The 5 Best Oral-B Toothbrushes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Our Testing Process

To start, our team spent hours researching the top-rated Oral-B electric toothbrushes on the market. After learning about the products and dissecting customer reviews, we were able to narrow down the pool to the nine bestselling options from the brand. From there, we purchased each of the toothbrushes and put them to the test. Our panel of testers (some of which have sensitive gums) implemented one of the nine toothbrushes into their daily routine – morning and night – for four weeks.

Each tester analyzed the performance of their toothbrush and documented their insights during the process. They paid attention to important factors like the size of the brush head, the different settings, the lifespan of the battery, and the way their teeth felt after each brushing session. Then, they rated each toothbrush on a scale of 1 to 5 in these key categories: Ease of use, design, functionality, special features, overall quality, and overall value. Once the data was collected, we were able to uncover the five best Oral-B electric toothbrushes.

What to Look for in an Electric Toothbrush

Brush Movement

In terms of how an electric toothbrush moves, there are three main ways – sonic, rotating, and oscillating. These different styles determine how deep of a clean you’ll get. “Sonic toothbrushes have an oval-shaped toothbrush head and vibrate. The head size and shape allow for more brushing surface to be covered at once,” says Dr. David Frank, a Texas-based dentist and founder of Walden Dental. This means the toothbrush will be able to easily clean the width and surface of teeth.

Alternatively, there are brush heads that rotate. “Rotating toothbrushes have a circle-shaped toothbrush head and vibrate as well as rotate back and forth at the same time,” says Dr. Frank. “This is ideal for reaching small crevices throughout your mouth.” If you have small teeth or braces, a rotating toothbrush could be best because it will be better able to navigate hard-to-reach spots in the mouth.

Last but not least, there are toothbrush heads that oscillate. “Oscillating toothbrushes combine the technology of both sonic and rotating toothbrushes, and typically add a third feature of movement,” explains Dr. Frank. “With a small circle head like the rotating toothbrush, this is an ideal option for the deepest clean.” If you are someone who struggles with plaque or buildup or you just want your mouth to be extra clean, this kind of toothbrush would be best for you. Luckily, all five of the Oral-B toothbrushes on this list are oscillating.

Bristles

There are three different kinds of bristles found on toothbrushes: Soft, medium, and hard. New York City-based general and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Lauren Becker, recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes for all her patients, and thankfully, every electric toothbrush on our list has soft bristles. “Soft means that the bristles are more flexible. They move around your teeth, getting to all the hard-to-reach places in your mouth,” she explains

Because the bristles are soft, they are generally gentler on gums, which can help protect them from harm as well as from receding. “Medium- and hard-bristle toothbrushes are much more aggressive on your teeth than soft ones,” Dr. Becker adds. “The bristles are not as flexible, causing you to neglect certain areas of your teeth. Beyond this, with a firmer hand and a medium- or hard-bristle toothbrush, you can cause damage to your teeth.”

Additionally, the type of bristles (soft, medium, and hard) make a difference when it comes to getting into tight spots. “Soft bristles are more flexible, so they move around your teeth to get to all areas of your mouth for proper oral hygiene,” says Dr. Becker. This means you’ll be able to get rid of gunk, no matter where it might be hiding.

The bottom line: Be aware of how hard a toothbrush’s bristles are and do not brush your teeth too hard. This can wear on enamel and cause bleeding or pain.

Technology

Out with old, manual toothbrushes and in with high-tech electronic devices. The toothbrushes of this day and age are equipped with future-forward features like built-in timers, smart pressure sensors, Bluetooth-connected apps, and more. Plus, they come with useful accessories like travel cases, charging stands, and additional brush heads.

Let’s start with a built-in timer.:“This is an important feature for toothbrushes to ensure you are spending a sufficient amount of time cleaning and polishing each of the teeth in your mouth,” says Dr. Frank. “If a toothbrush does not come with a timer built-in, you can, of course, use a watch, phone, or app to time yourself.” (The general rule of thumb is to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time.) All of the toothbrushes on the list, except the Oral- B Smart Limited Electronic Toothbrush, have built-in timers.

Though this may not seem like a necessary feature, smart pressure sensors can completely change how you brush your teeth. Toothbrushes designed with this feature – including each one on this list – will notify you if you are brushing your teeth too softly or too hard. “Pressure sensors are important because they guide how much pressure you should apply to your teeth when brushing in order to effectively clean,” adds Dr. Frank. “Similarly, they warn if you are pushing too hard or forcefully against your teeth.” (Essentially, these sensors help ensure you are applying enough pressure to adequately remove plaque from teeth while also not harming enamel or gums.)

There’s an app for almost everything these days — including toothbrushes. Each toothbrush on this list can be paired with the Oral-B app. By pairing your toothbrush with the app, you can get details and information about your brushing habits, style, and techniques. The Oral-B app can help brush your teeth more effectively by informing you about what areas you might have missed. The app can also time your brushing session and alert you if you are brushing your teeth too hard or too soft.

When shopping for an electric toothbrush, you should also consider what accessories it comes with. Does it have a travel case? Travel cases are great spots to keep your toothbrush, whether you're on the road or just at home. (Each toothbrush on this list comes with a travel case, and the Oral-B iO Series 9 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush even comes with a charging travel case, which is ultra-handy!) Additionally, does it have a convenient charging stand? These stands can not only charge the toothbrush, but they can also hold them up when they’re not in use. On top of that, does it come with more than one brush head? It’s recommended to change the brush head every three months, so be sure you have extras.

Why Shop With Us

Lauren Harano is an experienced beauty editor with over seven years in the industry. During her time as an editor, she has tested hundreds of products including an array of electric toothbrushes. For this article, Lauren compiled insight from InStyle testers who put nine different electric toothbrushes to the test in their own routines. She analyzed their insights as well as reviews from verified customers. She also conducted interviews with celebrity cosmetic dentist and veneer specialist Dr. Tyler Hales, general and cosmetic dentist Dr. Lauren Becker, and owner and founder of Walden Dental, Dr. David Frank for expert information on toothbrushes and overall dental care. Throughout her research, she uncovered the best electric Oral-B toothbrushes on the market.