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Electric toothbrush: Not only the models themselves, but also the respective replacement brushes differ significantly in price
Photo: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images
According to the experts at Stiftung Warentest in their current test report, they have “never experienced anything like this in the almost 50 years that we have been testing electric toothbrushes”.
Several specimens of one of the tested models, namely the Sunstar Gum Powercare, refused completely.
They could neither be switched on nor charged and were therefore punished with the overall rating of "inadequate".
The provider reacted immediately and stopped selling in Germany.
Luckily, the other 16 electric toothbrushes that the experts brought to the laboratory fared quite differently.
The testers examined a total of twelve new models and compared them with five that were still available from earlier tests.
The result: In addition to Sunstar's total failure, four devices received the overall rating of "satisfactory", all others were rated as "good".
Many are good, only one is cheap
Remarkable: The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige, which was already at the top of the podium in 2021, took first place again.
The testers certify that it performs very well when it comes to cleaning teeth and that it is easy to handle.
With an overall rating of 1.8, it is just ahead of the models in 2nd and 3rd place. However, according to Stiftung Warentest, it is far above the competition at a price of 267 euros.
Because the runner-up, the Oral-B Genius X 2000N, costs only a third of that, namely 87.50 euros according to the testers.
Nevertheless, it is hardly worse than the winning model and is praised for its good cleaning time.
This function, the experts explain, is important so that all teeth are brushed evenly.
It is a surprise that a model from the Dontodent brand can also be found in the ranks of electric toothbrushes rated "good".
With an overall rating of 2.5, the »Active Professional cordless toothbrush« only just manages this rating, but at 20 euros it is also unbeatably cheap.
At EUR 1.49, replacement brushes also cost less than the competition, which charges between EUR 2.50 and EUR 12.30 per brush.
Unfortunately, the cleaning time signals are hardly noticeable on this model, the testers criticize.
Another cause for criticism: the batteries in none of the tested toothbrushes can be replaced.
If the power storage is gone, the whole device went into the electronic waste.
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