Electric Toothbrushes Review
Philips Sonicare 3100 HX3671 Review: Quiet, One-Mode Sonic
Our verdict
The Philips Sonicare 3100 (HX3671) is a single-mode sonic toothbrush with a pressure sensor, a head-replacement reminder and a 2-year warranty, a sensible first electric brush if you do not need extra modes.
Buy it if
- People who want one simple mode and a gentle sonic feel
- Buyers who keep forgetting to change brush heads
- Homes with USB chargers already by the sink or bed
Skip it if
- You want a Sensitive or Whitening mode
- Replacement-head cost is a concern
What we like
- Pressure sensor pulses and reduces vibration when you press too hard
- BrushSync tracks head use and signals when to replace it
- 2-minute SmarTimer with 30-second QuadPacer
- 2-year warranty from Philips India
What we don’t
- Only one cleaning mode
- Philips claims 14 days of battery, shorter than some rivals
- Owners abroad complain about replacement-head prices
Score breakdown
- Performance
- 7.6
- Battery life
- 7.0
- Ease of use
- 8.2
- Features
- 6.8
- Build quality
- 7.5
- Value for money
- 7.0
- After-sales service
- 7.8
The Philips Sonicare 3100 is for people who want a straightforward sonic toothbrush: one mode, a pressure warning and a reminder to change the head. Philips backs it with a 2-year warranty and a large service presence in India. The trade-off is flexibility. There are no Sensitive or Whitening modes, and Philips’ own battery claim is modest.
Is one cleaning mode enough?
For most adults, yes. The 3100 makes up to 31,000 brush movements a minute, and Philips claims up to three times better plaque removal than a manual brush, which it says is clinically proven. A 2-minute SmarTimer and a 30-second QuadPacer tell you when to move to the next quarter of your mouth. If you have very sensitive gums, a brush with a low-intensity mode may suit you better.
Will it warn me if I brush too hard?
Yes. When pressure is too high, the handle pulses and the vibration drops. Philips designs the alert to be felt and heard rather than seen, so it works without watching a light in the mirror.
How long does the battery last, and how does it charge?
Philips quotes 14 days per charge at two 2-minute sessions a day. That is shorter than the claims for some rotating and budget brushes. The handle takes 5 V DC from a USB charger, which is handy if you travel with a phone charger. One European retailer review complains of slow charging and a misleading charge light; we found no independent charge-time test.
What does BrushSync do?
It tracks how long and how hard each head has been used, then lights up and beeps briefly when the head is worn. Philips heads are not cheap, and a UK owner review on Philips’ site lists head pricing as the main con, so the reminder also keeps the running cost visible.
What do owners say?
Philips India’s site shows 4.5 out of 5 from 23 reviews for the white HX3671/13, with 89% recommending it. A mirrored Amazon listing abroad shows 4.3 out of 5 from about 15,700 ratings. Praise centres on how easy it is to use; complaints are about battery life and head prices.
Which version is sold in India?
Philips India lists the white HX3671/13 as discontinued, while the black HX3671/14 is sold through its online shop and retailers. Croma lists the 3100 series with a 2-year warranty, which matches Philips’ own terms.
What we could not verify
Noise, real-world battery life and charge time. We found no lab test of the HX3671, so those rest on Philips’ claims and a handful of owner comments.
How we researched
We have not used the Philips Sonicare 3100. This review draws on Philips' India and UK product pages and spec sheet, Croma and other Indian retailer listings, Philips India's on-site ratings, and owner reviews on European retailer and Amazon listings. We found no independent lab test.
We have not tested this product ourselves. This review is based on published specifications, the manual, other publications’ tests and owner feedback.
How does the Philips Sonicare 3100 Series Sonic Electric Toothbrush (HX3671) compare?
-
Oral-B Pro 3 Rechargeable Rotating Electric Toothbrush B+ 8.1
The Oral-B Pro 3 has three modes and a more visible pressure light, and independent battery tests for it are strong. Reviewers find the Oral-B louder, while the Philips Sonicare 3100 adds BrushSync head tracking and USB charging.
-
AGARO Cosmic Lite Sonic Electric Toothbrush D 5.7
The AGARO Cosmic Lite is also a sonic brush and costs much less, with six modes and spare heads in the box, but it has no pressure sensor or head reminder and only a 1-year warranty.
Key specs
| Type | Sonic, rechargeable lithium-ion |
|---|---|
| Brush movements | Up to 31,000 per minute |
| Modes | 1 (Clean) |
| Timer | 2-minute SmarTimer, 30-second QuadPacer |
| Pressure sensor | Yes |
| Head reminder | BrushSync |
| Battery (claimed) | 14 days at two 2-minute sessions a day |
| Input | DC 5 V (USB charger) |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Questions buyers ask
How long does the Philips Sonicare 3100 battery last?
Philips rates the Sonicare 3100 (HX3671) at 14 days per charge, based on two 2-minute sessions a day in its one Clean mode.
Does the Philips Sonicare 3100 have a pressure sensor?
Yes. When you brush too hard, the Philips Sonicare 3100 pulses and reduces vibration to protect your gums.
How is the Philips Sonicare 3100 charged?
The Philips Sonicare 3100 takes a 5 V DC input from a USB charger. Philips has moved this range from a wall adapter to USB charging, so check whether a USB plug is included with your pack.
What is BrushSync on the Philips Sonicare 3100?
BrushSync on the Philips Sonicare 3100 tracks how long and how hard the head has been used, then lights up and beeps briefly when it is time to replace it.
Also consider
- Oral-B
Electric Toothbrushes
Oral-B Pro 3 Electric Toothbrush Review: Simple and Strong
The Oral-B Pro 3 is a rotating electric toothbrush with three modes, a visible pressure warning and a quadrant timer; independent tests rate its cleaning and battery highly, though it is noisy and slow to charge.
Best Value - AGARO
Electric Toothbrushes
AGARO Cosmic Lite Sonic Toothbrush Review: Cheap, With Doubts
The AGARO Cosmic Lite is a low-cost sonic toothbrush with six modes, spare heads and a long battery claim, but it has no pressure sensor, a 1-year warranty and recurring owner reports of motors dying within months.