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Oral-B Vitality

*Est. $18

Reviewed October 2009
Oral-B Vitality

No-frills electric toothbrush

pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Includes rechargeable battery
  • May inspire you to brush longer
cons
  • Battery eventually stops accepting recharges
  • Just one brush motion
  • No timer
 
 
Where to Buy
  • eBay

    for $22.99

  • VitaCost.com

    for $19.89

  • Amazon

    for $16.99

 
 
 

User reviews of the Oral-B Vitality electric toothbrush are positive, with many saying they didn't expect such good results from such an inexpensive product. Some warn, however, that the battery eventually stops accepting recharges. Experts say the main disadvantage of cheaper electric toothbrushes like the Vitality is that they produce only a single brushing motion -- oscillating, in the case of the Braun Oral-B Vitality -- while expensive, higher-end options like the Braun Oral-B ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 4000 (*Est. $125) also pulse and rotate for what clinical studies say is more effective plaque removal. The Oral-B Vitality Dual Clean toothbrush isn't fancy, but experts say it's more effective than a manual toothbrush because people tend to brush longer with a powered toothbrush than they would with a manual brush.

In a test of 12 electric toothbrushes at the British product-review publication Which? magazine, the Oral-B Vitality gets good marks for cleaning effectiveness and ease of use, but comes in dead last in battery life. In a scientific test published in the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, the Oral-B Vitality removes stains as well as a professional cleaning at the dentist's office. In a Good Housekeeping review, dentist Denis Vu praises the Oral-B Vitality for being "very effective for a very modest cost." We found several user reviews at Amazon.com, with almost all of them positive. Some say they weren't expecting much, but were pleasantly surprised.

Where To Buy
 
 
Featured StoresStore RatingNotesTotal Price
eBayeBay rated 4.00 (1176 reviews)1176 store reviewsIn Stock. $22.99
VitaCost.comVitaCost.com rated 3.50 (307 reviews)307 store reviewsIn Stock. In Stock$19.89
AmazonAmazon rated 3.50 (1652 reviews)1652 store reviewsIn Stock. Get free shipping on orders over $25!$16.99
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. Which? magazine

This U.K.-based product-review publication thoroughly evaluates 12 electric toothbrushes on ease of use, battery life and overall cleaning ability. While the Braun Oral-B Vitality isn't judged best in any aspect, editors say it's a respectable performer that's inexpensive. Battery life is the worst of the 12 tested electric toothbrushes, however.

Review: Electric Toothbrushes, Editors of Which? magazine

2. Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice

This study compares the stain removal ability of the Oral-B Vitality toothbrush against that of a dental-office cleaning treatment in combination with manual brushing for two weeks. Stain removal of both techniques is found to be comparable.

Review: A Clinical Evaluation of Extrinsic Stain Removal: a Rotation-Oscillation Power Toothbrush Versus a Dental Prophylaxis, G.T. Terezhalmy et al., July 2008, Vol. 9, No. 5

3. Good Housekeeping

In this video review from Good Housekeeping, seven electric toothbrushes are tested by consumers and a dentist, Dr. Denis Vu. Few details of the test are provided. For example, we don't know which toothbrushes are tested, in what way they are tested, or how many people participate in the testing. Vu praises the Oral-B Vitality, which he calls the best basic option.

Review: GH on TV: Electric Toothbrushes, Editors of Good Housekeeping, March 1, 2008

4. Amazon.com

Several owner-reviewers give the Braun Oral-B Vitality Dual Clean electric toothbrush a high average score, with just a few complaints about the battery eventually not taking a charge anymore. Some say the Vitality's low price made them skeptical, but that the product works surprisingly well.

Review: Oral-B Vitality Dual Clean Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, Contributors to Amazon.com

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