Oral-B Pro 1000 vs Pro 2 2000

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Oral-B Pro 1000 and Pro 2 2000?

These 2 brushes fall at the lower end of the electric toothbrush range from Oral-B, but they offer most of what you need of an electric toothbrush at a good price point.

The Pro 2 2000 (or Smart 1500 as a US equivalent) is one of the best value brushes available today.

So let us show you in a bit more detail how these two brushes differ and why we came to the conclusions we have.

Let’s start with the design of the toothbrush.

Both are similar with a cylindrical handle and detachable brush head.

However, the Pro 1000 has a cleaner, more minimal look to it.  The design is said to be inspired by Oral-B’s more premium iO brush handles.

Unlike the Pro 2 2000, it does not have a large rubber grip that runs down the middle of the brush handle.  Whilst this does make the Pro 1000 a little easier to wipe and keep clean, it does mean the Pro 2 feels a little more secure in the hand.

The 1000 does have a rubber grip around the power button, but the small surface area doesn’t give the same security in the hand.

The grip has changed on the back of the handle too.  

The Pro 1000 has a dimpled texture that runs the full length of the handle, whereas the 2000 has a series of raised plastic ridges.  Those ridges start from just below halfway up on the handle and extend to the top of the handle.

Harsher to the touch, they do feel more resistive in the hand, particularly when the brush is wet.

The slight design differences, along with the different batteries, does mean the physical size and weight are marginally different. Not significant though.

Pro 1000:

• Height (without head) – 19.5cm/7.68 inches
• Height (with head) – 23.2cm/9.13 inches
• Width – 2.5cm/0.98 inches
• Thickness – 2.9cm/1.14 inches
• Weight (without head) – 118g/4.1oz
• Weight (with head) – 123g/4.3oz

Pro 2 2000:

• Height (without head) – 19.5cm/7.68 inches
• Height (with head) – 23.5cm/9.25 inches
• Width – 2.3cm/0.91 inches
• Thickness – 2.9cm/1.14 inches
• Weight (without head) – 123g/4.34 oz
• Weight (with head) – 129g/4.55 oz

On the rear of the Pro 2 2000 brush handle, just below where the brush head attaches, is a red plastic panel.  This is the visible pressure sensor. More details on this shortly, but know that the 1000 does not have it.

And the last thing related to the handle design is the handle color.

The Pro 1000 is available in 4 different colors, white, black, pink and green.  Although it is the black and white that are most widely stocked.  Depending on the color variant, the rubber panel around the power button does differ in color slightly.  

It is worth noting that the black, green and pink variants of the 1000 actually have a white colored base to them. Therefore the whole unit is not black or pink, you have a ring of white to the bottom edge.

The Pro 2 2000 on the other hand comes in white, blue, black and pink.

These color accents are to the rubber grip that runs down the length of the brush handle. This does mean the sides and back of the brush handle are a gloss white plastic.

Both brushes come supplied with 1 brush head in the box.  Most of the time this is a CrossAction brush head with either model.  However, the Pro 2 2000 may come supplied with a 3D White or Sensi UltraThin/Pro GumCare brush head.

The 3D white head is designed to help polish stains on the exterior of the teeth and make the teeth appear whiter, whilst the Sensi UltraThin/Pro GumCare is a softer bristled head that pairs well with the Sensitive cleaning mode available on the Pro 2 2000.

Because the heads are interchangeable, if you have a preferred style, it can be fitted to the handle, even if it does not come in the box.

Both the Pro 1000 and the Pro 2 have the default Daily Clean mode available.

However, the Pro 2 2000  has an extra mode, Sensitive.

The lower powered mode is ideal for those with inflamed or bleeding gums, or if you find the Daily Clean mode too intense.  Our Oral-B cleaning modes article goes into more depth, should you want to know more.

To access this additional mode, you have to press the power button an extra time each time you use the toothbrush.  The Pro 2 defaults to the daily clean mode.

The brush motors in the handles are slightly different too.

Both offer a 3D cleaning action via the small round brush head, but the Pro 1000 only offers 8,800 oscillations and 20,000 pulsations per minute, compared to the 9,900 and 45,000 of the Pro 2 2000.  Whilst the difference exist the impact on your brushing and cleaning results are limited.

A pressure sensor is built into both of these models.  However, only the Pro 2 has a visible pressure sensor.

The pressure sensor benefits new and even experienced electric toothbrush users, but admittedly new users get the greatest benefit.

Having been using an electric toothbrush for many years now I do occasionally active the sensor.

The pressure sensor on the Pro 2 2000 alerts you via a bright red LED on the back of the handle when too much pressure is being applied.

If you see the red light, reduce the pressure until the light goes out.

Studies have shown that many people brush too hard.  Brushing harder or faster does not equal a better clean.  In fact, in many respects, it is the opposite.  

The 1000’s pressure sensor, will like the 2000’s reduce the number of brush head movements, until such time as the pressure is relieved.  However, it is virtually impossible to know if the sensor has been activated on the 1000 as there is no light, or significant change in sound or brushing sensation.

The final significant differences are the battery and charging stand.

Both have built-in rechargeable batteries, but the battery type and usage time are different.

The Pro 1000 has a NiMH battery that gives about 10 days of use on a single charge.

The Pro 2 2000 on the other hand has a Li-Ion battery that lasts at least 14 days on a single charge.

In my hands-on testing I achieved a little over 10 days with the 1000, but a whole 3 extra days with the 2000.

Both come with charging stands in the box, but if the Pro 2000 has been imported from the UK or other EU countries, then it is likely it will have a 2 pin UK or EU power adapter, rather than a 2 pin US power adapter, meaning the UK/EU charging stand will not work in bathrooms in the US.

Does one clean better than the other?

Technically, yes.

The Pro 1000 has a brush motor offering 8,800 oscillations and 20,000 pulsations, compared to the 9,900 oscillations and 40,000 pulsations of the Pro 2 2000.

The additional pulsations and oscillations can result in a more thorough clean of the teeth,

However, in reality, being able to see or feel the differences are virtually impossible unless under very strict test conditions.

Your brushing time, frequency, and technique will have a bigger impact than the number of movements alone.

Perhaps long term the benefits and effects of the more powerful motor are noticeable, so for peace of mind, there is an appeal to opt for the Pro 2 2000.

The extra cleaning mode available on the 2000 will mean for some it cleans better as the slower movements will better suit those with tender teeth and gums that cannot handle the more powerful Daily Clean mode.

Another slight catch to this is that the results may differ depending on the brush heads used.

As we explained different ones come supplied, but all the Oral-B heads are interchangeable and can be used on different models. Certain heads may achieve better results in certain circumstances for certain individuals.

Is one better priced than the other?

It depends really, but probably the Pro 1000 will be cheaper.

It is a bit complicated because it depends on the selling price of the Pro 1000 at the time you are comparing these models.

Because the 2000 hasn’t been launched in the USA, by the time you convert the UK or EU (£/€) cost to US dollars ($) whilst adding on the other associated fees, the 2000 is likely to work out more expensive.

The Pro 2000 sells in the USA for around £32 on average (excluding taxes) which is about ~$43. This doesn’t account for any fees to get it to and sell it within the US.

The Pro 1000 sells for about $40 (excluding tax) on average.

All things considered, the Pro 1000 is better value.

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.