Philips Sonicare for Kids

Bottom line

The Sonicare for Kids does an excellent job of cleaning teeth and making brushing fun for kids. With a two-minute interval timer, the toothbrush also teaches kids how to brush for the proper amount of time. The soft, kid-size bristles and the gradual increase in brushing time and intensity add to its ease of use. While it isn't as durable as other adult-size toothbrushes, there is nothing on the market quite like it that is designed for kids. For this reason, we chose the Philips Sonicare for Kids as a Best Reviewed product.

Performance

Kids look forward to using this toothbrush. In a 2012 study, published in Pediatric Dentistry, the Sonicare for Kids was shown to be significantly more effective at removing plaque than a manual children's toothbrush. Users at Amazon.com say that it does an excellent job of cleaning teeth.

The Philips Sonicare for Kids uses rapid side-to-side vibrations to clean teeth. It has a slow start feature designed to acclimate kids to power brushing. The toothbrush, at maximum settings, produces up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute. It has two brushing modes: low mode (gentler) for children ages 4 and up and high mode (more powerful) for ages 7 and up.

Owners say their kids are more excited about brushing with this toothbrush than with other models. The toothbrush is loaded with kid-friendly features like a colorful base with interchangeable panels and musical tones that make brushing fun. Users say the toothbrush is quieter than full-size models and has soft bristles that are gentle on young teeth.

Durability

Keep your receipt. Like other Sonicare models, the Sonicare for Kids loses points for durability. Several owners at Amazon.com say the unit stopped working properly after just a few months. One user suggests using a regular adult-size Sonicare toothbrush instead because they are more durable. He says, "We've gone through two of these so far and the second one just stopped working." The toothbrush comes with a two-year warranty, and most reviewers say the company honors it willingly and has great customer service.

Ease of Use

Kid-friendly. The Sonicare for Kids is loaded with features that make it easy and fun to use. One owner at Walmart.com says, "This is the first tooth brush my daughter really seems to enjoy using." The toothbrush has a two-minute timer that chimes musical tones at 30-second intervals to alert children to move to a different area of the mouth. It also has a slow start feature which gradually increases brushing time and intensity to acclimate young kids to power brushing.

The toothbrush has smaller brush heads that are made to fit comfortably in children's mouths. It comes with two brush heads: a smaller one designed for children ages 4 to 6, and a larger one for children ages 7 and up. Some users, however, say it's heavy and cumbersome for small hands. Others say the nonslip grip of the handle is easy to hold for all ages. Note: Manufacturers recommend that parents perform the tooth brushing for children under the age of 8.