Philips DiamondClean 9000 – the intelligent toothbrush

Philips DiamondClean 9000
Features
Value for money
Performance
Ease of Use
Design
Reader Rating0 Votes
Slender and well-weighted handle
Cleans well
Pricey – there are lower-cost models without Bluetooth
Replacement brushes are not cheap
4.3

I don’t recall needing a university degree in toothbrush operation. The Philips DiamondClean 9000 may well be one that I need to read the manual.

All jokes aside the Philips DiamondClean 9000 toothbrush and the Philips Sonicare app offers a suite of tooth care indicators. All you need is to set up an account and share your data with Philips.

You know tooth brushes have come a a long way since 1600BC when the Chinese developed “chewing sticks” made from aromatic tree twigs.

In the 15th Century, the Chinese made the first pigs neck bristle toothbrush attached to a bone or bamboo handle.

Philips DiamondClean 9000

Toothpaste took a lot longer. Early pastes used abrasives like ash, burnt eggshells, crushed bones and stuff that you don’t want in your mouth.

Australian Review: Philips DiamondClean 9000 toothbrush Model HX9912/17

  • Website here
  • Price: $379
  • Colours: Black, White, Pink
  • Elevator Pitch: A Bluetooth toothbrush replete with an app, different heads and dual charging systems
  • Warranty: 2-years
  • From: Harvey Norman, David Jones, Shaver Shop, Bing Lee, Catch.com.au and major CE retailers (shop around and you may find it for $319)
  • Country of manufacture: China
  • Philips Electronics Australia is part of the Philips Group based in the Netherlands.

What is it?

In its most basic form, it is a rechargeable electric toothbrush, and you can use it just that way.

But that is just the beginning as you use the Philips Sonicare app to track your toothbrush use.

Philips DiamondClean 9000 parts

It can use a range of click-on toothbrushes

  • C3 for deep cleaning and plaque control
  • G3 for Gum care
  • T1 for tongue clean
  • W3 for stain removal
Philips DiamondClean 9000
If you look carefully there is a Wireless symbol at the base of the brush.

These have a micro-chip to identify the brush to the handle, and it automatically selects the right program. Cleaning can take from two to just over three minutes.

It also comes with a glass charge cup and charge base as well as a travel case with USB-A charging.

How do you review a toothbrush?

I mean, isn’t it obvious? Put toothpaste on the brush, insert into the mouth and wiggle it around. Do it for at least a week and draw comparisons with your daily toothbrush.

I wish.

This is a product that will give results over time, perhaps not that evident after a week of use. Sure, it is an effective cleaner with the C3 brush. And it tells me that I am pressing too hard as well as any areas I may be missing. Philips claims up to 10x plaque removal, and it will start whitening teeth (W3 brush).

Next week I will alternate with the W3 and see if that makes a difference. I think the ability to use up to four different brushes is an advantage.

Overall Philips is banking on you not baulking at the $379 price and talking its word (and I guess ours) that it will be better than most electric toothbrushes.

Is it?

I think so but my daily brush (for most of the past two decades) is the Oral B Pro Series that has a little warning light if you are pressing too hard. It uses little round and expensive ($6-10) toothbrushes (about the same price as Philips). Its retail is $159, but you can get them for $87 at Shaver Shop. They last about five years before the battery gives up. To be fair Oral B has smart models up to $500.

And to be extra fair Philips has lower-cost models too (comparison here). It is banking on reviews like this to pique interest in the brand.

It has an Easy-Start program that will gradually increase the intensity over 14 cleans if you are not used to electric toothbrushes. I did not need that.

The key difference is that Philips pulses where Oral-B rotates. And the main issue is to let the toothbrush do the work – you are just there to guide it.

Settings – EXCEED

Clean, White, Gum Health and Deep Clean. The brush automatically selects the right program. There is a brush pacer that indicates if you are brushing too long in one area.

Brush life – PASS

Approx. 180 cleans or about three months. It will tell you when to replace (you can override this). The device switches off after the program time.

Replacement brushes are about $20 – ouch.

Battery life – EXCEED

After 14 cleans (twice a day) it has about 50% left. You can charge it via the charger base/glass or USB in the travel case. It takes a few hours (not tested).

Philips DiamondClean 9000 travel case
The USB-A cable is cleverly hidden in the underside of the case

Warning. Most lithium-ion batteries have between 200-500 ‘recharge-cycles”. While it may be convenient to place it back in the glass on the charger – don’t. This trickle charge may shorten battery life. Wait instead until it is empty and then charge it. If you are using the handle for two or more people, it will still have the same fixed recharge cycle, and you may not get five years from it.

At the end of the battery life, it is not user-replaceable – get a new one. I can’t comment on battery life, but it should be good for four to five years.

App – PASS

I wish I could show you screenshots, but the app’s privacy settings preclude that. Let’s just say that the app is not a compelling reason to buy.

Known Issues – none yet

Philips DiamondClean 9000 is a new model. You won’t find many reviews on it. What you will find is a mixed bag of reviews on older Sonicare models. Most are positive. But there is a thread that casts doubt on some older models longevity.

I would give a company like Philip’s the benefit of the doubt and make sure that you review your purchase towards the end of the warranty to see if there are any apparent defects.

GadgetGuy’s take – the Philips DiamondClean 9000 is a premium electric toothbrush

It looks great, has a nice glass charge cup and a travel case is great for well, travel (If COVID restrictions ever lift). While I would buy one for my wife and one for me there is no need as the brushes clip on and off, and the handle does not go in the mouth – it is all very hygienic.

Me, a tech guru, probably won’t continue to use the app as I tend not to take my phone into the bathroom. But I will update this review if it really offers some unique features. So my rating assumes the app adds value over a dumb electric toothbrush.

And you – well if money is no object go for it. But if you want to try a Philip’s electric toothbrush instead of an Oral-B why not start with its Sonicare 4300/4500/5100 series that range from $109-199.

This is for a previous model, but it gives you a better idea of how to brush teeth.

You can read other GadgetGuy toothbrush reviews here