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| Brand: Philips Sonicare
Category: Health And Beauty
List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $22.25
You Save: $17.74 (44%)
New (8) from $22.25
Rating:  101 reviews
Sales Rank: 1075
Color: Blue
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 1 x 1 x 10
Warranty: 1
MPN: HX3351/02
Model: HX3351
UPC: 075020803337
EAN: 0075020803337
ASIN: B000FEIOHW
Release Date: July 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great item! July 12, 2008
After thinking about buying one of these to replace my normal toothbrush I bit at this one because of its lower price. There really is a noticeable difference! My teeth feel smoother and cleaner after brushing than with my old brush.
I have not had any problems with water intrusion, but I've been careful about not soaking the thing. I've also only had it about a month.
Overall I'm very happy with the product and would buy it again.
 Does the job June 13, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I had a 3 or 4 year old Sonicare Elite that finally died. The Elite's NiCad battery was almost toast and would barely hold a charge through a single session. But what did it in was the rubber cover on the switch ripped, water got in and fried the electronics.
While I liked the Elite, it irritated me that relatively expensive product seemed designed to fail as NiCads don't last all that long. So I though I'd try this, cheaper version with user replaceable batteries.
The Xtreme doesn't have a lot of the features the Elite had, such as a battery power indicator array, a "soft start" feature where the unit's power is dialed down for the first few uses so a newcomer can get accustomed to the appliance, a 30 second "quadpacer" to help one judge how long to brush the four zones as defined by Sonicare (upper & lower sets of teeth, front and back of each set), or the ability to add an extra 30 seconds to the recommended total brush time.
However, already familiar with the Sonicare experience, I found each and every one of these bells and whistles superfluous. Don't need the soft start, I tend to spend more time using the thing than even the 2.5 minutes, and with replaceable rechargeable NiMH batteries, no need for a battery status indicator array.
The casing on the Xtreme is a bit fatter as well, to accommodate two AA batteries. It is all hard plastic whereas the Elite had some rubberized areas to improve grip. It did feel a little more awkward at first, but I'm now used to it. It might be worth it if Sonicare added just a touch of knurling or surface roughness to the two grip areas.
I've read where others have experienced some reliability problems, primarily due to corrosion of the battery contacts. Two simple precautions: First, unscrew the handle from the brush head before rinsing off the latter, and store the handle independently, like in a drawer beside your sink. This will keep the handle, and thus the battery contacts, nice and dry. Second, if you're still concerned about it, apply a touch of dielectric grease to the contacts. This is the stuff mechanics squirt into spark plug wire boots so they don't stick and make removal easier when the time comes to change spark plugs. You can find it at most any automotive parts store (Advance Auto, Autozone, etc.) or maybe even Wally World, though I haven't checked there.
The other major complaint I've seen concerns the switch. My unit is also a bit persnickety as well. Sometimes you can hear the switch click but it doesn't "make". Wiggling my thumb or finger around on the rubber button cover, while also depressing it, seems to solve the problem. It is annoying but not a deal breaker for me.
I've also been impressed with the Xtreme's power, which seems to remain consistent over the life of the battery charge. My older Elite, well, you could tell when it was time for a recharge without having to look at that silly power indicator, for it would slow down and I could even get it to stall if I pushed hard enough. Not so with this new Xtreme.
I seem to get about 2 weeks out of a set of Duracell 2300 mAH batteries, using the appliance twice a day, about 3 or 4 minutes each. And as NiMH batteries seem to get better after some use, perhaps that will improve as well.
Sonicare claims the brush head should be replaced at 6 month intervals. Hah! I've never gotten more than 3 out of any of mine, and by then they're as limp and soggy as overcooked spaghetti. I just have Amazon send a pair every 6 months, and pop on a new one at the equinoxes and solstices.
I've had this Xtreme machine for about a month and a half. So far, I'm pleased, and happy I didn't toss away more money on one of the fancier models that I know is doomed to fail due to the nonreplaceable NiCad battery. Plus, even if it dies an early death, I still think the math favors the Xtreme. Assuming one doesn't need those additional features found on the higher priced models.
 several problems June 9, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm on my second one and am really unhappy with it: (1) the battery compartment has these little teeth that break off if you set it down too abruptly (and I mean to prevent this you have to treat it like delicate glass) . I tried taping the bottom but that didn't last long. (2) What another reviewer said was true, water gets inside the battery unit and shorts it (3) the brush replacements are very expensive (4) batteries used up pretty quickly, although I would have been willing to live with that.
I love what this toothbrush does for my teeth, and since I have a small bath and a lot of electronics in there already I really wanted a cordless one. But the defects are unacceptable. I am now looking for another model.
The best toothbrush June 5, 2008
I have used practically all kinds of electric toothbrush over the years and this is the best one that I have come across. I have rechargeable Soniccare toothbrush also but this one using replacable batteries is so convenient and light especially for traveling.
Perfect with a little vaseline June 4, 2008
Many mentioned the water leak problem of this otherwise perfect toothbrush. I tried a little vaseline around the o-ring and it worked perfectly.
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