Oral-B iO9 Review: A Premier Electric Toothbrush With A Premier Price, But Is It Worth It? (2026)
Premium electric toothbrushes are increasingly popular for good reason. Infinitely better than a manual brush without all the physical work, they can supercharge your cleaning routine and help you reclaim those bright pearly whites in weeks.
The problem is, so many are of good quality and available in the UK, it can be hard to figure out which one will be best for you. With options that feature smart pressure sensors, artificial intelligence brushing feedback, interactive apps and magnetic drive systems that sound more like something from a luxury car brochure than a bathroom cabinet.
At the centre of that premium wave sits the Oral-B iO9. It is sleek, loaded with features and carries a price tag that can make even seasoned gadget lovers pause for thought.
I’ve spent three weeks using the iO9 daily, including on rushed weekday mornings, sleepy late nights and even while travelling. It is one of the most advanced electric toothbrushes I have ever tested and perhaps one of my favourites overall. But does all that tech actually improve your brushing experience, or are you simply paying extra for bells and whistles?
Here is the full breakdown.
This article contains affiliate links; however, all the opinions are my genuine thoughts after trialling the toothbrush both at home and when travelling - Owen Gough
Last Updated on 20th May 2026
Oral-B iO9
There’s no getting around the fact the Oral-B iO9 is one of the most expensive options we’ve tested, and you’d have to be really keen on the features to fork out this much money on a brush like this, but if you do decide to stretch your budget that far, you won’t be sorry. Boasting some of the best brushing capabilities around, it’s one of my favourite brushes, and I think it could be yours too.
In Summary
Premium brushes like the iO9 come with a host of great features, like smartphone compatibility with real-time data tracking and plaque-busting bristles, all designed to give you the cleanest smile around. The problem is the price, which is unavoidably high. Therefore, we only suggest you pick this one up if you’re purchasing in a digital sale.
★★★★★
Best for: Getting one of the best cleans in the business, but only buy it in a sale.
Key feature: Smartphone data tracking and real-time mapping
Battery life: 21+ days(real-world testing)
Pros
A premium brush with some of the most advanced dental care features available
Brilliant ergonomic design and simple controls
Travel case inclluded
Cons
Expensive
AI smart-tracking features might be wasted on some people
Noisy
Who Reviewed This?
Reviewed by Dr Zaeem Jafri (GDC-registered dentist) & Owen (product reviewer for major UK publications).
We combine clinical dental expertise with real-world product testing. Every toothbrush we review is used daily in a home setting for a minimum of 3 weeks by Owen, who has tested hundreds of products for some of the biggest lifestyle and health magazines in the country. In his reviews, he’s looking out for cost, cleaning power, tech features and usability, and if this lines up with Dr Jafri’s clinical opinions.
How We Tested The Oral-B iO9
We tested the Oral-B iO9 over 3 weeks, brushing twice daily with a standard Colgate cleaning toothpaste.
We assessed:
Plaque removal
Gum comfort
Battery life
Noise levels
Ease of use
App usefulness
Design and Ergonomics
Right off the bat, the iO9 looks and feels amazing - as far as electric toothbrushes can be amazing. Oral-B clearly wants this toothbrush to compete with high end tech products rather than basic bathroom essentials, as it’s one of the smartest-looking brushes I’ve tested. .
The matte finish gives it a polished and modern appearance, while the slim handle feels noticeably more refined than older Oral-B models. It sits comfortably in the hand and has enough weight to feel expensive without becoming tiring during a two minute brushing session.
The expensive feel is backed up with a robust build-quality that fills me with confidence that it could last several years of all life can throw at it.
I tested the black onyx version, and honestly, it looked good enough to leave out on the bathroom shelf rather than hide in a drawer. That might sound superficial, but when you are paying luxury level prices, design matters.
The colour display on the handle is surprisingly useful too. Instead of relying on tiny flashing lights, the screen clearly shows brushing modes, battery status and coaching feedback. It feels intuitive almost immediately.
One thing I particularly appreciated was the magnetic charging dock. Compared with the clunky plastic chargers of older electric brushes, this setup feels cleaner and more sophisticated.
Cleaning Performance
The brushing experience feels noticeably different from standard oscillating electric toothbrushes. Oral-B combines its familiar round brush head with magnetic micro vibrations, creating a sensation that feels smoother, quieter and more controlled, forcing toothpaste and liquid to flow around your teeth to better clear our plaque and debris from your entire mouth.
After my first week using it, my teeth genuinely felt dentist clean. You know that polished feeling after a hygiene appointment where your teeth almost feel slippery? The iO9 gets surprisingly close.
I also noticed improvements around the gumline, especially near my back molars where plaque tends to build up more stubbornly. The small circular brush head reaches awkward areas far better than larger sonic style brush heads.
One unexpected moment came after a routine dental check up. My hygienist asked if I had changed my brushing habits because there was less plaque buildup than usual. I had not changed my toothpaste or flossing routine. The iO9 was the only difference.
That doesn’t mean cheaper brushes cannot clean effectively. Plenty of mid range electric toothbrushes deliver excellent results. But the iO9 makes brushing feel more precise and controlled in a way that genuinely improves consistency.
Key Features
The iO9 is packed with features, some more useful than others.
You get seven brushing modes, including daily clean, whitening, gum care, intense and super sensitive. Most people will probably stick to one or two modes, but having options is useful if your dental needs change. I, for instance, picked gum care and stuck with it for the majority of my testing, as it felt the most comfortable for me.
The standout feature is the smart pressure sensor. Brush too hard and the light flashes red. Brush with ideal pressure and it glows an approving green.
This, for me, has to be a must-have feature for any brush worth its salt, and it makes the price a bit more worth it in my eyes.
The interactive display is another strong addition. It gives reminders, encouragement and brushing summaries directly on the handle. It sounds gimmicky on paper but works surprisingly well in practice.
Then there is the AI powered brushing tracking through the app, which maps your mouth and shows areas you missed. More on that later.
Gum Comfort
The iO9 feels gentler than many older Oral-B models, though that is, of course, subjective. Traditional oscillating brushes can sometimes feel harsh, especially if you already have gum recession or sensitivity, but the magnetic drive system softens the brushing sensation considerably. Even during longer brushing sessions, my gums felt comfortable rather than irritated.
I also tested the super sensitive mode during a week when I had mild gum inflammation after flossing too enthusiastically. The softer setting made a noticeable difference without making my teeth feel less clean.
That said, the brush still delivers powerful cleaning action. It is not weak or overly soft. It simply feels more refined.
Noise Level
Electric toothbrushes are rarely silent, and the iO9 suffers from the same issues many Oral-B brushes can’t seem to solve - it is quite loud.
Compared with older Oral B models that can sound like a miniature power tool, the iO9 produces a softer humming vibration, which, while quieter than many, is still noticeable.
Travel-Friendly Features
For frequent travellers, the iO9 performs well with a few caveats.
The included charging travel case is excellent. Some versions even allow charging via USB, which makes packing simpler. The case feels durable and premium rather than flimsy plastic.
I recently took the iO9 on a long weekend trip and appreciated how securely everything packed away. No loose brush heads rolling around in my wash bag.
However, the handle itself is slightly bulkier than ultra slim sonic toothbrushes. It is not massive, but if you travel with hand luggage only, you will notice the extra weight.
The magnetic charger is also less universally available than standard USB charging systems, so forgetting it can become annoying.
Battery Life
Battery performance is solid overall. In my experience, the iO9 comfortably lasted around two weeks on a single charge with twice daily brushing. That aligns fairly well with Oral-B’s claims.
The fast charging dock also helps reduce stress if you forget to charge it before travelling.
I particularly liked the battery indicator on the display because it removes the guesswork. Older electric toothbrushes often seem to die without warning, usually right before a trip.
One thing worth mentioning is that heavier app usage and brighter display settings can drain the battery slightly faster.
Ease of Use
Despite all its technology, the iO9 remains straightforward to operate.
The controls are intuitive and switching between brushing modes takes seconds. Even users who are not especially tech savvy should adapt quickly.
The pressure sensor feedback is especially beginner friendly because it trains better brushing habits almost automatically.
The only slight learning curve comes from navigating all the smart features. If you want a completely simple brushing experience with no settings or tracking, this may feel overly advanced. Read more about that below.
App Experience
This is probably the most divisive aspect of the iO9. The Oral-B app is genuinely clever. It tracks your brushing in real time and identifies areas you missed using AI powered mouth mapping. I’m not normally a fan of smartphone use while brushing my teeth, but it was a useful tool for learning about my habits and improving my overall technique. I realised I consistently rushed the inside surfaces of my lower teeth. Seeing visual feedback helped me brush more evenly.
The app also includes coaching tips, progress tracking and reminders for brush head replacement.
Not everyone will use it long term, and it could be a big turn-off for some. After the novelty fades, many people simply return to brushing without opening the app.
The good news is that the toothbrush functions perfectly well without constant app interaction.
Price
Here is the difficult part. The Oral-B iO9 is expensive. Very expensive.
Depending on deals and bundles, prices in the UK often sit between £200 and £400. That is a huge amount for a toothbrush. There are various deals and sales that can make it more affordable, but if you need something outside of these sales events, it’s still a lot of money.
You can absolutely buy effective electric toothbrushes for far less. Even Oral-B’s own mid range models deliver excellent cleaning performance at a fraction of the cost.
What you are paying for here is refinement. Better build quality, smoother brushing, advanced sensors, premium design and enhanced smart features.
Whether those upgrades justify the cost depends entirely on how much value you place on daily comfort and technology.
Who Should Buy This?
The iO9 makes the most sense for people who:
Want the best possible brushing experience
Have sensitive gums and need pressure guidance
Enjoy smart technology and app tracking
Appreciate premium design
Already plan to invest heavily in dental care
It may also appeal to people with expensive dental work such as veneers, implants or crowns who want to maintain excellent oral hygiene.
However, casual users who simply want cleaner teeth may not need this level of sophistication.
Electric Toothbrush Alternatives
If the iO9 price feels difficult to justify, there are several strong alternatives worth considering.
The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 provides a quieter sonic brushing style with excellent cleaning performance and sleek aesthetics.
I have also tested the SURI 2.0 Sustainable Electric Toothbrush recently, which focuses more heavily on sustainability and portability while still delivering impressive cleaning power.
What Makes It Different?
The biggest difference between this brush and many others we’ve tested is how polished the overall experience feels.
Every interaction with the iO9 feels deliberate and refined, from the magnetic charger to the display animations and brushing feedback.
Most electric toothbrushes clean your teeth effectively. The iO9 goes further by making the process feel enjoyable.
That matters more than it sounds. When a product encourages better habits through comfort and engagement, you are more likely to use it properly and consistently.
The magnetic drive system also creates a brushing sensation that genuinely feels different from older oscillating models.
Is It Worth The Price?
For some people, yes, but only if you’re happy your budget can stretch that far.
If you value premium products, care deeply about oral hygiene and appreciate thoughtful technology, the iO9 is genuinely impressive.
Using it daily feels luxurious in a way few toothbrushes manage. The cleaning performance is excellent, the gum comfort is superb and the smart features are genuinely useful rather than purely gimmicky, but it isn’t essential if you don’t want to engage with it.
You can achieve excellent dental health with far cheaper electric toothbrushes if your brushing technique and consistency are good.
The iO9 sits firmly in the luxury category. It is the toothbrush equivalent of buying a flagship smartphone or premium coffee machine. The experience is undeniably better, but whether that matters enough depends on your priorities and budget.
Personally, after months of testing, I would struggle to go back to a basic electric toothbrush. The smoothness, comfort and polish of the iO9 have spoiled me slightly.
Your bank account, however, may still occasionally question the decision.
FAQs
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It depends on personal preference. The iO9 uses oscillating technology with micro vibrations, while Sonicare brushes use sonic vibrations. Some people prefer the smaller Oral B brush head for precision cleaning, while others prefer Sonicare’s gentler sweeping sensation.
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Most brush heads last around three months with regular use. The app and handle reminders can help track replacement timing.
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Yes. The sensitive and super sensitive modes make it a strong option for people with sensitive gums or teeth.
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Absolutely. The toothbrush works perfectly well independently. The app simply adds extra coaching and tracking features.
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Yes. It is designed for bathroom use and can safely be rinsed under water after brushing.
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It can help remove surface stains more effectively than manual brushing, especially when paired with whitening toothpaste, but it does not professionally whiten teeth.
What Do You Think?
If you’ve got an Oral-B toothbrush, we would love to know what you think of it. Have you enjoyed using it, have you had any problems?
Disagree with something in our review?
Let us know in the comments below!
The Philips Sonicare For Kids has built a strong reputation among parents looking for an electric toothbrush specifically designed for younger users.