Oral-B iO Series comparison

They are similar in more ways than they are different

All of the models have the following features:

• 2 minute timer
• 30 second quadpacer (20 second sextant pacer on iO10)
• Smart visible pressure sensor (not available on the iO2)
  • Lights up red when too much pressure is applied
  • Lights up green when the correct pressure is applied
  • Lights up white when there is insufficient pressure
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery offering 14+ days of use between charges
• Bluetooth technology to connect to a smartphone (the iO2 & iO3 are the only exceptions)
• Quieter, frictionless magnetic drive system (the iO2 has a linear pulse drive mechanism)
• Oscillating-rotating cleaning action with micro-vibrations
• iO-specific brush heads
• Cleaner, more minimal design compared to other Oral-B models

Various price points to suit different budgets

£45 is the price for the most affordable model, the iO2.

The most feature-rich brush is the iO10. It costs £400. That's a difference of £320 for some extra cleaning modes and smart technology tracking features. Justifying this premium is nigh on impossible.

But these prices account for the typical 50% discount on retail prices.

A staggering £640 is the difference if we compare the ‘recommended retail prices’.

All brushes in the range use the same iO specific brush heads. Whether you opt for the iO3 or iO10, the long term ownership cost will be impacted most by the initial purchase price of the brush handle, not the heads.

Of course, the table and quoted prices are just a guide. The actual selling prices vary from one retailer to another. 

As you might expect, models with extra features or increased box contents do command a premium.

The iO2 is generally the cheapest and most budget friendly option. It does have the essential features we recommend. But, for just a small amount more, the iO3 is, in our opinion the much better brush. The pressure sensor implementation is better and the motor more powerful for a more invigorating clean. It is therefore our best budget option.

Assuming you want something a bit more capable, then the iO6 represents the best value option. It has many of the most desirable features of the iO range, including the in-handle display. But, it remains relatively affordable and you get the best of both worlds, so to speak.

Whilst the iO10 is the most technically advanced, we don't recommend it. The only difference between the iO9 and the iO10 is the enhanced charging stand and it’s simply not worth that kind of money. 

The iO2's motor is configured differently

There are no meaningful differences in the cleaning results, but the iO2 has a 'linear pulse drive' motor compared to the 'frictionless magnetic driven' motor of all other iO Series handles.

The brushing sensation is different. The iO2 feels softer and less intense on the teeth and gums. New electric toothbrush users and those with sensitivity will find this to be a good thing.

But, experienced users would notice how it feels less powerful and intense. That dentist clean feel isn't quite there in the same way it is with other iO handles.

Unfortunately, despite the request, Oral-B has yet to explain how they differ or indeed why. Cost and target audience likely have a part to play.

It's important to note that from our testing, the fundamental ability to remove plaque is not impacted. We are more than happy with the results.

iO Kids electric toothbrush is based on the iO Series 2

It feels appropriate to mention at this point the kids version of the iO Series electric toothbrush.

Essentially, this is a rebranded iO2 in a light blue coloured Disney Stitch and black coloured Marvel Spiderman theme. The characters are printed onto the handle to make the brush more engaging.

Both come with a colour matched travel case.

Unlike the adult version, at the end of a 2 minute cleaning cycle, it does play a musical jingle to make it clear that the recommended brushing time has passed.

There are kids specific themed brush heads. Just like the adult version, they have different printed icons on them. The difference being they are themed. There is only one style of brush head, though, with extra soft bristles.

Pricing is similar to the iO2 and is a good option for children aged 6+.

5 of the 9 variants have a display built into the brush handle

4 of them are colour, the other 1 is black and white.

Colour or not, they operate in the same way and provide extra functionality. For example, you can change the handle language, change the colour of the smart ring or even reset the brush.

The biggest benefit is that it makes it much easier to switch between the brushing modes or see which one you have selected.

Oral-B iO Series 2 (iO2) + travel case
Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
Oral-B iO Series 4 (iO4)
Oral-B iO Series 5 (iO5)
Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)
Oral-B iO Series 7 (iO7)
Oral-B iO Series 8 (iO8)
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B iO Series 10 (iO10)

Display	Display Additional information
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-
	Colour. Not touchscreen
	Black & white. Not touchscreen.
	Colour. Not touchscreen.
	Colour. Not touchscreen.
	Colour. Not touchscreen

All the brushes have more cleaning modes than you need

Depending on the model you go for, you have the choice between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 brushing modes. 7 is the maximum number of cleaning modes available on any Oral-B brush.

I’ve yet to find anyone who uses them all or any real justification for having so many. The reality is the cleaning results between each are very similar.

For most users, 1 mode, daily clean, is more than satisfactory.

A second, lesser powered mode such as sensitive is a welcome addition for new electric toothbrush users, or those with gum disease or sensitivity.

Each of the modes use different amounts of power from the motor. This impacts the angle of oscillation at the bristle tips to create brushing patterns and effects that are different from one another.

All modes are designed to be used for 2 minutes. The only exception is tongue clean which is set for 30 seconds.

The table below shows which iO model has which mode. Should you want to learn more about each, do read our Oral-B cleaning modes explained article.

Oral-B iO Series 2 (iO2) + travel case
Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
Oral-B iO Series 4 (iO4)
Oral-B iO Series 5 (iO5)
Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)
Oral-B iO Series 7 (iO7)
Oral-B iO Series 8 (iO8)
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B iO Series 10 (iO10)

Number of cleaning modes	Clean	Sensitive	Gum	White	Deep Clean	Tongue	Other modes
3			-	-	-	-	Super sensitive
3			-		-	-	-
4			-		-	-	super sensitive
5			-		-	-	super sensitive, intense
5					-	-	intense
5					-	-	intense
6					-	-	Super sensitive, intense
7					-		Intense, Smart Adapt
7					-		Intense, Smart Adapt

Some models don’t make it clear which cleaning mode you have selected

The iO2, 3 and 4 do not have any labels or icons on the handle to show which mode you have selected. 

The iO5 has backlit icons, without text based names to show which mode is active. 

The Series 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 will show an icon alongside text on the handle display.

Models that connect via Bluetooth to an app will report the active mode within the on-screen timer.

You can’t change the mode before turning the brush on with the iO2, 3 and 4.

‘Real-time tracking’ varies from one brush to another

Real-time tracking is part of the smart technology offered by the iO series. It works with the Oral-B app on your smartphone to show you a graphic image of how well you are brushing your teeth.

The iO2 and 3 have no Bluetooth connectivity and can’t be connected to the Oral-B smartphone app. Therefore they have no real-time tracking.

The iO Series 4 has Bluetooth and will connect to the app, but the functionality is limited. There is no real-time tracking — the on-screen timer that tells you how long you have brushed for is the main functionality.

The iO5 through to 10 do have real-time tracking.

However, Series 9 and 10 are the only models to offer comprehensive 16-zone tracking. The iO 5, 6, 7 and 8 only have 6 zone tracking.

Oral-B iO Series 2 (iO2) + travel case
Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
Oral-B iO Series 4 (iO4)
Oral-B iO Series 5 (iO5)
Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)
Oral-B iO Series 7 (iO7)
Oral-B iO Series 8 (iO8)
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B iO Series 10 (iO10)

Position tracking	Smart Features Additional information
-	-
-	-
-	-
	6 zone real-time tracking
	6 zone real-time tracking
	6 zone real-time tracking
	6 zone real-time tracking
	16 zone real-time (3D Teeth Tracking)
	16 zone real-time (3D Teeth Tracking). iO Sense charging stand gives feedback via LEDs.

The following video helps explain the differences.

There is a strong argument to suggest that the iO9 and 10’s tracking of 16 zones can encourage you to brush all your teeth better than when you track just 6 zones. But, how much difference this makes in everyday use is up for debate. To get maximum benefit from it you need to use the app every time you brush.

The 16 tracked zones are as follows:

• Upper rear right
  • Front surface
  • Biting surface
  • Inside surface
• Upper font
  • Front surface
  • Inside surface
• Upper rear left
  • Front surface
  • Biting surface
  • Inside surface
• Lower rear right
  • Front surface
  • Biting surface
  • Inside surface
• Lower front
  • Front surface
  • Inside surface
• Lower rear right
  • Front surface
  • Biting surface
  • Inside surface

Whereas the 6 zones tracked with the other models are:

• Upper rear right
• Upper front
• Upper rear left
• Lower rear right
• Lower front
• Lower rear right

When only 6 zones are tracked, you can essentially spend all the time cleaning only 1 of the surfaces within that zone and the app will still consider the zone cleaned. 

With 16 zone tracking, dotted zones sit in the centre of the on-screen display. As each zone is brushed correctly, that dotted zone disappears until none remain. All the teeth on the large visualisation turn white. The extra detail in the tracking can pick up on more specific, but important improvements needed in your brushing routine.

Although the iO10 has 16 zones tracking, the iO Sense stand is configured to give feedback on 6 zones. It has benefits (more on those below) and offers at a glance feedback without a smartphone, but the app provides more meaningful data.

There is no long-term data available that analyses if apps and real-time tracking do have a beneficial impact compared to someone learning the correct brushing techniques via other means, such as plaque disclosing tablets.

Brush head replacement reminders are implemented differently

A brush head should be replaced after about 3 months. After this, the bristles clean less effectively and are more abrasive on the teeth and gums. There may also be an increased amount of bacterial build up.

All iO models, with the exception of the iO2, have a reminder system built into the app and the brush handle. How this reminder is displayed differs.

The iO3, 4 and iO5 have a yellow light that illuminates in the centre of the cleaning mode button. The handle will vibrate too.

Those models with a display will show a notification on the screen. If connected to the Oral-B app, a notification will be displayed here too for compatible models.

Overall, brush head reminders are a feature that are nice-to-have, but not critical. If you’re organised enough you can simply use a recurring calendar reminder. The fact that they are included on each iO model means you don’t need to factor this feature too heavily into your choice of iO brush models. 

Battery life should be similar, but premium models are inconsistent

Oral-B isn't that explicit with their references to expected battery life on these handles. They use phrases such as 2 weeks+ or long lasting battery life.

The vast majority of handles last 17-20 days on average.

Yet, my testing found that 12 days of use is common with the iO9 and I can achieve up to 37 with the iO Series 2.

From opening up the different models, I've seen that whilst most use the same battery, the capacities of some are different. The iO2 has a 600mAh battery compared to the 750mAh in the iO3.

The different motor in the iO2 vs the iO3 goes some way to explain the different usage time. My suspicion is that the displays in the premium models reduce the usage time. This is not helped by the fact that they activate as a result of vibration or movement nearby, thus drawing power from the battery. 

The iO7, 8 and 9 come with a premium magnetic charging stand

The 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 all come with a standard Oral-B charger. White in colour, it has a protuberance on the top that fits into the base of the brush handle.

A 2 pin power adapter is hardwired into it, which is suitable for 2 pin shaver sockets the adapter supports 220-240v.

Brushes take 12-24 hours to recharge when on this stand.

The iO Series 7, 8 and 9 come with a premium magnetic stand. It’s either white or black.

The round charger has no protuberance. It does have a 2 pin power adapter, and supports 100-240v. It takes up to 3 hours to recharge the brushes on this stand.

Only the iO7, 8, 9 and 10 fit and will charge on this stand.

For me, the fancy charging stand isn’t too big a factor. If bathroom visuals are important to you, maybe the magnetic stand is worth paying for. Otherwise, you can get by just fine with the cheaper stand. 

Oral-B iO Series 2 (iO2) + travel case
Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
Oral-B iO Series 4 (iO4)
Oral-B iO Series 5 (iO5)
Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)
Oral-B iO Series 7 (iO7)
Oral-B iO Series 8 (iO8)
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B iO Series 10 (iO10)

Charging time	Charging stand included	Voltage support	Battery & charging Additional information
Up to 24 hours		220-240V	-
Up to 16 hours		220-240V	-
Up to 16 hours		220-240V	-
Up to 16 hours		220-240V	-
Up to 12 hours		220-240V	-
~3 hours		100-240v	Magnetic charging stand
~3 hours		100-240v	Magnetic charging stand
~3 hours		100-240v	Magnetic charging stand
~3 hours		100-240v	Magnetic iO Sense charging stand

The iO10’s stand is a bit different 

With the iO10, you get an iO Sense charging stand, which is magnetic and charges the brush in up to 3 hours. But, there is extra tech built-in.

You have 6 LEDs and a clock on the front to help encourage even brushing and good coverage of your teeth as you brush.

The idea is you get meaningful feedback on how well you are brushing without having to refer to the smartphone application. 

It’s a nice enough feature, but it increases the cost of the brush. It’s the only difference between the iO9 and iO10 but changes the price by £150, which just isn’t worth it. 

You can get more insight into what it offers in our iO10 review.

The handles with displays give the best battery feedback

All the handles offer some feedback on the remaining charge, but how they do this is different.

Those with displays show a battery icon and a percentage of the remaining charge after each brushing session.

The iO2, 3, 4 and 5 give feedback via the LED in the power button. It illuminates white most of the time. Only when the charge is around 10% or less does it pulse red.

Those that connect to the Oral-B app will show a percentage level on-screen too.

Only the iO9 and 10's travel cases offer in the case charging

The vast majority of iO models come with a travel case provided in the box.

The case will protect the brush handle from damage and accidental activation, whilst also protecting up to 2 brush heads.

The iO2, 3 and 4 are the main exceptions though. No case comes supplied with the standard model. But there are variants where this is supplied.

There are some more differences between the cases to be aware of too.

The iO9 and 10 can hold the handle and 1 brush head only. This is because you can charge the brush inside the case. There is no battery in the case to do this. Instead, you connect the supplied proprietary power adapter.

Whilst all cases are functional, those supplied with the 7, 8, 9 and 10 are higher quality — they are thicker and more durable.

Oral-B iO Series 2 (iO2) + travel case
Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
Oral-B iO Series 4 (iO4)
Oral-B iO Series 5 (iO5)
Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)
Oral-B iO Series 7 (iO7)
Oral-B iO Series 8 (iO8)
Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
Oral-B iO Series 10 (iO10)

Travel case included	Brush head storage	Charging travel case	Travel case Additional information
-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-
	2	-	-
	2	-	-
	2	-	-
	2	-	-
	1		Proprietary power cable with 2 pin UK adapter. No battery in the case itself.
	1		Proprietary power cable supporting 100-240v with 2 pin UK adapter. No battery in the case itself.

The iO Series handles are quieter than other Oral-B brushes

iO handles are generally quieter in use than non-iO models from Oral-B.

The majority of iO models now operate at a maximum noise level of 64 decibels. 

The 7, 8 and 9 were the first iO models to launch. They registered higher in our testing. Oral-B may have made changes since launch to reduce this and bring it in line with other iO models. We haven’t purchased these models again to check this.

No mention of noise is made in the iO 7, 8 and 9 manual, whereas it is with the others.

The light ring can be changed on all models apart from the iO3

Except for the iO2, all models have a light ring that doubles up as the visible pressure sensor.

All models have a light ring that doubles up as the visible pressure sensor.

With the exception of the iO3, the colour of that ring can be changed. 

You need to use the Oral-B app to change the colour.

The iO6-10 does allow the colour to be changed via the in-handle display. But, you have fewer colour choices than if you navigate to the app.

There is some variance in the colours available

As a general rule, all models are available in black or white. Some are available in other colours too.

Oral-B offers select heads in black as well as white. Black handles are supplied with a black brush head.

White and all other coloured handles usually come supplied with a white brush head.

Travel cases are usually white, except for black models.

Charging stands are always white unless you buy the Series 7, 8 or 9, where they are available in black too.

A refill holder is included with some models

Included with some models is an accessory known as the brush head refill holder. This is a little stand cum travel case for brush heads.

Up to 2 heads can be placed on the nodules that protrude from the silicone base.

It sits upright on a countertop and gives a home for spare and replacement heads. A removable opaque cap protects them whilst allowing airflow inside to dry wet bristles.

Different variants do or do not come with this in the box, but expect to get this included with the iO5, 7, 8, 9 and 10.