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Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100 true wireless headphones review

REVIEW – Bluetooth sport-centric headphones have been around for years. Typically these early “wireless” earbuds were pretty big, relatively bulky, ill-fitting, and needed a cord connecting the two to power and communicate with each other. In the past few years, totally wireless earbuds have become the norm rather than the exception. They have become smaller, lighter, better fitting, and more secure…all the while sounding better and better along the way. In this case, Plantronics have created a somewhat larger, retro-design in their first attempt at a totally wireless set of sport headphones…the BackBeat FIT 3100 True Wireless Sport headphones that are “built for the outdoors”.

For this review, I have been using the BackBeat FIT 3100 True Wireless Sport headphones exclusively for a couple of weeks. Thus far I have ran, done elliptical, stairs, weightlifting, pushups, and even chopped firewood with them several times each at a minimum.

What is it?

The Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100’s are completely cordless, hardened against moisture/sweat, and are meant for runners, bikers, and other (outdoor) sports enthusiasts. These bluetooth 5.0 earbuds are designed to fit just inside your ear with very little noise isolation allowing ambient sounds (aka traffic) in for better situational awareness.

Design and features

The BackBeat FIT 3100’s are well made from hard plastic, rubber, and metal. They’re held securely in place by a combination of several design choices. Each earbud has a hard rubber hook the wraps around the top of ear.

There is also a soft rubber wing that goes over each speaker that helps hold the earbud within the outer part of your ear and also focuses/funnels the sound into the inner portion of your ear canal. Plantronics has used this combination of design elements for awhile now.

The charging case is medium-sized, black, and well made, with the shape of a pillbox/MiFi device. It is meant to not only charge the FIT 3100 earbuds but store, transport, and protect them as well.  The center button and four small LEDs are meant to let you know when it needs to be recharged, is charging, or fully powered up.

The case has two perfectly form-fitted slots that the BackBeat FIT 3100’s slide into. Due to the snug fit, it takes a bit of practice to get the earbuds into and out of the case. Here you can see the copper pins that charge the 3100’s while stored in the case.

The case is powered by a microUSB charging port on the back. Plantronics includes a pretty short/puny charging cable meant to connect to the side of a laptop. Though I used a longer cable I had lying around when using a wall plug. Plantronics promises 5 hours of use before needing to be recharge. The storage case has an internal battery with two additional charges before the earbuds + case need to be recharged. If your earbuds run out of power and you want to use them on the fly, a quick 15 minute charge gives an hour of listening, long enough for most runs, commutes, phone calls, YouTube videos, etc.

Specifications

Weight 22 g/ .78 oz
Wireless range Up to 33 ft/ 10m
Bluetooth technology 5.0, HFP 1.7, HSP 1.2, A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5
Harmonic distribution <3%
Speaker driver size 13.5 mm
Frequency response 20- 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity 94 dBSPL @ max volume
Microphone MEMS microphone with DSP
Listen time Up to 5 hours (earbuds only) and up to 10 additional hours with charge case
Talk time Up to 5 hours
IP rating IP57 sweatproof and waterproof
DeepSleep Up to 6 months
Quick charge Up to 1 hour of listening time with a 15-minute charge
Battery capacity (earbuds) 90 mAh
Battery capacity (charge case) 740 mAh

The BackBeat FIT 3100’s case is relatively large compared to other truly wireless earbuds on the market. Here you can see it next to the Jabra Elite Active 65t and Elite Sport cases. It is also larger than the JayBird RUN True case as well (couldn’t find those for these comparison pics).

Like its case, the BackBeat FIT 3100’s are the largest earbuds I have used in a long time (aka years). The earbuds themselves are about the same size as many of the others. But the earloop gives them a much larger form-factor than many other brands. Plantronics is definitely bucking today’s sport-centric earbud trend of smaller, very snug fitting, passive sound isolation designs that you jam deep into your ears.

Fit and comfort:

The fit and feel of the BackBeat FIT 3100’s is, without a doubt, not the norm these days. They sit just inside your ear, with the funnel going into your ear canal, with the back fin holding everything in place. While many other earbuds are engineered to jam into your ear, the BackBeats wear very non-intrusively yet still stay securely on your ear. Like I mentioned above, I have done all sorts of workouts with them and they remained in place, even upside-down on my inversion table, surprisingly well.

On the outside of each earbud are the control buttons. The left earpiece controls volume, press the exterior of the earpiece to raise volume and press and hold to lower it. The right “context-sensitive” button controls: power on/off, play/pause music, answer/end calls, Siri/Google Assistant, and previous/next track.

Sound Experience:

Since the FIT 3100’s are not meant to be inserted deep into your ear canals, they do not blockout much ambient noise. The listening experience is good but not as worthy as other bluetooth sports earbuds I have tried. The 13.5mm drivers produce decent enough sound though they don’t have over-the-top bass by today’s standards. But overall the FIT 3100’s deliver a good and relatively clear listening experience. They are engineered with “Hear your surroundings with Always Aware eartips for safer workouts” and would have to be turned up some in a loud environment.

Call Quality:

The call quality was very good. I tested calls in the office, walking in the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle, driving in my car, and while working out on our elliptical machine…I and the folks I was talking to could hear hear and understand each other without issue.

In addition to black, the BackBeat FIT 3100’s are also available in grey. Even though these sports earbuds are hardened against sweat and moisture, I was not able to find how long Plantronics warranties the 3100’s. I would assume at least a year.

Positives

  • Well made
  • Comfortable, secure fit / soft, flexible and secure-fit earloops offer comfort and stability
  • Good sound & call quality
  • IP57 rating (sweatproof and waterproof)
  • Can hear ambient noise/sound for better situational awareness
  • Designed for runners and bikers

Negatives

  • Can only be connected to one device at a time (aka no multipoint technology)

Final thoughts

Plantronics did not engineer the BackBeat FIT 3100 to completely seal out the outside world. They’re designed to let in ambient noise, so you can hear traffic while you’re pounding pavement or biking along city streets or country roads. Their sound quality is good but do not expect pounding base or incredible clarity. That said, they get the job done as promised…providing a solid music, video, call experience during an epic workout, long run, or while just hanging out.

Price: $149.99
Where to buy: Available from Amazon or directly from Plantronics.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Plantronics.

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Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100 true wireless headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 8, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Egloo Candle Powered Heater, Aroma Diffuser, and Humidifier Review

REVIEW – This is my second scented diffuser review in the past few weeks, and my house smells fabulous! While I reviewed the tech-driven Moodoo recently, the Egloo sits on the other end of the spectrum. It’s a terra-cotta based, candle-driven diffuser that uses all natural products and design to do its thing. Egloo claims that it’s unique design not only acts as an aroma diffuser but also humidifies your room and operates like a small space heater. Let’s put those claims to the test!

What is it?

It’s an eco-friendly terra cotta humidifier, essential oil diffuser, and space heater powered by candles.

Hardware specs

  • 7.5” by 7.5” by 7.5”
  • 3.75 pounds

What’s in the box?

The kit comes with all the components for the Egloo, a bottle of diffuser perfume, and enough wax & wicks for three lightings.

Design and features

The Egloo is sure to be a conversation piece in your home. It’s a terracotta double dome design, available in a variety of colors or artistic patterns that turn it into a focal point in the room. It’s also eco-friendly, using proprietary cherrywood wicks and a natural wax blend to power the unit. There are a number of parts to the assembly and operation. Let’s walk through the assembly to fully understand how it works.

To start, you’ll find a pair of metal dishes that are inserted into the terracotta base. Three metal wick clips are supplied, and you’ll insert a specially-designed cherrywood wick in each one. These are placed in the smaller metal dish at the points marked by the guide lines, while the magnetized base snaps align everything in place:

You’ll fill the center dish with chipped wax. Egloo provides an odorless wax for this purpose that is resistant to high temperatures. You’ll spread around the dish, leaving the wicks exposed:

Once that’s done, you’ll fill the outer metal dish with water. If you want a bit of scent to fill the room, Egloo provides a perfume that you’ll add with a dropper to the water. Essential oils can also be used for this purpose:

A metal grill is then placed in the slots on the base. This creates a gap for airflow between the base and the domes. You’ll light the candles, then place the smaller dome over the candles. The large dome then goes over the small dome, and you’re in business:

While this sounds complex, it’s actually a pretty simple setup that takes a couple of minutes to complete. Once lit, the unit takes about 15 minutes to get things heated up.

And what are the results? Well, several things start to happen. The candles generate a gentle, diffused light. The terracotta heats up, generating a little heat. The water in the outside tray also heats up, diffusing the scent. The unit generates a steady stream of moist, scented air through a hole in the top of the unit. It operates a lot like a convection oven, with the double-dome design creating a focused heat source that does its work for up to four hours on a single lighting.

I’ll be honest: I had my doubts when I put this thing together, but it’s pretty cool in operation. Powered solely by the candles, it’s got a zen-like quality to it as it gently burbles and bubbles in the background. The scent diffusion is subtle but noticeable, and would probably be more apparent with stronger fragrances or greater doses (I’m following the 10-drop-max instructions included in the booklet). It even does generate a bit of heat, enough that you won’t want to touch it for more than a second or so once it gets going.

As far as use goes, it quickly loses its effectiveness in larger rooms. My family room is 15” by 17” with a vaulted ceiling, and that’s just too big a space to realize the benefits of the heat and humidification. The fragrance also disperses quickly in a room this size. Testing is in a smaller room (like a 10” by 14” bedroom with a lower ceiling) produced very different results. The fragrance is much stronger, and I did notice a slight effect from the heat. It won’t replace an electric space heater for quickly heating up a small area, but you do notice a difference.

The Egloo is designed to use proprietary wax designed for high heat as well as the custom-cut cherrywood wicks, and are sold in 10 packs ($12.00), 50 packs ($48.00), or 100 packs ($72.00). That nets out to a cost ranging from $0.72 to $1.20 for each session. Not bad for an eco-friendly solution. You will need to supply your own essential oils after you use up the first bottle.

The unit itself retails for $90 in the natural model, but prices can escalate quickly if you choose fancy designs. Styles include colored units, glazed and or textured units, or artistic versions with different patterns and styles. They’re beautiful pieces, but the more elaborate styles can cost over $200.

As far as safety goes, the base stays relatively cool despite the heat that’s generated in the domes. I do have it on a hot pad just in case. While the unit is pretty stable, I don’t know that I’d recommend its use in areas with rambunctious kids or pets. Touching the domes could produce a burn, and a hard knock could run the risk of hot wax (and lit candles) being splattered about. You’ll also want to make sure it’s on a solid table, countertop, or stand. Like any candle-powered device, use caution when placing it in a room.

One final note: while the instructions are well-organized and easy to follow, they are poorly written. The product website is a little better but still suffers from spelling and grammatical errors. For a product at this price point, I’d like to see the manufacturers spend a few bucks to get an editor to proofread their content. It’s a little thing, but it’s important when you’re selling higher-end products like this.

What I like

  • Interesting design makes for a focal point in a room.
  • Eco-friendly design, materials, and operation.
  • Scent diffusion works as advertised.
  • Consumable elements are reasonably priced.

What needs to be improved

  • Doesn’t replace traditional room heating units.
  • Not recommended around active children or pets.
  • High starting cost, and fancy designs can get very pricey.
  • Instructions could use a good proofread.

Final thoughts

The Egloo promises to do a lot of things as a combination humidifier, essential oil diffuser, and space heater in an eco-friendly package. And it actually works, although the heating component is a little less effective. It’s certainly a great looking accessory, guaranteed to be a conversation starter in your home. Just be careful placing it in areas of your home with a lot of activity!

Price: From $90.00 to over $200.oo depending on style, plus consumables.
Where to buy: Visit the Egloo website or on Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Egloo.

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Egloo Candle Powered Heater, Aroma Diffuser, and Humidifier Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 8, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds review


REVIEW – Here we go again as we continue on my quest to find the best earbuds for my taste. So far, I have encountered some really nice challenges, but as an Audiophile, I am looking for that surprise that will go beyond being great for daily listening category into the “also reserved for dedicated Audiophile listening” category without breaking the bank. Maybe I am asking for too much, but one never knows. The latest contestant is the Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds. So here we go!!

What is it?

The Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds are a pair of lightweight, medium size earbuds that are designed for listening to music and conducting phone calls. The charging case also includes the capability to power/charge external devices.  As with most earbuds, they should be compatible with most Bluetooth equipped mobile devices.

What’s in the box



1 x Pair of Wicked Audio Arq True Wireless Earbuds
3 x Pairs of Ear Tips
1 x Instruction Booklet
1 x Quick Start Leaflet
1 x Micro USB to USB Charging Cord
1 x Charging Case

Design and features

The charging case for these earbuds is relatively large, measuring 5 1/4″ long with a diameter of 1 1/4″. On the right side, there is the earbud charging compartment with the usual charging slots and the embedded contacts for charging. The rest of the case holds the internal battery pack. The earbuds are what I consider medium size.


The earbuds sit neatly in their charging slots. In between them, it a power/on/off button that you use to turn on/off the charging mode.


On the front of the case where the earbuds are stored/charged, there is a button to release the cover.


On the side of the charging case opposite the earbuds, there is the micro USB charging port and a standard USB port for charging/powering external devices.

Performance

Specs:
– Driver: 10mm
– Sensitivity: 103 dB
– Frequency: 20-20,000Hz
– Impedance: 16Ohms
– Bluetooth Version: 4.2
– Earbud Battery Life: 3 Hours
– Additional Playtime: 60 Hours
– Range: 32ft
– Earbud Charge Time: 30 Minutes
– Power Bank Charge Time: 5 Hours
– Power Bank Battery: 2600mAh
These earbuds are nicely packaged and once fully charged, they are very easy to set up. When you remove them from the case, you press the button on each earbud simultaneously and they power on and give you the usual voice commands indicating the on status, and connection to each other. Once you select them in your phone’s Bluetooth settings, they confirm that they are paired. After the initial pairing, they remain known to your device as is the norm with Bluetooth devices. The following is the charging process:

When you engage the power on/off button that lies in between the earbuds, they start charging, and their individual LEDs are red.


In addition, the 4 LED charge level lights also turn on and light blue. These lights indicate that the earbuds are charging and also the level of charge remaining in the built-in battery.


The picture below shows me charging/powering my portable audio recorder via the built-in battery.

The following are the operating instructions:

First of all, I must say how pleased I am that these earbuds work well for me for phone calls. This is usually a challenge for me, so this is always an automatic plus for me.
In terms of music, the earbuds sound pretty good with a nice balance of lows, mids, and highs. The volume level can be raised so that they are quite loud, but I do not play them at full volume. I found them to perform nicely for daily listening with the genres that I tested that include my usual which are Contemporary Jazz, Gospel, Easy Listening, Reggae, Soul/Ballads, The Classics, etc. The charge lasts quite long and is comparable to most earbuds, and the noise canceling works well.

The two main issues that I encountered were that the Bluetooth connection would randomly drop out individually. While either side would only drop out for a very short time and while they reconnect automatically, this issue is very disruptive to my listening experience. In addition, you have to power on and off the earbuds for each use. They do not automatically disconnect from the Bluetooth connection when placed into the charging case. Since I am used to my earbuds doing so, I would forget to power them off and they would remain connected. This is a pain when they are put away and I receive a phone call or attempt to make a call, and have to remember that they are connected and manually disconnect them to proceed.

For additional information, click here for the manual.

What I like

  • Build quality
  • Decent sound
  • Built-in power bank for external charging

What can be improved

  • Bluetooth connectivity while listening to music
  • Bluetooth disconnection

Final thoughts

The Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds are quite good despite the two main caveats that I mentioned. They are well built, and the built-in battery pack charging/powering capability is a nice feature. In terms of the competition for the best earbuds for me, they do not win the top position, but they have certainly captured a position within the current top 5. Wicked Audio did a decent job with them and the price is reasonable.

Price: $79.99
Where to buy: Wicked Audio website and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Wicked Audio.

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Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 7, 2018 at 11:02 am.

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FinalStraw reusable folding straw review


REVIEW – I just returned from a week’s vacation on Sanibel Island Florida and I immediately noticed that all but one of the restaurants that we visited provided paper straws instead of plastic straws. Why does this matter? Because Americans throw away 500 million plastic straws every day. Think about that a minute. Can you imagine that much plastic that goes unrecycled? Millions of these straws end up in the ocean where they hurt sea turtles, fish, and other animals. Is there a solution? Maybe. One possible solution is the FinalStraw reusable folding straw. Let’s see if it sucks, but in a good way.

What is it?

The FinalStraw is a reusable BPA free and dishwasher safe straw that folds down into a pocket-sized bundle.

What’s in the box?

FinalStraw
Storage container
Drying rack
Squeegee cleaner

Design and features

 

The FinalStraw case is available in several colors, but I was sent the “goes with everything” Shark Butt grey version. The case has a flip top that opens to reveal a funky looking folded straw.

Grabbing one of the silicone ends allows you to pull the FinalStraw from the case.

Doing so causes the 9-inch straw to automagically unfold for immediate use. The unfolding action makes me feel like I’m a magician every time I do it.

A closer look reveals that the straw is really a medical & food grade TPE tube which is inserted into four sections of 304 stainless steel which fit into each other to create a sturdy and reusable drink-sipping accessory.

Sipping performance

Does the FinalStraw perform like other straws? Yes and no. As you can see from the image above, the FinalStraw fits in a bottle of milk like other straws, and I can drink from it like I can with an evil plastic straw. But… yes, there’s always a but. And in this case, there are several buts to consider before using the FinalStraw as your final straw.

The first difference that I noticed is that the 7mm diameter of the FinalStraw is much smaller than plastic straws that I had laying around in my silverware drawer.  Why does this matter? Because the smaller diameter means you have to suck harder to drink using this straw. This is especially true if the drink is thicker like a smoothie or workout shake.

The FinalStraw is also heavier and feels kind of sloppy and wiggly when you use it to stir your drink. That shouldn’t be a surprise since it’s made of steel and is made of four separate pieces.

The ends of the FinalStraw are made of silicone which is great for mouthfeel and for people who like to chew or bite the ends of their straws (weirdos). But I noticed that the end in the bottle or cup would sometimes stick to the bottom of the cup so that sipping would stop abruptly. If you’ve ever been stopped in mid-sip, you can understand how this is can be pretty tragic.

You’ve finished your drink, now what?

After you’ve sucked up the last drop of your soda or workout shake, what do you do with the FinalStraw? If you’ve used it to drink anything but water, you’ll need to rinse the inside and outside, and clean it. To do that, you pull the drying rack out of the storage container. Wrapped around the bottom of the drying rack is a squeegee cleaner.

The squeegee cleaner is a silicone cord with one end that is a little larger than the opposite end.

To clean the FinalStraw, you remove the squeegee cleaner from the drying rack and slide one end through the straw.

Then you pull the larger end through the length of the FinalStraw which squeegees out any remaining liquid or gunk (ick).

The final step is to fold up the straw and insert it back into the storage container once you’ve wrapped the squeegee cleaner around the drying rack and replaced the rack in the container. Wow, that seems like a lot more work than using a plastic straw, doesn’t it? Yes, it is… Folding the straw back up so you can put in the storage case makes you feel kind of dorky when you’re out in public because it’s a little awkward.

What I like

  • It’s fun to pull the FinalStraw out of the case so it unfolds like magic
  • Makes me feel like I’m saving the world from evil plastic straws
  • Made to last

What needs to be improved

  • The price
  • Diameter

Final thoughts

I recycle everything I can, and I even reuse plastic straws. You should see my silverware drawer, it’s full of them. I was hoping that the FinalStraw would be an excellent alternative to plastic straws, but the biggest issue comes down to price. I don’t know many people who are willing to spend $25 for a straw. Granted, this straw is made to last a lifetime, but $25 is hard to swallow (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Then there is the fact that the diameter is narrow which requires more sucking power sip drinks. And then last but not least, there’s the fact that you have to clean this straw after each use. That’s a lot of effort. While I agree that reducing the number of plastic straws is obviously a good idea, I think there has to be a better way to do that. Paper straws are one alternative since they will break down over time. The FinalStraw is a move in the right direction, but I don’t think it’s the final solution. What do you think? Share you thoughts in the comments below.

Price: $25.00
Where to buy: FinalStraw
Source: The sample for this review was provided by FinalStraw.

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FinalStraw reusable folding straw review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 7, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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PRO-SYS VarioSonic Electric Toothbrush review

REVIEW – Yeah, I know… electric toothbrushes aren’t the sexiest gadgets. But they are an important tool in your daily cleaning routine. If you’re shopping for some power-assisted dental hygiene the PRO-SYS VarioSonic is a simple, cost-effective solution worth our consideration. And if you’ve been avoiding an electric toothbrush because you have sensitivity issues (like I do), this particular gadget is even better. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a rechargeable electric toothbrush with 5 different speeds and 5 different brushes for a total of 25 possible brushing intensities.

  • Hardware specs
  • Rechargeable battery runs for over 1 month on a full charge
  • DuPont Tynex Bristles for all brush heads
  • 5 levels of intensity
  • 2 minute timer

What’s in the box?

The package includes the toothbrush, 5 brush heads, a charging dock, a USB wall adaptor, and a travel case. An instruction manual is also included.

Design and features

There are lots of electric toothbrushes out there with a wide range of features and options. The PRO-SYS VarioSonic keeps things simple: excellent design, simple functionality, and great ergonomics. You pretty much get everything you need in a great toothbrush out of the box, without paying for a bunch of features you’ll probably never use.

The VarioSonic is lightweight and maneuverable in your hand. It doesn’t have features like a rubberized grip, but I didn’t miss this in normal use.

One of the great things about the VarioSonic is that it caters specifically to those with sensitivity issues. You get 5 different toothbrush heads, each with different degrees of brush stiffness and contouring based on your needs. “Normal Soft” is the standard brush for folks without sensitivity issues and healthy gums:

For comparison, here’s a close up of the “Hybrid Soft” that represents the midrange of the set. It uses a combination of the “Normal Soft” bristles with an outer ring of longer, softer bristles for deep cleaning. High-quality DuPont Tynex bristles are used in all the brushes:

The brush heads run down to a “Super Soft” level for really sensitive teeth and gums. If you have sensitivity issues, this package gives you everything you need for comfortable brushing without having to buy any extras. That’s great if you’ve been afraid to check out an electric toothbrush. Options abound here.

Once you’ve chosen a brush head, you’ll find that there is a single button on the handle for operation. Pushing the button cycles through 5 level of intensity, each of which is accompanied by an audio tone that drops with each level for additional feedback. The pic below shows the middle level selected. When combined with the 5 brush heads, this makes for 25 different levels of softness and intensity to choose from to match your specific needs. You can even start on really gentle settings with the softest brush and work your way up as you get more comfortable!

Regardless of the level you choose, the brush runs through a two minute brush cycle. The brushing pauses every 30 seconds to indicate that you should move to the next quadrant in your mouth (upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left) for a proper cleaning. If you’re wondering about the quality of the brushing, you should know that the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs has provided their seal of approval on the VarioSonic as safe & effective when used as directed.

The charging setup is also very well executed, using a USB cable to connect the charging dock. A USB power block is provided in the kit, but you could plug directly into a USB wall socket or even a portable charger in a pinch. Note that you cannot get the USB port wet, so you’ll want to be careful handling it!

PRO-SYS has also provided a nice traveling case with the package. It’s a nicely contoured and slim design that makes it easy to travel with, and includes a pair of light magnets to ensure a tight seal. The build feels like much more than an afterthought. Combined with a battery life that is rated for more than a month of regular use between charges, and you’ll find that the VarioSonic is really easy to travel with.

Daily use with the PRO-SYS VarioSonic is great. It handles well, feels good, and provides everything you need for your daily dental maintenance. It does not have features like the ultraviolet cleaning or gum massage modes, but I don’t know that you need those for this device to be effective. It does the job simply and well.

I should note that the selection of soft brushes is a great bonus. I’m a dentist’s worst nightmare with some pretty bad sensitivity issues. While my Sonicare does a great job, it does put a pounding on my sensitive teeth. The VarioSonic provides a gentler brushing (even at max intensity) that is much more comfortable for me.

There’s also the issue of price. You can pick up the VarioSonic on Amazon right now for $69.99 on Amazon Prime. That’s a pretty good value for an ADA-approved electric toothbrush when compared to Sonicare or Oral-B pricing. You also get 5 different brush heads to boot. I think it’s a pretty good deal.

What I like

  • Quiet operation
  • Lightweight and easy to handle
  • USB charging options
  • Multiple brush heads and intensity levels out of the box
  • Ideal for those with sensitivity issues

What needs to be improved

  • Keep the USB connectors away from water

Final thoughts

In a market filled with electric toothbrushes, the PRO-SYS VarioSonic provides a simple & effective design at a reasonable price point. If you have particularly sensitive teeth, this is a great option over some other brands that provide more power but aren’t as kind to those with dental issues.

Price: $69.99
Where to buy: Get it on Amazon or visit the Variosonic product page on the PRO-SYS web site to buy direct.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by PRO-SYS

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PRO-SYS VarioSonic Electric Toothbrush review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 6, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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