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Oral-B Smart 1500 vs Smart 3000

Oral-B Smart 1500 vs 3000 Header Image

Which one would we choose?

Our choice: Oral-B Smart 1500 (view on Amazon)
2nd choice: Oral-B Smart 3000 (view on Amazon)

The Smart 1500 is the better all round choice between these 2 brushes.

The addition of Bluetooth on the Smart 3000 does technically make it the better toothbrush.

But, unless you particularly want a connected brush, then there is no significant reason to pick the 3000 over the 1500.

Our Choice
Oral-B Smart 1500 Electric Power Rechargeable Battery Toothbrush, Blue
Oral-B Pro 3000 3D White Electric Toothbrush
Brush Name
Oral-B Smart 1500
Oral-B Smart 3000
Customer Rating
Electric Teeth Rating
5/5
4/5
Price
$79.99
$86.88
Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Our Choice
Oral-B Smart 1500 Electric Power Rechargeable Battery Toothbrush, Blue
Brush Name
Oral-B Smart 1500
Customer Rating
Electric Teeth Rating
5/5
Price
$79.99
Prime
Amazon Prime
Oral-B Pro 3000 3D White Electric Toothbrush
Brush Name
Oral-B Smart 3000
Customer Rating
Electric Teeth Rating
4/5
Price
$86.88
Prime
Amazon Prime

Video Comparison

Oral-B Smart 1500 vs Smart 3000

Key Differences

  • Handle design/colors
    • Slight differences in the handle shape and design.  
    • The Smart 3000 has a large rubber grip that runs down the brush handle that the Smart 1500 does not have. The Smart 1500 has a smaller rubber gripped panel around the power button.
    • The 1500 has a dimpled texture to the back of the handle compared to the raised ridges of the Smart 3000.
    • The Smart 1500 is available in 4 different color options (navy, light rose, jet white & black) compared with the 2 (white or black) of the Smart 3000.
  • Cleaning modes
    • The Smart 3000 has a more powerful motor (9,900 oscillations & 45,000 pulsations) compared to the Smart 1500 (8,800 oscillations & 40,000 pulsations).
  • Brush heads
    • The Smart 1500 comes with 1 x CrossAction brush head, whereas the Smart 3000 comes with a CrossAction or 3D White brush head.
  • Pressure sensor
    • The Smart 1500 has a 360 degree visible pressure sensor, whereas the Smart 3000 has a visible sensor on the back of the brush handle only.
  • Bluetooth technology
    • The Smart 3000 has Bluetooth built-in.
  • Accessories & box contents
    • The Smart 3000 comes with a brush head storage compartment that holds up to 4 brush heads.
  • Price
    • The Smart 1500 is cheaper.
    • The Smart 1500 has a recommended retail price of $79.99 compared to the $109.99 of the Smart 3000.

These differences are explained at length later in this article. However, you might wish to learn more about each brush being compared. To do so, check out our hands-on reviews:

Please note. Every effort is made to ensure the key differences listed are correct, but these differences are subject to change without notice. Products and the box contents can be changed without notice and different variants can exist.

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.

Oral-B Smart 1500 vs Smart 3000 1

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.

Smart 1500 toothbrush & box

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.

360 degree visible pressure sensor Oral-B Smart 1500

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.

Oral-B Smart 1500 vs Smart 3000 2

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.

Oral-B Smart 1500 vs Smart 3000 3

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. 

Oral-B Smart 1500 Electric Toothbrush in Hand

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.

Conclusion

The biggest difference between these 2 models is the Bluetooth connectivity that the Smart 3000 offers.

Yes, this is clever and useful for a select few, but for the vast majority of users it doesn’t add that much benefit.

It might be cool, but I know very few would actually continue to use it for more than a few days.

The technology does not show you where you have and have not brushed like some premium models.  It merely logs your brushing time, pressure and routine.

Both brushes clean the teeth really well, but for most people, myself included, the Smart 1500 is the better all round purchase.

Our Choice
Oral-B Smart 1500 Electric Power Rechargeable Battery Toothbrush, Blue
Oral-B Pro 3000 3D White Electric Toothbrush
Brush Name
Oral-B Smart 1500
Oral-B Smart 3000
Customer Rating
Electric Teeth Rating
5/5
4/5
Price
$79.99
$86.88
Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Our Choice
Oral-B Smart 1500 Electric Power Rechargeable Battery Toothbrush, Blue
Brush Name
Oral-B Smart 1500
Customer Rating
Electric Teeth Rating
5/5
Price
$79.99
Prime
Amazon Prime
Oral-B Pro 3000 3D White Electric Toothbrush
Brush Name
Oral-B Smart 3000
Customer Rating
Electric Teeth Rating
4/5
Price
$86.88
Prime
Amazon Prime

Your Opinions

Do you own or have you used the Oral-B Smart 1500 or 3000?

Are there certain features that you really like or dislike?

Let us know what you think about this brush and let others who may well be considering purchasing one know your opinions before they do.

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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Leave a comment or question

7 thoughts on “Oral-B Smart 1500 vs Smart 3000”

  1. I’m trying to decide between the Smart 1500 and the Smart 3000. I’m leaning to the Smart 3000 because of the faster motor and the grips along the side. Does the faster motor of the Smart 3000 make that much difference? I don’t care about bluetooth capability.

    Thank you!
    7-5-22

    Reply
    • Hi Linda.

      No the motor makes no meaningful difference.

      I will agree the 3000 does feel a little more grippy in hand.

      Reply
      • Thanks, Jon for your quick reply. I had purchased the PRO 1500 and was sent the Smart 1500 because they had the same UPC #. The PRO 1500 had the faster motor. I called Oral-B and it appears that they are phasing out the PRO 1500 in favor of the Smart 1500. So, I’ll just keep the Smart 1500 since the motor difference is not that significant… thanks for your opinion!

        Reply
  2. Hi–I’ve watched the video you made on the smart 1500 and your version has three cleaning modes…Did they change that? The only Smart 1500 I can find now only has two cleaning modes. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Hi Jenny.

      Thanks for the comment. This is interesting. Our unit definitely had 3 modes. However I can now see that Oral-B’s website has been updated to suggest only 2.

      In truth it was somewhat of a surprise that the 1500 did have 2 when we reviewed it. But I am not sure what or why this has changed….

      Reply
      • Thanks for your replies! I picked one up today and it has 3 modes–crazy. They don’t even advertise it as having 3–In all honesty though- the “sensitive”mode on the 1500 seems more powerful than the regular mode on my old Oral B Pro 500. Do they just pump up the power on the higher number models? It’s all so confusing. I just want the most sensitive one I can find.

        Reply
        • Hi Jenny.

          O well, that is very odd isn’t it. Good to have the information from yourself about the fact that the one you have purchased has 3 modes.

          Compared to the Pro 500 the 1500 will be more powerful. And yes, as a general rule, up the range the more powerful they get, but the differences are in reality very small.

          The sensitive mode doesn’t use the full power of the motor. Are you using a sensitive/gum care brush head?

          Reply
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