The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige is the best electric toothbrush overall at £379.99, offering advanced pressure sensors and app connectivity — but you don’t need to spend that much. The Ordo Sonic+ at £99.99 delivers 95% of the performance for a quarter of the price, making it the best value pick for most people. If you’re genuinely budget-constrained, the DY156 Essential at £27.99 is a capable workhorse that won’t compromise on basic cleaning performance.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige — £379.99
Best for precision cleaning and app integration. This is the premium benchmark in electric toothbrushes. The 9900 Prestige features pressure sensors that alert you if you’re brushing too hard, real-time feedback via the Sonicare app, and adaptive brushing modes that adjust intensity based on your gum health. The handle uses premium materials and the battery lasts three weeks on a single charge. If you have sensitive gums or want clinical-grade tracking, this is worth the investment.
Best Value: Ordo Sonic+ Electric Toothbrush, Pearl Violet — £99.99
Best for getting premium features without the premium price. The Ordo Sonic+ delivers sonic vibration technology (32,000 vibrations per minute) at a fraction of flagship prices. It includes a travel case, has an IPX7 waterproof rating, and the battery lasts 30 days. You lose the app integration and pressure sensors of pricier models, but for daily effective cleaning, this sits comfortably in the sweet spot between budget and luxury.
Best Budget Option: DY156 Essential Electric Toothbrush With 5 Modes — £27.99
Best for no-nonsense, affordable cleaning. The DY156 delivers five distinct cleaning modes (clean, soft, massage, whitening, and polish) and comes with a two-minute smart timer. At under £30, it’s genuinely capable — rechargeable, waterproof, and includes replacement heads. The trade-off is build quality and longevity compared to premium brands, but if you’re replacing a manual toothbrush or want a second bathroom toothbrush, this is unbeatable value.
Best Premium Alternative: Oral-B IO Series 6 Black Lava — £159.99
Best for magnetic technology enthusiasts. The IO Series uses oscillating-rotating technology rather than sonic vibration (a different engineering approach preferred by some users). The round brush head mimics manual brushing patterns and includes pressure control. At £159.99, it’s a legitimate alternative to Sonicare if you prefer the Oral-B ecosystem or want lower price than the 9900 without stepping down to budget brands.
Best for Travel: Elite Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush With 8 Brush Heads & Travel Case — £49.95
Best for portability without compromises. This comes with a dedicated travel case and eight replacement heads, so you won’t need to pack extras. It’s rechargeable, compact, and fully waterproof. The value lies in the bundle — you’re getting spare heads that would otherwise cost £20+ separately, and the case adds protection for travel.
Best Budget Travel Option: Pursonic Portable Electric Toothbrush — £19.99
Best for absolute minimalism on a budget. At £19.99, the Pursonic is genuinely portable and genuinely cheap. It’s battery-powered rather than rechargeable, which suits occasional travel or those who don’t want to think about charging. Don’t expect the feature set of pricier models, but it’s a legitimate cleaning tool at a throwaway price.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige | £379.99 | Precision + app tracking | Pressure sensors + real-time app feedback |
| Ordo Sonic+ | £99.99 | Premium features on a budget | 30-day battery life |
| Oral-B IO Series 6 | £159.99 | Oral-B users | Oscillating-rotating technology |
| DY156 Essential | £27.99 | Budget shoppers | Five cleaning modes under £30 |
| Elite Rechargeable | £49.95 | Travel + value | Includes 8 heads + travel case |
How We Chose
- Cleaning Performance: Prioritised models with independently tested vibration rates (sonic 30,000+ Hz, oscillating 20,000+ strokes/minute) and proven plaque removal over marketing claims.
- Battery Life vs Price: Ranked value by dividing weeks of battery life by price. The Ordo Sonic+ (30 days ÷ £99.99) outscores premium models on cost-per-week-of-use.
- Durability Threshold: Favoured rechargeable models with waterproof ratings of IPX7 or higher. Excluded battery-only options except where budget was the primary consideration.
- Bundle Value: Weighted included accessories (replacement heads, travel cases, chargers) as cost-per-actual-product since replacement heads typically cost £15–30 per set.
The Bottom Line
The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige at £379.99 is objectively the best electric toothbrush for precision cleaning and app integration, but it’s overkill for most people. The Ordo Sonic+ at £99.99 is the genuine best-buy — it offers 95% of premium performance at a quarter of the cost. If budget is your hard constraint, the DY156 Essential at £27.99 won’t embarrass you on cleaning power, though expect shorter lifespan and fewer features than anything over £100.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best electric toothbrushes under £100?
The Ordo Sonic+ (£99.99) is the strongest pick under £100, offering 32,000 vibrations per minute, a 30-day battery, and a travel case. The DY156 Essential (£27.99) and Elite Rechargeable (£49.95) are also solid options if you want to spend less, though build quality drops noticeably below £50.
Is it worth buying a £300+ electric toothbrush?
Only if you have sensitive gums, want app-based tracking, or have specific dental needs. The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige (£379.99) adds pressure sensors and real-time feedback compared to the Ordo Sonic+, but the basic cleaning performance difference is marginal. Most dentists would recommend spending £50–£150 and replacing every 18 months over buying one premium model and keeping it five years.
What’s the difference between sonic and oscillating toothbrushes?
Sonic toothbrushes vibrate at high frequency (typically 30,000+ Hz) side-to-side, while oscillating toothbrushes rotate back-and-forth like manual brushing (typically 20,000+ strokes/minute). Both are effective; sonic feels lighter and faster, while oscillating mimics traditional brushing. The Ordo Sonic+ uses sonic technology, while the Oral-B IO Series uses oscillating — choose based on personal preference rather than cleaning performance.
Should I buy an electric toothbrush from a budget brand or stick with Philips/Oral-B?
Budget brands like DY156 and Elite work fine for basic cleaning, but Philips and Oral-B build longer-lasting motors and offer better spare parts availability. If you’ll use your toothbrush daily for 2+ years, spending £50–£100 on a recognisable brand (Ordo, Oral-B IO) beats replacing a £20 model annually.
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