To think my toothbrush should last more than 5 years?

[yarris]

Sadly I've had to add to landfill and buy a new Sonicare because my one has stopped charging! I'm cross.

It's cost me money and I feel like it's a total waste!

It feels criminal that landfill (because let's face it, most people won't think to recycle an electric toothbrush) is being added to like this.

If the manufacturers won't take responsibility and make replaceable batteries perhaps the suggestion of a bamboo toothbrush is a good one.

I don't use an electric toothbrush and my dentist always comments that my teeth are well looked after.

I changed to oral B in the sales after 3 sonicare tooth brushes lasted 12 months, I thought I was unlucky with the first 2.

Rechargeable batteries generally don't last 5 years. 2-3 years is far more likely. If you can't replace the batteries, then you have to replace the entire unit.

We bought a rechargeable lawn mower a couple of years ago, and the batteries are noticeably lasting less this year. Same with one of those Karcher window cleaning vacuums which is about 3 years old and a charge only lasts maybe 30 minutes of use now, and of course, laptop batteries, which seem to have a life of only a couple of years. And yes, we do know how to charge them properly, i.e. let them discharge fully and then recharge fully.

It's just a compromise you have to accept with rechargeable batteries. If at all possible, buy appliances/gadgets where you can easily buy/change the batteries.

My old ones lasted years, but were basic ones with replaceable batteries.

I last bought one of the most basic of the fancy, poncy ones as I couldn't find anything else, it has never held a charge properly and is about to be dumped. I read somewhere that the batteries used to be replaceable, assume that is no longer possible but I hate it anyway, it's like cleaning my teeth with a hand blender, so gave up on it ages ago and am using a real toothbrush.

A replaceable battery would be fine.

What's up with the PP being hostile towards me?!

You can re-cycle them at your local restaurant-cycling centre in the ‘small appliance’ container.

I find the idea that people are concerned about plastic waste here rather amusing given the amount of energy used needlessly for a toothbrush.

I use mobile phone and iPad a lot more tha 2x5 mins per day, still going strong after over 5 years. Replaceable batteries should be standard.

yarris

Your mobile phone and iPad cost what, £600 brand new? An electrical toothbrush costs £30? Not the same thing.

I think five years is a decent lifespan for an electric toothbrush

We buy Phillips Sonicare, and find that they lose their efficiency after two years. I wish you could replace the batteries in them.

Twosoups and Mother - funny you should say that, a friend of mine went to boarding school and told me that electric toothbrushes were banned from the girls houses because of suspicions that they weren't always being used for brushing teeth!

Ha! echt yes, similar here, only i thought it was a light-hearted thread that 'manual' toothbrushes should last longer than five years, and i thought it was hilarious, and yes, how absolutely awful that they dont do a lifetime toothbrush.

But...i use my hand, saves electrix. That comment could go for other battery operated devices mentioned above too

Good to see lovehoney being responsible and useful to know.

I also want to go back to hand mowers, very well.designed ones, and that way i get exercise whilst mowing, a good workout and save the planet into the deal too.

Ive personally given up with the electric t.brushes, and have excellent health hygiene comments from dentist about healthy gums etc, but have [last christmas] bought the fairy ones advertised by MN for christmas presents for my teens, as oral hygiene incentives, and so far only needed a couple of recharges (six months in) - and they are being regularly used!

I used to buy the higher end ones, and wouldnt waste my money now.

I get really frustrated with expensive rechargeable toothbrushes. Boots do an own brand battery operated one for £6. I can use rechargeable batteries and last for ages on a single charge. Previously the oral b ones were lasting about 4 days before needing to go on charge.

Is really pisses me off in general that electronics have a really short shelf life.

Sexist rule there Quantum plenty of boys like a bit of penile and bum vibration!

Yes I agree. Complain to Phillips about the fact the batteries aren't replaceable. It's what I intend to do with ours (this is probably our third - didn't on the previous one as life issues got in the way).

Buy a battery one. They last ages and the batteries last for ages too. Batteries are provided when you first buy one. You can get new toothbrush heads from ebay.

Presumably, if you change the toothbrush head every three months as recommended, you have already sent 20 smaller pieces of plastic to landfill.

We are doing ok with our current batch of rechargeable Oral B's, but they don't last forever. We've had them all several years

Like iPhones, barely get two years before battery goes (third one of mine on last legs now approaching two year anniversary). Shocking really that they aren't built to last longer, and each software update kills it just one little bit more.

Mine and mother’s did this at different times, she bought a new charger and it sorted it so when mine went I tried using hers and turns out it was the charger for me too! Really recommend getting a replacement charger if it happens again, cheap from eBay so definitely worth a try!

They are pretty rubbish. We have had x2 of the philips Sonicare diamond clean ones. They had a RRP for £199 at the time, but we bought cheaper in Amazon black friday deals .

Both have broken after 2-3 years. Its not the battery with ours,but both the part where the replaceable head connects gets looser and looser until it just wobbles around, rattling, noisy and just banging the roof of your mouth

My first Oral B electric toothbrush lasted about 15 years (lots of changing of brush heads in that time! ). The next one was one where you replace the batteries (but I use rechargeable batteries) and it only lasted a year.

This time I bought the cheapest possible Boots one, may be a false economy, but time will tell.

5 years is pretty good going tbh

I share your frustration. Both of my sonicare lasted less than two years. I had them replaced by John Lewis. It’s irresponsible. I don’t thing products like this should even be on the market.

The people who have had their Oral B for several years - so did we

and until we got a new one, did not realise how rubbish the battery power had become.