Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (2024)

Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (1)

If you’ve tried to buy an electric toothbrush at any point in the last few years, you’ll know there are lots (and we mean lots) of different varieties. From charging stations and in-built timers to artificial intelligence, connected apps, and wall mounts, the amount of gimmicks attached to the best electric toothbrushes is many and varied.

However, before you make your selection, the main choice you need to know about is the kind of brushing action you want: rotating or sonic. What do these key terms mean, what’s the difference between them, and which is better for fighting off tooth decay and gum disease? We’ll break it all down below.

What do “sonic” and “rotating” actually mean?

Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (2)

A sonic toothbrush uses vibrations to move the bristles in two directions, side-to-side or up-and-down, to remove plaque and clean more efficiently than a manual toothbrush. A sonic toothbrush vibrates at a high frequency, but still only moves in one dimension.

A rotating toothbrush, on the other hand, might still vibrate, but the bristles move back and forth in a circular motion. You’ve probably seen those characteristic circular heads on many electric toothbrushes. These brushes can still vibrate in addition to the circular motion of the brush head, depending on the model.

It's really that simple. Sonic equals side-to-side, rotating or oscillating equals circular movements.

Sonic vs rotating vs manual toothbrush: Which is better?

Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (3)

Both sonic and rotating toothbrushes offer benefits over a manual toothbrush, including improved plaque removal, according to a meta-analysis of studies published before 2021. Plaque is a sticky film over your teeth which is a hub for bacteria, which eventually cause all kinds of problems including gum disease. Therefore, an improvement in plaque removal means better dental hygiene overall.

A more powerful handset will mean stronger vibrations and a higher rate of brush strokes. The average person brushes their teeth with a manual brush at a pace of around 300 brush strokes per minute, according to Oral-B. Powered brushes can operate at a rate of around 40,000 brush strokes per minute, although these are a lot smaller, less forceful strokes.

But what about rotating vs sonic? According to a research paper published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene which analyzed 38 comparison studies, there was an overall “small but significant difference” in favor of the oscillating or rotating brush versus the high-frequency sonic variety. There are some gaps here (for example, the analysis study doesn’t say which handsets were used) but according to this particular analysis of the available research, you want to opt for oscillating over side-to-side movement.

However, an upgrade from a manual toothbrush to a sonic toothbrush is still an upgrade; the top oscillating toothbrushes tend to be more expensive than sonic toothbrushes, as the more complicated motion requires different motors. If you’re still rocking the manual brush, a sonic brush will still be a significant upgrade for you, but if you’ve been using a cheap sonic brush for a while, consider a rotating one to take your oral hygiene to the next level.

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Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (4)

Matt Evans

Fitness, Wellness, and Wearables Editor

Matt is TechRadar's expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech. A former staffer at Men's Health, he holds a Master's Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.

Matt's a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.

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Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (2024)

FAQs

Are sonic toothbrushes as good as rotating ones? ›

According to a research paper published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene which analyzed 38 comparison studies, there was an overall “small but significant difference” in favor of the oscillating or rotating brush versus the high-frequency sonic variety.

What is the downside of a sonic toothbrush? ›

However sonic brushes do have one major drawback; they tend to be quite expensive compared to both manual and electric versions making them cost-prohibitive for some users with tighter budgets who still want a quality brush for cleaning their teeth thoroughly each day!

Is there really a difference between Sonicare toothbrushes? ›

For example, the ProtectiveClean 6100 enables you to choose between a cleaning, whitening, or gum care setting, while the DiamondClean 9300 features an additional setting for deeper cleaning.

Are sonic toothbrushes more effective? ›

While both the sonic and electric toothbrushes work well in comparison to the manual toothbrush, the sonic toothbrush is undeniably more efficient in cleaning your teeth.

Do dentists recommend oral-B or sonicare? ›

Sonicare's heads are large and flat compared to Oral-B's small round brushes, and they're long-lasting, according to Wellspring Dental dentist Mandy Nebel, who prefers Sonicare over other brands. This specific model — one of two from the brand accepted by the ADA — is a more entry-level Sonicare.

What are the benefits of a rotating toothbrush? ›

Oscillating-rotating: This kind of toothbrush has a small, round brush head that oscillates back and forth in a circular motion to help remove plaque. A smaller brush head can be very good for cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.

Are sonic toothbrushes recommended by dentists? ›

"Sonic toothbrushes or electric toothbrushes are proven to be a smarter way to brush your teeth, while causing less recession and trauma to the gums," says Dr. Creaven. "The better your oral care routine is, the less treatment you'll end up needing."

Which is better, oral B or Sonicare? ›

Sonicare vs Oral-B: Our Verdict

Both Oral-B and Sonicare make excellent electric toothbrushes. Oral-B represents the better value; the brushes themselves and replacement heads are cheaper than those sold by Sonicare. And they're easier to use for beginners and kids.

Which is better sonic or rotating oscillating toothbrushes? ›

Electric rotating-oscillating toothbrushes come with lower power than sonic toothbrushes, but due to the rotating head you can find them quite powerful in removing the plaque off your teeth. Sonic toothbrushes, on the other hand, are considered much more effective thanks to the high level of vibrations they provide.

Why do dentists recommend Sonicare? ›

Benefits of Sonicare

Through 62,000 brush strokes a minute, the vibrations of the Sonicare toothbrush reaches challenging spots between teeth and along the gumline. This ensures a thorough clean that helps prevent cavities and gum issues.

Does Oral B remove more plaque than Sonicare? ›

Plus, an Oral-B electric toothbrush like the Oral-B Pro 1000 even removes 26% more plaque than Sonicare DiamondClean* and 100% more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush.

Are sonic toothbrushes good for receding gums? ›

Conclusion. If you are suffering from receding gums, using an electric toothbrush can be a great way to help improve your gum health. They help remove plaque and bacteria from teeth and gums, which can help reverse receding gums.

Can I use a sonic toothbrush everyday? ›

Absolutely! Using an electric toothbrush every day is generally recommended and can be beneficial for maintaining good oral hygiene. The consistent use of an electric toothbrush helps remove plaque effectively, reaches difficult-to-reach areas, and promotes better overall cleaning compared to manual brushing.

What is the difference between sonic and rotating oscillating toothbrushes? ›

Like rotating oscillating toothbrushes, Sonic electric toothbrushes include spinning and oscillating features to clear plaque, but they also move much faster. Compared to an oscillating toothbrush's limit of 7500 rotations per minute, Sonic brushes have an average of 30,000 brushes each minute.

Which is better, oral B or sonicare? ›

Sonicare vs Oral-B: Our Verdict

Both Oral-B and Sonicare make excellent electric toothbrushes. Oral-B represents the better value; the brushes themselves and replacement heads are cheaper than those sold by Sonicare. And they're easier to use for beginners and kids.

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