Reviews You Can Rely On

Oral-B Pro 1000 Review

This great budget brush cleans well but can be a bit aggressive on sensitive gums
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Oral-B Pro 1000 Review
Credit: Oral-B
Price:  $50 List
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Manufacturer:   Oral-B
By Genaveve Bradshaw and Ryan White  ⋅  Dec 16, 2023
56
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#17 of 19
  • Cleaning - 40% 6.8
  • Comfort - 30% 3.9
  • Ease of Use - 20% 7.4
  • Battery Life - 10% 2.0

Our Verdict

While the Oral-B Pro 1000 didn't claim one of the top scores overall, this affordable option distinguished itself in our tests. It performs exceptionally well in cleaning your pearly whites and stands out as one of the most convenient and easy-to-use brushes we've tested. Unfortunately, it may be a bit uncomfortable for those with sensitive gums or smaller mouths, and it lacks an impressive battery life. It was also fairly loud and emitted an unpleasant drill-like noise. Discover how the Pro 1000 stacks up against the competition in our best electric toothbrush review. We also have a best toothbrush review that includes good old-fashioned manual toothbrushes compared alongside the electric models.
REASONS TO BUY
Good cleaning performance
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the most comfortable
Subpar battery life
Noisy

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oral-b pro 1000
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Oral-B Pro 1000
Awards  Best Buy Award
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Best Buy Award
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Top Pick Award
Best Buy Award
Best Value for Included Brush Heads
Price $50 List
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$40 List
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$30 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
56
77
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66
Star Rating
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Bottom Line Great cleaning performance on a budget but is a bit rough on sensitive gumsAn gentle, minimalist toothbrush with a long-lasting battery that cleans wellInexpensive yet fully capable, this electric toothbrush is a solid choice for just about everyoneA great entry level option, but falls a little short in terms of overall cleaning abilityAffordable, effective, and user-friendly — this device offers value with good cleaning and extra brush heads
Rating Categories Oral-B Pro 1000 Philips One Philips Sonicare 4100 Quip Aquasonic Black Series
Cleaning (40%)
6.8
6.9
7.9
6.1
6.8
Comfort (30%)
3.9
8.1
8.3
7.1
6.4
Ease of Use (20%)
7.4
8.0
7.8
8.4
8.0
Battery Life (10%)
2.0
9.0
5.0
10.0
4.0
Specs Oral-B Pro 1000 Philips One Philips Sonicare 4100 Quip Aquasonic Black Series
Measured Battery Life 12 days 30 days 49.5 days 170 days 31 days
Pressure Sensor Yes No Yes No No
Number of Brushing Modes 1 mode:
Clean
2 sensivity levels
1 mode:
Clean
1 mode:
Clean
2 sensivity levels
1 mode:
Clean
4 modes:
Clean, Soft, Whiten, Massage
Estimated Annual Brush Head Cost $39.99 for (1) four pack $15.92 for (2) two packs $44.96 for (1) four pack $28 for (4) 1 packs $19.90 for (2) two packs
Charger or Battery Info 100 - 240VA USB USB
(block not included)
1 AAA battery 100 - 240VA
50-60Hz
0.8 - 1.6W
American Dental Association accepted? Yes Not Listed Not Listed Yes Yes
Waterproof / Resistant Yes, can use in shower No, cannot be used in the shower Yes, can use in shower Yes, can use in shower Yes, can use in shower
Number of Brush Head Styles Available 7 styles, some available in 2 colors 1 style available in multiple colors 8 styles, most available in 2 colors 1 style available in multiple colors 3
Number of Included Brush Heads 1 1 1 1 8
Thirty Second Reminder Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Two Minute Alert Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Travel Case Included No Yes No Yes Yes
Measured Handle Weight 4.1 oz 1.4 oz 3.2 oz 1.2 oz 3.6 oz
App No No No Yes*

*must manually enter data unless using a Smart model
No
Available Colors 2 4 3 6 1
Decibels from 6ft Away 57dB 40 dB* 42 dB 40 dB* 53 dB
Decibels from 3" Away 77 dB 40 dB* 58 dB 40 dB* 68 dB

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Oral-B Pro 1000 removed all of the dye from our cleaning test, but did not leave that squeaky clean feeling on our teeth, and it wasn't the most comfortable to brush with. The Oral-B also has a much shorter battery life than most but does have a budget-friendly price point.

Performance Comparison


This model performed well in our cleaning test.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Cleaning


The scores in our cleaning metric are dependent on each of the brushes results in our plaque removal test as well as a “gut feeling” score from each of our testers. Each tester in our panel refrained from brushing for a period of about 16 hours and then chewed a plaque-disclosing tablet per the manufacturer's instructions. These tablets visually indicate where plaque resides on teeth by coloring it pink. The toothbrush's performance was determined by comparing before and after photos. Each tester also reported how clean their teeth felt before looking at their before/after photos.

oral-b pro 1000 - the oral-b pro 1000 did a decent job cleaning those pearly whites.
The Oral-B Pro 1000 did a decent job cleaning those pearly whites.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

We used whatever toothbrush head came standard with the toothbrush, in this case, Oral-B's CrossAction brush head. This brush uses a rotation-oscillation style brush head, which we found missed fewer spots than the side-to-side style brush head in our tests. While the majority of our testers successfully removed virtually all plaque with this toothbrush, a few opted out of the test due to discomfort caused by their sensitive gums. Those who persevered reported a mostly clean feeling, suggesting that additional usage time might be necessary for optimal results.

oral-b pro 1000 - rather than just vibrating, the oral-b pro 1000's brush head...
Rather than just vibrating, the Oral-B Pro 1000's brush head oscillates.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Comfort


Responsible for the second-largest component of the total score at 30%, our comfort tests significantly influence each brush's final rating. Our panel of testers meticulously evaluated the brushing experience and noise levels of each product. Additional points were awarded for toothbrushes equipped with an over-pressure warning sensor. Unfortunately, the Oral-B was somewhat challenged in this particular test.

Brushing with the Oral-B Pro 1000 nearly sounds like being on a construction worksite.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The Oral-B has a handle with a glossy finish and a rubberized grip on the front, weighing in at 4.5 ounces. Our panel was not thoroughly pleased with this toothbrush when it came to brushing comfort. The toothbrush head on this model is close to 50% deeper than other models we tested, which led to a noticeable difference when it came to the feel when actually brushing.

oral-b pro 1000 - the pro 1000 charges by a minimalist docking station.
The Pro 1000 charges by a minimalist docking station.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

This larger brush head was too large to comfortably clean the back molars for some of our testers, and made them much more prone to drooling during testing. This would be something to consider if you have a smaller mouth, as those with larger mouths found the Oral-B less cumbersome. Even though this brushing head had soft bristles, we noted that the rotation-oscillation style of motion felt more abrasive and aggressive than other models, something that those with a history of sensitive gums felt was a dealbreaker.

oral-b pro 1000 - this deep brush head proved to be uncomfortable for sensitive gums.
This deep brush head proved to be uncomfortable for sensitive gums.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

This brush also earned the distinction of being one of the loudest in our tests, emitting a more pronounced 'mechanical' noise compared to brushes with a side-to-side motion. Our testers found this noise to be quite noticeable during use. Despite measuring at 77 decibels from 3 inches away, a level not considered obnoxiously loud on paper, our judges reported the motorized sound of this model as unpleasant. A redeeming quality, however, is the inclusion of an over-pressure sensor. While it lacks a visual indication, this feature slows down the brush head if excessive pressure is applied, adding a measure of safety to the brushing experience.

oral-b pro 1000 - this device reached up to 77 decibels on the high end in our tests...
This device reached up to 77 decibels on the high end in our tests, as reported by the decibel reader.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Ease of Use


We performed a few different tests for this metric, namely we analyzed how intuitive and user-friendly the interface is. We also noted how easy it is to clean, if there is a timer, and if there are any storage options.

oral-b pro 1000 - this device is pretty easy to clean, mostly thanks to the smooth...
This device is pretty easy to clean, mostly thanks to the smooth finish on the handle.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

To test the ease of cleaning, we made a diluted toothpaste solution and sprayed it on each handle. We then cleaned each one to find problem spots and hard-to-reach places. For the most part, cleaning the Pro 1000 was straightforward. However, we had some problems when it came to cleaning the bottom of the brush and the attachment point for the brush head. This device was significantly easier to clean than we had originally thought, as the rubber grip provided plenty of grooves to collect grime. This brush is also water-resistant and can be used in the shower.

oral-b pro 1000 - though the oral-b pro 1000 is on the heavier side, its single button...
Though the Oral-B Pro 1000 is on the heavier side, its single button was fairly straightforward to use.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

This model was not incredibly stable on its base, as it was somewhat top-heavy and easy to knock over. Having only a single cleaning mode, the one-button interface simply turns the brush on and off, making it one of the easiest-to-use models we have tested. This brush does have the standard two-minute timer, with 30-second intervals for pacing. Unfortunately, there is no storage for additional brush heads on the base, and it lacks a travel case.

oral-b pro 1000 - the brush head is simple to take on/off.
The brush head is simple to take on/off.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Battery Life


To round out our scoring (comprising the final 10%), we assessed how long each brush lasted on a single charge. Battery life is an important aspect of an electric toothbrush, as the longer it lasts without charge, the more flexibility and freedom you have. For example, you can feel free to leave the charger at home for short trips and have confidence that the brush will last for the duration of the trip. We ran each brush for two minutes each day, morning and night, and awarded scores based on when the brush died. Unfortunately, the 1000 lasted for 12 days (brushing twice a day for two minutes), which puts it near the bottom of the group. The LED indicator blinks red when not in use to signal a low battery, which can take up to 22 hours to recharge.

oral-b pro 1000 - the oral-b pro 1000 comes with a convenient battery indicator light.
The Oral-B Pro 1000 comes with a convenient battery indicator light.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Oral-B Pro 1000?


While the Oral-B Pro 1000 holds its ground as a decent cleaning product, especially given its price and straightforward design, it proved too harsh for some of our testers with more sensitive gums. Additionally, its noise level is fairly disruptive, and the subpar battery life adds to the list of drawbacks. Due to these considerations, we can't wholeheartedly recommend it.

What Other Electric Toothbrushes Should You Consider?


If you're willing to shell out a little more cash, the Philips Sonicare 4100 is a great place to start. It tackles nearly everything better than the Oral-B and is great for both experienced electric toothbrush users and those just starting out.

Genaveve Bradshaw and Ryan White