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Published: February 10, 2024

Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000

Author: Jon Love (Leave a comment)
Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 1

Our choice: Oral-B iO9

From a design and technological point of view, the iO is considerably better and more user-friendly than the Genius Pro 8000.

Both brushes clean the teeth really well, but it is the all round package that the iO offers that makes it the better choice between these 2 models.

Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 2 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 2 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 2 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 2 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 2

2nd choice: Oral-B Genius Pro 8000 / Amazon, Oral B / ~$99.99

Key differences

Find out more
Electric Teeth Rating
Retail price
Approximate 3 year cost
Cleaning Action
Number of cleaning modes
Brushing intensities
Timer
Pacer
Pressure Sensor
Battery life
Battery type
Number of heads included
Travel case included
Bluetooth connectivity
Position tracking
Noise
Warranty
Our Choice
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B Genius Pro 8000
Oral-B Genius Pro 8000
Review -
Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 7 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 7 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 7 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 7 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 7
Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 7 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 7 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 7 Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 7
$300 $199
$335 $240
Oscillating-rotating & micro-vibrations Oscillating-rotating & pulsating (3D)
7 6
- -
yes yes
30 second quadpacer 30 second quadpacer
yes yes
14 days 14+ (plus) days
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
4 3
yes yes
yes yes
yes yes
72dB 77dB
2 years 2 years
  • The iO looks quite different to the Genius Pro 8000, with a more premium design.
  • Both models are available in 4 color options. The Pro 8000 is available in black, white, orchid purple and rose gold compared to the white alabaster, black onyx, violet ametrine and rose quartz of the iO.
  • The iO has a color OLED display built into the handle (black & white on Series 7).
  • The iO has a new frictionless motor which is quieter than the Genius Pro 8000.
  • The iO offers an oscillating-rotating cleaning action with micro-vibrations as opposed to pulsations on the Genius Pro.
  • The iO comes with anywhere between 2 and 4 x Ultimate Clean brush head, compared to the 3 heads with the Genius 8000 (1 x CrossAction, 1 x 3D White & 1 x Sensitive).
  • The Oral-B iO’s brush heads are not interchangeable with the Genius Pro 8000 and vice versa.
  • Up to 7 cleaning modes (subject to variant) are available on the iO (daily clean, gum care, sensitive, super sensitive, whitening, intense & tongue clean) compared to the 6 on the Genius (daily clean, gum care, sensitive, whitening, pro clean & tongue clean).
  • The visible pressure sensor on the iO lights up green when the correct amount of pressure is applied and red when too much force is used. The Genius 8000 only lights up red when too much pressure is applied.
  • The Genius Pro 8000 makes a different sound when the pressure sensor is activated, the iO does not.
  • The iO has AI and 3D tracking of the clean compared to the Genius 8000, setup that relies on tracking via the front facing camera of a smartphone. (3D tracking not available with Series 7 & 8)
  • Different application setups based on the camera and AI configuration differences.
  • The Genius 8000 comes with a suction cup smartphone holder.
  • The iO has a magnetic charging stand compared to the sit on Oral-B charging stand.
  • The iO can charge in just 3 hours compared to the 12 hours of the Genius Pro 8000.
  • The Genius 8000 has a battery charging icon/LED on the front of the brush handle. This information is displayed on the OLED display of the iO in more detail.
  • The Genius 8000 travel case has a USB port that the iO’s case does not have.
  • The Genius 8000 travel case has a smartphone stand that the iO’s does not.
  • The Genius 8000 travel case holds a handle and 2 brush heads compared to the iO’s power2go case that holds the handle and 1 brush head. (No power2go feature in the case with series 7 & 8 - but holds 2 brush heads) 
  • The Genius Pro 8000 comes with a brush head storage compartment that holds up to 4 brush heads.
  • The iO is more expensive with a retail price of $299 compared to the $199-250 of the Genius 8000.

Please note. There are multiple variants of the Oral-B iO.  It is the range-topping iO Series 9 that I am comparing here primarily making reference to the Series 7 and Series 8 where appropriate

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Oral-B iO and Genius Pro 8000?

The iO still retains the typical design for an electric toothbrush, but it does look different to the Genius 8000.

The overall size and weight of the brushes are similar.

The Genius Pro is:

  • Height (without head) - 8.07 inches (20.5cm)
  • Height (with head) - 9.44 inches (24cm)
  • Width - 1.06 inches (2.7cm)
  • Thickness - 1.26 inches (3.2cm)
  • Weight (without head) - 4.73oz (134g)
  • Weight (with head) - 4.94oz (140g )
Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 16

The iO is:

  • Height (without head) – 7.2 inches (18.5cm)
  • Height (with head) – 9.3 inches ( 23.7cm)
  • Width – 1.1 inches (2.8cm)
  • Thickness – 1.1 inches (3cm)
  • Weight (without head) – 4.6oz (131g)
  • Weight (with head) – 4.9oz (139g)

The hands-on images throughout demonstrate this design differences best but it is my opinion that the iO looks the more premium model.

It is still of a primarily plastic construction but there is a certain sleekness to the handle as there are smoother lines and less interruptions to the handle, which give it this look.

Oral-B Series 9 toothbrush in hand

Both handles are of a rounded design, although neither are perfect cylinders.

Both brushes have separate power and mode buttons in the upper third of the handle.

With the Genius these buttons are themselves in a rounded oval panel and have a convex design to them.  The iO buttons are concave.

Running down the majority of the handle of the Pro 8000 is a panel within which the icons for the brushes cleaning modes are placed, stacked on top of each other. There is also the battery status LED.

It is this panel that also highlights any particular color accent the brush handle may have.

Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 17

Compare this to the iO that does not have the same panel design, because sat between the power and mode button is an LED display that allows you to interact with the handle.

All the cleaning modes and battery information is displayed on this screen, rather than on icons on the handle.

The display allows you to select the mode you want and it allows you to see the battery charge status.  You can set the color of the LED light ring and you get emoji style graphics appear on screen after each brushing session.

It is a nice way to interact with the handle.  It is a color screen with the exception of the iO Series 7 which is black and white.

Whilst it offers a unique way to interact with the brush, the biggest benefit here is the feedback it gives at the end of the clean with these faces.  They act as encouragement around your brushing.

Oral-B iO OLED display

On the back of the Genius Pro’s handle, and wrapping around to the right and left side is a large rubber grip.  This helps retain a firm hold of the brush, even when wet.

The iO does not have such rubber grips and it arguably prioritises aesthetics over practicalities.  That said, the paint finish to the handle isn’t glossy and the brush does not feel all that slippy.

Both of these Oral-B models are available in 4 different color choices.  The Pro 8000 can be purchased in black, white, orchid purple and rose gold whilst the iO is available in white alabaster, onyx black, violet ametrine and rose quartz.  Some colors are for specific variants only.  

One of the biggest differences between these 2 brushes is the motor inside.

The iO has a new frictionless motor which has been designed specifically for the iO.

Basically it works slightly differently to the motor in the Genius, but it achieves the same results.  The benefit being really that it is quite a bit quieter than the Genius Pro 8000.  About 10 decibels quieter.

Another subtle difference on the back of the change in motor is that the iO now offers micro vibrations compared to the pulsations that are offered on the Genius 8000.  

They pretty much do the same thing adding a 3rd dimension to the standard oscillating-rotating cleaning action that these brushes offer.

Oral-B iO electric toothbrush black onyx

As part of both the mechanical motor change and the changes in handle design, the brush heads for the iO have changed too.

All Series of the iO come with Ultimate Clean brush heads.  It is essentially a revised design of the CrossAction head typically offered with a lot of Oral-B brushes. You get 2 with the Series 7, 3 with the Series 8 and 4 with the Series 9.

The Genius 8000 comes with 3 brush heads in the box.  They are not 3 of the same style, instead you get  1 x CrossAction, 1 x 3D White & 1 x Sensitive.

Where brush heads have been interchangeable across Oral-B’s range of handles, this is not the case with the Genius 8000 and iO.  You can’t fit an iO brush head to the Genius 8000 and vice versa.  The design has changed in such a way that the iO can only use heads designed specifically for this model.

Both models have multiple cleaning modes.  The iO has up to 7 in total.  Those modes are:

  • Daily Clean 
  • Sensitive 
  • Gum Care 
  • Whiten
  • Intense 
  • Super Sensitive (not available on Series 7)
  • Tongue Clean (not available on Series 7 or 8)

The Genius 8000 on the other hand has 6.  They are:

  • Daily Clean 
  • Gum Care 
  • Sensitive
  • Whitening
  • Pro Clean
  • Tongue Clean

Yes, they are different but don’t worry too much about these.  Ultimately the differences are subtle. The likes of the intense mode is basically a renamed Pro Clean mode.

Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 18

Both models have an LED ring around the neck of the brush handle.  With each, this ring will be lit with a red light when excess pressure is detected during brushing.  This is designed to alert the user to relieve the pressure.

However, the iO’s light ring will also be lit green when the correct brushing pressure is applied.  You actually want the green ring to be lit for the full 2 minutes of brushing if you can.  You don’t have this on the Genius.

But, another slight difference is that the iO does not change the sound of the brush like the Genius 8000 does when too much pressure is applied.  You only get the light warning with the iO, which is a real shame.

Oral-B iO Smart Pressure Sensor

Both of these brushes are considered smart and are capable of tracking the position of the toothbrush in the mouth.  However, the way that they do this is really quite different.

The iO has sensors built into the handle that detects the position and can report this back in real-time to the smartphone application.

The Genius 8000 can too offer real-time feedback, but the significant difference here is that it uses the front facing camera of the smartphone to track the position of the brush.

To assist with this, the Genius Pro comes with a suction cup mount for your smartphone to be placed in (at head height), when you brush.  You do not get such with the iO.

Oral-B’s smartphone app which is available for Android and iOS is configured differently for each of these brushes.  The iO has a 3D teeth tracking technology which results in an on screen graphic which changes the color of the teeth from a blue through to a bright white when completed successfully.

It probably goes without saying, that whilst the Genius 8000 setup kind of works it is the much more awkward approach.

You have to remain quite still for the tracking to work, whereas the sensors and AI technology that are part of the Series 9 toothbrush is implemented better.  For a start, you don't have to stand right in front of your phone for the full 2 minute sof brushing!

Charging stands are provided in the box with both models.

Whilst both essentially do the same job, they are designed differently and transfer the charge at different rates.

The Genius 9000 comes with the more traditional Oral-B charging stand that has a prong (protuberance) on it that fits into a recess in the base of the brush handle.

Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 19

The standard charging stand is white in color, whereas the stand provided with the iO is either black or white subject to the color variant chosen.

The iO does not have a recess in the base of the brush handle.  The base of the handle has a slight concave design which aligns with the slightly convexed top of the iO’s charging stand.

Round in its design it has a slightly larger footprint than the normal charging stand.  However, it is magnetic, which means the iO is essentially attracted to the stand and held fairly securely in place.  This stand is also less sensitive to how the brush is positioned. 

The iO’s charging stand supports 100-240V compared to the 110-130V charging stand of the Genius 9000.

With the magnetic charging stand, you can recharge the iO’s battery in around 3 hours, compared to the 12 hours of the Genius 8000.

On the Genius 8000 brush handle, there is a battery status icon.  You don’t have this with the iO, it has been moved to the display.  The display will show the battery charge remaining with a graphic and text percentage (%).  This percentage is set at 10% increments.  It won’t ever read 44% for example.

This is more accurate battery data than the Genius offers, which is limited to 3 bars on the battery icon*.

Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 20

Both toothbrushes have travel charging cases, but there are some subtle differences.  The Genius Pro’s case feels the more premium, although the iO’s is lighter.

The 8000’s travel case has a USB port to charge other devices such as a smartphone at the same time as you charge a toothbrush. The iO’s power2go case does not have this USB port.

The Genius 8000’s travel case has a smartphone stand in the lid of the case, which the iO’s case does not.

Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 21

And rather oddly, the iO’s case holds the handle and 1 brush head when every other Oral-B travel case, the Genius included holds the handle and 2 heads.

The cases supplied with the iO Series 7 and 8 don't offer in the case charging, but they do hold 2 brush heads.

The last difference is that the Genius 8000 comes with a brush head storage compartment.  It is essentially a plastic tray that has a space for the charging stand to fit into.  To the right side there are then moldings into which up to 4 brush heads can be laid.  A hinged lid can be opened to access the brushes and closed to protect them.  This compartment is not designed for travel purposes.

Does one clean better than the other?

No, not really.

The brushes do have different motors and a different approach to delivering the power to the bristles on the brush head.

However, whilst the differences exist, determining that one brush is really any better than the other is very difficult.  Even under strict clinical conditions the results in favour of the iO are not likely to be that significant.

You are going to get more benefit from perfecting your toothbrushing technique than you would between selecting these brushes based on how effective these brushes are at removing plaque.

Improving your brushing technique is where there iO can potentially win out for you.

Oral-B iO vs Genius Pro 8000 22

The real-time tracking and on-screen graphics can teach you to brush in a way that the 8000 can’t.  And the OLED display on the handle gives some visual encouragement.

If apps and data is something that motivates you, then the iO will win here.  However, at this point you are enhancing your skills and ability to clean correctly.  The toothbrush is doing the work, but you could achieve the same results with the 8000.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes.

The retail prices of these brushes are different.

The Genius Pro 8000 has a recommended retail price of $199-250.

The Oral-B iO 9 Series has a retail price of $300.

Yes, there is an 8 and 7 Series that are marginally cheaper, but I am focusing on the top of the line model here.

I would not advise you to pay full price for either of these brushes.

However, the reality is that the iO and the 8000 are typically sold for approximately 20-25% less than their advertised retail price.

Series 9 iO electric toothbrush box

The average price of the Genius is around $165, whilst the iO is around $225.  

These prices are more reasonable, even if they are technically still fairly expensive toothbrushes.

However, the initial purchase price is one thing, long term ownership is another.

The Genius Pro 8000 is cheaper to purchase from the outset, but the brush heads are cheaper too.

They work out on average at $5 each, compared to the $10 of the iO’s.  With the introduction of the iO came a price hike in the brush heads.

Priced over 3 years, the Genius Pro 8000 will cost around 22 cents per day to own compared to the 28 cents of the iO.

Ultimately you should only commit to buying a brush at a price you are prepared to pay and deem valuable to you.

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

Our Choice
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Our Choice
Oral-B Genius Pro 8000
Oral-B Genius Pro 8000
Electric Teeth Rating
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Amazon $226.99 $179.94
Oral B $249.99 $99.99

The iO is an evolution of the Genius Pro 8000.  

It arrives 4 years after the 8000 first came to market.

To be fair to the 8000 it still holds its own, even if the tech inside is much older.

Both clean the teeth very well but there are obvious enhancements in design and technology that make the iO the more enjoyable brush to use on a daily basis.  

It does come at a price premium however, but one I do believe is ultimately justifiable if you really want a smart and fully featured toothbrush. For a more detailed look, see our Oral-B iO review.

*A previous version of this comparison suggested the iO had a superior battery life of 6+ weeks compared to the 2+ of the Genius Pro 8000.

As part of our testing process, it is necessary to simulate battery use for consistency. We do this by charging the brush fully and running the toothbrush through brushing cycles until it discharges completely.

The iO continues to offer a battery life of 6+ weeks in these tests. However, repeated in hand testing has shown the battery life to only be 2 weeks. This is a discrepancy we have never previously experienced. All other brushes have to date performed almost identically during in hand test to those simulated.

Author: Jon Love

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