Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush review

Usmile is a relatively unfamiliar brand to us here at Live Science, but one that has a lofty aim — to be “the world’s most trusted oral care brand”. With that in mind, Usmile has created the Y10 PRO. This brush combines advanced brushing technology and smart features to create a relatively affordable sonic electric toothbrush that takes on some of the big brands’ premium offerings. But can this smart brush secure a place in our guide to the best electric toothbrushes? We put it to the test at home.

The Y10 PRO offers advanced features including continuous plaque monitoring, a unique diamond-embedded toothbrush head which Usmile says results in a 440% whiter clean, and a whopping 180 days’ continuous battery life. It also features customised brushing modes using a gyroscopic sensor that recognises the position in which you’re using it, adapting the brushing style to ensure a thorough clean and up to 4.4 times more plaque removal.

Priced at around $80 to $90, depending on the retailer, you’re getting a lot of technology for your buck. Not only does the Y10 PRO offer information on your cleaning routine in multiple languages, it also provides four cleaning modes, a USB Type-C charger cable, smart gum care, a color display and a spare toothbrush head, and is fully waterproof so that you can use it in the shower. With a vibration frequency of 38,000/minute, a quad pacing timer and a charging time of 4-5 hours, it promises to be the only toothbrush you’ll ever need.

Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush review

Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush: Design

• Sleek, expensive-looking design
• Extended display offers oral care advice
• The charging cable could be longer

The Y10 Pro comes encased in a sleek white box with the promise of a stylish handset inside, and we weren’t disappointed. This is a seriously good-looking toothbrush that looks a lot more expensive than it is, especially compared to other brushes in its price range.

The handle is made of matte white plastic (although the Y10 PRO is also available in a black colorway), which makes it sturdy and easy to grip. Some people with poor grip may find that the handset's lack of rubber or ergonomic shaping makes it easier to slip out of their hands when wet, especially if they use it in the shower, although we encountered no such issues during our testing.

The front of the handset has a color display, which is extended compared to the smaller display offered on the Usmile Y10 standard model. This display provides further information and advice to complement your brushing technique and ensure thorough cleaning. Little icons help indicate the information being offered, although we would say that some of the messages are a little confusing. However, more on that later.

The black power button is below the display, and beneath it is the subtly designed function button to switch modes and language. Thankfully, the handset has a removable sticker that tells you what each button is for and how to operate it for different features. We recommend keeping this on the handset until you’re 100% confident you can fully use all the Y10 PRO features, just in case!

At the handset's base is the usmile branding, which is again subtly picked out. Turning the handset over, you’ll see a fine indicator that lets you know if you’re brushing too hard. And, hallelujah, someone has thought to put this where you’ll likely see it! So many brands put this indicator on the other side, where it’s incredibly hard to spot while brushing, so well done to the designers at usmile for this simple but handy design feature.

At the base of the handset is the charging port, protected by a silicon cover which is also handily attached so you don't lose it by accident.

Turning our attention to the toothbrush head, we find a similarly stylish and unusually thoughtful design. Each one comes in its own case, which is ideal if you want to pack your toothbrush away for travel or simply protect it from germs in the bathroom.

The toothbrush neck is slender, so you can navigate your way into tight spaces at the back of the mouth, while the head itself is pleasantly small and features a soft rubber back to protect the inside of the mouth and gums during brushing. This is picked out in a soft powder blue with the usmile logo. The bristles are blue, white and purple, and have a distinct diamond-embedded design paired with air-cushion technology to give full coverage while protecting the gums during brushing.

Replacement brush heads are readily available on Amazon and cost around $16.99 for two, which isn't bad value. Overall, the design is impressive — stylish and functional, two things which don't always go hand-in-hand with electric toothbrushes. Our only gripe is that the charging cable is a little short. At just 19 inches (just over 48 cm), it won’t allow us to charge the toothbrush on a dressing table — instead, we had to leave it to charge on the floor. But if that’s only every six months, it’s not much of a hardship.

Finally, the adhesive toothbrush holder is a nice touch, enabling you to pop your toothbrush within easy reach. The sticking power is good, and so far, the Y10 PRO hasn’t clattered into the bathroom basin.

Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush: Features

• Four brushing modes, including whitening
• No connected app
• Pressure sensor isn’t great

There is plenty to love about the features included in the Y10 PRO. One standout aspect of the advanced technology is the continuous plaque monitoring system, which helps improve your brushing habits. At the end of every brushing session, you get a read-out of how much plaque you've removed and see the areas in your mouth you still need to brush. Data geeks will love these features, but they can also be a simple way to improve reluctant brushers’ techniques. A great gift for teenagers who need a little nudge to improve their oral health, perhaps.

It also boasts a diamond-embedded toothbrush head, which Usmile claims delivers a 440% whiter clean. The impressive battery life lasts up to 180 days on a single 4-5 hour charge, so there’s no need to worry about frequent charging, or even taking your charger on vacation.

The Y10 PRO uses a gyroscopic sensor to detect the angle and position of the brush in your mouth, and then adapts the brushing style automatically. This gives you up to 4.4 times more plaque removal, according to Usmile. With four cleaning modes (white, clean, soft, and smart), you can customise your brushing based on your unique oral care needs.

The Y10 PRO also features a color display, a quad-pacing timer which buzzes gently to remind you to switch positions to ensure even brushing and a vibration frequency of up to 38,000 movements per minute.

Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush: Performance

The Y10 PRO comes almost fully charged, so there’s no need to hang around waiting to charge it before you can get stuck in. It takes a little while to get your head around changing the language, but with a quick internet search, we were up and running. There is information in the manual on how to do this but it’s quite well hidden.

It features four cleaning modes, each of which we tried several times during the testing period.

• Smart Mode: Adapts to different tooth surfaces with an intelligent algorithm.
• Clean Mode: Cleans teeth with moderate pressure, suitable for everyday cleaning.
• White Mode: Cleans and polishes teeth with stronger pressure, suitable for deep cleaning.
• Soft Mode: Gently cleans teeth with light pressure, suitable for sensitive gums or for first-time users to get used to applying the right level of pressure.

It’s fairly difficult to tell the difference between smart, white, and clean modes regarding mouthfeel, but each one leaves your teeth feeling clean and your mouth fresh. We generally preferred the smart mode, as you tend to notice the subtle changes in vibrations as the toothbrush tackles the front and back and grinding surfaces of the teeth as you move the toothbrush around your mouth.

We enjoyed the data readout you get at the end of your brushing session on the color display. It includes feedback on how much plaque you've removed and which areas in your mouth you still need to brush. Although some of the messages that come through are a little odd, such as “need enhance” and “less time”, so they could be finessed a little.

The quad pacing works well to remind you to move your brush to the next section of your mouth, although it is subtle so you may need to listen out for it.

The Y10 PRO is also quiet during operation, at just 37 decibels, according to our decibel meter reader. That’s about as quiet as the ambient sounds in a library or distant bird calls.

However, the pressure sensor could be more sensitive. We found we were practically smashing the brush head into our teeth and gums to get the sensor to light up, so you may want to opt for a toothbrush with a more advanced sensor that can protect vulnerable gums if you know you have a heavy brushing technique.

There's no question that the six-month battery life is amazing. Just the fact that we've been able to brush every day for two weeks and run the toothbrush continually for an hour without having to charge at all is fantastic. The Type-C USB charging cable works well and means you don't need a toothbrush charger taking up permanent space in your bathroom or bedroom. Charging takes around four or five hours for a full battery.

The toothbrush is also fully waterproof, so if you prefer to brush your teeth in the bath or shower, you needn't fear water damage.

Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush: User reviews

The Y10 PRO garners an impressive 4.4 stars out of 5 on Amazon, with over 1,000 reviews. Users rated its advanced features and performance, with many appreciating the smart screen that helps them identify spots they’ve missed. The 180-day battery life is often praised for its convenience, especially for travellers. One user noted: "The sonic cleaning technology really makes a difference — I can feel my teeth getting cleaner with each use."

Some negative reviews mentioned concerns about the plastic build quality and occasional defects in individual units. A few users also noted that the non-oscillating brush head design can make it hard to reach the back teeth, while others said the pressure sensor wasn’t as sensitive as they’d like — something we identified in our testing, too.

The lowest ratings come from users who couldn’t change the language to English. While it’s certainly possible to do this, it requires a little searching for online advice and could be better signposted in the manual. Overall, though, it’s a solid review performance for the Y10 PRO.

Should you buy the Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush?

✅ Buy it if: You appreciate never (almost) having to charge your toothbrush. With six months of battery life, you may even misplace your charging cable!

❌ Don’t buy it if: You need a very sensitive pressure sensor. If you have problems with gum sensitivity or have a heavy brushing style, you may want a toothbrush with a better sensor.

If the Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush isn’t for you

If you prefer an oscillating electric toothbrush with a long battery life, the Bitvae R2 offers 30 days of usage between charges and everything you need for excellent oral hygiene without the eye-watering price tag. It also comes with a handful of spare brush heads, a travel case, five cleaning modes and a pressure sensor — and costs just $34.99.

If you’re after a toothbrush that will help to protect sensitive teeth and gums, the Oclean X Pro Digital Sonic offers great brushing efficiency without aggravating gums. This skilfully designed device features a powerful Maglev motor that delivers an efficient yet gentle clean and comes with brush heads that are easy on the gums. However, it costs $119, or $99 without a case and spare brush heads.

For a no-frills electric toothbrush, you could try the Ordo Sonic+. With a stylish design and exceptional battery life, it offers a good clean that is gentle enough for those with sensitive teeth and gums. Plus, it comes at a very reasonable price of $50 to $80 (depending on the retailer), so it’s ideal if you’re on a budget.

Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush: How we tested

We spent two weeks testing the Usmile Y10 PRO Sonic electric toothbrush, assessing design, brushing efficiency, ease of use, battery life, and value for money. We also measured how loud it was using the Sound Meter decibel-counting app, and tested its water resistance by submerging it for the duration of a two-minute brushing cycle.