Mode Toothbrush Review: What to Know Before You Buy

What is the Mode Toothbrush?

The Mode electric toothbrush comes from the single brushing mode incorporated into the design.¹ It’s sleek, modern, and affordably priced.

Compound Brands, a company known for Auraglow teeth whitening products, created this electric toothbrush.² Its press features include Wired, GQ, Gear Patrol, Cosmopolitan, and Popsugar.³ 

The Mode electric toothbrush produces 38,000 vibrations per minute to remove up to 10 times more plaque.⁴ According to our research, the toothbrush is the recipient of the Red Dot Design Award for 2023.⁵

Features and Design

Only the power button, logo, and charging light appear on the fashionable Mode electric toothbrush’s exterior. The aluminum handle houses the electric internals, while a rubber upper section ends in a removable soft-bristled brush head. 

The Mode toothbrush features include:

• A single toothbrushing mode
• An integrated two-minute timer buzzes at 30-second intervals
• IPX7 rating (survives a depth of one meter of water for 30 minutes)

You can use the Mode toothbrush in the shower without fear of electrocution or failure. Once finished brushing, you can easily remove the brush head from the body to wipe away water and toothpaste residue.

Cost and Warranty

The Mode electric toothbrush costs $165 and comes with the following:

• Base and start brush head
• Charger
• Brush head cover 

You should replace your brush heads every 3 months. Subscribe for a new replacement brush head every 3 months for $10 for $120. You can cancel anytime to stop receiving replacement brush heads or purchase them for $15 each. The Mode toothbrush and any replacement brush heads ship free within the U.S.

As long as you have an active Mode subscription, you’ll have access to lifetime warranties on the electric toothbrush and any brush head replacements for manufacturing defects. A one-year warranty protects your Mode electric toothbrush. You’ll need to contact customer service to cancel or update your subscription. 

Returns must be made within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.⁷ You’ll need to return all components to receive your refund, minus shipping costs. Refunds are only given to Mode toothbrushes purchased on the website that contain valid order numbers. 

If you receive a damaged Mode toothbrush, their warranty states that you must report this damage within 5 days to receive a replacement.⁸ 

Warranty coverage does not extend to normal wear and tear. If you submit a warranty claim, Mode requires you to return the toothbrush for a full refund or replacement.

Battery and Charging 

Mode’s magnetic charger plugs directly into a standard three-prong home outlet. The magnetic base also incorporates a relatively robust light-sensitive nightlight and is IPX4 water-proof rated. 

In addition, the Mode electric toothbrush charging base rotates to support both horizontal and vertical charging. As long as the magnet within the bottom of the Mode toothbrush aligns with the one in the charger base, it will support the weight of the toothbrush in either direction. 

However, the Mode toothbrush base is only magnetic near the center, requiring proper placement to achieve a snug hold. 

Mode advertises a 30-day battery life for their electric toothbrush. Our testers at Newmouth couldn’t identify whether or not that included brushing twice a day, per the American Dental Association (ADA) recommendations.⁶ Information on the time necessary for fully charging the Mode electric toothbrush is not readily available.

Mode Toothbrush vs. Other Electric Toothbrush Brands

Many dentists recommend electric toothbrushes because they encourage people to brush for two minutes. These toothbrushes vary from $40 to $400 or more, depending on the included features.

Mode vs. Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes

Many experts compare the Mode electric toothbrush to the Oral-B iO Series 9. These electric toothbrushes cost around $300 and offer replacement brush heads for the same price as Mode. Though most Oral-B electric toothbrush heads are universal, the iO series brush heads are not. 

Unlike the Mode toothbrush, Oral-B’s iO Series 9 features multiple modes and the option to connect to the Oral-B app. Rather than vibrating, the iO Series 9 oscillates back and forth to clean teeth and gums. However, this Oral-B electric toothbrush only has a two-week battery life, assuming you brush twice daily. 

Mode vs. Sonicare Electric Toothbrushes

The Phillips Sonicare electric toothbrush is popular in the electric toothbrush arena. It’s a favorite among many dentists and hygienists because of the sonic vibrations it produces. 

However, many people have found the Mode electric toothbrush performs better than  this competitor regarding noise level, the direction of brush movement, and battery life. 

Depending on which Sonicare electric toothbrush model you choose, the brush will only produce up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute. Many Phillips electric toothbrushes have up to two weeks of battery life but charge via USB. Most Sonicare brush heads are universal and easily obtainable from third-party sources.

What Sets Mode Apart From Competitors?

The Mode electric toothbrush features a sleek, stylish design that restricts the brushing experience to a single mode. The Mode toothbrush supports gum health by removing more plaque than manual brushing, with 38,000 vibrations per minute. It’s also affordably priced.

Mode Toothbrush User Reviews and Experiences

Our extensive research included reading several hundred Mode toothbrush reviews. We uncovered these positive Mode toothbrush review themes:

• Fast shipping
• A straightforward shopping experience
• Excellent customer service 
• 38,000 brush strokes per minute provided a deep clean 
• Well-built and comfortable in the hand 
• Generous return and warranty policies
• Some people preferred the Mode toothbrush over their Sonicare toothbrush
• Convenient to use, store, and charge

In our experience, these are the common cons found in Mode toothbrush reviews:

• Rolls around on the counter 
• Can be challenging to find the magnetic sweet spot for placing the toothbrush in the charging dock
• Nightlight cannot be dimmed or turned off
• Lack of additional bristle types to choose from 
• Can take up a lot of space if you have a smaller bathroom or an inconveniently located outlet 
• Thousands of vibrations per minute can be jarring for some, especially those who have had negative past dental experiences
• Lack of colors, modes, or additional accessories 
• No third-party, more affordable brush head replacements 

Pros and Cons of the Mode Toothbrush

From our experience and reading through hundreds of Mode toothbrush reviews, the pros include: 

• Wireless magnetic charger with a built-in nightlight
• Toothbrush charges horizontally and vertically  
• Comes fully charged from the factory
• Easy-to-remove brush heads
• Nightlight offers significant light
• Takes up little bathroom space to keep your bathroom counters clear
• Convenient 30-second reminders and a two-minute brushing timer
• Affordably priced brush head replacements 

We found the Mode electric toothbrush lacking in these areas: 

• No way to turn off the nightlight
• Powerful vibrations can be jarring for some people
• No third-party replacement brush heads source 
• Cannot choose bristle type (hard, medium, or soft) 
• Lack of detailed use and charging instructions 
• Only available in one color 
• Lack of multiple or customizable brushing modes

My Experience with the Mode Toothbrush

Our testers at NewMouth found the Mode electric toothbrush intriguing. We received the toothbrush shortly after ordering it and found the black packaging consistent with its overall aesthetic. The outer box protected the Mode electric toothbrush, brush head cover, brief instructions, and charger during transport. 

Since the Mode toothbrush came fully charged, we turned it on to experience the 38,000 vibrations the company advertises. The motion is noticeable in hand but doesn’t create an abnormally loud buzzing noise you might expect of electric toothbrushes. The rubber feels pleasant, and the brush head was easy to remove. 

When it came time to test the Mode electric toothbrush, we found the motion was initially jarring, especially for sensitive teeth. The soft tapered bristles don’t require much pressure. Contacting the brush against your teeth can have your jaw vibrating like a jackhammer. The Mode toothbrush also throws saliva, water, and toothpaste everywhere unless you keep your mouth mostly closed. 

As the toothbrush became wet, rotating and finding the on/off button was more difficult. We realized the two minutes can be much longer than you think, especially brushing with an electric toothbrush. We also had trouble feeling the 30-second pulses that prompt you to switch quadrants. 

Our gums didn’t feel sore after using the Mode electric toothbrush, but we did notice a significant difference in how clean our teeth felt. The brush and aluminum handle was easy to wipe down after each use. We’re unsure what the blinking light on the Mode toothbrush base means during charging, but that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker.

Understanding the Different Modes and Features

The Mode electric toothbrush features one mode. In our experience, the 38,000 vibrations per minute didn’t feel aggressive or produce a high-pitched tone. For those looking to customize their brushing experience, the Mode can’t compete with the competition. 

However, many people might find the bells and whistles of multiple modes overwhelming and potentially unnecessary. Most people brush as they get ready in the morning or before bed, making these times unideal for adjusting settings.

How to Choose the Best Electric Toothbrush for Your Needs

With the increasing popularity of electric toothbrushes, several options exist. Filtering out which electric toothbrushes fit your needs can be difficult if you’re unsure what to look for. 

Battery Life and Charging Options

In our experience, finding an electric toothbrush that conveniently charges without wires or cables can make the entire experience more enjoyable. 

Changing out batteries early in the morning or late at night can be inconvenient. Chargers can also take up valuable bathroom counter space and clog up storage areas. 

Bristle Design and Brush Heads

Manual toothbrushes often feature soft, medium, and stiff bristles. 

The best electric toothbrushes allow you to choose between brush bristle types and the design of the bristles as well. The direction of the bristles can make it easy to get in between braces and tight spaces between teeth. 

Replacement Brush Heads

The best electric toothbrushes have a secondary market for more affordable brush head replacements. These replacement brush heads can be purchased in bulk to save money and change out consistently. 

Brushing Timer and Guided Brushing Features

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes twice per day. 

The ADA also found that electric toothbrushes can help young and older people properly brush their teeth, especially those with dexterity issues.⁶ 

Is the Mode Toothbrush Worth It?

The Mode toothbrush can be worth it if you want a simple introduction to electric toothbrushes. While the 38,000 vibrations can take a few brushing sessions to get used to, the brush does provide noticeable results after just one. 

If you’re not looking to spend over $100 for an electric toothbrush, there are more affordable alternatives, but the Mode offers a unique experience that delights many.  

Summary

The Mode electric toothbrush brings stylish simplicity to the otherwise routine brushing experience. 

Affordably priced, the Mode electric toothbrush ranks far superior to manual brushing and takes on contenders such as Philips Sonicare and Oral-B for the top spot. However, it is only available in one color and one brushing mode. Finding affordable third-party brush head replacements is challenging as well. 

Though lacking in some features and undeveloped in the accessory market, the Mode electric toothbrush brings the masses affordable, superb dental care.