{"id":4041599,"date":"2026-09-28T10:48:49","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T10:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.electricteeth.com\/uk\/?p=4041599"},"modified":"2026-09-28T10:48:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T10:48:51","slug":"oral-b-io3-vs-pro-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.electricteeth.com\/uk\/oral-b-io3-vs-pro-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral-B iO3 vs Pro 3"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Editor’s note<\/h2>\n

The Pro 3 has now been discontinued so you are unlikely to find a good deal on it, but we have still included links to Ebay below.<\/p>\n

We therefore recommend going for the iO3 instead of the Pro 3.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n\n

I would happily use the Pro 3 or the iO3 daily. They both clean the teeth well and have the features I look for in an electric toothbrush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The design of the iO3 is more appealing in my opinion, as is the quieter motor and enhanced pressure sensor, which I explain in more detail below<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are now closer in price than they were when the iO3 was first released, but there is still a saving to be had if you opt for the Pro 3, particularly the 3500 variant, which comes with a travel case. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\n Oral-B iO Series 3 (iO3) <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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(4.8)<\/div>\n
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\n Oral-B - check price <\/a>\n \u00a359.99 Amazon <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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When to choose the Pro 3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The main reason to choose the Pro 3 is to save some money. It is an excellent brush and for a long time was our recommendation for the best electric toothbrush<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent times its availability hasn't been as good and it feels as though it may soon be discontinued. This has meant that on occasion the price has been higher than we would expect, thus making the iO3 a better choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you can pick a variant of the Pro 3 up for less than \u00a340, it is still a bargain. We tend to find that the Pro 3 3500, which is the same as the 3000 but comes with a travel case, actually tends to be cheapest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The replacement brush heads for the Pro 3 are also cheaper, costing about \u00a32.50 per head compared to \u00a36 for iO heads. The replacement heads will continue to be available even if the brush itself is discontinued. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\n Oral-B Pro 3 3500 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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(4.7)<\/div>\n
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\n \u00a394 Amazon <\/a>\n \u00a395 Ebay <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

Does one clean better than the other?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve used both extensively and I can\u2019t say one cleans the teeth any better than the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cleaning results are comparable all things considered. I certainly don\u2019t think my dentist would be able to tell the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The motors used in each brush are different. But, they essentially do the same thing. Both offer oscillations and rotations of the brush head. Where the Pro 3 has a third dimension to the cleaning action known as pulsations, this is referred to as micro vibrations on the iO3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iO3 has a magnetically driven motor which is quieter and does give a more gentle and slightly less aggressive feeling when the bristles pass over my teeth and gums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the difference is noticeable if using each brush side by side, I don\u2019t think the softer sensation is a reason alone to pick the iO3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A positive knock-on effect of the iO\u2019s new motor is the noise the brush produces. The iO3 has a maximum decibel output of 64, whereas the Pro 3 registered at up to 73 decibels in my testing. The iO3 sounds less mechanical in use and is subsequently the more pleasant one to listen to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jon
They look similar, but there are subtle differences between the 2 brushes. Note the lower mode button on the iO3 (left) to change between the 3 brushing modes. The Pro 3 uses the power button to switch modes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Oral-B Pro vs iO: a series of different brushes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I am often asked what\u2019s the difference between the Oral-B iO and Pro Series electric toothbrushes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iO and Pro are essentially names for a family of different brushes. Under each family sit many different models with varying features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, whilst there are some generalised differences between each series, the differences do vary depending on which brush within each range you are looking at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main, differences between the Pro and iO models are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • They use different brush heads<\/strong>\n
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    • An iO brush head is not compatible with the Pro and vice versa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • iO brush heads typically cost 2 times that of those for the Pro.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The iO range of brush heads is smaller, but similar to those for the Pro.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The Pro series round brush heads are the same as those you might have seen or used over the 15+ years that Oral-B has been using such a design.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      The complete iO Series iO3 through to iO10 from left to right<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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      • iO models have an advanced pressure sensor<\/strong>\n
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        • The iO\u2019s sensor alerts me when I apply too much pressure, via a red light, like the Pro models do. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • In addition, it lights up green when the correct brushing force is applied and white when insufficient pressure is applied. Pro models don\u2019t do this.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • The iO models use a different motor technology<\/strong>\n
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          • They have a magnetically driven motor that offers oscillations, rotations and micro vibrations compared to the oscillations, rotations and pulsations of the Pro Series.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • They are different, but still relatively similar in the way they work. The difference does result in a slightly softer brushing experience with the iO models, it feels less harsh on the teeth and gums. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • iO brushes are quieter<\/strong>\n
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            • iO models are typically around 10 decibels quieter than Pro models with a less mechanical sound.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • The iO has a more modern design<\/strong>\n
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              • iO models have a matt finish to the plastic rather than the gloss of Pro models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Selected models have displays built into the handle, never before included on Pro models.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                It is the Pro 3 and iO3 that are among the most popular from the respective ranges as they are good value, strong performing models from each range. As such I have shared more detail on the differences and what that means in the remainder of this article.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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                Key differences: Pro 3 vs iO3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n