Decades of research, testing and manufacturing experience have gone into achieving the brushing results that the iO5 delivers. They are really good, I have no complaints. Color or not, they operate in the same way and provide extra functionality. For example, you can change the handle language, change the color of the smart ring or even reset the brush. A new magnetic charger means the brush can be recharged in as little as 3 hours, rather than the more typical 12.

You don’t actually need smart features but they can help to improve your brushing technique. If you regularly get a telling off from the dentist, or have promised yourself you’ll take better care of your teeth, smart features can help. Whilst each has its place within the market, it is the Pro Series that is the most logical option for the majority. 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. As an oscillating and rotating brush, it does still feel different in use to a sonic toothbrush, it doesn’t feel as light and gentle as they often do. The iO5 is water resistant so can be rinsed under a tap The brush head is bigger than what you might be used to FOR HEALTHIER GUMS IN JUST 1 WEEK remove 100% more plaque and even 2.5X in between teeth* with ORAL-B's MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY *vs a manual brush.And when it times your brushing session, it provides a countdown timer on the brush handle screen so you can see exactly how long you have left. 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

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. iO specific heads are required for the iO5. Compared to brush heads you might be familiar with from Oral-B, they are marginally deeper. You’re looking at about a 10 percent difference. The Smart 6 comes with1 x CrossAction, 1 x Pro White/3D White and 1 x Sensitive brush head, but the Genius 9000 comes with one additional brush head, that is the FlossAction head. The iO Series first launched in 2020, with the Series 7, 8 and 9. It has since evolved from 3 to 8 brushes. All Oral-B brushes fall short here, but the iO5 has some of the best battery performance from an iO brush. I achieved an average of 17 days of use from a full charge of the lithium-ion battery.There are some more differences between the cases to be aware of too. iO9 and 10 can be recharged whilst inside their travel case – requires separate power adapter

Supplied in the box is a charging stand. White in color, it has a 1.2 meter (4 foot) cable hardwired into it. The plug on the end of the cable is a 2 pin power adapter. It supports 110-1300V. With either you have to power the brush on to change mode, but the Genius will remember the cleaning mode and start on this next time it is powered on, the 5000 does not. Unlike premium iO models, this is not a magnetic charger and is not capable of recharging the battery in 3 hours. 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 Decades of research, testing and manufacturing experience have gone into achieving the brushing results that the iO5 delivers. They are really good, I have no complaints. Nor does the American Dental Association. It’s been awarded their Seal of Acceptance.Given that this icon only lights up when the mode is selected, it is hard to tell, but the Genius 9000 does offer a Tongue Cleaning mode that the Smart 6 does not.

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. Together these alert you to relieve the pressure when brushing. Once relieved the light will go out, the brush motor speed up and the sound change again. The way the motor delivers power makes it feel gentler than previous models, too. Not in a less effective way, but certainly less aggressive. Timer and pressure sensor All system components (e.g., toothbrush handle, charger, power cord, SmartGuide). You do not need to include accessories like the brush heads or refill stand. Of course, the table and quoted prices are just a guide. The actual selling prices vary from one retailer to another.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. Both come with a premium travel case and a 2+ week battery life. A visible pressure sensor, 2 minute timer and pacer are built-in too. iO Series vs Genius X Oral-B’s app will also give you customisation options, so you can optimise your brush for dealing with braces, sensitive teeth or gum problems. 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.