The iO6 is the best value, the iO9 is the best if you want the tech
Best value – iO Series 6 (Amazon, Oral-B)
Best budget – iO Series 3 (Amazon, Oral-B)
Best tech – iO Series 9 (Amazon, Oral-B)
All of the iO Series brushes have a 2 minute timer, pacer and pressure sensor. These are the key features that dentists recommend.
All models clean your teeth as well as each other.
What sets them apart are additional features. Examples include more brushing modes, in-handle display and ‘smart’ (Bluetooth) technology. These are nice-to-have, but not critical.
The iO6 is the best value option. It strikes the balance between additional features and price. It has some smart features, but not the full suite.
The iO3 is the most affordable. It does not have smart features.
The iO9 is for those who want all the tech and are prepared to pay for it. It offers far more than you need.
Key Differences
The following table lists the key similarities and differences between each series.
| Series 3 | Series 4 | Series 5 | Series 6 | Series 7 | Series 8 | Series 9 | Series 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Review | iO3 Review | iO4 Review | iO5 Review | iO6 Review | iO7 Review | iO8 Review | iO9 Review | iO10 Review |
| Recommended Retail Price (RRP) | £160 | £240 | £280 | £299.99 | £399.99 | £449.99 | £499.99 | £800 |
| Number of Cleaning Modes | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Interactive Display | X | X | X | Black & White | Black & White | Colour | Colour | Colour |
| Cleaning Mode Icons/Labels | X | X | Yes | On display | On display | On display | On display | On display |
| Real-Time Zone Tracking with AI | X (No Bluetooth) | X | Yes – 6 zones | Yes – 6 zones | Yes – 6 zones | Yes – 6 zones | Yes – 3D teeth tracking – 16 zones | Yes – 3D teeth tracking – 16 zones |
| Brush Head Replacement Reminder | Light on handle | Light on handle | Light on handle | On display | On display | On display | On display | On display |
| Travel Case | X | X | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – Power2go Charging Travel Case | Yes – Power2go Charging Travel Case |
| Battery Life | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Battery Charge Feedback | Power button LED | Power button LED | Power button LED | On display | On display | On display | On display | On display |
| Charging Stand | Standard charger (2 pin UK / 220-240v) | Standard charger (2 pin UK / 220-240v) | Standard charger (2 pin UK / 220-240v) | Standard charger (2 pin UK / 220-240v) | Magnetic charger (2 pin UK / 100-240v) | Magnetic charger (2 pin UK / 100-240v) | Magnetic charger (2 pin UK / 100-240v) | Magnetic charger with iO sense technology ( detachable 2 pin UK / 100-240v) |
| Noise (dB) | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 64 |
| Other Key Information | Takes up to 16 hours to recharge | Takes up to 16 hours to recharge | Takes up to 16 hours to recharge — 1 x Brush head refill holder included | Takes up to 12 hours to recharge | Takes up to 3 hours to recharge — 1 x Brush head refill holder included | Takes up to 3 hours to recharge — 1 x Brush head refill holder included | Takes up to 3 hours to recharge — 1 x Brush head refill holder included | Takes up to 3 hours to recharge — 1 x Brush head refill holder included |
Oral-B iO brush vs brush comparisons
We are often asked which model we pick between 2 specific models. For example iO3 vs iO4. The table shows our answers.
| Models Compared | Our Choice |
|---|---|
| iO Series 3 vs Series 4 | iO Series 3 (Amazon) |
| iO Series 4 vs Series 5 | iO Series 5 (Amazon) |
| iO Series 5 vs Series 6 | iO Series 6 (Amazon) |
| iO Series 6 vs Series 7 | iO Series 6 (Amazon) |
| iO Series 7 vs Series 8 | iO Series 7 (Amazon) |
| iO Series 7 vs Series 9 | iO Series 9 (Amazon) |
| iO Series 8 vs Series 9 | iO Series 9 (Amazon) |
| iO Series 9 vs Series 10 | iO Series 9 (Amazon) |
Brush vs brush key differences
Click below for a list of the key differences between each model.
iO Series 3 (iO3) vs Series 4 (iO4)
- The Series 3 has 3 cleaning modes (daily clean, sensitive & whitening) compared to the 4 of the Series 4 (daily clean, sensitive, super sensitive & whitening). The extra mode the iO4 has is super sensitive.
- The iO3 does not have Bluetooth like the iO4.
- The iO3 LED light ring colour can’t be changed.
- The iO4 comes with a travel case. The iO3 does not.
- The Series 3 has a recommended retail price of £160, £80 less than the £240 of the Series 4.
iO Series 4 (iO4) vs Series 5 (iO5)
- The Series 5 has 5 cleaning modes (daily clean, sensitive, super sensitive, intense & whitening) compared to the 4 of the Series 4 (daily clean, sensitive, super sensitive & whitening). The extra mode the iO5 has is intense.
- There Series 5 has cleaning mode icons on the handle that the iO4 does not have.
- You can change the cleaning mode on the iO5 before turning the brush on. You can’t do this on the iO4.
- The iO5 has real-time tracking of 6 zones that the iO4 does not have.
- The iO5 comes with a travel case and a refill holder that holds and protects 2 brush heads. The iO4 does not come with this.
- Both handles are available in 3 different colours. The Series 4 comes in quite white, matte black and lavender compared to the quite white, matte black and pink of the Series 5.
- The Series 4 has a recommended retail price of £240, £40 less than the £280 of the Series 5.
iO Series 5 (iO5) vs Series 6 (iO6)
- Although both have 5 cleaning modes, they are different. The iO5 has daily clean, sensitive, super sensitive, intense and whitening, whilst the iO6 has daily clean, sensitive, intense, whitening and gum care. The iO5 has super sensitive whilst the iO6 has gum care.
- The iO5 has a brush head replacement reminder light in the cleaning mode button. The iO6 has this reminder on the display.
- The Series 6 has a black and white display in the handle whereas the iO5 has backlit icons.
- The Series 5 comes with a refill holder that holds and protects 2 brush heads. The iO6 does not come with this.
- The Series 5 takes up to 16 hours to recharge compared to the 12 of the Series 6.
- The Series 5 gives battery feedback via the power button icon. This is on the display with the iO6.
- The iO6 is available in 4 colours (black onyx, white alabaster, pink & anthracite grey) compared to the 3 of the iO5 (quite white, matte black and pink).
- The Series 5 has a recommended retail price of £280, £20 less than the £300 of the Series 6.
iO Series 6 (iO6) vs Series 7 (iO7)
- The Series 7 comes with a magnetic charger that recharges the battery in 3 hours, compared to the standard Oral-B charger supplied with the Series 6 which takes up to 12 hours.
- The magnetic charger with the iO7 supports 100-240v whilst the iO6 charger supports 220-240v.
- The Series 7 comes with a refill holder that holds and protects 2 brush heads.
- The Series 6 is available in 4 colours (black onyx, white alabaster, pink & anthracite grey) compared to the 3 colours of the Series 7 (white alabaster, black onyx & blue electric).
- The Series 6 produces up to 64 decibels of sound compared to the 72 of the iO7.
- The Series 6 has a recommended retail price of £300, £100 less than the £400 of the Series 7.
iO Series 7 (iO7) vs Series 8 (iO8)
- The Series 8 has 6 cleaning modes (daily clean, sensitive, super sensitive, intense, whiten & gum care) compared to the 5 of the Series 7 (daily clean, sensitive, intense, whiten & gum care). The extra mode the iO8 has is super sensitive.
- The Series 7 has a black and white interactive display compared to the colour display on the Series 8.
- Both models are available in 3 colour options. Both come in black onyx and white alabaster. The Series 8 is available in violet ametrine too, whilst the iO7 can be purchased in electric blue colour.
- The Series 7 has a recommended retail price of £400, £50 less than the £450 of the Series 8.
iO Series 7 (iO7) vs Series 9 (iO9)
- The Series 9 has 7 cleaning modes (daily clean, sensitive, super sensitive, intense, whiten, gum care & tongue clean) compared to the 5 of the Series 7 (daily clean, sensitive, intense, whiten & gum care). The extra modes the iO9 has are super sensitive and tongue clean.
- The Series 7 has a black and white interactive display compared to the colour display on the Series 9.
- The Series 9 has full 3D tracking for your cleaning performance, monitoring 16 zones rather than the 6 of the iO7.
- The Series 9 comes with a power2go charging case that allows the iO to be charged inside whereas the Series 7 comes with a standard travel case.
- Both models are available in 3 colour options. Both come in black onyx and white alabaster. The Series 9 is available in rose quartz too, whilst the iO7 can be purchased in electric blue colour.
- The Series 7 has a recommended retail price of £400, £100 less than the £500 of the Series 9.
iO Series 8 (iO8) vs Series 9 (iO9)
- The Series 8 has 6 cleaning modes (daily clean, sensitive, super sensitive, intense, whiten & gum care) compared to the 7 of the Series 9 (daily clean, sensitive, intense, whiten, gum care & tongue clean). The extra mode the iO9 has is tongue clean.
- The Series 9 has full 3D tracking for your cleaning performance, monitoring 16 zones rather than the 6 of the iO8.
- The Series 9 comes with a power2go charging case that allows the iO to be charged inside whereas the Series 8 comes with a standard travel case.
- Both handles are available in 3 different colors. Both are available in black onyx and white alabaster. The 9 Series is available in rose quartz colour also whereas the 8 Series is available in violet ametrine instead.
- The Series 8 has a recommended retail price of £450, £50 less than the £500 of the Series 9.
iO Series 9 (iO9) vs Series 10 (iO10)
- The iO10’s magnetic charging stand has iO Sense Technology to give visual feedback (via multiple LEDs) on the brushing routine. The iO9 does not have this.
- The iO10’s pacer is often set to 20 second (sextant) intervals compared to the 30 second (quadrant) intervals of the iO9.
- The iO9 is available in 3 colours (black onyx, white alabaster & rose quartz) compared to the 2 colours of the iO10 (cosmic black & stardust white).
- The Series 10 produces up to 64 decibels of sound compared to the 72 of the iO9.
- The iO9 has a power adapter hardwired into the charging stand and a separate, detachable, adapter for the power2go case. The iO10 has just 1 detachable adapter for both the charging stand and power2go case.
- The Series 9 has a recommended retail price of £500, £300 less than the £800 of the Series 10.
Detailed comparison: the main things to know about the iO range
The iO Series first launched in 2020, with the Series 7, 8 and 9. It has since evolved from 3 to 8 brushes.
The Series 3 is the entry-level model. This is the least feature rich and most affordable.
The higher the model number the more features and the more expensive it is. The range topping model is the iO Series 10.
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
- 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 iO3 is the only exception)
- Quieter, frictionless magnetic drive system
- Oscillating-rotating cleaning action with micro-vibrations
- iO-specific brush heads
- Cleaner, more minimal design compared to other Oral-B models
They all clean as well as each other
Simply put, they all clean as well as each other.
All models within the iO range use the same brush motor with the same configuration.
Models like the 8 and 9 Series do have extra cleaning modes compared to the 3, 4 and 5. But, these modes don’t change the actual cleaning results.
Using the intense mode won’t necessarily remove more plaque from the teeth and gumline. You don’t need a whitening mode to make your teeth whiter — the daily clean mode can achieve this.
Your brushing time and technique have a far bigger impact on the cleaning results than the mode you use.
Various price points to suit different budgets
£80 is the price for the most affordable model, the iO3.
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.
| iO3 | iO4 | iO5 | iO6 | iO7 | iO8 | iO9 | iO10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended Retail Price (RRP) | £160 | £240 | £280 | £299.99 | £399.99 | £449.99 | £499.99 | £800 |
| Typical Purchase Price (approx 50% off RRP) | £80 | £120 | £140 | £150 | £200 | £225 | £250 | £400 |
| 3 Year Ownership Cost (approx) | £168 | £208 | £228 | £238 | £288 | £313 | £338 | £488 |
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 iO3 is the cheapest and has the essentials anyone needs.
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.
5 of the 8 variants have a display built into the brush handle
3 of them are colour, the other 2 are 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.
| | iO3 | iO4 | iO5 | iO6 | iO7 | iO8 | iO9 | iO10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Display | X | X | X | Black & White | Black & White | Colour | Colour | Colour |
All the brushes have more cleaning modes than you need
Depending on the model you go for, you have the choice between 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.
| Cleaning Modes | Series 3 | Series 4 | Series 5 | Series 6 | Series 7 | Series 8 | Series 9 | Series 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Modes | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Daily Clean | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sensitive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Super Sensitive | X | Yes | Yes | X | X | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intense | X | X | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Whitening | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gum Care | X | X | X | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tongue Clean | X | X | X | X | X | X | Yes | Yes |
Some models don’t make it clear which cleaning mode you have selected
The iO3 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 iO3 and 4.
The iO3, 4 and 5 also don’t default to the last mode used. Therefore, if you don’t want to use the default Daily Clean mode, you have to change the mode every time you use the brush.
‘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 iO3 has no Bluetooth connectivity and can’t be connected to the Oral-B smartphone app. Therefore it has 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.
| | iO3 | iO4 | iO5 | iO6 | iO7 | iO8 | iO9 | iO10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Zone Tracking with AI | X | X | Yes – 6 zones | Yes – 6 zones | Yes – 6 zones | Yes – 6 zones | Yes – 3D teeth tracking – 16 zones | Yes – 3D teeth tracking – 16 zones |
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 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
To my knowledge, all brushes have the same battery. All are claimed to last 2 weeks on a single charge.
For the most part, they do. Models like the iO3 and 4 last as many as 18-20 days.
Yet, my testing found that 12 days of use is common with the iO9.
I can’t categorically say what’s causing such variance. My suspicion is the colour displays. I will often see it activated 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 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 12-16 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.
| | iO3 | iO4 | iO5 | iO6 | iO7 | iO8 | iO9 | iO10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charging Stand | Standard Charger | Standard charger | Standard charger | Standard charger | Magnetic charger | Magnetic charger | Magnetic charger | Magnetic charger with iO sense technology |
| Charging Time | Up to 16 hours | Up to 16 hours | Up to 16 hours | Up to 12 hours | Up to 3 hours | Up to 3 hours | Up to 3 hours | Up to 3 hours |
| Supported Voltage | 220-240v | 220-240v | 220-240v | 220-240v | 100-240v | 100-240v | 100-240v | 100-240v |
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 iO3, 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 iO3 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.
| | iO3 | iO4 | iO5 | iO6 | iO7 | iO8 | iO9 | iO10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Case | Yes (selected variants) | Yes (selected variants) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brush Heads Held | 2 (selected variants) | 2 (selected variants) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| In Case Charging | X | X | X | X | X | X | Yes – uses separate power adapter | Yes – uses separate power adapter |
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.
| iO3 | iO4 | iO5 | iO6 | iO7 | iO8 | iO9 | iO10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise (dB) | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 64 |
The light ring can be changed on all models apart from the iO3
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.
| | iO3 | iO4 | iO5 | iO6 | iO7 | iO8 | iO9 | iO10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Colour Choices | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3pre | 2 |
| Handle Colours | Matte Black / Blush Pink / Ice Blue | Quite White / Matte Black / Lavender | Quite White / Matte Black / Pink | Black Onyx / White Alabaster / Anthracite Grey / Pink | Black Onyx / White Alabaster / Blue Electric | Black Onyx / White Alabaster / Violet Ametrine | Black Onyx / White Alabaster / Rose Quartz | Cosmic Black / Stardust White |
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.
Conclusion: we recommend the iO6
All things considered, the differences between each model in the iO Series range are relatively subtle.
No one toothbrush is going to result in dramatically better cleaning results.
All of these brushes offer more than what you need.
The iO6 is the best value model.
The iO3 is the most affordable and the iO9 has all the tech.
iO models command a price premium, particularly when you factor in replacement brush heads. You don’t need a premium model to clean your teeth well.
The Oral-B Pro 3 3500 does a decent job for a fraction of the price! All things considered, we rate it as the best electric toothbrush and it’s worth considering unless you’re set on particular features from the iO range.
Thanks very much Jon, this is a brilliant analysis.
I’m thinking of buying the io8 since it is on sale currently, but wanted the in-case charging case too (that is bundled with the io9 which is not on sale).
If I bought the in-case charging case separately would it charge the io8?
Regards
B
Yes it would.
Thanks for the super quick reply Jon. I’ve just ordered it. I’ll look into where I can buy the charging case from next.
Thank your this excellent comparison.
What I’m still confused about is what Oral-b call ”s” and ”n”. I can’t find any explanation anywhere on what the difference is between iO6s and iO6n….
Hi Matt.
The difference is generally what’s included in the box. This could be a different brush head or a different accessory or both. It varies around the world.
Generally speaking the features of the brush are the same.
Hi Jon,
I find your reviews very helpfull. I have had the series 9 for two years now, but the display has never informed me I need to change the brush, why? So I change it when I think I need to. I thought this was a feature. I should mention I do not bother using the app, though I did intitally use the app a few times. I look forward to your reply.
Hi Hector.
This feature wasn’t initially available on the iO9 when it first launched. It is now.
If you update the handle, by connecting to the app, you should find that this is enabled.
Jon, this is the most comprehensive and best designed review I have ever seen!
Thank you for the good job!
Thank you for the kind words Peter. I am glad it helped.
Hi Jon,
Thank you for all the hard work you have put in to review and provide information about the different Oral B electric toothbrushes. It has certainly helped me understand the different models better.
Much appreciated.
I am glad it helped Rajeev. 👍
Hello, dear ORAL-B team.
Oral-B iO Series 7
I want to buy this toothbrush from the USA.
Will it work worldwide? In Europe?
Hi Tamara. Just to be clear, we are not the Oral-B team. We are a separate company and have written about their products.
If you buy the iO7 in the USA, the power adapter you get with the brush supports 110-130v and has a 2 pin US power adapter. You will need to source a voltage adapter and plug adapter to use this in Europe.
Alternatively, you could try to buy an EU charging stand separately and then you can just pop the brush onto that rather than having to worry about a voltage and power adapter.
Another option would be to buy the iO Series 9. This comes with a travel case that allows the toothbrush to be charged inside. The power adapter for the case supports 100-240v, but has a 2 pin US adapter. Therefore all you would need is a 2 pin US to 2 pin EU plug adapter.
Thank you.
Can the io brushes use the ordinary oral-b brushes or do they need the io ones?
Hi Eileen. The iO Series have their own range of brush heads and don’t use the normal head from Oral-B. They are not interchangeable.
Hi Jon,
Just wanted to thank you for the in depth review. I do find Oral brand very confusing, It feels like they are flooding the market to ensure customers are as confused as they can be so they either buy the most expensive or the cheapest.
I just noticed in the UK, Costco doing a deal from 14th of Feb for the iO6 for 7 – £95 which is a great price. That said i also want to share with your readers my personal view on toothbrush and touch on something you said before.
– Once you had a electric toothbrush you soon will know how long to brush your teeth and when to change the brush head. The key indicator is the color change from “blue” to whiteish.
– You will also learn how long each secontion needs to be brushed, in fact ask your dentist next time and they will show you how to hold it and what to do.
– My experience and my dentist said don’t be to tight with the toothpaste, put plenty (many don’t put enough).
– Brush in the morning and in the evening 2 min each and use floss (many ppl who have bad smell is due to the food between the tooth which causes the smell).
All the function IMHO is just marketing. They have no additional function and i would assume 99 of 100 customers would not even bother to use them.
I hope this helps those who think this new brush might do the trick, in fact the 2500 one is good enough.
Hi Essa.
Thanks for the comment and I agree with what you say about flooding the market. They could easily have a cheap, mid range and premium option, keep things simple etc, but by having something at every price point it ensures a consumer buys something.
I agree with many of the points. Not sure I do about the toothpaste, you only need a pea sized amount really.
You have understood the most important things though and sounds like you are on top of your oral health. Good work.
Hi,
I want to buy either the iO6 or iO9, to help make sure I’m sufficiently cleaning all surfaces of my teeth, so hopefully I can learn to do a better job. I don’t mind if sometimes I have to clean longer because the app doesn’t keep up. The iO9 is currently nearly 2.5x the price of the iO6 so I’m trying to figure out if it is worth the premium.
I’m really unclear about how the tracking in the app differs between iO6 and iO9. I know the iO6 doesn’t include a 3D tracking image in the app and I know the iO9 provides more detailed tracking (16 zones), but does the iO6 still track which surfaces you have successfully cleaned (inside, biting surface, outside) for each quadrant? Or to put it another way, for the extra money does the iO9 app give sufficiently more detail that it will make a real difference to how well I learn to thoroughly clean all my teeth?
Adrian.
The short answer is the 6 will probably do the job just fine for you. The basics & key things can be learnt from the app and the feedback it gives. It will help promote better brushing and perfect your technique if you are committed. Few people need the iO9 although it does track more zones as you say.
The io6 is looking at 6 zones (upper right, upper front, upper rear, lower right, lower front and lower rear). It isn’t tracking specific surfaces, front back, biting etc, it is looking at them as a whole.
The iO9 is tracking all the surfaces for these sections, hence the total of 16.
It can be hard to put into words, it’s one of those things that is best explained with visuals/demos.
I hope that helps.
Thanks. I’m still not clear though.
Does that mean if, for example, when cleaning my upper front teeth I spent all the time cleaning the outside surface (near my lips), and failed to clean the biting surface or inside surface (near my tongue), the iO6 might still think I’d done a good job for that zone?
Obviously I wouldn’t do that. But, it’s quite likely I might focus more on one surface than another without realising it.
Would the iO9 be more able to spot and report mistakes like that?
Hi again Adrian. Sorry if I wasn’t explicit enough.
Yes, unfortunately, with the iO6, for example, when cleaning your upper front teeth if you spent all the time cleaning the outside surface (near your lips), and failed to clean the biting surface or inside surface (near your tongue), the iO6 would still think you had done a good job for that zone.
I think it is all based around the logic (I might be wrong) that by seeing the on-screen visual and having to actively think about it a bit more, you do a better job of cleaning.
You have made me think a video/more detailed explanation of these differences would be worthwhile.
I hope this now clarifies things. Any more questions, please do ask.
I know you said smart brushes aren’t really worth it but I’ll last you know why I bought a two pack of the Oral B io6.
I’m 40 and my parents never taught me how to brush my teeth or encouraged me to do so. My teeth are also very wonky so I clearly should have had braces as a teenager but was never given the option.
I now have my own child and I’ve tried to encourage my child to brush their teeth but it’s not been easy to be consistent when I’m not brushing regularly enough myself and I have pretty poor technique.
We both went to the dentist recently. My child is starting to lose baby teeth but also has two that require fillings. It’s one thing having fillings in baby teeth but now that their adult teeth are coming through it’d be irresponsible to not to my best to ensure they care for their adult teeth as they start to come through. I lost two fillings near the start of COVID, both from baby teeth (yes, baby teeth at 40) – I got the dentist to remove one because food was getting stuck in a big gap left after part of the baby tooth snapped off then got him to remove the other one after the bulk of the tooth had snapped off. The teeth had died after he’d decided not to replace the fillings that’d been put in many years ago by my previous dentist.
So, I was aware that we both needed to work on our oral hygiene. We’re both quite in to games and getting achievements in games and working towards targets. This, as well on the coaching for coverage, pressure, time, routine etc made a smart toothbrush feel like the right choice for us. I’d have never paid full price but Amazon offered the io6 in a dual pack for Black Friday. With cashback, voucher codes etc I was able to get the two io6 brushes for under £50 each which seemed not to bad. So far it’s making us brush our teeth in the morning and evening. My kid even wanted to brush at lunchtime to earn a medal so I had to say that over-brushing has the potential to cause more damage than not brushing at all. We’re also waiting until at least an hour after eating. Because our technique isn’t great it’s taking between 2 and 4 minutes to be told we’ve brushed every area to an acceptable standard. Are you saying we shouldn’t move mouthwash at all? When should we floss. I’ve always kept floss as, even if I didn’t brush enough, I’ve always hated bits of food stuck between my teeth of on my gums so I’ve always tried to keep my teeth clean in other ways – just not brushing enough. Gamifying it does make me pay better attention to it, though. Ultimately I just want to be a decent parent and do what’s best for my child. I wish my dental surgery had a hygienist. I’ve known other people who’ve been taught how to brush their teeth properly by one.
Thanks for the comment and I am so pleased to read that the smart toothbrush that is the Oral-B iO6 is working for you. This is fantastic.
We say you don’t need a smart toothbrush as many are not motivated by the app and lose interest quickly. You and your son appear to be the opposite, this is great and if it makes the pair of you better at cleaning your teeth then this is a good thing and we certainly approve.
At around £50 per brush that is also a cracking price for what is a premium toothbrush.
It is important to be flossing (cleaning between the teeth). We generally recommend flossing before brushing, but ultimately flossing at any time is better than not at all.
With a good oral care routine, like you are on the path to achieving, you shouldn’t need to use mouthwash at all. It can help at times you might not brush, so after lunch for example. In some instances, it may be recommended by dental professionals to be used as an extra tool to help keep the mouth clean, but it isn’t essential.
It is surprising your dental surgery doesn’t have a hygienist, but if you are committed you could look for one locally, at another practice and go together with your son and discuss your oral care routine etc. It will cost you, but it may well be a good investment.
The following video I believe will be helpful to you and your son on your journey to better oral health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k3wjTOhYwY
To conclude, great job and it is wonderful to see you taking a keen interest in ensuring your own teeth and your sons are looked after. 👍
Jon,
Excellent review! And I’m not just saying that due to it having precisely what I was looking for today. A detailed break down of the differences between the iOs 7, 8 and, 9.
She’ll be gifting me the 7 from my Christmas wish list. In a surprise plot twist, I’ll be handing her the 9 at the same time.
Oral-B has added value to the iO9 by including two additional brush heads for a total of four. The iO8 meanwhile, now comes with three brush heads in total.
Added value is always appreciated. Bit miffed however that Oral-B does not offer the iO9 in violet or the iO8 in pink. These things exist at price points that should include all of the colors Oral-B has being available for each of their models. She’d enjoy and love a violet iO8, but it’s the rose of the iO9 that will get a sparkle going in her eye.
So while the added value of the two additional brush is appreciated, they’ve still got consumers such as myself spending money on what is essentially, (correct me if I’m mistaken) unlocking 3D renders and teeth brushing tips in the app, yes?
And here I’m doing it because, I’m shopping a color!
Thanks for the thorough review Jon
Have a great holiday!
Thanks for the kind words Will.
Sounds like you and your partner will have sparkly teeth this festive season!
I hear you on the colours. The choice would be nice, but unfortunately, there is no violet iO9 or pink iO8.
The iO9 does have an extra cleaning mode and power2go charging travel case over the iO8. But yes it does also in addition have the 3D teeth tracking within the app, which means it is tracking more areas of the mouth as your partner brushes.
I hope she likes it. It is a lovely toothbrush.
Hi Jon,
My wife and I have both got the iO7 toothbrushes. On the display its now saying “refill is used up” then it changes to “switched YES or NO.
Do you know what this means, we bought the toothbrushes at the same time and its showing on both brushes this week.
Andy. This should mean it is time to change the brush heads. Have you had them for about 3 months and been brushing 2 minutes twice a day each time?
Hi Jon,
Thanks for the quick reply. We have had them for about 3 months, only brush once a day though as we are both a bit lazy. 😀😀. I thought it might be to do with the brush heads, no mention in the instructions though. Thanks for your help.
Regards
Andy
No worries Andy. Please, for the sake of yours and your wife’s teeth do brush twice a day. You will benefit in the long run.
Perhaps set yourself the challenge and give yourself a reward at the end.
What shocked me is that the “travel” case does not have batteries in, to allow a few more days of charge similar to that of AirPods and their case?
Correct, it does not Rob.
Many people get the impression it does. It would potentially be useful.
Hi Jon… thanks for the great review… very useful… I am looking at the io series. I was looking at the io8 duo so that my partner could have her own brush. I think this is better for the app usage, is this the case? I like the 3d tracking of the io9 but don’t really want to buy two of them! What is the AI like on the others? Do they let you know where you are going wrong? Many thanks. The other option I guess is the Genius 9900. At the moment there is around £80 price difference between the two sets… so you think the io worth the extra? Matt
Hi Matt.
It is better to have separate brushes to track your brushing habits. It is possible to do it with 1, but to be honest it’s far from ideal.
The AI is comparable on all 3 models. The benefits of the iO9 tracking really are limited and not worth the extra expense when buying 2 handles.
The app will give you enough feedback in my opinion so don’t worry about the extra 3D tracking all that much on the iO9.
The configuration with the 9900 is very different. Definitely go for the iO series over this. The 9900 requires you to mount your phone in a holder and use your smartphone camera for tracking, much more of a faff!
You could look at the Genius X. This doesn’t require the smartphone camera to be used. Works like the iO but a little less glitzy and feature rich.
I would argue do you even need the iO Series at all. Don’t get me wrong, they are great. But, a basic model cleans just as well. If you and your partner can just make sure you are brushing for the correct time and the correct technique you could save yourself a lot of money.
Hi Jon!
Thankyou for the review, this was really good
Will deffo be buying the IO7 As they have an offer in boots for £150!
Hi Jon ! Thank you for your work, it is really useful. On Black Friday I bought the genius X and the io 7 (same price). But I don’t know which one I should keep since I am not really able to compare them. What do you think about that?
If you bought them at the same price, then I would probably go for the iO Series 7. It is the sleeker unit overall.
Do bear in mind that with the iO you don’t have the ability to charge the toothbrush in the case and replacement brush heads are more expensive.
In terms of quality and efficiency, is it similar ? What are the major differences ? Is it a big difference of price for the heads ?
Yes, the quality and efficiency of the clean is similar. The motor in the brushes are slightly different, but not significant.
At the moment, a typical brush head for the iO is working out around £10 compared to approx £3 for the Genius X.
I am sure the prices will fall in time, they are likely higher because they are new.
This comparison has more detail – although to be fair, I am comparing the iO Series 9 vs the X in this comparison.
We currently own a oral b teen brush. Unfortunately whenever my kids brush their teeth in the morning, the noise is enough to wake all others in the house.
How is the noise on the newer models?
Hi Pauline.
The iO series is quieter, by about 10 decibels. It is also a little less mechanical sounding, more of a loud humming sound.
The iO Series are the only ones from Oral-B to be quieter, all other brushes produce the same noise.
Dear Jon,
Thanks for your work. I am in the market for an Oral-B iO 9 and I see that sometimes the package mentions “Series 9” while some other times “Series 9N”.
I haven’t been able to understand the difference between the two, can you please help here?
Kind regards.
Hi Ed.
Yes, it is confusing and I am not 100% I can tell you precisely why they have different names, but what I have gleaned so far is.
For other brushes in the past ‘N’ has usually referred to the standard brush head, ‘CrossAction’ or in the case of the iO Series ‘Ultimate Clean’.
N seems to be the badge placed on models sold in central Europe. I note you might be in Italy, so this would apply here. Whereas in the UK it is just referred to as Series 9.
The other difference, from what I can tell is the 9N comes with 2 pin European power adapter, which would apply for Europeans in the likes of Italy, Germany, France etc.
In the UK we have 2 pin power in our bathrooms, but the pin size is different!
As far as I am aware there are no technical/performance differences between these models.
I know this is not a definitive answer, but I hope it helps.