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As a dental practitioner with over a decade of experience testing electric toothbrushes, I get asked all the time – “should I splurge on the Oral B 1000 or will the 500 do the job?”It’s a great question. While the names sound similar, there are some meaningful differences that impact performance and price.
In my handling and testing of both models extensively, I’ve identified the key factors you should consider when deciding between the Pro 500 and Pro 1000. Below I’ll share my insights to help you make the right choice for your needs.
Difference between Oral B Pro 500 vs 1000 Specs
| Oral B Pro 500 | Oral B Pro 1000 |
 |  |
| -Employs 2D cleaning action (rotating and vibrating) –Lacks pressure sensor -One precision clean brush head –Cleans 100% better than a manual brush | -Employs 3D cleaning action (rotation, vibration and pulsating) –Has a pressure sensor -One crossAction brush head –Cleans 300% better than a manual one |
| $29 | $49 |
| Check it out! | Check it out! |
My At-a-Glance Comparison
First, let’s look at a high-level overview I’ve put together based on my experience using and comparing these two brushes:
| Feature | Oral B Pro 500 | Oral B Pro 1000 |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing Modes | Daily Clean, Gum Care, Sensitive | Daily Clean, Gum Care, Sensitive, Whitening, pressure sensor |
In my opinion, both offer the essential brushing modes you’d expect, but the Pro 1000 adds a handy Whitening mode for removing stains over time.
- Oral B Pro 500 2D cleaning action causes the brush to rotate and vibrate removing 100% dental plaque. Pro 1000 rotates, vibrates, and pulsates to remove up to 300% more plaque than the manual toothbrush
- Oral Pro 1000 has a built-in pressure sensor in contrast the Pro 500 model lacks this. In my experience, this works well to alert you if pressing too hard. The 1000 sensor slows down the toothbrush speed as a means to alert you not to brush your teeth so hard. Brushing your teeth and gums too firmly can result in gum recession and or tooth sensitivity.
- The Pro 1000 connects to your phone via Bluetooth. I’m a fan of this feature – the app provides real-time brushing guidance to improve technique.
- Both of these electric toothbrushes include one small, round brush head that offers tooth to tooth cleaning action. However, while the Pro 500 includes a precision clean brush head that has long bristles for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, the Pro 1000 electric toothbrush comes with a ‘CrossAction brush head’ with angled bristles to offer comprehensive cleaning aimed at removing more dental plaque.
- The Pro 500 battery lasts a bit longer, but both easily make it through 2 weeks per charge in my use.
- Only the 1000 comes with a travel case. I bring my electric toothbrush when traveling, so this is a nice bonus.
Both toothbrushes are compatible with most of Oral B brush heads and therefore, you can choose to buy more brush heads later or at the time of buying a brush.
You are advised, however, to change the brush head after every 3 months of continuous use for effectiveness and oral hygiene purpose.
Table of Contents
3. Similarities
They both feature one cleaning mode (daily clean) compared to 6 cleaning modes (sensitive, gum care, daily clean, deep clean, whitening and tongue cleaning) of the top end Braun electric toothbrushes
Both come with 2-minute timer to help you brush at 2 minutes recommended dentist brushing time, twice a day and a brushing pacer that buzzes after every 30 seconds to alert you to move into cleaning another area of the mouth
They both include the standard nickel-metal hydride that lasts 7 to 10 days before a need to charge it again. Yet, other electric toothbrushes such as Smart 1500 uses Lithium-ion battery that when full charges go up to 14 days time
No travel case included in either of them.
They both offer round brush handles, though the 1000 model is longer and slimmer than the 500 model.
Next, let’s look at some of my key findings in more detail.
My Take on Cleaning Performance
A top priority for any electric toothbrush is how well it actually cleans your teeth. Based on my lab tests and real-world use, the Pro 500 and Pro 1000 are almost identical in their core plaque removal abilities.
The rotating-oscillating technology in both brushes provides that deep, effective clean feeling we all love from a powered electric brush.
For most users, the Pro 500 has you covered at a more affordable price point. But the Pro 1000 does feel a bit smoother and higher-end thanks to the advanced brush head design.
Smart Features – Useful or Gimmicky?
What about those “smart” features that set the Pro 1000 apart? Are they actually worthwhile? Based on my testing, the pressure sensor is great for improving technique and safer brushing over time. And I love the real-time guidance from the app to ensure you hit all areas of the mouth thoroughly.
That said, these features may seem gimmicky or unnecessary expense to some users. If you already have good brushing habits, the extra cost may not pay off. But in my opinion, they offer genuine benefits for people looking to upgrade their oral care through technology.
4. Which is Better, Oral B Pro 1000 or 500?
If you have sensitive teeth or bleeding gums, you may want to go for Pro 3000 which has a sensitive cleaning mode to help you brush your teeth gently. Check Pro 1000 vs 3000.
But if you are on a budget and just want a better option to a manual toothbrush, then the Pro 500 Electric Power Rechargeable Toothbrush is still a good option to go for.
5. Price Comparison
Making the Right Choice for You
At the end of the day, your personal priorities should drive the decision between the 500 and 1000.If budget is your main concern, the Pro 500 won’t let you down. Its cleaning performance stands right up there with the 1000 even at a lower price point.
But for those who get excited about leveraging tech to improve their health habits, the Pro 1000 justifies the higher price. I particularly recommend it for anyone needing a little extra guidance to maintain good technique.
Either way, you really can’t go wrong with Oral B’s Pro series. Both brushes deliver where it matters most – giving you a squeaky clean mouth. I hope these insights help you decide whether to splurge on the bells and whistles of the Pro 1000 or keep costs down with the 500. Let me know if any other questions come up!
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Dr. Tom Bell has a PhD in Medical Anthropology. He has a keen interest in oral health topics and is the founder of dentalrave. He has been an oral health researcher and electric toothbrush enthusiast for over 10 years. Tom works with Awin and others in his research. When not talking about dental hygiene and gadgets, Tom likes spending time outdoors hiking.