2 days ago
The Oral-B iO9 toothbrush features AI technology, but is it worth the money?
It's been five years since the launch of the Oral-B iO series, which set out to provide a gentle, yet powerful, clean. It did this by incorporating micro vibrations, while Oral-B electric toothbrushes had previously relied solely on oscillating action and a pulsing effect, which some people found too harsh.
Now, there are nine models in the iOS series, and the iO9 is one of the more premium options, offering top-of-the-line features seen on the more expensive iO10. These include AI brushing recognition technology, which is a very fancy way of saying that the brush is app-enabled and should – in theory – help you become a better brusher. There are also seven cleaning modes on the iO9, which is more than a lot of the Oral-B line-up.
But what is the brush really like to use? Would opening up the app every time I cleaned my teeth become second nature? And how confident would I feel that the brush was delivering a superior clean that was also kind to my teeth? I was curious to find out how this brush would fare, so I swapped my usual brush for the iO9 to find out.
How I tested
From cleaning power to battery life, I assessed the brush on the following criteria:
Ergonomics: I thought about how lightweight and comfortable the brush felt in my hand, including when the handle was wet.
User experience: I factored in how easy it was to use the brush. I downloaded the app and used it as you will be using it at home, noting the in-app features and how effective they were when using the brush.
Cleaning power: In terms of the brush head, I made a note of the configuration of the bristles and how effective and comfortable the brush was in use.
Modes: I used all of the cleaning modes available and assessed the experience, from comfort to cleaning power.
Battery life: I charged the battery up to full and then timed how long it lasted before needing to be recharged, factoring in how this was affected by the modes and features we were using.
Why you can trust us
John Axworthy is a writer with nearly 30 years of experience reviewing the best products on the market. He's very particular about the toothbrush he uses, and has assessed brands including Philips, Oral-B and Spotlight. From cycling through modes to assessing the post-clean freshness, Jon's reviews are always based on rigorous real-world testing.
