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Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft Review

Featuring soft and gentle bristles, exceptional cleaning performance, and a range of sizes, this emerges as the best manual toothbrush
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Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft Review
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Price:  $19 List
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Manufacturer:   Nimbus
By Genaveve Bradshaw and Ryan White  ⋅  Apr 2, 2024
80
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 13
  • Cleaning - 45% 7.8
  • Comfort - 35% 8.7
  • Ease of Use - 15% 8.0
  • Customization - 5% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft offers all the essentials in a manual toothbrush. We particularly appreciated its ergonomic design, featuring a solidly built handle that's easy to grip. Alongside its comfortable feel, this brush delivers impressive cleaning performance. While some may find the brush head slightly large, we found the overall experience to be comfortable. The Nimbus is available only in larger packs of five, which should last a long time, though we would have preferred to see it offered in a single-pack option as well. A tongue/gum cleaner is also absent. Despite these very minor drawbacks, it remains one of the best toothbrushes on the market, and we can't recommend it enough. To see how it stacked up against other great manual and electric options, check out our comprehensive best toothbrush review.
REASONS TO BUY
Super soft bristles
Ergonomic
Superb cleaning
REASONS TO AVOID
Must be purchased in multi-packs
No tongue/gum cleaner

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Manual Toothbrush
Best Buy Award
Best Electric Toothbrush on a Budget
Best Buy Award
Best on a Tight Budget
  
Price $19.00 List
$18.99 at Amazon
$50 List
$39.99 at Amazon
$10.00 List$7.00 List
$6.99 at Amazon
$5.00 List
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Bottom Line Looking for a dependable manual toothbrush? This one not only cleans effectively but also offers a lot of comfortAffordable, effective, and easy on the teeth and gumsIf you struggle finding a toothbrush with soft bristles that still cleans effectively, this is itAn effective toothbrush, but not for folks who require soft bristlesIt's a nice brush to hold, but it can't clean with the best of them
Rating Categories Nimbus Microfine Xt... Philips Sonicare 4100 Colgate 360 Sensiti... Oral-B Charcoal Oral-B CrossAction...
Cleaning (45%)
7.8
7.9
8.0
6.5
4.2
Comfort (35%)
8.7
8.4
7.9
5.4
6.3
Ease of Use (15%)
8.0
8.2
6.0
6.3
6.4
Customization (5%)
5.0
6.0
5.5
4.0
5.5
Specs Nimbus Microfine Xt... Philips Sonicare 4100 Colgate 360 Sensiti... Oral-B Charcoal Oral-B CrossAction...
Available in Value Packs? Only available in packs, no single brushes Single Available in singles or packs Available in singles or packs Available in singles or packs
Brush Head / Size Options Regular
Compact
Nimby
S Sensitive
C1 SimplyClean
e-Series
A3 Premium All-in-One
W3 Premium White
W DiamondClean
G3 Premium Gum Care
Sonicare For Kids
C3 Premium Plaque Control
G2 Optimal Gum Care
C2 Optimal Plaque Control
No Options Soft
Medium
Soft
Medium
Number of Included Brush Heads For Electric Models NA 1 NA NA NA
Included Tongue Scraper No No Yes Yes Yes
Measured Battery Life For Electric Toothbrushes NA 49.5 days NA NA NA
Estimated Annual Brush Head Cost for Electric Toothbrushes NA $44.96 for (1) four pack NA NA NA
American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance No Not Listed Not Listed Not Listed Not Listed
Measured Weight 20.9g 94.4g 15.7g 15.1g 23.2g
Measured Height 8.0" 10" 7.5" 7.5" 7.8"
Available in Different Colors? Yes, random assortment Yes, 3.
White
Black
Pink
Yes, random assortment Yes, random assortment Yes, random assortment

Our Analysis and Test Results

The capable Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft impressed us through a variety of tests, especially cleaning and comfort. We appreciated the robust handle, which felt easy to hold, and despite the brush head itself being somewhat on the larger side, it remained effective at cleaning for a variety of mouth sizes.

Performance Comparison


Your morning brushing routine made easier thanks to the comfort of the Nimbus.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Cleaning


The Nimbus cleaned our teeth effectively during our testing and was even better than some electric toothbrushes. Cleaning is our most critical metric, making up 40% of the final score. We test the cleaning ability of each brush in a variety of ways. First, we chewed a pink plaque-disclosing tablet, which shows any plaque build-up in a bright pink hue. We then timed ourselves brushing for two minutes. Before and after photos were also taken to assess the ability of each brush. Finally, we employed an artificial teeth model and spread wet coffee grounds across the teeth and gums. We used each brush to determine how much of the build-up they could remove. We find that this combination of tests produces consistent results for each model with very little to no variability.


The Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft surprised us with its overall ability to remove plaque without being too harsh on the gums, thanks to the super soft bristles. It managed to clear away all debris with minimal effort within the allotted 2 minutes of brushing. Our teeth felt clean and smooth after brushing. This is definitely one of the better manual toothbrushes you can buy as far as cleaning goes. Electric toothbrushes still reign supreme in the cleaning department (with few exceptions), but if you prefer a manual one, you can't go wrong here.

Before cleaning with the Nimbus.
Before cleaning with the Nimbus.
After cleaning for two minutes with the Nimbus.
After cleaning for two minutes with the Nimbus.
The before and after results of our 2-minute cleaning test.

Comfort


Comfort, a close second to cleaning, holds significant weight, accounting for 30% of the overall score. A comfortable toothbrush is crucial for maintaining consistent dental hygiene. Our testing thoroughly evaluates factors such as the gentleness or harshness of each brush head and its size. Additionally, we assess the ease or difficulty of gripping the handle. We find these are all vital to the overall experience.


We are pleased to report that the Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft is an incredibly comfortable toothbrush to use and is great for those with sensitive gums. While the brush head leans slightly towards the larger side, it is still manageable, even for those with smaller mouths. The ultra-soft bristles offer ample comfort without compromising effectiveness. The handle has a decent thickness, facilitating easy gripping as well. Its hourglass shape and well-placed textured dots ensure a secure hold, preventing any mid-brushing slips. All-in-all, it was an impressive showing from the Nimbus.

Easy to grip and super soft bristles.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


While it's easy to assume that all manual toothbrushes are user-friendly, our thorough testing uncovers their true strengths and weaknesses. We evaluate factors such as the brush head's effectiveness in reaching difficult areas, the ease of keeping handles clean, and their stability on the bathroom counter, even with toothpaste added to the bristles.


We evaluate the ease of cleaning each toothbrush by smearing toothpaste all over the handle and then cleaning it off. We closely examine each handle to identify any nooks or crannies where toothpaste can accumulate. The Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft proved to be remarkably easy to clean. Despite its grippy texture, we found it rare for gunk to accumulate in those areas. Additionally, the bristles cleaned effortlessly.

nimbus microfine xtra soft - the handle has a nice, grippy texture.
The handle has a nice, grippy texture.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Although the brush head is slightly larger, it maneuvers through a typical brushing routine with ease. The diverse bristle lengths effectively reach hard-to-access areas with minimal effort, marking another win for the Nimbus. Moreover, the well-balanced handle ensures it won't tip over when resting on the countertop. If you're in the middle of brushing and need to set the brush down for any reason, you're in luck. Overall, we are pleased with the results across the board.

nimbus microfine xtra soft - the brush head is on the larger side, but still comfortable.
The brush head is on the larger side, but still comfortable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Customization


This is the only metric where the Nimbus failed to excel. In this metric, we evaluate the customization and features of each model. Anything exceeding a brush head and handle (and, if applicable, a charger for electric models) would be classified as additional accessories. This encompasses tongue scrapers, teeth picks, compatible apps, built-in timers, or any other supplementary attachments. The majority of manual models typically only offer color options within value packs. When purchasing individual brushes, you essentially receive whichever color is available. Therefore, concerning manual toothbrushes, we're examining whether multiple colors are available and if the value packs offer a variety of colors.


Regrettably, the Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft lacks a tongue scraper or gum cleaner and is exclusively available in a multi-pack of five brushes. Nonetheless, the multi-pack offers various colors, a feature we appreciated, enabling families to distinguish each member's brush.

nimbus microfine xtra soft - the multi-pack offers a variety of colors.
The multi-pack offers a variety of colors.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft?


If you prefer a manual toothbrush over an electric one, the Nimbus Microfine Xtra Soft stands out as one of the top choices available. Its exceptional cleaning ability alone justifies its affordable price tag, but it surpasses expectations in every category. The only notable drawbacks are the lack of a gum/tongue cleaner and the inability to purchase this model individually, as it's only available in multi-packs. Despite these considerations, it remains a superior option among its competitors. If you desire an effective and affordable toothbrush and prefer to stick with a manual model rather than switching to electric, we believe you won't be disappointed with this offering from Nimbus.

What Other Toothbrushes Should You Consider?


If you're solely looking for a manual toothbrush, the Colgate 360 Sensitive Extra Soft carries many of the same characteristics as the Nimbus but with a slightly lower price tag. It's also great for folks with sensitive mouths, as the bristles are super soft and gentle. Additionally, it carries a tongue scraper. If you're intimidated by the vast array of electric toothbrushes available and a manual model is more in your comfort zone, look into the Philips One. It bridges the gap between the manual and electric world thanks to the hybrid design and gentle vibrations. Finally, if you want to take a tiny step further into the electric realm, the Philips Sonicare 4100 is a streamlined and effective model containing only one button for operation. It also earned top marks for its cleaning ability. For those interested in more simplistic, manual options, check out our comprehensive toothbrush review.

Genaveve Bradshaw and Ryan White