Our verdict
If choosing between Sonicare and Oral-B, my choice for the best overall brush, all things considered, is the Sonicare Series 5300. The iO Series 3 is my pick from Oral-B. If one is on offer for a particularly good price, or if you have a preference over cleaning action, that's the one worth going for.
The other brush to mention is SURI 2.0, which is recommended alongside the iO3 and 5300 in our best electric toothbrush post. For the best top of the line pick, my recommendation is the Sonicare Prestige 9900.
I explain these choices in more detail throughout the article, but it's worth mentioning that neither brand is the best in every category. Oral-B is generally cheaper, but Sonicare excels at other things like overall design and travel-friendly features. I've therefore created sections to explain which brand I rate as the best in specific categories.
Top of the range
Why we picked them
Having used and thoroughly tested all the current Oral-B and Sonicare models, the Sonicare Series 5300 is the one I would choose between the two brands.
It cleans the teeth well and has the essential features I look for in a toothbrush (2 minute timer, 30 second pacer & pressure sensor). It's affordable, striking the balance between performance and price.
The equivalent model from Oral-B's newest range is the iO3. This is a great brush and the one to consider if you prefer Oral-B's oscillating-rotating technology or its visible pressure sensor.
Over the duration of ownership, the two brushes work out roughly the same price.
For those wanting the most capable and feature-rich models, both brands offer a number of strong choices.
Oral-B's iO9 offers more detailed real-time tracking and more customisation than the Philips equivalent, the 9900 Prestige. The iO9's handle has a built-in colour screen which makes for an engaging user experience.
However, it is the Sonicare 9900 Prestige that is the all round better package in my opinion. It feels more premium and has a better battery life and far more compact and user-friendly travel case. It's the brush I would recommend for those that want it all and are prepared to pay for it.
Does one clean better than the other?
The short answer is no.
Clinical evidence and peer reviews would suggest that Oral-B has the edge, but researchers have noted that more research is needed.
My hands-on testing has shown that when used correctly, both can deliver excellent cleaning results and improve your oral health. It's also worth pointing out that buying top of the line models, as opposed to the more affordable models that we recommend, doesn't mean better cleaning results.
Arguably more important than picking between one brand or another is ensuring that you have mastered your brushing technique, brushing for the right amount of time and doing so twice a day. These things will normally have a far more positive impact on your oral health than picking an Oral-B brush over Sonicare.
Key things to know
Like-for-like models
The following table shows what I consider to be the approximate equivalent models from the respective brands.
The different features, price points, and specifications of each brush rarely mean there is an exact like-for-like. However, this should give you a good place to start if you're looking at a particular model and want to know the rough equivalent from the other brand.
| Oral-B | Philips Sonicare |
|---|---|
| iO Series 9 / Series 10 | DiamondClean 9900 Prestige |
| iO Series 5/ 6/ 7/ 8 | DiamondClean Smart 9400 |
| iO Series 3 / 4 | Series 6100 |
| iO Series 2 | 3100 Series / Series 5300 |
| Genius X | Series 7100 |
| Smart 4 / Smart 5 | Series 6100 |
| Pro 3 3000 / 3500 | 3100 Series |
| Pro 1 Series | 2100 Series |
| Vitality/Vitality Pro | 1100 Series |
Model comparisons
In the posts below we have directly compared close equivalents from Oral-B and Sonicare:
- Oral-B iO Series 9 & 10 vs Sonicare 9900 Prestige
- Oral-B iO vs Sonicare DiamondClean
- Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 vs Oral-B iO
- Oral-B Genius X vs Sonicare DiamondClean 9000
Video explanation
In this video, I summarise my experience of using both brands, share what company is better at which things and give my recommendations of models to pick.
Sonicare vs Oral-B: the short answers
I know you might be short of time and want quick answers, so I've included them in the table below.
If you click on one of the questions it will jump you to a more detailed explanation.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Which is the cheapest? | Oral-B |
| Which is quietest? | Sonicare |
| Which has the best battery life? | Sonicare |
| Which is best for travel? | Sonicare |
| Which has the best brushing technology? | Oral-B |
| Which is the best smart toothbrush? | Sonicare |
| Which offers the most features/best innovation? | Sonicare |
| Which has the most accessories? | Oral-B |
| Which is best for families? | Oral-B |
| Which has the best design? | Sonicare |
| Which is the best quality? | Sonicare |
And the long answers
In the following sections, I look more closely at the headline answers I've given above. For some of the categories it is not quite as simple as selecting just one better brand, so I explain the nuances in more detail.
Oral-B is cheapest
The overall cost of a brush depends not only on the initial purchase price, but also the brush heads you use.
Throughout the site we provide an estimated 3 year cost to give a rough idea of this, although you should expect a brush to last longer than 3 years.
Oral-B brush heads for non-iO brushes, like the Pro 3 3500, are the cheapest.
Oral-B iO heads and standard Sonicare heads are around the same price.
Within Sonicare's brush head range and Oral-B's iO brush head range, there are more expensive options.
In terms of the main brushes we recommend from each brand, there isn't a significant difference in initial purchase price unless one has a sale running, so the brush head cost is likely to be the biggest differentiator in price.
The table below gives an example of how the prices vary:
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Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
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Philips Sonicare Series 5300
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Oral-B Pro 3 3500
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Philips Sonicare 3100 Series + Travel Case
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Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
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| Typical selling price | Brush head cost | Approximate 3 year cost | Buying options |
|---|---|---|---|
| £60 | Approx £6 each (Oral-B iO Series) | £115 | |
| £70 | Approx £5 each | £125 | |
| £45 | Approx £2.50 each (Oral-B) | £65 | |
| £50 | Approx £5 each (Philips Sonicare) | £105 | |
| £250 | Approx £6 each (Oral-B iO Series) | £296 | |
| £265 | Approx £5 each (Philips Sonicare) | £320 |
Sonicare brushes are quietest
The majority of Oral-B brushes are loud, measuring at well over 70 decibels.
Quite a few Sonicare brushes do achieve similar readings, but as a general rule, Sonicare brushes are quieter.
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Oral-B Vitality Pro
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Philips Sonicare 1100 Series
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Oral-B Pro 3 3500
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Philips Sonicare 3100 Series + Travel Case
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Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
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Philips Sonicare Series 5300
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Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
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The iO Series has brought the average down for Oral-B as most iO models top out at 64dB.
However, what ultimately sets them apart is not just the loudness but the frequency of the sound.
I've seen some say Oral-B's brushes sound (and feel) like a jackhammer. This is a little over the top, but I understand the sentiment.
I can't typically hear my wife talking to me when using an Oral-B, but I can when using Philips.
Sonicare models produce a noticeable audible hum, whereas many Oral-B brushes have a more mechanical sound. Play the following clip to hear the difference for yourself.
Our article, what's the quietest electric toothbrush is well worth reading if you are particularly conscious of the noise your toothbrush makes. We've listed decibel readings for a wide variety of models and share our top recommendations.
Sonicare offers the best battery life
Oral-B falls a long way short of the mark set by Sonicare. This is even more so the case since Sonicare released a new range of brushes in late 2024. The hands-on battery life for these new models ranged from 41 to 51 days.
The table below shows the battery life stated by the manufacturer, compared to the battery life achieved in my hands-on testing:
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Oral-B Vitality Pro
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Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
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Oral-B Pro 3 3500
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Philips Sonicare 3100 Series + Travel Case
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Philips Sonicare Series 5300
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Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
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It varies by model, but Oral-B doesn't suggest more than 2 weeks battery life for any of its models. Despite this, I have found from my hands-on testing that some last a few days more than this. With Sonicare, though, I have found that the battery sometimes lasts a week or more longer than stated.
How important this is will depend on your routine and how convenient it is for you to charge your brush. If you charge it every night, it makes little difference.
Sonicare brushes do take longer to charge on average. Many need up to 24 hours, whereas some Oral-B models can be charged in just 3. Most take about 12.
Where Oral-B fails to include a battery LED on their Vitality models, Sonicare has one on all their models to alert you to the battery charge status.
Regular travellers should pick Sonicare
I don't travel regularly, but when I do, Sonicare is my first choice.
Firstly, the average battery life of an Oral-B brush doesn't extend past 2 weeks. Many Sonicare brushes achieve 3+ weeks, meaning a 2 week holiday is nothing to worry about and no charging stand is required.
There isn't an Oral-B brush that is as light and compact as the Philips One. This is a great option for backpackers or those desiring the most minimal of luggage.
Not all brushes come with cases, notably the cheapest models. Where they do, the cases are comparable. But certainly, with more recent models the cases are slimmer. A plastic protective travel case for the Series 5300 or 4100 is approximately one third smaller than the equivalent Oral-B travel case.
It's the premium travel cases that make Sonicare the clear winner.
More models come with travel cases that allow the brush to be charged inside.
Those cases either have a USB cable hardwired into them, or have a microUSB connection. Our top of the range pick, the Prestige 9900 has a USB type-C connector. If you use an Android or one of the newer iPhone models, this means your toothbrush can be charged using the same power cable as your smartphone.
Unfortunately, the newer Series 7100 from Sonicare feels like a slight step backward in this regard. The charging cable uses a more proprietary barrel pin style connector rather than the more desirable USB connector.
Oral-B on the other hand insists on a bulky, proprietary power adapter. This is not something I would expect on brushes with selling prices of several hundred pounds.
At the start of the video below you can see a USB-C cable being plugged into the slimmer Sonicare case and in the second half, the bulkier Oral-B iO charger being used:
It's also worth noting that most Sonicare charging stands have international voltage support, whereas Oral-B's typically support 220-240v.
Philips are now also supplying charging stands with USB cables, rather than 2 pin power adapters. It makes them more versatile and travel friendly. The 1100, 2100, 3100 and 4100 Series are some examples, alongside the DiamondClean Prestige. Oral-B has yet to manufacture any charging stand with a USB connector for power.
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Oral-B Vitality
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Philips Sonicare 1100 Series
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Oral-B Pro 3 3500
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Philips Sonicare 3100 Series + Travel Case
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Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
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Philips Sonicare Series 5300
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Oral-B Genius X
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Philips Sonicare ExpertClean 7300
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Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
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According to studies, Oral-B cleans slightly better
Both brands advertise that their brushes are dentist approved and X is better than Y. As a result, it's hard to know what to believe.
In the toggle section below, I have linked to research showing that Oral-B has performed slightly better in clinical studies. However, the researchers have noted that more clinical studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions.
The reality is that both brands' brushes work well and remove sufficient plaque.
While choosing Oral-B over Sonicare may offer certain benefits, for most people, this won't make a noticeable difference. This is especially true when considering that lab test results don't always translate directly to real-world conditions.
The following slideshow has before and after images of my teeth having disclosed the plaque and brushes with both Sonicare and Oral-B. Judge for yourself, but I think there's very little in it. These should be the kind of results you get when using any electric toothbrush correctly.
Further explanation of the clinical research
Pitchika et al published the results of an 11 year study in 2019 that proved powered toothbrushes are more effective in improving gum health and helping users retain more teeth.
Knowing electric has benefits over manual brushes inevitably brings up the question of whether Oral-B's oscillating rotating action is better than the back and forth sweeping action of Philips Sonicare.
This study finds Oral-B's round brush head to be better, whilst a 2019 study in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry finds in favour of Sonicare.
The problem is that the studies have been funded by P&G (parent company of Oral-B) and Philips Sonicare so there is a potential bias. Thorough studies require a large amount of funding. Inevitably, it is the larger organizations that can afford this, hence much of the data comes from research financed by the likes of Oral-B and Sonicare.
Thankfully, independent research and analyses do exist. These typically come in the form of reviews of all available papers and are considered better quality evidence than individual studies. Cochrane's study has found Oral-B to be more effective. In a more recent review, Thomassen et al and El-Chami et al agreed that the oscillating-rotating technology removes more plaque than sonic technology.
The key takeaway from these studies and reviews is that the benefits of Oral-B are minor, and it's uncertain whether they will have a significant impact on oral health.
Premium brushes don't clean the teeth any better
My testing hasn't revealed any significant differences in the cleaning results a Sonicare or Oral-B toothbrush offers, and I have tested a lot of different models.
I couldn't say one model is considerably better than another or removes notably more plaque.
Certain models like the Oral-B Pro Vitality Pro and Sonicare 2100 Series don't give quite the same intense 'clean' feeling as more expensive models. This is because the motors are configured differently. Yet, the cleaning results are still perfectly adequate.
The most expensive models in the range do have the most powerful motors, but I haven't any evidence from my plaque disclosing tests to show they clean the teeth better.
Instead, these premium options tend to have more cleaning modes or intensity controls to allow me to dial in the brushing experience to my liking. The options are nice, but often overwhelming with no meaningful difference between them. I've yet to see any clinical evidence that using a whitening mode or intense mode delivers clinically better results.
I personally like the deep and invigorating 'dentist clean' feeling I get from using an Oral-B toothbrush, but I am aware that some people find the vigour of Oral-B's cleaning sensation to be too intense. Sonicare models feel softer and more delicate yet still leave my teeth clean and fresh.
Delivering the best of both worlds is the iO Series handles from Oral-B. With a different motor to the Pro, Smart and Genius models, the intensity of the cleaning action isn't quite as strong. That said, there is still a notable difference compared to Sonicare.
This brushing sensation is a sizeable influencing factor in deciding which to pick. I'd never suggest picking Oral-B to benefit from marginally better cleaning results if it feels too intense. Those with sensitivity and gum recession will likely prefer Sonicare.
Learn how the different brushing approaches from Oral-B & Sonicare work
Technically, both Oral-B and Sonicare are 'sonic' toothbrushes but the technology has been implemented slightly differently, with the intention of achieving the same goal.
Philips uses sonic technology whilst Oral-B uses an oscillating-rotating approach.
Sonicare brushes rely on two methods to clean the teeth. There is a mechanical and a non-contact method.
The mechanical cleaning uses physical contact between the bristles and the tooth surface. The motor causes the head to vibrate. This vibration causes the bristles to move side-to-side and remove plaque by scrubbing the surfaces.
The second, non-contact approach uses "hydrodynamic forces" generated by the high vibration frequencies the handle generates. Fluids in the mouth are agitated creating micro-bubbles which damage the plaque layer in hard to reach areas, beyond the bristle tips (1).
Many brushes in the Sonicare range offer up to 31,000 brush strokes/62,000 movements per minute. The exact number of movements depends on the model, cleaning mode and intensity selected.
Oral-B brushes have small, round brush heads. These turn 45 degrees to the right and then 45 degrees to the left. This back and forth movement of the circular heads is referred to as oscillating-rotating or a '2D' cleaning action. This is equivalent to the contact movement of Sonicare brush heads, to loosen and remove plaque and debris from the teeth and gums.
The vast majority of Oral-B brushes have another dimension of movement. Known as pulsations (or micro vibrations on iO Series handles) the head moves towards and then back away from the tooth surface repeatedly, many thousands of times per minute.
Pulsations offer a more sophisticated motion that somewhat mimics the non-contact approach of Sonicare brushes. This added motion becomes '3D' cleaning.
Brush heads shape and size
I have found Oral-B's round brush heads slightly easier to move around in the mouth and reach tighter spaces with. Those with small or cramped mouths may benefit most from Oral-B. However, it's worth noting that the heads on Oral-B iO models are fractionally larger, meaning some of that benefit is lost.
The longer Sonicare heads tend to cover more teeth at one time. And if you invest in the premium silicone backed heads they are softer on the teeth and gums and don't create the same, often unpleasant, chattering sound should they make contact with the teeth.
Oral-B and Sonicare produce a variety of brush head styles, far more than most of us need. Although different, the options are comparable. We explain the differences and give our recommendations in the following articles:
Sonicare offers the most features & innovation
I believe Oral-B is the company that has pushed forward faster and harder in this category. They were the first to introduce Bluetooth and pressure sensors, for example.
But, being slower and more thoughtful has played to Sonicare's advantage. Oral-B might have had some features first, but Sonicare has executed better in many areas.
Brush head replacement reminders
One of the most recent innovations is BrushSync. There are a couple of elements to the technology, but the most useful to me is the brush head replacement reminder. It activates an on handle LED when the bristles need replacing. If you have a tendency to forget when you last replaced your brush head, you'll love this.
Sonicare tracks the head usage via an RFID chip built into the head. It's very accurate and can track multiple heads.
Oral-B has followed suit with a similar feature, but it's not tracking the head with the same accuracy. Oral-B relies on tracking the total brushing time since the reminder system was last reset. I could replace the head every week, but unless I reset the tracking feature, it would still alert me in 3 months that I am due a new set of bristles.
Pressure sensors
A pressure sensor is my most recommended feature after the timer and pacer. It provides an alert when you brush with too much force.
There is quite a degree of variation in the way Oral-B and Sonicare implement their pressure sensors. Oral-B uses a visual sensor that lights up when you brush too hard, whereas Sonicare uses a vibration alert.
With Oral-B, in most instances a red light illuminates around the neck of the brush handle. The visual alert is fairly easy to see if brushing in front of a mirror. Our main recommendation, the Pro 3 3500, has this.
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Oral-B Vitality Pro
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Oral-B Pro 3 3500
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Philips Sonicare 3100 Series + Travel Case
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Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3)
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Philips Sonicare Series 5300
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Philips Sonicare Series 6100
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Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)
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Philips Sonicare Series 7100
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Oral-B iO Series 7 (iO7)
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000
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Oral-B iO Series 10 (iO10)
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
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| Pressure Sensor | Visible alert | Vibration alert |
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| - | - | - |
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Far fewer Sonicare brushes have visible pressure sensors, which is a shame. However, what they do have, which Oral-B does not, is a differing vibration pattern when the pressure sensor is activated. I think this might be a better approach than Oral-B's. It is very noticeable and allows a blind person to benefit, which can't be said for Oral-B's visual sensor.
With its iO brushes (apart from the iO2), I like how Oral-B has implemented different lights for different amounts of pressure. I am alerted if I am using insufficient, the correct, or excessive force as I brush. The different coloured lights make it very clear for me. Unfortunately, the light ring can be tricky to see from the corner of your eye. Brushing in front of a mirror does make things easier. And I do wish Oral-B would copy Philips in causing the handle to vibrate differently for those not able to see the lights.
Different sensory alerts
Philips brush handles vibrate and beep when the battery is low. They do the same thing when placed on a charging stand. I've not come across an Oral-B brush (or many other brands) that have this sort of vibration alert.
In my opinion, these small innovations are far more powerful than some of the other headline features a toothbrush might offer, like Bluetooth technology or extra cleaning modes.
I have genuinely found that it improves my daily user experience. The audible and haptic feedback alerts and confirmations are reassuring. And for a blind or partially-sighted person who may not see an LED, this must be game-changing compared to using Oral-B brushes.
You don't have to pay more to get these features either - all of Sonicare's rechargeable brushes have them, including our main recommendation, the 3100 Series.
Easing the transition for new electric toothbrush users
The power of an electric toothbrush can feel a bit too intense the first few times you use a brush, particularly if switching from a manual.
I recall my first time switching to electric, it took me at least a week to desensitise and become accustomed to the increased stimulation my gums were getting. Even today, having tested countless models, the power of some can take a while to get used to.
A top tip here is to use a sensitive mode, if the brush has one, and once accustomed, switch to more powerful brushing modes. But, with Sonicare you don't need to do this. It helps ease that transition with EasyStart.
Over the first 14 brushing sessions, the power is gradually increased to help you adjust to the new brush. There is the option to deactivate this feature should you not need it.
Sonicare is my pick for a top of the line smart toothbrush
If you’re looking for a top of the line smart toothbrush, the iO9 or iO10 and the Sonicare 9900 Prestige are the brushes to choose from. I do compare these brushes more thoroughly in this post, but below is a briefer summary.
All three brushes offer real-time position tracking.
I do think the tracking is marginally better with the iO as it is monitoring 16 zones of the mouth, compared to the 12 of the Prestige. Oral-B tracks brushing of the front, back and top of the tooth surfaces. Whereas Sonicare doesn’t currently track the brushing of the top (biting) surfaces.
If you want the very best position tracking, go for Oral-B. Otherwise, the tracking of the Prestige is more than good enough.
I would pick the Prestige over an iO model because it is the better all round package. The other features such as the nicer design, compact charging travel case and longer battery life outweigh the slightly better position tracking of the iO models.
For a slightly cheaper smart toothbrush, Oral-B is my pick
If you go lower in the range of smart toothbrushes, the brushing feedback isn’t quite as detailed.
Oral-B's real-time tracking drops to 6 zones rather than 16. Individual tooth surfaces are grouped into zones, limiting the usefulness of the feedback. Therefore I can continue to miss brushing a particular surface and the tech won't make me aware.
More affordable Sonicare models like the Series 6500, 7100, DiamondClan 9000 and ExpertClean 7300 offer no real-time tracking at all. Instead, what data is tracked to highlight trends and patterns in my oral care routine. This approach is more than sufficient and can still highlight errors such as failing to brush for long enough or not brushing twice a day, as dental professionals would advise.
The Oral-B iO Series 6 is my more affordable smart toothbrush recommendation. Like my top choice, the Pro 3, it strikes the balance between price and performance. Excellent cleaning results are easily achieved and the 6 zone tracking does enable more insight than if you were to opt for the ExpertClean from Sonicare, which is similarly priced.
The cheapest Oral-B Bluetooth enabled toothbrushes are very limited
The iO Series 4 is a great toothbrush but its Bluetooth capabilities will fail to excite many, in my opinion.
If you want nothing more than a digital log of when you brushed and for how long, then the iO4 ticks that box, but it can't give me the detailed feedback and insights I would want if I were trying to significantly improve my oral care routine.
Unlike the iO Series 5 and Genius X, this is not equipped to give any real-time feedback.
Philips offers fewer smart toothbrushes, with well defined differences
Sonicare offers fewer Bluetooth enabled toothbrushes than Oral-B, but the distinction between each is clearer. The brush either has real-time tracking or it does not. I feel the choices are less confusing than Oral-B.
The following table shows the Bluetooth capabilities of popular models from both brands.
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Oral-B Smart 6 6000
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Oral-B Genius 9000
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Oral-B Genius X
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Oral-B iO My Way
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Oral-B iO Series 4 (iO4)
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Oral-B iO Series 5 (iO5)
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Oral-B iO Series 6 (iO6)
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Oral-B iO Series 7 (iO7)
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Oral-B iO Series 8 (iO8)
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Oral-B iO Series 9 (iO9)
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Oral-B iO Series 10 (iO10)
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Philips Sonicare Series 6500
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Philips Sonicare Series 7100
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Philips Sonicare ExpertClean 7300
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9400
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9700
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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige
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| Bluetooth connectivity | Position tracking | Smart Features Additional information |
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6 zone tracking |
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6 zone real-time tracking. Requires use of smartphone front facing camera. |
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6 zone real-time tracking |
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6 zone real-time tracking |
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6 zone real-time tracking |
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6 zone real-time tracking |
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6 zone real-time tracking |
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16 zone real-time (3D Teeth Tracking) |
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16 zone real-time (3D Teeth Tracking). iO Sense charging stand gives feedback via LEDs. |
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Real time position tracking. |
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Real time position tracking. |
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Real time position tracking. Cleaning modes can be changed via the app only. |
In my opinion Philips makes better use of colours inside the app to highlight good and less than ideal habits. Green is used for positive data whilst orange is used for areas of improvement.
Oral-B has similar data, but some of the trends and most useful pieces of information can feel harder to detect amongst all the content within the app.
Oral-B offers greater customisation, but Sonicare allows control of what matters most
From enabling and disabling specific cleaning modes, to changing the colour of the light around the neck of the brush handle, Oral-B gives me and other users of their smart brushes far more control. The options with Philips brushes are more limited.
I like the ability to control some features, but I don't think all are necessary. Many settings are hidden and I am not forced or encouraged to change them unless I want to.
But, I think the few settings Sonicare offers are more useful and focus on better oral care routines.
Philips allows up to 3 focus zones to be set to remind and encourage me to pay more attention to those areas that need it. I can change the order of the guided brushing routine to work to my preference. I'd rather this than being able to change the colour of the light on my handle.
You get the most accessories with Oral-B brushes
It varies by model, but Oral-B typically offers more in the box, particularly with more expensive models.
Additional brush heads, travel cases, and brush head storage compartments are fairly common.
Philips does offer extra brush heads and travel cases but on fewer models.
It is all ultimately built into the price. So, you get what you pay for.
I have noticed in recent years that not quite as many accessories are offered. But, for many, these are surplus to requirements anyhow.
I would prefer if both companies made it easier to source accessories, at an affordable price rather than include them in the box. But accessing travel cases and other accessories other than brush heads is tricky.
Take for example the iO Sense charging stand. It is currently only supplied with the iO10, despite working with the iO7, 8 and 9. It is an accessory some would like. But, it makes no sense to ditch one iO model to upgrade to the 10. Costing around £60 to buy separately it is too expensive for what it offers and unjustifiable for most who might like it.
Oral-B brushes are better equipped for families
Neither Sonicare nor Oral-B is perfectly suited to families in my opinion. In most instances, the companies are focused on selling 1 handle per user rather than encouraging the sharing of brush handles.
There are pros and cons, but overall I would say Oral-B caters better to families.
I've typically found Oral-B offers more dual handled packages, at better prices. This makes it cheaper to buy multiple brushes with the essential features.
Its 'Pro Series' brush heads are typically half the cost of Sonicare heads. This has a significant impact on the long term ownership costs.
In addition, heads have coloured rings or icons on the heads to help identify whose brush head is whose. No rings or icons exist on Sonicare heads.
Some models come with multiple heads in the box when you buy them, rather than just one. And, it has become less common, but some models from Oral-B still come with (or it can be purchased separately) a storage tray that can accommodate up to 4 brush heads.
Neither brand's smart toothbrushes are designed to be shared. Oral-B's can be with a bit more ease, but both are far from ideal.
Sonicare has the best design
This is arguably the most personal and subjective category of them all. What I like might be different to you.
However, having handled so many brushes, I believe Sonicare models look and feel more refined.
How the handle looks and feels
Philips tends to use matte plastics rather than the gloss finish found on many Oral-B models. The Oral-B Pro 3 I recommend has a gloss finish, irrespective of colour choice, whereas the Sonicare 3100 is the opposite. I think the 3100 looks smarter. The gloss finish on the Oral-B looks cheaper in my opinion.
I've found that Sonicare offers less choice of handle colours and the options available are softer, more pastel shades rather than bolder and brighter options Oral-B offers. Colour is hardly the most critical feature of a toothbrush, but if it's important to you then the difference is worth me pointing out.
The glossy Oral-B handles give the appearance of being more slippery. But the dimpled textured rear of the handle helps retain some grip. Surprisingly though, even when wet the smooth touch Sonicare handles feel as secure and possibly less slippy in the palm than the Oral-B models, despite the lack of textured surfaces. It's something I have noticed and for most, this shouldn't be a concern.
If you have dexterity issues and would benefit from more textured surfaces, there is no competition here. The Oral-B handles are much better. The Vitality Pro is the best example. The thicker handle size and the large expanse of rubber that wraps around the handle make it much easier to grip than the slim handled 1100 Series, for example.
The downside is that the grip does catch debris more easily, making it harder to clean. It's a potential tradeoff worth making.
Unfortunately, the iO Series seems to have gone the Sonicare route. These handles offer little in the way of texture compared to the Smart and Genius models Oral-B manufactures.
Charging stands
It will mean more to regular travellers, but all Sonicare charging stands support global voltages, 100-240v.
This means if you travel to a region of the world where the voltage is different, you need only a plug/power adapter for your Sonicare toothbrush.
Whereas, if you travel with an Oral-B brush, you typically need a voltage adapter too.
The Oral-B Pro 3 comes with a stand that supports 220-240v, meaning that using it in the USA would require 2 accessories; a voltage adapter as well as a plug adapter.
Some newer Sonicare models are supplied with a USB charging stand, which alleviates some of the headaches of voltage and plug adapters whilst using a charger overseas.
Sonicare brushes feel the best quality
Sonicare handles, to me at least, feel more robust and premium. The plastics appear stronger and my overall experience and feeling is that more effort has been put into the product.
That being said, whilst Oral-B brushes can feel poorer quality because of the cheaper plastics used, typically they are still reliable.
I have an Oral-B electric toothbrush which is 5 years old and still works just fine.
I've had many people reach out to say their Oral-B and Sonicare brushes have lasted 10+ years. On the other hand, I’ve had many say their brush failed in less than a year. This is typical of any product, though – there are always examples at both ends of the spectrum.
Both brands provide a warranty of 2 years, although Oral-B often offers an additional year free if you register the brush.
Feedback from readers on our site suggests that Sonicare can be the more challenging company to deal with when a problem occurs. However, they tend to send new handles rather than wanting the faulty unit to be returned for repair like Oral-B.
Repairability
There's a growing call for both brands to make their products more environmentally considerate and easily repairable.
It's a challenge to achieve this whilst retaining durability and water resistance. However, small advancements are being made.
The battery is a common failure point after years of repeated use. In times past, trying to replace it would either render the brush useless or require the skills and tools of soldering. However, newer models allow for such to be replaced at home with the most simple tools.
Examples include the iO Series models from Oral-B and the 5300, 5500, 6100, 6500 and 7100 Series from Sonicare.
Neither company actively promotes this or explains how to complete the replacement process.
Other tools to help you make a decision
If you are unsure and want to do more research in the process of choosing a brush from one of these brands, you may like to see the following pages:
- Oral-B Comparisons Hub Page
- Oral-B Comparison Chart
- Sonicare Comparisons Hub Page
- Sonicare Comparison Chart
And of course, if you are confused or need more assistance, please leave a comment below, I will be happy to help.
I sense a strong bias here towards Philips and couldn't disagree more. I am beyond frustrated with Sonicare. My brother-in-law is a dentist and he recommended us the Philips Sonicare products many years ago. Over the years, I used several of their models and I had a TERRIBLE overall experience regarding their durability, with about 70% of them breaking within a year and having to be replaced. At least Philips was quick and efficient in replacing them, but in some cases the replacements didn't last more than a year, either. I ended up giving up the stress of having to send the broken ones back to them and wait for a replacement and decided giving Oral-B a try. We'll see how it works.
You are of course entitled to have your opinion Falvish, but we have no benefit to be biased. We have shared everyhting as we have expereinced it from our decade of trying products from the 2 brands.
I can understand why you would not be pro Sonicare based on your expereince, it is a dissapointment to read such.
Hey Jon,
regarding the different techniques, when using oral b, do you pivot your oral-b brush into the spaces between molars/premolars to clean those spaces? Or do you just slowly go from tooth to tooth. Your cleaning results in the slides above are really great. I use an oral b electric brush and feel like I have to pivot into those spaces where teeth and molars meet (essentially trying to brush the entire surface of a molar/premolar), but this makes the duration of my brushing way longer. (I do use interdental brushes, so maybe I don't even need to do all the pivoting.
Hi Jax.
I can't say I proactively pivot the brush on every tooth, but yes, subconciosly there is a slight tweaking of the brush head position to best fit the tooth and get the best clean. But it is not something I give lots of attention too. For the most part it is tooth to tooth and as the brush moves between the teeth it covers the edges of each tooth.
Maybe there should also be a purple after picture to show which one removed the most bacteria.
We could do this, yes.
However, that is essentially the same thing as we already show. The 'after' pictures don't show any purple plaque disclosing solution because the brush has been able to remove it from the teeth.
I have both of them and i still like oral b . Sonicare does make many unpleasant noises while you brush teeth. Oral b maybe little bit noisy but i feel more comfortable
You should probably check the links before providing prices from a few years ago. Oral B- Pro 3 is £90.00!!
£39.99 hahahahahahahahaha
I have no real confidence in your review if you cant provide the reality of expense for simply brushing teeth!!
Now looking at the comments...2020 yeah makes more sense that you changed the title to get some clicks!!!
Hi Mark.
The original version of this comparison was written in 2017, but has regularly been updated since.
Prices are always subject to change, but unless I am missing something the price of the Pro 3 3500 isn't far off what we quoted. At the time of this comment, it is £45. However, having tracked the price over the last 180 days, the average selling price is £39.58.
Of course you are entitled to your opinion on our content and hands-on review, but I do genuinely believe you will be hard pushed to find such detailed reviews as ours that tell you all you could need to know about the brush. All our reviews are backed up with hands-on images and videos.
wow 2017!
Just delete and review again, everything is so rubbish nowadays, even simple reviews!!
Thanks for very informative comparison. I would like add one more aspect to it that shoud be taken under consideration, namely dentin abrasion. Sonic toothbrushes cause around 50 per cent more surface loss than oscillating-rotating ones (21.03 μm vs 15.71μm)*. If you`ve got sensitive teeth or care about the enamel the second one would be a better choice. If removing as many stains as possible from your teeth is your priority you should take a closer look at sonic toothbrush.
* Source : Toothbrush abrasivity in a long-term simulation on human dentin depends on brushing mode and bristle arrangement
Thanks for this information Aleksander. The study you refer to does show evidence for this, but it would be good to see further testing in this area to really see if this difference is consistent in other studies.
I have both the OralB and Sonicare.
I use both. In the morning the OralB (2min) and the evening the Philips (4 to 6min).
The Philips gives me a fresher feel and is (for me, coffee and wine drinker) better to remove plaque and keep my teeth white.
Best of both worlds hey Jan.
Thanks for sharing your feedback.
When you said oral b was the one for families, I feel like all the reasons were budget related, maybe you could change it to just one better thing?
Hi Andrew.
Thanks for the comment.
Are all the reasons budget related?
I do mention the price of heads and that typically you get more features for lesser price.
I mention the coloured rings so you can see whose head is whose.
The storage trays/stands for brush head.
Is there one better thing you think I should mention that maybe I have missed?
As I understand right, there is only one differens between oral's pro 2000 and pro 750. First one has pressure sensor, and second one - travelling case instead. So, if after a while, I'll feel optimal pressure without sensors, 750 with case is more valuable :)
Sorry for the delay in replying. There are a few differences. The pressure sensor is one, the 2000 has this, the 750 does not. The 2000 does not have the travel case that comes with the 750. The brush handle colour is different too. The 750 is Black and White whereas the 2000 is normally a Blue and White. A very small difference is that the 2000's motor is slightly more powerful, but the 750's motor is perfectly suitable and will e a step up from any manual toothbrush.