Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart review: At just under £200, is this premium toothbrush worth the spend?

The key to good oral hygiene is brushing our teeth regularly, we know this. But advancements in dental technology mean getting a clean even the hygienist would be proud of is easier than ever. Here, tech and health writer Caramel Quin reviews the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart for all you need to know.

There are a few Philips toothbrushes that I'd recommend - all sitting on my list of the best electric toothbrushes. However, the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart might just be the cream of the crop. This one is much another in the brand's range, which I reviewed last year, but without AI that automatically adjusts intensity or heavy price tag.

While this one is still more expensive than many of the best Oral-B electric toothbrushes, it's well worth the extra spend if you can afford to splash out on a premium electric toothbrush that'll stand up to years of use.

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart review

Specifications

• Modes: 4
• Colours: Black, white
• Timer function: Yes
• Pressure sensor: Yes
• Tongue cleaner: No
• Battery life: 14 days
• Glass charger
• Travel case Yes
• RRP: £239.99

What's the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart like to use?

From my first brush, the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart toothbrush felt nice in my hand and its two buttons fell neatly under my thumb, making it comfortable to use. The top button turns the device on and off, while the bottom one cycles between the four modes (clean, white, gum health, deep clean). When brushing, the bottom button allowed me to choose between three intensity levels - an unusual feature, but helpful if you have sensitive teeth or you're just getting used to sonic cleaning. Be warned - it's quite loud at the top level, so if you brush in the early (or late) hours, this is something to consider.

I say brushing but the Philips is sonic, so the head vibrates with a motion that’s tickly at first, if you’re not used to sonic toothbrushes. You hold it against the teeth and let the brush do the work, rather than scrubbing.

I absolutely loved this toothbrush and would use it again. The brushing results were superb from my first clean and I used this toothbrush for a few weeks.

What really sets it apart from other brands is the app though. On the screen, you'll see your mouth split into six lots of 20-second areas, rather than four lots of 30-seconds, which is the same as on the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Prestige 9900, the premium brush I tested last year. If I hadn't tested that brush, I would have been confused as to why this was initially - the idea is that you focus on one-sixth of the mouth at a time, breaking down brushing into smaller segments so you get it right every time.

The app instructs you on which area to brush and the sensors can tell whether you’ve done enough on the front and behind the teeth. Many people don't know this is how to brush your teeth properly, offering me hope of a top-quality clean. When your two minutes are up, it knows if anywhere in the mouth has been neglected and instructs you to finish the job if so. I found myself brushing for two to three minutes.

In time, I learned to get it right in two minutes. I found I could relax and brush, rather than stare at the screen the whole time, knowing that it would pick me up on anything missed. But even after weeks of use, I found that it held my attention enough that I’d brush properly for the right amount of time. I’m a person who rushes my toothbrushing (I’m ashamed to say that sometimes I’m done in 30 seconds) so this adherence is invaluable.

The app also logs a diary of your toothbrushing - but I found this less compelling. You can flick back to find out if you’re getting your pressure, times, etc right but rather like some fitness trackers I've had, I don't bother once the novelty wears off.

Battery and charging on the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart toothbrush

I wouldn't normally call out the charging details on an electric toothbrush but this one is worth mentioning. The toothbrush doesn't need charging too often - a relief - but the charger does have an unusual design.

You put the brush in a special glass case that then sits on a charging base, rather than going straight onto a charging base like any other electric toothbrush I've had. I found this to be charmingly old school but it would have been nice to have a choice because, if you're like me, you might find it's not really your style.

The main charger has also been downgraded – it uses a two-pin ‘shaver’ plug rather than a more modern USB. Though the unusual style of glass charger is attractive, I'm not sure it's worth swapping the versatility of modern plugs for this two-pin design that only works in shaving points or with an adaptor.

Also, I'm a big fan of using a magnetic mount to store a toothbrush away from the sink day-to-day (like on the SURI electric toothbrush) as it lets the base dry out without getting manky.

The travel case that comes with the brush also doubles as a portable charging station. It's large and made of hard plastic, instead of the slim vegan 'leather' of the Prestigue 99000. The hard plastic does match that of other pricey toothbrushes though, such as the Oral-B iO 10. Part of the reason for the size is the built-in USB cable in the travel case, which is hidden under a cover on the base. It’s clever but adds to the bulk.

How does the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart toothbrush compare?

The obvious comparison is between the two premium Philips products: this brush, the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart, and the more expensive option I reviewed last year, the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Prestige 9900. Side by side, the two compare very well. If they were the same price, the Prestige 9900 would win hands-down because of its luxe accessories. However, these accessories aren't worth spending hundreds of extra pounds on and the brushing performance is very similar. Of the two, in my eyes, if your budget doesn't stretch (very) comfortably to the more premium option, the DiamondClean Smart is a perfect alternative with many of the same features.

I loved the app - it worked consistently and I found it made me brush for at least two minutes. Though the app may not work for everyone, I’d stick with it as I find it too tempting to rush through brushing.

If you feel that dropping three figures on a toothbrush is a lot, I get it. Spend two figures on the AENO DB2S Smart Sonic Toothbrush instead and you won’t be disappointed.

Should you buy the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart toothbrush?

Personally, this toothbrush made me brush my teeth properly - something that others have failed to achieve in the past. It'll pay for itself by helping me avoid dental treatment I'd hope! Plus, if you shop around, you might find this is one of the electric toothbrushes on sale with a big discount.

I also enjoyed using this brush, which says a lot, and it looked good stored on my bathroom side. No complaints here!