Philips Sonicare HX6932/10 FlexCare RS930 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
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Customer Reviews of Philips Sonicare HX6932/10 FlexCare RS930 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Customer Review: Way OVERPRICED! Be Prepared to Buy Another One in 2 Years!
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this toothbrush for $40 from craigslist a couple months ago after hearing from friends how great electronic toothbrushes were. I started using it on a regular basis and at first it was great. I just charged it up every 2 weeks and it helped to clean those hard to reach areas like the back of your teeth and molars.
But after about a months use the blue line on the toothbrush head already begun to recede indicating that I would soon need a new toothbrush head. So I starting looking on the internet and to my shock and dismay I found out that a pack of 3 replacement heads costs anywhere from $23-30. If you do the math that's $7.50-10.00 per replacement head. At first, you may not even bat an eye at this price and assume that the price is somehow justified by the technology in the toothbrush head, but when you take a close look at the toothbrush head you'll see that the head has no moving parts and that it's the handle that simply vibrates. What's more is that the head uses probably 30-40% less material and plastic than a regular toothbrush which on average costs $2-3. So can someone please explain why something that should logically cost less since it uses less materials and uses NO radical new technology in fact costs 300%-400% more than a conventional toothbrush and why you would pay for such an overpriced product? Is there anything to justify the ridiculous cost of these replacement heads? Also if they were going to charge me $10 per replacement head I would expect to last at least 6 months-1 year but if you read the product manual, they suggest that you replace it every 3 months so you'll end up doling out $40 per year just for the toothbrush heads.
Another issue that irked me is that when you look at the toothbrush handle and read the instruction manual you'll realize that it is run by a rechargeable lithium ion battery. As we all know, rechargeable batteries slowly lose their charging capacity throughout the life of its use (it's called memory loss). A point that may not be as obvious is that this toothbrush is meant to slowly die out or be unusable within approximately 2 years. How do I know that? Look at the manufacturers warranty on the product; Its covered under warranty for only 2 years.
So lets say that your toothbrush finally dies after 2 years due to a worn out battery. So an economical and logical person would find out how much it would cost to buy a replacement battery and replace it instead of dropping another $120 on a brand new toothbrush. You'd find out that you can buy a replacement rechargeable lithium ion battery for this toothbrush for about $5. So when you go to replace the battery in the toothbrush you would think you just unscrew the bottom, pop out the old battery and pop in the new one. WRONG! They've made this product so that if you try to replace the battery by removing battery compartment from the body of the toothbrush it destroys the circuitry of the toothbrush rendering it broken and unusable. This is called PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE which means that Philips intentionally made these toothbrushes in such a way that they will mostly break down within 2 years so that you're likely to drop another $120+ every 2 years to buy another one of these overpriced vibrators. If you want more info on planned obsolescence take a look at this short clip: [...]
Now I know a lot of you are probably thinking 'Well I've had my electric toothbrush for 10 years and it still works fine'. Yes, there's always going to be an exception, but you have to realize a simple fact which is that the sole interest of these large corporations be it Philips who manufactures this toothbrush, General Motors or Apple is PROFIT. This means that they will intentionally produce products that are specifically designed to break down or be unusable/incompatible within a specific time frame so that you buy their products over and over again thereby taking more of your money and increasing their profits. If you seriously think that these corporations sit down and try to figure out how to produce the most efficient and durable product and thereby have your financial interest at hand, you need a serious reality check.
So what can you do to discourage planned obsolescence and not be subject to these low quality and overpriced products? It's actually quite simple; DON'T BUY THEIR PRODUCTS! You have to realize that every time you purchase something whether it be an organic apple as opposed to a pesticide sprayed apple or a T-shirt made in the USA as opposed to a sweatshop in China, you have a direct impact on these corporations profits and that you have the ability to influence their future decisions. You are the lifeline of these corporations and they depend on you, the consumer, to buy their products in order to succeed and profit. If we all collectively stop buying their products then I can assure you they'll start to listen and begin producing the types of high quality products that we demand.
Customer Review: The Best Sonicare Handles Yet
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
-UV Sanitizer Included
UV Sanitizers for toothbrushes are relatively new to the market, and a great idea. I always felt a little gross letting my brush sit out on the counter, even with the cover that comes with sonicare heads, and then putting it in my mouth. Scientists actually recommend that a toothbrush be kept 3 feet from the toilet due to "airborne particles" from the flush - yuck! A UV sanitizer will kill anything that might land on your brush, as well as things such as cold germs that might have come from your own mouth. Using the sanitizer is easy, just pop the brush head(s) in, press the green button, and wait for the UV light to kill the germs. I store my brush head inside the sanitizer until I need it next. The Charger is integrated with the sanitizer, although a separate travel charger is included.
-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.
Customer Review: The Best Sonicare Models Yet!
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
-UV Sanitizer Included
UV Sanitizers for toothbrushes are relatively new to the market, and a great idea. I always felt a little gross letting my brush sit out on the counter, even with the cover that comes with sonicare heads, and then putting it in my mouth. Scientists actually recommend that a toothbrush be kept 3 feet from the toilet due to "airborne particles" from the flush - yuck! A UV sanitizer will kill anything that might land on your brush, as well as things such as cold germs that might have come from your own mouth. Using the sanitizer is easy, just pop the brush head(s) in, press the green button, and wait for the UV light to kill the germs. I store my brush head inside the sanitizer until I need it next. The Charger is integrated with the sanitizer, although a separate travel charger is included.
-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.
Customer Review: A quantum leap over manual brushing
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been looking into buying a high-end electric toothbrush for several years, and when I finally decided to take the plunge I settled on this Phillips toothbrush based on the product features and the excellent positive feedback that other users had provided. More than a year later, I have to say that all the positive feedback was completely justified: this is a great toothbrush and it has completely and irrevocably changed the way I brush my teeth. After getting used to brushing your teeth with this brush, there is no way of going back to manual brushing, or even brushing with a low-end electrical toothbrush. Using it leaves your teeth feeling incredibly clean. Even my dentist had noticed the difference, and the last time I went for my regular teeth cleaning there wasn't much extra work that needed to be done.
As other reviewers had noted, the feeling of having an incredibly powerful toothbrush in your mouth can at first be rather uncomfortable, especially for your gums. However, if you can get through the first few days of use you'll eventually develop a tolerance for this and you'll experience no discomfort down the road.
The toothbrush comes with two different brushing heads - one small and one regular size. They both worked fine for me, and I think they only make a difference if you have a smaller mouth and you feel some discomfort with the larger one.
The brush heads have removable color coded rings, so you don't have to buy multiple toothbrushes for your other family members. Removing the brush head and attaching a different one is all that is necessary for multiple people to avail of single toothbrush.
The sterilizer that comes with the toothbrush is big enough to hold two different brush heads at the same time. I am not sure how efficient the sanitizer is, since the only indication that it's even being used is the blue light that turns on at the side of the sanitizer. However, it does put my mind at rest and I feel much better about the cleanliness of the brush heads after using it.
There is also a travel case that is included with the toothbrush which has proven very convenient for traveling.
There is also an additional charger that is convenient if you use the toothbrush in multiple rooms or if you take it on a trip.
The battery life is excellent. I went on a three-week vacation, and even thought I used my toothbrush all the time I did not need to recharge it even once. I had brought the additional charger along, but in the end I did not end up using it at all.
After going through the included brush heads, you'll need to purchase the replacements like Philips Sonicare ProResults HX6013 Brush Head Standard 3pk. These are good replacement heads, but take the following considerations into the account:
1. The strip of brush-hears that is designed to indicate when the head needs a replacement seems to be worn out a bit too quickly. I used to replace my regular toothbrushes about once every couple of months or so, but these heads seem to get worn out after just a couple of weeks. From the look of the head and the way it brushed my teeth I could see clearly that it was still a perfectly usable toothbrush. And since I sanitize it after each use, there was absolutely no need for it to be replaced so soon.
2. The base of one of my brush heads, i.e. the part that gets attached to the toothbrush, came off and although I was able to reattach it this created problems every time I would remove the head from the body of the toothbrush. Since, as I mentioned, I remove the head after each brushing, this creates an annoyance. I wish the heads were made sturdier than this.
3. The price. When you consider the fact that you can buy a perfectly good full regular toothbrush for about $3-$5, the price of these brush replacements seems rather too high by at least a factor of two. I am not sure if there is some kind of copyright that prevents other manufacturers from creating their own replacement brush heads, but if there is no such thing then someone could make a lot of money by creating an alternative version of these heads.
4. Related to the above point, there is no reason why there should only be two shapes of these replacement heads. A little bit of competition in this department could be very useful as well.
Overall, the shortcomings of this toothbrush are insignificant compared to the overall value that it provides. I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about taking a major leap in improving your dental hygiene. You teeth will thank you for it.
Customer Review: Great purchase! But Floss is still required for healthy gum
Summary: 4 Stars
I used to have this 7500 Series and then its being recalled back and I get a replacement of 9551. Both of them lasts no more than 1 yr! They simply dont charged and i dont use them often! So with the waiting for the replacement 9551 + delay to service center, my 2yrs warranty period is up.
Earlier I have this mould problem growing on the rubber surface of both sonicare brushes. Now, I have decided to put this set in my studyroom.
Pros
-UV Santizer helps to 'warm the brush'. I used it after I use the toothbrush. Guess it helps to reduce bacteria growth & speed up drying of the toothbrush too.
-Sensitive mode that is much gentle than the previous generation and Clean function. Better for me with receeding gum problems.
-I am observing my gums for days now and swollen gum has subside but the in between of teeth area are slightly red. I will have to use floss daily to improve my gum problem.
-The whole package (plastic) is fully sealed up. The plastic nodes area are fully melted and there is no way u can open this up without cutting it open etc. This let u know u are getting a '100% clean' set. Hygience issue. Good!
-Sanitizing box have this translucent area where light will be emitted when the box is in use. The UV lights can cause damage to the eyes so I guess this is a good indicator to let one know its been in use.
-Brushes are different from 7500 n 9500 series. This flexcare series brushes are easier to be maintained. Dont have to push up the slots and wash the in parts attached to the brush heads. But again, negative part abt this is that u have to take out the brush head and wash that thin metal + inside of the brush to make sure saliva/toothpaste etc dont get stuck inside and starts to form white residue. I have it for few days and I didnt dry it thoroughly. So i saw white residue on the metal surface area of the handle. (Still acceptable)
Cons
-Dont really know when to charge it. Maybe the new lithinum battery means it can be charged anytime but I still prefer not to.
Manual mentione abt green and yellow battery indicator.. but i only see yellow-green color. Not 2 colors to indicate if the brush need charging.
-The UV sanitizing box and charger is joined together. U cannot seperate them. So the only way is to use Traveller charger. But I believe they are different unit? If the box cant work, can we still use the linked charger for charging?
-Troublesome to maintain the UV Sanitizing part.
The promoter didnt mentioned anything abt cleaning the UV sanitizer box. You have to take out some components, wipe it or wash it which I have to figure out later. Its troublesome & I'm worried of breaking the parts.
-Light bulb might be damaged and have to get it from service center.
-Round pins. It doesnt come with a converter adapter like what I have when i bought 7551 series.
I saw the traveller charger and it seem to be round pins too. If thats the case, its not really a 'traveller' charger. They should bundle the Sonicare 3 Pin Square PLug to this set for use at selected countries.
-The Open/Close button/door of the Sanitizing box looks flimpsy. I hope it can last.
-Rubber material like the Sonicare series. Some complained that it will turn mouldy. I have the same problem too. So I will try to wipe it dry after every use, put it in my studyroom now. No more in toilet. The rubber material coating is far more than the 9500 series i guess so I dont want it to look gross after 2yrs (provided the battery can last that long. Finger crossed).
-Dont have place for us to dry or seperate the brush from the handle!!! 9500 series has a brush stand but this dont have. They should have some hook or whatever for us to hook this to the back of the UV box or somewhere. Water and water vapour will form when the brush is kept secured to the handle daily and I believe it will turn black like what happened to my earlier series.
Overall, I dont regret buying this but wish its cheaper. However, I wish that the developers have been more thoughtful when they come up with some certain simple but important parts to make life easy for users.
I have a problem with brushing my lower teeth. I just simply cant get it right! so I have to pay the $ to prevent my receeding gum problems from going worse. Teeth and gum are something we cannot ask doctor to 'replace' with. Nothing beats the 'original' human parts.