Comparison Xiaomi Mi Sound Wave Toothbrush vs Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite HX6711

Models of replacement heads supplied with the device.

This information is valuable for assessing the capabilities of a specific model and for sourcing additional, spare, or replacement nozzles, particularly for toothbrushes and dental centers that naturally use such devices (as indicated in "Type"). Firstly, it's advisable to replace the heads in these devices every 3-6 months, similar to regular toothbrushes. Secondly, if each user purchases their own nozzle while sharing a single handle, it's a cost-effective alternative to buying a separate brush for each individual, although it may be less convenient. Regardless, knowing the model of the interchangeable nozzle will save you time and effort when searching for compatible accessories.

The number of brush modes provided by the device. The presence of several modes allows using the device for different procedures (for example, daily cleaning, delicate cleaning, whitening, etc.). Each such program has its own features of the working nozzle, as well as its own timer settings. The downside of such multifunctionality is the increased cost. In any case, this feature significantly expands the capabilities of the device; however, the specific set of modes may be different - it would not hurt to clarify it separately.

In this case, the mode means the general format of operation. For more information on the different formats, see "Modes" below. Note that this parameter should not be confused with the number of power settings. The latter is specified separately - see "Power modes", and in general, these characteristics are practically independent of each other. For example, a brush with one mode of operation can have several power settings. And vice versa, there may be only one power level, but several formats of operation.

Operating modes supported by the device.

Toothbrushes have the greatest variety of modes these days. In addition to the traditional (so-called "2D") daily cleaning, they can feature a 3D mode, delicate and deep cleaning programs, polishing, whitening, gum massage, and tongue cleaning. Irrigators, in turn, in addition to the standard format of operation with a continuous stream of water, most often provide a pulsation and/or spray mode.

Here is a detailed description of the most popular options found in brushes:

— Daily cleaning (2D). The operating mode is closest to traditional (manual) toothbrushes. In this mode, the bristles of the brush move in one plane; the trajectory of movement may vary, depending on the cleaning technology (see below). The intensity of action in this case is usually medium/high, so this operating format is intended mainly for relatively healthy and not too sensitive teeth. The recommended daily cleaning time is 2 minutes, 30 seconds for each quadrant of the oral cavity; the corresponding settings are usually provided in the timer (if available - see below). In general, 2D cleaning is somewhat less effective than 3D (see below), but this option can b...e provided even in the most inexpensive toothbrushes.

— Daily cleaning (3D). A function found in brushes with reciprocating-rotating and reciprocating-sweeping technology. In such models, in addition to the main cleaning technology, the bristles pulsate up and down (more precisely, into the head and back). Thanks to this, cleaning is carried out in three planes at once, which significantly improves efficiency compared to the 2D cleaning described above: the bristles not only treat the outer surface of the teeth, but also to a certain extent capture the sides and interdental space (although such cleaning is not a full-fledged replacement for the use of dental floss). The disadvantage of this function is traditional - relatively high cost.

— Gentle cleaning. A gentle cleaning program used mainly for sensitive teeth and gums prone to bleeding. In toothbrushes with reciprocating-rotating and reciprocating-sweeping cleaning technology (see below), the gentle mode most often provides for a reduced rotation/oscillation speed of the nozzle; in sonic and ultrasonic models, gentle cleaning can be ensured by reducing the amplitude of oscillations. In any case, this mode maximally eliminates discomfort during brushing and the likelihood of gum damage - even when using standard nozzles; and for the most gentle effect, it is best to use this function with a nozzle for sensitive teeth.

— Deep cleaning. Most often, this name refers to cleaning with standard intensity, but with an increased duration — for example, 3 minutes instead of the usual 2 minutes (45 seconds for each quadrant of the mouth instead of the traditional 30 seconds). This mode allows you to clean your teeth as effectively as possible and remove dirt for which regular daily cleaning is not enough.

— Polishing. A mode for treating relatively clean teeth that do not require full-scale cleaning. As a rule, polishing is performed at a reduced frequency of oscillations (rotations) and takes significantly less time than conventional treatment (for example, 1 minute instead of the traditional 2 minutes).

— Whitening. A special mode for whitening tooth enamel and removing various stains, primarily from the front teeth. It can be an extended version of the regular cleaning mode: for example, when turned on for whitening, the brush works in the regular format for 2 minutes, and then for 30 seconds in the high-intensity mode. These nuances should be clarified separately; it also does not hurt to clarify the contraindications for using this mode (especially with sensitive teeth and/or gum problems).

— Gum massage. Gum treatment can be provided as a completely separate program, or as an addition to the usual cleaning mode. This function provides not only effective cleaning, but also strengthening of the gums — it can be useful for treating inflammation and bleeding, although in such cases you should first consult a doctor.

When using irrigators, the gum massage effect is achieved by delivering a pulsating jet of variable intensity or by spraying a water-air mixture (a cloud of small droplets). For more information on these modes, see below.

— Tongue cleaning. A separate mode for cleaning the tongue. Many people find that cleaning their tongue with an electric toothbrush causes a tickling sensation that is difficult to tolerate for a long time. In light of this, this mode usually provides for a short duration of continuous treatment — about 20 seconds; if necessary, such “sessions” can be carried out several times. It is also worth mentioning that the presence of a tongue cleaning mode in itself does not mean that the kit includes a special attachment for such cleaning (see “Attachments”), although most often such a device is included in the kit.

It should be noted that in some toothbrushes, the mode change is carried out using “smart” attachments: when such an attachment is installed, the device recognizes it by the built-in chip and automatically switches to the appropriate program.

In turn, in irrigators the features of the main modes are as follows:

— Pulse. The pulse mode of the irrigator means the supply of cleaning fluid in the form of a pulsating stream. Such a flow effectively removes plaque and food debris, helps to thoroughly clean the space between the teeth, under the braces and periodontal canals (especially in hard-to-reach places).

— Jet (single-stream). Classic, most popular format of work: permanent jet with permanent pressure. Provides sufficient efficiency for most tasks for which irrigators are used, while being extremely easy to implement and can be provided even in the most inexpensive models.

— Pulsating. Water supply with variable pressure. This mode is especially effective for removing dirt from the interdental space, under braces and in other hard-to-reach places.

— Spray (atomizer). In this mode, a mixture of water and air is supplied through the nozzle, due to which, instead of a regular stream, a cloud of small drops flying at high speed is obtained at the outlet. This mode is great for gum massage and general cleaning of the oral cavity.

The frequency of sound vibrations provided by a toothbrush with a sonic operating principle. This parameter also means the maximum pulsation frequency for toothbrushes with support for pulsating cleaning technology (see above) and for irrigators with a pulsed operating mode. For dental centers (see "Type"), data on the irrigator is usually specified here, and the pulsation frequency of the toothbrush (if this parameter is relevant for it) is indicated in a separate note

High frequency of movements and pulsations(from 40 thousand/min and higher) has a positive effect on the efficiency and quality of treatment, allowing you to quickly deal with dense plaque and even tartar. On the other hand, too intensive treatment can also be undesirable - for example, with high tooth sensitivity. All this is also relevant for irrigators - except that the operating frequencies in them are noticeably lower, such devices very rarely produce more than 2 thousand pulsations per minute. So when choosing, do not chase the maximum indicators of the frequency of movements and pulsations, but first of all it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the user - for a full guarantee, it would not hurt to consult a dentist about this.

The presence of a timer in the design of the device. All types of dental hygiene appliances can be equipped with this function (see "Type").

The timer function counts down and provides alerts, often at specific intervals, to help users monitor the time spent on brushing their teeth and mouth. This ensures that the oral care routine is effective without unnecessary prolongation. The timer settings can vary depending on the selected brushing program (as discussed in the "Modes" section). Following the standard recommendations of dentists, a typical daily brushing session should last at least 2 minutes, with 30 seconds allocated for each quadrant of the teeth. Consequently, when using this mode, the timer typically counts down from 2 minutes and signals every 30 seconds to prompt the user to move the brush to another section of the mouth.

The timer function can vary in its operation, depending on the specific model of the toothbrush or irrigator. The simplest approach involves fixed time settings for each mode, accompanied by audible and/or visual signals. Models equipped with smartphone synchronization (as discussed in the "Synchronization with a smartphone" section) often display timer data on the smartphone screen and allow users to customize the countdown duration to their preferences. In some children's brushes (as mentioned earlier), a musical timer is used, where the countdown continues until a melody finishes playin...g. There are also other unique features related to this function. Regardless of the specific implementation, the timer simplifies the use of the toothbrush or irrigator, eliminating the need for users to manually track the time themselves.

The ability to synchronize the device with a smartphone, tablet or other similar gadget. It is found mainly in toothbrushes, but can also be used in other types of devices (see "Type").

Synchronization with an external gadget, typically via Bluetooth, requires the installation of a dedicated application. The functionality of this app determines the available features when using the toothbrush with a smartphone or tablet. However, these functions extend well beyond what the toothbrush can do on its own, thanks to the smartphone or tablet's screen capabilities. Common features include displaying a timer countdown and the ability to customize the timer settings if the default values don't meet the user's preferences. The application also typically provides other relevant information, such as the selected brushing program and battery charge status. Some toothbrushes with this feature can even assess the overall effectiveness of each brushing session, process this data within the app (like tracking trends over time), and sometimes transmit this information over the internet, allowing for remote consultations with a dentist.

While in the past, the primary drawback of models offering smartphone synchronization was their high price, nowadays, even low-cost-friendly toothbrushes come with this feature. Additionally, some models go the extra mile by including dedicated smartphone holders for added convenience.

Additional items supplied with the device (in addition to the base and attachment set).

The most popular types of such items nowadays are charging stand, accessory stand, UV sanitizer and case ; Here is a more detailed description of each option:

— Charging stand. A battery charging device designed as a stand serves the dual purpose of recharging the battery and offering added convenience for storing the device. It's worth noting that this function can apply to dental centers, even if they primarily operate on mains power (as indicated in the "Type of power" section). In such cases, the toothbrush included with the dental center typically runs on batteries, and the charging stand is typically integrated directly into the main unit of the dental center for ease of use.

— Stand for accessories. A device designed to hold various accessories, primarily interchangeable nozzles, can come in different designs. For example, in toothbrushes and portable irrigators, this device is often integrated into a charging stand, which includes both a charging socket and open compartments for accessories. In irrigators and fixed-layout dental centers, these compartments are usually built into the main unit or the lid of the water tank. In this case, the compartments are typically covered with lids for hygiene reasons, making it...a more hygienic option. Regardless of the design, having a dedicated stand for accessories enhances the convenience of storing them.

— UV sanitizer. A device that uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation for disinfecting the device, particularly replaceable nozzles, is typically designed as a distinctive container. In some models, this container also serves as a cover or case. The disinfection process effectively eliminates the majority of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, all without the need for additional chemicals and ensuring safety as the radiation remains confined within the container. However, it's important to note that UV disinfection is not effective against regular dirt and debris, so having this function doesn't eliminate the need to clean the nozzle through washing.

— Case / cover. The device comes with a storage and carrying container, which can be either a hard case or a soft cover. Hard cases offer better protection, while soft covers are more compact and can be rolled up when not in use. Regardless, both of these accessories are highly convenient for storage and transportation. They safeguard the contents from dirt and damage, and in many cases, provide space to store additional accessories, reducing the risk of losing them. While you could use makeshift packaging for the same purpose, the provided container is typically more practical.

This refers to the maximum duration a device can run continuously when powered by a fully charged battery or fresh batteries. It's worth noting that this metric may also apply to models designed for mains power, such as flossing systems that include rechargeable toothbrushes, in which case we're referring to the battery life of these toothbrushes.

It's important to note that device specifications typically indicate the maximum runtime under ideal conditions, often in the most energy-efficient mode of operation (and for models with replaceable batteries, using high-quality batteries). The actual battery life can vary depending on specific usage conditions. However, this parameter still serves as a valuable basis for comparing different models. Generally, differences in the claimed operating time correspond proportionally to the real differences in battery life. For example, if one toothbrush has a stated operating time of 20 minutes and another boasts 40 minutes, in practice, their battery life (under similar conditions) will likely differ by approximately two times.

It's important to consider that, for toothbrushes, this parameter can help estimate the number of brushing sessions you can expect on a single charge. Typically, the recommended daily brushing duration is 2 minutes. So, if a toothbrush has an operating time of 30 minutes, it's sufficient for approximately 15 cleaning sessions (or more realistically, around 14 or 13).

The ability to charge the battery in the device from a standard USB port.

Refer to the "Type of power" section for battery details. Charging via USB offers several advantages over traditional mains charging. The primary benefit is the widespread availability of USB ports in computers, laptops, tablets, and various electronic devices. USB connectors are standard outputs in portable power banks, and USB adapters can convert 230V socket and car cigarette lighter socket outputs. This power source allows you to charge your toothbrush or irrigator not only from mains power but also from various other sources, even when sockets are unavailable, such as from a laptop or a power bank. This is particularly convenient during travel.

Another notable aspect of this charging method is that it often eliminates the need for a dedicated charger. All you need is a basic cable to connect the toothbrush or irrigator to a USB port. Typically, such a cable is included with the device, and the device itself features a standard microUSB port for power connection. This flexibility allows you to use alternative cables if needed, which are compatible with the plug type, making it more convenient and adaptable.

However, it's important to mention that these standard sockets on the device are not well-suited for use with charging stands, as discussed in the "Additionally in the kit" section. Consequently, some toothbrushes and irrigators...that use USB charging may not include charging stands at all, while others employ a unique design. In these cases, a dedicated socket for the charging stand is integrated into the device, and USB charging becomes accessible when the device is placed within a travel case, which also serves as a transitional component.