The Best Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes in the UK for 2024

Braun Oral-B electric toothbrushes are some of the most popular on the market. Along with another big market player, Oral-B has nearly two-thirds of the electric toothbrush market globally. Their product range suits a wide range of different budgets and brushing needs; in fact, there are so many different Oral-B toothbrushes available you might be left wondering how to decide between them.

Well, this guide is here to help you decide on the best Oral-B electric toothbrush for your needs. We'll explain all the different features and accessories of some of their most popular brushes, so you can get a clearer picture of the one that would suit you best.

From the cheapest Oral-B electric toothbrush to the most high-tech and from the most practical to the most colourful, sit back and get ready to be informed.

And whichever one you pick, you're making a good choice. Electric toothbrushes are more likely to clean your teeth better and keep your gums healthier than manual ones, according to long-term studies.

Some research also suggests that Oral-B's oscillating brush heads provide a better clean than some of their side-to-side vibrating sonic toothbrush competitors, particularly in terms of fighting gum disease.

Which Oral-B toothbrush to buy?

You've probably already realised that Braun Oral-B manufactures quite a few different types of electric toothbrushes. Most of their brushes have a number after their name, and a higher number is generally an indication of more features. We'll explain more about these later on.

Another thing to look for in your Oral-B electric toothbrush is the descriptor that comes with it. You will find brushes with the following branding:

• iO is the most technologically advanced Oral-B toothbrush, launched in July 2020. Its frictionless magnetic drive revolutionises the way their brushes work and delivers more power to the bristles, making it more effective on plaque and gum disease.
• Genius uses artificial intelligence (AI), along with other technological features, to help you brush your teeth properly and improve your technique.
• Smart Oral-B toothbrushes have a pressure sensor that tells you if you brush too hard, different brushing modes, bluetooth connectivity and a timer.
• Pro brushes include a timer so you know you’ve brushed your teeth for two minutes each time.

As more features and technology are added to the brush to help with your oral hygiene, the price also increases. Here we look at brushes across a range of budgets to keep you smiling.

You may also want to check out our Oclean toothbrush review, Philips Sonicare toothbrush guide, or the Sonicare vs Oral-B article to see how different brands compare. Or, read our FOREO ISSA review to find out about electric silicone toothbrushes.

Oral-B's best clean: the new iO toothbrush

New to the market in July 2020, the Oral-B iO brings a completely new kind of technology to Oral-B's toothbrushes. Six years in the making, its revolutionary design uses the familiar oscillating-rotating movement combined with micro-vibrations to deliver a clean that's gentle but deep and long-lasting. If you're looking to upgrade your toothbrush and you want the best on the market, this is it.

Whereas all of Oral-B's other current brushes are essentially the same toothbrush with different features and power levels, the iO is a totally new design. It doesn't feel or sound like your standard Oral-B, and even the brush head has had a makeover.

So, what makes the Oral-B iO worth the admittedly high price tag? Here's what you'll get with the iO 10.

• Interactive built-in colour display to help you control settings and get instant feedback on your brushing session
• Sence Smart Charger: provides personalised live coaching and real-time guidance for a cleaning experience tailored just for you.
• Seven brushing modes: Daily Clean, Sensitive, Gum Care, Intense Clean, Whitening, Tongue Cleaner, Super Sensitive
• Smart pressure sensor which tells you if you're using too much or too little pressure
• AI technology with 3D teeth tracking to show you exactly which surfaces you've brushed
• A new app to track your brushing and tell you when it's time to switch to a new head
• Quick-charging battery that gives at least 2 weeks of use from a 3-hour charge
• Magnetic charging base with a two-pin plug
• A travel case which doubles up as a charger
• Stardust White and Cosmic Black colour options

The iO9, iO7 and iO8 are also available for slightly less, however, neither the iO7 nor the iO8 features the 3D teeth tracking or a travel charging case. You also get fewer brushing modes. If you're going to spend this much on a toothbrush, you may as well go all-out on the top model, right?

The following table is an overview of the differences between the iO7 iO8, iO9 and iO10:

Compared to other Oral-B toothbrushes, the iO has a sleeker design and operates much more quietly. The 3-hour charge brings them into competition with the majority of other electric toothbrush brands available these days. So overall, it's a welcome upgrade to their range.

The Oral-B iO costs around ten times more than some of their more basic and best-value brushes. Is it going to clean your teeth ten times better? No. Will it make brushing your teeth feel like less of a chore? Almost certainly yes.

Check out our full Oral-B iO review if you want to know more.

The best Oral-B electric toothbrush for technology lovers

The Oral-B Genius X with Artificial Intelligence, an update on the very popular Genius 9000, is Oral-B's next most advanced brush. It has everything you would want and a few things you probably never thought you’d need from a toothbrush. If you like the idea of an intelligent toothbrush but the iO is a little out of your budget, the Genius X is your next best option.

This Oral-B black electric toothbrush offers:

• Great cleaning, with up to 100% more plaque removal than you get with a normal toothbrush
• An in-built pressure sensor that will change the speed of your brush if you’re brushing too hard
• An app that tracks your brushing patterns to show you where you need to do more brushing (apparently 80% of us miss a spot when we brush)
• Six brushing modes to help with gum care, whitening and more

The AI technology works with an app to track how well you're brushing and help you improve your technique with the right angle and brush placement. Another feature of the technologically advanced package is a tailored Dental Care Journey that includes reminders when it’s time to floss your teeth.

The cool stuff isn’t just on the inside with this brush; it has a sleek futuristic look and comes in a selection of colours including rose gold and anthracite grey in the Luxe version.

The backlit buttons show you which brushing mode you're in and how much charge is left in the battery. And the LED SmartRing pressure sensor is customisable with a selection of 12 colours to pick from.

The Oral-B Genius X also comes with a USB charging case that charges both your toothbrush and your smartphone. The Luxe versions have a patterned case whereas the standard versions have a plain back or white case.

You can read more about the brush and compare the standard and Luxe versions – including prices – here on Amazon.

Genius X vs Genius 9000

You might be wondering what the difference is between the Oral-B Genius 9000 electric toothbrush and the newer Genius X. Well, they both use technology to track how you are brushing, but the Genius 9000 requires you to use your smartphone camera as you brush whereas the Genius X has more advanced tracking technology built-in.

Although they both achieve the same end result, the AI technology in the Genius X is certainly more advanced and easier to use. The Genius 9000 does have more accessories, including a suction cup holder for your smartphone, but that's to aid you with recording yourself brushing. The Genius 9000 also comes in some different colours, including purple.

If you already have a Genius 9000 then there is little reason to upgrade. But if you're in the market for a new brush, the Genius X is a better buy because of its ease of use. The RRP is slightly higher, but both brushes are regularly discounted by 50% or more on Amazon.

Oral-B Genius X Electric Toothbrush Reviews

You might be wondering whether you really need an intelligent toothbrush. Let's look at what some other users think. One recent review on Google Play Store said of the technology:

“Great app. Simple to use. I never thought I would ever use an app to help me do my teeth but hey, ho. It has a timer on it that makes you think about how you are brushing your teeth which in turn forces you to brush properly. Also gives you the news and weather to read whilst brushing.”

Turning to impressions of the actual brush, an Amazon reviewer said of their recent purchase:

“debated between this toothbrush and the 9000 genius. I decided to treat myself and purchase the more expensive AI toothbrush. I have personally never been a big fan of electric toothbrushes (although I only ever had a £30 one from Boots). This has changed my opinion – my mouth feels incredibly clean. I like the fact I can track where I am brushing and ensure that every tooth has been cleaned. The pressure sensor is a nice extra, as are the various cleaning modes.”

The same reviewer goes on to add that their only annoyance was being told by the app that they were already brushing their teeth perfectly and didn't need to improve!

Watch the short video below to see the Oral-B Genius X in action and watch how it tracks brushing in real-time:

So, if you love your gadgets or you just want to give your brushing technique an overhaul, this could be the brush for you.

The cheapest Oral-B electric toothbrush

After a lifetime of using manual toothbrushes, you might be curious about trying an electric brush but dubious about the cost. Some electric toothbrushes can run into triple digits (see above) and this can be off-putting. All the features that come along with the expensive brushes can also be dizzyingly confusing when you’ve never used one before.

However, a cheap Oral-B toothbrush is available, in the form of the Oral-B Vitality range. Often on sale for less than £20, they won't break the bank but still offer superior cleaning compared to a manual toothbrush. Standard features include:

• An oscillating, rotating, and pulsating head to clean teeth and remove plaque
• A two-minute timer to make sure you get a thorough brushing
• A rechargeable battery so you don’t need to raid the remote for new batteries

The design of the brush is classic and simple, with just an on/off button and a textured handle for easier grip. The Oral-B Vitality brushes come in light grey, black and blue, or – to bring a splash of colour to your bathroom – this is one of your options for an Oral-B pink electric toothbrush, too.

One helpful Amazon reviewer describes the first time they used the Oral-B Vitality electric toothbrush:

“Love this! I'm 31 and this is my first experience of an electric toothbrush. All I can say is I wish it had discovered how good they are years ago! My mouth feels cleaner and my teeth feel shiny. Not only that my breath feels fresh all day and it also makes brushing your teeth a much more pleasant experience!”

If you’re the type of person who likes to keep things simple, this is the one for you. In the box you get the toothbrush, an extra brush head for when you’re ready to change your head after three months, and a two-pin charger that should work in most UK bathroom sockets.

The best Oral-B toothbrush for families

Oral-B electric toothbrushes are great for kids, too – you can read more about the best options in our children's electric toothbrush guide. After age 13, your children should be able to use a regular adult toothbrush. But what if you don't have the space or money for everyone in the household to have their own electric toothbrush?

Fortunately, Oral-B's interchangeable brush heads make it easy for multiple people to share the same toothbrush hygienically. They also feature a coloured ring at the bottom of each head (with four colours available), so you won't get confused about whose is whose.

Because all of Oral-B's electric toothbrushes work with their toothbrush heads, it's really up to you whether you go for a budget or high-end model. Would you like your children to have the option of softer brushing modes? And will a brushing app be a help or a distraction to them?

One thing feature that is very useful for families sharing the same brush handle is a built-in stand for your brush heads. This means the heads can be safely and hygienically stored upright, with no risk of them falling on the floor in between uses. Here are some of the Oral-B electric toothbrushes which have this feature:

• Genius 9000 (case holds 4 heads)
• SmartSeries 6500 (case holds 4 heads)
• SmartSeries 6500 double pack (2 handles and case holds 4 heads)
• Smart 6 6000N (stand holds 2 heads)
• Smart 4 4000N (stand holds 2 heads)

Even if you don't pick a toothbrush with a built-in stand, there are plenty of Oral-B electric toothbrush head holders available to purchase separately. This one is a good choice since it holds the brush heads upside down. Any drips, instead of running down the head and making it dirty, fall into the drip try that's easy to remove for cleaning. The holder is wall mountable too, ideal if you have limited bathroom space.

If you find your family fighting over the toothbrush in the morning, consider the SmartSeries 6500 double pack which contains two handles and one charger/stand. It's more economical than buying two brushes separately.

The best Oral-B electric toothbrush for travellers

The fact that Oral-B is one of the biggest brands of electric toothbrushes in the world should make it easier to find replacement brush heads whilst you’re travelling. Even if you’re only away for the weekend, knowing you can find a new head when you drop yours down the toilet is always useful.

But perhaps the most important thing for frequent travellers is a toothbrush travel case. Not only does this keep your toothbrush safe and clean while it's packed away, but it also avoids any embarrassing moments from it accidentally switching on.

If you want a budget option with these basic criteria, we recommend the Oral-B Pro 2 2500 electric rechargeable toothbrush powered by Braun. This brush comes with:

• The electric brush handle, available in pink or black
• A CrossAction toothbrush head
• A charger fitted with a UK two-pin plug
• A lithium ion battery
• A travel case

Knowing how strict some airlines can be about the weight of your baggage, you don’t want to be taking up too much of your allowance with a toothbrush. The Oral-B Pro 2 2500 CrossAction electric toothbrush weighs in at around 129g including one brush head, so it’s not going to weigh you down. Here's one recent review from Amazon:

“My journey with the Oral B Black Edition toothbrush began after a recent visit to my dentist. I decided to buy this Oral B toothbrush to see if it really would be better than using a manual toothbrush. It has exceeded my expectations. It's comfortable to hold, doesn't make too much noise and the two-minute timer function is a good reminder of just how long I should be brushing for. Also, the red light is very visible if you press the brush too hard against your teeth. I like the included black travel case, it looks very smart and of course protects the toothbrush properly when being transported.”

The battery should work for up to two weeks with one charge, so it’s perfect for your annual fortnight in the sun. If you’re lucky enough to travel for longer periods at a time, the charger isn’t bulky at all so it won’t take up too much space. You can also buy an Oral-B USB charger for even more convenience when you’re on the move.

Inside the travel case that comes as standard, there is space for two brush heads. The case itself won't charge the brush, though. For a toothbrush with a USB charging case, you'll need to upgrade to one of the iO or Genius range or purchase a separate charging case – but be sure to check compatibility with your toothbrush model first.

Best Oral-B electric toothbrush for sensitive teeth

Having sensitive teeth can range from being a bit uncomfortable to nearly unbearably painful when eating or drinking very hot, cold, or sweet food and drink. It’s best to visit your dentist if you start getting pain or sensitivity because it can be a sign of underlying issues.

Buying the right toothbrush for sensitive teeth can help, too. The iO, featured above, has both Sensitive and Super-Sensitive modes to give you full control over your brushing experience. But if you're looking for something more moderately priced, the Oral-B 5000 electric toothbrush, specifically the Smart 5 version, is a great brush to use when your teeth need some extra, gentle care.

There are five settings that come with this brush that you won’t find on lower-numbered models. The settings that you can use are:

• Daily Clean
• Gum Care
• Sensitive
• Whitening
• Deep Clean

It also comes with three brush heads: standard CrossAction, Sensitive, and Whitening. Combined with the different settings, this means you can completely tailor your brushing to suit your sensitive teeth, even using different combinations in different parts of your mouth.

Being in the Oral-B Smart toothbrush range, it has Bluetooth connectivity so you can use the Oral-B smartphone app to track how well you're brushing. You might find that you're skipping over your sensitive teeth without realising, when in fact they might need some extra TLC.

Another helpful feature of the Oral-B 5000 electric toothbrush is the pressure sensor that will alert you when you’re pushing too hard on your teeth. It will automatically slow down the brush speed until you relieve the pressure, helping to prevent damage to teeth and gums that can cause sensitivity.

“This toothbrush is the Swiss Army knife of toothbrushes, it comes with 3 brushes [heads] which have different functions, the battery holds charge for a couple of weeks and there is a smart little case to keep the spare heads in… It has a timer which indicates when to do a different area of your teeth and a pretty flashing light if you press too hard. You can, if you're really committed, link it wirelessly to your phone and use the Oral App on how to clean your teeth. I think it's a great toothbrush and apart from all the above it cleans teeth and I say ‘Go for it’ and buy one, you won't regret it.”

The best Oral-B toothbrush to form great habits

Life gets busy, and it's easy to forget to brush your teeth or to rush it, or get distracted and not do it properly. It's not only brushing for 2 minutes that's important; you need to concentrate on your brushing angle and technique, too.

It’s never too late to start building better habits and re-learn about brushing your teeth, and the Oral-B Smart 6 6000N electric rechargeable toothbrush has some great tools to help.

Some of the helpful features that you get with this brush include:

• A wireless SmartGuide timer so you can brush for the right amount of time and in the right places
• A pressure sensor means you won’t be able to brush too hard and damage your enamel or gums
• Different brush heads in the box so you can see which type works best for you
• Bluetooth connectivity so you can use the Oral-B app to get tips on brushing better
• A battery indicator to show how long until your next charge
• Five brushing modes to suit different needs

With options for Daily Clean, Pro Clean, Gum Care, Sensitive, Whitening and Gum Care, you can experiment with different settings and heads to see what works best for you in different parts of your mouth.

Whether you’re trying to improve your own dental routine or help a teenager take control of their own brushing as they grow up, this brush is going to help create positive long-term habits. Connect to the app and you'll even get reminders about when to brush, rinse, and floss.

Oral-B electric toothbrush comparison chart

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to finding the best electric toothbrush for you or your family. Below is a handy Oral-B electric toothbrush comparison chart showing a summary of the best options we mentioned above.

Buying Oral-B electric toothbrush heads

Once you’ve decided which is the best Oral-B rechargeable toothbrush for your needs, you need to consider which brush head you want to use. You don’t need to be concerned about compatibility; Oral-B replacement heads are all designed to work with all brush handles, except iO and pulsonic brushes.

Just like there are different choices of shapes and bristle hardness with normal toothbrushes, you have lots of choices for your Oral-B electric toothbrush heads. You can choose from:

• CrossAction brush heads have bristles angled at 16° to give a more effective clean and are available in black or white
• 3D White includes a polishing cup in the middle to get rid of stains and make your teeth whiter
• Sensi Ultrathin heads have soft, rounded bristles so they’re ideal for sensitive teeth and can be used by kids from six years old
• Precision Clean brush heads have been designed to give a thorough clean right down to the gumline
• FlossAction means the head will get deeper in between your teeth with the micro pulse bristles
• Trizone brush heads are shaped more like a manual toothbrush and have three different cleaning zones

When it comes to iO refills, you have two types to choose between, Ultimate Clean and Gentle Care.

Just like with a conventional toothbrush, you should replace the head on your Oral-B brush at least every three months, but if the bristles are frayed you should change it sooner. Some of these Oral-B electric toothbrush heads are widely stocked in high street stores whereas others are easier to find online (click on the links above to view on Amazon). There are generic brush heads that you can use with your brush, but in testing, they tend not to be as good quality.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get an Oral-B electric toothbrush charger?

Whenever you buy an Oral-B electric toothbrush, you’ll get a charger in the box. The charger has a two-pin plug to fit the type of plug socket found in most UK bathrooms.

You can buy a replacement two-pin charger if yours has got lost or damaged, and if you’ve not got access to that type of socket you can buy a charger with a standard UK three-pin plug. Be sure to check compatibility with your toothbrush before purchasing a new charger.

You can also buy a USB charger that will fit most Oral-B brushes. It means that you can charge your toothbrush with a powerbank when you’re on the go rather than having to hunt down a plug socket that you can leave your toothbrush plugged into.

How do I know when my Oral-B electric toothbrush is charged?

Nearly every Oral-B toothbrush has a low battery indicator. The battery light will flash red and the brushing power will reduce when it needs to be charged and flash green when charged. Some of the higher-end brushes also have a battery indicator which shows how much charge is left. When you’re recharging your toothbrush, the charging light will turn to solid green to show that it's fully charged.

The Vitality brush doesn’t come with this feature; however, you might notice that the speed and power of your brush decrease when it needs to be charged.

How long will my Oral-B electric toothbrush take to charge?

If you go with the iO, you'll get a full charge in around 3 hours with the magnetic charging stand. Otherwise, depending on which brush you have, you’ll need to leave it plugged in for up to 22 hours. A full power-up can take anywhere between 14 and 22 hours. Because of the charging method, you need to make sure you don't put the brush on a metal surface whilst it’s charging.

What battery do Oral-B rechargeable toothbrushes use?

Most Oral-B electric toothbrushes come with a lithium-ion battery, which means you should get up to two weeks’ worth of brushing on one charge. This type of battery should last you a long time. It also has a lower environmental impact than old-style nickel cadium batteries.

Can I get an Oral-B electric toothbrush travel case?

Yes, a number of brushes we've reviewed here come with a travel case, including the Oral-B Pro 2500 electric rechargeable toothbrush, the SmartSeries, the Genius range, and the iO. Cheaper models come with a standard case while more premium brushes include a USB charging case.

You can buy a separate travel case for brush models up to and including the Oral-B Pro 3000 electric toothbrush and there’s another one available that fits Oral-B models from 4000 up to 9900. Or, splash out a little more on a case that will charge the toothbrush via USB.

What’s the environmental impact of buying an Oral-B electric toothbrush?

Because you will only throw away the brush heads on a regular basis, rather than a whole manual brush, you’re creating less non-recyclable waste, and the battery has a long lifespan. If you want to decrease your carbon footprint further and still get the great clean of an electric toothbrush, you can look into recyclable brush heads.

Although not made by Oral-B, you can get charcoal infused brush heads that are fully compatible with their brush handles. LiveCoco have a closed manufacturing and distribution loop; once you’re finished with your brush heads you send them back and the company will recycle them for you.

By choosing a brush that comes with a lithium-ion battery you’re also reducing the number of batteries that you’ll go through. However, be sure that you dispose of the batteries carefully because the chemicals inside can damage the environment if they end up in landfills.

If you're really concerned about the environmental impact of your toothbrush then you might want to consider bamboo toothbrushes and other eco options.

Conclusion

Oral-B electric toothbrushes provide a great clean, and some come with extra features to help you get better at brushing correctly. Whatever your budget and brushing needs, you should be able to find an Oral-B brush to suit you and your family.

We hope our guide has given you a good place to start when shopping for your new Oral-B electric toothbrush and you now have a better understanding of what all of their features mean, too.