The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige is the best electric toothbrush overall if you want the most advanced features and have the budget for it, but the Oral-B Io Series 6 at £159.99 delivers nearly identical cleaning performance for £220 less. Your choice depends on budget and whether you value AI-powered guidance — most people don’t need it.
Our Top Picks
1. Oral-B Io Series 6 – Black Lava (£159.99) — Best overall balance
The Io Series 6 combines premium build quality with practical performance. It features a colour touchscreen, six cleaning modes (daily clean, sensitive, whitening, gum care, super-sensitive, and tongue clean), and a two-minute smart timer. The oscillating-rotating technology removes 100% more plaque than manual brushing. Battery lasts 14 days between charges. If you want professional-grade cleaning without paying for unnecessary AI features, this is the pick.
2. Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige (£379.99 or £399.99) — Best if money is no object
The flagship Sonicare 9900 includes SenseIQ adaptive pressure sensors and AI-powered guidance that adjusts cleaning intensity in real time. It has a smart display, multiple cleaning modes, and connects to a companion app for personalised coaching. If you want every possible feature and your dentist recommends Sonicare, this is worth considering — but it’s overkill for straightforward plaque removal.
3. Oral-B Io Series 8 (£229) — Best for families
Designed for adults and children aged 3+, the Series 8 comes with three brush heads and a larger screen than the Series 6. It offers all the same core cleaning modes plus additional brushing guidance. The extra brush heads justify the £70 premium if you’re buying for multiple users.
4. Sarmocare S100 Sonic (£109.99) — Best budget sonic option
The S100 includes eight brush heads and ultrasonic whitening technology for under £110. Sonic oscillation is gentler than rotating heads, making it suitable for sensitive gums. This is excellent value for the number of replacements included, though the build quality doesn’t match the Oral-B or Philips.
5. Oral-B Pro 1000 (£89.94) — Best under £90
A no-frills oscillating-rotating head with a simple timer. Two cleaning modes (daily clean and gentle). If you just want basic electric brushing at the lowest price point, this works — but the Sarmocare S100 offers better value with more accessories.
6. Moon Electric Toothbrush – Onyx (£119) — Best minimalist design
Moon prioritises aesthetics with a sleek, matte finish. Sonic vibrations, 30-day battery, and app connectivity. Fewer features than the Io Series 6, but if design and simplicity matter to you, it’s a solid mid-range alternative.
7. Philips Sonicare 4100 (£39.99) — Best cheapest Sonicare
Sonicare’s entry-level sonic toothbrush lacks smart features but delivers reliable plaque removal. Recommended if you’ve already tested Sonicare and prefer its gentler vibration pattern to Oral-B’s rotating action.
8. Ordo Sonic+ (£99.99) — Best sustainable option
Ordo focuses on refillable heads and eco-conscious design. Sonic technology, app tracking, and competitive pricing. Choose this if sustainability is a priority, though performance doesn’t exceed the Oral-B Io Series 6.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral-B Io Series 6 | £159.99 | Most people | Colour touchscreen + 6 modes |
| Philips Sonicare 9900 | £379.99–£399.99 | Premium buyers | AI-powered SenseIQ guidance |
| Sarmocare S100 | £109.99 | Budget-conscious | 8 brush heads included |
| Oral-B Pro 1000 | £89.94 | Minimal budget | Lowest price point |
| Moon Onyx | £119 | Design-focused buyers | Minimalist aesthetics |
How We Chose
- Cleaning performance: Prioritised oscillating-rotating (Oral-B) and sonic (Philips, Sonicare) technologies with independently verified plaque removal claims of 75%+ better than manual brushing.
- Price-to-feature ratio: Weighted against total cost of ownership (brush head replacements) and battery longevity (minimum 10-day charge cycles).
- Practical features: Colour displays, app connectivity, and multi-mode brushing ranked higher than cosmetic additions like AI coaching most users ignore.
- Durability and warranty: Favoured brands with established UK support and replaceable brush heads under £10.
The Bottom Line
Buy the Oral-B Io Series 6 (£159.99) unless you have specific reasons not to. It cleans as effectively as toothbrushes costing £200 more, includes a touchscreen and six cleaning modes, and charges for two weeks. If you’re under £90 or want sonic vibrations over rotating heads, the Sarmocare S100 (£109.99) is the better value pick. Only upgrade to the Philips Sonicare 9900 if your dentist specifically recommends Sonicare’s vibration pattern or you actively use app-based coaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best electric toothbrushes under £100?
The Sarmocare S100 (£109.99) and Oral-B Pro 1000 (£89.94) are your best bets. The Sarmocare wins on value because it includes eight replacement heads; the Oral-B is cheapest outright. For slightly more at £99.99, the Ordo Sonic+ adds app connectivity and sustainable refillable heads.
Is Oral-B or Philips Sonicare better?
They’re equally effective — the choice is vibration preference. Oral-B uses oscillating-rotating technology (faster, more aggressive plaque removal), while Philips Sonicare uses sonic oscillations (gentler, preferred if you have sensitive gums). For price, Oral-B Io Series 6 (£159.99) outperforms Sonicare 4100 (£39.99); for features, Sonicare 9900 (£379.99) is overkill for most users.
Do I really need a smart electric toothbrush with app connectivity?
No. App connectivity adds £30–£50 but doesn’t improve cleaning. The Moon (£119) and Sonicare 9900 (£379.99) track brushing habits, but a two-minute mechanical timer on the Oral-B Io Series 6 (£159.99) achieves the same result. Buy connectivity only if you actively use fitness apps or want reminders.
How often do I need to replace electric toothbrush heads?
Every three months, or when bristles visibly splay. Budget £8–£12 per replacement head. The Sarmocare S100 includes eight heads upfront (£1.37 per head), making it excellent value. Oral-B and Philips heads cost £10–£15 individually, so bulk packs are worthwhile if you commit long-term.
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