Item : B0013TVEWA Customer Reviews Philips Sonicare FlexCare Rechargeable Toothbrush by .. Josh (Chicago, IL) A friend convinced me to try an electric toothbrush insisting that I would fall instantly in love with it. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. The toothbrush is great and I've had no problems with it but it takes some getting used to if you've never used one before. You have to be more aware of how you're brushing and what you're doing. I can't tell you how many times I've taken the toothbrush out of my mouth while brushing to either spit or get a better angle and the next thing you know toothpaste is spattered all over your bathroom mirror because it vibrates like crazy. It was funny the first couple of times but it just got annoying. Now that I've been using it for a few weeks and I've adapted to the quirks I actually enjoy it. My mouth and teeth definitely do feel cleaner and more fresh using this brush, especially if you try to go back to old school brushing after using it consistently even just a few days. My favorite feature is the timer that lets you know when to change brushing areas. I haven't really used many of the other features like the gum massage setting because it kinda creeps me out a little. Anyway long story short... or long... it took me awhile to adjust to the new brush but now I find myself not wanting to be without it. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE WASTE by .. badfish2 (9-0-7) i bought this back in october... i loved it at first until the head shaft came loose under the seal-in december. according to instructions you should be able to tighten it back up-NOT THE CASE. i attempted to send back but got stuck with the headache of shipping and handling-it isnt cheap! i was so disgusted with this expensive piece of crud that i just said the heck w it and tossed it... SAVE YOUR MONEY-STICK TO TOOTHBRUSHES The Best Sonicare Models Yet! by .. diljs () I've been using an older Sonicare model, the "Essence 5300" on which the switch was beginning to go out. I decided to upgrade to a Flexcare model and am very glad I did. The Flexcare has been a great improvement all around. Pros: -New Lighter, Slimmer Handle This is probably the first thing you'll notice if you're coming from an older Sonicare handle, and it is a very welcome improvement. The FlexCare handle is small and feels much better in the hand than my old bulky 5300 handle. The unit is actually longer than my old brush, but that's not a big deal at all. -New ProResults Brush Head system The new heads are great. Sonicare moved the tuning fork from the head to the handle, which means smaller brush heads than on the old models. A 3 pack of the new heads is the same price as a 2 pack of the old heads, making them actually a better deal for a superior product. -No More Crud in the Handle! The biggest problem with my old brush was that old toothpaste/drool/water tended to collected in the space where the handle connects to the brush head. It would get all moldy and gross if you didn't clean it out regularly. Thankfully, this problem is completely gone with the Flexcare handles. -Lithium Ion Batteries I've waited a long time for Sonicare to upgrade from inferior NiCd batteries, and they finally have. With Lithium Ion, you don't have to worry about battery capacity decreasing over time, or a memory effect. The new batteries charge faster, too. -Quadpacer This is basically a beep that goes off every 30 seconds while brushing, reminding you to switch to a new area of your mouth. It has appeared in previous models (not my 5300 though), and is nice if you'll use it, but I tend to go at my own pace as I focus more on problem areas in my mouth and less on others. -5 Total Brushing Modes/Routines There are 3 selectable "modes": clean mode: (2 minutes broken into 30 second segments), sensitive (a "gentler" clean mode) and massage (the brush pulsates for gum stimulation). Go Care Routine shortines the standard 2 minute clean mode to 1 minute, while Max Care is a longer, 3 minute cycle that includes both clean and massage mode. I set the brush on clean mode and tend not to use the other options, but some may find them useful. -More Environmentally Friendly Although buying a new product of any sort will always have a negative environmental footprint, these new brushes are better than the old models due to their Li-Ion batteries, reduced bulk, and lower waste in the smaller replacement brush heads. Cons: -Price Let's be clear on this: a Sonicare toothbrush is a luxury product. You're paying a lot more up front, and you get to keep paying more every time you buy replacement heads. Surprisingly, heads for Flexcare units are actually a cheaper than the older models; you get 3 Flexcare heads for the same price as 2 of the old heads. The per head price is still several times what it would cost to buy a new manual brush; but for me the superior cleaning is worth it. Noise -Flexcare models are louder than older models. I'm not sure why this is, and supposedly vibration has been reduced in exchange, but the noise can be too much for some. The UV sanitizer also makes a quiet electric "hum" when plugged in with the door closed, even if the UV bulb isn't run. -Buttons can be depressed while brushing A couple of people have complained about accidentally hitting 1 of the 2 buttons on the handle while brushing. It hasn't happened to me, but for completeness I'll include this as a possible con. Overall: This brush is a vast improvement over my previous brush, and has fixed most of the problems I had without introducing any significant new ones. The fact that replacement brush heads are actually cheaper than on my old brush is a big plus. I highly recommend the Flexcare brushes as a great upgrade to any toothbrush, electric or manual, that you're currently using. Best Toothbrush out there by .. Will Portera () I would buy this product again any day. I have owned the oral B and this product is definitely superior. Sonicare is the best on the market. Great toothbrush. Does excellent job. by .. Michael (Fairfax County, Virginia) I have owned various Sonicare toothbrushes over the years. My dentist originally recommended it. I noticed a vast improvement in my gums and brushing from the beginning. And so did my dentist. This latest model I find to be even better. It is easier to hold and maneuver and the increased brushing power is noticeable. What I like about this product.... you are 'forced' to brush for two minutes. Now granted this model does give you a 'quickie' option, but unless you are really in a hurry why would you use it, when the 2-minute brushing is the recommended way to go? I like the smaller charging unit. I also really like the new way the brush heads attach. The older models screwed onto the base unit and invariable you needed to often unscrew the brush and clean where the two attached. Water/dirt ALWAYS accumulated. This new model just pops right onto the base....no place for water/dirt/toothpaste to gather. What I don't like about this model, and it is really a minor annoyance, is that you can easily while brushing hit the buttons and cause the brush to shut off. All in all a great improvement to a great product. My teeth are happy and so is my dentist. I highly recommend this product. It does exactly what it says and more.