Philips Sonicare HX3351/02 Xtreme Battery Operated Toothbrush
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Product Reviews of Philips Sonicare HX3351/02 Xtreme Battery Operated Toothbrush
Product Review: Effective and uses Rechargeable AAs.
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a replacement for my standard ($75) Sonicare which died early after very light use due to a tired battery (you cannot replace the battery in these designs). I haven't found any issues with water or toothpaste infiltration that other reviewers complained about. A very good product that encourages a light touch for sensitive teeth at a reasonable price.Product Review: Engineered to fail
Summary: 1 Stars
This product is good while it lasts; it'll clean your teeth better than almost anything out there (unless you have tartar, then you'll need something with a bit more power) and stimulate your gums. However, having autopsied this model, I am convinced that it was engineered to fail under typical conditions after a time, perhaps to motivate the purchase of a more expensive model, which will itself become useless when the irreplaceable batteries go out.
The first one I bought lasted a year, and even that long only after I learned that you have to plug the two holes in the back of the battery compartment to prevent the corrosion from taking place. By the end, batteries were lasting one week tops, at 2x use per day. I also learned that you have to hit it against hard objects when it won't turn on and sometimes then it'll go. You also need to scrape off any rust from the battery contacts occasionally.
Knowing these quirks, I bought another one and immediately plugged up the holes in the back and put tape around the battery cap. However, it has now lasted only a month. There's no rust or corrosion to speak of, however, it just doesn't turn on anymore.
Today I autopsied the first sonicare to see why it had failed (the new one is still on warranty). In taking it apart, it's clear that most of your money goes into buying a tank-like shell around the $1 worth of electronics. This would be a good thing, if there were not two gaping holes in the battery cap that let water in anyway and the shoddy rubber seal. After taking it apart, it's clear why the corrosion so quickly leads the failure. They protect everything on the circuit-board from corrosion by putting glue over it, except the battery contacts, and the contacts and wires that lead to the solenoid coil (that makes the brush vibrate). The contacts that lead to the solenoid and the battery contacts are also strategically located next to each other on the circuit board, so they can corrode together quickly using any moisture from the adjacent battery-terminal holes, while the non-essentials like the timer are located on the other side of the board and completely sealed off from the ambient air by glue. This also explains why hitting it sometimes allows it to start; you're shaking some of the corrosion loose.
The switch is also of questionable design, being nothing more than a paper-thin piece of plastic with some kind ring on it that's slightly more conductive than the plastic.
If the replacement that I get out of the warranty fails, I think I'll try a cybersonic or an oral-b; hopefully their teams of engineers weren't paid to make something less reliable than a politician.
Why can't they make a sonic toothbrush with no batteries, that plugs into the wall, and lasts a lifetime? Or just quit making these to fail so readily?
Product Review: Excellent electric toothbrush
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had a Sonicare for many years, and it was the rechargeable type. It lasted a total of 8 years, but I hear the newer ones only last about 3 years, so I chose THIS battery operated brush, and have had it for 3 months now. I read ALL the reviews herein, and was wondering why so many reviewers complained about the base not being water resistant. I have been brushing MY teeth for over 60 years now, and do NOT brush them underwater. I have no clue why someone would want to brush either underwater, OR in the shower.
When this brush is used as a toothbrush, then there is no reason why it should get water in the handle. The battery compartment is located at the opposite end of the brushes, and if used normally, rinsed off, then dried with your towel, there is no way water can get into the compartment.
I LOVE my brush..it stops automatically AFTER 2 minutes of brushing, and IF you use it for two minutes each time, your teeth will really be clean. My dentist tells me that my gums and teeth appear more healthy than many others they have seen, and I owe it all to my sonicare brush. BTW, I only brush ONCE per day in the morning AFTER breakfast, so if YOU use it more often than that, your mouth and gums will be healthier than MINE!!
Product Review: Fantastic feeling!
Summary: 5 Stars
A very effective replacement for hand-brushing. It really works! I have not been required to replace battery or brush yet, but I would consider that these are normal maintenance items. It is a very convenient tool, and I will probably use rechargeable batteries eventually. I can just throw it into my travel bag oand go. No base station or charger, no cords, etc. I like that, too.Product Review: Fix the leak issue, and the toothbrush is superb
Summary: 5 Stars
I've used Sonicare since before they were bought out by Philips. One thing I hated in over 15 years of owning them is the battery dying out, it lasts about 5 years, and I've gone through 3 versions already. While a new brush will hold a charge for over a week, after 3 years, it will give about 3 days sometimes not, so if you travel with the brush you'll also have to lug the charger, otherwise you'll have a useless brush with no power sometime in your trip. The brushes still use NiCD, so you get a memory effect and to revive it you have to recharge best when the brush is dead; to do so you have to endure the increasingly weak brush stroking and it dying sometime while you brush. You can't just leave it on, all Sonicare's have a 2 minute timer, Quad Pacer or not.
This AA powered Sonicare I've had for 1.5 years, and it works as good as the rechargeable versions except it doesn't have Quad Pacer, not a problem. As a brush, it has the vigor and thus, the benefits of what made Sonicare famous.
I was concerned about Amazon reviews of water leaking into the battery compartment. I've tested the brush since then, and found what the weakness is; not cleaning the battery compartment O ring seal after each battery replacement.
Like many items used for water, you should clean the battery compartment O ring and its sealing surfaces thoroughly before resealing it. The head usually has toothpaste on it that is abrasive and gritty and will break the O ring seal if not washed clean out. All a user need do is during a battery change, use an old manual toothbrush to brush clean the open end cap until its clean of all debris. Wash the O ring with soap and water. Let both air dry to avoid getting lint on the cap or ring. Use a clean finger to wipe clean the interior battery compartment to insure its clean or clear of residual toothpaste, as this is the other half of the sealing surface that contacts the O ring.
When ready to seal, take a tiny dab of vasoline or silicone O ring lubricant between your thumb and forefinger, and pass the O ring through these fingers so it has a light coat of lubricant. This prevents the o ring from twisting as you insert the cap, and breaking the seal. Place the o ring on the cap, and push on the Sonicare. That's it!
I use NiMH batteries, and a new set lasts over 2 months, brushing once a day. I can even use my old used NiMH cells on this brush, and I get about 1 month.
The O ring should last over 5 years but if you know O rings, it AS568A size is -023, change them every 2-3 years. These rings typically cost 1c each, but the problem is finding them, usually they are sold in industrial supply houses.
The toothbrush has held up, so it won't die because of leaking or bad battery. For $25, this unit is an ideal Sonicare. Now if only the brush heads were cheaper.