Oral B vs Sonicare: Which toothbrush is better?

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Oral B vs Sonicare: Which toothbrush is better?

By Kirsty Welsh 22 November 2021

Oral B vs Sonicare: We reveal the pros and cons of these two bestselling electric toothbrush brands.

(Image credit: Amazon) Jump to:

• Prices and products
• Features
• Benefits
• Verdict

After a new toothbrush? In this article, we’re going to delve into the Oral B vs Sonicare debate to establish which toothbrush brand is better for your teeth. Looking after your teeth with a quality electric toothbrush can not only give you a winning smile, it’s the best way to maintain proper dental hygiene and prevent problems like gym disease, yellow teeth and toothache.

If you’ve looked at Oral B vs Sonicare toothbrushes in the past, or are wondering how to use an electric toothbrush, but still don’t know which brand is better for you, this article will give you all the information you need to decide. Both brands are well known in the dental health market, and they have some of the bestselling electric toothbrushes on offer.

Oral B has been around for over 70 years and it’s a favorite of Americans because it has a wide range of toothbrushes for all budgets and health needs - it even stocks one with a tongue cleaning mode.

Philips Sonicare on the other hand is quite new to the dental health market. It introduced its first Sonicare toothbrush in 1992, but this hasn’t stopped them from being crowned the number-one selling rechargeable power toothbrush in the United States in 2001. Philips offers an array of models, from basic toothbrushes to premium models that are so good for your teeth, it’s like having a live-in dentist.

So to limit the time you need to spend at the dentist, we’ll be sinking our teeth into the essential features and functions of Oral B vs Sonicare electric toothbrushes. We’ll cover everything from battery life, performance, price and even tongue cleaning capabilities. And if you’re set on buying an Oral-B brush, we have a guide to today's cheapest Oral-B electric toothbrush deals. 

, now $294.99 at Amazon

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9750 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush (Lunar Blue): Was $329.99, now $294.99 at Amazon

Enjoy $35 off this superb rechargeable toothbrush, which has a built-in timer and pacer, bluetooth and AI technology and a great battery life.

View DealOral-B iO Series 6 Electric Toothbrush (Black Lava): Was $147.72, now $99.78 at Amazon Save 32% on this black lava Oral-B iO 6 electric toothbrush which uses AI to recognize your brushing style and guides you to more efficient teeth brushing.

Oral-B iO Series 6 Electric Toothbrush (Black Lava): Was $147.72, now $99.78 at Amazon

Save 32% on this black lava Oral-B iO 6 electric toothbrush which uses AI to recognize your brushing style and guides you to more efficient teeth brushing.

View DealOral B vs Sonicare: Prices and products

(Image credit: Amazon)

Oral B prices and products

At the most basic end of the spectrum, Oral B offers its Vitality model with a built-in brushing timer. In the middle of the market you’ll find the Oral B Pro 3000 with three brushing modes and 360º gum pressure control. Meanwhile, at the top end of Oral B’s offering, the latest iO range combines micro-vibrating bristles with Oral-B's dentist-inspired round brush head for fresh, clean and healthier gums.

Oral B Pro 3000 3D (MSRP $88.77)

Oral B Vitality FlossAction Electric (MSRP $19.97)

Oral B iO Series 9 Electric (MSRP $299.99)

Oral B Smart 1500 Electric (MSRP $80.49)

Oral-B Genius X Electric (MSRP $199.99)

Oral-B Pro 1000 Power Rechargeable Electric (MSRP $68.99)

Oral-B Kids Electric (MSRP $33.86)

(Image credit: Amazon)

Sonicare prices and products

There are a multitude of Sonicare electric toothbrushes that use its acclaimed sonic technology, which delivers up to 62,000 movements of the brush head per minute, resulting in micro–bubbles that really target the area between teeth and the gum line. Sonicare’s all-rounder, the DailyClean 1100 electric toothbrush, is a great transition model to help you move from a manual toothbrush with the sensitive EasyStart program, which gently increases power over time. Another highlight is the Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 with built in smart sensors, which is designed to whiten your teeth in just one week.

Philips Sonicare DailyClean 1100 Rechargeable Electric (MSRP $24.97)

Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 Rechargeable Electric (MSRP $89.90)

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 Rechargeable Electric (MSRP $249.95)

Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Rechargeable Electric (MSRP $69.95)

Philips Sonicare ExpertClean 7500 Bluetooth Rechargeable Electric (MSRP $168.99)

Philips Sonicare FlexCare+ Electric ($169.98)

Oral B vs Sonicare prices and products: The winner 

For us, the clear winner has to be Oral B because of its appealing price point, frequent promotions and the variety of products available. There's even a kid's range with themed and character-adorned models to make dental hygiene fun for children. The brand has far more electrical toothbrushes to choose from, including all-rounder basic models to those with more premium features, each of which is targeted at specific dental concerns. Oral B also beats Philips Sonicare on price every time.

Sub-head: Oral B vs Sonicare: Features

Oral-B iO Series 9 Electric Toothbrush (Image credit: Amazon)

Oral B features

Oral B has all the flashy new features you can think of and more. With the iO9 you can expect an interactive color display and LED pressure sensor, but our favorite innovative feature is its seven brushing modes: Daily Clean, Sensitive, Gum Care, Intense Clean, Whitening, Tongue Cleaner and Super Sensitive teeth. The latter is perfect if you've recently had dental work or are waiting for an appointment to tackle a toothache or gum issue. Plus, the Tongue Cleaner setting is the perfect answer to those wondering whether you should brush your tongue. 

Another feature of the iO9 is the fact it can track 16 zones within your mouth with an AI detection system to help you achieve the best clean via real-time data that’s sent to your smartphone. The downside is the heads can be pricey to replace, like most Oral B electric toothbrushes.

• Visible pressure sensors 
• Rapid charging with the magnetic charging stand 
• Magnetic iO technology for a professional clean 
• 3D teeth tracking to guide you to your best clean 
• Interactive color greeting display 
• Charging case 
• Built in timer  
• Seven special brush settings  
• Smart-enabled 
• Variety of colourways available  

Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush (Image credit: Amazon)

Sonicare features

One important feature of Sonicare’s DiamondClean Smart 9500 toothbrush is the BrushSync technology, which automatically selects the best mode for you with its built-in smart sensors and the accompanying app’s progress report. Oral health is designed to be improved after regular use.

However, it really is the little things we love about the Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500, such as the fact that you'll be reminded to replace your brush head when it's no longer performing. Another clever feature is that the toothbrush alerts you if you are pressing too hard. The Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 also features:

• Proven to improve oral health 
• Whitens teeth in just one week 
• BrushSync automatically selects the best mode for you 
• Alerts you when you are pressing too hard 
• Alerts you to replace your brush heads  
• USB charging travel case  
• Specific Tongue care brush head 
• 5 brush modes 
• Built-in smart sensors 
• 14-day battery life 
• App's Progress Report  

Oral B vs Sonicare features: The winner

It’s a really close call when it comes to the features here, as both brands offer a multitude of advanced functions. We think Sonicare has the edge, due to the fact that the Smart 9500 built-in pressure sensor informs you when you are brushing too hard. This toothbrush is also designed to supplement your dental regime, as the Sonicare is designed to whiten while brushing. 

Oral B vs Sonicare: Benefits

Oral B is the electric toothbrush to invest in if you suffer from sensitive teeth and gums. The small round head brush head creates micro-vibrations and a gentle brushing experience. Plus, you get real-time data sent to your phone on your brushing performance.

Meanwhile, if a pearly white smile is what you are after, then look no further than the Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 electric toothbrush. This product is designed to deliver that desirable white smile without stripping the teeth of its natural enamel. The Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 is also an excellent option if you're in that transition between going from a manual to electric toothbrush, as it features a beginner’s program. 

Oral B vs Sonicare: Verdict

With both Oral B and Sonicare featuring a range of powerful features, there’s no one outright winner. This means that it’s all down to personal preference and your own dental needs. Both brands feature electric toothbrushes with built in timers, rhythmic vibrations and sleek designs. 

Oral B have a variety of all-rounder models available at a more affordable price point, but Sonicare have more advanced models that really target specific dental needs and are tailored more to the user with guidance for optimum brushing. 

Today's best Oral–B and Sonicare dealsReduced PriceOral-B iO Series 9 Electric...Oral-B iO9Amazon$329.99$249.99ViewSee all pricesReduced PricePhilips Sonicare DiamondClean...Philips Sonicare DiamondClean SmartWalmart$269.99$249.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Kirsty Welsh

Kirsty is an accomplished writer specializing in the health, beauty and fitness industries. She has previously written for Fit&Well, LiveScience, City A.M., Global Blue, Grazia and the Sunday Telegraph in the UK. 

You’ll find her running around Windsor Great Park most mornings with her youngest in the pram and her oldest scooting by her side. Kirsty loves trying/enduring the latest workouts and her latest obsession is an at-home Lagree microformer. She also enjoys rustling up nutritious family meals with fruit and vegetables harvested from her allotment.

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