The Nuve AuraOne has five brushing modes, and the active one is lit on the HD display on the handle so you always know which you are in. Most people settle on one or two. Here is what each does and when it earns its place.
Clean
The everyday mode and the one to start with. The sonic motor sweeps and vibrates at 150 to 250 Hz, and on the cushioned head that gives a polished feel along the gumline rather than a scrub. If you only ever use one mode, this is it.
Soft
Lower intensity for tender gums. Use it after a hygienist visit, when you are run down, or for the first week while you get used to an electric brush. Testers with mild gum sensitivity reported no discomfort on Soft. It is also the mode we would suggest for anyone who has been told to go easier on their gums; the AuraOne has no pressure sensor, so Soft plus the cushioned head is how it handles that. There is more on this in our sensitive gums guide.
Strong
Higher intensity. Testers described a noticeably more thorough feel around the molars. Good after coffee or a big meal, or for people coming from a powerful Oral-B who find Clean too gentle. It is not a mode to stay in if your gums are sensitive.
White
A stain-focused pattern for the surface stains that coffee, tea and red wine leave. Be clear about what this is: a whitening mode on any toothbrush works on surface stains, it does not bleach, and it will not change the underlying shade of your teeth. That is a dental treatment. Use White a few times a week if stains are your main concern.
Polish
A smoothing mode, the natural follow-up to White or an occasional finish after Clean. Of the five brushes in our rankings, the AuraOne is the only one with both a stain mode and a separate polish mode.
The timer works in every mode
Whatever mode you pick, the two-minute smart timer runs and pulses every 30 seconds to move you to the next quarter of the mouth. The AuraOne does not add time for Strong or cut it for Soft; two minutes is two minutes.
What the display shows
The HD display shows the active mode and the battery level, with a two-colour battery indicator and a low-battery warning before you run out. The 1200 mAh battery charges over USB-C from any phone or laptop charger, and the port is sealed so the handle stays IPX7 waterproof.
Which mode for which day
| Situation | Mode |
|---|---|
| Every day | Clean |
| Gums tender, after a cleaning, first week with the brush | Soft |
| After coffee, a big meal, or if Clean feels too gentle | Strong |
| Surface stains from coffee, tea or wine | White, a few times a week |
| A smooth finish after White | Polish |
The AuraOne is $99 direct from Nuve with a lifetime warranty on the motor, battery and electronics and a 30-day trial. See it at hellonuve.com or read the full review.