Sonicare C3 vs W are some of the most commonly used brush heads in the Philips Sonicare brush heads range. The “W” which is also called Optimal White comes in two versions; the W2 (which is also called DiamondClean brush head because its the brush head that is included in the Diamondclean package) and the W3, while the C3 is popularly known as Premium Plaque defense.
So which of these is better? Which one should you go for? We analyze this below by first Looking at the Key differences.
Key Difference Between Philips Sonicare Brush Heads C3 vs W2/3
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Philips Sonicare C3 | Philips Sonicare W2 | Philips Sonicare W3 |
$44 | $36 | $44 |
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- The key difference between Philips Sonicare C3 and W2/3 is that the W3 brush head‘s side bristles are slightly stiffer than the C3 brush head’s. The arrangement and stiffness of the bristles are denoted by the different colours of the bristles.
- The variations in color indicate differences in brush head stiffness. The C3 brush head has stiffer bristles on the ends to effectively clean between teeth, while the W3 brush head has stiffer bristles in the center for a “polishing” effect in whitening mode.
- The C3 also has pointed power tips in the bristles which Sonicare calls “power tips”. The power tips can reach in between teeth and other hard-to-reach areas on your mouth and dental structure for an invigorating deep clean.
- The other obvious difference is that the C3 is primed for deep cleaning and plaque removal as its name suggests while the W2 and W3 are fronted as the whitening brush heads. The difference between the W2 and the W3 is also a slight variation in the bristles such that the W3 has tightly arranged tufts bristles with slim spacing both in the middle of the brush head and on the ends while the W2 has tight stiff bristles in the middle for polishing teeth to remove plaque. The end result is that the W3 cleans ten times better than a manual brush while the W2 only cleans seven times better (according to tests done by Sonicare). The W3 is also claimed to remove stains and whiten in three days while with the W2 it will take at least seven days to see its whitening effects. The W2 is cheaper than the W3.
Table of Contents
Verdict
Sonicare C3 vs W which one should you for? Ultimately what you choose depends on your needs but the C3 is the most popular in the market and you can see why. It is because it offers you more in terms of plaque removal and gum care which are the key issues in dental hygiene. Because it has fewer stiff bristles in comparison to the W3, it can also clean your gums especially if you pair it with the appropriate cleaning mode like “gum care” or “sensitive mode”
Meanwhile, both the W2 and W3 remove way more plaque than a manual brush and also whiten your teeth thanks to the stiff bristles packed in the middle of the brush head. However, because of the stiff nature of some of the bristles on the W brush head, they are not the most appropriate for gum care.

Similarities
Both Sonicare W2 /W3 and C3 have BrushSync technology that auto-pairs the brush head with the appropriate cleaning mode if you have a compatible handle. It also reminds you to replace your brush head after three months of use.
Both the C3 and W3 remove ten times more plaque when compared to a manual brush while the cheaper W2 removes 7 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush.
Philips Sonicare C3 Premium Plaque Defence Toothbrush Head Review and Specs
Last update on 2023-06-02 at 18:52 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Philips Sonicare C3 Premium Plaque Defence Toothbrush Head effectively removes plaque from hard-to-reach areas for a deep clean along the gum line and between teeth. The C3 Premium Plaque Defence toothbrush head is designed to give you a personalized cleaning experience that adapts to the unique contours of your teeth and gums.
Specs
- The soft rubber sides flex to adapt to the shape of your teeth and gums using the Philips adaptive cleaning technology, where the bristles adjust to the shape of your teeth and gums for deeper cleaning in hard-to-reach areas by reducing excess pressure and enhancing sonic cleaning power. This technique provides 4x more surface contact for a comfortable and deep clean.
- The flexible design also allows for the removal of up to 10x more plaque from hard-to-reach areas for a truly deep clean along the gum line and between teeth.
- It works with BrushSync features when paired with a BrushSync-enabled Sonicare toothbrush, selecting the optimal mode and intensity for cleaning.
- The BrushSync mode-pairing feature also reminds you when it is time to replace the brush head, which typically should be replaced after 3 months of use.
- The toothbrush head has medium-soft bristles.
- It is compatible with all Philips handles except PowerUp Battery and Essence.
- It can easily be clicked on and off for replacement and cleaning and is recommended for ages 12 and above.
- It also comes with a manufacturer’s 2-year guarantee.
Philips Sonicare W2 Optimal White Replacement Brush Heads Review and Specs
Last update on 2023-06-03 at 11:11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Philips Sonicare W2 Optimal White Replacement Brush heads are ideal for those who want to remove surface stains for a white and radiant smile. It is also perfect for maintaining brightness between professional whitening treatments. The brush head is designed to remove up to 7x more plaque than a manual toothbrush and removes surface stains caused by food and drinks, resulting in a whiter smile in just 7 days.
Specs
- The BrushSync mode-pairing feature ensures that you always get the best possible clean. It syncs with BrushSync-enabled Philips Sonicare toothbrush handles, selecting the optimal brushing mode and intensity level for exceptional whitening.
- The brush head replacement reminder feature alerts you when it is time to replace the brush head, which typically should be replaced after 3 months of use.
- The bristles are medium stiffness, and white in color, and the reminder bristles are blue that fade away. It is designed to be replaced every 3 months for optimal usage.
- The brush head is safe and gentle on teeth and gums and has been tested to ensure durability and exceptional performance.
- The brush head is compatible with any Philips Sonicare toothbrush handle except Philips One and Essence.
- It can easily be clicked on and off for replacement and cleaning.
This package is suitable for 2 Series plaque control, 2 Series plaque defense, 3 Series gum health, DiamondClean, DiamondClean Smart, EasyClean, Essence+, FlexCare, FlexCare Platinum, FlexCare Platinum Connected, FlexCare+, for Kids, HealthyWhite, HealthyWhite+, PowerUp, ProtectiveClean BrushSync mode-pairing.
Philips Sonicare W3 Premium Toothbrush Head Review and Specs
The Philips Sonicare W3 Premium Toothbrush Head is a genuine Philips product designed to give you a whiter and brighter smile. It is compatible with all click-on Philips Sonicare models and features polishing bristles that remove surface stains to visibly whiten teeth in just 3 days while providing an exceptionally deep clean.
Specs
- It removes up to 100% more stains than a manual toothbrush for whiter teeth in just 3 days, and up to 10x more plaque removal versus a manual toothbrush. It is the number one recommended power toothbrush brand by dental professionals.
- When used with a Philips Sonicare BrushSync compatible handle (Diamond Clean Smart or Protective Clean), it unlocks smart features like BrushSync mode-pairing that triggers your handle to select the optimal mode and intensity level for exceptional plaque removal.
- It also has BrushSync replacement technology that tracks how often and how hard you brush and will notify you when it is time to replace your brush head.
- The reminder bristles on the brush head will fade to let you know when it’s time for a replacement. It is recommended to replace the brush head every 3 months as advised by the American Dental Association. This ensures that you always have a fresh brush head and maximize the effectiveness of Philip’s unique Sonicare technology.
- This brush head is compatible with all Philips Sonicare snap-on rechargeable toothbrush handles,
Price Comparison:
Last update on 2023-06-02 at 19:11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Dr. Tom Bell has a PhD in Medical Anthropology. He has a keen interest in oral health topics and is the founder of dentalrave. He has been an oral health researcher and electric toothbrush enthusiast for over 10 years. When not talking about dental hygiene and gadgets, Tom likes spending time outdoors hiking.