this post was submitted on 31 Oct 2025
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I’m not really sure where to post this, but wanted to share that screwing a 1/4-20 bolt into the bottom hole of my otherwise-sealed Philips Sonicare 4100 and just pulling on it successfully opens the toothbrush. An M6 screw might work too; M5 is slightly too small. Philips says to use a hammer to open it, which is absurd. The battery is still soldered, but in my case that wasn’t what I needed to repair anyway.

Apparently other brands are designed to have replaceable batteries. Don’t buy Philips Sonicare.

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[–] adespoton@lemmy.ca 19 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

How long did your battery last?

I bought a Sonicare around 15 years ago, and it’s still on its first battery and working fine.

I was planning to do what you did to replace the battery when it finally goes, but I still get about a week’s charge on the current one.

[–] Psaldorn@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

My first one lasted 11 years. Can't complain.

[–] HewlettHackard@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 weeks ago

My previous one (an older model, which had a screw in the bottom) lasted a long time. This newer “sealed” one got water inside within 2-3 years and had no screw. Fortunately it seems that opening it up and cleaning the circuit board helped.

[–] adespoton@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I just checked; mine has a screw in the hole, and looks like it’s designed to come apart.

So I guess they aren’t all the same.

[–] hitmyspot@aussie.zone 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Most are sealed now so that they are waterproof for use in the shower.

[–] HewlettHackard@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 weeks ago

The whole reason I had to open mine up is that water got inside, and I don’t even use it in the shower. I think they removed the screw to either cut costs or make it more difficult to repair.

[–] HewlettHackard@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 weeks ago

Correct: newer models have no screw.