Oral-B Smart 1500 vs Smart 3000

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Smart 1500 and 3000?

The model numbers suggest that the Smart 3000 is the more premium and better featured toothbrush and this is correct.

But, just because it is technically the more capable, does not necessarily mean it is the better brush to own.

The thing you will likely notice first when comparing these brushes is the way that they look.

Despite both being named ‘smart’ their design is different.

Whilst they are not a million miles apart in their look, both are tall cylindrical shapes with a detachable brush head, there are subtle differences.

The Smart 3000 has a rubber grip that runs down the length of the brush handle, this is white or black in color.

It adds a design accent to the handle, but aids with keeping a firm grip of the brush too.

The Smart 1500 does not have a grip that runs the length of the handle.  It has a much smaller amount, in an oval panel in the upper half of the brush handle.

As a consequence, the Smart 1500 exposes more of the gloss white plastic body than the Smart 3000.

The power button sits within this grippy oval panel and it is this area too that provides the color accent to the handle.

The Smart 1500 is available with 4 color options, navy, light rose, jet white and black compared to just the 2 colors (white & black) of the Smart 3000.

The black variaint of the Smart 1500 actually has a black gloss plastic handle, as opposed to the more standard white.

On the back of the brush handle of the Smart 3000 are a series of raised plastic ridges or notches.  They are rougher to the touch than the dimpled circular pattern found on the back of the Smart 1500’s handle.

Whilst the Smart 1500 looks more subtle, the 3000 perhaps to the fingertips at least feels the slightly more practical.

Neither feel slippery in hand and for most people, the gripping points are more than sufficient, but the 3000 perhaps takes the edge here slightly.

Very minimal it is too, but the Smart 1500 has a slightly more rounded handle than the 3000.

Around the neck of the brush handle, both models have a visible pressure sensor, however their design is a little different.

The Smart 3000 has a standard visible pressure sensor seen on many Oral-B models.  It is a red colored plastic panel that is mounted on the rear and sweeps onto the side of the handle, wrapping about half of the circumference.

With the Smart 1500 however, this has been upgraded to a full 360 pressure sensor, meaning it wraps all around the handle.

Although a full LED ring, it is not customizable like it is with premium models from Oral-B like the Genius X.

Technically both pressure sensors work in the same way. The extra benefit with the 1500 is that the larger visible sensor may potentially allow for you and me as users to detect that it has been activated a bit quicker, because there is more red light to catch the eye.

Both of these models offer 3 cleaning modes.  They are daily clean, sensitive and whitening.

A more detailed description of the differences between these modes is available in our Oral-B brushing mode article, but ultimately the extra modes give more choice to find the cleaning power and effect you prefer most.

Another difference, albeit subtle is the amount of cleaning power the motor inside the brush handle delivers.

The Smart 3000 has a motor that offers up to 9,900 oscillations and 45,000 pulsations, whereas the Smart 1500s motor is configured to offer 8,800 oscillations and 40,000 pulsations.

What this means is that the 3000 can potentially clean the teeth a little better, but the actual difference would still be relatively limited.  It is not possible to say from this alone that 1 brush would clean the teeth significantly better. 

To complicate matters further the style of brush head attached would potentially have a bearing too.

In most instances, both models will come with a CrossAction brush head, but in some instances the 3000 will be supplied with a 3D White brush head.

The head is usually white in color, but with the black Smart 3000, the brush head will normally be black in color to match the theme of the handle.

These are just 2 styles available from a much larger range of interchangeable Oral-B brush heads. 

Included with the 3000 but not the 1500 is a brush head storage compartment.

This white plastic tray clips around the charging stand and allows 4 brush heads to be laid inside it.  These are protected by a lid that closes over the top.

It is a handy accessory if sharing the brush handle or if using different heads for different cleaning modes.  By no means a must have item, it is part of the extras you get with the 3000.

The final and perhaps one of the most significant differences between the 3000 and 1500 is the Bluetooth technology that the Smart 3000 has.

Despite being labelled smart, the 1500 does not have Bluetooth.

You do not have to use it, but the option exists.

It will connect to a free app available for Android or iOS.  

Onced installed on your smartphone the app communicates with the 3000 brush handle and can transfer data in real-time or after a cleaning cycle is complete.

This setup does not track the exact position of the toothbrush in the mouth.  It will not show you what teeth you have and have not brushed.

Instead, when used at the same time of the brush it will provide an on-screen timer and alert you when things like the pressure sensor have been activated.

At the end of the brushing cycle it saves the brushing data.  It stores the time and date of the clean, how long you brushed for and how much pressure you used.  

It can also log things like your flossing routine, mouthwash use and tongue brushing if you choose.

If you didn’t use the app at the time you brushed, the handle of the brush will store the data for 20 or so sessions and sync when next in range.

The data is presented in a visually friendly way to show how regular you are with your oral routine whilst giving suggestions on possible improvements.  

It is designed to motivate you and present your data in a way you might not have seen before.  The goal is to get you and me brushing our teeth better and more frequently.

Does one clean better than the other?

The short answer is no, one brush does not clean better than the other.

However, technically, it is possible that the Smart 3000 will clean the teeth better, for a couple of reasons.  

But, what better results it may bring are likely minimal and not clinically significant. My hands-on testing has not been conducted in any scientific way that would be able to determine this.

The first reason it might clean better is because the motor of the Smart 3000 offers up to 9,900 oscillations and 45,000 pulsations compared to the 8,000 and 40,000 of the Smart 1500.

More movements, equals the potential for more plaque removal.

The exact number of movements does vary by the cleaning mode selected and actually detecting the difference is very difficult indeed. 

Also working in favor of the Smart 3000 is the Bluetooth connectivity.  The data it transfers back to the smartphone is displayed in such a way that it will act as a potential guide and encouragement for you and me as a user to do better.

If we are perhaps falling below the standards we should be achieving, the visual representation of this on screen could be what we need to take the right steps.  Whilst the toothbrush itself is not actually making you or me clean the teeth more consistently or for longer this approach is not possible with the Smart 1500.

Either brush cleans the teeth well and will be a great addition to an oral care routine.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes, the Smart 1500 is the cheaper and more cost effective of the 2 brushes.

The Smart 3000 has a recommended retail price of $109.99 compared to the $79.99 of the Smart 1500.

Although there is a $30 difference between the list prices, in reality the difference in the typical selling price is around $20.

The Smart 1500 tends to sell for around $65, compared to the $85 of the 3000.

Based on 1 user, over a 3 year period the 1500 works out at $0.11 per day compared to the $0.13 of the 3000.

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.