Oral-B iO Series 4 review

There are seven fashions within the iO vary, and this, essentially the most budget-friendly of the lot, can also be one of many latest. Oral-B has just lately expanded its vary at each the highest (the iO10) and backside (the iO4 and 5) and the worth distinction between them is big.

There’s additionally an enormous distinction in options as nicely, with the iO10 providing a full color OLED display screen, real-time brushing suggestions, a fast-charging magnetic dock and 7 brushing modes.

However if you’d like a simple electrical toothbrush that simply does what it’s speculated to do – clear tooth brilliantly – the iO4 is the comb to get. Nevertheless, it has some idiosyncrasies that imply it’s not an amazing possibility for sharing. Nor are you able to utterly keep away from utilizing the app.

Brush design

• Comes with a journey case
• 4 color choices
• Gentle ring

Within the field, you’ll get the iO Sequence 4 deal with and a brush head, a easy white plastic journey case and a charging stand. The stand is identical because the one you get with a basic Oral-B brush. You should use them interchangeably. Within the US, the charger has a regular two-pin plug and within the UK, it has a shaver plug.

The comb takes round 12 hours to cost, and if one particular person is utilizing it, you’ll have to cost it roughly each two weeks. That is about the one method this iO is just not a step up from the basic Oral-B brushes. If you would like magnetic quick charging, you’ll have to take a look at an iO7 or above.

The iO4 shares the identical fluid form as the opposite iO fashions and at first look, there may be little to decide on between them. It is available in a number of color choices: black, white, mild blue and lavender. I’m testing the sunshine blue mannequin. As you’ll see from the images, iO brush heads solely are available black or white, so go for the lavender or blue and also you’ll get a two-colour brush.

There are two buttons on the deal with: one for on/off and one to scroll by means of the 4 brushing modes.

There’s a lightweight ring across the neck of the comb, which has quite a few makes use of. Within the app, you’ll be able to select from certainly one of ten vivid colors to personalise it. And whenever you’re accomplished your assigned brushing time, the sunshine ring will cycle by means of the spectrum of colors as a type of dental well being equal of a high-five.

The sunshine ring’s key use, nevertheless, is as a stress sensor. It’ll mild up in crimson in the event you’re urgent too laborious and glow inexperienced whenever you get it excellent.

As you may think, the iO4 has the only look of the sequence. The place the iO6 and above have a display screen, and the iO5 shows its 5 brushing modes, the iO4 simply has a grippy rubber strip – there’s no show in any respect. This isn’t essentially an issue, but it surely does imply chances are you’ll want to enter the app to substantiate your brushing mode (extra on this later).

Emma Rowley / Foundry

By the way, I’m evaluating the iO4 with the opposite iO fashions so you realize what you’re getting and the place the compromises are, however actually, I feel that this brush has the whole lot you want for actually good dental care: good brushing efficiency, a timer and a stress sensor.

Efficiency

• 4 brushing modes
• Quiet in use
• Strain sensor and brushing timer

Most significantly, what you’ll be able to count on is great brushing efficiency. We expect that iO fashions are considerably higher than basic Oral-B brushes. That’s actually the explanation to purchase one.

Swap the comb on and use a agency press on the second button to modify between modes. The iO4 is quiet in use, with only a small noticeable change in vibration between completely different modes.

The modes are whiten, each day clear, delicate and gum care. For most individuals, this can be loads. No, there’s no devoted tongue cleansing mode, however the toothbrushing police aren’t going to come back for you in the event you use one other setting to brush your tongue.

Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a indicator on the comb itself to let you realize which brushing mode you’re utilizing – and it may be laborious to distinguish between them by vibration solely. To verify the mode, you’ll want to enter the app to test.

However as soon as in there, you’ll be able to decide to re-order modes (in order that the one you employ most comes on first) and switch off those you’re not utilizing. So, you might take away delicate and each day clear, and place whiten first. You then’d know you had been utilizing whiten as your each day brushing mode, with a secondary gum care possibility. Nevertheless, this does imply that if you wish to share the comb, you must agree on the identical personalisation.

By the way, if you wish to share an iO brush, the fashions don’t have interchangeable plastic rings in several colors like these that include the basic brush heads. As an alternative, there are symbols printed on to distinguish between them.

Emma Rowley / Foundry

As you sweep, you’ll get suggestions within the type of the sunshine ring stress sensor, plus stutter alerts (a change within the vibration) to let you realize to maneuver on to a brand new part of your mouth each 30 seconds. After two minutes, there’s an extended stutter to let you realize you’ll be able to cease.

The app

• Swap brushing modes on and off
• Routinely tailor brush settings for braces or different dental points
• Brushing session data

The iO brushes are all sensible brushes however in the event you’re not into that type of factor, the excellent news is that you simply don’t really want the iO4’s sensible options in day-to-day use.

However if you wish to personalise the comb – and that could be a key a part of it arrange – you’ll have to obtain the app (free and accessible for Apple and Android), make an account and pair your brush.

It will mean you can change on and off brushing modes, change the color of the sunshine ring, change the general brushing time (from 1 to 4 minutes 30) and change off the 30 second alerts.

You’ll additionally be capable of see data in your previous brushing periods (time and overpressure). There’s additionally the choice to embark on a “dental care journey”. If in case you have braces or bleeding gums, for instance, the app will mechanically regulate your brush’s settings for a specified time interval, that can assist you to care higher on your tooth.

Lastly, in the event you do need real-time brushing suggestions, you’ll be able to open the app whereas brushing and see a countdown timer and stress sensor onscreen.

Foundry

If you would like extra real-time brushing suggestions, the iO Sequence 5 contains a sensor you should utilize along with the app that can assist you to higher deal with getting all-over protection whenever you brush.

Worth and availability

Within the US, the iO10 has an MSRP of $100, though on the time of writing it’s typically offered for round $79.99. You should buy it at this worth from Amazon, Goal and Walmart.

Within the UK, issues are a bit extra sophisticated. It has an RRP of £240 however you clearly shouldn’t pay that for it. On the time of writing, many retailers are promoting it for round £90-£95, together with Currys, Boots and Amazon.

Verdict

The place brushing efficiency is worried, the iO4 is sensible, like all of the Oral-B iO brushes. The vary is dear however in the event you aren’t too apprehensive in regards to the frills, the iO4 is the most affordable approach to get on board.

Nonetheless, it does imply utilizing the app, for set-up at the least. And that could be off-putting. It’s not unreasonable for individuals who’ve paid $80/£100 to count on to see the brushing modes displayed on the deal with. However, in the event you’re glad to make use of an app for set-up and might take care of the lower than stellar battery life, we’d suggest it.

However the lack of brushing mode symbols on the deal with does make it tougher to share. If you wish to personalise it, it’ll imply re-pairing each time you sweep. Plus, sharing it between two individuals means one 12-hour charging session per week – and that’ll rise if children use it as nicely.

For extra electrical toothbrush choices and to search out out which brushes we suggest, take a look at our round-up of the perfect electrical toothbrushes we’ve examined.