Oral-B Genius 9000 vs 8000

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Genius 8000 and 9000?

Only a few small and relatively subtle differences set these 2 brushes apart.

In truth, the differences that do exist are not going to have any bearing on how clean your teeth will be after use.

The differences here really relate to the overall package and user experience.

So then, the first key dfference is the cleaning modes.

The Genius 8000 has 5 cleaning modes, compared to the 6 modes of the 9000.

The extra mode on the 9000 is a mode known as Tongue Clean mode.

This has a reduced run time and lower oscillation and pulsation count, which can be advantageous because the tongue can be sensitive and the higher power modes will likely make it difficult to do a proper job of cleaning the tongue.

You do not ‘need’ to have this mode to clean your tongue but you may see the advantages.

The tongue cleaning mode works best with a sensitive brush head (not supplied), but any of the provided heads can be used.  

As a result of having the extra mode on the 9000, the front panel of the brush handle has a 5th icon, of a tongue that will be lit with a white light, when the mode is selected.

If you were not already aware, although both brushes have multiple cleaning modes, they both have 1 less icon on the brush handle than there are cleaning modes. This is because the default Daily Clean mode does not have an icon on the handle, so when in operation no icons are lit on the handle.

The next and in reality most significant difference between these 2 models is the charging case that is included in the box.

The 8000 is said to come with a ‘premium’ travel case and the 9000 a smart travel case.

The use of the word premium is a bit of a stretch for the 8000 case.  Yes, it is a nice inclusion that does not come with many of the cheaper brushes. It is too a little thicker and a bit better quality than the standard transparent case. But, the case provided with the 9000 is really in a league of its own in comparison to that of the 8000.

Instead of a thin, plastic shell, the 9000’s case is solid, with a soft touch silicone like coating. It is a smart, weighty and premium feeling option.

Some of the weight comes from the electronics inside but just the look and feel is so much better.

Both cases hinge on the left side like a book, but within the lid of the case with the 9000 is a smartphone stand.

Essentially a clip like solution, your smartphone can be placed between the 2 pieces of plastic and stood upright or landscape orientation and it will stay securely in place.

Where the ‘smart’ element of the case comes in, is the fact that the toothbrush can be charged whilst inside the case.

There is no battery built into the case, but what you do is connect the provided proprietory power connector to the wall and to the socket on the case and the brush will be charged.

There is then too a single USB port on the case. Into this, you can connect other USB powered devices like your smartphone and charge that at the same time.

You do have to have the mains power adapter connected to complete the charging.

The USB port does not allow you to charge the brush inside from using a USB cable or a USB port instead of the provided power brick.

Both cases house the one brush handle and up to 2 brush heads.

Whilst both brush handles are available in white colour, the 9000 can also be purchased in black, rose gold and orchid purple colour options.

The black 9000 has a black rubber grip, plastics and panel on the front.

The orchid purple and rose gold options are primarily white in colour, but the panel on the front of the brush is the primary colour accent.

On the travel case for the gold and purple variants, although the case is white in colour, printed on top is a design in either purple or gold to give a further bit of flare to the product.

The final difference is that the 8000 is cheaper. More on that in the section below.

In all other ways the brushes are the same.

Does one clean better than the other?

No, simply put they all clean as well as each other.

An argument could be made for the additional cleaning mode, but the reality is that proving this had any clinically beneficial impact would be virtually impossible.

You can clean the tongue with any of the other modes, the only difference is those modes have not been specifically programmed to be shorter.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes, the Genius 8000 is the cheaper of the 2 brushes.

The retail price of the 8000 is $300 compared to the $349 of the 9000.

Thankfully the typical selling price for both is approximately 50% less than retail, so more often than not the 8000 can be had for $150, whilst the 9000 comes in at $175.

The ongoing ownership cost is the same for both models, because they use the same brush heads that cost on average $7 each.

Over a period of 3 years, based on 1 user, the Genius 8000 will cost $0.19 per day with the 9000 costing $0.22 per day.

There is around a $25 premium to be paid for the travel case, cleaning modes and choice of handle colours.

Please note that all prices quoted are approximates and will vary based on location, supplier and time of purchase.  These figures were correct at the time of writing and should not be relied upon as hard fact, but used as a guide during your decision process.