Should you get the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush? Read this detailed Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 review before you decide!
It is a very popular model worldwide and the Philips Sonicare HX6817/01 ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush delivers incredible value. In a detailed Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush review you’ll see what makes this model an affordable and desirable choice.
Great Value, Low Cost
In a rush? Just glance through these 3 quick questions to help you decide whether the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush is a good fit.
1. Are there any serious problems with the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush that would reject it as a choice?
Definitely not. The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush is a very good instrument. Thousands of delighted customers have shared their Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush reviews on Amazon.com
An interesting factor that might influence your decision to pick up this model is that it’s 7 times more efficient at removing dental plaque than a manual toothbrush. For more pros and cons of the brush, read the full Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush review.
2. Are there any other electric toothbrushes that are just as good?
Yes, there are a few other electric toothbrushes of similar type and that fit within the same price range. Alternatives to the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush are the Oral B Pro 1000 and Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 models.
Of the two, Oral B Pro 1000 is a great choice if you’re not entirely delighted by the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush, but don’t need a fancy device with many bells and whistles.
For a more premium electric toothbrush solution, you might consider the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean and Oral B Genius Pro 8000 models also.
3. Where should you get the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush?
The toothbrush is very popular and can be readily found in many retail outlets including Target, Safeway and Walmart.
There are benefits to ordering it online also. An e-commerce portal like Amazon.com will not only deliver it for free right to your doorstep, it will also help save some money. From time to time, there are special offers, deals and discounts you can avail.
Order the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush on Amazon.com now.
Why Trust Best Electric Toothbrush Reviews?
We are not dentists of healthcare professionals. So why should you trust our Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush review?
Well, this website is an unbiased resource to review the top brands and models of electric toothbrushes. The aim is to rank them based on design, usefulness and performance.
It isn’t easy to decide which model is right for your own needs. It is hard to sort through multiple details to figure out the perfect choice. That’s why this Best Electric Toothbrush Reviews guide was created.
The electric toothbrush reviews published here are not influenced or sponsored by any brand or manufacturer. We may earn an affiliate commission from purchases on this website (at no extra cost to you). But our reviews are never designed to convince you to buy something that isn’t just right for your unique needs.
Ok, so let’s move on with this Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush review…
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Electric Toothbrush Review
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush is a basic electric toothbrush with none of the bells and whistles of a premium model. Yet this workhorse of the Philips Sonicare range is one of the hottest selling models in the United States and indeed around the world.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 is a nice looking, easy to use and long lasting electric toothbrush. The cleaning action is steady and effective, which is responsible for impressive performance statistics. It is priced to fit most budgets and delivers excellent value for money.
This is a simple yet effective toothbrush to remove dental plaque, whiten teeth and improve oral hygiene. For those with sensitive gums and teeth, however, this may not be the ideal choice.
Pros:
- sonic action cleans at 31,000 pulses per minute
- single cleaning mode, 2 levels of intensity
- pressure sensor built in
- timer with quad pacer functionality
- automatic turn off feature
- brush head replacement reminder
- comfortable to use
- range of color choices
- battery life is excellent
Cons:
- no visible indication on pressure sensor
- no frills or accessories (a true budget toothbrush)
What’s Inside the Box?
- 1 Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush
- 1 PlaqueDefence optimal replacement brush head
- One recharging station
- 1 travel case
- Warranty
- Other documentation
Key Features of ProtectiveClean 4100
- cleans by sonic action
- brush head vibrates 31,000 times per minute
- much better at removing plaque than manual toothbrush
- operates in a single cleaning mode
- includes a pressure sensor
- in built 2-minute timer and quad-pacer
- automatic switch off after cycle ends
- battery is long lasting
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Review : Design and Efficiency
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush is a comfortable device that is easy to handle and simple to use. It brushes your teeth well and leaves your mouth feeling fresh and clean.
The handgrip of rubber and plastic feels secure in your palm while you brush. It comes in a choice of appealing colors.
Excellent Cleaning Efficiency
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush only runs in a single mode of operation. This is in contrast to multiple modes available with premium models. Still, this toothbrush is excellent in performance.
You can run the toothbrush at two levels of intensity. It is great at removing dental plaque, clearing away food particles from in between and behind teeth, and removing stains from teeth.
Timer and Quad Pacer
The built-in timer ensures that you won’t forget to clean all areas of your mouth equally. Every 30 seconds, there is a pause and slowing down of the motor to indicate that it is time to move to another quadrant. Each brushing session lasts for 2 minutes, which is the dentist recommended duration for clean teeth.
Not Good For Sensitive Teeth
As the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush operates in a single mode only, it isn’t great for sensitive gums and teeth. The power and force of vibrations cannot be adjusted. Those with gum infections (gingivitis) or prior dental procedures may find the movement too painful and uncomfortable.
Easy To Operate
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 is easy to operate. You won’t have to wade through complex instruction manuals. Simply turn on the electric toothbrush and start brushing.
BrushSync
This proprietary Sonicare technology serves as a reminder whenever it is time to replace your brush head. This way you will always get the highest cleaning effectiveness from your electric toothbrush.
Battery Life Is Superb
While it isn’t bad for a basic toothbrush, the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush excels in having a powerful battery. It can retain charge for upto 14 days of regular cleaning which is adequate for most needs. Frequent travellers don’t have to carry along a recharger to avoid running out of charge on the road.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Review : Usability
This electric toothbrush from the extensive Philips Sonicare range is a high quality product. It becomes apparent from the time you open the package.
The toothbrush feels comfortable in your hand. Brushing with it is convenient. The brush doesn’t feel too heavy or slippery when wet.
The brush head is detachable from the rounded handle. A secure grip is aided by the projections and rubber grip. The handle comes in a choice of 5 different color options, though the recharging station is only white.
A clearly labelled power button turns the device on and off. A BrushSync LED and battery indicator LED inform users when it is time to recharge the device or replace a worn out brush head.
Innovative Design Elements
A tiny ridge on the handle makes sure the brush won’t roll off a counter top when placed on its side. The flat base allows the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 to stand upright on a stand.
At the base is a recess into which a projection on the stand fits to hold it securely.
A metal shaft runs from the handle into the brush head. You can clip a new into place or remove the old one by pulling sharply on it. The shaft connects the motor to the brush head and helps it vibrate to deliver cleaning action.
A gentle angle between the head and handle allows better access to crevices deep inside your mouth, behind the last molars.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Review : Performance
Although ProtectiveClean 4100 only operates in one mode, you can choose between two levels of intensity – high and low.
The motor is powerful and drives the brush head at 31,000 movements per minute. This sonic action delivered to your teeth helps remove stains and grime, gets rid of plaque and leaves your mouth and breath feeling fresh and healthy.
There may be advantages to multiple modes of cleaning, especially for people with sensitive teeth or gums. But for most users, a single mode of cleaning is enough. This design simplicity also means fewer indicators and LEDs to worry about.
The device is extremely easy to use. Turn on the electric toothbrush by pressing on the Power button. Another press adjusts the brushing intensity.
Press and hold down the button for a few seconds to switch it off. Automatic switch off functionality means the device will power down by itself at the end of a session.
Timer & Quad Pacer
A special feature of the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush is the inbuilt timer and quad pacer.
An automated timer helps make sure that you don’t overlook any part of your mouth. At 30 second intervals, the motor powers down slightly and the vibrations become less forceful. This indicates that it’s time to shift to another quadrant.
By dividing both jaws into 4 quadrants, it is easy to ensure adequate cleaning of all teeth equally. The timer indicates at the end of a typical cleaning session which lasts for 2 minutes.
The duration and distribution controls help greatly in improving dental hygiene and keeping your teeth sparkling and white. Once you’ve grown used to cleaning with the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush, you’ll find it hard to go back to ever using a manual toothbrush again.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Review : Comfort and Convenience
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush is angled gently so that the sonic pulses set up can reach all areas. The 31,000 oscillations per minute skim the surface of your teeth to remove food particles and germs.
The excellent reach means that plaque and debris is effectively removed from between and behind teeth. A pressure sensor warns you whenever there’s too much pressure being exerted on teeth and gums. This helps prevent accidental injury to your mouth.
If pressure is not relieved, the battery will soon power down to avoid unintended injury. Some consider the lack of a visual indication of this a drawback. But practically it doesn’t matter too much, because you’ll anyway know when the device is warning you.
Another nice innovation is the EasyStart. This gently eases a new electric toothbrush user into the experience. It begins the cleaning at lower power settings.
Automatically, over the first 14 times you brush with the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush, the intensity will gradually increase. At the end of a week or so, you’ll experience full intensity cleaning.
This helps overcome initial hesitation over the buzz and vibration felt in your mouth.
Replacement Brush Heads
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush brush heads typically last for 3 months of regular use.
This means you’ll likely replace them four times in a year. BrushSync technology helps remind you when it’s time to change it. The bristles lose their shape and stick out at odd angles. If you continue using the same brush head, cleaning efficiency suffers.
Another indication that it’s time to change the brush head is that the indicator bristles fade in color to pale or near-white. BrushSync compatible brush heads have an embedded chip that syncs with the brush handle. It tracks usage and reminds you when a replacement is due.
The frequency with which you’ll replace a worn out brush head depends on how often you use the toothbrush. Excessive or multiple uses per day mean the head will wear out sooner. Higher speed and intensity settings cause earlier wear and tear.
There are different types of Sonicare replacement brush heads that are compatible with the brush handle of a Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush. Each has a specific benefit under specific conditions or for particular types of users.
You can read more about them in the article about Sonicare replacement brush heads.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Review : Travel & Battery
A plastic travel case is included with the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush to make it easy to pack for trips.
The travel case is compact and readily fits in travel bags. The hard plastic shell protects the brush from accidental damage.
The battery power delivered from a rechargeable lithium ion cell is good enough to power the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush for 56 minutes of use. This means a typical user can go without recharging for upto 2 weeks.
If you foresee more frequent use or longer trips, you can carry along the compact recharging station. A blinking green light indicates that the battery is being charged. Flashing amber lights warn you about charge running low.
The battery takes around 24 hours to fully recharge after it is drained.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Review : Should You Buy It?
When you brush using a Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush, your teeth will feel clean and fresh. Your breath will smell clean too. This is the reason why so many delighted users share rave Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush reviews online.
The significant advantages or benefits from a Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 include:
- sonic action for cleaning at 31,000 movements per minute
- single cleaning mode with 2 intensity settings
- brush head included in pack
- compatible with multiple brush heads
- BrushSync reminder feature
- inbuilt timer with quad pacer
- excellent battery life (2 weeks)
Where To Buy The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Electric Toothbrush?
You could pick up a toothbrush from retail outlets like Walmart or Target or Walgreens. But many people prefer to order it online from portals like Amazon.com because of the price discounts often available.
When you order online, you avoid the hassle of going out shopping and enjoy free delivery right to your doorstep.
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush is a good choice. It is a comfortable, durable and sturdy device. The manufacturer is a reputed and trusted brand. The toothbrush has an impressive array of features. Its performance is excellent and battery long lasting.
Unique features like an inbuilt timer, quad pacing, EasyStart functionality and BrushSync reminders add even more value. And all of this is available at a really affordable price.
This is what makes the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush an excellent choice for many users.