Oral-B Pro 1000 vs Oral-B Pro 500

Over three years, with heads at each maker's own pack price, the Oral-B Pro 500 costs about $95 to the Oral-B Pro 1000's $100. The Oral-B Pro 1000 has a pressure sensor (pressure sensor (signal not described)); the maker lists none for the Oral-B Pro 500. Every other published figure for both is in the table, with the rows where they differ tinted.

Oral-B Pro 1000 electric toothbrush

Oral-B

Oral-B Pro 1000

Pressure sensor · ADA Seal listingbattery life not published · charging stand · no case

~$50

Oral-B's long-running entry rechargeable is still on sale, now badged Gum Care and shipped with two heads.

Best for: A low running cost on a round-head brush

Oral-B Pro 500 electric toothbrush

Oral-B

Oral-B Pro 500

No pressure sensor listed · ADA Seal listingbattery life not published · charging stand · no case

~$40

The cheapest rechargeable handle Oral-B sells on its own US store, and the simplest: a 2D oscillating-rotating action, a quadrant timer and a Precision Clean head.

Best for: A basic rechargeable for a second bathroom or a teenager

Specification comparison of the Oral-B Pro 1000 and the Oral-B Pro 500
SpecificationOral-B Pro 1000Oral-B Pro 500
Approx. price~$50~$40
3-year cost~$100 ($50 handle + 10 heads at $5)~$95 ($40 handle + 11 heads at $5)
TypeOscillating-rotatingOscillating-rotating
MotionOscillating-rotating (round head)Oscillating-rotating (round head)
Motor3D cleaning action2D cleaning action
Pressure sensorPressure sensor (signal not described): Oral-B lists a pressure sensor among the features without describing how it signalsNot listed by the maker
ADA SealListed: Oral-B Oscillating-Rotating-Pulsating (model list includes Oral-B Pro 1000)Listed: Oral-B Oscillating-Rotating-Pulsating (model list includes Oral-B Pro 500)
Timer2-minute timer2-minute timer
Quadrant pacerYes, every 30 secondsYes, every 30 seconds
Modes1not published
ScreenNoneNone
Chargingcharging standcharging stand
Travel caseNoNo
Heads in the box21
Head familyOral-B round click-on (non-iO)Oral-B round click-on (non-iO)
Head compatibilityTakes every Oral-B rechargeable head except iO and Sonic (CrossAction, FlossAction, Precision Clean, 3D White, Sensitive Gum Care and others)Takes every Oral-B rechargeable head except iO and Sonic
Price per head$5 (Oral-B Daily Clean 8-count, $39.99 on oralb.com)$5 (Oral-B Daily Clean 8-count, $39.99 on oralb.com)
Replace heads every3 months (maker)3 months (maker)
Minimum agenot published3+ (maker)
Warranty2 years2 years

Oral-B Pro 1000: what it gives up

  • One mode only, where the $60 iO3 has three
  • Oral-B does not say how the pressure sensor signals
  • No travel case, app or battery figure on Oral-B's page; the $65 iO2 at least publishes four weeks

Oral-B Pro 500: what it gives up

  • No pressure sensor listed; $10 more buys the Pro 1000, which has one and takes the same $5 heads
  • Oral-B's page contradicts itself on the number of modes
  • 2D action rather than the Pro 1000's pulsating 3D action

Full pages: Oral-B Pro 1000 · Oral-B Pro 500