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Published: January 6, 2024

Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000

Author: Jon Love (8 Comments)
Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 1

Editor's note

These brushes are now quite old, but they're still good electric toothbrushes. Our top choice was the 9000, but it has now been discontinued. You may still pick one up for a good price on Ebay – see our links in the next section.

If you want a more up to date brush, another option comparable to these is the Oral-B iO6.

Our choice: Genius 9000

Our choice: Oral-B Genius 9000 / eBay / ~£50.00

2nd choice: Oral-B Smart 5 5000 / Amazon, eBay / ~£102.94

3 very similar, yet different electric toothbrushes, all with smart features thanks to Bluetooth connectivity.

The Genius 9000 is my overall recommendation between these three, although it's also worth checking out our latest recommendation for the best electric toothbrush.

The Smart 6 is a very capable toothbrush, but sadly it is sort of lost between these two models and really would only be the one to go for if the price was particularly favourable.

Key differences

Find out more
Electric Teeth Rating
Retail price
Approximate 3 year cost
Cleaning Action
Number of cleaning modes
Brushing intensities
Timer
Pacer
Pressure Sensor
Battery life
Battery type
Number of heads included
Travel case included
Bluetooth connectivity
Position tracking
Noise
Warranty
Our Choice
Oral-B Genius 9000
Oral-B Genius 9000
Oral-B Smart 6 6000
Oral-B Smart 6 6000
Oral-B Smart 5 5000
Oral-B Smart 5 5000
- Review Review
Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7
Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7
Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7 Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7
£370 £220 £170
£240 £127 £1172
Oscillating-rotating & pulsating (3D) Oscillating-rotating & pulsating (3D) Oscillating-rotating & pulsating (3D)
6 5 5
- - -
yes yes yes
30 second quadpacer 30 second quadpacer 30 second quadpacer
yes yes yes
14 days 14 days 14+ (plus) days
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
4 3 3
yes yes -
yes yes yes
yes yes -
77dB 77dB 75dB
2 years 2 years 2 years

Smart 5 v Smart 6 6000

  • The design of the brush handles are different.
  • The Smart 6 has a separate cleaning mode button and icons for the different modes.
  • The Smart 6 has a Smart Ring that doubles as a pressure sensor.
  • The Smart 6 comes with a premium travel case.
  • The Smart 5 5000 comes with a brush head storage compartment that holds up to 4 heads whilst the Smart 6 6000 comes with a brush head stand that holds 2 brush heads.
  • The Smart 5 5000 comes in a White/White colour configuration compared to the Silver Blue/White of the Smart 6.
  • The Smart 5 5000 is the cheaper of the two.

Smart 5 5000 v Genius 9000

  • The design of the brush handles are different.
  • The Genius 9000 has an extra cleaning mode, Tongue Clean over the other 5 they share.
  • The Genius 9000 has a separate cleaning mode button and icons for the different modes.
  • The Genius 9000 has a Smart Ring that doubles as a pressure sensor.
  • The Genius 9000 has position detection technology.
  • The Genius 9000 comes with a suction cup smartphone holder compared to the smartphone stand of the Smart 5.
  • The Smart 5 5000 has a better battery life, lasting 16 days compared to 12 of the Genius 9000.
  • The Genius 9000 comes with a premium travel case.
  • The Smart 5 5000 comes in a White/White colour configuration compared to the Silver. White, Rose Gold, Orchid Purple and Black colour combinations of the 9000.
  • The Genius 9000 comes with 4 brush heads in the box compared to the 3 with the Smart 5.  (2 x CrossAction, 1 x 3D White & 1 x Sensi UltraThin v 1 x CrossAction, 1 x 3D White & 1 x Sensi UltraThin)
  • The Smart 5 5000 is the cheaper of the two.
Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 21

Smart 6 6000 v Genius 9000

  • The Genius 9000 has an extra cleaning mode, Tongue Clean. The other five cleaning modes are shared by the two brushes
  • The Genius 9000 has position detection technology.
  • The Genius 9000 comes with a suction cup smartphone holder compared to the smartphone stand of the Smart 6.
  • The Genius 9000 comes with a premium travel case.
  • The Smart 6 6000 has a better battery life, lasting 16 days compared to 12 of the Genius 9000.
  • The Genius 9000 comes with a brush head storage compartment that holds up to 4 heads whilst the Smart 6 6000 comes with a brush head stand that holds 2 brush heads.
  • The Smart 6 6000 comes in a Blue/White colour configuration compared to the Silver. White, Rose Gold, Orchid Purple and Black colour combinations of the 9000.
  • The Genius 9000 comes with 4 brush heads in the box compared to the 3 with the Smart 6.  (2 x CrossAction, 1 x 3D White & 1 x Sensi UltraThin v 1 x CrossAction, 1 x 3D White & 1 x Sensi UltraThin)
  • The Smart 6 6000 is the cheaper of the two.

Please note. Every effort is made to ensure the key differences listed are correct, but these differences are subject to change without notice. Products and the box contents can be changed without notice and different variants can exist.

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Oral-B Smart 5, Smart 6 and Genius 9000?

3 very capable electric toothbrushes all with slight differences.

The above summaries show how the brushes compare side by side, but this written description will not look at all 3 and explain those differences in a bit more detail and what this actually means to you and I as users.

Starting with the design.  Aside from the colour the Smart 6 and Genius 9000 are essentially identical.  The Smart 5 5000 is the slimmer of the 3.

Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 2

All are made primarily of a plastic construction, the main body on all is a gloss White plastic, the Genius 9000 Black being the exception.

On the front of the Smart 5 5000 is a rubber grip that runs top to bottom, this is White in colour, to give the 5000 and all White colour tone.

The Smart 6 6000 on the other hand as a Silver/Blue panel on the front of the handle that is plastic and sets it apart from the 5000.

The Genius 9000 has the same coloured panel of the 6000, but rather than the Silvery-Blue, it is offered in White, Silver, Rose Gold and Orchid Purple.  There is too an all Black colour option, which makes this panel and the rest of the handle Black too.

The back of the Smart 5’s brush handle is all plastic with grips from ridges in the plastic, whilst the Smart 6 and Genius have a White rubber grip, all down the back of the handle.

The Smart 5 has a single power button on the front, that not only activates the brush but changes the cleaning modes.

On the other two there is a power button, but there is too another button, this is the cleaning mode button.  You press this to change the cleaning modes.

Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 4

Unlike the Smart 5, the Smart 6 and Genius 9000 actually have icons that illuminate with a White light to show which cleaning mode is selected.

Situated within the panel below the buttons, these icons are a lot smarter and more practical than the Smart 5. However, there is no icon for the standard Daily Clean mode, which is a bit strange.

On first glance, the Smart 6 and Genius looks the more appealing.  Of course it is personal opinion, but overall the very slightly slimmer profile and rubber fronted Smart 5 feels better in the hand.

The brushes differ in size as follows.

The Smart 5 5000:

  • Height (without head) – 19.5cm
  • Height (with head) – 23.5cm
  • Width – 2.3cm
  • Thickness – 2.9cm
  • Weight (without head) – 123g
  • Weight (with head) – 129g

The Smart 6 6000:

  • Height (without head) – 20.5cm
  • Height (with head) – 24cm
  • Width – 2.7cm Thickness – 3.2cm
  • Weight (without head) – 132g
  • Weight (with head) – 138g

The Genius 9000:

  • Height (without head) – 20.5cm
  • Height (with head) – 24cm
  • Width – 2.7cm
  • Thickness – 3.2cm
  • Weight (without head) – 134g
  • Weight (with head) – 140g

At the neck of the brush is where we find another difference.

On the Smart 5 5000 is a Red plastic panel that illuminates when the pressure sensor is activated.  This panel is primarily on the rear but sweeps into the sides of the handle.

Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 5

On the other 2, this is replaced with a ring that runs 360 degrees around the handle.  This does too illuminate Red when the pressure sensor is activated, but too can be set to 1 of 12 different colours via the smartphone app.  This ring then is lit that colour whilst the brush is switched on.

The ring offers a bit of personalisation to the brush but in no way changes the clean.

Its smart and I like the fact it can be personalised, but it brings little benefit other than perhaps a larger surface area to draw your attention too when the pressure sensor is activated.

With the aesthetics covered, let’s look at some of the other differences.

The 9000 does benefit from one extra, 6th, cleaning mode.  Tongue Clean.  A slightly lower powered mode it last for 20 seconds and as the name implies it is for cleaning the tongue, something many overlook when brushing.  Did you know it’s one of the biggest causes of bad breath!

Genius 9000 Orchid Purple Close Up
Above: Genius 9000 Orchid Purple Close Up

All come with brush heads included in the box.

The Smart 5 and 6 come with 3 in the box, they are 1 x CrossAction, 1 x 3D White and 1 x Sensitive/Sensi UltraThin.  The Genius 9000 on the other hand comes with an extra CrossAction brush head in the box, so 4 heads in total.

Oral-B Brush Head Close Up

Each of the brush heads work slightly differently to achieve different results and work best with specific cleaning modes.  You can read our guide to Oral-B brush heads to find out more and understand the differences.

To aid with the cleaning these brushes all connect to an Android or iOS smartphone with the partnering application and this is what makes these brushes so special.  I cover the connectivity and how it works in more detail in the reviews of these brushes (links at the bottom of this comparison).

However, the Genius 9000 offers an extra feature compared to the Smart 5 and 6.

This feature is position detection.

The app uses the front facing camera on your smartphone to watch how the brush is moved and position within the mouth, for real time feedback and instruction and guidance on how to clean your teeth better.

How you brush your teeth is as important as how long you brush for really and many do it all wrong, so to be shown how to do it right is great.

It is clever and does work, to a point.

You need to spend extra time setting up and getting yourself positioned when brushing.  You need to stay fairly still when brushing too.  I like it, but for the vast majority, the benefits are outweighed by the hassle of setting it all up.

With patience and a commitment, it will have a positive impact, but if you already rush as much as possible when brushing, this might not be for you.  Although, checking your technique every so often might not be a bad thing, to brush up on your skills and oral health.

Genius 9000 Box Contents
Above: Genius 9000 Box Contents

As a result of using your smartphone camera, you need to align this with your face.  So another difference is the 9000 comes with a suction cup smartphone holder that is designed to fix to a mirror or tiled wall in your bathroom.

It has to be at head height to allow it to work properly and it will accommodate most phones.  However, such an item on your bathroom wall or mirror will not be for everyone.

The other 2 brushes come with a countertop mounted smartphone stand, that you simply dock your phone into, so you can see the onscreen timer and information.  It can be easily moved and repositioned and you need not constantly look at it.

All come with a travel case which I think is often an underrated inclusion in the box.

Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 6

Fundamentally whilst all 3 protect the brushes when in transit from damage and accidental activation, they all vary slightly.

That supplied with the Smart 6 is said to be a bit more premium than the 5000 and the Genius 9000 is even more premium again.

All hold the handle and up to 2 brush heads.

All are of plastic construction but the Genius 9000 is finished in a slightly different material, slightly softer to the touch.

Genius 9000 Rose Gold in travel case
Above: Genius 9000 Rose Gold in travel case

The case with the 5000 is transparent and rounded in shape whilst the case with the Smart 6 is all White in colour and although rounded has a flatter profile, it does too feel a little more robust.

Enter the case for the Genius 9000.  An enhanced version of that supplied with the 6, it is a bit chunkier, heavier and feels every bit more premium.  It’s unique feature though, it the ability to charge the brush in the case via the supplied power adapter.  It does too have a USB port on the case.

What this means, is you can connect the mains charger to the case to charge the brush.  At the same time by connecting your USB charging cable for your smartphone, using passthrough power, you can charge your phone at the same time, with only one adapter connected to the mains socket on the wall.

A bonus feature too is the built in smartphone stand to the lid of the Genius case.

I prefer the case with the Smart Genius, but needless to say the others are perfectly functional.

Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 7

In the box with the Smart 5 5000 and Genius 9000 is a really great brush head storage compartment.

A tray that holds up to 4 different brush heads, there is a transparent lid that closes over the top but will also allow air to reach the heads and dry them.

With the more Smart 6 6000, instead of this tray you get a brush head stand, a moulded piece of plastic that clips around the charging stand.  It has 2 prongs on it, on which up to 2 brush heads can sit.

Smart 6 brush head stand
Above: Smart 6 brush head stand

It does provide a home for spare heads but they remain exposed and it feels poor in comparison to the Smart 5 and Genius.

Not a major difference, but perhaps noteworthy is that in our hands on testing the Smart 5 achieved 16 days usage time (based on 2 cleans of 2 minutes per day) whilst the Smart 6 achieved 18 days.  Officially Oral-B suggest both brushes have a battery life of 2 plus weeks.

Sadly this is where the Genius 9000 falls down.  Whilst being the flagship it offers a maximum of 12 days.

a close up of the Smart 5 battery indicators
Above: a close up of the Smart 5 battery indicators

In reality, for most this is fine, but it could be better given it’s the most expensive brush in the Oral-B range.  Other brands offer brushes a fraction of the cost that beat this by a long way.

All 3 use Lithium-Ion batteries compared to the older Nickel Metal Hydride batteries found on some models.

Aside from the aforementioned differences, the brushes are the same.

All brushes have timers and pacers built-in, come with a charging stand, are water resistant and have a 2 year warranty.

Does one clean better than the other?

No.

All the brushes deliver the same number of movements, both oscillations and pulsations.

A significant step up from a manual brush, all will give you healthier teeth and gums as a result of use, if used with the correct brushing technique.

Oral-B Smart 5 5000 vs Smart 6 6000 vs Genius 9000 8

Hypothetically the additional cleaning mode on the Genius 9000 might play a part in better oral health.

It would also be fair to say that if you were to correctly invest and spend time getting used to the position detection system offered by the 9000, long term you would see beneficial results

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes.

Whilst prices vary from retailer to retailer, the general pricing structure is such that the cheapest model is the Smart 5 5000, with the Smart 6 being cheaper than the more feature rich Genius 9000.

Smart 5 5000 box / packaging
Above: Smart 5 5000 box / packaging

This is always subject to change and it has been known to see the Genius 9000 available for less than the Smart 5 5000, but this is not common, more luck of the draw as to when you are buying.

As a rough guide, the Genius 9000 is sold around £140, the Smart 6 around £100 and the Smart 5, £80.

All sell for basically half their RRP price, most of the time.

Please note that all prices quoted are approximates and will vary based on location, supplier and time of purchase.  These figures were correct at the time of writing and should not be relied upon as hard fact, but used as a guide during your decision process.

Conclusion

If you want the best, then the Genius 9000 is the one to go for.

Technically in the cleaning and the features it offers, it is the most desirable and best suited.  It is the pinnacle of what Oral-B offer.

However, it’s price can be more than many are prepared to pay for and the position detection technology can be a bit fiddly to get to grips with on a daily basis.

The Smart 5 comes in then behind the Genius 9000 as the next best option.

The differences are not as great as one would first imagine, the clean is still great and it’s a lovely slim handheld unit.

In our opinion, subject to price, the Genius or Smart 5 will be the better option over the Smart 6.  Sadly the 6 feels a little lost in the range.  Where is gains by offering the cleaning icons on the handle it loses out by not having the better brush head storage compartment.

Draw your own conclusions as the time you are looking to purchase, but with any you will get a super toothbrush complete with Bluetooth connectivity.

Author: Jon Love

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RH
Rebecca Henderson
October 29, 2021

Hi I am a trained dental hygienist who has always (and still is) a big fan of oral B and the diversity and quality of products you offer to patients. However I wanted to give some feedback about the latest electric TB I recently purchased. I have had the smart 5000 toothbrush with a smart display for many many many years and was devastated when it reasonably gave up the go. I did a lot of research in what toothbrush to replace it with and decided on the oral B Genius 9000, due to the link and feedback with our mobile phones. I have encountered a few problems which are a little disappointing. My husband and I both want to link the brush to our phones separately and have customized brushing programmers, but we don't seem to be able to. His brushing routine comes up as unguided on my app? We are also struggling with changing the modes as we use the brush. I have set up whitening mode with a 2 week program on my app. My husband wants to use the daily clean or gum care mode but it will only go between whitening and tongue clean mode. Secondly the suction cup doesn't fit my apple I phone as it is to thick to fit the bracket. Lastly I have set up the face recognition but the guided brushing doesn't corollate with the sextant I am brushing meaning my results are incorrect, which is the main selling point of the brush. All of these factors are making me wonder what the benefit of a genius toothbrush is over a smart cheaper one? Thanks

JL
Jon Love - Chief tester
October 29, 2021

Hi Rebecca. Thanks for the comments. I would like to point out, we here at Electric Teeth are not part of nor affiliated with Oral-B. Just want to avoid any confusion as we don't have any involvement with the toothbrush design and manufacturing. We have simply written about them and to aid with much of the confusion that exists in the market. I can provide some responses to the questions/comments you make. The Oral-B brush and app is designed to work with 1 user only. To work best, both users need their own brush and own smartphone. There is technically a work around to allow 2 different users to use the same brush, but on different phones, but it is less than ideal. This, therefore, is why your husbands brushing sessions come up as unguided sessions on your app. This approach is the same for other models and other brands. It is a shame and something I would like to see changed. Technically it must be possible, but I don't know why Oral-B haven't done it. Probably because most people have their own brush handles. The inability to change cleaning modes is because you have set a 'whitening mode journey' on your app. This disables other brushing modes on the brush handles. I have written a more detailed explanation and video about this issue here. As regards the suction cup this is quite possible. I am not sure what iPhone model you have and whether it is in a case etc, but the latest models may well be too big. This holder was designed a few years ago when phones were smaller. When the camera is tracking your brushing, I believe it is working based on quadrants rather than sextants. Newer models, such as the Geniux X and Oral-B iO have sensors built into the handle to track the position, rather than using a phone camera and smartphone holder. I do hope this helps, even if it doesn't provide a solution to all of the issues you face.

RH
Rebecca Henderson
October 29, 2021

Thanks Jon! Great response! Very helpful!! I am sorry about the confusion. I was trying to email oral B directly (I now have) but going round in circles. Which lead me to your site! Really great info! Thanks

JL
Jon Love - Chief tester
October 29, 2021

No problem Rebecca. I wanted to make things clear 😁 I think it is interesting how complicated and difficult these products can be and how confusing manufacturers make their ranges. Even for a dental professional like yourself. Off topic slightly, but what are your key tips to patients and friends who want to take good care of their teeth?

MS
Mr S J Wilson
November 26, 2020

Thank you for you review, most helpful, I am upgrading my old oral b. One fault about the old model is its stablity, putting the brush on its back to apply the final dregs of tooth paste the unit becomes unstable and falls onto its side. Has this be addressed in the new models?

JL
Jon Love - Chief tester
November 26, 2020

Great question. They have little plastic mouldings on the back of the handle, that help stop the handle rolling on a countertop. The following image is of a Sonicare handle, but the same principle applies to Oral-B. It doesn't stop all rolling, but I believe it is enough for applying the last bit of toothpaste. A possible consideration is to use toothpaste tablets instead of regular toothpaste and then you would not have the issue at all 😀 I hope this helps. Notch on back of brush handle

RL
Rebecca Lohoar
June 19, 2020

I have actually recently purchased the smart 8000 and don’t regret it at all. Rather enjoy the facial recognition feature so would purchase the 9000 if I was in need of an upgrade

JL
Jon Love - Chief tester
June 19, 2020

Thanks for the feedback Rebecca, pleased to hear you are enjoying the brush.

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