Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean Precision 4000

Bottom line

The Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean Precision 4000 does an excellent job of cleaning teeth and is easy to use. Like all electric toothbrushes, it vibrates a lot; most users say they get used to it after a while. The toothbrush is loud, but this is a common complaint about electric toothbrushes in general. The Oral-B fits comfortably in the hand, but the brush head is a bit bulky, especially for users with small mouths. If you have a small mouth, the Philips Sonicare Flexcare (*Est. $120) is a more compact option.

Performance

Cleans nearly as well as the dentist. Owners at Walmart.com and Drugstore.com say the Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean Precision  4000 (formerly the Oral-B ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 4000) leaves their teeth feeling as clean as when they leave the dentist's office. Furthermore, the electric toothbrush is the top pick in one professional test that compares eight electric models. Professional testing outlined in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry shows that the Oral-B removed as much as 31-percent more plaque than the Sonicare Elite.

Durability

Lasts for years. The Oral-B electric toothbrush earns high marks from users for durability. Reviewers say they have used previous models for up to 10 years before needing a replacement.

Ease of Use

Easy to use, but loud and bulky. Professional reviewers give the Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean Precision  4000 top marks for its ease of use. Owners, for the most part, agree. One user at Drugstore.com says the toothbrush fits well in the hand and "has a slight curve and a rubberized palm rest that helps balance it during use." A few say that it's rather loud, however, and that its large size can be uncomfortable in small mouths. Furthermore, the vibrating takes some getting used to. It comes with a travel case for easy portability.