Oral-B Pro 2000 vs Pro 5000

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Oral-B Pro 2000 (aka Pro 1500)  and 5000?

With a summary of the differences covered, let me explain some of these differences in a little more detail.

Starting with what I feel to be the most obvious difference, the design.

The Pro 1500 (or 2000) is slimmer than the 5000.

A cylindrical design the handle is uniform in its shape, with a rubber grip running down the front of the handle and raised plastic grips on the rear.

The Pro 5000, on the other hand, has a more tapered design, getting thicker towards the base of the brush handle.

The 1500 is all White in color, as is the 5000, but with a few Silver accents.

(The European Pro 2000 has a light Blue rubber grip down the front of the brush handle)

Larger in hand the 5000 might be more appealing to some than others.

I quite like the slim profile of the 1500 (2000).

Both have a power button that turns the brush on or off.  This is located in the upper third of the brush handle on the front.

The 5000 has an extra button below this.  This allows the user to change between the cleaning modes available,

Towards the base of the brush handle, both have battery status icons, but, the 5000’s is broken into 3 bars, giving more feedback in day to day use than the 1500.

Both alert you when the battery is low.

Both handles stand upright on a flat surface, but have within the base a recess that accepts the charging prong of the in box charging stand.

When it comes to cleaning the teeth, the 1500 offers 2 cleaning modes.  This is the default ‘Daily Clean’ and Sensitive.

The 5000, on the other hand, has 5 modes.  They are Daily Clean, Gum Care, Sensitive, Whitening and Deep Clean.

(The European Pro 2000 offers 2 modes, Daily Clean and Gum Care)

It is the cleaning mode button that allows you to cycle through the modes.

Sadly with the Pro 5000 you need to remember the order of the modes.  There are no LEDs or icons to alert you to which mode you have selected.

For many, the extra cleaning modes are not always required.  The Daily Clean is typically fine.

However, these modes do make more use of the brush motor, using varying speeds to offer a different cleaning approach.

The Sensitive cleaning mode, for example, uses less power from the motor for a softer and more gentle cleaning experience.

Inside the brush handle is a motor that allows the brush head to move.  The motor in the 5000 is actually less powerful offering a maximum 8,800 oscillations and 40,000 pulsations compared to the 9,900 oscillations and 45,000 pulsations of the 1500.

(The European Pro 2000 has the same motor as the Pro 5000)

When used side by side, it is just about possible to tell the power difference, particularly if you know to look out for it.

Both clean well irrespective of the power delivered.

Impacting the clean to some degree are the brush heads.

The Pro 5000 comes with 1 x FlossAction brush head included whereas the Pro 1500 comes with 1 x CrossAction head.

Deeper cleaning, particularly in between the teeth is achieved with the FlossAction head, whereas the CrossAction is focused more on all over cleaning.

These are more choices available from Oral-B.  Buy the different head styles you find work for you.

The Sensitive brush head is a popular choice and recommendation amongst dentists.

In fact, you can use different brush heads if you like.  This is particularly effective with the 5000 and the different cleaning modes it offers.

Perhaps a Sensitive brush head with the Sensitive cleaning mode and the 3D White brush head when using the Whitening mode.

When you are done, the 5000 offers a brush head storage compartment to hold up to 4 heads.

That compartment has a lid that protects the heads from splashes.

Going against the 5000 slightly is the battery life.  Its built-in battery will last 10 days.

Based on 1 user brushing their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time, the Pro 1500 lasts 14 days.

However, this is perhaps a little surprising given the larger size of the brush handle of the 5000.

Another difference between these 2 brushes, the Bluetooth connectivity that the 5000 offers.

Using a free app available for Android and iOS you can connect the 5000 to your smartphone for real-time tracking of your clean.

See how long you have brushed for, get encouragement to brush for longer and much more.

Dental hygiene and health tips are included in the app, along with facilities such as dental reminders and particular journeys, which you can customize to help achieve your goals with your brushing.

It is a feature that not all want or desire and you need not use it.

The brush will retain the brushing data from the last 20 cleans and sync with the app next time the phone and brush are within range of each other.

It can act as an extra encouragement and allow you to log your performance, if you desire.

The last major difference between these 2 models is that the Pro 5000 comes with a travel case.

Fairly basic, the plastic case holds the handle and up to 2 brush heads.  It is an effective way to stop the handles or heads being damaged in transit and to stop the brush from accidentally being switched on.

If you had not already presumed, the 5000 goes come in at a premium over the 1500 for the benefits it brings.

I explain this price difference in more detail, in a later section of this article labeled, is one better priced than the other?

With the key differences covered, what about the ways in which they are similar.

I won’t go into detail on all of these similarities, as you can read about them in the full written review that is available for each brush.

Both brushes have a 2 minute timer and 30 second pacer built into the handle.

A pressure sensor is available on both and activates when you brush too hard.

As it activates the motor will slow until such time it is relieved.

At the same time, the visible pressure sensor will be lit up.  Red in color on both brushes, the panel is at the top of the handle on the rear.

A charging stand is supplied.  It fits into the base of the brush handle and the brush sits upright on top.

A 2 pin US power adapter is attached to the charging stands, which work on voltages of 110-130v.

If you travel with either brush and intend to take the charger.  You may need to consider a voltage and plug adapter, subject to your destination.

(The European Pro 2000 comes with a 2 pin plug designed for UK or central European power supplies and works on 220-240v)

Both come with a 2 year manufacturers warranty that covers manufacturing faults, but no user damage.

And lastly, water resistant both handles are.  They can get wet and be rinsed under a tap, but do avoid prolonged exposure to water and submerging of the handle.

Does one clean better than the other?

There are so many variables when it comes to brushing the teeth, that to give a conclusive answer to this question is not really possible.

To give you the most accurate information, my hands-on testing would have to have been conducted in a way that could be deemed scientific of clinically accurate, but it has not been.

From real world hands-on use, I can say that both brushes provided a great clean to my teeth and gums.

A significant speed and power increase over any manual toothbrush.

You need to ensure you use the right technique with an electric toothbrush, to achieve maximum benefit, as the approach is different to that of a manual one.

To my knowledge, these 2 brushes use different motors to power the brush head.

The 1500 has a motor that offers up to 9,900 oscillations and 45,000 pulsations, compared to the 8,800 and 40,000 of the Pro 5000.

Unless you used them side by side, you probably wouldn’t notice the difference.

If you are switching from a manual toothbrush you would have nothing to compare the speed too.

Existing electric toothbrush users might be a bit more sensitive to the speed and have more opinions, depending on what brush you have used previously.

For most, after a couple of days use, you become familiar with the speed and think nothing of it.

I personally can tell the difference if I think about it.

The Pro 1500 does provide the more invigorating clean, but both did a very good job.

Using the 5000 did not leave me disappointed or really wanting more from it.

Long term, there may well be valid argument to say the 1500 can clean better.

I wouldn’t make this the deciding factor in your choice between the 2 brushes.

Both have gained the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Accepted Seal.

Such accreditation is not handed out lightly, so there is a lot to be said about this.

If the ADA approves them, the body who issues dental advice, what more can we ask for?!

For those wishing to get more technical, you need to consider the brush heads.

The 1500 comes with the CrossAction head, whilst the 5000 comes with a FlossAction.

Both of these heads, are from a range of interchangeable heads that work on Oral-B brush handles.

Just because one style came supplied, does not mean you need to stick with it.  You can choose the one you feel is most suitable for you.

It is perfectly possible that 1 style of brush head can achieve better results for some than it can others.  It depends on your teeth and oral health goals and how you measure the clean.

The FlossAction head that comes with the 5000, however, is more focused on a deep clean of the teeth and reaching into interdental spaces.

16 degree bristles found on the CrossAction brush head are designed for a solid, all over tooth clean.

Irrespective of which you choose, you will likely feel and see the benefits, particularly if switching from a manual toothbrush.

Used correctly you should get the thumbs up and praise from your dentist, upon your next checkup.

Is one better priced than the other?

Not that you should necessarily judge a toothbrush on price alone, but yes, the Pro 1500 will be cheaper than the Pro 5000.

If you find the Pro 5000 cheaper than the 1500, question why.

$70 is the suggested selling price of the 1500, but at the time of writing, sold exclusively through Amazon, you can generally purchase it for around $60 or just under, so a small saving.

The more feature rich Pro 5000 has a suggested retail price of $130-160.

Don’t panic though.

The 5000 rarely sells at this price.

My research has shown that it typically hovers around $100, sometimes a little higher, but quite often below.

Prices, of course, vary from one store to another, but it’s not impossible to get the 5000 for $85 if you time it right.

(The European Pro 2000 sells for only a little less typically)

Manage to get the 5000 at $85 and for roughly $25 more than the 1500, you are getting quite a bit extra.

This is, of course, my opinion.  Whatever you decide, do so taking into account what you can afford, are prepared to spend and need.

Make sure you buy the best brush for you, be that either of these or a completely different brush.

As a guideline, if you can’t find the Pro 5000 for less than $110, either go for the 1500 or consider other options.

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.