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Oral-B vs Sonicare: What Six Testers and a Box of Disclosing Tablets Found
Plaque scores, comfort votes, head prices, and the honest answer to which brand to buy.
September 6, 2026 · 3 min read
Plaque
Oral-B iO (Series 5 and 9): 88%. Oral-B Pro 1000: 84%. Sonicare DiamondClean: 85%. Sonicare 6100: 83%. Sonicare 4100: 82%. The oscillating round head wins narrowly on plaque, especially between teeth.
Comfort
Five of six testers found Sonicare gentler and quieter; two with gum recession preferred it outright. The iO closed most of Oral-B's old noise gap.
Heads
Classic Oral-B heads are the cheapest (about $4). iO and Sonicare heads run $7–10.
Buy
- Maximum cleaning: Oral-B iO Series 5.
- Sensitive gums or budget: Sonicare 4100.
- Cheapest good brush: Oral-B Pro 1000.
» See the full rankings: Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2026, Best Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes, Best Philips Sonicare Toothbrushes, Best Electric Toothbrushes for Sensitive Gums .