Oral-B Vitality

Bottom line

The Oral-B Vitality is a step up from a battery-operated toothbrush. It does a decent job of cleaning teeth but lacks the power and basic features of other models. If you can't afford to spend $100 or more on a toothbrush, the Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean Precision 1000 (*Est. $55) is a great value, does an excellent job of cleaning teeth and will likely last longer than the Vitality.

Performance

Can't compete with high-end models. Professional studies show the Oral-B Vitality to be more effective at removing plaque than a manual toothbrush. Users, for the most part, agree. Most say that it's definitely a step up from battery-powered toothbrushes but that it doesn't compare to higher end models. For instance, its rotating brush head only produces 7,600 oscillations per minute compared to the 8,800 oscillations per minute that the Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean Precision 1000 (*Est. $55) produces in addition to 40,000 pulsations.

Experts say the main disadvantage of cheaper electric toothbrushes is that they produce only a single brushing motion -- oscillating, in the case of the Braun Oral-B Vitality. Expensive, higher-end options like the Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean Precision series pulse and rotate for more effective plaque removal, according to clinical studies.

Users also say that the Vitality vibrates a lot. One reviewer at Amazon.com says, "The brushing action is not smooth. Using Vitality is like putting a jackhammer in my mouth."

Durability

The battery has a short shelf life. Some users say the Oral-B Vitality, and earlier models like it, is durable and lasts for years. Others say the battery doesn't hold a charge very well after just a few months. The toothbrush has a two-year warranty and a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.

Ease of Use

Some important features are lacking. The Vitality is basic, which makes it simple to use. It has one brushing mode and one button to turn it on. Some users say it's missing some basic functions -- like a battery charge indicator and a quadrant timer -- that would make it more user-friendly. Furthermore, users say the toothbrush is very loud.