Parents also say the app has improved their child’s brushing technique, as well as extending the duration of brushing time. Fancy the performance and app-enabled features of the DiamondClean series but not quite so keen on the price tag? Well, the ExpertClean 7300 delivers most of the good stuff for a bit less money. The 7300 still isn’t what you might call cheap, but it’s a premium brush at a price you might find easier to swallow. At around 38 decibels, around the same volume as a quiet library, the Philips Sonicare For Kids is pretty quiet during operation, so it’s unlikely to startle smaller children who are used to a manual toothbrush.

There is a single button to power on the toothbrush and indicate battery life, while a button towards the base of the handset allows users to toggle between the two brushing intensity modes of low (for younger children) and high (for older children). The ProtectiveClean 6100 still doesn’t offer the same cleaning performance as the higher-end models, but it doesn’t feel inferior in everyday use; teeth still feel sparkling-clean after brushing. Meanwhile, you get roughly 14 days of use from a single charge – although, in practice, it’s likely closer to 20 or more before your toothbrush runs out of juice. Philips also produces a Sonicare for Kids brush aimed at younger children, along with the Philips One electric toothbrush, which delivers basic Sonicare tech inside a slimmer, cheaper brush. Plus, while you don’t get all the extra brushes or charging glass of the flagship model, it does still come with a handy USB charging case, which makes this a fantastic toothbrush both for home and for travel.A built-in ‘KidPacer’ sounds a few musical notes to let your child know when to move onto the next quadrant of the mouth, which was an unexpected, and nice, touch. Philips Sonicare For Kids review: What’s not so good about it? Key specs – Cleaning modes: 3; Battery type: Li-ion; Accessories included: 2 x brush heads, charging travel case, charger; Battery life (tested): 1hr 33mins; Warranty: 2yrs

Key specs – Cleaning modes: 3; Battery type: Li-ion; Accessories included: 2 x brush heads, travel case, charger; Battery life (tested): 1hr 19mins; Warranty: 2yrs Getting kids to clean their teeth well is rarely easy, but a decent electric brush can help – and this one will make it fun, too. The interactive Bluetooth app puts the character Sparkly, who loves nothing more than cleaning his teeth, at the centre of the action on your device. Not only can kids mimic Sparkly cleaning his teeth in real time, focusing on different sections of their mouth, but they can gain rewards including food, accessories and new skills for him by cleaning as they should and for the required two minutes. The basic Sonicare 1000, 2000 and 3000 ranges deliver a basic toothbrush with just the essential features. These include a two-minute pulse timer and – with the 3000 series – a pressure sensor to ensure you’re not brushing too lightly or too hard. The step-up ProtectiveClean models come with a pressure sensor and timer as standard, along with some useful extra features; some will run at higher speeds and give you a choice of brushing modes.

Philips Sonicare For Kids electric toothbrush offers a fun brushing experience combined with a wealth of oral care expertise

It’s likely that older children will soon tire of Sparkly, and not all parents will want to introduce yet another device to their child’s routine, especially in the bathroom. However, younger kids will enjoy the experience of brushing along with the character, while older children who have formed poor brushing habits have the chance to see where they’re going wrong. The handset itself may be too large for very young children to grip well. However, a textured, soft, rubber cover at the rear of the handset, and a finger guard at the top, allows for better grip. Earlier 3000-series models used an NiMH battery, but the newest Sonicare 3100 has switched to lithium-ion, delivering around 76 minutes of brushing; this translates to around 19 days between recharges, which is a little longer than the specified 14. More expensive Sonicare brushes feature more stamina, but this is a great budget option to keep your teeth and gums in shape.

It’s basic, with just one setting, but you do get a timer, with the brush pulsing every 30 seconds and switching itself off after two minutes. We also like the unusual pink, blue and yellow colour options available. The One doesn’t have the brushing power of a larger Sonicare brush, but it’s ahead of other battery-powered electric toothbrushes, and does a great job of leaving your teeth feeling clean and looking shiny. The relatively gentle movement is also brilliant for massaging along the gumline. Finally, the DiamondClean models deliver the highest brush speeds, more settings and features, smart technology and – with the flagship Prestige brushes – premium accessories.

If pearly whites is what you’re after then the best Philips Sonicare electric toothbrushes promise minimum effort for maximum results

You still have the usual subtle vibration alert to encourage you to brush each quarter of your mouth for 30 seconds, with a more noticeable alert when it’s time to stop. You don’t get the same cleaning power as with the mid-range Sonicare brushes, but there’s still more than enough here to keep your teeth feeling clean and smooth.