Design and workmanship
I tested the aluminum version of the Laifen Wave and my first impression was entirely positive. The matte finish not only looks elegant, but also feels pleasantly high-quality in the hand. With a length of 142 mm, the Wave is significantly more compact than many other electric toothbrushes.
This was a real advantage, especially when travelling. The toothbrush fits easily into any toiletry bag and, thanks to its size, stays well stowed away without flying around in your hand luggage. It is made even more practical by the integrated flight mode. The toothbrush can be deactivated by pressing and holding the power button or via the app, so that it does not accidentally start up in your luggage.
Despite its compact design, the toothbrush sits securely in the hand. The wider handle makes it comfortable to hold, even with wet fingers. In addition to the aluminum version, the toothbrush is also available in a cheaper and lighter ABS version. Laifen is creative in terms of color. From purple, pink and cream to blue and white, the selection is large. Personally, I would have preferred black as an option, but surprisingly the classic color is missing.
The operation is simple. A touch-sensitive on/off switch controls the toothbrush, while three LEDs display the modes and battery status. This may seem modern, but it has its pitfalls. If you want to change the mode, the only option is to click through all the settings or use the app. This is not the most elegant solution, especially if you are in a hurry in the morning.
cleaning performance and cleaning behavior
With 66.000 vibrations per minute and 60-degree oscillation, the toothbrush delivers a thorough clean that leaves your teeth feeling smooth and polished after each use. The Super Clean head in particular was my favorite in the test, which also cleaned the stubborn plaque areas thoroughly.
But the high performance also has its downsides. Even on the middle of the three settings, the toothbrush is so powerful that it literally "jumps off" your teeth if you handle it carelessly. I once had the back of the brush head hit a tooth pretty hard. Not only was that painful, it also felt like something had almost broken off. A pressure sensor would definitely have been an advantage here, but unfortunately it is completely missing. The Wave is therefore only suitable to a limited extent for people with sensitive gums or a tendency to brush too hard.
To make settings, there is the Laifen app (Android and iOS). If the toothbrush is connected via Bluetooth, which unfortunately didn't always work straight away in the test, the vibration strength, oscillation width and oscillation speed can be adjusted to your own preferences on a scale of 1 to 10. The toothbrush also offers a brushing timer, a high frequency mode and the aforementioned flight mode.
However, compared to competing models such as the Oral-B iO, there are no additional smart functions. The app does not offer any analysis of brushing behavior, no tips for improving technique, and no progress overview. It serves more as a digital mode switch. This is useful, but far from a truly "smart" addition.
The battery life is a clear plus point. With one charge, the toothbrush lasts up to 30 days if used twice a day. After my two-week test, the battery indicator was still green. Charging is done via a USB charging cable with a magnetic plug and takes around 2,5 hours. However, I miss a charging station. The Wave has to be laid down while charging, which is not always ideal.
Availability of brush heads and running costs
An important issue with any electric toothbrush is the brush heads. This is where the Laifen Wave reveals another weakness. The heads supplied do offer options for different needs, but the quality leaves a lot to be desired. After just two weeks, the brush heads looked a bit worn. Brush heads should normally be replaced after three months at the latest, but I am skeptical as to whether the Laifen heads will even last that long.
Even more problematic is the availability of replacement heads. They are currently only available directly from Laifen and even there they are not always in stock. They cannot be found in local drugstores or in larger online shops such as Amazon. This makes regular replacement more complicated than it should be.
At least there is a small ray of hope, because Philips Sonicare brush heads also fit the Laifen Wave. Not only are they easier to obtain, but they are also generally more durable and of higher quality. If you still prefer to use the original Laifen heads, you can get a pack of three in the Laifen shop for €16 or a pack of six for €28.
