We Tested The Entire Line of Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes to Find the Best Ones

Our Testing Process

To determine the best Oral-B toothbrushes, we first spoke with several dental experts. Experts we consulted include:

• Marc Schlenoff, DDS, FAGD, VP of clinical development at Tend
• Jeffrey Sulitzer, DMD, chief clinical officer at SmileDirectClub
• Brian Harris, DDS, lead medical advisor at SNOW and Frost Oral Care
• Mike Bluestone, co-founder and head of business development at Smile Brilliant

Experts recommended choosing 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. They also recommended features like timers and pressure sensors to prevent you from brushing too long (or not long enough), and too hard (or, you guessed it, not hard enough).

Using this background information, we tested the entire line of Oral-B’s electric toothbrush models. We subjected each brush to a rigorous step-by-step process. Key considerations included ease of setup and use, design, ergonomics, functionality, quality of clean, and value for money. During physical testing, we adhered to the ADA’s recommended two-minute brush. 

What to Know About Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes

Given the vast range of price points and associated features, there’s a lot to consider when weighing up the right electric toothbrush for you.

Brush Heads

According to ADA guidelines, brush heads should be replaced every three months—the same as a manual toothbrush—so it pays to factor in that extra cost. Dr. Sulitzer recommends brushes with subscription head replacement options as a convenient (and often cheaper) way to regularly switch heads, without needing to keep it on the calendar. He also recommends brushes with 30-second quadrant timers as a great system to get the right amount of coverage in every part of your mouth. He adds that tooth sensitivity may be linked to brushing your teeth too hard, so make sure you are using a soft-bristled brush.

Motion Type

Dr. Harris says the most important features to consider are the type of motion, the Brush Strokes Per Minute (B.P.M.), the number of cleaning modes, and pressure sensors. Oral-B brushes use oscillating or rotating brush heads, so he recommends a B.P.M. somewhere between 1,300 and 8,000. Oral-B electric toothbrushes deliver up to 48,800 B.P.M, according to their website.

Mike Bluestone, co-founder and head of business development at Smile Brilliant, notes that adjustable oscillation and vibration speeds are an advantage for people with oral or other sensory sensitivities. He also recommends selecting electric toothbrushes that are protected by at least a two-year warranty.

How Much You Can Expect to Pay for an Oral-B Electric Toothbrush

In short, roughly between $50 and $300. In terms of features and functionality versus price, it really comes down to personal preference. Want to measure the effectiveness of your daily routine with all the latest AI, Bluetooth-enabled app features, and reports? You’re spoiled for choice at the higher end of the market. Prefer the plug-and-brush option with no app required? A basic setup, like the Oral B Pro 1000, is probably the best option for you. 

More Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes to Consider

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 some definite upsides (it fits old-school Oral-B brush heads, so you can get inexpensive replacements). But we discovered some functionality issues, like the timer being difficult to feel/hear, and battery life of just seven days rather than the advertised 12, during testing. Its travel case doubles as a charger, however, which could be super handy if you’re on the road.
• Smart Limited Electronic Toothbrush: Featuring some of the functionality of its more expensive stablemates (app connectivity, multiple settings, pressure sensor), this toothbrush delivered in terms of clean teeth and gums in the desired two-minute timeframe. We marked it down due to inaccurate brushing detection (it confused the upper and lower sectors of our mouths), and the absence of a timer on the brush itself.
• Smart 1500 Electric Rechargeable: Simple to set up, easy to clean, intuitive to use—this toothbrush checked a lot of boxes. But the intensity of the brush action, and the sound it generates, rendered the timer indiscernible. Its accessible price point and simple two-speed settings make it a solid fuss-free choice, however, for people who can handle a step up in power.

Your Questions, Answered

Are expensive electric toothbrushes worth it?  

Not always, says Dr. Sulitzer. Used properly, even basic electric toothbrushes can deliver an effective clean. But it’s important to change your brush head every three months, to prevent bacteria from building up in the bristles, affecting your oral health and general well-being.

Dr. Harris says that more expensive does not necessarily mean better, but believes that ultimately you get what you pay for. He notes from personal experience that some inexpensive brushes vibrate and make noise but don’t necessarily do a good job of cleaning the teeth. So he suggests sticking with name brands, like Oral-B.

What’s the lifespan of an Oral-B electric toothbrush?  

Again, it depends on how you use it, but generally electric toothbrushes last between two and five years. Tips like not leaving your battery charging when full can help expand the life of your brush. 

What should I look for in an electric toothbrush?  

According to Dr. Sulitzer, when choosing any toothbrush, whether manual or electric, you need to select brushes with soft bristles. He adds that features like vibrating timer guides and two-minute alerts take the guesswork out of your routine. And if you have special dental requirements, like sensitivities or receding gums, look for features like pressure sensors and multiple speed and intensity settings. 

What's the difference between Oral-B and Sonicare electric toothbrushes?

Oral-B and Sonicare are the two most popular brands of electric toothbrushes available today. Both dental brands make quality products backed by the American Dental Association (ADA). Their main differences include the shape of the brush heads. Oral-B uses a small, round brush head that rotates, oscillates and pulses over each tooth, while Sonicare uses a longer, more narrow brush head (similar to a standard toothbrush). Sonicare also uses sonic technology to circulate the toothpaste throughout your teeth and gums. Both styles of toothbrush clean teeth thoroughly, and certainly better than a manual toothbrush. We're currently testing Sonicare toothbrushes and will do a full comparison between the two brands once that testing is complete.

Who We Are

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.