Reviews You Can Rely On

Quip Review

Boasts a cool look, but felt very similar to a manual toothbrush when we used it
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quip electric toothbrush review
Credit: Quip
Price:  $30 List
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Manufacturer:   Quip
By Austin Palmer, David Wise, and Jenna Ammerman  ⋅  Jan 5, 2022
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 14
  • Comfort - 40% 5.0
  • Cleaning - 30% 5.0
  • Ease of Use - 20% 9.0
  • Battery Life - 10% 10.0

Our Verdict

If you care more about the size of your electric toothbrush, how it looks, and its battery life than cleaning performance, then we think the Quip is for you. This compact toothbrush couldn't compare to the top-tier models in our cleaning tests but it is sleek and stylish with impressive battery life. It is also one of the cheapest electric toothbrushes around — though it still costs quite a bit more than a manual model — so it's a decent value if you are set on getting an electric toothbrush.
REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Long battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
Rubber bristles can feel disconcerting
Didn't do well in our cleaning test

Compare to Similar Products

 
quip electric toothbrush review
This Product
Quip
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Best Buy Award  
Price $30 List
$19.97 at Amazon
$70 List
$49.95 at Amazon
$30 List$40 List
$39.96 at Amazon
$9.00 List
Check Price at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line We found it hard to distinguish between using the Quip and a manual toothbrushA high quality performer that excels in all of our testing metrics and earns the top spotThis toothbrush is a good choice for those looking to spend less but still receive decent performanceAn inexpensive minimalist toothbrush with a long-lasting battery that cleans wellA budget option that works marginally better than a manual toothbrush
Rating Categories Quip Philips Sonicare Pr... Fairywill D7 Sonic Philips One Oral-B 3D White Action
Comfort (40%)
5.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
Cleaning (30%)
5.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
Ease of Use (20%)
9.0
8.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
Battery Life (10%)
10.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
10.0
Specs Quip Philips Sonicare Pr... Fairywill D7 Sonic Philips One Oral-B 3D White Action
Charger info N/A 100 - 240V a.c.
50/60Hz
0.4 - 1.4W
N/A USB N/A
Estimated annual brush head cost $20 $50 $12 $19 $13
Waterproof/resistant Can use in shower Can use in shower Yes, up to 1 meter up to 30 min No, cannot be used in the shower Can use in shower
Number of different brush heads 1 8 2 1 3
Measured battery life 90 days 28 days 50 days 30 days 103 days
Number of brushing modes 1 clean 1 clean 5 modes: white, clean, sensitive, polish, massage 1 mode 1 clean
Pressure sensor No Yes No No No
Thirty second reminder Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Two minute alert Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Travel case included Yes No Yes Yes No
Weight 1.1 oz 4.3 oz 2.6 oz 2.4 oz 2.5 oz
App No No No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Quip has a few innovative features that set it apart from other models. It is available with plastic, metal, or limited edition trims and runs off standard AAA batteries rather than a rechargeable lithium battery. Quip also offers a subscription service where they will send you a new battery, brush head, and toothpaste every three months. This makes it a great option for someone who wants a minimalistic electric toothbrush and doesn't have to ever worry about forgetting to buy replacement brush heads, toothpaste, floss, or cleaning out a charging base.

Performance Comparison


quip electric toothbrush review - the quip is sleek, stylish, and about as simple as it gets when it...
The Quip is sleek, stylish, and about as simple as it gets when it comes to electric toothbrushes.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Comfort


The first thing that we evaluated and scored for each electric toothbrush is how comfortable they are to brush with. We had a diverse group of judges use each brush and award them a score based on how comfortable they felt to use each product daily. This accounts for 40% of the final score, with the Quip earning a decent score compared to the rest of the brushes in the group.

The Quip's brushing action is very gentle, making it a good option for anyone with sensitive gums. The brush head isn't overly large or deep, so even those with more petite mouths. It is also one of the quietest toothbrushes of the entire group.

quip electric toothbrush review - the rubber bristles can feel a little odd while brushing with the...
The rubber bristles can feel a little odd while brushing with the Quip.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

However, the Quip does not have a built-in pressure sensor to alert you if you are pressing too hard. It also doesn't have a sensitive brushing mode but we didn't find this to be too much of an issue, since the standard brushing mode is so gentle to begin with.

quip electric toothbrush review - each brush head also has a tongue cleaner on the back.
Each brush head also has a tongue cleaner on the back.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Cleaning


Next, we tested and scored the cleaning performance of each toothbrush. To do this as objectively as possible, we had several testers abstain from brushing their teeth for 18+ hours to build up a healthy amount of plaque. Each of them then used a plaque disclosing tablet to tint the plaque bright pink and use the Quip. Scores were determined by comparing the before and after photos and seeing how much plaque was removed. The Quip performed about average, earning an unimpressive score in this metric, which accounts for 30% of the total for each product. This toothbrush didn't come close to doing a perfect job cleaning any of our judges' teeth, with noticeable spots of plaque remaining for each of them.

quip electric toothbrush review - the cleaning performance of the quip is far from the best we have...
The cleaning performance of the Quip is far from the best we have seen.
Credit: Austin Palmer

However, this was when we used the Quip more like an electric toothbrush than a manual toothbrush, slowly moving it in small circles across your teeth. It does seem like the cleaning performance would be drastically improved if you brushed like a manual toothbrush when using this product, lightly scrubbing your teeth.

quip electric toothbrush review - the quip is so limited in functions that it is very easy to use.
The Quip is so limited in functions that it is very easy to use.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Ease of Use


After cleaning and comfort, we moved on to rating and scoring the convenience and ease of use of each toothbrush, which is responsible for 20% of the overall score. While the minimalistic nature of the Quip means that it lacks many of the convenience features of other products, this actually made it significantly easier to use, earning it one of the higher scores of the group. It only has a single cleaning mode so there is no confusion when it comes to swapping between modes and is waterproof enough to take in the shower or rinse off. This brush's power button and overall design are sleek and smooth, so there aren't a lot of areas for grime to accumulate, and is easy to clean.

quip electric toothbrush review - this toothbrush includes an adhesive-backed holder.
This toothbrush includes an adhesive-backed holder.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Quip has a two-minute timer with quadrant intervals but doesn't have a good storage solution for other brush heads. They are also a bit more difficult to change than with other products, so it seems like it is more of a one-person toothbrush, rather than something that can be shared.

quip electric toothbrush review - the quip has an exceptionally long battery life, powered by a aaa.
The Quip has an exceptionally long battery life, powered by a AAA.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Battery Life


For the final 10% of the total score, we looked at the battery life of each of these powered toothbrushes. The Quip stands out from the other toothbrushes by relying on a conventional AAA battery as a power source, rather than wirelessly recharging an internal lithium battery. This provides a surprisingly long battery life, earning the Quip top marks in this metric.


The manufacturer claims that the Quip can last for 90 days before needing a new battery and we have no reason to doubt this. It was still going strong at well over 50 days, significantly outperforming the vast majority of the other products.

Value


The Quip is one of the least expensive models that we have tested so it can be a good option if you are shopping on a budget but you are locked into using their proprietary brush heads and you lose the benefit of being able to share the toothbrush, which can increase the lifetime cost.

Conclusion


We find it hard to recommend the Quip on its performance alone. However, if the subscription service and sleek looks appeal to you, then it's a solid choice and shouldn't disappoint. It also is a great option for the frequent traveler with its compact size and lack of a charger.

Austin Palmer, David Wise, and Jenna Ammerman