Cute, quiet, and toddler-approved. Our Tiny Testers put the Ordo Sonic toothbrush to the test—here’s what stuck.
If you’ve ever found yourself crouched on the bathroom floor holding a wriggling toddler in a headlock while whisper-yelling “Just two more teeth!”, then welcome — you’re one of us. A card-carrying member of the ‘I’ve tried every toothbrush at the chemist’s club. The Peppa ones with flashing lights. The dinosaur ones that sing. The ones that cost too much and still mysteriously vanish in less than a month.
Which is how we ended up here. Ordo. One brand. One full-family oral hygiene overhaul. Read on to see what we (and our tiny testers) thought of the Ordo Sonic Toothbrush.
Read more: Tiny Testers: The nook NZ Crew Get Silly with Silly Qs
So, why the switch?
Honestly? We were tired. Tired of the daily brushing battle. Tired of replacing broken toothbrushes. Tired of the plastic waste. Tired of half the house smelling faintly of wet bristles. We wanted something that actually worked, lasted longer than a fortnight, looked nice in the bathroom (yes, that matters), and didn’t have a Paw Patrol head that would eventually be found behind the bath.
We also wanted to stop pretending that the kids were getting a “good enough” clean just because they’d gnawed on a brush for a few minutes.
We’d been on the hunt for something better than the usual plastic brushes that break or get forgotten in drawers. Then we spotted Ordo’s Squishmallows collab — and well, that sealed it. When the brand offered us a chance to try them out, we figured it was worth a shot.
Meet Ordo
Ordo is a UK-based oral care brand that was started by people who got sick of gimmicks and nonsense in the dental aisle. Their whole thing is simple: quality products that work, with a focus on good design and sustainability. It’s not a new company, but it is somewhat new to most New Zealand shelves — and everything from the packaging to the charging docks looks like it belongs in a fancy hotel bathroom (not next to a scrunched ube of toddler toothpaste).
They’re also dentist-approved and genuinely feel a bit smarter than the usual supermarket options.
So, here’s how our family tested the Ordo Sonic Toothbrush range…
Mum (me): Sonic+ Toothbrush in Pearl Violet
I’ll be honest. I was excited to receive the violet one because it matched my pyjamas. But this brush? Genuinely great. It has four different modes (I mostly use “clean” and “white”), and it leaves my teeth feeling like I’ve just come back from a hygienist appointment.
It pulses 40,000 times a minute, which sounds excessive, but it’s gentle and oddly satisfying — like a spa treatment for your gums. Also, the battery life is ridiculous. We’ve been using it for weeks and haven’t had to charge it once. And yes, I feel a bit smug about it.
Thoughts: Actually made me look forward to brushing my teeth. That says it all.
Dad: Sonic+ Toothbrush in White/Silver
Dad likes gadgets. This was no exception. He was deeply impressed by the fact that it has modes and a USB-C charger (“finally”). But most importantly, it’s taken his nightly brushing ritual from 47 seconds of chaos to two solid minutes of focused sonic scrubbing.
Thoughts: Subtle design, solid power, excellent “don’t talk to me I’m brushing” energy.
Add-on alert: Ordo Hydro Sonic Water Flosser
We didn’t know we needed a water flosser until we had one. It’s like a little power washer for your gums. Slightly terrifying the first time you try it (you will spray your mirror), but it’s incredibly effective, especially if you have tight teeth or a fear of string floss.
There are three pressure settings and a rotating nozzle, so it’s surprisingly customisable… and effective!
Thoughts: A satisfying upgrade that makes you feel very grown-up.
3-year-old: Squishmallows Sonic Kids Rechargeable Toothbrush
Our preschooler was never too bad at brushing her teeth — she’d usually let us do a quick once-over without much fuss — but this brush has completely changed the game. Now she asks to brush. Multiple times a day. She’ll bring it into the lounge just to show people the Squishmallows on it.
The flashing lights, gentle buzzing, and two-minute timer keep her engaged, and the fact that it feels like “her big girl brush” (complete with its own travel cap and charger) means she takes it seriously. It comes with two different brush heads (round and oval), three sonic modes, and a bit of novelty that hasn’t worn off.
Thoughts: It’s fun, effective, and makes her feel very grown up, too.
1-year-old: Squishmallows Sonic Kids Battery Toothbrush
Our little guy isn’t quite ready for self-brushing — he mostly chews it, waves it around, and attempts to brush his belly with it — but this battery-operated version is perfect for tiny hands and short attention spans. It’s super lightweight, easy to grip, and the gentle sonic buzz makes him giggle every time.
We use it with him in short bursts (it’s rated for ages 4+, but supervised use has been fine for us), and it’s already helping him get familiar with the brushing routine. Bonus: it’s survived multiple dives into the bath and one fairly dramatic launch off the change table.
Thoughts: Great for early exposure, sturdy enough for toddler chaos, and cute enough to become a toy when not in use.
The Verdict
We didn’t expect a toothbrush brand to be the thing that got our whole family in sync — but here we are. One brand, one charger, and no more mismatched handles or cracked plastic bits rattling around in drawers. Ordo has genuinely made our bathroom feel calmer (and fancier).
The Squishmallows collab sealed the deal for the kids. It’s rare to find something that’s both fun and functional, but this one hits the sweet spot. Our 3-year-old — who was never too tricky about brushing — now asks to do it. “It has a cat on it that helps me,” she told us, proudly clutching the brush like a new toy. That’s a big win from someone who usually negotiates bedtime like a tiny lawyer.
Best of all, we’re not tossing another busted “singing” toothbrush every few weeks. These feel solid and built to last, and the travel covers mean they stay hygienic — even when they’re buried in a nappy bag or thrown into an overnight bag.
Final thoughts? We’re all converted. The kids are brushing more often (and with less fuss), and the grown-ups appreciate the calm, clutter-free counter. Highly recommend.
