Ordo Sonic Lite review: Simple and feature-light, but terrific value

Ordo Sonic Lite: One-minute review

The Ordo Sonic Lite toothbrush is simple, affordable, and does the job very well. It compares favorably to others in its price category, like the Mode electric toothbrush (which only has one setting) and Colgate Hum (which has less pulses per minute). The Ordo Sonic Lite has a long quoted battery life at five weeks, so the lack of a charging dock isn’t an issue. During my tests, I found that it lasted even longer – I’d estimate that I made it to around six weeks before needing to charge it.

It’s got an automatic two-minute timer, a setting for sensitive teeth, a 35,000 pulse-per-minute motor, and a light indicator that flashes red when the brush movement is being interfered with because you’re pressing too hard.

However, let’s get this out the way now: this is not a terribly exciting toothbrush. It doesn’t oscillate, a function that’s scientifically proven to reduce plaque more effectively than simple sonic motors; it’s not “smart” in that it doesn’t interface with a companion app, and nor does it offer any brushing guidance beyond a two-minute timer.

That said, at this very cheap price point ($39.99 / £29.99 / AU$59.99) you don’t often get a toothbrush that;s stuffed with the features listed above, so those omissions aren’t major negatives from a design standpoint. Even though it’s a bare-bones product, everything is well-designed here. It uses USB-C charging and, while it doesn’t have a dock, it does have a hefty five-week battery life, so you won’t have to worry about charging it every week.

For comparison, some of the other toothbrushes you can find in this price range, even from bigger brands like Colgate, offer less in some areas. For example, the Colgate Hum, which we’ve also tested, has a companion app, but it uses AA batteries, and its motor only reaches 30,000 pulses per minute. There’s unfortunately no travel case and no replacement heads included with the Ordo, but that’s not a dealbreaker when it’s this cheap; the head can be popped into a polythene bag inside a wash bag for easy traveling, and new heads are easy to find on Amazon or the Ordo website.

Ordo Sonic Lite: Scorecard

Ordo Sonic Lite: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You want simplicity
Hate the idea of needing an app to clean your teeth? This is the toothbrush to get.

You don’t have a plug in your bathroom
No plug for a charging dock? The Ordo Sonic Lite only needs to be recharged every five weeks or so.

You’re on a budget
It’s cheap, it’s good – no frills, no fuss.

Don't buy it if...

You want an oscillating brush
Prefer a brush that uses a circular motion for a better clean? This isn’t it, and you’ll likely need to go up a price level.

You want more modes
The Ordo Sonic Lite only has standard and soft modes, while other, pricier brushes generally have around four to six different settings.

You want a travel case
Other cheap brushes in this price range, like the Colgate Hum, come with a hinged plastic case.

Also consider

Colgate Hum:

One of the best cheap electric toothbrushes, the Hum comes with a companion app and travel case, but it runs on disposable batteries, which dents its eco credentials and ups the long-term cost.

Read our full Colgate Hum review

Mode:

One of the most stylish electric toothbrushes at any price point, the Mode comes with a nifty wall-mount, but it’s slightly pricier and only offers one setting.

Read our full Mode Electric Toothbrush review

How I tested

I used the Ordo Sonic Lite for six weeks, draining the battery down to test its lifespan and testing the two-minute timer and pressure-sensitive light features. I compared the speed of the motor and other specifications against its competitors, combining it with my personal experience to determine its place in our list of the best electric toothbrushes .

First reviewed: June 2024