If you’re bored of using a manual toothbrush and want to try out an electric toothbrush, the Oclean FLOW is a good starter option due to its S$49.90 price tag. It is an electric toothbrush which uses vibrations for cleaning, otherwise known as a sonic toothbrush.
Unboxing
In the box, you’ll find the following:
- Electric Toothbrush
- Brush Head
- Type-C Cable
- User Manual
Tech specs
| Cleaning Power | 38,000 RPM |
| Battery Life | Up to 180 days |
| Brushing Modes | 5 |
| Charging / Charging time | USB-C / 5 hours |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Water resistance | IPX7 |
Design and build quality
The Oclean FLOW comes in two different colours – (1) Misty White, and (2) Midnight Blue. The model I received was the blue variant. To get started, you have to attach the brush head to the handle. The assembled toothbrush is noticeably larger than your regular toothbrush. The handle has a thicker grip as well to offer better hold when using it. The Oclean FLOW has a smooth and matte texture to it which doesn’t feel cheap, and it is rated at IPX7 so there is no worry at all running the toothbrush under water.
The single button offers a good press feel, which allows you power the toothbrush and cycle through the five cleaning modes. The brush head uses what Oclean calls DuPont bristle which offers a soft feel, and is slightly firmer than a Systema soft toothbrush. It’s a slightly pity that Oclean did not include a cover for the brush head, so you have to be careful when bringing it around when travelling.
Cleaning experience
Oclean FLOW uses vibrations to clean your teeth, which is able to generate up to 38,000 vibrations per minute (approx. 3x faster than a normal toothbrush). When I first used the Oclean FLOW, I have to say that I was taken aback by how ticklish it felt on the hard palate of my mouth. If it is your first time trying out a sonic toothbrush, do try using the lowest strength setting.
After getting used to the vibration cleaning style on the Oclean FLOW, I do find that my teeth feels consistently cleaner than using a regular toothbrush. It is also much easier to clean the inside of my teeth as I can simply place the brush head on my teeth and let the vibrations do the cleaning instead of trying to move the brush at the slight off-angle. Compared to my electric toothbrush with the round brush heads, I find the Oclean FLOW can be more suitable for people who have sensitive gums or teeth as the vibrations typically feels more gentle.
There are five cleaning modes designed for use (strength rating):
- Morning: for start of day (3/5)
- Night: for deep cleaning (5/5)
- Standard: for general cleaning (3/5)
- Whitening: for whiter smile (4/5)
- Gentle: for sensitive gums (2/5)
Of the five cleaning modes, Night mode was clearly the most thorough in its cleaning, but may be a little strong if your teeth are sensitive. The Oclean FLOW has a memory function that will remember that last cleaning mode used, and will power on with it. However, if you intend to use the Morning mode when you wake up and Night mode before bed, you will actually need to press the button at least five times to get to Morning mode in the morning. As such, the memory function will serve well only if you use one cleaning mode throughout.
The Oclean FLOW has an automatic 2 minute timer function to let you know that you should end your brushing session. This is prefaced by the 30 second reminders where the toothbrush slightly pauses to remind you to switch to a new cleaning zone.
Battery life
The Oclean FLOW has a 2,500 mAh battery which is rated to provide up to 180 days of use without charging. In close to two weeks of use, I still haven’t got the indicator to charge the toothbrush, which is represented by a flashing red light. I really like how long the battery life as in theory you can go up to 6 months without charging.
Charging the Oclean FLOW requires you to unravel the silicone flap on the base of the toothbrush to reveal a USB-C port. This is unlike electric toothbrush from Oral-B where they have charging base. It can be a little cumbersome to hook the Oclean FLOW to a wire but having a USB-C port does make it more convenient. Having said that, the long battery life means you probably won’t be charging it often to begin with.
Conclusion
For S$49, the Oclean FLOW is targeted at users who want to try out an electronic or sonic toothbrush. For those who prefer the traditional rectangular brush head vs a round brush head, there won’t be a learning curve. In fact, it makes cleaning your teeth easier and more efficient. Do note that the replacement brush heads are priced at S$15 for two pieces, which gives you an extra 6 months of usage. Currently, as a limited time offer. Every purchase of Oclean FLOW comes an additional pair of toothbrush head for free.