I don't think there's anything wrong with what Quip is doing, but this it is not the right product for me at all.
I was drawn in by the design and service, but the brush itself is really underwhelming. I completely agree about the brushing habits - this brush is great for people who don't have good oral health habits. But for people to do, it comes off as gimmicky and confusing. The site can't seem to decide whether it's marketing itself as an electric toothbrush or as a manual toothbrush that vibrates - they go back and forth in almost all communication I've seen. I found it confusing, because as an electric brusher, I was expecting an electric brush.
There are multiple times it is billed as such. But it's not an electric brush. It's a manual brush that vibrates. While the company maintains that "good habits" are what matter (which is correct), I feel like they're using that sentiment to cover up the ambiguousness of what the product actually is. There are parts of the site and package that boast about how the vibrations are just as powerful as a Sonicare, but way gentler on your teeth and gums.
Then there are parts that claim the brush is manual and the vibrations literally do nothing but keep time. I felt like my teeth weren't even close to clean after two minutes. I have brushed my teeth for at least four minutes and typically up to six with the Quip, and not because I'm that OCD, it just doesn't feel like it's doing anything. I never brush for that long otherwise. I can say with confidence I am a good brusher. I have been a two-minute brusher for over a decade, twice a day, every day, with regular brush head changes and a mindful approach to pressure and product alike. I felt like the Quip was almost too soft: I've used it for a week, and I can't fathom how this brush head is supposed to last three months. It's already fraying and feeling less effective; I am used to using a soft head and gently brushing with the shape of the tooth, not vigorously scrubbing or going up and down, and this still feels too soft.
To approach it from all angles, I do believe there exists a good amount of placebo and irrationality in every consumer, and my caveat is; I've been an oscillating or sonic brusher for well over a decade, and all of my adult life. I haven't used a manual toothbrush since I was 13, and I'm 28 now. Changing to ANY other toothbrush would feel weird and likely trigger my thoughts on effectiveness at first. However, I went into this genuinely excited with very few reservations about the product, so I'm sorry to say I found it very disappointing overall.
I don't doubt the claim that how you brush is more important than what you use, and I don't approach my electric brush as a magic wand that does all the work for me; it's all about habit and usage. But, coming from someone who already had good habits as a longstanding electric/sonic brusher, the product tops out at only one thing - design. And, as someone who is also a designer, I believe that presentation can get you far.
If you're a bad brusher and the fact this product is sexy and has a timer and looks cool in or out of your bathroom helps you become a good brusher, then awesome! Quip could very well change your oral health routine. But if you're someone who was already paying attention to detail with your oral health, don't waste your time paying for this, too. You'll be extremely frustrated after your first brush and unnecessarily angry, then you'll come down from it and stand in front of your mirror with your Sonicare taking deep breaths until your semi-placebo sense of calm has been restored from the inside of your mouth out.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
