Philips One Review

We appreciate the simplicity of the Philips One. This toothbrush is effective, inexpensive, and lasts weeks without charge. Its sleek and lightweight design gives it the minimalist appearance of a manual brush but still offers the power and functionality of an electric toothbrush. The brush is also available in several unique colors for varying tastes. With its USB-C charger and travel case, this is an excellent option for those who travel often.

Tested and Rated

Unlike other reviews, we don't just theorize about toothbrushes. We buy them from actual stores, just like you would. Our expert reviewer, Gena Bradshaw, then rigorously tests these toothbrushes for hundreds of hours using various plaque and stain tests. Gena has evaluated nearly 100 toothbrushes, and the data she provides allows me, Ryan White, to write this comprehensive review.

Performance Comparison

Cleaning

Our cleaning performance test consisted of using disclosing tablets after not brushing for 16 hours. These tablets turned the judges' teeth bright pink in places where plaque had accumulated. Then I brushed my teeth for a standard two-minute cycle. I assessed before and after photos to see how well the Philips One cleaned. These scores accounted for 40% of the overall score.

Despite the softer bristles and vibrations, the Philips still delivered an above-average cleaning performance. It cleaned almost everything off our judges' teeth, leaving minimal buildup in hard-to-reach places.

I attribute part of the cleaning power to the bristle pattern. The brush head has an alternating short-long bristle pattern capable of reaching deep grooves. Combining this with the power of micro-vibrations makes this a major upgrade to a standard toothbrush. Unfortunately, this brush didn't remove everything, leaving some plaque behind in commonly missed places.

Comfort

Our judges tested every toothbrush and assigned each a comfort level, accounting for 30% of the overall score. Additionally, I measured how loud each brush was and checked for pressure sensors. The Philips One earned an above-average performance in this category.

The Philips One was one of the most comfortable electric toothbrushes tested. This brush did particularly well with our testers with sensitive gums, as the brush action is very gentle. Unfortunately, the Philips One does not have a pressure sensor to avoid brushing too hard.

The Philips One design is similar to a manual brush. It weighs in at 2.4oz and is quite slim. The brush had no problem reaching back molars in our judges' smaller mouths. Additionally, the brush is very quiet. I was unable to hear this brush outside the closed bathroom door.

Ease of Use

I then assessed the convenience of each toothbrush. I looked at how simple switching modes are, how easy it is to clean the toothbrush, and if a timer was present to detect how long each side should be cleaned. Additionally, I assessed the storage for the toothbrush and any additional brush heads. These criteria made up 20% of the final score.

The Philips was particularly easy to use. It has only one button, which powers it on and off. There are no additional modes to toggle through. It is lightweight, sleek, and handles similar to a manual toothbrush, making it incredibly easy to brush with. The toothbrush is not waterproof, so you wouldn't want to use it in the shower or clean it under running water, removing some cleaning convenience. It required some scrubbing, especially in the space around the button and the gap where the brush head connects.

I appreciate the guided assistance with this toothbrush. Every 30 seconds, a quick vibration indicates it is time to move on to a new location. After two minutes, a long pulse occurs before the toothbrush shuts off.

A simple travel case is included in this kit. The lightweight case matches the sleek minimalist design of the toothbrush. The toothbrush clicks into the case with a flap that covers the brush head. The case has a small gap towards the bottom, allowing you to charge the brush while the toothbrush is enclosed. The case is waterproof and can easily be cleaned. However, there is no storage space for extra brush heads.

Battery Life

I ran each toothbrush for four minutes daily, two during the morning and another two minutes at night. I noted when each brush died and assigned scores accordingly. These scores accounted for 10% of the overall score.

The Philips One was one of our longest-lasting toothbrushes with a life of 87.5 days following a full charge. It charges by a USB-C cable, removing the hassle of replacing batteries. It simply plugs into the bottom of the brush rather than using a charging dock. I liked this as it makes the brush more portable and easily replaces the USB-C cord if needed. It only takes a couple of hours to charge the toothbrush from empty — then the toothbrush is ready to go for a couple months.

Given its long life span and the travel case, this toothbrush would be an excellent option for travelers. The USB-C charger is easily packable and can plug into a power bank on the go. This is handy for international trips where Type A and B outlets are unavailable.

A small blinking light shows the battery life. After a brushing cycle is complete, a small blinking white light indicates a fully charged battery. When the battery is low, the light turns orange and is accompanied by five beeps. Once the indicator turned orange, I had three more days of brushing until the battery died.

Should You Buy the Philips One?

The Philips One is a great option for those looking for a simple and effective electric toothbrush that won't break the bank. Its slim and lightweight design makes this a top choice for petite mouths, reaching back molars without complication. It is also on the more sensitive side regarding vibration power. This brush doesn't have all the bells and whistles like some others, but it is still an excellent option.

Overall, I think it's a particularly great fit for anyone looking for a gentle toothbrush. Our tester with extremely sensitive gums rated this toothbrush very highly. Pair that with its ability to clean and you have a great little toothbrush for a very affordable price.

What Other Electric Toothbrush Should You Consider?

Our best overall toothbrush was the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100. This toothbrush is similar to the Philips One with just one mode and one type of brush head. However, this toothbrush has far more power than the Philips One and cleans exceptionally well.