to change the head.
- The pressure sensor is another thing that’s common in all the three brushes. The sensor tells someone if he/she is applying too much pressure on the brush head. When the pressure is more than required, the brush vibrates and lets you know.
- The Lithium-Ion battery is another thing common. This battery can hold charge up for two weeks on an average. The LED indicator shows how much charge you’re left to work with. You have the brush stand that acts as the charging dock.
- QuadPacer and the Smart Timer are the two types of timers that tell you how long to brush each side for and the total brushing time you need to clean your teeth. In fact, the machine shuts down automatically after brushing for two minutes. That’s 30 seconds of brushing a quarter part of your mouth.
- All the brushes have soft bristles. The bristles are gentle on your gums, teeth, veneers, crowns, braces, and other dental procedures. As a result, the mouth, gums, and teeth remain protected at all times.
Phillips Sonicare 4100 vs 5100 vs 6100: Which One Wins the Battle?
Now that I’ve been chiming in with my experience of using these three products and have talked about the similarities, it’s time to go into the differences in detail. But comparing all three of these products at once is a bit difficult. Let’s do it in pairs.
Sonicare 4100 vs 5100
While using these two brushes, I could spot the differences as clear as daylight. For instance, you have one cleaning mode in 4100. People can only clean the stains on their teeth with it. But with 5100, they get as many as three cleaning modes (Clean, White, and Gum Care) or settings. This allows them greater flexibility.
Do you know that the normal “Clean” mode lets you brush for two minutes? The “White” mode for 5100 allows people to continue brushing for two minutes and thirty seconds. Gum Care mode takes longer because it brushes slower. You get three minutes as brushing time here.
It’s natural for the Sonicare 4100 to have just the one power button and an LED indicator. But the 5100 has two buttons on the handle. The additional one switches through different cleaning modes. Each mode is represented by a separate LED indicator as well.
Each of the two models come with a different brush head as well. Sonicare 4100 comes with a “Clean” (or C2 Optimal Plaque) brush head and its counterpart, 5100 comes with Gum Clean (G2 Optimal Gum Care). The former works best in removing plaques. Gum Care brush head works in case of massaging gums.
You get a travel case with Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100. This is not present in the case of 4100. The travel case ensures all-around protection in case of accidental falls, disfiguration damages etc. Plus, it gives the entire package a nice, aristocrat look if you ask me.
I must mention the price factor that I noticed with these two models as well. Sonicare 4100 is definitely cheaper than 5100 because it has more modes, a sleek travel case, and a “Gum Care” brush head.
Comparing 4100 Against 6100
When you compare these two models, the differences become stark. Obvious design improvement is the first thing you’ll notice in the case of 6100. The latest of the two models have more buttons on the brush handle than the former. It’s slightly bigger (and more comfortable according to me) than Sonicare 4100.
The next obvious difference you’ll find is in the brush heads. As I repeatedly stated, Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 comes with the standard C2 Optimal Plaque Control brush head. The 6100, on the other hand, comes with one DiamondClean brush head. It’s good with whitening the teeth in a quick time.
The third obvious difference I found lies in the cleaning modes. The 4100 comes with only one. Sonicare 6100 on the other hand, has three. You get “Clean,” “White,” and “Gum Care” modes that have different LED lights assigned to them as indicators.
One thing that I found interesting with Phillips Sonicare 6100 is the different intensity modes. Yes, these two brushes are gentle with your teeth and gums. But in addition to that, Sonicare 6100 comes with three levels of speed that one can manipulate to his/her liking.
One unique thing that caught my eye is the fact that 6100 has the “Mode Pairing” with BrushSync technology. It means that users have the facility where the brush pairs a suitable speed with a cleaning mode. Don’t worry, it happens automatically without people needing to interfere.
Yes, these cleaning modes have different LED indicators that signal which one is active at which point.
Obviously, you find the travel case here as well. I think the 4100 Sonicare is the most basic model out of the three. So, certain color options and this option of having a travel case is what you would expect from a “More Expensive” model like Phillips Sonicare 6100 by default.
Sonicare 5100 vs 6100: The Battle is Neck and Neck
The three-way deadlock of Phillips Sonicare 4100 vs 5100 vs 6100 becomes intense at this point. You won’t find a lot of differences here. But yes, the 6100 is a bit bigger than the one from the 5000 series. It has more buttons on board than the earlier model.
The differences are in color options. Sonicare 6100 has a broader range of colors than 5100. The brush heads you get are also different. You get the “Gum Clean” brush head with the 5100 and DiamondClean brush head with 6100. Both have different functions and strong suits but go well with all the modes.
You don’t get cleaning intensity settings with Sonicare 5100. The latest product (Phillips Sonicare 6100) comes with three. These three speed settings pair up with whatever mode you’re using for cleaning your mouth. As you know by now, the adjustment mechanism is automatic.
Obviously, “Sonicare 6100” is pricier than its cousin. But this time, the price difference is neck and neck because of very few buffs of the latest model.
Which One Should You Pick?
I’d be blunt with you: While writing an article like the comparison battle of Phillips Sonicare 4100 vs 5100 vs 6100 I usually discard the most ancient model. In this case, it just so happens to be one from the 4000 series.
BUT, if you want a complete brushing solution within a tight price range, Sonicare ProtectiveClean is your best solution out there.
ProtectiveClean 5100 is for savvy people. You get access to additional brushing modes. People can experiment with these modes and come up with one suitable for their teeth. Also, the design is better and it has to be with additional control buttons and LED indicators. Oh, and you have a travel case to boot.If you have the money and don’t mind spending a few extra bucks, get yourselves Sonicare 6100. Different intensity settings AKA speed levels are obviously handy. The product pairs them up with different brushing modes.
These modes have shorter or longer brushing spans depending upon which one you’re using. All in all, it’s a great product no matter how you look at things. Yet, the difference between the earlier model is just in intensities and a few design choices. That’s all!
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