Buying guide
Best quiet electric toothbrushes
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
Oral-B iO Series 2 duo: 3 quiet cleaning levels
Oral-B describes three quiet cleaning levels: super sensitive, sensitive and daily cleaning.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
Oral-B iO6: two soft modes and a display
The built-in display shows mode, brushing time, refill reminders and battery level.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
Oral-B iO8 Limited Edition: magnetic drive, colour display
Magnetic technology and gentle micro-vibrations are named in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
If you brush before a partner wakes up or share a thin-walled flat, a quieter brush is worth looking for. The problem is that almost no listing gives a decibel figure, so nobody can rank these brushes by measured noise from the product pages alone. What the listings do tell you is how each brush is driven and how far it can be turned down. Oral-B describes its iO range as using magnetic technology with micro-vibrations, and one iO listing calls its cleaning levels quiet. Philips Sonicare brushes offer intensity levels and EasyStart, which ramps power up gradually. This guide compares six brushes on drive type, any noise claim, soft settings and intensity control. Where a listing says nothing about noise, we write not stated. A softer mode or lower intensity is the most reliable way to keep things calm.
All products compared
- Oral-B iO Series 2 duo: 3 quiet cleaning levels
- Drive
- iO magnetic technology
- Noise
- Described as quiet
- Soft settings
- Super sensitive and sensitive
- Intensity control
- Slows when you press too hard
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Oral-B iO6: two soft modes and a display
- Drive
- iO technology
- Noise
- Not stated
- Soft settings
- Sensitive and Super-Sensitive
- Intensity control
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Sonicare 7100: 3 intensity levels and EasyStart
- Drive
- Sonic, 62,000 movements a minute
- Noise
- Not stated
- Soft settings
- Not named
- Intensity control
- 3 levels and EasyStart
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Sonicare 5500: EasyStart and pressure alert
- Drive
- Sonic, 62,000 movements a minute
- Noise
- Not stated
- Soft settings
- Not named, Clean and White only
- Intensity control
- EasyStart over 14 sessions
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Oral-B iO8 Limited Edition: magnetic drive, colour display
- Drive
- iO magnetic technology
- Noise
- Not stated
- Soft settings
- Softness and Extra Softness
- Intensity control
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Oral-B iO5: gentle iO drive, two soft modes
- Drive
- iO with micro-vibrations
- Noise
- Not stated
- Soft settings
- Sensitive and Super Sensitive
- Intensity control
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Drive | Noise | Soft settings | Intensity control | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral-B iO Series 2 duo: 3 quiet cleaning levels | iO magnetic technology | Described as quiet | Super sensitive and sensitive | Slows when you press too hard | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Oral-B iO6: two soft modes and a display | iO technology | Not stated | Sensitive and Super-Sensitive | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Sonicare 7100: 3 intensity levels and EasyStart | Sonic, 62,000 movements a minute | Not stated | Not named | 3 levels and EasyStart | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Sonicare 5500: EasyStart and pressure alert | Sonic, 62,000 movements a minute | Not stated | Not named, Clean and White only | EasyStart over 14 sessions | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Oral-B iO8 Limited Edition: magnetic drive, colour display | iO magnetic technology | Not stated | Softness and Extra Softness | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Oral-B iO5: gentle iO drive, two soft modes | iO with micro-vibrations | Not stated | Sensitive and Super Sensitive | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · Oral-B
Oral-B iO Series 2 duo: 3 quiet cleaning levels
The only listing here that calls its cleaning levels quiet. Two iO Series 2 handles with magnetic drive and two soft modes suit a shared bathroom.
In its favour
- Oral-B describes three quiet cleaning levels: super sensitive, sensitive and daily cleaning.
- Magnetic technology is named in the title, and one button press is all it takes to start.
- Automatic pressure control slows movement and shows a red light when brushing too hard.
Good to know
- No decibel figure is given, so quiet is the maker's description, not a measurement.
- This is a two-handle pack, which is more than a single user needs.
Listing title: Oral-B iO Series 2 Electric Toothbrush, Duo Pack, 2nd Handpiece, 2 Rep...
No. 2 · Oral-B
Oral-B iO6: two soft modes and a display
The iO6 display shows the mode, time, refill reminders and battery, so there is no guessing. Suits users who like to see what the brush is doing.
In its favour
- The built-in display shows mode, brushing time, refill reminders and battery level.
- The pressure sensor signals too hard, too soft or just right.
- A travel case or head holder and spare heads are included.
Good to know
- Five modes may be more than a user who wants simplicity needs.
- Battery life is described as days but not given as a number.
Listing title: Oral-B iO6 Electric Toothbrush, Black, with Travel Case and Spare Head...
No. 3 · PHILIPS
Sonicare 7100: 3 intensity levels and EasyStart
The 7100 adds EasyStart and SmarTimer to a pressure sensor that also lowers vibration. Four spare heads mean fewer trips to buy replacements.
In its favour
- EasyStart and SmarTimer are both named in the title.
- The pressure sensor flashes purple and reduces vibration when brushing is too hard.
- Four G3 heads and a charging travel case are included.
Good to know
- The four modes are not named, which makes picking one less obvious.
- Battery life is not stated, and no power adapter is in the box.
Listing title: Philips Sonicare 7100 Electric Toothbrush, Sonic Toothbrush with App, ...
No. 4 · PHILIPS
Sonicare 5500: EasyStart and pressure alert
With just Clean and White modes and EasyStart, the 5500 is the simplest brush here. A good first electric brush for someone who dislikes gadgets.
In its favour
- Only two modes, Clean and White, so there is little to get wrong.
- EasyStart raises brushing power gradually over the first 14 sessions.
- The pressure alert pulses and reduces vibration if you press too hard.
Good to know
- Battery life is not stated in the listing.
- The charger comes without a power adapter.
Listing title: Philips Sonicare 5500 Electric Toothbrush, Sonic Toothbrush with 2 Mod...
No. 5 · Oral-B
Oral-B iO8 Limited Edition: magnetic drive, colour display
The iO8 Limited Edition uses iO magnetic technology for what Oral-B calls a smooth experience, with two soft modes and a colour display.
In its favour
- Magnetic technology and gentle micro-vibrations are named in the listing.
- Six modes include Softness and Extra Softness for a gentler session.
- The colour display shows modes and brush replacement reminders.
Good to know
- No noise level or quiet claim is given in the listing.
- The listing does not mention pressure feedback or battery life.
Listing title: Oral-B iO - 8 Limited Edition - Purple Electric Toothbrush, 1 Premium ...
No. 6 · Oral-B
Oral-B iO5: gentle iO drive, two soft modes
The iO5 has the same two soft modes as the iO6 and a colour pressure light, without a screen. A simpler option for a teenager's first electric brush.
In its favour
- Sensitive and Super Sensitive modes are both included among five settings.
- The pressure light glows red, white or green to show which way to adjust.
- A spare head and a travel case are included.
Good to know
- Only one spare head comes in the box, which may not last long with brackets.
- No display is mentioned and battery life is not stated.
Listing title: Oral-B iO5 Electric Toothbrush, Black, with Travel Case and Spare Head
More buying guides: Choosing an electric toothbrush
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