Oral-B Pro 1000 vs 1500

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Oral-B Pro 1000 and 1500?

The differences between these 2 brushes are not necessarily obvious as they look almost identical.

But, the differences that do exist are for many worth investing in.

Both the 1000 and the 1500 are relatively slim and lightweight brush handles.

Running down the front of the handle is a rubber grip.

On the Pro 1500 this is White in color, you have no other choice.

However, when buying the Pro 1000 you can choose between White or a Black colored grip.

Affecting nothing more than the way the brush looks, a way they differ technically is in the cleaning modes available.

Press the power button on the Pro 1000 and you launch into the 1 and only cleaning mode, Daily Clean.

On the Pro 1500, you get 2 cleaning modes.

The first is the same as the 1000, the Daily Clean, but if you press the power button again, it will change to the 2nd mode, called Sensitive.

As the name implies, it is a more gentle cleaning mode, offering a less powerful and softer brushing experience.

The sensitive mode does not use the full power available from the brush motor.

This leads me onto another difference, the power of the motors.

The Pro 1000 has a motor that is capable of 8,800 oscillations and 20,000 pulsations, but the 1500’s motor is capable of 9,900 oscillations and 45,000 pulsations.

The brushes will work at their full power when the ‘Daily Clean’ mode is selected.

The ‘Sensitive’ cleaning mode on the Pro 1500 operates at 7,400 oscillations and 33,000 pulsations per minute.  It does not use the full power of the brush motor.

Arguments can be made that the more powerful motor in the 1500 can achieve a better clean than the 1000.  In theory, this is indeed true, but I have no data to confirm this.

This is not really a make or break difference between these 2.

Looking almost identical in hand, turn the handles over and you will see that the Pro 1500 has a Red/Orange panel on the neck of the brush.  The 1000 does not.

This is the visible pressure sensor.

Should you brush too hard,  a light behind this plastic will shine to create a bright Red light.

This light acts as a visual alert to you, that you need to reduce the pressure with which you are brushing.

If the pressure is relieved, the light will go out.

The Pro 1000 does not have this visual pressure sensor.

However, the 1000 does have a form of pressure sensor, it is just not visible.

Both the 1000 and the 1500 will slow the speed of the brush motor down if it detects too much pressure is being applied.

You will too hear a slight difference in the sound that the brush makes.

Like the visual pressure sensor on the 1500, when the pressure is eased, the motor will return to its operational speed.

The toothbrush bristles need only skim the surface of the teeth.

Both brushes have a rechargeable battery built-in.

The Pro 1000 has a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery that offers 7 days of usage. This is based on 1 user brushing their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time.

Inside the Pro 1500 though is a newer battery, a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) that offers double the usage time.

It offers 14 days, or 56 minutes, compared to the 7 days and 28 minutes of the 1000.

This has a small knock-on effect to the charging time.

The 1000 took 15 hours to fully recharge, whilst the 1500 takes just 12.

As the newer and more feature rich brush, the Pro 1500 is the more expensive, making the 1000 cheaper.

Those are the differences between them.

There are many similarities between the two.

Full details of each brush and further explanation of features can be found in the written reviews, linked at the bottom of this article.

However, for the sake of summary, key similarities are as follows.

• Built-in 2 minute timer
• Built in 30 second pacer
• 1 x CrossAction brush head supplied
• 1 x charging station provided
• Water resistant handle
• American Dental Association approved
• 2 year warranty

Does one clean better than the other?

The increased power of the Pro 1500 motor, could potentially mean that the teeth are cleaned more effectively than if the Pro 1000 was used.

However, there are many variables and proving this is quite difficult.

My hands-on testing has not been conducted in any scientific way that would be able to determine this.

When comparing the 2 brushes side by side, paying great attention you can see and feel the speed differences.

The additional cleaning mode available may to have a beneficial effect for those who want a softer and more gentle brushing experience, but with the consistent power delivery the electric toothbrush bings.

Argument can too be made that the pressure sensor can play a part in the overall clean.

The likelihood is, that for most Americans, perfecting their brushing routine and the regularity with which they brush will have most significant benefits over selecting between either of these particular brushes.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes, the Pro 1000 is the cheaper.

It has a suggested retail price of $70, but with not too much effort you can find and buy it for $40-50.

The Pro 1500 on the other hand, at the time of writing, is selling for just under $70.

This makes roughly a $20-25 premium.

Whether the 1500 is worth that extra spend, is up to you to decide.

Hopefully, the facts I have presented can help with this decision process.

I would argue the extra power, cleaning mode and battery life are for most worth it.

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.