Sonic vs Rotating: Which Electric Toothbrush is Quieter? Lab-Tested Data Revealed

Which electric toothbrush is quieter — sonic or rotating? We’re often pitting these two options against each other, evaluating their cleaning power, battery life, and now, quietness.

Most electric toothbrushes are great, offering an unparalleled level of cleaning compared to their manual counterparts. The problem?  Some are loud — really loud. That’s a problem if you’re living with light sleepers, people with sensory sensitivity, or you’re sharing a bathroom.

The last thing anyone wants is the sound of an electric motor buzzing away at 11 pm.

But which type of toothbrush is quieter: sonic or rotating? Let’s look at the evidence and find the quietest of them all.

Sonic vs. Rotating: What’s the Difference?

You might think sonic and rotating toothbrushes are variations of the same thing.

That’s not the case.

In fact, the rotating electric toothbrush is closer to a manual option than a sonic. Why? Well, both rotating (or oscillating) toothbrushes rely on friction to clean. The rotating device uses a physical spinning head.

In contrast, sonic toothbrushes vibrate at an extremely high frequency (around 30,000-84,000 movements per min). This dizzying blur turns the toothpaste-water mixture into an aerated fluid that is forced through the gaps in the teeth and below the gumline.

This difference in mechanism is largely behind the volume. The internal motor is responsible for the whirring or low hum we associate with electric toothbrushes.

Learn More: Sonic Electric Toothbrushes vs. Rotating-Oscillating Toothbrushes

Lab-Tested Noise Data: Sonic vs. Rotating

We reviewed and compared the sound levels of some of the most popular sonic and rotating electric toothbrushes on the market. These sound levels are sourced from either the company itself or a reputable tester. They generally reflect the sound of a toothbrush from a few inches away.

We’ve split the results into three categories: rotating/oscillating, sonic brushes, and ultra-quiet sonic brushes. Here are the results:

Rotating/Oscillating Brushes (e.g. Oral-B)

Rotating electric toothbrushes tend to be mechanically louder due to the physical movement of the head:

· Oral-B Pro 1000: ~77–79 dB — Comparable to a vacuum cleaner or loud office noise (TechGearLab)

· Oral-B iO Series 9: ~64–72 dB — Similar to a hairdryer on low or heavy traffic (ElectricTeeth)

Sonic Brushes (e.g. Philips Sonicare)

Sonic toothbrushes vibrate at high frequency and produce a more consistent humming sound rather than mechanical whirring:

· Philips Sonicare 4100: ~60 dB — Roughly as loud as a normal conversation

· Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige: ~60–70 dB — Comparable to a sewing machine or shower noise

Ultra-Quiet Sonic Brushes (Oclean Series)

Oclean uses maglev motor technology and WhisperClean™ sound damping to significantly reduce operational noise:

· Oclean X Pro Elite: ~48 dB — Just above a quiet library or ambient rain (ElectricTeeth)

· Oclean Air 2 & Air 2T: ~37–45 dB — Comparable to a quiet bedroom or gentle rustling leaves (Oclean.com)

If we list the results in the table below, a clear pattern emerges. Rotating-oscillating toothbrushes are much louder than their sonic or ultra-quiet sonic counterparts. (Although, it’s clear — Oclean is in a league of its own.

Here’s the breakdown:

Why is this the case? Well, rotating toothbrushes aren’t just generating noise from the motor, but also the moving brush head. Together, these create a real racket. On the other hand, sonic toothbrushes rely on ultrasonic technology, which exceeds the normal human hearing range. That’s why it’s so quiet.

That being said, it still depends on the model and tech.

The Philips Sonicare 4100 isn’t that much quieter than the Oral-B iO Series 9. Where the real difference comes is with Oclean’s Maglev motor and ultra-quiet technology. It’s light-years ahead of the competition, often being literally quieter than a whisper.

Why Noise Level Matters in Daily Use

Noise matters. Whether you’re trying to get ready quietly while your partner sleeps or you’re enjoying a gentle evening routine, nobody wants to deal with a loud noise — let alone the annoying drone of a toothbrush.

Consider these reasons why noise is so important:

· Disturbing your morning and evening routine. Anything above 60dB is approaching the sound of a busy street. It’s hard to sleep through it. Worse, it wakes you up just as you’re supposed to be relaxing before bed. That leaves you on edge rather than ready to sleep.

· Impacts other residents. You can’t go around waking up partners or roommates with a really loud toothbrush. It’s a fast-track to winding up everyone. Loud toothbrushes also irritate people with autism or ADHD, causing real discomfort.

· It doesn’t work as efficiently. Noise is a form of energy. The louder your toothbrush, the less efficiently it’s working. That wastes your battery and lowers the quality of the brushing. Little wonder Oclean’s ultra-quiet range offers some of the best cleaning power of the bunch.

Some people don’t mind a few minutes of buzzing. But if everyone in the house uses the same kinds of noisy rotating toothbrushes, it can be almost 20 minutes of droning every single day.

Spotlight: Oclean’s Ultra-Quiet Sonic Series

Oclean leads the field in quiet sonic toothbrushes, thanks to advanced Maglev motors and WhisperClean™ tech.

If noise is your deal-breaker, Oclean’s ultra-quiet sonic toothbrushes should be at the top of your list. Powered by advanced Maglev motor technology, they’re engineered to deliver professional-grade cleaning while staying whisper-quiet.

Almost all the range operates under 45dB — quieter than a typical library.

Here’s a closer look at the ultra-quiet range:

"Oclean X Pro Elite

The Oclean X Pro Elite is the pinnacle of achievements. Revolutionary, packed with the latest tech, and quieter than anything else on the market, it’s a testament to our commitment to innovation. It won the Good Design Award 2019 for a reason.

With a smart screen display and ultra-quiet technology, it transforms your brushing experience. It’ll guide you through each brushing session, advising on where you’ve gone wrong. All without waking up the neighbours.

· Noise Level: Less than 45 dB

· What Makes It Stand Out: It’s packed with premium features but stays impressively quiet. The Maglev motor hits 84,000 movements per minute, yet it runs at a volume lower than your average conversation.

· Who It’s For: If you want a smart, fully customisable brush that won’t disturb your household, this one delivers — complete with app tracking and a built-in screen.

· Features: Touchscreen display, 4 brushing modes, 32 intensity settings, wireless Qi charging, 35-day battery life, waterproof build.

"Oclean Air 2

The Oclean Air 2 is the most affordable option in the lineup. Yet, inside the sleek design, you’ll still find a powerful Maglev motor, ultra-quiet technology (<45dB), and IPX7 waterproof.

The toothbrush has two modes: gentle mode and clean mode. Just click the buttons to swap between the two. It couldn’t be easier to use.

· Noise Level: Under 45 dB

· What Makes It Stand Out: It’s small, quiet, and seriously efficient. Despite weighing just 95 grams, it still delivers 80,000 sonic movements per minute.

· Who It’s For: Ideal for travellers or anyone who wants a quiet, no-fuss brush with excellent cleaning power.

· Features: Two brushing modes, USB magnetic charger, 30–40 day battery, smart timer, travel case, and DuPont W-shaped bristles.

"Oclean Air 2T

Suitable for home or travel, the Oclean Air 2T is the lightweight addition in the ultra-quiet series. While not quite as powerful as the Pro Elite, it still reaches 80,000 movements per minute. It’s even quieter (<37dB) and is waterproof — perfect for using in the shower.

It comes with a travel case to keep this handy device safe during transit. Available in White or Green.

· Noise Level: Around 37 dB — whisper-quiet

· What Makes It Stand Out: This is about as quiet as toothbrushes get. Thanks to WhisperClean™ technology, it runs so silently you’ll barely know it’s on.

· Who It’s For: Perfect if you share a space, brush late at night, or just hate loud gadgets.

· Features: Slim, compact design, two modes, magnetic charging, waterproof casing, 30-day battery life, wall mount, and a handy travel case.

Verdict: Sonic Is Quieter — But Not All Sonic Brushes Are Equal

The results are in: Sonic is still the gold standard.

There can be little doubt. If you want a toothbrush that doesn’t give you a headache, Sonic is the only answer. Not all sonic toothbrushes are quiet, however, but all quiet toothbrushes are sonic.

Of course, there’s a standout winner: Oclean.

We’ve worked hard to revolutionise the tech inside our brushes. Noise level really matters to us — it’s why we’ve made the quietest toothbrush collection we can. Now, you don’t have to worry about waking everyone up.