Philips Sonicare 2 Series vs 3 Series

Sonicare is a popular brand name in the world of oral hygiene, and they have released a whole lot of products over the years.


You might be wondering whether their 2 series or 3 series of electric toothbrushes is better, which is what we are here to help with today. Let’s get this Sonicare 2 vs 3 series comparison underway to find out which is better for you!

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Sonicare 2 or 3 Series 

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Sonicare 2 Series Review

Ok, so let’s start off with a little overview of the Sonicare 2 series of electric toothbrushes. The first thing to note here is that this series of Sonicare electric toothbrushes comes with a total of 6 different models.


However, all 6 of the models are fairly similar, really more or less the same. Therefore, today we want to focus on a specific model from the 2 series, which is the Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control Electric Toothbrush. This seems to be by far the most popular and highly recommend option from the Sonicare 2 series out there right now.


So, let’s talk about some of the features which this Series 2 Sonicare toothbrush comes with, which most other models from this series also feature.


For one, these products come with a smart timer function which encourages the user to brush for at least 2 minutes, which is recommended. This is quite important because most people don’t ever brush their teeth for a full 2 minutes, just because it seems like it takes so long.


Moreover, the Sonicare 2 Series electric toothbrushes uses sonic tech, or in other words, the brush head moves very fast, in order to provide you with a fairly deep cleaning of your teeth.


This toothbrush can pump out up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute, so you can be sure that your teeth will indeed get clean.


Another important aspect to note here is that the Sonicare 2 Series of toothbrushes usually all come with a soft start feature, which starts the power level off at low so you don’t damage your gums. Then over 14 days, slowly increases the power level for a deeper brushing. Do keep in mind that the Sonicare 2 series brushes usually only come with a single brushing mode.


Something which you may or may not like about the most of the Sonicare 2 series electric toothbrushes is that they do have great battery life, up to 2 weeks on a single charge, but they also take up to 24 hours to fully charge.


With that being said, the charging stand is included, and technically speaking, you are supposed to leave the toothbrush on the charger whenever you are not using it, so it’s always charged, but this may negatively impact the battery’s performance in the long run.


We do like how the Sonicare 2 series brushes are all quite compact overall, and they don’t take up too much space. What is also worth mentioning is that the 2 Series is also quite durable in general. 


You can definitely put them under some running water without fear of damage, but we really wouldn’t risk dropping it on the ground, as the outer shell might not stand up to a big fall.

Sonicare 2 Series Pros

  • Affordable
  • Space friendly
  • Waterproof
  • 2 minute timer
  • Decent battery life
  • Up to 31,000 strokes per minute
  • Easy start feature
  • Great plaque control model

Sonicare 2 Series Cons

  • No pressure sensor
  • No quadrant timer
  • No intensity adjustments
  • Only 1 cleaning mode
  • Outer shell probably won’t survive a fall

Sonicare 3 Series Review

Alright, so at this time, the Sonicare 3 series of toothbrushes does not come with quite as many toothbrushes as part of the line yet, but the line is newer, and more options are still being developed.


However, one of the most highly recommend and most popular models from the Sonicare 3 Series is the Sonicare 3 Gum Health Electric toothbrush, so this is the one we will be focusing on for the most part.


First off, the Sonicare 3 Series of electric toothbrushes also uses the same sonic technology that delivers up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute for a really deep clean.


Something that we do want to take note of is that the 3 Series brushes are generally a little more expensive than the 2 series brushes.


What is nice about most of the Sonicare 3 Series of brushes, especially the gum health option, is that the included brush head is designed to improve and maintain gum health, whereas the 2 Series, specifically the plaque control model, focuses mainly on plaque and tartar removal.


Something else you may appreciate about the Sonicare 3 series is the fact that most models come with 3 different intensity settings. This way, you can choose the level of brushing intensity to match it to your own needs. This is important in case you have sensitive teeth or sensitive gums.


Yet another aspect about the Sonicare 3 Series of electric toothbrushes is that they all come with really good battery life. Simply put, the 3 Series of brushes uses a slightly more advanced battery which lasts for a long time.


Once again, here you do have to charge the toothbrush for 24 hours to achieve a full charge, which is quite a long time. However, the bonus here is that the battery life will last for a full 3 weeks, give or take depending on your particular brushing habits. There is a 2-color battery indicator included which tells you when it is time to charge it.


The Sonicare 3 series of brushes also all come with a 2 minute timer in order to encourage you to brush for 2 minutes at a time, which is of course recommended. An additional feature here is that most of the 3 series brushes also feature a quadrant timer. 


This feature momentarily turns the brush off every 30 seconds, which therefore tells you that you need to switch quadrants in your mouth. It’s a great feature because it ensures that you spend an even amount of time brushing all areas of your mouth. 


Finally, the Series 3 brushes are also quite compact, and they don’t take up too much space. As well, they are all quite durable too. They should all be able to deal with a fall or two, and yes, they are waterproof, so you can wash them under running water if need be.
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Sonicare 3 Series Pros

  • 3 intensity settings
  • Awesome battery life
  • 2 minute & quadrant timers
  • Compact and space friendly
  • Ideal for maintain gum health
  • Comes with a travel case
  • Up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute

Sonicare 3 Series Cons

  • A bit more expensive
  • No pressure sensor
  • Only 1 cleaning mode

​Comparison Between The ​Sonicare 2 & 3 Series

Differences


  • Intensity Settings – One main difference between the 2 and 3 series is that most of the 2 series brushes do not allow you to adjust the intensity of brushing, which can be a bit of an issue. However, most of the 3 series of Sonicare brushes come with a few different intensity settings, so you can choose the brushing intensity which works best for you.

  • Easy Start – Another big difference between these brushes is that the 2 series usually comes with an easy start feature, whereas most of the 3 series of brushes do not. This easy start feature starts off with a low intensity to ensure that you do not damage your gums, and then slowly increases intensity over the coming 2 weeks.

  • Quadrant Timer – Yet another difference between these series of Sonicare brushes is that the 2 series generally does not come with a quadrant timer, whereas most of the brushes in series 3 do. The quadrant timer tells you when you need to switch quadrants in your mouth, which many people see as being quite important.

  • Battery Life – The next notable difference between the 2 and 3 series of Sonicare brushes is that the 2 series has worse battery life, as the battery used in this series is not nearly as technologically advanced as those used in the third series. The series 2 line of brushes will generally last for around 2 weeks on a single charge, whereas the series 3 brushes last closer to 3 weeks on a single charge, or even longer.

  • Durability – Furthermore, while both of these Sonicare lines of electric toothbrushes are generally fairly durable, it can be noted that the series 3 brushes are more durable than those from the second series. Now, both of them are waterproof, so you can hold them under running water without causing damage. However, the series 3 line of brushes is more durable when it comes to impact resistance.

  • Price – The price difference is not massive, but you can expect the Sonicare electric toothbrushes from the third series to cost a few bucks more than those from the second series.

  • Intended Function – Finally, as you might have gathered, these brushes have slightly different intended functions. Yes, there is a bit of crossover and overlap, but generally speaking, the series 3 brushes are better for deeper cleaning and for things like gum health, whereas the series 2 brushes are more basic and better for things like plaque removal.

Similarities

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  • Cleaning Modes – One unfortunate similarity which both of these lines of brushes have is that they only come with 1 cleaning mode, which is not exactly spectacular.

  • 2 Minute Timer – Both the 2 series and 3 series lines of brushes come with a 2 minute timer to let you know how long you should be brushing for each time.

  • Space Friendly – Neither of these lines of Sonicare electric brushes take up very much space. Generally speaking, they are quite compact and space friendly.

  • Charging Time – Both the 2 series and 3 series brushes will take roughly 24 hours to fully charge.


Best Uses For These Electric Toothbrushes

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You now might be wondering which of these toothbrush series is best for you and why you would want to use them. Now, if you don’t want to spend too much cash and you need a good electric toothbrush for removing plaque and for basic brushing needs, you are probably better off going with the Sonicare 2 series of brushes.


They have some good features, such as decent battery life, an easy start feature, and a good price too. On the other hand, if you need a bit more technology involved, such as an additional quadrant timer, 3 intensity settings, and even better battery life, plus something that is great for gum healthy, it’s probably the Sonicare 3 series that you want to stick with.


Conclusion

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At the end of the day, as you can see, both the Sonicare 2 series and 3 series line of brushes will get the job done. Both have their benefits, and really only have a few drawbacks.


Quite honestly, if you can afford to spend an extra few bucks, we personally would go with the 3 series, as this line is generally more advanced and better for things like gum health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the intended purpose of the Sonicare 2 series line of brushes?

The 2 series is geared more towards basic daily cleaning and the removal of plaque. It’s a fairly basic line.


What’s the intended purpose of the Sonicare 3 series line of brushes?

The 3 series is a bit more advanced and comes with some better features. It’s intended for deeper and more advanced cleaning, as well as the maintenance of gum health.


Is the price difference between the 2 series’ very large?

No, fortunately the 3 series line of brushes usually does not cost more than any of the brushes in the 2 series from Sonicare.