Oral-B Pro 1000 review

The Oral-B Pro 1000 is a decent electric toothbrush that keeps things simple with just a few cleaning modes.

Oral-B Pro 1000 review
(Image: © Oral-B)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

The Oral-B Pro 1000 is a high performer with a low price. You'll get more for your money with this electric toothbrush than with any other model we found.

Pros

  • +

    Built-in pressure sensor

  • +

    Handy brushing timer

Cons

  • -

    Basic design

  • -

    Not as powerful as others

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The Oral-B Pro 1000 was one of the first 'power brushes' to receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance, but now it doesn't live up to the impressive technology found on the world's best electric toothbrushes. That said, because it's an older model, you can often find it on sale for rock-bottom prices, making it a decent cheap electric toothbrush if you aren't fussed about having too many features.

On that note, you should know upfront that the Oral-B Pro 1000 has just one cleaning mode. It does have a built-in two minute timer to help you brush for the dentist-recommended time, and it has a pressure sensor to alert you if you're brushing too hard. 

But is that one cleaning mode enough for your dental needs? Let's get to know the Oral-B 1000 a little better now, and point out some alternatives if you do need something more powerful. Or, a toothbrush with a whitening mode. Though to better brighten your smile, we'd recommend one of the best teeth whiteners.

Oral-B Pro 1000 review: Features

Buying a quality electric toothbrush could help you maintain better teeth and gum health in between visiting the dentist – for advice on finding dental coverage, read our guide to the best dental insurance – but quality doesn't have to mean expensive.

What the Oral-B 1000 does, it does well. That means cleaning your teeth and gums more effectively than a manual toothbrush alone, and ensuring that you don't brush too hard during cleaning. Thanks to a built-in timer, this electric toothbrush will also ensure you brush for the most effective length of time: two minutes.

Oral-B Pro 1000 review

(Image credit: Oral-B)

The Oral-B Pro 1000 uses Oral-B’s signature rotating, oscillating and pulsating movements to keep your teeth clean. It comes with a CrossAction head, which has bristles angled at 16 degrees to reach between your teeth. 

If you’re looking for a different style of brush head, the Oral-B Pro 1000’s handle is compatible with any of Oral-B’s nine options. From flossing action and whitening to sensitive care, there are multiple specially purposed brush heads to choose from.

Once you’ve charged it for 22 hours, the Oral-B Pro 1000’s battery provides up to seven days of brushing twice daily, and a battery life display tells you when it’s time to recharge. Oral-B recommends depleting the battery fully between charges to maintain the most battery capacity.

This is a different recommendation than you’ll get from Philips Sonicare, which recommends you store your toothbrush in its charger base and leave the unit plugged in.

Oral-B Pro 1000 review: the electric toothbrush shown in black and in white

(Image credit: Oral-B)

Oral-B Pro 1000 review: Performance

Each time the brushing timer stutters, it reminds you to focus on a different quadrant of your mouth. If you’re brushing too hard, the pressure sensor stops the 1000 Pro’s pulsation to alert you to be gentler.

Higher-end toothbrushes such as the Oral-B Genius Pro and the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart have flashing and pulsing lights to warn you of too much pressure, but most people respond to a simpler notification just as well.

The motors on all three Oral-B toothbrushes we tested make more noise than any of the sonic wave brushes. One of our testers said the Pro 1000’s motor sounded like a chainsaw, and we agree that getting used to it may take time. 

We also noted a big difference between how the Oral-B toothbrushes distribute toothpaste in your mouth and how toothbrushes like the Waterpik Sensonic work. 

The fluid dynamics created by sonic wave technology drive liquid between your teeth and spread toothpaste more evenly. We thought the Oral-B brushes applied toothpaste more like dental polish.

Should I buy the Oral-B Pro 1000?

When we compared several toothbrushes’ handles, we liked the Waterpik’s grip better, but the Oral-B Pro 1000’s handle is conveniently waterproof.

Like its more expensive cousins, the Oral-B Pro 5000 and the Oral-B Genius Pro 8000, the Oral-B Pro 1000 is backed by a two-year limited warranty.

Jennifer Christensen

Jennifer Christensen has written for many newspapers and magazines and has broadcast experience in television and radio. She has earned journalism awards from the Utah Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists and enjoys being a writer for Top Ten Reviews. Jennifer has five amazing children and loves to hike, play the piano, kick a soccer ball and eat ice cream.