Which one would we choose?
Our choice: Oral-B Pro 700 (view on Amazon)
2nd choice: Oral-B Pro 500 (view on Amazon)
These are the same brushes!
Box contents is the difference here really.
The colours of the grip on the handle differs, as does the brush head supplied.
All variants of the 700 come with a travel case, unlike the 500.
Key Differences
- The Pro 500 is available with a light blue and pink grip whereas the 700 is available in black only.
- The Pro 500 comes with a CrossAction or 3D White brush head whereas the Pro 700 comes with a CrossAction head.
- The Pro 700 comes with a travel case, whereas only select variants of the 500 do.
These differences are explained at length later in this article. However, you might wish to learn more about each brush being compared. To do so, check out our hands-on reviews:
Please note. Every effort is made to ensure the key differences listed are correct, but these differences are subject to change without notice. Products and the box contents can be changed without notice and different variants can exist.
Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Oral-B Pro 500 and 700?
Oral-B really does make it more confusing that it needs to be.
The Pro 500 and 700 are identical in almost every way.
The actual handle shape, size, performance, cleaning modes, battery life are all the same between these 2 models.
The differences are negligible really.
At the time of writing, there are 4 main variants of the Pro 500.
- Pro 500 CrossAction with a light blue grip
- Pro 500 CrossAction with a pink grip
- Pro 500 3D White with a light blue grip
- Pro 500 CrossAction (value pack) with a light blue grip + travel case
CrossAction and 3D White are the styles of brush head.
CrossAction provides a good overall clean, while 3D White is focused on polishing the teeth up for a whitening effect.
Only 1 variant of the 500 comes with the option of a travel case.
The Pro 700 on the other hand is available in 2 variants.
- Pro 700 CrossAction – Black + travel case
- Pro 700 CrossAction – Midnight Black + travel case
In both instances here, the grip on the handle is black in colour and a CrossAction head is provided. Both come with a travel case also.
The midnight black version is slightly different because the brush head is black in colour, instead of the more typical white colour.
So the conclusion to takeaway here is that if you want a black gripped handle, you need to buy the Pro 700.
If you want a blue or pink gripped handle then go for the 500.
However, if you want a travel case you won’t be able to have a pink gripped handle.
Does one clean better than the other?
No.
Both brushes have the same motors and the same cleaning modes.
The only possible difference in the clean, is via the brush head supplied.
The Pro 500 can come with a 3D White brush head whereas the 700 does not.
You may get different results with the 3D White head compared to the CrossAction head.
However, the differences in cleaning ability are unlikely to be clinically significant and the brush handles work with all Oral-B’s range of interchangeable heads.
Therefore you can just change the head to get the same results.
Is one better priced than the other?
No, they are priced the same.
Prices may differ from one seller to another, but as a general rule they are the same or almost identically priced.
Both have a retail price of $99 and actually sell on average for $50.
Ongoing ownership cost is the same, as both are Oral-B models. Replacement brush heads typically cost $7 a time.
Priced over 3 years and with 1 user, both will cost $0.12 per day, assuming they are purchased at $50.
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.
Conclusion
Oral-B really didn’t need to create 2 vertically identical products but give them different names.
Opt for the 500 or the 700, but if going for the 500 make sure you pick the variant with travel case so that you get maximum value for money.
Your Opinions
Ultimately, whatever brush you decide upon, it is you who needs to make the decision; but do so based on which is best for your needs or the end user, if you are purchasing on behalf of somebody else.
Only pay the price you are happy with and do not be led into buying something if it is not right.
Hopefully, I have presented the facts and made the whole decision process that little bit easier.
