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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 Review

This top-notch toothbrush is packed with smart features but comes at a hefty price
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 Review
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Price:  $280 List
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Manufacturer:   Philips
By David Wise and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jan 5, 2022
66
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 19
  • Cleaning - 40% 7.8
  • Comfort - 30% 5.9
  • Ease of Use - 20% 7.0
  • Battery Life - 10% 3.0

Our Verdict

Finishing in the upper echelon of our review of top-ranked electric toothbrushes, the Sonicare DiamondClean Smart is undeniably a great toothbrush. It did very well in our cleaning tests and is both comfortable to brush with and convenient to use, with a solid battery life to boot. It's got a sleek and stylish appearance and includes a comprehensive set of smart features. Unfortunately, all of this performance comes at a price and the DiamondClean Smart is prohibitively expensive for most people.
REASONS TO BUY
Great cleaning power
Stylish
Solidly comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Exorbitantly expensive

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Editors' Choice Award
Best Premium Electric Toothbrush
Editors' Choice Award
Best Electric Toothbrush for Most People
Best Buy Award
Most Gentle, Great Battery Life and Value
Best Buy Award
Best Value Electric Toothbrush
Price $280 List
$279.96 at Amazon
$300 List
$219.99 at Amazon
$100 List
$79.96 at Amazon
$40 List
$25.96 at Amazon
$50 List
$39.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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83
81
77
77
Star Rating
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Bottom Line This is a great toothbrush but prohibitively expensive for most peopleIf money is no object, this model excels across the board; namely with cleaningNearly flawless, this model offers everything you need with minimal drawbacksAn gentle, minimalist toothbrush with a long-lasting battery that cleans wellInexpensive yet fully capable, this electric toothbrush is a solid choice for just about everyone
Rating Categories Philips Sonicare Di... Oral-B iO Series 9 Philips Sonicare Pr... Philips One Philips Sonicare 4100
Cleaning (40%)
7.8
9.5
9.0
6.9
7.9
Comfort (30%)
5.9
7.9
7.8
8.1
8.3
Ease of Use (20%)
7.0
8.6
8.0
8.0
7.8
Battery Life (10%)
3.0
4.5
5.5
9.0
5.0
Specs Philips Sonicare Di... Oral-B iO Series 9 Philips Sonicare Pr... Philips One Philips Sonicare 4100
Measured Battery Life 24 days 38.5 days 46 days 30 days 49.5 days
Pressure Sensor Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Number of Brushing Modes 9500 & 9700 Series - 3 intensities and 5 modes: Clean, White+, Gum Health, Deep Clean+, and Tongue Care
9300 - does not have Tongue Clean
7 modes:
Daily Clean, Sensitive, Whiten, Gum Care, Intense, Super Sensitive, Tongue Clean
3 modes:
Clean
White
Gum Care
1 mode:
Clean
1 mode:
Clean
2 sensivity levels
Estimated Annual Brush Head Cost $44.96 for (1) four pack $49.99 for (1) four pack $44.96 for (1) four pack $15.92 for (2) two packs $44.96 for (1) four pack
Charger or Battery Info 100 - 240V
50/60Hz
0.5 - 1.3W
100 - 240VA
50-60Hz
3.0W
100 - 240V a.c.
50/60Hz
0.4 - 1.4W
USB USB
(block not included)
American Dental Association accepted? Not Listed Yes Not Listed Not Listed Not Listed
Waterproof / Resistant Yes, can use in shower Yes, can use in shower Yes, can use in shower No, cannot be used in the shower Yes, can use in shower
Number of Brush Head Styles Available 11 and tongue brush 4 styles, most available in 2 colors 8 styles, most available in 2 colors 1 style available in multiple colors 8 styles, most available in 2 colors
Number of Included Brush Heads 3 and tongue brush 3 1 1 1
Thirty Second Reminder Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Two Minute Alert Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Travel Case Included Yes, charging case Yes Yes Yes No
Measured Handle Weight 5 oz 4.9 oz 4.4 oz 1.4 oz 3.2 oz
App Yes Yes No No No
Available Colors 3 4 2 4 3
Decibels from 6ft Away N/A 53 dB 45 dB 40 dB* 42 dB
Decibels from 3" Away N/A 73 dB 67 dB 40 dB* 58 dB

Our Analysis and Test Results

The DiamondClean Smart finished just ahead of the Brio SmartClean in our testing process. While the Brio is the most comfortable of this trio, the Sonicare DiamondClean Smart did do the best in our cleaning test. The DiamondClean Smart is by far the most expensive in our fleet, costing a great deal more than any other model we tested.

philips sonicare diamondclean smart 9500 - the diamondclean smart also uses an inductive charging cup.
The DiamondClean Smart also uses an inductive charging cup.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Performance Comparison


philips sonicare diamondclean smart 9500 - the diamondclean is one of the more comfortable brushes of the review.
The DiamondClean is one of the more comfortable brushes of the review.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Cleaning


For our next metric, we ranked and scored how well each brush cleaned by performing a plaque removal test. This accounts for 40% of the final score for each toothbrush, with the DiamondClean Smart tying for the top spot of the entire group.

For this test, we had our judges skip brushing their teeth in the morning and encouraged them to consume as many sugary foods as possible. They then used a plaque disclosing tablet in the afternoon, which stained all of the accumulated plaque over the 18 hour period or so since they last brushed a bright red. We then took before photos, had them use the DiamondClean Smart for a standard cleaning cycle, and took after-brushing photos, using those to determine scores.

philips sonicare diamondclean smart 9500 - this toothbrush did quite well in our cleaning challenge.
This toothbrush did quite well in our cleaning challenge.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The DiamondClean Smart removed virtually all of the stained plaque for most of our testers, with only one person missing a few of the harder-to-reach places on the inside surfaces of their teeth, putting it on par with the best brushes that we have seen to date.

philips sonicare diamondclean smart 9500 - this brush is very easy and convenient to use.
This brush is very easy and convenient to use.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Comfort


We had a panel of testers rate the brushing comfort of each product, and they also compared the noise level and the ability to detect too much brushing pressure. We used these factors to finalize the scores. None of our panel of judges had any major issues with this toothbrush, with most of them rating it as one of the more comfortable models.

We particularly liked how this toothbrush felt to hold, with its matte finish and size feeling very ergonomic in your hand. However, some of our testers with more petite mouths did find it slightly unpleasant when brushing their back molars and this brush is just powerful enough to be a little too much for those with the most sensitive gums. However, you can use the sensitive mode to mitigate this if you find that it bothers you.

It's about average in terms of noise, being overall one of the quieter brushes in terms of amplitude. However, we did find this brush to have a high pitch whine that can be a bit irritating. This toothbrush also won some extra points by having a pressure sensor that will slow the brush down if you are pressing too hard.

philips sonicare diamondclean smart 9500 - the companion app shows your brushing progress.
The companion app shows your brushing progress.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Ease of Use


We graded and judged how easy to use the interface to run and switch cleaning modes on each brush is, how difficult it is to clean, if there is an easy option for storing additional brush heads, and if there is a two-minute timer to ensure you brush the correct amount. It is quite easy and intuitive to switch between modes using the additional mode select button. You simply press the button to cycle through the different cleaning options, of which there are five, and the mode indicator you are in will light up accordingly.

philips sonicare diamondclean smart 9500 - the diamondclean smart has one of the sleekest interfaces of the...
The DiamondClean Smart has one of the sleekest interfaces of the group.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The charging cup does not have any storage for additional brush heads, but the USB charging case does have spots to store two brush heads.

philips sonicare diamondclean smart 9500 - the travel case can both charge the toothbrush and store two brush...
The travel case can both charge the toothbrush and store two brush heads.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This Sonicare toothbrush has an integrated timer with quadrant pacing to help you brush for the prescribed amount each day.

philips sonicare diamondclean smart 9500 - this diamondclean smart has a solid battery life, even with all of...
This DiamondClean Smart has a solid battery life, even with all of its smart features.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Battery Life


For the remaining 10% of the total score, we assessed the battery life of each electric toothbrush. To take both brushing and standby power draws into account, we ran each brush for a standard brushing cycle in the morning and evening, awarding points on how many days each one lasted.


This toothbrush lasted for 24 days in our test — impressive, considering the standby power draw of the smart features.

Value


This brush is the absolute worst option if you are shopping on a budget. Period.

Conclusion


While the DiamondClean Smart is a very cool, top-rated toothbrush that scores well across the board, its extraordinarily high price tag makes it quite hard to recommend.

David Wise and Austin Palmer