Oral-B iO Series 5 vs Philips Sonicare Series 6500
Over three years, with heads at each maker's own pack price, the Philips Sonicare Series 6500 costs about $197 to the Oral-B iO Series 5's $199, even though its handle costs more. The Oral-B iO Series 5 has an ADA Seal listing; none was found for the Philips Sonicare Series 6500. They also move differently: see the oscillating-versus-sonic explainer for what the evidence does and doesn't say about that. Every other published figure for both is in the table, with the rows where they differ tinted.
Oral-B
Oral-B iO Series 5
~$120
Five modes, a hard case and real-time app tracking of where you brush make up the iO5's pitch.
Best for: People who want Intense and Super Sensitive modes on one handle
Philips Sonicare
Philips Sonicare Series 6500
~$130
Philips adds the app, a travel case and a purple pressure light to the 62,000-movement motor on the 6500.
Best for: App tracking and a visible pressure warning on the 62,000 motor
| Specification | Oral-B iO Series 5 | Philips Sonicare Series 6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$120 | ~$130 |
| 3-year cost | ~$199 ($120 handle + 11 heads at $7.22) | ~$197 ($130 handle + 10 heads at $6.66) |
| Type | Oscillating-rotating | Sonic |
| Motion | Oscillating-rotating (round head) | Sonic (vibrating head) |
| Speed (maker's figure) | not published | 62,000 brush movements / min |
| Motor | iO magnetic drive | not published |
| Pressure sensor | Multi-signal pressure sensor: iO pressure sensor signals if you brush too hard, too soft, or just right | Multi-signal pressure sensor: Light ring illuminates purple, with vibration and a pulsing sound |
| ADA Seal | Listed: Oral-B iO Series | No listing found |
| Timer | 2-minute timer | 2-minute timer |
| Quadrant pacer | not published | Yes, every 30 seconds |
| Modes | 5: Daily Clean, Intense Clean, Sensitive, Super Sensitive, Whitening | 3: Clean, White, Sensitive |
| Intensities | not published | 3 |
| Screen | not published | None |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | not published | 21-day battery (Philips spec: operating time 21 days) |
| Charging | charging stand | USB-A lead |
| Travel case | Yes | Yes |
| Heads in the box | 1 | 2 |
| Head family | Oral-B iO | Sonicare click-on |
| Head compatibility | Compatible only with Oral-B iO replacement heads | Any Philips Sonicare click-on head (C1 SimplyClean, C2, C3, G3, A3, W); not Philips One heads |
| Price per head | $7.22 (Oral-B iO Ultimate Clean 9-count, $64.99 on oralb.com) | $6.66 (Sonicare SimplyClean 6-pack (HX6016/77), $39.96 on usa.philips.com) |
| Replace heads every | 3 months (maker) | 3 months (maker) |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| First listed | not published | 2025 |
Oral-B iO Series 5: what it gives up
- Oral-B's page contradicts itself on whether there is a screen
- Battery life goes unpublished, as on every iO above the iO2
- The iO6 adds a confirmed display for $40 more, which squeezes this model
Philips Sonicare Series 6500: what it gives up
- No Gum Health mode, which the cheaper 5700 has
- Case doesn't charge; the 7100 fixes that for $30 more
- Wall adapter not included
- $50 more than the 5700 for the app, light, case and one extra mode
Full pages: Oral-B iO Series 5 · Philips Sonicare Series 6500