Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500
Starting from $270
The Details
3.75-inch circumference
10-inches tall
Weighs 4.9 oz.
Syncs with Sonicare app via Bluetooth
Rechargeable Ion Battery
56-Minute Battery Life
Comes with four brush heads
Two-year limited warranty
Why We Love It
If you’ve planned to drop three figures on an electric toothbrush, you’d better damn well make sure it pulls out all the stops in the fancy features department and looks sleek as hell. Enter: the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500, the latest in the high-end DiamondClean line.
Like all Sonicare models, the brush operates using a vibrating motion, which sends sonic waves on a mission to break through moisture and help sticky plaque matrices fall away from your teeth. The DiamondClean Smart 9500, as you might imagine for a brush with a $200+ price tag, delivers on all the essential features you’d expect: standard two-minute timer and quadpacer, a sensor to tell you to chill out when you’re brushing too hard, and compatibility with a range of brush heads in its line. The product comes with four heads — including a tongue-scraping brush — and when one starts to wear, an icon on the handle lights up, signaling it’s time to replace it. The brush continues to roll out the red carpet for your mouth (sorry, that kind of conjures up a gross visual, but we stand by my choice of phrasing), offering five cleaning modes with names like Clean, White+, Deep Clean+, Gum Health, TongueCare, and three intensity levels for each, so you can choose the brushing style you’re most comfortable with. Oh, and there’s a freakin’ microchip in each brush head that tells the toothbrush which one you’re using (e.g., when you pop on a gum-care brush head, the DiamondClean Smart 9500 will select the optimal mode and intensity for it). Welcome to the future, folks!
We’d be remiss not to acknowledge that the “whitening” capability of any electric toothbrush, as Dr. Mittl told us, “is a misnomer — basically you’re just getting off all the plaque, which makes your teeth look dingy.” But if you’re looking for optimal plaque removal, as she explains, the sonic waves from a sonic toothbrush “are a clear advantage” over brushes that merely rotate.
Unlike older Sonicare models, this one features two buttons — one for power and one to switch between modes — so you’re no longer forced to go through *all* the cleaning modes while the brush is still in your mouth (truly, first-world problems) to avoid splattering toothpaste all over your bathroom while it continues to vibrate. The sleek and shiny brush (available in five chic, subdued hues) comes not only with a standard charging dock, but also a chargeable travel case and charging cup — after a 24-hour charge, it should last up to two weeks of twice-daily use. Grippability, however, isn’t its strong suit. The handle is quite smooth, so those with motor issues might want to take note. When in use, the brush is relatively quiet, rivaling — though not quite as quiet as — the Quip.
And then there’s the clincher: The brush connects via Bluetooth to the Sonicare app (boasting an impressive 4.8-star average with more than 10,000 reviews), which allows users to set goals, track progress, address missed spots while brushing, and more. If you’re a diehard Oral-B stan, the Bluetooth-powered Oral-B Genius Pro 8000 packs a similar punch at a similar price; unlike Oral-B models, however, Sonicare’s (not inexpensive) brush heads come with a snap-on plastic cover, poop particles meandering through your bathroom be damned.
No, you don’t need Bluetooth compatibility, a travel case, and a glass that will charge your toothbrush, or five cleaning modes — but marketing gimmick or not, if you’re spending more than $50 for an electric toothbrush, you should be benefitting from a gaggle of bells and whistles. And if you want to throw down the cash to have a little more fun with your toothbrush than you would with one like our $$ pick (or this similarly priced Sonicare 2 Series model, if a sonic brush is more your speed), then the DiamondClean Smart 9500 is our clear favorite.
User Reviews
“This is my household’s second Phillips Sonicare DiamondClean Electric toothbrush. I bought mine ~1 year ago and went to my first dentist cleaning since that toothbrush this past month and NEVER in my life have I had such a quick and easy cleaning. I was in and out in 35 minutes — the dentist and hygienist were so impressed. They immediately asked me if I used this toothbrush — I said, ‘How did you know?’ I’ll even admit, I’m not one of those people that brushes two times per day every day and flosses twice per day… this thing saves me. It is 100% worth it. The varying intensities and different heads are perfect. The app is OK — interesting but not necessary. The best thing about this upgrade is the tongue scraper and the fact that the recharging wire comes built in to the carrying case. Electric toothbrushes used to be a ‘nice to have, but not necessary’ — this one is life-changing. You only get one set of adult teeth — do yourself a favor and get this toothbrush to keep them healthy.”
— xtina17
From Amazon
“Such a difference after several months’ time. Sensitive upper back gums are no longer sensitive. Plaque buildup behind front lower teeth has been remarkably reduced, a previously continuous problem regardless of level of brushing. The built-in brushing timer along with iPhone app tracking (not necessarily essential) help to maintain appropriate brushing routine. Bought additional ones for other family members. Highly recommend.”
— JosephFS
From Walmart
“I bought an original Sonicare in 1994, and have used it until about one month ago, when I got the DiamondClean. The original had the two-minute timer and that was it. This thing, wow — more bells and whistles than my computer. I love the pacer feature, and when I use it, I can see that I wasn’t getting each area as clean as possible before. I love the coaching feature, and kind of smile that I can no longer brush my teeth without my phone. Absolutely love the charger, and that I can put the glass in the dishwasher and get it sanitized. My phone reminds me to floss, scrub, and use mouthwash, and gives me advice to improve technique, like watching my pressure. Just amazing.”
— Anonymous
From Walmart
“I am fanatical about taking care of my teeth and have always practiced good dental care. This brush takes my cleaning to the next level. Not only does this product enable me to track my daily usage but it will identify an area that I did not clean as thoroughly as I should have. The tracking also shows me if I am holding the brush properly while brushing in order to get the best clean. Because of this I have been able to focus on and improve the position of the brush against my teeth and gums. Since using this toothbrush, I have noticed a marked reduction in the plaque that would build on my front bottom teeth. Love this toothbrush!”
— Havanese2
From Bed, Bath & Beyond
"Нужно научиться принимать боль и использовать ее как топливо в нашем странствии. Кэндзи Миядзава"