Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Oral-B Smart 5 5000 and Smart 6 6000?

The technical differences between these two brushes are very slight, but aesthetically they are quite different  

In many respects the Smart 5 5000 feels the more premium brush even though officially the Smart 6 is.

When you look at these two brushes it is clear there are some significant design differences.

Both are made primarily of a plastic construction, the main body on both is a gloss White plastic.

On the front of the Smart 5 5000 is a rubber grip that runs top to bottom, this is White in colour, to give the 5000 and all White colour tone.

The Smart 6 6000 on the other hand as a Silver/Blue panel on the front of the handle that is plastic and sets it apart from the 5000.

The back of the Smart 5’s brush handle is all plastic with grips from ridges in the plastic, whilst the Smart 6 6000 has a White rubber grip, all down the back of the handle.

The Smart 5 has a single power button on the front, that not only activates the brush but changes the cleaning modes.

On the Smart 6 there is a power button, but there is too another button, this is the cleaning mode button.  You press this to change the cleaning modes.

Unlike the Smart 5, the Smart 6 actually has icons that illuminate with a White light to show which cleaning mode is selected.  Situated in the Silver/Blue panel this is a lot smarter and more practical than the Smart 5. However, there is no icon for the standard Daily Clean mode, which I find strange, but this is consistent amongst other premium Oral-B models.

On first glance, the Smart 6 looks the more appealing.  Of course it is personal opinion, but overall the very slightly slimmer profile and rubber fronted Smart 5 feels better in the hand.

The brushes differ in size as follows.

The Smart 5 5000:

• Height (without head) – 19.5cm
• Height (with head) – 23.5cm
• Width – 2.3cm
• Thickness – 2.9cm
• Weight (without head) – 123g
• Weight (with head) – 129g

The Smart 6 6000:

• Height (without head) – 20.5cm
• Height (with head) – 24cm
• Width – 2.7cm Thickness – 3.2cm
• Weight (without head) – 132g
• Weight (with head) – 138g

At the neck of the brush is where you find another difference.

On the Smart 5 5000 is a Red plastic panel that illuminates when the pressure sensor is activated.  This panel is primarily on the rear but sweeps into the sides of the handle.

On the Smart 6, this is replaced with a ring that runs 360 degrees around the handle.  This does too illuminate Red when the pressure sensor is activated, but too can be set to 1 of 12 different colours via the smartphone app.  This ring then is lit that colour whilst the brush is switched on.

The ring offers a bit of personalisation to the brush but in no way changes the clean.

Its smart and I like the fact it can be personalised, but it brings little benefit other than perhaps a larger surface area to draw your attention too when the pressure sensor is activated.

Both brushes come with a travel case, although that supplied with the Smart 6 is said to be a bit more premium.  

Both hold the handle and up to 2 brush heads.

Both are of plastic construction and protect the handle and heads from damage and accidental activation.

The case with the 5000 is transparent and rounded in shape whilst the case with the Smart 6 is all White in colour and although rounded has a flatter profile, it does too feel a little more robust.

I prefer the case with the Smart 6 6000 but the one provided with the 5000 is perfectly functional.

In the box with the Smart 5 5000 is a really great brush head storage compartment.

A tray that holds up to 4 different brush heads, there is a transparent lid that closes over the top but will also allow air to reach the heads and dry them.

With the more premium 6000, instead of this tray you get a brush head stand, a moulded piece of plastic that clips around the charging stand.  It has 2 prongs on it, on which up to 2 brush heads can sit.

It does provide a home for spare heads but they remain exposed and it feels poor in comparison to the Smart 5.

Not a major difference, but perhaps noteworthy is that in our hands on testing the Smart 5 achieved 16 days usage time (based on 2 cleans of 2 minutes per day) whilst the Smart 6 achieved 18 days.  Officially Oral-B suggest both brushes have a battery life of 2 weeks.

Aside from the aforementioned differences, the brushes are the same.

The same motor powers the brushes and both have timers and pacers built in.

Both have Bluetooth connectivity, come provided with a smartphone stand, come with additional brush heads, a 2 year warranty and a water resistant brush handle.

Does one clean better than the other?

No.  Both brushes have the same motors, the same cleaning modes and performance.

It will all come down to the user and how they use the brush.

Both are a significant step up from a manual brush and all will give you healthier teeth and gums as a result of use, if used with the correct brushing technique.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes, the Smart 5 5000 is the cheaper of the two.

More often than not, there is not a great deal between the two though.

At the time of writing the Smart 6 is £90 compared to the £78 of the Smart 5.

Always subject to change is the price, with some retailers, particularly those online being a little more aggressively priced more often.

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.