Oral-B iO 8
No products found.
At some point, brushing your teeth became a tech experience. It’s not just about plaque anymore—it’s about smart sensors, magnetic drives, personalized routines, and getting a little emoji reward when you’ve done a good job. Sounds silly? Maybe. But once you’ve used an Oral-B iO, there’s no going back. The brush doesn’t just clean—it talks to you, it teaches you, it tracks you. And among all the iO models—the iO 6, iO 7, iO 8, and iO 9—there are small but meaningful differences that change the entire brushing experience.
We put all four to the test, not just on specs but on what it’s like to use them every day. What’s useful, what’s overkill, and what genuinely makes you want to brush twice a day without skipping. Whether you’re a minimalist or a data junkie, you’ll see which model actually earns its price tag.
Familiar body, smarter brain
First things first: none of these look or feel like your old electric brush. All four share the same slim handle and iconic round brush head, but the devil’s in the details. The iO 6 is a touch shorter, but not in a way that affects usability. They all feel comfortable in hand, balanced, and grippy—even when your fingers are wet and you’re brushing with half a brain in the morning.
And yes, each one comes with a travel case, which is a lifesaver whether you’re storing it in a drawer or tossing it in a suitcase. No weird extras here—just a clean, consistent design across the board.
Same motor, same brush—totally different vibe
What makes the iO range different from regular electric brushes is the magnetic drive system. Instead of a chunky motor making the head vibrate like a jackhammer, this system channels micro-vibrations directly into the bristles. It feels smoother, more precise, and noticeably quieter. Like whisper-level quiet. You can actually brush without waking someone up next to you.
And the feeling on your teeth? Clean. Like “I-just-left-the-dentist” clean. This part is consistent across the iO 6 to the iO 9. So if you’re only looking for a better brush without the smart extras, even the iO 6 already feels like a leap forward.
Brushing modes: who knew seven would feel like a luxury?
Here’s where the differences get real. The iO 9 leads with seven brushing modes, and yes, you’ll use more of them than you think: daily clean, sensitive, gum care, intense clean, whitening, tongue cleaner, and super sensitive. That tongue cleaner mode? Strangely satisfying.
The iO 8 cuts one: no tongue cleaner, but otherwise it mirrors the iO 9. Still impressive.
Then we hit the iO 7 and iO 6. Both offer five modes, but they mix and match names: sensitive becomes extra sensitive, deep clean becomes intense clean—it’s all basically the same idea, but with fewer choices. If you’re someone who likes customizing your brush depending on the day, the iO 9 gives you the most freedom. If not, the iO 6 or iO 7 might feel perfectly fine.
3D tracking: gimmick or game-changer?
Only one model has it: the iO 9 comes with 3D tracking, and we didn’t think we’d care… until we did. Using the app, it maps your mouth and shows you in real time which areas you’ve brushed and which you’ve missed. It’s weirdly addictive. Like brushing your teeth while playing a game.
The iO 8, iO 7, and iO 6 skip this feature, which means you still get feedback—but more like “great job!” rather than “hey, you missed the lower right molar.” If you’re a perfectionist or always feel like you’re rushing through your routine, the iO 9 actually teaches you to brush better.
AI and pressure sensors: more helpful than you’d think
Across the board, every iO brush comes with AI and a smart pressure sensor. That means they all alert you when you’re pressing too hard. The ring around the neck lights up—green when you’re doing well, red when you’re brushing like you’re sanding a table.
It’s subtle, but it changes how you brush. You stop grinding. You get gentler. And your gums will thank you. This is one of the standout features of the whole iO series—even the “entry-level” iO 6 gets it right.
Charging speed: this is where the iO 6 falls behind
Battery life is good across all models. Each one lasts around two weeks on a single charge, which is great if you’re traveling or just forgetful.
But charging is where the iO 9, 8, and 7 pull ahead. They all come with fast magnetic charging that fully powers the brush in three hours. You snap it onto the base and that’s it. The iO 6, meanwhile, uses a slower magnetic base—still wireless, but without the quick charge feature.
If you’re someone who always forgets to plug in your gadgets, that faster charging makes a real difference. It’s the kind of thing you only notice when your brush is dead and you’re already running late.
The app: smart habits start here
All four brushes connect via Bluetooth to the Oral-B app. And if you haven’t used it yet—trust us—it’s not just for show.
The app tracks how long you brush, how often, and gives you coaching tips. You can set goals like “whiter teeth” or “gum care,” and it adjusts recommendations accordingly. It even stores data so your dentist can stop guessing what you’ve been doing between visits.
The difference is in the depth of the data. The iO 9, thanks to 3D tracking, shows exactly which teeth you’ve missed. The others offer general stats—still useful, just less precise.
We didn’t expect to enjoy brushing with an app open, but once you’ve tried it, brushing without it feels… incomplete.
Display: color vs. monochrome, and does it matter?
We’re not going to lie—the color display on the iO 9 and iO 8 feels fancy. You get an emoji when you finish brushing. It shows your brushing mode with icons and animations. It greets you. It’s small, but it makes the routine feel more interactive.
The iO 7 and iO 6 use monochrome screens. Same info, less fun. They work fine, but the experience feels slightly more utilitarian.
If you’re into clean, minimal gadgets, you might actually prefer the simpler display. But if you like feedback and a little personality from your devices, the full-color screen gives the iO 9 and iO 8 more character.
The stuff they all share
Let’s not forget—every model in the iO range comes with some truly standout basics:
-
The same magnetic drive system and round brush heads
-
Pressure sensors with color-coded feedback
-
Bluetooth and app integration
-
Two-week battery life
-
Daily clean and sensitive modes at a minimum
-
Travel case included
That means even if you go for the iO 6, you’re not getting some watered-down version. You’re still brushing with a smart, powerful tool that beats almost any non-iO electric brush.
So which one stuck around on our counter?
Look, we didn’t plan to love the iO 9 this much. We assumed the extra features would feel like tech overkill. But the combination of 3D tracking, the color display, seven brushing modes, and fast charging just made it feel complete. It didn’t just clean better—it made us brush better.
The iO 8 is almost identical, and if you can live without the tongue cleaner and detailed tracking, it’s a fantastic option.
The iO 7 feels like the practical middle-ground, with smart features and fast charging but no unnecessary bells.
And the iO 6? It’s for the minimalist who still wants a taste of premium tech, without splurging on features they might never use.
But if you’re asking which one really leads the pack? The iO 9 doesn’t just lead—it owns the lane. It’s the only brush we’ve used that made us rethink how we brush our teeth—and that’s not something we ever thought we’d say.