Some products show up everywhere: subway ads, Instagram, celeb endorsements. With this series, we're testing such products to conclude one thing: Does it live up to the hype?
What's everyone talking about?
You should be brushing your teeth twice every day, so why not make it more enjoyable? The beloved Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 is one of the most well-designed smart toothbrush options for taking the guesswork out of brushing your teeth and giving oral care the upgrade it deserves.
What's the buzz about?
If you're reading this, it's time to upgrade your dental health. While a manual toothbrush meets the basics for keeping your mouth clean, if you're a fan of a squeaky-clean feel on your teeth and fresh breath all day, then upgrading to an electric toothbrush — or more specifically, the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 — will have you covered.
This toothbrush is both a beauty and tech lover's dream: It has customizable settings and connects to your phone via Bluetooth and an app to keep you on track to a healthier, pearlier smile. Plus, the device is beautiful enough to complement the most curated bathroom aesthetic.
Where's all the hype coming from?
- Features in Esquire, Business Insider, and more
- Sparkling reviews by happy shoppers on Amazon
- Beyoncé and Jay-Z are rumored fans of it
So does it live up to the hype?
How'd we come to this conclusion?
Let's be honest — the longer this quarantine lasts, the more relaxed many of us have become with our personal hygiene. Sure, you can skip a hair-wash day (it's actually recommended), but you're reaching red-flag territory if you're not keeping up with your dental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, just taking 2 minutes every morning and night to brush your teeth and scrape your tongue will help prevent cavities and gum disease.
But how could something like brushing your teeth come with so much guesswork? How long is 2 minutes? Am I brushing in the right motions? Is my toothbrush working as hard as I am to get rid of plaque and grime?
Well, Philips’ beloved electric toothbrush brand Sonicare is here to settle your woes — and your dental issues. Though the brand has a full array of motor-powered toothbrushes to choose from, I can't stop stop reaching for the DiamondClean Smart 9500.
I've been using this toothbrush since 2018, and it's hard for me to even think of a toothbrush that comes near the cleansing and refreshing power that this smart one gives.
What makes this one so special? Well, if you're a fan of bells and whistles, think of the DiamondClean Smart 9500 as a full-on spectacle: It has four different types of brush heads to choose from (including one for your tongue!), five different cleaning modes and speeds, a unique charging system that makes your bathroom look oh, so chic, a pressure sensor, and Bluetooth connectivity to track your oral health progress through an app on your cell phone.
Yes, I know some of you may be thinking that paying over $200 for a toothbrush may be a bit extreme, but think about it as a worthwhile investment for your oral (and overall) health. Most experts agree that an electric toothbrush does a better job at removing plaque, calculus and stains from your teeth, and the American Dental Association notes that powered toothbrushes are great options for people with dexterity issues or those who have dental appliances, like braces. Plus, this is basically the Rolls Royce of electric toothbrushes, so you'll definitely get a bang for your buck — why else would the Queen Bey, Jay-Z, and rapper SAINt JHN be avid fans?
This toothbrush has the same sonic motor motion as other models on the market, but the bristles on this one are noticeably faster, and you can feel them getting into every nook and cranny of your mouth. This could throw people off when using an electric toothbrush for the first time — but you get used to it.
GQ's Daniel Varghese described the feeling best: "It felt like I was applying a Theragun directly to my teeth, pounding out plaque, massaging away gingivitis." It's true — this brush's cleansing power vibrates in your entire oral cavity in the most pleasing way possible.
But its ultra sonic powers aren’t the only thing to get excited about: This high-tech toothbrush also has Bluetooth connectivity to track your dental health via an app. The app might seem like a feature you'd be likely to ignore, but I recommend taking the 2 seconds to download it. It does a really great job tracking how much of your teeth and gums you’re actually brushing, and also notes if you're applying too much pressure onto certain areas of your mouth, which, if neglected, could lead to issues like teeth sensitivity and gum and enamel abrasion.
And of course, because I'm all about aesthetics, this toothbrush works as good as it looks — and it looks pretty damn amazing. It comes in two shades (I have the rose gold version), and it sits delicately in a glass charging cup that powers it up through the day and night, awaiting your next brushing session. And if you're heading out, just toss it in its travel case, which also charges your toothbrush while you’re on the go.
Though some toothbrushes can look like an eyesore on a bathroom counter, this one is gorgeous enough to be the centerpiece of the whole thing. Plus, it makes my bathroom one step closer to resembling Beyoncé's, so need I say more?
What's the bottom line?
Never in my life did I think I could love a toothbrush so much, but here I am. It's the only electric toothbrush I'll ever need to own (with changing out the brush heads every 3 months, of course), and it shows no sign of slowing down its plaque-fighting power. It may be on the pricier side of dental care, but trust me: Once you get a taste of this toothbrush, good luck trying to feel satisfied with your freebie from the dentist's office.
