Philips Sonicare Advance 4100 Sonic Power Toothbrush

by Philips

Product Features

• Rechargeable toothbrush cleans with ultra-high speed bristles
• 2-minute Smartimer takes out the guesswork
• Removes 80% of coffee and tobacco stains in just 28 days
• Includes 1 standard-size brush head, charger base
• Handle holds charge for up to 2 weeks, ideal for travel

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Sonicare's Advance 4100 (previously known as the PS-1) cleans with an ultrahigh-speed motion, leaving teeth feeling sparkling fresh. Extra-soft bristles let the user apply as much pressure as desired, making the Sonicare perfect for people with sensitive teeth, braces, and implants. While proven to be as or more effective than manual brushing for removing plaque and preventing gingivitis, the Sonicare Advance is also guaranteed to remove 80% of tobacco, tea, and coffee stains in just 28 days. The Smartimer function takes the guesswork out of how long to brush by automatically shutting off the brush after two minutes. The 4100 includes one standard-size brush head, a charger base, and a handle that holds its charge for up to two weeks, making it ideal for travel. A two-year warranty covers the handle and charger against defects. --Ann Bieri

Product Description

Model HX 4101. Naturally whiter teeth. Superior plaque removal. Healthier gums. Not all power toothbrushes are created equal. Only Sonicare combines 31,000 brush strokes per minute and extra-wide sweeping motion to create dynamic fluid cleaning action. Inspired by the sonic technology used in dental offices. Sonicare's unique dynamic fluid action gently and effectively reaches deep between teeth and below the gum line. Naturally Whiter Teeth: Clinically proven to significantly reduce coffee, tea, and tobacco stains for naturally whiter teeth in just 28 days. Superior Plaque Removal: Clinically proven to remove significantly more plaque than a manual toothbrush; Safe for use with braces, dental work, implants, and sensitive teeth. Improves Gum Health: Clinically proven to reverse gingivitis and help shrink periodontal pockets. All Sonicare Models Feature: Patented Sonic Technology - Creates high speed bristle motion and dynamic fluid cleansing action. Smartimer - 2-Minute timer helps ensure dental professional recommended brushing time. Easy-Start - Gently increases brushing power over first 12 uses. Helping you get accustomed to electric tooth brushing. Extra Soft Bristles - Extra-soft, end-rounded bristles are gentle on teeth and gums. Used by More Dental Professionals: Sonicare is the brand personally used by more U.S. dental professionals than any other power toothbrush. Full charge lasts for up to 2 weeks of normal brushing. Advance 4100 Includes [Previously named Personal 4100 (PS)]: 1 Sonicare Toothbrush with Brush Head (Standard Size); 1 Charger Base with Easy-Wrap Cord. UL Listed Personal hygiene appliance. 2 Year Warranty.

Product Details

Product Manual [550kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00008BFXG
• UPC: 075020800015
• Item model number: 4100
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (361 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,837 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

253 of 262 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great device but with planned obsolescence, September 21, 2006

By 

P. Flindt (NYC, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philips Sonicare Advance 4100 Sonic Power Toothbrush (Health and Beauty)

Similar to many people here, my dentist suggested that I start using a Sonicare. I bought the Advance model about four years ago and used it anywhere from 2-4 times a day. My dentist noticed the difference right away and recommended that I continue to use it.

I typically get about 12 days between charges, so I've gotten into the habit of charging it on the 10th and 20th of the month. About a year ago I went on a trip and it died two days into the trip. I later noted that my Sonicare had just turned three and had undergone less than 100 charge cycles. A good set of rechargeable batteries should last anywhere from 300-900 charge cycles, but the Sonicare is using a unique wireless charging system that may or may not have a detrimental impact on the batteries.

In an attempt to prevent another item from being sent to a landfill, I contacted Sonicare, told them that my batteries appeared to be dead and asked to have them replaced. I offered to pay for shipping and cost of the batteries, but they advised that they don't provide that service, but would be willing to sell me a new one at a discount. I thanked them but declined.

Since the warranty expired, I took a Dremel tool to the Sonicare and opened it up. To my delight, I noted that the batteries employed by the unit were two standard, albeit unbranded AA NiCad cells. I removed and replaced them with two 600mah Sanyo cells, closed the handle and sealed it shut with silicone. It's been over a year now and my Sonicare is working as well as it did the day I bought it. For the gear heads out there, the Sonicare consumes about 1.3 watt hours and lasts about 14 days between charges when used twice a day. This equates to about 56 minutes of total run time, which means that the original batteries installed in the Sonicare were ~600 mah. I considered replacing the batteries with 2000mah NiMH cells, but opted against this option as the cells would probably self-discharge before I depleted the cells from normal use.

I disagree with another reviewer and do not believe the Sonicare should use Li-Ion or Li-Poly cells. Li-Ion and Li-Poly cells require sophisticated charging and discharging circuitry. They also last fewer recharging cycles than NiCads. Conversely, NiCads take a lot of abuse and in an application of this size, they provide more than enough storage capacity. For the bean counters, NiCads are cheap to source. However, the cadmium in NiCads is highly toxic and not exactly the most environmentally friendly option for batteries. Compared to NiCads, Nickel Metals would be a better environmental choice but would provide little performance benefit.

I like the Sonicare, but I don't approve of the idea of buying things and having to replace them because it was designed last a finite period and not be user serviceable. I would have given this item 5 stars had it been designed to allow the user the option to easily replace the batteries when they died as well as a having some sort of reclamation process for the $12 replacement heads.

Updated to add: I just bought a new brush head over the weekend and they're up to $20 now for a single and $30 for a pair.(2 October, 2006)

126 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The key to Sonicare longevity..., November 26, 2005

By 

JB in Oregon "jb5000" (Lincoln City, OR USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Philips Sonicare Advance 4100 Sonic Power Toothbrush (Health and Beauty)

For those complaining about short-lived units: the key to longevity with this (or ANY Ni-Cad battery device) is NOT to leave it on the charger constantly. Only use the charger after the battery is drained. This way, mine gets recharged once every 2 weeks. Otherwise it sits in the drawer like a regular toothbrush. No manufacturer will EVER tell you that little tidbit for reasons I'm sure you can figure out yourself. ALL rechargeable batteries have a finite number of usable charge cycles. Once used up the battery will stop taking a charge. Another longevity trick is to take teflon tape (used by plumbers) and seal tightly the hold-down cap of the brush head - this prevents water from rusting out the brush head magnets.

Update: Jan 22, 2011
Well, a second family Advance a4100 finally went to toothbrush heaven. Lasted only a little over 7 years. (Another one in our family was on it's eight year when it finally died) Can't complain too much about that! That's with twice-daily use & charging it ONLY after it runs down completely. I love the Sonicare. A new Essence model in on the way from Amazon as the Advance appears to be phased out of the Sonicare line. Too bad. I hope that the Phillips takeover hasn't been for the worse. Also, I have switched to the E series brush heads as they are more readily available than the original heads. Possibly they were phased out also.

121 of 127 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the Chronically Uncoordinated, June 11, 2003

By 

K. Bourn "bohemiangirlpdx" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philips Sonicare Advance 4100 Sonic Power Toothbrush (Health and Beauty)

Based on my dentist's recommendation, I switched to an electric toothbrush, and ran across this one. I wasn't disappointed. The Sonicare left my teeth looking very white after just one use, and my teeth just feel cleaner than ever.

As a tea drinker, I contend with the stains that tea leaves. After my dentist recommended against using the whitening toothpastes, due to their abrasiveness to gums, I thought I was going to be stuck with healthier gums but stained teeth. Sonicare without whitening toothpaste makes my teeth look better than they did when I was using a regular toothbrush with whitening toothpaste. (I feel like a ditsy, smiling spokesmodel here but I really was impressed.)

My only complaint has been getting used to brushing with an electric toothbrush--a problem I suspect I would have with ANY electric toothbrush. You have to get in the habit of putting the Sonicare in your mouth, and closing your lips around the brush BEFORE you turn it on. Otherwise, you wind up with toothpaste decorating your bathroom mirror, your clothes, and pretty much the entire area around your bathroom sink. This isn't something easy to remember when your half awake and brushing your teeth. My other only complaint (OK, I guess I have two) is that Sonicare turns off after about two minutes, the time it has determined it should take you to brush your teeth. Being a little slower with things, I would rather turn it off when I'M done, not when it thinks I should be done. Apparently this design feature is to avoid over brushing. Since you can turn the Sonicare right back on again, this isn't a problem.

I can't speak for how long the charge lasts as I have left it on the charging stand when not in use. Apparently, however, the Sonicare is designed to hold a charge for quite a few hours, to allow you to take it with you while traveling, for instance, without having to bring the entire charging stand along.