Best Smart Toothbrushes With an App

What separates the best smart toothbrush picks?

Cleaning performance carries the most weight in our scoring (35 points), and the top three brushes sit close together. The iO Series 9 and iO Series 5 both hit 88% plaque removal in our test, tied for best. The Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 came in at 85% with the gentlest feel of the high scorers. The hum Smart Rechargeable managed 76%.

Price is where they split. The Series 9 costs $300, the DiamondClean 9000 $230, the Series 5 $100, and the hum $45. The Series 9 and Series 5 share the same 88% clean, but the Series 9 adds a colour screen, seven modes, 3D tracking across all 16 zones and a magnetic charging case. The Series 5 keeps a colour pressure ring and a travel case.

Head cost matters over time. iO heads run about $8 each, DiamondClean 9000 heads about $10, and hum heads about $5.

What should you check before buying a smart toothbrush?

Our criteria weight comfort and pressure control at 20 points, battery and build at 15, replacement head cost at 15, and modes and app at 15. Run your own priorities against those.

• Pressure control: the Series 5 and Series 9 show a light ring for too much, too little and just-right pressure. The hum has no pressure sensor.
• App usefulness: the Series 9 tracks all 16 zones in real time, and our testers improved measurably. The DiamondClean 9000 coverage map caught spots our testers missed. The Series 5 app coaching is basic.
• Head availability: iO heads have no cheap third-party option, so budget about $8 each.
• Modes: the DiamondClean 9000 offers more brushing modes than most people use.

Oral-B iO Series 9

For buyers who want the full coaching setup: colour screen, seven modes, 3D tracking and a power-bank travel case. It cleans at 88%, the same as the Series 5, at $300.

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000

For anyone who wants strong cleaning with a gentler feel. It removes 85% of plaque, recognises heads to set the mode, and ships with a USB charging travel case at $230.

Oral-B iO Series 5

For shoppers who want the highest plaque score without the flagship price. It matches the Series 9 at 88% for $100, with a pressure ring and a travel case.

Colgate hum Smart Rechargeable

For a first smart brush on a tight budget. At $45 it shows missed zones in the app, has three modes, and heads cost about $5. It removes 76% of plaque and has no pressure sensor.

If you want the full coaching package, the Oral-B iO Series 9 at $300 gives you the colour screen, 3D tracking and a power-bank travel case. The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 at $230 suits anyone who wants an 85% clean with a gentler feel. The Oral-B iO Series 5 matches the Series 9's 88% plaque removal for $100, and the Colgate hum Smart Rechargeable at $45 is the cheapest way to get a brushing map.