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Oral-B iO7 Review

Technically great, but the iO6 is nearly identical & a lot cheaper

4 star rating

The iO7 is a very stylish looking electric brush that cleans the teeth well.

It has some innovative features that can be beneficial for some.

Pros

  • Premium looking handle with a built-in display
  • Quieter than other Oral-B brushes
  • Rapid recharging with the magnetic charging stand
  • Real-time tracking via Bluetooth can be valuable to the most committed users
  • American Dental Association (ADA) approved

Cons

  • Requires specific heads which are more expensive
  • Bluetooth connectivity isn’t essential and adds to the cost

Preview Product Rating Price
Oral-B iO Series 7 Oral-B iO Series 7 642 Reviews $219.99 $199.94Amazon Prime

The iO6 is cheaper

By opting for the iO Series 6 rather than the iO7, you are likely to save yourself a fair amount of money.

Technically the brushes are nigh on identical, the main difference is the charging stand and charging time.

The iO6 has the standard (non-magnetic) charger and takes around 12 hours to charge rather unlike the 3 of the iO7.

Or, alternatively, if smart toothbrushes are not for you, then our best electric toothbrush post will point you in the right direction.

Preview Product Rating Price
Oral-B iO Series 6 - Grey Opal Oral-B iO Series 6 - Grey Opal 505 Reviews $144.44Amazon Prime

How the iO7 looks, feels and works 

Before going into detail on the brush itself, I wish to give a quick mention of the retail packaging for the iO7.

Compared to some of the Oral-B unboxing experiences I have had, this is much better.

The outer box is cardboard and the inner tray is to card rather than polystyrene which was extensively used in the past.

The artwork on the box has a very typical Oral-B design to it. It is fairly consistent with other models. However, there has been a real improvement in the amount of information printed on it.

In the past, it would state 5 cleaning modes, but never say what they were. Now, these are clearly identified. Other features are highlighted and explained too.

Somewhat disappointing is the fact that the travel is wrapped with a plastic sleeve. 

Oral-B iO Series 7 White

A display is built into the stylish brush handle

Just like the more premium iO Series 8 and 9, the iO7 has a display built right into the brush handle.

Unlike those, however, it is a black and white screen rather than color. Yes, the color one appears a bit nicer, but in all honesty, it has the most minimal impact on your daily use. There is no need to go for a handle primarily for the color screen.

Arguably overkill, I do think it is a great addition and adds to the premium characteristics of the brush.

Oral-B iO7 Review 1

What I particularly like about it is that it gives more meaningful information. You don’t just get a cleaning mode icon, you get a label for the name of that cleaning mode. It just makes everyday interactions that bit better.

As an added bonus there are small customizations that can be made via the display, that would usually be reserved for the app, if there was no screen.

There is a button above and below the display.  The top one is the power button whilst the lower is the mode key. 

The buttons are your controls for the display because this isn’t a touchscreen. Use the mode button to cycle through options and the power key to confirm your selection.

Just like other iO brush handles, the 7 looks and feels great.

There is a rounded shape to the handle with no harsh edges.

It is just an inch thick and wide.

Unlike cheaper Oral-B brushes and even premium models from years gone by, there is a distinct lack of textured surfaces on the iO’s handle.

Instead, there is a smooth, but resistive coating to the plastic. That might sound odd, but basically, it isn’t as slippery to the touch as you expect.

The benefit of less grip is that the handle is easier to keep clean. It can easily be rinsed and wiped. You don’t get a buildup of toothpaste residue and grime within the textured surfaces of the rubber, as is the case with other models.

The iO7 feels solid and well built when in the hand

With few exceptions, electric toothbrushes are of plastic construction.

This is because plastic is easily molded, is very resistant to moisture, and is durable and lightweight.

The iO7 like the other iO Series handle does feel robust and well built when in the hand.

In the past, Oral-B brushes haven’t felt poor quality as such, but they just didn’t give the same sense of premium as Philips Sonicare.

With the iO7 gloss white plastics have been dropped for a cleaner and more desirable matt finish to the handle.

Oral-B iO7 in white

Having been making toothbrushes for many years, Oral-B knows what works. Whilst the iO7 is a newer design, I have little in the way of concerns for long term durability.

My iO9 has been in use for a couple of years at the time of writing and still operates as if it were new.

Aside from the aforementioned screen and buttons, on the front of the handle you will also find a printed Bluetooth icon along with the Oral-B iO logos.

The back and sides of the handle are free from any notable ports or controls.

There is no raised plastic nodule on the back of the handle to stop it from rolling about. But when laid flat it tends only to wobble a bit, rather than roll, due to the weight and shape of the handle.

Unlike the iO 4, 5 and 6, the base of the iO7 is pretty much flat. It does concave very slightly, but there is no recess in it for the charging pin of the charging stand.

The Series 7 will happily stand upright on a countertop.

It’s water resistant, but not submergible

Most toothbrushes, including the Series 7 are designed to withstand the rigors of twice daily use.

Water, wet hands, toothpaste and saliva are all in store for your handle. 

Whilst I don’t suggest trying to submerge the iO7 unnecessarily, the handle is water resistant so a good rinse under the faucet and even use in the shower are perfectly acceptable things to do.

There are 5 different brushing modes to choose between

A common feature of premium brushes is the choice of multiple cleaning or brushing modes. The iO Series 7 is no exception.

You can choose between 5. Your choices are:

  • Daily Clean
  • Gum Care
  • Sensitive
  • Whitening
  • Intense

To be perfectly honest, there is little need for the 5. You have 3 or 4 modes more than you actually need.

For the vast majority of users, and I include myself in this, the Daily Clean and Sensitive modes are more than sufficient. Modes like whitening and intense don’t provide any significant benefit to you and there is little to no evidence to really confirm the need for them.

However, you have the choice if you like.

If you want to learn more about the different brushing modes on Oral-B handles, do check out our guide to Oral-B cleaning modes.

Oral-B iO7 Review 2

To change between each, you press the lower of the 2 buttons on the front of the brush handle.

You can continue to cycle through the modes until you get to the one that you want. You then press the power button to confirm your selection.

The brush will remain set to the chosen cleaning mode during your brushing session and it will default to that the next time you turn the brush on.

For those who use the app, you can actually control the order and even disable those you don’t want.

The timer and pacer help you to brush for the right amount of time

An essential feature of any good toothbrush is a 2 minute timer and pacer. It is something our in-house dentists recommend.

You will be pleased to know that these are built into the iO7 as standard.

As the brush is turned on the pacer and timer are activated.

At 30 second intervals the pacer kicks in. You will note a pause in the bristle motion, a change in sound and brushing sensation and a vibration in the handle. This is your cue to move from one section of the mouth to another.

This then repeats every 30 seconds, until the brush gets to 120 seconds (2 minutes).

The idea is that you break the mouth up into 4 sections: 

  • upper right
  • upper left
  • lower right 
  • lower left

You spend 30 seconds cleaning each section. As you do, you try to give equal attention to the front, back and biting surfaces of the teeth. 

If you do, come the 120 seconds of brushing time, you should have achieved an even clean to the teeth and gums.

You will need to press the power button to turn the toothbrush off, as it does not power off automatically as some other brushes do. Well, it would if you left the brush running for 5 minutes, but I don’t recommend doing so.

As you power the brush off, no matter how long you have been brushing for, you will get an emoji style face appear on the screen. What face it is depends on your brushing time.

Brush for an insufficient amount of time and you will get a sad face. Brush for 2 minutes and you get a smiley face. If you brush for much longer than required you will see a starry eyed smile.

Around the world, dental professionals are in almost unanimous agreement that you should be brushing your teeth twice a day 2 minutes at a time. And cleaning in between the teeth at least once a day.

The reality is far too few do, with the average brushing time being just 45-70 seconds in total per day.

If you are guilty of this, you are putting your oral health at risk.

It is worth knowing that during any brushing session you do get a timer on the screen too. It isn’t necessarily the easiest to see based on the way you hold the brush, but it is there should you need to refer to it.

The smart pressure sensor alerts you when you brush with the correct or incorrect amount of pressure

This is probably one of the best pressure sensor implementations in any electric toothbrush on the market today. 

Around the neck of the brush handle is a light ring that changes color depending on the pressure applied.

This is another dentist recommended feature.

The colors and what they mean are as follows:

  • White – Low pressure – not enough force is being applied. This is the default setting.
  • Green – The right amount of pressure is being used.
  • Red – High or excessive pressure is being applied and the force should be reduced.
Oral-B iO7 Review 3

As best as possible you want the light ring to be lit green for the entirety of the brushing session.

It is worth noting that the white light can be customized to an alternative color via the smartphone app.

Too much pressure can damage the teeth and gums. As such when the red light is active, in the daily clean, intense and sensitive modes the number of brush head movements will be reduced until the pressure is relieved.

If using the smartphone application when brushing you will be alerted via the on-screen graphics only when too much force is being applied.

The sound of the brush handle does differ very slightly when excessive force is being used. It does not alter the vibration pattern felt via the handle, like Sonicare brushes do.

This smart sensor isn’t exclusive to the iO7. It is available on all Oral-B iO series handles.

Oral-B iO Smart Pressure Sensor - Red

The iO’s motor is quieter

A common complaint of many Oral-B brushes is that they are loud.

I concur with this. Compared to a Philips Sonicare or other sonic toothbrush they are very noisy.

To put it into perspective, if someone was talking to you when using a sonic toothbrush, you would hear them clearly. With an Oral-B brush running it would be a bit more of a challenge.

However, there is good news with the iO7, because it uses a newer and different motor.

Sealed inside the handle is a brushless magnetic drive system used exclusively in the iO Series.

It does mean the brushing experience is actually different. Existing Oral-B users will likely notice the difference. It is a bit softer and less aggressive.

But, the good news is that it is quieter too.

The iO7 produces up to about 72 decibels of sound or less. That is in the region of 5 decibels less than other Oral-B brushes.

The iO4, 5 and 6 are quieter still.

If the noise of the brush is important to you, check out our post on the quietest electric toothbrushes.

You will be hard pushed to find a brush that cleans better

Even though I have tested hundreds of different toothbrushes, I tend to always come back to Oral-B.

This is because the cleaning results are just so good from the oscillating and rotating brush head.

It sounds clichéd but I get that dentist clean feeling after each brushing session.

My at home plaque disclosing tests have shown how well the brush removes the bacteria. And I do like how the cleaning action is a little more intense and invigorating. This might not be to everyone’s liking, but it works for me.

Oral-B has posted impressive clinical results with their iO brushes and clinical research has shown how the evidence tends to stack up in favor of Oral-B.

But, for full disclosure, it isn’t an open and shut case. Sonic brushes are still very good. 

Oral-B iO7 Review 4

When it comes to dental advice and information on how to take care of your teeth, the American Dental Association (ADA) is one of the leading bodies.

Therefore you gain extra peace of mind and reassurance in knowing that the iO7 has achieved the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance.

The association awards products this seal when they are proven to be safe and when they have shown efficacy in removing plaque and helping prevent and reduce gingivitis. 

The different cleaning modes have some bearing on the intensity of the clean, so if you prefer something a little more gentle, the sensitive mode might be for you.

Irrespective of the mode, use the correct techniques and you will get a good clean of the teeth and gums.

Replacement brush heads are ridiculously expensive

With the introduction of the iO came a new range of iO exclusive brush heads.

These heads fit only iO brush handles and are not compatible with other Oral-B brushes such as the Vitality, Pro, Smart and Genius.

And the heads that fit those models don’t fit the iO Series.

They don’t fit because the attachment is different. They still push on and pull off of the handle, but the iO brush head shaft is a bit wider and angled differently.

This re-design may well have been necessary, but I am not sure that the additional cost is.

A typical set of bristles for most Oral-B brushes costs around $5 per head.

The new iO refills are over double this cost at about $12 per head.

Not only is the lack of compatibility frustrating, but if you are upgrading, the price premium is very off-puting. Particularly when you need to replace the heads every 3 months ideally.

The iO7 comes supplied with 2 Ultimate Clean brush head, which provides a very satisfying clean.

It has slightly firmer bristles that are angled at 16 degrees to effectively remove plaque from the teeth and along the gumline.

It is not the only style of head available though.

You can choose between:

  • Ultimate Clean
  • Gentle Care
  • Radiant White
  • Specialized Clean

The ultimate clean and gentle care are our top choices. 

iO Brush Head Range

You can choose the one you prefer, you don’t have to stick with the style that comes included in the box.

You can learn more about the specific differences between each head and why we select each by reading our Oral-B brush heads article.

Be reminded when it is time to replace your brush head

3 months is the recommended time to replace them because, assuming you brush for the recommended time, the bristles will wear and become less effective.

The rounded tips can become uneven and potentially damage the gums and abrade the tooth surface.

Whilst it is unlikely that you are going to do any significant damage if you were to use the head for 4 months, it is best to avoid using it for this long if you can.

The iO7 will actually remind you when it is time to replace the head via the app and on-screen. This only works if you log within the app when you last replaced it.

These reminders are really helpful as the brush heads themselves don’t always have fading indicator bristles to remind you.

If your brush head shows obvious signs of wear sooner than this, you want to replace the brush head sooner too. It might also be a sign you are brushing incorrectly, perhaps with too much force.

Once you have replaced the head, you should reset the reminder within the app.

Oral-B App Brush Head Replacement Reminder

The reminder system works on a number of assumptions and isn’t tracking the head via a unique tracking chip like Sonicare does with their BrushSync enabled heads.

So the iO7 wouldn’t know if you replaced the head after 1 month unless you specifically told it.

You can access the app at any time to see how long you have been using the head. It logs when it was replaced and counts the number of days used as well as the number of brushing minutes that have elapsed.

Track your brushing habits via your smartphone using Bluetooth

All of the iO Series brush handles offer Bluetooth connectivity. 

This means you can connect the iO7 to your smartphone, using the free Oral-B app for Android and iOS, and get insights into your oral care routine.

It is what some might call a ‘smart toothbrush’.

As a general rule, we don’t recommend smart brushes. This is because you don’t need them to achieve a good clean. 

Not to mention they use more resources and can be more expensive.

But, some people, maybe yourself, might like the idea of getting more information on how you are brushing and being alerted to insights and patterns within your routine.

The principle of the app is to educate and encourage people like you and me to take more control and ownership of our oral health.

If we can learn what we are doing well and where there are areas for improvement, we can make the appropriate corrections before problems arise.

Changes and improvements to the app are being made all of the time, this is the beauty of such a toothbrush. But as it stands you can customize the order of the cleaning modes, set specific oral care journeys, see the battery status, change the color of the light ring and track how long you have been using a particular brush head, amongst other things.

As you brush you are able to see which cleaning mode you have selected. The screen will change when you are applying too much pressure and more.

Track your brushing in real-time and improve your brushing immediately

One of the more unique features of this premium toothbrush is the ability to track its position in the mouth. 

Sensors in the handle relay the orientation of the brush back to the app in real-time, which turns the data into on-screen visuals.

The idea being it helps you to learn what areas of the mouth you are and are not brushing well, so that you can take corrective action, either immediately or the next time you brush.

Based on how well you brush, you are given a score.

This score, along with other bits of brushing data are presented in a dashboard that you can take learnings from.

The app looks to build up an average score and understanding of your habits, but you can drill down into individual brushing sessions.

Even if you use the brush at times without the app, the handle will store some of the data and sync this with the app next time.

Without getting into too much minute detail, the whole system is very clever. Conceptually it is a very good idea and with serious commitment, some will gain a real benefit.

But a few of the sticking points are as follows:

  1. You need to be committed to making improvements

To get the improvements you want or the app encourages you need to really work hard at making the necessary changes. Essentially you have to be prepared to correct your mistakes. If you do, this should benefit your oral health.

Ideally, you want to have your phone with you each time you brush, which isn’t something everyone will want to do.

  1. The tracking isn’t that accurate – 6 zones rather than 16

The tracking works, but it isn’t perfect. 

Some sessions seem better than others, but I will often have the app registering a different zone to the one I am actually brushing. There can be a noticeable lag/delay in the visuals.

The app shows the on-screen visuals based on 6 zones (upper right rear, upper front, upper left rear, lower right rear, lower front and lower left rear) compared to the 16 zones (all the tooth surfaces) that are tracked on the iO9 for example.

Tracking 16 zones is more accurate and meaningful than 6. You might always be failing to brush the inside surfaces in a particular zone. But, you wouldn’t know this as the 6 zone tracking isn’t as specific.

It’s not a massive issue, but the pacer on the iO7 is set to 4 quadrants by default, yet the app is set to 6 zones. Thus a 20 second (sextant) pacer might be more useful to encourage even brushing in the ones being tracked.

Whilst I won’t claim to have the perfect brushing technique, I do think it is perhaps better than most. That said, even I struggle to get perfect scores all the time. Perhaps I have faults or it is partly down to the tech?

Oral-B Smartphone App 6 Zone Tracking Timer
  1. Once you have made the improvements, you probably won’t want to track

If you have a terrible routine and habits this brush can aid improvement. But what about when you have mastered it?

Let’s assume you have got a pretty accurate brushing score every time for the last 3 months. The motivation to use the app inevitably wears off.

Yes, you can periodically log a few sessions to ensure you are still doing the right thing, but have the value and benefit gone?

  1. You can achieve similar results for a fraction of the price 

You don’t need a smart toothbrush to perfect your routine.

Yes, it could help, but you could save a lot of money by buying a more affordable toothbrush without the tech and instead learning the correct approaches from other sources.

Get personalized recommendations and tutorials from your dental hygienist or watch some of our oral care videos that show you how to brush correctly.

With a few minutes of your time and several brushing sessions where you really put into practice what you have learnt, you can achieve the same results.

2 color choices

You have the choice between:

  • White Alabaster
  • Black Onyx

Technically each brush handle is the same, the difference is the color of the brush handle, head and travel case.

There is Series 7G. It comes with a magnetic pouch case, rather than hard plastic.

Oral-B iO Series 7 Box Contents
Box contents of the iO7 – Image used for illustration purposes

Accessories and extras

Included in the box with the iO7 is a travel case.

It holds the handle and up to 2 brush heads.

It is a more premium case than you get with the iO4, 5 and 6. The plastics are thicker and more durable. The inner lining is molded differently.

Fundamentally they do the same thing, but the case with the iO7 is better quality. It is a touch heavier too.

Holding the case vertically, it is hinged on the left side, opening up like a book.

The ends of the case are rounded, as is the top lid. The base is flat, so it sits on a worktop.

Debossed onto the top lid is the Oral-B iO logo with a push style clip on the right side to lock the case closed or to open it up.

iO7 in travel case

Summary of design, usability & general use

  • Minimal look to the brush handle which is easy to keep clean
  • Black and white display
  • Available in a variety of colors
  • Separate power and cleaning mode buttons
  • 5 different cleaning modes
  • Defaults to the last cleaning mode used
  • It has a built-in 2 minute timer and 30 second pacer
  • Excellent visible smart pressure sensor helps reduce the chance of doing damage
  • Quiet, brushless magnetic motor
  • Great cleaning results from the small round brush head
  • American Dental Association approved
  • 2 x Ultimate Clean brush head supplied
  • Additional brush head styles are available separately 
  • Brush head replacement reminder system
  • Connects to a free smartphone application via Bluetooth
  • Real-time tracking is available to encourage better oral care routines
  • The real-time tracking isn’t as comprehensive as models like the iO9 with 16 zone tracking
  • Options to customize the brush handle
  • Travel case and brush head holder included

The battery lasts about 16 days on a full charge

Oral-B says the battery life of the iO7 is 2 weeks.

This is pretty standard now across the Oral-B range, iO series brush handle or not.

In my hands-on testing, I achieved 32 brushing sessions, each 2 minutes in length.

That is equivalent to 16 days of use or about 2 days longer than the advertised 2 weeks.

I don’t think it is acceptable for a premium brush like this to offer anything less. Competitors outperform here.

Therefore the Series 7 achieves my benchmark, but isn’t exactly excelling.

Usage time does appear to vary

As far as I am aware the physical battery is the same in all iO models, but there does seem to be slight differences in the usable life.

Each model gives marginally different results. The iO4 seems to marginally outperform the 7 for example.

But at times even the one model can perform better and then next time a little worse.

16 days was about the average I have gotten from the iO7, but I have achieved at times 14 or 15.

I am unable to say conclusively, but I do wonder whether the Bluetooth connectivity and the display have a part to play at times draining a little more power.

I try to keep my usage as consistent as possible, but I use the brush as you would at home, rather than bench tests in a lab.

Premium magnetic charging stand

Here is one way in which the 7 Series stands out from the competition.

Included in the box is a charging stand that isn’t provided with most brushes. In fact, it is currently exclusive to select iO models.

Wider, deeper and heavier than a standard Oral-B charging stand, the magnetic charger is circular in its design.

There is no prong on the top onto which the brush sits.

Instead, the stand itself has magnets inside which attract and hold the iO7 brush handle when placed on it.

The design means the handle can be put on in any position, there isn’t just 1 way it fits to it.

Oral-B iO Series 9 Black on charging stand

It comes in either black or white color, subject to the variant you have.

Hardwired into it is a 2 pin US power adapter. The cord is about 4 feet in length.

The stand supports 100-240 volts, unlike the 110-130 volts of the standard charger.

What this means is that if you were to travel with this charger you need a plug adapter only (if applicable).

Another benefit is that this premium charger replenishes the battery quicker.

It takes around 3 hours as opposed to the 12-15 hours of most other Oral-B brushes.

Battery charge status feedback

Unlike other models that have an LED on the brush handle to give an indication of the remaining power in the battery, the iO7 does not have such.

As you might well have guessed, feedback is given via the LED display.

Shown about 15 seconds after you turn the brush off, you get an animated graphic of a battery and a percentage number above on the screen.

The battery icon has a differing number of bars within it, subject to the charge level. More bars equals more charge remaining.

The percentage is a precise number such as 73% rather than in increments of 10 for example*.

You can also view the amount of charge in the battery via the smartphone application.

The app will store the last known charge status until such time data is synced again and an updated reading given.

When the battery is low (around 10 percent remaining) the icon on the screen will turn red. The motor will reduce its speed and the smart pressure sensor will blink red too.

When placed on the charging stand, the charge level is shown on the screen and the smart pressure sensor ring light will slowly pulse with a white light to confirm it is charging.

Once fully charged the light will go out.

*It should be noted some older iO7 models (including ours) show the percentage in 10 percent increments on screen, but as a precise percentage within the app. Hardware updates since initial launch have changed this as far as we understand.

The battery is not user replaceable

Inside the handle is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery.

It is similar to that built into your smartphone and other mobile gadgets.

Oral-B has sealed it inside the handle to limit the potential of damage. 

Water can really hamper electronics. Therefore the handle has been designed to limit the likelihood of any moisture getting inside. 

The consequence is that the brush isn’t repairable at home.

Removing the battery or attempting to do so will basically render the brush useless.

This approach is common across the industry and needs to change, in the interest of the environment.

A battery will often last 5+ years, but it is very handy to have the option of at least replacing it if you need to.

Summary of battery life

  • Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery built-in
  • Expected to last 2+ weeks on a full charge
  • Achieved 16 days in hands-on testing
  • Premium magnetic charging stand included
  • Can be recharged in just 3 hours
  • 2 pin power adapter hardwired into the stand
  • The charging stand supports 100-240v
  • The battery charge level is shown on the display and within the app
  • A pulsing red light ring means the battery could do with being recharged
  • A pulsing white light when on the stand means the battery is being recharged
  • No light when on the stand means the battery is fully charged
  • The battery is sealed inside and is not replaceable.

Price & where to buy

I have included links to buying options here at the start of the review.

In the section below, I discuss the price more generally and in relation to similar products.

At the time of review, $199.99 is the retail price for the Series 7.

Yes, you did read that right. $200.

Whether you are a new electric toothbrush user or not, it is probably quite clear that this isn’t a cheap electric toothbrush.

Aim for a 20% discount on the retail price

Quite often you are able to buy electric toothbrushes for less than their suggested selling price.

It isn’t a hard and fast rule, but a typical discount is around 20%.

This brings the cost down to a more reasonable, $160 or thereabouts.

How it compares to other Oral-B prices

As you might expect other models in the range follow a similar pricing strategy.

Arguably there are better savings on the most premium models as the discount is higher.

The iO9 has a $299.99 price point and sells for around $240.

$80 more expensive than the iO7, it is a fairly sizable premium, even if some of the extras are worth a bit more.

You can get a very good electric toothbrush for that $80 alone.

In this instance though, the iO9 might just be worth the extra. You gain enhanced position detection and a travel case that allows the brush to be charged inside.

The iO6, which sits below the 7 actually sells for around $120, so around $40 less.

If you are not too worried about the premium magnetic charging stand of the Series 7, you should opt for the 6. There really are no other meaningful differences.

Oral-B iO7 with retail box

iO brush heads are overpriced

I like to be as honest and transparent with you as possible.

A regular replacement brush head for an Oral-B electric toothbrush will cost around $5.

For this price, you are getting a genuine manufacturer original.

But, these heads do not fit or work with the iO7.

With the introduction of the iO Series came a new brush head style and attachment.

The consequence is replacement heads for the iO7 are iO Series specific.

And they cost twice the price on average of the other Oral-B brush heads.

Expect to pay around $12 per brush head.

How the long term ownership costs work out

At Electric Teeth we like to price a brush over a 3 year period to give a bit of a benchmark by which to compare it to other models.

According to our research and feedback, affordability and value for money are important to people when buying a toothbrush

The iO7 is going to cost about $160 to purchase.

You then need to factor in replacement heads every 3 months, at $12 per head.

Over 3 years that is an additional cost of $120.

Your total ownership cost is then about $280.

This is quite expensive. Not the most expensive brush, but one of the more premium options.

The Smart 1500 is one of the best value brushes on the market, costing $120 over 3 years.

This is over 2x cheaper. And this is accounting for the discounted selling price!

And for the saving, you are certainly not getting a clean 2 times as bad. In fact, there is little to distinguish between the 2.

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.

Summary of price & where to buy

  • List of buying options included here
  • Recommended retail price of $199.99
  • Generally available with a 20% discount to make it $160
  • Replacement brush heads cost about $12 each
  • Works out at $280 over 3 years
  • Models like the Smart 1500 cost a third of the price

My thoughts on reliability and repairability

Oral-B is an established player within the oral care sector and their electric toothbrushes are on the whole very reliable.

It is not possible to say that the iO7 would never fail, but the odds are very low.

The screen is potentially a more risky addition to the handle as it isn’t tried and tested like some other technology.

The fact it is not a touchscreen does work in its favor.

But, having been using the iO Series handles for a couple of years at the time of review, I have not heard of screen failure being a real issue.

As standard, you get a 2 year warranty.

Unfortunately, no parts on the brush are designed to be user serviceable. This isn’t uncommon for an electric toothbrush. With a need to move to more sustainable approaches this is disappointing.

Sustainability

Electric toothbrushes don’t fare well in their impact on the environment because of materials needed for their electrical components, heavy weight when shipping, and the need to be disposed of as e-waste.

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use one. You need to balance effective cleaning and disease prevention against the environmental impact.

Electric toothbrushes can reduce the need for dental treatment. And avoid the need for planetary impacts that come from procedures such as fillings.

There is a lack of detailed evidence to confirm that a filling is worse than use of an electric toothbrush. But, with the data available, dentist Gemma Wheeler believes that a single filling is worse than an electric brush with a usable life of 5 years.

There is no perfect solution as yet. We want to see manufacturers doing more to tackle this issue and achieve significant improvements.

Schemes to recycle brush heads only scratch the surface of what needs to be done.

Related to the iO7 specifically:

Pros

  • Recyclable cardboard box and inner tray.

Cons

  • The in handle display isn’t a necessary feature.
  • The travel cases come wrapped in plastic, which isn’t necessary.
  • The brush head refill will be surplus to requirement for some.
  • The Bluetooth technology isn’t necessary either, requiring additional components.
  • No user serviceable parts.
    • Removing the battery breaks the brush.

Conclusion

The iO7 is far from a bad toothbrush. I certainly can’t and won’t say you shouldn’t buy it. 

It cleans the teeth well and I could happily use this every day.

It has the dentist recommended features of a timer, pacer and pressure sensor.

Ultimately it is a toothbrush that is far more capable than the vast majority of us need and because of this, it commands a price that isn’t necessarily easy to justify.

The iO Series 6 is better value and a more sensible choice for most with little in the way of sacrifice. Whilst the Series 9 is the better choice for those who do want it all and are prepared to part with the money.

Or you could forget all the smart features and go with a much more affordable brush that can still clean the teeth well, if used correctly.

See our best Oral-B electric toothbrush article for our current value-for-money recommendation.

Size Guide

  • Height (without head) – 18.3cm / 7.2 inches
  • Height (with head) – 24cm / 9.45 inches
  • Width – 2.8cm / 1.1 inches
  • Thickness – 2.8cm / 1.1 inches
  • Weight (without head) – 126g / 4.44 ounces
  • Weight (with head) – 134g / 4.7 ounces

All are approximates

Noise

  • 72dB

More Oral-B iO content

In case you hadn’t noticed, the Oral-B iO range now includes several models. 

We explain the differences in our Oral-B iO comparison

We’ve also reviewed each brush individually: 

About Jon Love

Jon is a leading voice on electric toothbrushes and has been quoted by mainstream media publications for his opinions and expertise.

Having handled & tested hundreds of products there really is very little he does not know about them.

Passionate about business and helping others, Jon has been involved in various online enterprises since the early 2000s.

After spending 12 years in consumer technology, it was in 2014 that he focused his attention on dental health, having experienced first-hand the challenge of choosing a new toothbrush.

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