Electric toothbrushes have become increasingly popular over the years as an alternative to manual brushing. Two of the top brands on the market are hum by Colgate and Sonicare by Philips.
But which one is better? This comprehensive guide compares the key features and performance of hum and Sonicare electric toothbrushes to help you decide which is right for you.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | hum | Sonicare |
| Brush Heads | Proprietary | Many options |
| Modes | 2 modes | Up to 5 modes |
| Timer | 30 seconds | Up to 3 minutes |
| Pressure Sensor | Yes | Some models |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 days | Up to 3 weeks |
| Travel Case | Yes | Some models |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
Overview of hum by Colgate
The hum by Colgate is a newer brand of electric toothbrush that was introduced in 2019. Here are some of the key details about hum:
- Uses sonic vibration technology to brush teeth clean
- Features proprietary screw-on brush heads
- Comes with 2 brushing modes: normal clean and sensitive
- Has a built-in quadrant timer that pulses every 30 seconds to switch areas
- Includes a pressure sensor that alerts when brushing too hard
- Battery lasts up to 30 days from full charge
- Sleek, slim design with rubber grip for easy handling
- Comes with a USB charging base and travel case
- Available in a variety of fun colors like blue, pink, black
- Retails for around $70-$80
Overview of Sonicare by Philips
Sonicare electric toothbrushes have been around since the early 1990s and are considered among the top brands. Here are some key Sonicare features:
- Uses sonic technology that produces up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute
- Wide range of brush head options including diamond-shaped, compact, intercare, gum health, tongue cleaning, etc.
- Features up to 5 different brushing modes depending on model: clean, white, gum care, deep clean, sensitive
- Brushing timers range from 2 to 3 minutes with 30 second intervals
- Some models have a pressure sensor that alerts when brushing too hard
- Battery life lasts up to 3 weeks from full charge
- Most models come with a travel case
- Various handle designs from slim to wide with rubber grips
- Retail price ranges from $40 for basic models up to $200+ for advanced models
Also Read: Key Differences Between Sonicare 9500 And 9700.
Key Differences Between hum and Sonicare
Now let’s take a deeper look at how hum and Sonicare electric toothbrushes compare across some key factors:
· Brushing Technology
Both hum and Sonicare use sonic vibration technology to drive the bristles at high frequency for optimal cleaning performance.
Sonicare toothbrushes produce up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute depending on the model. The brush strokes break up plaque and sweep it away for superior cleaning.
The hum toothbrush operates at a similar sonic frequency according to the company, but exact brush strokes per minute are not disclosed. Reviews suggest hum produces a comparable level of cleaning to leading brands like Sonicare.
Overall, both brands use proven sonic technology to deliver exceptional cleaning power that’s far better than a manual toothbrush. The Sonicare may have a slight edge with 31,000 brush strokes per minute, but hum likely produces comparable results.
· Brush Heads
A key difference between hum and Sonicare is the brush head design and options.
hum uses proprietary screw-on brush heads that are specially designed to optimize performance with the hum sonic toothbrush. The tapered bristle shape helps enhance cleaning in hard-to-reach areas. hum offers just two brush head options: normal and sensitive.
Sonicare has a much wider selection of brush head options that are mostly snap-on designs. Popular Sonicare brush heads include:
- DiamondClean – angled bristles for plaque removal
- InterCare – for general cleaning
- Gum Health – longer bristles to stimulate gums
- Compact – smaller size for precision
- TongueCare+ – textured brush head for tongue cleaning
This gives Sonicare users more choices to customize and target their brushing needs. hum’s limited proprietary brush head options make it less versatile.
· Brushing Modes
hum electric toothbrushes come equipped with just 2 brushing modes:
- Normal Clean – For standard everyday cleaning
- Sensitive – Lower power for gentle cleaning of sensitive teeth
Whereas Sonicare offers up to 5 modes depending on model:
- Clean – For everyday plaque removal
- White – Brightening mode to remove stains
- Gum Care – Gently massages gums to improve health
- Deep Clean – For an invigorating deep clean
- Sensitive – Gentle mode for sensitive teeth
The additional brushing modes on Sonicare allow users to customize their cleaning for different needs and preferences. This gives Sonicare a advantage in brushing flexibility.
· Brushing Timer
Both hum and Sonicare electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer to ensure adequate brushing time.
The hum timer pulses every 30 seconds to signal when you should switch brushing quadrants for a total of 2 minutes.
Sonicare timers can run from 2 to 3 minutes depending on model. Most also pulse every 30 seconds to remind you to change areas. Some Sonicare models even feature a quadpacer to divide the mouth into quadrants for methodical brushing.
In terms of brushing guidance, Sonicaretimers tend to be a bit more advanced with options up to 3 minutes and quadpacing features. But both hum and Sonicare effectively prompt users to brush thoroughly for the ADA recommended 2 minutes.
· Pressure Sensor
Applying too much pressure when brushing can damage tooth enamel and irritate gums. Both hum and Sonicare offer models with pressure sensors to alert users when brushing too hard.
The hum features a 360-degree pressure sensor that triggers a light and pause in vibration when excessive pressure is detected. This helps guide users to apply light, gentle pressure for safe, effective cleaning.
Select high-end Sonicare models come equipped with a pressure sensor that causes the toothbrush to stutter and pause when too much force is applied. This reminds the user to ease off on brushing pressure.
For those who tend to brush aggressively, both hum and Sonicare pressure sensor models can help promote better technique and safer brushing habits.
· Battery Life
Battery performance is an important consideration when selecting an electric toothbrush you’ll use daily.
Fully charged, the hum toothbrush will operate for up to 30 days between charges. This is significantly longer than the average manual toothbrush lasts.
Sonicare toothbrushes typically offer 10 to 21 days of use on a full charge depending on specific model. Some of the more advanced models may last up to 3 weeks.
The hum seems to edge out Sonicare when it comes to battery life, providing nearly a month of use before needing to recharge. This is very convenient for travelers and busy users.
Also Read: Comparison Between hum and Oral-B
· Travel Cases
Having a protective travel case is essential for taking your electric toothbrush on the go.
The hum toothbrush comes with a slim travel case with ventilation to hygienically store and transport your toothbrush and charger base.
Most Sonicare electric toothbrushes do not come with a travel case. However, travel cases designed specifically for Sonicare models are available for purchase separately.
So the hum wins when it comes to providing an included case for travel and storage. With Sonicare, you’ll need to buy a case separately if you plan to travel.
· Cost
As you might expect, Sonicare electric toothbrushes come at a higher price point than hum.
hum prices range from $69-$89 depending on the model. This positions hum at an attractive price point for a sonic toothbrush.
Sonicare toothbrushes start around $40 for basic models but climb as high as $200 and beyond for advanced models with more features. You’ll pay a premium for the Sonicare name and technology.
If budget is a concern, hum offers comparable electric toothbrush performance for a more affordable price point. Sonicare is priced higher but does offer more features on select models.
· Warranty
The manufacturer’s warranty provides important protection in case your electric toothbrush stops working.
hum electric toothbrushes come with a 1 year limited warranty. Sonicare extends the warranty coverage to 2 years from the date of purchase.
Both warranties provide replacement units if the original brush stops functioning properly with normal use. Sonicare does offer longer peace of mind.
Also Read: Comparison Among Sonicare C3, G3 And W3 Electric Toothbrushes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How fast your Deco AX3000 WiFi system will be depends on a few factors, but in general:
It’s a WiFi 6 system, so it can deliver speeds up to 1.2Gbps on the 5GHz band and 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz band when connected to other WiFi 6 devices. Real-world speeds will be affected by distance from the router, interference from other devices, and your internet provider bandwidth. For internet plans up to 400Mbps, the AX3000 should deliver full speeds reliably in standard sized homes. Faster plans may be limited by the router capability. Wired connections via ethernet from the Deco AX3000 routers can support gigabit speeds (1Gbps) for very fast local file transfers.
The Deco M5 and M9 are both mesh WiFi systems from TP-Link, but the M9 is newer and has a few advantages: The M9 is a WiFi 5 system while the M5 is WiFi 4, so the M9 can deliver faster top speeds up to 400Mbps on each band. M9 has slightly better range than the M5, covering up to 5,500 sq ft vs 4,500 sq ft for the M5. The M9 supports connections for up to 150 devices vs only 100 for the M5.
The M9 has more modern design and is modular, meaning the router and satellites are separate.
However, the M5 is still a solid system and might be a better option if you’re on a tight budget. But for performance and future-proofing, the upgraded M9 is better overall.
Yes, the TP-Link Deco M5 mesh WiFi system is worth considering for its strong performance, attractive design, easy setup and affordable price. Key benefits of the Deco M5 system include: Provides robust WiFi coverage up to 4,500 square feet. Supports smooth 4K streaming and online gaming throughout your home. Setup takes less than 10 minutes through the Deco app on your iOS or Android device. Helps eliminate WiFi dead zones by creating one unified network. Pack of 3 Deco M5 units costs around $150, which is very budget-friendly for a mesh system. Works with all major internet providers and WiFi routers. No need for proprietary hardware. Compact design with each unit measuring just 4.7 inches wide. For most homes, the Deco M5 delivers strong mesh performance without breaking the bank compared to some higher-end systems.
The TP-Link Deco M5 and X20 are both quality mesh WiFi systems, but the X20 has a few advantages:
The X20 is a WiFi 5 system, so it supports faster top speeds up to 1,267Mbps on the 5GHz band. The M5 maxes out at 867Mbps. X20 has better range at up to 6,000 sq ft per unit versus 4,500 sq ft for the M5. It can connect more devices with support for up to 150 devices vs 100 on the M5. The X20 has tri-band technology while the M5 is dual-band, giving the X20 more backhaul capacity. The X20 comes with advanced security features like malware blocking and parental controls. However, the M5 is still a solid budget-friendly option. But if you want cutting edge performance and features, the X20 is the better Deco model. Expect to pay more though – $259 for a 3-pack vs $150 for the M5 3-pack.
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Final Thoughts
In the battle between hum and Sonicare, Sonicare emerges as the winner when it comes to features, options and cleaning performance. But hum puts up a good fight with its ultra long battery life, travel case included and attractive price point.
Ultimately, Sonicare takes the crown as the superior electric toothbrush brand for its proven technology, wealth of brush heads and cleaning modes, and class-leading 31,000 brush strokes per minute. However, hum is still an excellent affordable alternative for those who want quality cleaning at a budget price.
If money is no object, Sonicare is the way to go for a more customizable experience, advanced features and the prestige of an industry leader. Yet hum covers all the electric toothbrush basics and then some for literally hundreds less. So it comes down to your needs and budget. For world-class cleaning and options, Sonicare can’t be beat – but the new kid hum puts up an impressively good fight.