Electric toothbrushes have become incredibly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Studies show that electric toothbrushes remove significantly more plaque and reduce gingivitis more than manual brushing. The rotating and oscillating motion of the bristles also makes it easier to maintain good technique compared to manual brushing.
Within the electric toothbrush market, Philips Sonicare models stand out as some of the top choices. The Sonicare 9500 and 9700 represent two of Philips’ premium smart toothbrush options. They share quite a few features, but also have some key differences.
Understanding those differences can help you decide which model is the better choice for your needs and preferences. This comprehensive comparison examines the pros, cons, features, and pricing of the Sonicare 9500 Vs. 9700.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Sonicare 9500 | Sonicare 9700 |
| Brush Heads | C3 Premium Plaque Control (1 head included) | A3 Premium All-in-One (1 head included) |
| Bristles | Stiffer bristles for plaque removal | Angled bristles for 4x more surface contact |
| Modes | Clean, Gum Health, Super Clean, Deep Clean | Clean, Gum Health, Deep Clean, TongueCare |
| Smart Features | Quadpacer, SmarTimer | Quadpacer, SmarTimer, SenseIQ |
| Battery Life | Up to 14 days | Up to 14 days |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Travel Case | Charging case included | Charging case included |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price | Around $230 USD | Around $280 USD |
Sonicare 9500 Overview
The Sonicare 9500 was released in 2018 as a high-end smart toothbrush option. It’s equipped with premium brushing features to deliver a powerful clean.
Some key features and specs of the Sonicare 9500:
- Quadpacer and SmarTimer to encourage brushing for dentist-recommended 2 mins
- 3 brushing intensities (low, medium, high)
- Gum health mode for gentle cleaning of gums
- Rechargeable lithium battery lasts up to 14 days
- Travel case and charging glass included
- Comes with 1 DiamondClean brush head
One of the biggest advantages of the Sonicare 9500 is the inclusion ofPhilips’ new C3 Premium Plaque Control brush head. This brush head has stiffer bristles optimized to remove up to 10x more plaque than a manual toothbrush.
The 9500 also includes Bluetooth connectivity to track your brushing habits and progress in the Sonicare app. It provides coaching and feedback for better brushing technique.
Overall, the 9500 offers advanced bristle design and smart features in a sleek package. But it doesn’t come cheap – the 9500 carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price around $230 USD.
Sonicare 9700 Overview
The Sonicare 9700 succeeded the 9500 when it debuted in 2020. It takes the premium cleaning performance of the 9500 and bumps it up a notch.
Here are some of the key specs and features of the Sonicare 9700:
- Quadpacer, SmarTimer, and Pressure sensor
- 3 intensities: low, medium, high
- New brush head with angled bristles for 4x more surface contact**
- Up to 14 days battery life
- Brush head recognition automatically selects mode
- Charging travel case included
- Bluetooth connectivity & coaching through Sonicare app
- Comes with 1 A3 Premium All-in-One brush head
The 9700 features the new A3 Premium All-in-One brush head with angled profile. This design allows the long, dense bristles to reach more surfaces for a deeper clean.
It also has Philips’ new SenseIQ technology that automatically selects the optimal settings based on the attached brush head. This gives you a fully customized brushing experience without having to press any buttons.
With a retail price around $280 USD, the 9700 costs about $50 more than the 9500.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of each model, let’s do a detailed comparison of the Philips Sonicare 9500 Vs. 9700.
Brushing Modes
The available brushing modes represent one of the bigger differences between the Sonicare 9500 and 9700.
Sonicare 9500
- Clean mode for standard 2 minute brush
- Gum Health mode: reduced power for gentle gums cleaning
- Super Clean mode: extra minute of intense cleaning
- Deep Clean mode: extra 3 minutes for thorough cleaning
Sonicare 9700
- Clean: standard 2 minute brush
- Gum Health: reduced vibration for gentle gums cleaning
- Deep Clean: extra 3 minutes focusing on trouble spots
- Tongue Care: reduced speed on front of tongue
Both models include the key Clean mode for your regular daily brushing routine. The 9700 omits the Super Clean mode, but still offers Deep Clean for times when you want some extra scrubbing power.
Only the 9700 features a dedicated TongueCare mode uses delicate brushing to freshen your tongue. This is a nice bonus not found on the 9500.
For customization, the 9700 appears to have the edge with its SenseIQ technology that automatically selects settings based on the attached brush head. The 9500 requires you to manually select modes.
Brush Heads
The brush heads are another difference between the Sonicare 9500 and 9700.
The 9500 comes with:
- 1 C3 Premium Plaque Control brush head
It features stiffer bristles for pushing deeper between teeth to remove plaque.
The 9700 includes:
- 1 A3 Premium All-in-One brush head
This has angled, tapered bristles designed to reach easily into the mouth’s hard-to-reach spots. The angled profile also results in 4x more surface contact than a regular brush head shape for extra deep cleaning.
Both are premium brush heads made to pair with their respective models. The 9700’s A3 head seems to have the more advanced design, but both provide benefits over a standard brush head.
A key advantage of the 9700 is that the SenseIQ technology automatically adjusts settings based on which brush head is attached. This allows you to seamlessly switch between different heads to suit your needs.
Also Read: Comparison Among Sonicare C3, G3 And W3 Electric Toothbrushes.
Battery Life
No significant difference here – both the Sonicare 9500 and 9700 offer up to 14 days of battery life between charges.
This is about average battery life for a premium electric toothbrush. It’s sufficiently long enough you only need to charge weekly or so.
Both models also come with a charging base that looks stylish on a bathroom vanity. The 9700’s base has a slightly sleeker design.
Bluetooth Connectivity & App Integration
The ability to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth is another shared feature between the 9500 and 9700.
Syncing allows you to utilize the Sonicare app to track brushing performance, get helpful coaching/tips, and more. It’s a useful feature for monitoring and improving your oral care habits.
The app experience is generally comparable between the two models. Though the 9700’s SenseIQ technology enables even more personalized guidance and recommendations within the app.
One limitation – the Sonicare app is only available for iOS and Android. So if you use a Windows phone, the Bluetooth connectivity won’t provide much benefit on either model.
Travel Cases
Both Sonicare models include a charging travel case, which is essential for keeping your toothbrush powered on the go.
The cases allow you to charge your toothbrush up to 3 weeks so you don’t need to pack the charging base. It also protects your brush head when traveling.
The 9700’s case has a slightly more premium leatherette design compared to the 9500’s travel case. But they both serve the same practical purpose.
Cost Comparison
As mentioned previously, the Sonicare 9700 retails for around $280 USD, while the 9500 costs approximately $230 USD.
That’s about a $50 price difference between the two models. Both are considered premium-priced electric toothbrushes.
The 9700’s higher price is justified by the enhancements like the A3 brush head, SenseIQ technology, and tongue care mode. However, the 9500 still offers excellent cleaning performance for less.
Long-Term Costs
Keep in mind you’ll need to replace brush heads about every 3 months for optimal cleaning. This adds to the long-term costs.
Sonicare brush heads range from around $25-$35 for a pack of 3, depending on the model. So factor in spending $100-$140 per year on replacements.
The good news is that Philips does offer brush head subscription plans that provide up to 50% savings compared to retail prices. This helps lower the yearly costs.
Warranty
Philips Sonicare products come with a limited 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship.
So if your 9500 or 9700 breaks down due to an internal fault within the first 2 years, you can get a free replacement. This provides nice peace of mind.
Just make sure you buy from authorized sellers to ensure you get the full warranty coverage.
Also Read: Comparison Between the Oral-B Genius X and 5000
Sonicare 9500 Vs. 9700: Key Differences
To summarize, here are the main differences between the Sonicare 9500 and Sonicare 9700:
- Brush heads – 9700 has newer A3 head with angled bristles Vs. C3 head on 9500
- Modes – 9700 adds tongue care mode and omits super clean mode
- SenseIQ – 9700 auto-selects settings based on brush head
- Design – 9700 has slightly more premium look and travel case
- Price – 9700 costs about $50 more than the 9500
The 9700 represents the next evolution of the premium Sonicare line with its improved features. But the 9500 still offers excellent cleaning performance at a more affordable price point.
So those on a tighter budget can get a similar brushing experience with the 9500 model. The 9700 is ideal if you want those cutting-edge upgrades. Also watch the video of Sonicare 9700!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The main differences are the brush heads (C3 Vs. A3), modes (9700 adds tongue care), SenseIQ smart features on 9700, and price (9700 costs about $50 more). They share premium cleaning features like 3 intensities and app connectivity.
The 9700 is worth the upgrade if you want the latest features like the A3 brush head, SenseIQ technology, and tongue care mode. If you don’t need the enhancements, the 9500 provides exceptional cleaning for less.
The 9750 has the same features as the 9700, but includes 4 A3 Premium brush heads rather than just 1. So the only difference is you get 3 additional replacement heads.
The Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 offers great value for money. It removes up to 7x more plaque than a manual toothbrush for around $50-$60. It has a pressure sensor and timer, but lacks Bluetooth connectivity. The 9500 or 9700 provide premium features if budget allows.
Also Read: Comaparison Between hum and Sonicare
The Verdict
So which is better – the Philips Sonicare 9500 or Sonicare 9700? Here are a few key questions to help you decide:
- Is your budget tight? The 9500 still delivers excellent cleaning for less cost.
- Do you want the latest tech? The 9700’s SenseIQ and A3 brush head are more advanced.
- Need tongue cleaning mode? Only the 9700 has a dedicated TongueCare mode.
- Prefer simpler operation? The 9500 may be better as you manually select modes.
Overall, the 9700 makes sense if you want those smart upgrades like the AdaptiveClean and redesigned brush head. It’s the top-of-the-line model.
But for reliable deep cleaning on a budget, the 9500 remains an excellent choice. You really can’t go wrong with either model.
Both Sonicare brushes represent a significant upgrade over manual toothbrushes and improve your oral health. Pick the model that best fits your needs and budget.