Oral-B Genius Pro 8000 Review

We spent over 120 hours testing these products to determine which ones were worthy of awards. We split our testing process into four weighted metrics, conducting over a dozen individual tests to determine scores. Each model received a score for each metric, which was then aggregated into the overall score. We detail how the Oral-B Pro 8000 did in each metric in the following sections, looking at what it did well and where it fell short.

Performance Comparison

Cleaning

Our cleaning metric is first in terms of significance, accounting for 40% of the total score.

Our plaque removal test consisted of having a panel of testers use a plaque disclosing tablets per the manufacturer's instructions, nicely staining the accumulated plaque bright pink. After two minutes of brushing with the Pro 8000, we compared the results with before and after photos. Before results were revealed, each tester was asked to report how clean their teeth felt to be as thorough as possible.

This model removed almost all the visible stained plaque for every single one of our testers. The only common issue with this brush was reaching the molars furthest back for those with more petite mouths. These scores were all based on the first or second use, meaning that it was exceptionally easy to use, as they had no experience with this brush and no preconceived plan to pay attention to trouble spots.

Comfort

Comfort is our second most important metric, responsible for 30% of the total score, as an uncomfortable toothbrush can make your teeth cleaning experience so unpleasant that you won't want to use it. Regardless of how well your electric toothbrush cleans, it won't make a shred of difference to your dental hygiene if you don't use it. We rated these products on how comfortable they are to brush with, if there is an over-pressure sensor, and how loud each model was.

Though the Pro feels great in hand, it had some severe drawbacks regarding brushing comfort. The rotation-oscillation brush head does a fantastic job of cleaning, but it was exceptionally rough on the gums. One of our testers with more sensitive gums had to quit using it, as his gums were in excruciating pain — even when using the brush in its most sensitive mode. Other testers, especially those with smaller mouths, noticed that this brush head was much more uncomfortable when brushing the back molars. This is mainly due to it being approximately 33% deeper than the side-to-side style brush head.

This model was also on the noisier side, measuring in at 81 dB, taken three inches away. Testers also noted that this brush sounded louder and more mechanical when being used, compared to the softer buzzing from the side-to-side models. The Pro 8000 does have a pressure sensor, slowing down the brush automatically if it detects you are pressing too hard.

Ease of Use

Next, our Ease of Use set of tests is responsible for 20% of the total score of each brush. We assessed how easy it was to use these products, basing our scores on their interface, how easy it was to clean the brush, and the number of brushing modes available, as well as if there is a timer and if additional brush heads had a place to be easily stored. This model was well-received by our panel when it came to aesthetic appeal, appreciating the sleek exterior and the easy-to-understand icons on the front of the brush.

These icons show the different brushing modes, which this brush has six — Daily Clean, Pro Clean, Sensitive, 3D White, Gum Care, and Tongue Clean. This also made it very clear which brushing mode you were using, and the interface to switch between them was very easy to operate. The Pro 8000 also has a two-minute timer, buzzing every 30 seconds to alert you to move onto the next quadrant of your teeth.

This toothbrush was very stable off its base, with almost every other toothbrush toppling before it. However, it was much less stable on the base — the larger toothbrush on the small base made it top-heavy and easily tumbled. This model also includes a charging travel case.

The instability drastically changed when the extra brush head holder was installed on the base, making it almost impossible to tip over. The technology behind electric toothbrushes has improved to the point where these products are packed full of various features and functions, including smart connectivity, like the Pro 8000 has. Unfortunately, this was one of the main issues we found with this brush — especially with the position-sensing feature. We didn't find this to be the most accurate, with the app mistaking what section of the mouth we were brushing at the time on a frequent basis.

Battery Life

Our final metric was a battery test, which accounts for the last 10% of the total score. We ran each brush for four minutes a day, two in the morning and two at night, and scored each one on how long it lasted. The Pro 8000 had a slightly below-average battery life, earning it a lower score for the 14.5 days it lasted. This model had a typical battery indicator, similar to other brushes in the lineup. It consists of a battery silhouette with three bars inside to signify the charge level. This model also has a flashing red light to indicate when the battery is critically low, which we noticed corresponded to a drop in brushing power.

Should You Buy the Oral-B Genius Pro 8000?

The Pro 8000 had great cleaning performance and was very easy to use, though we were disappointed with the price and how difficult the position sensing was to use. This model can even be too much cleaning power for those with sensitive gums. It can also be awkward to brush with for those with more petite mouths. Overall, it's a decent toothbrush, though there are plenty of better options with fewer extraneous features that cost a whole lot less and will serve you just as well.

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