Oscillating (rotating) and sonic (vibrates at very high speeds and frequencies) electric toothbrushes have been found to work even harder. A sonic or ultrasonic toothbrush, which is more likely to have a standard-shaped head, pulses tens of thousands of times per minute to break down and dislodge plaque, bacteria and debris. Instead you pick your settings in the accompanying app, which makes sense considering how rarely we switch between brushing modes. What we still like about the iO6 was that it was one of the first iO brushes with a personality, in that emojis appear on the LCD when you first pick it up in the morning, when you complete your brushing mode, or when you don’t – the kind of face you get will depend on how long you’ve brushed for.

Bitvae also throws in eight heads to keep you covered for up to two years of brushing, while the battery is charged by a USB cable, with a barrel-type plug that slots into a socket on the bottom. Also, the whole arm moves not just the brush head/bristles like Oral-B, and the arm is so worn out that it won’t hold a charge because it’s overworking to compensate. With some apps, such as Oral B, you’ll receive real-time feedback, as well as tips and instructions. In operation, it doesn’t feel harsh on gums although there’s no warning light to tell you that you’re brushing too hard, which might be a concern if you’re usually a little heavy-handed with your dental hygiene.We then divide this figure by the four minutes per day recommended by dentists to get an accurate idea of how many weeks and days a single charge should last. To assess battery life, we leave the toothbrush running while standing up and time how long it takes for the battery to run down. If it’s the same then I agree with your assessment of the 7 being the better deal BUT if the motor and battery are better than I would def opt for the series 9. The Series 9 comes with a power2go charging case that allows the iO to be charged inside whereas the Series 8 comes with a standard travel case.

The slim handle, clear indicators and easy-to-find tactile buttons make it a very easy brush to use, and while you don’t get the position-sensing features of the Prestige brushes, you can still track your brushing habits through the companion smartphone app and get tips on how to improve them.It has benefits (more on those below) and offers at a glance feedback without a smartphone, but the app provides more meaningful data. There are four brushing modes to choose from and a timer gives you plenty of control over how the brush performs. More modes doesn’t necessarily mean a better result: in our testing we found modes mostly differed only by the intensity of the oscillating action and the time spent brushing each part of your mouth.

Plus, like the more expensive iO brushes, its pressure-sensing indicators and built-in OLED screen give you instant feedback on your brushing and whether you’ve done the full two minutes or slinked off early. Compared to other Oral-B brushes with icons only or none at all, it certainly makes selecting brushing modes easier. Sorry Jon, I meant I am just an avid reader of everything and I like the old fashioned way of reading…hard cover books.

With bundles of smart features, a new design, significantly improved charging and a new drive system, it’s a step up from the Genius X. Vitality Series: Oral B’s most basic brushes, stripped back to the most basic features and with an old-school NiMH battery rather than a longer lasting, faster charging lithium ion effort.

However, to make the most of these features you may need to take your smartphone to the bathroom and keep an eye on the screen while you brush. For example, you can change the handle language, change the color of the smart ring or even reset the brush. In fact, the range only first hit the shelves in 2020, with the iO6 seeing the light of day in 2021 and it’s still widely available and certainly more affordable than its successors in the iO stable. Between its colour OLED screen, its magnetic drive system, its onboard sensors and its smart app connectivity, it’s a tooth-cleaning dream machine.Not everyone wants the bother of an app-enhanced dental routine, so if you’d rather spend a little less but still get a great toothbrush, then the iO Series 3 could be for you. However, your teeth feel clean after brushing and the Gum Care mode gives your gums a decent massage, while the Soft mode is ideal for first-time electric toothbrush users or those with sensitive gums. Like the Sonicare brushes, its brushless magnetic motor keeps the brush head vibrating 42,000 times per minute. During the test period, we’ll try any specific brush modes and attachments, and install any apps required to get the most out of any built-in smart features.