Sonicare

Sonicare is an electric toothbrush manufactured by Philips.

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It vibrates at hundreds of times per second, with the latest models at 40,000 strokes per minute. Rather than connecting to its charger with conductors, it utilizes inductive charging—the charger includes the primary winding of the voltage-reducing transformer and the fat handle of the brush includes the secondary winding. The magnetic field is not shorted out by spilled liquids around the sink, as an electric field would be. The replaceable head also is driven magnetically. The first Sonicare toothbrush was manufactured in Mercer Island, Washington, in 1993.

Battery life

Many users complain that the batteries on several models of Sonicare toothbrushes give out after only 1-2 years of use. The warranty period is two years and units are replaced within the warranty period. Note that units outside the warranty period may be replaced if the consumer makes a complaint. The batteries are not "user replaceable", though with considerable effort, the consumer may replace the batteries with third-party parts.

Sonicare is powered by NiCd battery cells. This type of rechargeable battery suffers from the memory effect. To maximize the life of the battery within Sonicare, use the device until it beeps and the battery indicator flashes yellow, and then fully recharge it.

It is also important to recycle NiCd batteries because Cadmium is an environmental hazard. Because the battery is non-removable, the entire device should be recycled wherever batteries are accepted.