(checked 2026-10-10)
Wirecutter's long-running top pick, with cheap, widely available heads. It is louder than sonic brushes, and its pressure alert is easy to miss. Owners also report units that stop holding a charge.
Top complaints
- Stops holding a charge or dies early
Amazon's review summary says the battery gets mixed feedback, with some owners saying it stops holding a charge and several saying it stopped working within two weeks. Walmart's lowest-rated reviews describe units that stopped charging after about two months, chargers that didn't work, and a motor that slowed down after a month.
- Loud
Wirecutter calls Oral-B brushes like the Pro 1000 louder and more sonically grating than comparable Sonicare models. Electric Teeth measured 73 dB, versus 60 dB for the Sonicare 4100. Amazon's summary says customers find it somewhat loud.
- Weak pressure alert, no auto shut-off, vague battery light
Wirecutter's testers had to press harder than expected to trigger the pressure sensor. The brush also keeps running after two minutes until you switch it off, and the battery light only shows full or low. Electric Teeth found the pressure alert neither visible nor audible and easy to miss.
Source: Wirecutter, Electric Teeth - Button and slippery handle
Amazon's summary says some customers struggle with the on/off button. Walmart low-star reviewers say the button is hard to use and the smooth plastic body gets slippery when wet.
What owners love
- Cheapest heads among the big brands
Wirecutter puts standard Oral-B heads at about $5 each in bulk and estimates a three-year cost of about $98, versus about $170 for the Sonicare 4100.
Source: Wirecutter - Effective, with a quadrant timer
Amazon shoppers find it effective and like the 2-minute timer that pulses every 30 seconds. Wirecutter calls the motor plenty powerful.
- Proven in long-term testing
Wirecutter's test unit survived floor-drop and water-dunk tests and seven years of twice-daily use. It has a two-year warranty.
Source: Wirecutter
- Brush noise bothers you
- You want a clear, visible pressure warning
- You want two or more weeks per charge
- Lowest long-term cost among the big brands
- People who prefer a round oscillating head
- A simple one-button brush
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick for nearly a decade (updated 2026-09-01) for its timer, affordable heads and durability; the flaws are noise, manual shut-off, a vague battery light and a pressure sensor that takes a hard press to trigger.
- Electric Teeth: 4.5/5. Its cons are no visible pressure sensor and about 10 days of battery; recharging takes up to 12 hours.