Oral-B's no-frills electric toothbrush has plenty of bristle (2024)

At a Glance

Expert's Rating

Our Verdict

The Oral-B Pro 2 2000 is a simple brush that doesn’t offer much for £79.99, but when you can pick one up for just £35, it’s hard to complain too much. A spare brush head or two in the pack would have been welcome, along with a more detailed battery indicator, but these are small complaints about a brush that does a very good job for a very low price.

In the new age of connected tech, it’s all too easy to spend hundreds of pounds on a toothbrush and end up with interchangeable brush heads, multiple modes, and support for an app that you’ll probably stop using after two weeks.

Don’t get us wrong, there’s a place for those expensive uber-brushes, and they tend to be what tops our best electric toothbrush ranking, but most people looking for an electric toothbrush want something that costs less than £100/$100 and just, well, brushes your teeth well. Meet the Oral-B Pro 2 2000.

Oral-B Pro 2 2000 price & availability

The Oral-B Pro 2 2000 may be difficult to say out loud three times fast, but at least it’s easy to get hold of – at least if you’re in the UK. Officially priced at £79.99, you can usually get it for much less – right now you can find it for £34.99 at Amazon or Superdrug, £39.99 from Boots, or £59.99 from Argos.

It’s worth noting that there are a few slightly different versions of the Pro 2 2000 on the market, and it can be a little confusing, but the main differences are only which brush head is included in the box. We’ve tested the Pro 2 2000N, which includes a CrossAction head, but there’s also the 2000W (with a 3D White brush head) and the 2000S (with a Sensitive brush head).

Even more confusingly, you can also get the Pro 2 2500series, which are in fact all exactly the same as the 2000 models, but include a travel case. Then there’s the Pro 2 2900 – also the same brush, but in a set with two handles and two brush heads.

Unfortunately, the Pro 2 2000 isn’t on sale in the US right now, but the closest equivalent is the Pro 1500, which you can grab from Amazon or Best Buy. From what we can tell, the two brushes are almost identical, exceptfor the colour scheme and the name, but there may be other minor spec differences we haven’t spotted.

Oral-B's no-frills electric toothbrush has plenty of bristle (1)

Oral-B Pro 2 2000 review

In contrast to more expensive toothbrushes, the Pro 2 2000 is pretty barebones, right down to what’s included in the box. If you buy one of the standard 2000 models, you simply get the handle, one brush head, and the 2-pin charging station. That’s the lot.

Features are similarly simple: there are only two brushing modes and a pressure sensor, with no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth features, and no app support.

As for design, our 2000N model has a slim blue and white body, with a single power button, lights at the bottom to indicate low battery or charging, and a larger red light on the back that’s triggered by the internal pressure sensor. The body is waterproof, so you can use the brush in the shower or wash it under the tap without worrying about breaking anything.

While the 2000N comes in blue, you an also get the same brush with a pink or black body – it just depends on exactly which version you buy, so have a little look around in case you’re fussy about the colour.

Oral-B's no-frills electric toothbrush has plenty of bristle (2)

The main brush mode, dubbed ‘Daily Clean’, is what you get from pressing the power button once. As with most electric brushes, it includes a timer for two minutes, and the brush very briefly stops every 30 seconds to let you know that it’s time to move onto the next quadrant of your mouth.

Push the power button again and the brush switches to Gum Care mode – this works in the same way, but is set at a lower speed, perfect for those with sensitive teeth or gums, or who have been advised by their dentist not to brush too hard.

The included pressure sensor will help with that too. Push down too hard and the red light on the back of the brush will turn on, while the brush itself simultaneously slows down, to avoid damaging your teeth or gums and warn you to reduce the pressure. This is important, as many people switching to an electric brush from a manual one will naturally brush too hard, which can do more harm than good.

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As we explained above, which model you buy will dictate which brush head you get out of the box – which should last you for three months before it needs changing, at which point the colour of the bristles will start to fade.

Once you need to replace it, you’ll get a range of options, as this is compatible with a massive range of Oral-B brush heads: Cross Action, 3D White, Sensi Ultrathin, Sensitive Clean, Precision Clean, Floss Action, Tri Zone, Dual Clean, Power Tip, and Ortho Care. Depending on which type you buy these usually cost around £2/3 per brush, though you can save more money by buying Oral-B ‘compatible’ brush heads manufactured by third parties.

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As for battery life, Oral-B claims that the Pro 2 2000 should last two weeks on a single charge if you use it twice a day. We found that it comfortably lasted a week and a half on a trip abroad, though it’s worth noting that it takes basically a full day on the charger to fill the battery up. That won’t be a problem if you just leave the brush on the charging stand in the bathroom between uses, but might be more annoying if you’ll only be charging it once it runs low.

The low battery indicator is also just a simple red light that turns on when the battery is low, with no indicators along the way – by the time you see the red light you need to worry about charging it pretty soon, which could be frustrating depending on your usage.

Oral-B's no-frills electric toothbrush has plenty of bristle (2024)

FAQs

Does Oral-B use soft bristles? ›

Dentist-Inspired Brush Head Technology

Plus, the fine, soft bristles on most Oral-B brush heads are designed at a 16-degree angle to reach deep between teeth for an optimal clean. To help keep your toothbrush operating at peak performance, dentists recommend replacing your brush head every 3 months.

Do electric toothbrushes have hard bristles? ›

Bristle stiffness

Some people prefer soft bristles, while others prefer stiff bristles. Electric toothbrush manufacturers usually have several different levels of bristle stiffness to choose from. If you have higher sensitivity, look for a soft bristle electric toothbrush.

Do dentists recommend Oral-B electric toothbrush? ›

Oral-B offers a number of electric toothbrushes specifically designed for children of all ages. Oral-B is the #1 dentist-recommended toothbrush brand worldwide. Make brushing even more fun for your kids by downloading the Disney Magic Timer app by Oral-B.

How many bristles are on a toothbrush? ›

Toothbrush Fact 26: The average toothbrush contains around 2,500 bristles.

What toothbrush bristles are best? ›

Dental professionals recommend soft-bristle toothbrushes because too much pressure or overzealous brushing can negatively impact the enamel and gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes with angled or multi-layer bristles to ensure an excellent clean without harming your teeth.

How do you soften electric toothbrush bristles? ›

No Doubt, it is recommended but a very simple way to soften the bristles are to dip them in hot water for 10 seconds or soak them in Luke warm or cold water over-night.. You can try it for an adult tooth brush too….

What is the best firmness of toothbrush bristles? ›

The Verdict

A soft bristle toothbrush is the best option because it effectively removes plaque, food, and bacteria debris, but is not hard enough to damage teeth and gums when being used. The next time you are looking for a new toothbrush, remember to opt for one that is soft bristled and that is ADA approved.

Is there a gentle electric toothbrush? ›

The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige is a lifesaver if you have sensitive gums like me. I sometimes brush too hard, and the Philips Sonicare buzzes and lights up when I press down too hard with the toothbrush -- a gentle nudge to let me know to lighten the pressure.

Do cheap electric toothbrushes work? ›

Cheap electric toothbrushes can be effective for basic oral hygiene. While they may not have the advanced features of expensive models, such as multiple cleaning modes or pressure sensors, they still offer the core benefits of electric brushing, like consistent bristle movement for a thorough clean.

What are the top 5 best electric toothbrushes? ›

  • Oral-B Genius X. The best electric toothbrush overall has a stylish design and improves brushing technique. ...
  • Bitvae R2 Rotating Electric Toothbrush. Best budget electric toothbrush for more affordable teeth cleaning. ...
  • Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000. ...
  • Oral-B Pro 1000. ...
  • Waterpik Complete Care 9.0. ...
  • Oral-B iO Series 9. ...
  • Colgate Hum.
Apr 2, 2024

Is Sonicare better than Oral-B? ›

Sonicare vs Oral-B: Our Verdict

Both Oral-B and Sonicare make excellent electric toothbrushes. Oral-B represents the better value; the brushes themselves and replacement heads are cheaper than those sold by Sonicare. And they're easier to use for beginners and kids.

Do bristles matter in a toothbrush? ›

It is recommended that you use a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush your teeth. Hard-bristle toothbrushes can apply too much pressure and cause bleeding of the gums. Using a soft-bristle brush ensures that you apply gentle pressure to protect your enamel and gums.

Do micro bristle toothbrushes work? ›

Ultra-soft toothbrushes can reduce plaque index compared to the baseline, but they do not decrease the plaque index up to the optimal level, which might affect their prescription.

What size toothbrush is best? ›

For most adults, a toothbrush head a half-inch wide and one-inch tall will be the easiest to use and the most effective. Though there are larger toothbrush heads available, you may find that it is difficult to maneuver them to clean certain hard-to-reach areas, such as the sides and backs of your molars.

What are Oral-B toothbrush bristles made of? ›

Most toothbrush bristles are made from nylon - an extremely hygienic flexible synthetic material used to effectively clean teeth and maintain oral health.

Which brush has soft bristles? ›

Colgate Gentle UltraFoam Ultra Soft Bristles Manual Toothbrush for adults, 2 Pcs, Soft Bristles for Superior Clean, Multicolor.

Which Oral-B heads are the softest? ›

If you're looking for a gentle and effective clean for sensitive gums and teeth, then the Oral-B Sensitive Gum Care Electric Toothbrush Replacement Brush Heads Refill is the perfect choice for you. The extra soft bristles provide a superior and gentle clean, making it perfect for sensitive gums and teeth.

Are toothbrush bristles supposed to be hard or soft? ›

The type of bristles that are right for you depends on your specific oral care needs and any issues you might be suffering from at the time. As a general rule, however, dentists recommend choosing a toothbrush with soft bristles, instead of one considered hard or even medium.

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