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Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush vs Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush ranks higher (#1 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on replacement head cost, durability. Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush wins on gentleness, battery, ease of use.
The biggest complaint about the Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is stops holding a charge or dies early; for the Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush it's heads cost about twice as much as oral-b's. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush | Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in electric toothbrushes | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$ | $ |
| Type | Oscillating | Sonic |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 6% | 10% |
| Overall score | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| Cleaning feel | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Gentleness | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Battery | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Replacement head cost | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 3.5 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $50 · $$ $50–120 · $$$ over $120. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
- 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.
Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
- Heads cost about twice as much as Oral-B's
Wirecutter says Sonicare heads can cost more than double Oral-B's and estimates a three-year cost of about $170 versus about $98 for the Pro 1000. Electric Teeth puts heads at about $10 each.
Source: Wirecutter, Electric Teeth - Stops charging or dies within a year
Amazon's review summary says multiple customers report it stopped working in less than a year, and some say it stops charging or feels weak.
- USB-only charger
Since October 2021 the charger has had only a USB plug with no wall adapter (Wirecutter; Philips will send one free on request). Amazon's summary calls charging problematic because only a USB cord is included. Electric Teeth says a full charge can take up to 24 hours.
- Vibration felt through the whole brush
Wirecutter says the vibrations can be felt throughout the brush even on low, and the hard plastic back of the head can knock against opposing teeth. Electric Teeth notes there is no light to show which intensity is selected.
Source: Wirecutter, Electric Teeth
Who should pick which
Pick the Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush if
Lowest long-term cost among the big brands
People who prefer a round oscillating head
A simple one-button brush
Skip it if: Brush noise bothers you; You want a clear, visible pressure warning; You want two or more weeks per charge
Pick the Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush if
A quiet brush
Smaller mouths (narrower heads)
Newcomers who want a pressure sensor and a gentle start-up mode
Skip it if: You want the cheapest heads; You dislike vibration felt through the handle; You want a wall plug in the box
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