The Oral-B iO has been redesigned from the ground up. From the motor to the handle, to the brush head, it has all changed. The Genius X does command a premium for this technological upgrade and you get a little less in the box. The iO6-10 does allow the colour to be changed via the in-handle display. But, you have fewer colour choices than if you navigate to the app. There is some variance in the colours available Experience a breakthrough in cleaning and gum care with the dentist-inspired, revolutionary technology of the Oral-B iO Series. The Oral-B iO Series 7 Electric Toothbrush combines powerful, but gentle micro-vibrations with Oral-B’s dentist-inspired round brush head for a professional purifying clean every day that delivers 100% cleaner teeth and healthier gums*. The 600 comes in light Blue or Pink whilst the Pro 2 2000 comes in a dark Blue or Pink. Both have gloss white plastic bodies.

The Series 9 comes with a power2go charging case that allows the iO to be charged inside whereas the Series 7 comes with a standard travel case. You can change the cleaning mode on the iO5 before turning the brush on. You can’t do this on the iO4. Overall, brush head reminders are a feature that are nice-to-have, but not critical. If you’re organized enough you can simply use a recurring calendar reminder. The fact that they are included on each iO model means you don’t need to factor this feature too heavily into your choice of iO brush models. Battery life should be similar, but premium models are inconsistent

Assuming you want something a bit more capable, then the iO6 represents the best value option. It has many of the most desirable features of the iO range, including the in-handle display. But, it remains relatively affordable and you get the best of both worlds, so to speak. Dentists recommend replacing your brush head every 3 months or sooner if it becomes worn for an optimal clean. Models like the 8 and 9 Series do have extra cleaning modes compared to the 3, 4 and 5. But, these modes don’t change the actual cleaning results. Depending on the model you go for, you have the choice between 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 brushing modes. 7 is the maximum number of cleaning modes available on any Oral-B brush. Those models with a display will show a notification on the screen. If connected to the Oral-B app, a notification will be displayed here too for compatible models.

The iO Series 6 has Oral-B's latest motor, which is extremely quiet and allows the brush to glide smoothly across your teeth. The handle has a smooth finish and, although not the lightest around, is evenly weighted and comfortable in the hand. The new magnetic driven motor is quieter and the way it works produces a cleaning sensation that is similar, but different. Interestingly, despite the similar design, the Smart 6 is actually part of a range of brushes that includes the Smart 4 and 5 that sit below the Genius range. The Series 8 has 6 cleaning modes (daily clean, sensitive, super sensitive, intense, whitening & gum care) compared to the 5 of the Series 7 (daily clean, sensitive, intense, whitening & gum care). The extra mode the iO8 has is super sensitive. For me, the fancy charging stand isn’t too big a factor. If bathroom visuals are important to you, maybe the magnetic stand is worth paying for. Otherwise, you can get by just fine with the cheaper stand.

iO combines Oral-B's unique round head with the gentle cleaning energy of micro-vibrating bristles. Perfecting your brushing routine, including the brushing time, technique and frequency will bring more positive benefit than any particular toothbrush. Over time you will learn how much pressure you need to apply and it will essentially become redundant for most within a few month’s. The Series 9 comes with a power2go charging case that allows the iO to be charged inside whereas the Series 8 comes with a standard travel case.

The image below is a comparison chart that shows the main models available from Oral-B today, along with the features and functions each offer. The case will protect the brush handle from damage and accidental activation, whilst also protecting up to 2 brush heads. The next big difference is the battery life. The Pro 2 2000 has over twice the usage time. The Pro 600 will operate for 28 minutes, which is 7 days of cleaning based on one user. However the Pro 2 will last for 66 minutes which is 16 days of usage time.

A more budget-friendly version of the iO Series 9 that cuts no important corners

Both models offer most of the benefits of an electric toothbrush without having to pay ‘too’ much for them.

This isn’t to say those features aren’t useful for some people. But, we have learnt that most people would rather save a bit of money, than have lots of features they may not use, making the Pro 3 3500 a perfect fit. Sure, when you go from a manual brush to power - it upgrades your clean. But when you go from electric brushing to iO it goes beyond the ordinary to become a truly extraordinary experience that you will see, hear and feel differently.It does not mean the brush will actually clean the teeth better. In fact, both have the same motor inside and the same cleaning modes. The iO Series first launched in 2020, with the Series 7, 8 and 9. It has since evolved from 3 to 8 brushes. Bristles of the brush head should just skim the tooth surfaces. You don’t need to brush hard to clean your teeth effectively.