Philips Sonicare HX3351/02 Xtreme Battery Operated Toothbrush
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Customer Reviews of Philips Sonicare HX3351/02 Xtreme Battery Operated Toothbrush
Customer Review: Poor Non Sealing Design, Otherwise seems OK
Summary: 4 Stars
I am an engineer. I have no experience with the higher priced recharging models. I purchased a low cost e3000 about 2 months ago. Removed batteries after three weeks of use and found water / moisture in battery compartment and also in upper vibrator motor drive part of unit. After drying comparments out carefully, I solved the sealing problem with two tight turns of electrical vinyl tape at middle joint on handle and another two tight turns at bottom of handle to seal holes in battery cover area. Seems its also to a good idea to remove brush unit and inspect and dry out the contact / motor area driving the brush for any moisture on an occasional basis or when ever unit gives problems. Giving only 3 of 5 stars because of poor sealing design and poor instructions on the need to use care to keep internal areas of brush dry while in use and in storage. When batteries worn out for me (once so far), the brush stopped or began running intermittantly for only a few seconds. Also, not sure, but based on the sonic vibration frequency sound, I am wondering if the brush gives normal high vibration strength and speed during last couple weeks or so before it stops completely signifing a new battery set is needed ? Replacing with new set of alkaline batteries always seems to get it going OK again. Normal alkaline battery life for me is approx 1 month when brushing 2X per day. I believe it will also work fine with rechargeable AA NiMH or AA lithium batteries but haven't tryed them yet. I just bought a set of the "compact" size replacement brushes for mine, but haven't tryed them yet. Am thinking the "compact" brush head may allow easier / better access to hard to reach back areas of mouth as compared to the "standard" brush head the unit came with. Summing if you want a more trouble free brush you don't have to occasionally disassemble / dry / clean, the higher priced units may provide more value for you. In any event, I strongly recommend these type of sonic brushes in any model as compared to a manual brush.Customer Review: Half the cost, but more convenient than a regular Sonicare
Summary: 5 Stars
Pros: half the cost of a Sonicare w/charger, less bulky
Cons: None so far
First of all, I should state that I have owned this product for over a year, and I am still giving it five stars.
Here's why: I had a Sonicare Advance for about three years and it worked well during that time, but at the end of those three years I had to keep it in the charger at all times or it would die in the middle of brushing. I was sick of lugging around the bulky charger any time I traveled, so when I saw the AA-battery model at Target for $40 I scooped it up.
Now instead of having to rely on an internal battery and a charger, I just keep four rechargeable AAs that I swap out when one pair dies. This isn't something I have to do very often--a pair of AAs lasts about a month (that's with two two-minute brushings a day). I have also not had any water damage, so the brush still works as great as my old Sonicare ever did. I do try not to get water on the brush and dry the entire unit whenever I finish using it. In addition, I take it apart once every two or three months and swab the O-ring with alcohol to keep it clean. This seems to be all of the maintenance needed to keep it in top condition.
So, if you want a good Sonicare brush that takes up less space and is easier to travel with, I highly recommend this model. I recommend cleaning it once in a while and trying to keep water out of the insides. I acknowledge this might not help if you get a bad unit (as many reviewers seem to have gotten), but mine has been great and I figure it can't hurt!
UPDATE: I have now owned it for a year-and-a-half and it still goes a month on two AA rechargeables. Even though I stopped doing the maintenance described above it's still working like new.
Customer Review: Water seal and battery experience
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using this brush now since Approximately November 1, 2011. I use it every night but not in the mornings and am totally pleased with it. Two thoughts might be helpful for those reading about problems with the water seal on the bottom of the handle and battery usage.
1)I was flabbergasted once I started using the brush by the comments of those who had trouble with the water seal. I suspect there are two types of brush users. Those like myself who keep their lips closed while brushing and therefore have no water drip down the brush whatsoever. And then I suppose their must be people who brush their teeth with their moth open and the brush handle pointed down and let water and saliva and paste drool down the handle. I suppose it would be possible to get moisture to the bottom cap of the battery compartment is you did this regularly and perhaps some moisture could get in. Or perhaps if you rinsed the brush but also rinsed the whole handle you could get moisture in.
So if when you brush your entire handle does not regularly get wet, then this complaint about the water seal will have no effect on you.
2) My experience with battery usage has been that the two AA batteries supplied with the unit lasted from 11/2/2010 until 1/16/2011 being used once a night for two minutes. Two rechargeable NiMH batteries are still going strong as of today 3/6/2011 with the same usage rate.
The brush head is still in fine condition and not splayed out.
I hope this helps folks trying to decide on this unit. Seems ridiculous to pay for a more expensive model that is virtually the same but with unneeded "features"
Customer Review: how to prevent leakage
Summary: 5 Stars
i've had this toothbrush for about 4 months now and it still looks brand new. i just checked inside the battery compartment and it's perfect; i've never seen a drop of water inside it any time i've checked. inside where the brush screws on, it looks brand new also. there was a drop or two of water up in the brush shaft, but i think it had been prevented from dripping into the base by a seal*. the base shows no signs of water at all. i had the first version of sonicare toothbrushes that stood vertically on the recharging base and those always had water dripping down into the inside. what's the difference? i read so many reviews of water leaking into the base and the battery compartment i decided to store it vertically, but upside down. that's right: UPSIDE DOWN.
honestly, some of the negative reviews i read had me so scared, i've been pretty obsessive with it. after i brush my teeth, i rinse it well but only to about an inch above the logo. i certainly don't submerge the whole thing. then i vigorously shake off the excess water. then i wipe the outside of the toothbrush with a towel. then i stick it upside down in a toothbrush slot until next use. did i mention i was obsessive? well, anyway, it works like a charm and it's still in perfect condition.
also, i have not used any of the newest models of sonicare, but i'd rate this one as slightly better than the original model, which had a guard around the brush that got in the way. sonicare is the best performing toothbrush i've ever owned by a landslide.
*or more likely because it was upside down.
Customer Review: Very good with limitations
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned this toothbrush for nearly a year now and have no problems. I do, however, recognize the limitations of the design. If you expect to be able to rinse off the handle or submerge this toothbrush, you will be one of the many disappointed reviewers. Now, I owned two previous sonicare toothbrushes and I was never really happy with the life of the internal batteries. This is the reason I decided to go with this unit and I have not regretted my decision. My 12 year old daughter has also had this toothbrush for almost a year now and NO problems. While I do believe there could be inconsistencies in quality control, I think one can work around these shortfalls.
Here's how I believe I've managed to keep my sonicare running.
1. I don't put the handle under water, only the part that goes in my mouth
2. I ALWAYS make sure to place a little vasoline on the O-Ring when I replace the batteries
3. I fling the water off the brush after I rinse the end off.
4. I don't leave the brush standing up. This prevents any residual water from running down the handle. I always leave the brush laying out flat/horizontal.
Now, I realize one shouldn't have to do all this stuff to keep the brush working properly but, for me, it's a small inconvenience considering I have the ability to change the batteries.
Bottom line. I really like my toothbrush but the design is not bullet proof.