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How long to charge an electric toothbrush

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In short

It depends on the model and charger. Several Oral-B iO models, including the iO7, iO8 and iO9, list a 3 hour fast charger. Many Philips Sonicare handles take much longer for a full charge, often many hours, and Philips manuals give the time for each model. Waterpik cordless flossers and combos also give a charge time in the manual. Charge fully before first use, then top up when the battery light shows low.

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Charge times vary more than most people expect. Some handles fill up in a few hours on a fast charger, while others are designed to sit on a slow inductive charger overnight or longer. Getting it right on the first charge, and understanding the battery lights, avoids the most common frustrations. This guide covers Oral-B iO, Philips Sonicare and Waterpik in general terms, with listing facts where they exist. Always check your manual for the exact figure, because charge times change between models and charger types.

Charge times by brand

The table uses listing facts where they exist. Where no figure is listed, it points you to the manual rather than guessing.

BrushChargerCharge timeBattery stated
Oral-B iO7, iO8, iO9Magnetic fast charger3 hours (listing)Not given as a number
Oral-B iO5, iO6Two-pin magnetic chargerSee manualNot given as a number
Sonicare DiamondClean 9000Stand and USB travel caseSee manualUp to 14 days
Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100Inductive chargerSee manual2 weeks
Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0Handle charges in the baseSee manualRecharge indicator
Charging at a glance

See brushes with charging travel cases →

The first charge

Most makers advise a full charge before first use. Some Philips manuals describe a long initial charge, and many Sonicare handles take many hours to charge fully on a standard inductive charger. Oral-B iO handles on a fast charger fill in a few hours.

New handles often arrive with some charge, so the brush may work straight away. It is still worth leaving it on the charger until the battery light shows full before you rely on it for a trip.

Reading the battery lights

A flashing light during charging is often normal and simply shows the battery is charging. A light that never changes after many hours may point to a fault.

  • Oral-B iO with display: the screen shows the battery level. See Oral-B iO lights explained.
  • Philips Sonicare: a battery light or icon on the handle shows charge. Many models flash or show a colour when the battery is low; your manual explains each signal.
  • Waterpik: a recharge indicator shows when the battery needs charging.
  • If no light comes on at all when the handle is on the charger, see Philips Sonicare not charging or Oral-B iO not charging.

How long a charge lasts

Makers quote battery life in days, usually assuming two brushing sessions of two minutes a day. The DiamondClean 9000 listing gives up to 14 days of regular brushing. If you brush for longer, use higher modes, or connect to an app, the real figure will be lower.

Our battery-days check converts a maker's figure into days for your own routine. For example, 14 days at two 2-minute brushes is 56 minutes in total; at two 3-minute brushes a day that is about 9 days.

Charging safely in a UK bathroom

UK listings for Oral-B and Philips brushes mention a two-pin plug for bathroom use, which fits a shaver socket to BS 4573. Never use a travel adaptor in a standard socket in a bathroom, and keep chargers away from water.

If your bathroom has no shaver socket, charge in another room. Our guide to charging from a shaver socket explains the rules and the 115/230 V switch some sockets have.

230115SHAVERS ONLYBS 4573Voltage switchTwo-pin plugCharger
A UK bathroom shaver socket (BS 4573) takes the two-pin plug used by many toothbrush chargers.

Note:Electric toothbrushes use lithium-ion or similar batteries. Use the maker's charger, do not charge a handle that is damaged or swollen, and do not leave it on a charger that has got wet.

Looking after the battery

Batteries wear with age. Our guide to how long an electric toothbrush lasts covers what to expect, and our premium electric toothbrush guide lists battery figures where the listings give them.

  • Many modern handles can stay on the charger between uses; check your manual for the maker's advice.
  • If you leave a brush unused for a long time, charge it every few months so the battery does not run completely flat.
  • Keep the charger and the base of the handle clean and dry.
  • If the battery life drops sharply, see electric toothbrush not holding charge.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Philips Sonicare take to charge? It varies by model and charger, and a full charge can take many hours. Your manual gives the figure for your handle.

How long does an Oral-B iO take to charge? The iO7, iO8 and iO9 listings give 3 hours on the fast charger. Check the manual for other models.

How long does a Waterpik water flosser take to charge? Cordless Waterpik models give a charge time in the manual; check yours.

Can I leave my toothbrush on charge all the time? Many makers allow it, but check your manual. Keep the charger dry and away from water.

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