Another brush is being added to the iO Series range of electric toothbrushes from Oral-B, taking the number of iO model choices up to 9.
The iO Series 2 is the newest and least feature rich model, sitting below the iO3.
Information was originally released about the iO2 via promotional videos on the Oral-B YouTube channel for North America and via a press release. It is now listed on the Oral-B website.
The iO2 will use the same 2 pin charging stand as most other iO models. This is the same charger that Pro, Smart and Genius models use. It supports 110-130v and charges the brush in up to 24 hours. It is not the magnetic style stand that the iO7, 8 and 9 use that can charge the brush in just 3.
The built-in rechargeable battery is believed to offer about 2 weeks of use on a full charge and feedback on the remaining power will be provided via the LED in the power button.
There is no display built into the handle, like the premium iO6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Instead, a single power button that also doubles up as a mode button to cycle between the 3 different cleaning modes available.
Like the iO Series 3 and 4 there are no icons or labels on the handle to show which of the 3 models you will have selected. The 3 options and their order are:
- Super Sensitive
- Gentle Clean (Sensitive)
- Daily Clean
Brushes without mode labels like the iO2, don't usually default to the last used mode. Therefore if your preference is the Daily Clena mode, you will need to press the power button 3 times. Once to turn it on and a further 2 times to change to that mode.
However, according to the quick start guide, it will be possible to set your preferred mode as the one the brush defaults to. You will need to press the power button for 3 seconds, once you are in the preferred mode to set it as your favorite.
If you set Daily Clean as your preference, the order of the modes changes to:
- Daily Clean
- Super Sensitive
- Sensitive
We have learnt that the motor used inside the iO2 brush handle is different to that of all the other iO models. This is what enables the iO2 to be offered at a lower price point than other iO models.
Oral-B says it uses 'linear pulse drive'. What this means and how it compares to other iO models will only be revealed once we get hands-on with it and conduct our testing. It is supposed to still offer a smooth and quiet brushing expereince.
The iO Series 2 has a pressure sensor. However, unlike all other iO models that have a smart pressure sensor that alerts you when you are applying insufficient, the correct and too much force, the iO2, will only alert you when too much force is being used.
Rather than a light ring around the neck of the brush handle, the LED in the power button will be lit red. The brush motor will automatically reduce the number of movements in the bristles until the pressure is relieved.
Given that Oral-B is pitching this as a brush that will 'effortlessly transition manual toothbrush users to electric toothbrushes' I am concerned that it is not obvious enough to new users, who might be prone to brushing with too much force.
A pressure sensor isn't an essential feature, but it is one that we highly recommend as it is so useful in helping you to brush better and limit potential damage to the teeth and gums. But, it's better than none at all.
The iO2 is said to also come with a new brush head with Smart Bristles that now fully fade their color to white, making it easy to know when it's time to change your brush head. The promotional text so far doesn't show any new brush heads, so we suspect the current range of iO compatible refills will be updated with the new bristles instead.
A nice touch is that both a soft britstled gentle care and the firmer bristled ultimate clean head will be included in the box.
The retail price is expected to be $64.99. Average selling prices will likely be around $50 if you account for the typical 20 per cent discount often offered on Oral-B brushes. Considering the iO3 has a retail price of $79.99 and the limited differences, it's about right.
Thanks to a product listing on Amazon, we now have confirmation that the iO2 will begin shipping July 1st in the USA.
We've order ours and will be producing a full review as soon as we can.
If you have any questions or things you want us to check, please leave a comment below.
Do you know what the decibel rating is for this model?
Not yet I am afriad Melissa. It hasn't begun shipping for us to buy and test.
I suspect it will be in the region of 64 decibels like most other iO models.