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This guide is for you if you're switching from a manual brush, replacing a tired old electric one, or buying a Christmas or birthday present for someone who is. First, pick your style. Oral-B's round heads oscillate and rotate. Philips Sonicare's sonic brushes vibrate. Then match the extras to the person: a pressure sensor, a 2-minute timer, app guidance or a travel case.
Oral-B iO3 Electric Toothbrush (Matt Black)
Best for most people
A smart Oral-B electric toothbrush that tells you when your pressure is right and counts a full 2-minute brush.
Who it's for: Anyone upgrading from a manual brush, and an easy gift for a partner, parent or grown-up child.
The facts that matter
- The iO pressure sensor signals when you are brushing with the right pressure.
- The iO LightRing timer counts a 2-minute brush and gives a refill change alert.
- 3 cleaning modes (Daily Clean, Sensitive, Whitening), with a travel case, charger pouch and refill holder in the box.
Why it made the list: You get the features that matter most and nothing you won't use. The LightRing timer counts your 2 minutes and alerts you when it's time for a new head. A travel case, charger pouch and refill holder come in the box, so it's ready for trips from day one.
Worth knowing: 3 cleaning modes, against 5 on the Oral-B iO5.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Oral-B iO5 Electric Toothbrush (Black)
Best for app guidance and more modes
The Oral-B for gadget fans. It pairs with the AI-powered Oral-B App to track how and where you brush in real time.
Who it's for: Buy it for the gadget lover who checks their phone for everything.
The facts that matter
- The AI-powered Oral-B App tracks how and where you brush in real time.
- The iO Pressure Sensor signals if you brush too hard, too soft or just right.
- 5 modes (Daily Clean, Intense Clean, Sensitive, Super-Sensitive and Whitening), an iO LightRing 2-minute timer and a travel case.
Why it made the list: Five modes, including Intense Clean and Super-Sensitive, give you more choice than the iO3. The pressure sensor tells you if you brush too hard, too soft or just right. The catch is that live tracking needs your phone and the Oral-B App.
Worth knowing: The real-time brushing tracking needs your phone and the Oral-B App.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Oral-B iO2 Electric Toothbrush (Night Black)
Best for first-time switchers who want it simple
A simple, quiet Oral-B iO brush made for an easy switch from a manual toothbrush.
Who it's for: Perfect for the first-time switcher, or a mum or dad who wants no fuss.
The facts that matter
- Simple one-button operation and quiet performance, made for an easy switch from a manual brush.
- An automatic gum pressure sensor slows the brush and shows red when you brush too hard.
- Three quiet intensity levels (extra-gentle, gentle, daily clean), a 2-minute timer with 30-second zone alerts and a travel case.
Why it made the list: One button does the job. The gum pressure sensor slows the brush and shows red if you press too hard, and 30-second zone alerts tell you when to move on. It arrives in a plain cardboard box with a two-pin charger and no adapter, so wrap it well if it's a gift.
Worth knowing: It comes in a plain, non-branded cardboard box and a two-pin charger with no adapter, so wrap it well if it is a gift.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Oral-B Vitality Pro (1 handle, 2 brush heads)
Best for a first electric brush on a budget
A no-frills Oral-B electric toothbrush with a round head that oscillates and rotates to cup each tooth.
Who it's for: Great for someone getting their first electric brush, or as a spare for a second bathroom.
The facts that matter
- Oral-B's 2D cleaning action oscillates and rotates, with a round brush head that cups each tooth.
- 3 brushing modes, Daily Clean, Sensitive and Sensitive Plus, for a gentle brush.
- An in-handle timer for a full 2-minute brush, and 2 brush heads in the box.
Why it made the list: Three modes, Daily Clean, Sensitive and Sensitive Plus, keep things gentle. An in-handle timer counts a full 2 minutes, and you get 2 brush heads to start. It uses Oral-B's 2D cleaning action, not the magnetic iO technology of the iO2, iO3 and iO5.
Worth knowing: It uses Oral-B's 2D cleaning action rather than the magnetic iO technology of the iO2, iO3 and iO5.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Philips Sonicare 3100 Series
Best for a first sonic toothbrush
A Philips Sonicare sonic toothbrush. The brush vibrates rather than rotates, with High, Medium and Low settings.
Who it's for: For anyone curious about sonic brushing, and a smart pick for travellers.
The facts that matter
- 31,000 bristle movements, with High, Medium and Low intensity settings.
- A pressure sensor gives a gentle vibration when you press too hard, and EasyStart builds power up over your first 14 cleans.
- The BrushPacer prompts you every 30 seconds, and one charge gives up to 14 days of regular brushing; travel case included.
Why it made the list: EasyStart builds the power up over your first 14 cleans, so the switch feels gentle. A pressure sensor gives a gentle vibration if you press too hard, and the BrushPacer prompts you every 30 seconds. One charge gives up to 14 days of regular brushing, though its 31,000 bristle movements are half the 62,000 a minute of the 5300 and 7100.
Worth knowing: 31,000 bristle movements, half the 62,000 a minute of the Sonicare 5300 and 7100.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Philips Sonicare 5300
Best for sonic power without the extras
A powerful Philips Sonicare sonic toothbrush with 62,000 bristle movements per minute from Next-Generation Sonicare Technology.
Who it's for: For the sonic-brush lover who wants the power without the fuss.
The facts that matter
- 62,000 bristle movements per minute from Next-Generation Sonicare Technology.
- 2 intensity levels, and a pressure alert that pulses and reduces vibration when you brush too hard.
- EasyStart over the first 14 sessions, a 2-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why it made the list: A pressure alert pulses and reduces vibration if you brush too hard. EasyStart eases you in over the first 14 sessions, and you get a 2-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It has 2 intensity levels and no app, so choose the 7100 if you want more settings.
Worth knowing: 2 intensity levels and no app, where the Sonicare 7100 has 12 settings and app guidance.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Philips Sonicare 7100
Best for the full sonic upgrade with an app
The full Sonicare upgrade: 62,000 bristle movements per minute, 12 settings and the Philips Sonicare app for personalised guidance.
Who it's for: Buy it for the frequent traveller or the tech fan who wants every option.
The facts that matter
- 62,000 bristle movements per minute and 12 settings from 4 brushing modes and 3 intensity levels.
- The pressure sensor flashes purple and reduces vibration when you brush too hard, and the Philips Sonicare app gives personalised guidance.
- The set includes 2 G3 Premium Gum Care brush heads, a charging travel case, a charger and a USB-A cable, with a 2-year warranty.
Why it made the list: Four brushing modes and 3 intensity levels give you 12 ways to brush. The pressure sensor flashes purple and reduces vibration when you push too hard. The set includes 2 G3 Premium Gum Care heads, a charging travel case and a USB-A cable, but no power adapter, so you charge it from a USB-A plug you already own.
Worth knowing: The power adapter is not included, so you charge it from a USB-A plug you already own.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Oral-B iO3 Duo (2 handles, Matt Black and Blush Pink)
Best for couples and two-person homes
Two Oral-B iO3 electric toothbrushes in one box, one in Matt Black and one in Blush Pink.
Who it's for: Made for couples and two-person homes, and a neat gift for both of you.
The facts that matter
- Two iO3 handles in one box, in Matt Black and Blush Pink.
- Each has the iO pressure sensor and the iO LightRing timer with a 2-minute brush and refill change alert.
- 3 cleaning modes (Daily Clean, Sensitive, Whitening) and a 30-day money-back guarantee from Oral-B (T&Cs on the Oral-B website).
Why it made the list: Each handle has the iO pressure sensor and the LightRing timer with a refill change alert. You both get 3 cleaning modes, and Oral-B adds a 30-day money-back guarantee (T&Cs on the Oral-B website). It has the same 3 modes as the single iO3, so buy the iO5 if one of you wants app tracking.
Worth knowing: The same 3 modes as the single iO3, so buy the iO5 if one of you wants app tracking.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)