One Tank Clean product guide
Philips Sonicare Countertop Power Flosser 5000, HX3811/20 (White, 2 Nozzles)
People who want a plug-in countertop flosser with a large tank and a dial
A mains-powered countertop water flosser with a 550 ml tank, two modes, ten intensity settings on a dial and a magnetic handle dock. Philips serves a Power Flosser booklet for it whose model-number note points at HX37XX, so confirm details against the plate on the base.
Listing checked . Confirm the model, included parts and availability before ordering.
Published specifications
- Listing: model HX3811/20; Philips Sonicare; white, two nozzles
- Listing and maker page: 550 ml reservoir; plug-in countertop base
- Manual: two modes, Clean with pacer and Deep clean with pulses
- Manual: ten intensity settings on a dial; start at the lowest
- Manual: F1, F2 and F3 nozzles; replace every six months
- Manual: two-year warranty; reservoir and nozzles excluded
Fit and limits
Strengths
- Large 550 ml tank with a ten-step intensity dial on the base
- Magnetic handle dock with auto shut-off, per the maker page
- Manual answers the mouthwash and nozzle-compatibility questions directly
Caveats
- Philips serves a manual for it whose model-number note says HX37XX
- Warranty excludes the reservoir and the nozzles, the parts that wear
- Needs mains power and weekly cleaning, plus periodic vinegar flushes
A plug-in countertop flosser with a docking handle
This is the countertop version of the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser, sold here in white as model HX3811/20 with two nozzles. It is a mains-powered base with a reservoir on top, a hose, and a handle that sits in a magnetic dock on the base.
The listing gives the product dimensions as 5.32 by 5.91 by 9.92 inches and the weight as 2.22 pounds. The manual's parts list names a reservoir and lid, mode button, on/off button, intensity dial, hose and hose storage compartment, base, handle dock, handle, a pause switch on the handle and a nozzle eject button.
The manual notes that the contents of the box may not include every item it illustrates, because that depends on the configuration purchased. This listing is described as a two-nozzle set, and Philips sells the F1 Standard and F3 Quad Stream nozzles separately as HX3042/00 and HX3062/00.
Two modes, ten intensities, and a pacer you can switch off
The manual says the Power Flosser has two modes. Clean is described as standard water pressure with a pacer, and Deep clean is described as pulses of water using what Philips calls Pulse Wave technology. The listing and the maker page both give the same count of two modes.
There are ten intensity settings, chosen with a dial on the base rather than on the handle. The manual advises starting at the lowest setting on first use and raising the intensity over the course of a few weeks rather than all at once.
The pacer pauses the water flow at thirty second marks so you know when to move on. It can be switched on or off by holding the on/off button and the mode button together for five seconds, and the manual says the lights flash once or twice to confirm which state you chose.
A 550 ml tank, and the nozzles that fit it
Both the listing and Philips' product page give the reservoir as 550 ml, and Philips says the tank holds enough water for more than one session. The manual asks you to fill it with lukewarm water up to the MAX line and never with hot water.
The manual describes three nozzle codes printed at the base of each nozzle: F1 Standard, F2 Comfort and F3 Quad Stream. It says only Philips Sonicare Power Flosser nozzles work with the device, and that nozzles from other brands and Philips AirFloss nozzles are not compatible.
The listing adds a claim the manual does not make, that the nozzle rotates a full 360 degrees. Treat the rotation figure as a listing claim until you can check it against the unit in front of you.
The manual Philips serves for this model names HX37XX
This is the clearest documentation snag on the product. Philips' own support page for HX3811/20 links a User Manual, and that manual's "Locating the model number" section tells you to look on the bottom of the base for a model number in the form HX37XX. The booklet's internal file name also carries a 3000 reference.
Neither Philips' HX3811/20 product page nor that manual explains the mismatch, and the manual never prints HX3811 anywhere in its English pages. The exact model number HX3811/20 does appear on the Philips product page and support page for this flosser, so the model itself is documented by the maker.
What this means in practice is that the instruction booklet covers the Power Flosser family rather than this one unit. If a detail matters to you, confirm it against the plate on the bottom of the base and with Philips before you rely on it.
Weekly cleaning, six-month nozzles, and what may go in the tank
The manual says the product needs cleaning once a week. The reservoir and lid may be hand washed with warm water and mild soap or put in the dishwasher, while the base and handle are wiped with a soft cloth and mild soap when needed.
For nozzles the manual gives a white vinegar soak every few months or whenever one clogs, and a separate vinegar flush for the internal components, hose and handle. The ratios and timings are in the manual and are not reproduced here, so read that section before mixing anything.
Nozzles are to be replaced every six months, or sooner if damaged. On tank contents, the manual's own question and answer section says essential oils are not recommended, that mouthwash may be mixed with water, and that the unit should be rinsed through with water afterwards.
Two-year warranty, with the reservoir and nozzles excluded
The manual states that Philips warrants its products for two years after the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship, on convincing proof of purchase within the qualifying period. The Philips product page carries a matching two year warranty badge.
The exclusions are spelled out: the reservoir and the nozzles are not covered, nor is damage caused by unauthorised replacement parts or nozzles, misuse, neglect, alterations or unauthorised repair, nor normal wear such as chips, scratches, abrasions and fading. The manual also warns that using other nozzles may limit warranty protection.
Philips' support page invites you to register the product within ninety days of purchase for an extended warranty, adding that conditions may apply. It does not state the extended term on that page, so check the registration terms before assuming a longer cover.
Check the current listing
Confirm the model, included parts and availability before ordering.
Primary sources
- Philips product page for the Sonicare Countertop Power Flosser 5000 HX3811/20
- Philips support page for HX3811/20, listing the User Manual
- Philips Sonicare Power Flosser User Manual served for HX3811/20 (PDF)
Primary sources checked .
Compare with
- Waterpik Aquarius Countertop Water Flosser WP-660 (White)
A bathroom counter near a North American outlet, shared by several people
- Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser WP-580 (White)
Travel, small bathrooms or flossing in the shower
- COSLUS C20 Cordless Water Flosser, F5020E (Black, Professional Set)
People who want a cordless flosser with a 300 ml tank and a published PSI range
- Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000, HX3826/21 (White, 2 Nozzles)
People who want a cordless flosser for one short session a day
- Waterpik Cordless Pulse 3100 Water Flosser, WF-20CD010 (White)
Light daily use and travel where a small tank is acceptable
- Waterpik Aquarius Countertop Water Flosser WP-667 (Modern Gray)
A shared bathroom where several people want their own tip and pressure setting
Side-by-side pages, this model next to: Waterpik Cordless Express Water Flosser, WF-02W010 (White), Philips Sonicare Power Flosser & Toothbrush System 7000, HX3921/40 (White).