The Kolibree ($149) is a Bluetooth-connected toothbrush for adults and children that aims to do more than simply brush your teeth. It comes equipped with an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and 3D motion sensors so it can detect exactly where you brush. A companion app provides a decent way to track your oral hygiene habits, and built-in games can help kids distract themselves while brushing. But the Kolibree is expensive, and feels too small for fully grown users. Adults and children alike with be happier with the far less expensive Philips Sonicare for Kids.

Pricing, Design, and Features

A single Kolibree brush, a power cable, an induction charger, and two additional brush heads costs $149. You can also buy a bundle with one brush and five brush heads for $159; one brush and eight brush heads for $168; or two brushes, two induction chargers, and ten brush heads for $299. Additional brush heads come in packs of three for $19.

The Kolibree looks sleek and modern, like an electric toothbrush designed by Apple. Covered in smooth, white rubber, it measures 9.2 by 0.9 by 0.9 inches (HWD) and feels somewhat small and slippery. For comparison, the Philips Sonicare for Kids is a bit larger at 9.6 by 1.2 by 1.2 inches (HWD) and has a textured handle for a better grip. At the top end of the brush is a detachable 3.75-inch head with soft bristles. Replacing it can be a challenge, as you have to twist it first, then pull with considerable force. In contrast, the brush on the Sonicare pops right off.

The Kolibree's brush head is a lot smaller, too, so it covers less surface area and lacks the rubberized, pointy bristles you'll find on the Sonicare Flexcare Platinum Connected. The company says the brush head vibrates 19,000 times per minute.

The brush handle has a power button near the top with a slim LED below, which glows green when it's on and blinks blue when it's in pairing mode. There are no other buttons or distinguishing features aside from a Kolibree logo near the bottom end.

Kolibree estimates the rechargeable lithium-ion battery can last up to one week before requiring a charge. The Sonicare for Kids can last up to two weeks.

Setup, App, and Performance

Setting up the Kolibree is quick and easy. First, you need to download the free Kolibree app on your Android or iOS device. To pair the brush with your smartphone or tablet, you have to open the app, press the power button on the brush handle, and hold it until the LED begins to blink blue, then follow the instructions in the app. I paired the Kolibree with an Apple iPhone 6 in just a few seconds.

The app is fairly basic. The main screen has your profile picture, dental advice (which changes from time to time), and a daily calendar that shows you when and for how long you brushed. The more you brush, the more points you gain. The more points you gain, the more you level up and gain titles like Vigilant (when you've brushed more than 10 times) or Ambitious (20 times). On the bottom of the screen are icons you can tap to check up on your accumulated brushing data, which shows you well- and under-brushed areas as indicated by yellow or white teeth on a 2D graphic. There's also a ranking screen where you can add profiles and compare your brushing habits with other family members, and a settings screen where you can adjust your profile and the brush's built-in timer (from two to five minutes).

I used the Kolibree for about a week, brushing each day, morning and night. Like the Sonicare for Kids, I held the brush in one hand, and my iPhone 6 in the other. Some advice: If you're going to keep your phone near a bathroom sink, you may want to consider a waterproof case, especially if your child is using the brush.

Unlike the Sonicare, the Kolibree knows exactly where you brush. When you start a brushing session in the app, a 2D graphic highlights where you should focus and for how long. A glowing indicator on the brush itself lets you know whether you're successfully (green) or unsuccessfully (red) brushing the right area. However, since the motion sensors take several seconds to kick in, it's possible to accidentally begin brushing in a different area than where the app tells you when you're just starting a session.

A pirate-based game meant for kids is preferable to the standard view, as it uses 3D graphics to demonstrate where you should brush. The brush's motion sensors control a pirate on-screen, who moves from left to right to collect coins as you brush. If you brush the left side of your mouth, the pirate moves left; if you brush the right side, the pirate movies right. The more coins you collect, the better you brush. This is a win-win situation for both parents and children.

As for the actual brushing experience, the Kolibree's vibrations feel weaker than the Sonicare, and there's no spinning or sideways action. The brush head simply stays still and vibrates. Because of its small size, I often felt like I had to finish up with another brush to really get the job done.

Conclusions

The Kolibree has some interesting technology to help you brush better, but you get the same basic data and a bigger brush for less money with the Philips Sonicare for Kids. The Sonicare app also has more for parents to play with, like notifications for when to replace brush heads, and a robust calendar section that keeps track of brushing sessions and rewards. The Kolibree brush is smaller, and doesn't feel as effective as the Sonicare. Considering it costs a third of the price, the Sonicare is a much better buy.