Oral-B Pro 2 2000 vs Smart 4 4000

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Oral-B Pro 2 2000 and Smart 4 4000?

At first glance, aside from the colour of the brush handles you would be forgiven for thinking there were no difference between these 2 brushes.

In truth, the number of differences are not that significant, but those that do exist, may well be quite important for you.

Just before I explain the key differences, I want to you know that both of these models are offered with and without a travel case in the box.

If you can get the variant with the travel case included, do go for this as you will often get some value from it. Normally, the selling price is the same.

Right, to the detailed explanation of the differences then.

The Smart 4 4000 has 3 cleaning modes they are:

• Daily Clean
• Sensitive
• Whitening

This is compared to the 2 modes of the Pro 2 2000:

• Daily Clean
• Sensitive

My article titled, Oral-B cleaning modes explained, tells you in detail how each of these modes differ.

The key thing to know is the Daily Clean mode, is the default mode that is suitable for most people.

Where the Smart 4 perhaps stands out more, is the Whitening mode, which could potentially be more effective at removing surface stains on the teeth and helping them to look whiter than they once were.

The 4000 does come with a 3D White brush head included in the box, to help achieve the maximum benefit from this whitening mode.

The dentist inspired polishing cup in the centre helps buff the teeth clean and gives them a nice shine.

In addition to the 3D White head, a CrossAction and FlossAction head is provided too.

The Pro 2000 comes with just 1 brush head, a single CrossAction, not the 3 heads of the Smart 4.

To accompany the additional heads, the Smart 4 also benefits from a brush head storage compartment.

What is essentially a tray, it clips around the charging stand included in the box and provides a place to lay up to 4 brush heads. A opaque lid then can be closed over the 4 heads to protect them from splashes, dust etc.

It is a neat storage option and makes it easy to stow replacement heads. Sadly, no such accessory is included with the Pro 2 2000.

Perhaps the most signficant way in which the Smart 4 differs is the Bluetooth connectivity.

This makes the brush ‘smart’ hence the name. You will also see a small Bluetooth icon on the brush handle.

Read the 4000 review for a detailed rundown of how it works and what it really does for you. But, in a nutshell, it is a bit like having a dental professional checking in on what you are doing and giving helpful advice to help you take better care of your teeth and gums.

If using the smartphone app at the same time as you brush, you get an on screen timer and visual icon highlighting to you when to change quadrant as you brush.

The whole purpose of this is for you to educate yourself and improve your oral health.

Yes, you can buy new brush heads etc from the app, but the presentation of data and logging it all within the app can give you an overview of just how good or poor your oral care habits are.

Do be aware the Smart 4 does not offer real-time tracking, like the Genius 9000 or Genius AI. The smart 4 does not have the built-in sensors to track the exact brush position in the mouth to know what teeth you have and have not cleaned.

These extra features of the Smart 4 4000 do make it a more expensive toothbrush, as I explain in more detail in the section below.

The final difference to be aware of is the colours of the brush handles.

The Smart 4 comes in white colour only. That is white plastic with a white rubber grip that runs down the front of the handle.

The Pro 2 2000 on the other hand has a white plastic body, but there are different coloured rubber grips available.

The colour options are:

• Dark Blue
• Pink
• Black

It is with the black gripped handle that you get the travel case included.

Whilst many differences exist, I think it is worth listing out the ways in which these brushes are in fact very similar.

Both models have/come with:

• Slim brush handle with rubber grip on front and raised plastic ridges on the back
• Small round brush head with oscillating-rotating and pulsating (3D) cleaning action
• Built-in 2 minute timer and 30 second pacer
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery with 2+ w eeks battery life
• Battery charge/status light on the front of the brush handle
• Comes provided with a charging stand supporting 220-240V
• Water resistant brush handle
• 2 year warranty

Does one clean better than the other?

No, they both clean as well as each other.

Both brushes have the same motor and deliver the same number of oscillations and pulsations.

That said, there are a couple of reasons as to why it could be argued that the Smart 4 4000 can clean the teeth better.

The Smart 4 does offer a Whitening mode and 3D White brush head that the Pro 2 does not.

In theory, this can help whiten teeth a bit quicker, by removing surface stains. But, any cleaning mode should in theory help remove those things that cause the teeth to dull and stain, you don’t need a specific whitening mode to achieve, cleaner and whiter teeth.

I am not saying this extra mode has no place, but its value can often be overstated. A single cleaning mode is perfectly fine for the vast majority. You won’t find many dental professionals saying you need extra cleaning modes.

The other way in which the Smart 4 could potentially allow you to clean the teeth better is because it feeds data back to a smartphone application.

Data is passed via a Bluetooth connection to a free Oral-B app available for Android and iOS.

This data is analysed by the app and gives you feedback based on this. It can alert you to areas you need to improve, such as how long you brush for and whether you are brushing too hard.

By seeing this data and getting the prompts that the app gives might encourage and motivate you to take better care of your oral health.

This is particularly useful for those who are lazy brushers and know they could do better.

You don’t need the likes of an app to show you how to brush better. Indeed it is useful, but just learning how to brush your teeth correctly will have a big impact.

No app can make you brush better, it can just give you the guidance, you still need to do the hard work.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes.

Given the extra features that the Smart 4 4000 offers, it commands a higher price.

The recommended retail price is $199 whilst the Pro 2 2000’s is $159.

In both cases, don’t pay this. Oral-B brushes are commonly sold with a sizeable discount.

A typical average price for the Smart 4 is around $100.

A typical average price for the Pro 2 is around $80.

Given what you actually get from the Smart 4 for an extra $20, I have to be honest and say its a pretty good deal. As smart brushes go, you could do a lot worse.

If you don’t want a smart toothbrush, then the decision is obvious, the Pro 2 is the better value option.

However, potentially you are on the fence. I don’t blame you.

My experience however has taught me that as appealing as the smart features are, few really stick to using them. Therefore, saving $20 could be worth it if you feel like this might be the case for you.

The ongoing cost of owning the brushes is the same as they are both Oral-B models and use the same brush heads.

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.