Mode Toothbrush Review

From dentist visits to podcast sponsors, electric toothbrush recommendations are all over. And their price is anywhere from $20 to $400+.

Today we’re reviewing a new contender to the high-end toothbrush space called Mode. We found them to be a strong competitor to the big names in the industry. 

Pros

• Takes up no counter space due to its magnetic charger that stays on your outlet
• Cheaper than many other high-end electric toothbrushes
• Lower profile of the brush head makes it easier to brush back teeth

Cons

• On/Off button is harder to press than most toothbrushes (10/31/22 update – Mode informed us this is known issue and has been fixed)
• It’s new so there are limited accessories and no alternatives for brush heads

Scoring

In This Review

Design | Performance | Usability | Noise | Maintenance | Value | Summary

Design

The box comes with:

• Toothbrush
• Charger
• Cover
• Instructions

Toothbrush

The Mode toothbrush is designed to be very sleek and easy to use. The first and only color offered at launch is black. The only markings visible on the device are the logo, power button, and a small light to indicate when it’s powered on. 

The brush heads are removable at the neck of the toothbrush. The bristles and upper handle are made with a rubber finish. This provides a smooth feel while remaining durable and resistant to water. 

Speaking of water resistance, the toothbrush is rated IPX7, which means it is internationally rated for 1-meter deep water for up to 30 minutes and still be able to work properly after that. For those who like to brush in the shower, the Mode is up to the task.

Brush Heads

The brush heads are designed to be replaced, but only by Mode. They need to be able to deliver the patent-pending 38,000 vibrations a minute for which this toothbrush is designed.

There are no rotations in the bristle design, only vibrations in the entire brush head. 

Charger

There are no designed lines, grips, or notches on the toothbrush to indicate where it connects to its charger. This is because the charger is wireless and magnetic. The magnetic part is located roughly where the rubber top part meets the lower plastic.

The charger is a circular shape that connects directly into an outlet, and there are no wires to extend it out from there. 

The Mode charger is designed to hold the toothbrush in place with magnets so that it takes no counter space. 

It has a circular groove through its middle that fits the toothbrush perfectly. It does not grip the toothbrush in any way, rather, it solely relies on the magnetic connection. 

Mode claims that the battery is able to last 30 days on just one charge. It is not clear if they mean with twice-a-day brushing or not. With the charger acting as a convenient place to store the toothbrush, most would never put that claim to the test. 

Finally, there is a nightlight built into the charger. It has a sensor to indicate when it’s dark enough to be needed.

However, there is no way to turn off the nightlight when it is dark without removing the charger from the wall.

Performance Tests

Modern Castle Director of Finance, Samantha Hales, personally tested the Mode. Out of our team of testers, she has the most experience with electric toothbrushes. The following is based on her experiences & opinions.

The Mode toothbrush felt similar to other high-end electric toothbrushes. I previously used a Sonicare as my daily toothbrush, and the Mode works just as well if not better.

My initial experience had my gums feeling a bit sore after 2 minutes of brushing. The next time was less, but still a little sore. On the third day, I didn’t feel anything. It takes a few days to get used to the intensity of the vibration design.

The lower profile of the brush head allowed me to more easily access my back teeth, which I always felt was tricky to reach with my Sonicare. 

She is still using the Mode toothbrush instead of her old Sonicare, even after the testing is over.

The charger was great. It is able to rotate 90 degrees so that the toothbrush lays horizontally and fits in more space. 

The nightlight also works well. It has a good intensity and the backlight adds to the overall aesthetic of the sleek, modern toothbrush.

Usability Tests

It is convenient to have your toothbrush within reach of your counter without taking up any space on it. At the start, I struggled with finding the perfect spot where the magnets in the toothbrush and charger meet. 

Occasionally I would think the toothbrush is secure when it actually isn’t and falls down after a short delay. With time, I’ve gotten better at finding the sweet spot. 

There are no settings to configure or personalize. There is a 30-second pulse feature to let you know that it is time to move to another quadrant of your teeth.

Mode recommends a brushing period of 2 minutes.

The Mode’s on/off button requires noticeably more pressure than any other electric toothbrush I’ve used. There’s also no clear “click” or threshold of pressure to actuate the button. 

Sometimes it takes a few presses before I remember to use more force. This extra force is not prohibitive for anyone, but it can be mildly annoying.

10/31/2022 Update – Mode informed us that the issue with the harder to press button is known to them and a fix is in the works. They worked with the manufacturer to make the button easier to press and more responsive. All batches coming out of the factory as of November 2022 will have the improved button.

Noise Tests

Mode claims that they use an “industry-leading motor that delivers powerful brush vibrations with less noise”.

I found the noise generated by the Mode toothbrush to be about the same as the Sonicare and others I’ve experienced. 

Maintenance

The manual directs users to always rinse and wipe the brush heads after each use. This will keep toothpaste residue from building on the toothbrush.

They also recommend replacing the brush heads every 3 months. Mode offers a subscription option where they will send a replacement brush head every 3 months for $10. It comes with free shipping and you can cancel anytime. They are $15 each without the subscription.

Is the Mode toothbrush a good value?

A high-end electric toothbrush can easily cost $300+. At the time of this review, the Mode is $165 if purchased by itself, and $150 if purchased with the brush head replacement subscription.

For a toothbrush that feels comparable to a name brand, the Mode has fantastic value. 

At this time, there are no options for generic or third-party replacement heads for the Mode toothbrush. Their price is $15 for a single replacement head or $10 every 3 months for their subscription plan. 

FAQs

Should you buy the Mode Toothbrush?

I would recommend the Mode Toothbrush if you’re looking for the following features:

• Takes up no room on your counter: the magnetic charger plugs directly into your outlet and has no wires. This leaves your toothbrush to charge while taking up no storage place on a counter or in a drawer.
• More affordable than other high-end toothbrushes: the price of the Mode toothbrush is competitive compared to other big names. What it lacks in decades of established reputation with dentists it makes up with a fair price.
• Simple, but effective design: Mode has one setting with one intensity. It still has nice little touches like the 30-second warning pulses during brushing and the size of the brush head to better facilitate reaching those back teeth.

For more information or to buy the Mode Toothbrush, click here.