The 6 Best Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Whether it’s a child’s first toothbrush or your family’s everyday toothpaste, Oral-B has become a household name for dental care. So when it comes to the best electric toothbrushes, there’s an Oral-B option for every oral care concern. A recent study found that electric toothbrush users benefit from healthier gums and less tooth decay than manual brushes. With their signature oscillating-rotating technology, Oral-B toothbrushes offer a more thorough clean than manual brushes, helping to reach those hard-to-access areas, says Dr. Brian Harris, DDS, lead medical advisor at SNOW and Frost Oral Care.
The best Oral-B toothbrushes have soft bristles, pressure sensors, multiple speed settings, and two-minute alerts. These features help ensure effective brushing while addressing issues like gum sensitivity or plaque buildup.
From basic plaque removal to more complex concerns like gum health, we tested every Oral—B toothbrush available. We evaluated each toothbrush on ease of use, effectiveness, design, and functionality to help you choose the best electric toothbrush for your dental needs. An orthodontist on our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Here are our top picks based on our testing.
Electric toothbrushes come in a wide range of price points and features, so here are some things to consider when choosing the right one.
- Brush heads: Opt for soft bristles to help keep your gums healthy.
- Quadrant timers: Many brushes vibrate every 30 seconds to signal when to move to the next part of your mouth and again at two minutes when you’ve completed the recommended time.
- Motion type: Dr. Harris emphasizes the importance of Brush Strokes Per Minute (B.P.M.), recommending a range between 1,300 and 8,000, with the brand promising up to 48,800 B.P.M.
- Adjustability: Adjustable oscillation and vibration speeds are good for individuals with oral or other sensory sensitivities. Additionally, a pressure sensor helps prevent brushing too hard.
Why We Like It
The Oral-B Genius X Limited is our top pick because it packs all the features you need in a highly intuitive, seamlessly functional toothbrush. The first thing we noticed about this toothbrush was its ergonomics: it was comfortable, with all the buttons in the right places for easy mode switches mid-brush (even with sudsy hands). We loved how the head glided effortlessly over our teeth and helped us reach the furthest corners of the mouth.
It’s the elegant functionality of this toothbrush that truly sets it apart. We loved the vibrating timer every 30 seconds to tell us to switch areas and a satisfying longer vibration once we hit the two-minute mark. The flashing red light when you push too hard was a real bonus for those of us with receding gums. And though we were skeptical about the Bluetooth connectivity (an app for tooth brushing, really?), the real-time brush-tracking and history functions helped us improve our brushing prowess through time.
It’s Worth Noting
- Like many in the Oral-B range, the charging base can be a little bit tippy.
Product Details:
- Functionality: Vibrating timer, multiple brushing modes, LED pressure sensor
- Features: AI technology, Bluetooth-enabled, intuitive app with real-time brush tracking
- What’s included: Travel case, charging base
Why We Like It
The Bluetooth connectivity and customizable features on the Oral-B app make the Oral-B io Series 9 toothbrush a strong choice for people with receding gums or who are prone to over-brushing. The built-in sensor offers real-time reminders so you’re applying the perfect amount of pressure in the right areas at all times.
While the large brush head and long bristles make maneuvering between areas slightly awkward, the toothbrush’s action takes care of the manual work—no elbow grease is required. App features like timer alerts and easy-to-switch-between brush settings let you personalize your daily routine, making it a great option for people with specific dental requirements.
The mouthfeel it produces makes this toothbrush worthy of the price tag. After we tried it, every tooth felt individually polished, and every part of the mouth felt equally well treated. So, if you aspire to glass-like smoothness on your teeth, this brush more than lives up to expectations.
It’s Worth Noting
- The brush settings take a bit of trial and error to figure out.
Product Details:
- Functionality: 7 smart modes, built-in timer
- Features: AI technology, Bluetooth-enabled, intuitive app with real-time brush tracking
- What’s included: Charging travel case, 3 additional brush heads
Why We Like It
People with sensitive teeth know all about spending too much time brushing too lightly to avoid tooth and gum pain. The Oral-B iO Series 5’s multiple sensitivity modes and built-in light-up pressure sensor allow you to get the coverage you need in the two-minute timeframe you want.
Though connecting to the Oral-B app didn’t offer much insight beyond the timer, battery life indicator, and brushing coverage, the reward medals for a job well done add a little fun to your everyday chore. It’s also worth noting that the handy timer buzzers only work when you’re not using the app.
Where this toothbrush scores well for sensitive teeth and gums is the light-up pressure sensor—green for perfect pressure, “white” (though, strangely, actually blue) for too soft, and red for too hard. It’s real-time gratification that you’re doing it right or wrong, so there’s no need to guess it second. Although the auto pause mentioned in the instructions is just an extra buzz when 2 minutes are up, the vibrating timer is a game changer for people prone to losing track of time.
It’s Worth Noting
- Some features listed in the instructions function slightly differently than described.
Product Details:
- Functionality: 2 sensitivity modes, 5 total smart modes, built-in timer, pressure sensor
- Features: AI technology, Bluetooth-enabled, intuitive app with real-time brush tracking
- What’s included: Handle, charger, travel case, brush head
Why We Like It
The Oral-B Genius 6000 is an excellent portable choice because of its quick and simple setup, straightforward charger (which we were pleased to discover is compatible with some other Oral-B brushes), and sturdy travel case.
Well-placed buttons and easy-to-read setting icons make selecting your brushing mode a breeze. Its thick neck and forceful action (even on the lower settings) are definitely worth considering if you have sensitive teeth or gums. But for people who appreciate a job thoroughly done, after a brief period of adjustment to this toothbrush’s intensity, the results were consistently smooth.
The Oral-B Genius 6000 has Bluetooth connectivity and many other models’ in-app features. But, especially for travel, we found the real-time light-up pressure guide a great (and instant) way to maintain uniform coverage daily without needing to access a daily report card.
It’s Worth Noting
- The supplied brush head felt stiff and the motor was very loud.
Product Details:
- Functionality: Built-in timer, pressure sensor
- Features: AI technology, Bluetooth-enabled, intuitive app with real-time brush tracking
- What’s included: Handle, charger, travel case, brush head
Why We Like It
The Oral-B iO Series 10 is a great choice for those seeking an advanced electric toothbrush option featuring seven cleaning modes, real-time coverage, pressure monitoring, and a built-in timer right on the smart charger. While comprehensive, the pre-charged device’s numerous features and beeps required a manual read and app download. The package included three identical brush heads, a smart charger, and a travel case.
The toothbrush’s handle felt just right, and the small, round brush head was a refreshing change, allowing for better access to tight spots and crevices. The multiple settings and extra features (like the tongue cleaner) offered a diverse brushing experience. While navigating these settings might require more effort than some would prefer, it’s a great addition for tech or oral care enthusiasts. Post-brushing, teeth felt plaque-free, although the taste was less minty, likely due to the smaller brush head.
After a two-minute brushing, the screen and its smiley face added a fun, rewarding element to the routine. While the $400 price tag felt steep, the toothbrush impressed us with its advanced features, catering to varied oral care needs.
It’s Worth Noting
- Surprisingly it lacks a protective cover for the brush head.
Product Details
- Functionality: Built-in timer, pressure sensor, multiple settings, tongue cleaner
- Features: AI technology, Bluetooth-enabled, intuitive app with real-time brush tracking
- What’s included: Handle, charger, travel case, 4 brush heads
To determine the best Oral-B toothbrushes, we tested the entire line of Oral-B’s electric toothbrush models. Then, we subjected each brush to a rigorous step-by-step process. During physical testing, we adhered to the ADA’s recommended two-minute brush. These are the key considerations we looked for:
- Ease of Use: We evaluate the setup process and the user-friendliness of the settings right from unboxing. Products with easy assembly and immediate usability receive higher scores in our assessment.
- Design, Functionality, and Features: During each brushing session, we evaluate the toothbrush’s handling, brush head size, adaptability, comfort, settings, timers, battery life indicators, and any additional components. We also assess the user-friendliness of the app connectivity.
- Quality: Our quality standard is based on the clean feeling of mouth and teeth after brushing. We conduct rigorous tests, including post-sticky food brushing, to assess a toothbrush’s efficiency. If teeth don’t feel clean after use, the toothbrush falls short of our standards.
- Value: We prioritize value and durability. Cheaper options may lack certain features, while higher-end models offer extras such as app connectivity, stylish cases, and varied chargers. We carefully assess the price and features to determine the overall value.
Before our tests, we spoke with several dental experts to get their recommendations on choosing the right electric toothbrushes based on bristle texture—softer is better for your teeth—and adjustable speeds/modes so you can switch settings to fit your teeth and gum types.
- Marc Schlenoff, DDS, FAGD, VP of clinical development at Tend
- Brian Harris, DDS, lead medical advisor at SNOW and Frost Oral Care
- Mike Bluestone, co-founder and head of business development at Smile Brilliant
While these toothbrushes didn’t top any of our categories, they may still be of interest to you.
- Genius 8000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush: This toothbrush has upsides, such as using inexpensive replacement heads, but we found issues with the timer and battery life. The travel case doubles as a charger, which is handy for travel.
- Smart Limited Electronic Toothbrush: This toothbrush has app connectivity, multiple settings, and a pressure sensor. It cleaned teeth and gums within two minutes but confused the upper and lower sectors of the mouth and has no timer.
- Smart 1500 Electric Rechargeable: This toothbrush is easy to set up, clean, and use, with an accessible price point and simple two-speed settings. However, the intensity of the brush action and the sound it generates make the timer difficult to discern. If you can handle a step up in power, it’s a solid option.
Samson McDougall is a journalist, copywriter, editor and science graduate. His work encompasses everything from web copy for science museums to writing sexual health articles for universities, info sheets for first-in-category pharmaceuticals to brand messaging for wearable touch therapy by neuroscientists. Samson specializes in making the complex simple, using the English language to democratize knowledge through highly effective, accessible communication.
link