Quip is the newer brand in the electric toothbrush industry but was featured in Time's 25 Best Inventions of 2016. With its sleek and lightweight design, will Quip be able to compete with a more popular and proven competitor such as Sonicare that is known for durability and powerful motors?
The best choice depends on what you consider more important, having fewer features, or standing out in terms of the design. When it comes to features, Sonicare is a clear winner. It offers more brush modes, settings, and it's more powerful. However, Quip definitely wins in terms of sleek design.
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Quip Toothbrush Review
Quip is a new brush that has a unique approach to oral care, and it has encouraged many consumers to test their service with their subscription, you have the option to get the Quip toothbrush with regular delivery of consumables or get every three months new batteries and new brushes.
Minimalistic Lightweight Build
The size is almost the same as a manual toothbrush. Ther is a Quip ‘Q' logo where you would place your thumb and when you start brushing you just press the Q. There's no bulky handle, and you can easily hold it at any angle, which makes cleaning the back molar easier and more effective.
And there are no cords to recharge the battery. It looks, feels, and weighs just like an ordinary toothbrush. Basically, Quip is a manual toothbrush that gives you the sonic vibration just like an ordinary electric toothbrush.
The Quip toothbrush may not seem like a game-changer for electric brushes, but if you consider the lightweight design and sleek build, it's not hard to understand why it has gained so much popularity from consumers.
Two Minute Timer
It has a built-in smart timer for two-minute brushing, and every 30-second it gives a little pulse to remind you to change Quadrants.
Removable AAA Battery
The handle of the Quip is where you can find the removable AAA battery and can easily be replaced with a battery that can be bought straight from electronics stores.
the battery lasts for up to 3 months. Removable batteries for electric toothbrushes may seem like a huge disadvantage, but you won't have to deal with bulky handles and wires, then I'll be ok with it any day. Also when you need a new battery just pop in any AAA battery.
The only downside to the design of Quip is the lack of a battery indicator. It's not a must-have feature, but would be nice to know when to replace the battery. With a lifespan of up to 3 months; the lack of a battery indicator is not really a deal-breaker.
Impressive Motor
The motor is probably the biggest jaw-dropping feature of Quip. It's just hard to comprehend how they were able to create a motor so small and still manage to deliver 15,000 movements per minute.
Imagine doing that with a manual toothbrush, which is almost the same size as this electric toothbrush. The motor is also removable, is covering the battery, so cleaning the handle of Quip comes naturally every three months when you get replacement brush heads and batteries. To remove the brush head you simply place your thumb on the dots and pull.
Subscription plan
With the subscription plan for Quip, you would get a new brush head, batteries, and even the toothpaste will be delivered to you every three months. This serves as a reminder that you need to replace your toothbrush, clean the handle and replace the battery.
Feel the difference of a gentle clean with our pressure sensor while removing up to 7x more plaque than a manual toothbrush. And the specially curved power Tip makes reaching the teeth at the back of your mouth a breeze
Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Review
Sonicare is a trusted brand when it comes to oral care, and its products last for years! In fact, one of my friends has used the same Sonicare model for the last 15 years!
The ProtectiveClean 4100 is the stripped version of their feature-rich electric toothbrushes, but it did not fail to include the features needed for efficient brushing and plaque removal.
Strong and Sturdy Build
When it comes to the design, Sonicare 4100 feels sturdy and comfortable to hold. Once you get a hold of this electric toothbrush, you know that it was built with power and durability at the center of its design.
Powerful Motor
It is capable of delivering 31,000 movements per minute, making it more effective in going in between your teeth and providing better angles that a manual toothbrush cannot provide. It's also not as bulky as other electric toothbrushes that have the same motor capacity.
Two Minute Timer
It features a Smartimer to keep track of your brushing session and alert you when two minutes have passed. Of course, this is not new for an electric toothbrush, but another advantage that it has over manual brushes.
The Quadpacer, delivers a pulse every 30 seconds, to remind you to switch to other areas of your mouth. It ensures that brushes are evenly distributed on all parts of your mouth, which is another good habit that a lot of people often miss.
Pressure sensor
Too much pressure when brushing your teeth can damage your gums or remove the protective enamel of your teeth, and most people don't notice it at all. Sonicare 4100 has a built-in sensor that lights up the handle when you are applying too much pressure while brushing.
Another advantage that a pressure sensor offers is, that applying too much pressure while brushing shortens the lifespan of the brush head. With this feature, you would not need a replacement brush head very soon.
BrushSync
Sonicare does not offer a monthly subscription but it has the technology to help keep your brush head effective. The built-in BrushSync technology keeps track of the number of times you have used the same brush head, together with the pressure that was applied each time you brush your teeth.
It will use both of these parameters and alert you when the brush head is no longer effective in removing plaque and when it's time to replace it.
Easy Start program
The Easy Start program will make it much easier to switch from manual brushing to electric toothbrushes. With this program, Sonicare will gradually adjust the power of the toothbrush for the first 14 times that you use it until you reach the full cleaning power.
This is one of the features that made Sonicare a popular choice for consumers who are trying out electric toothbrushes for the first time.
Battery
The battery-operated Sonicare 4100 is rechargeable and lasts for up to 14 days on a single charge, which is impressive considering its size and the power that its motor has. It features a battery indicator that lights up when a recharge is needed.
What makes it better is that it doesn't just die down and still works on full power until the battery is completely depleted.
Consumers have the option to just get the Quip with regular delivers of consumables, or purchase all the necessities for better oral hygiene, including a travel case that can be wall-mounted, Quip refill, and a sleek refillable floss, which I must add, looks like the iPhone of dental flosses.
Let's Compare Them
Both products have different strengths and weaknesses. Quip provides a minimalist approach to oral care while offering better portability and comfort.
Sonicare 4100 is more focused on power, features, and durability. This is the reason why it can be quite difficult to have a direct comparison, as it is tailored to fit different needs.
1. Two Minute Timer and Pacer
2 minutes is the time that it takes to properly brush your teeth and both brushes the Quip and Sonicare 4100 have a two-minute timer feature built-in. Both products have a 30-second pacer that delivers a pulse to remind you that it is time to move to the other part of your mouth.
This is a staple feature in every electric brush, and not having it will be a disaster, considering the power that these brushes deliver per minute.
2. Portability
Quip is one of the most portable electric toothbrushes that you will find on the market. In fact, it is just slightly bigger than conventional brushes and it's lightweight too! This makes it easier to bring wherever you go, and they did not fail to highlight this feature by adding a sleek travel case into the package that you will receive from your subscription.
The ProtectiveClean 4100 is also more compact compared to other brushes in the market. The design is comfortable and easy to use, but it is not as unobtrusive as the Quip. Since you can use it without a cord, it's also possible to carry it wherever you go. Although your options may be limited due to its slightly bulkier design.
3. Handle and Grip
When brushing, our hands can, sometimes, get wet and this can be an issue for some consumers. The 4100 has contours on the handle making it easy to hold the device while brushing and even when your hands are wet.
The Quip toothbrush, on the other hand, is known for its sleek design and without the contours, it can be a bit easier to slip and fall so practicing extra caution for this device is advised.
4. Movements Per Minute
Compared to manual brushes, even the weaker Quip can surpass all designs and features that a manual brush could ever offer. Imagine performing 15,000 movements while manually brushing your teeth. Sonicare 4100 delivers 31,000 movements per minute – more than double of what the Quip can deliver.
However, this doesn't mean that the Quip is an inferior device, it was just made to be slim and lightweight. In fact, with its size, it would rank as one of the strongest motors, delivering 15,000 movements per minute.
5. Battery
Who long do they last?
There are 2 things to factor in, when determining which is better when it comes to battery life; the power that the device uses and its lifespan. If we consider the power that Sonicare can deliver, a 14-day lifespan is impressive.
Quip can last for up to 3 months without replacing the battery, but it runs on a weaker motor. So the winner in this area will be determined by the consumer based on their specific needs.
Battery Indicator
The battery indicator would have been a huge factor if the Quip toothbrush batteries only last for weeks, but it can easily be forgiven since you only need to replace it 4 times every year.
With the shorter battery life for the Sonicare, an indicator is a must-have, especially if you consider that it works on full power and shows no sign of a weak battery until it's completely depleted.
Rechargeable or Removable
The winner can be arguable because it all boils down to the long-term value of each device. The Quip uses removable batteries that will cost you money each time you need a replacement.
ProtectiveClean 4100, on the other hand, uses rechargeable batteries, which may seem a better option at first even though recharging batteries has its costs too.
But if you factor in the long-term value of each device, replacing the whole device, once the battery has completely died may end up a more expensive option.
6. Modes of Cleaning & Pressure Sensor
ProtectiveClean 4100 fell short of the expectation when it was released with only one mode for cleaning as opposed to other Sonicare models that offer different modes for cleaning.
However, for this comparison, the lack of modes for cleaning is not a deciding factor as both devices only offer one. Some consumers even find it an advantage, because it's just a matter of turning on the device.
The pressure sensor is where Sonicare beats Quip. Applying too much pressure not only damages your gums and teeth but also shortens the overall lifespan of the brush head. This is an important feature that will help you make brushing healthier and more pleasurable.
7. Brush Heads
This will be a simple comparison if the Quip is not as lightweight as it is that it allows you to easily find angles to better brush your teeth and clean the hard-to-reach areas. The curved tip of the 4100 offers a better ability to get into those areas without finding the right angles for it.
For the bristles, the Quip features a familiar brush head that you would normally find in a manual toothbrush. The ProtectiveClean 4100 features a tightly packed bristle that is 7 times more effective than that of manual toothbrushes.
The Verdict
When it comes to daily use, overall performance, and design, Sonicare 4100 is a superior toothbrush. It packs more power and features to provide better oral health than the Quip.
For those who are in the market for portability and lightweight without sacrificing cleaning capabilities, Quip is a better choice. Additionally, it is more focused on worry-free oral hygiene that is further improved by its subscription service.
Feel the difference of a gentle clean with our pressure sensor while removing up to 7x more plaque than a manual toothbrush. Our sonic technology is suitable for use with braces, fillings, crowns, and veneers, and helps prevent cavities and improve Gum health.
Mack Swaney says
If this method doesn’t work, you can try some other methods. For example, you can try using baking soda to clean your Sonicare toothbrush head. Take the toothbrush head and dip it into baking soda until the toothbrush head becomes wet.