Do Electric Toothbrushes Have Lithium Batteries?

Most modern electric toothbrushes use lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable batteries. This includes all current Philips Sonicare models, the Oral-B iO series, Quip, Burst, and most other brands released after 2018. Some older and budget Oral-B models still use nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and a few entry-level brushes use disposable AA or AAA batteries (either alkaline or NiMH rechargeable).

Battery Types Used in Electric Toothbrushes

Three battery technologies are found in electric toothbrushes today. Understanding the differences helps you make informed decisions about purchasing, charging, and traveling with your toothbrush.

Lithium-Ion (Li-ion)

The dominant battery technology in premium and mid-range electric toothbrushes. Lithium-ion batteries offer the best combination of energy density, charge cycles, and weight.

• Advantages: Longer battery life (2-4 weeks per charge), faster charging, no memory effect, lighter weight, holds charge well when not in use
• Disadvantages: Higher cost, cannot be user-replaced in most sealed toothbrush designs
• Found in: Philips Sonicare (all current models), Oral-B iO series, Quip, Burst, Waterpik Sonic-Fusion, most brushes priced above $60

Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)

The older rechargeable battery technology still found in some budget and mid-range Oral-B models. NiMH has been the standard in electric toothbrushes for decades.

• Advantages: Lower manufacturing cost, well-understood technology, no lithium-related safety concerns
• Disadvantages: Shorter battery life (1-2 weeks per charge), slower charging, gradual capacity loss over time, heavier
• Found in: Oral-B Pro series (Pro 1000, Pro 3000, Pro 5000), Oral-B Vitality, some older Sonicare models

Disposable Batteries (AA/AAA)

Some entry-level and travel-oriented electric toothbrushes run on standard disposable batteries rather than built-in rechargeable cells.

• Advantages: Easy to replace anywhere in the world, no charger needed, lowest initial cost
• Disadvantages: Ongoing battery cost, less power than rechargeable models, weaker motor performance, more waste
• Found in: Oral-B Pro-Health Clinical (battery), Colgate 360 battery, some drugstore brands

Brand-by-Brand Battery Breakdown

Oral-B

Oral-B uses both lithium-ion and NiMH depending on the model line:

• iO Series (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10): Lithium-ion
• Smart Series (1500, 3000, 5000, 7000): NiMH
• Pro Series (500, 1000, 3000): NiMH
• Vitality: NiMH

The shift to lithium-ion in the iO line is one of the reasons it charges faster (approximately 3 hours vs. 12-16 hours for NiMH models) and lasts longer between charges.

Philips Sonicare

All current Sonicare models use lithium-ion batteries:

• DiamondClean 9000: Li-ion
• ProtectiveClean 4100/5100/6100: Li-ion
• Sonicare 3100/2100/1100: Li-ion
• Philips One by Sonicare: Li-ion (or AAA battery version)

Other Brands

• Quip: AAA battery (standard version) or Li-ion (Quip Smart)
• Burst: Lithium-ion
• Waterpik: Lithium-ion (sonic models)
• Hum by Colgate: Lithium-ion (rechargeable version) or AAA battery (battery version)

Safety Considerations

Lithium-ion batteries in consumer electronics have an excellent safety record when used as intended. Electric toothbrush batteries include multiple protection features:

• Protection circuit module (PCM): Prevents overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits
• Thermal protection: Shuts down the battery if temperature exceeds safe limits
• Sealed enclosure: The waterproof housing protects the battery from moisture and physical damage
• Small capacity: At 2-7 Wh, toothbrush batteries contain a tiny fraction of the energy in a smartphone battery, limiting the severity of any potential failure

The main safety precaution is to use only the charger designed for your toothbrush. Since most electric toothbrushes use inductive (wireless) charging, there is no exposed electrical contact, further reducing any safety risk. For more on charging systems, see our charger guide.

Battery Life and Longevity

Lithium-ion batteries in electric toothbrushes typically provide 300-500 full charge cycles before capacity degrades noticeably. At one charge every 2-3 weeks, that translates to approximately 10-15 years of normal use — well beyond the typical lifespan of the toothbrush motor and housing.

NiMH batteries degrade faster, often showing noticeable capacity loss after 2-3 years. This is the most common reason older Oral-B brushes seem to "die" — the motor is fine, but the battery can no longer hold a charge.

If you are shopping for longevity, prioritize models with lithium-ion batteries. Our best electric toothbrush guide highlights battery life as a key comparison metric.