Oral-B Genius X vs Genius 9000

Detailed comparison: what’s the difference between the Genius X and 9000?

If I can start this comparison with a summary, I think this will really help grasp why the Genius X exists and how it compares to the 9000.

The Genius X is a slight refinement on the Genius 9000. It makes using the ‘smart’ elements of the brush a bit more convenient on a daily basis.

Existing Genius 9000 owners have no need to upgrade or replace their brush with the Genius X 20,000. There is no significant value in doing so from my point of view..

Both brushes can track the position of the electric toothbrush in your mouth, in order to build up a picture of how you brush, what areas you brush and for how long.

However, the older Genius 9000 tracks this movement by using the front-facing camera on your smartphone. The Genius X, on the other hand, uses sensors built into the toothbrush handle and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

When using the Genius 9000, you have to mount your smartphone in the supplied smartphone suction cup mount. You then open the app, align yourself with the camera and it watches you as you brush.

Principally this is clever and it works for the most part, but it is a bit of a clunky approach.

Not only do you need a suction cup holder for your smartphone in your bathroom, you have to stand fairly still whilst brushing also. It adds extra time to brushing your teeth and makes the process feel a bit controlled.

The changes in technology and implementation of AI with the X, means you essentially get the same effect. However, you need not mount your smartphone in a mount, you need not stay perfectly still and it is less hassle to use on a daily basis.

Neither option is completely perfect, but they kind of don’t need to be.

From my experience, I would suggest they have similar accuracy, therefore, the Genius X is more appealing as it is less hassle.

Built into the Genius X handle are position detection sensors, a gyroscope and accelerometer that work together with the software to track the position.

The so-called AI part of the puzzle is the smartphone app interpreting this data, comparing it to the large data bank Oral-B have on file, learning from this and evolving the in app coaching to help you brush better.

Both are geared to helping you overall brush your teeth more effectively and generally improve your oral health; they just do it in fractionally different ways.

It should be noted that whilst for either brush you download the same application from your smartphones app store (Android or iOS), the app behaves slightly differently depending on which brush you connect. For the most part they are the same, but the configuration and setup is slightly different with the 9000 to the X, because of the position detection system the 9000 uses.

As a result of the Genius 9000 requiring the holder for your smartphone, one of these comes supplied in the box. This is not the case with the Genius X.

However, whilst it need not be a suction cup holder, it would be nice to see some sort of stand included with the X. Without it, you have to realistically hold the smartphone in your hand or have it close by when your brush. Ideally, you want it right in your eye-line so you can monitor your brushing approach, but also your brushing time.

Holding your phone whilst you hold the toothbrush in the other is not a make or break issue, but just something to be aware of.

When you purchase the Genius 9000, you get 4 brush heads included in the box, no matter what variant. In most instances you will get 2 x CrossAction, 1 x 3D White and 1 x Sensi UltraThin brush heads.

However, if you purchase the Genius 9000 Midnight Black you will get 4 x CrossAction brush heads, that are black in colour. And if you purchase the Genius 9000S, you will get 1 x CrossAction, 1 x 3D White and 2 x Sensi UltraThin.

With the Genius X, the number of brush heads supplied depends on the model purchased.

The standard Genius X comes with just 1 brush head. However, if you purchase the premium luxe model, then you get 4 brush heads in the box.

With the standard Genius X in black, you get 1 x CrossAction brush head in black, whilst with the rose gold variant, you get 1 x Sensi UltraThin. Buy the luxe model in rose gold and you get 4 x Sensi UltraThin heads, whilst the anthracite grey luxe model will offer 4 x CrossAction heads in black colour.

And, as my last point about the brush heads has highlighted, the Genius X comes in 3 main colour options. Rose gold, black and anthracite grey.

The rose gold is available as a standard and luxe model whilst the black is confined to a standard model and the grey a luxe variant.

The Genius 9000, on the other hand, is available in 6 different colour options. Those choices include white, rose gold, silver, orchid purple, black and midnight black.

Now, these colours tend not to be the whole handle, but instead just the insert within the panel that runs down the front of the brush handle.

Some of the hands-on images throughout this comparison best demonstrate this.

The choice of brush handle colour does in part affect the travel case supplied.

Technically the travel case supplied with the 9000 or Genius X is the same. However, the colours are slightly different.

Buy the 9000 and in most instances, the case is white in colour, but the black and midnight black comes with a black coloured travel case.

With the Genius X, the rose gold variant comes with a white case and the black, a black case.

Differentiating themselves slightly, the luxe variants have a pattern printed on the case.

With the anthracite grey variant, the primary colour of the case is black, but the pattern is a gloss back contrasting with the duller matt finish which adorns the majority of the case.

On the rose gold luxe variant, the case is white, but the pattern is predominantly silver with a few gold accents.

Another small, but possibly important difference is that the Genius X does not come with the brush head storage compartment that the Genius 9000 does.

The compartment fits around the charging stand and gives a home to 4 brush heads. The heads lay almost flat and there is a lid that covers the head to protect them.

To be fair all the Genius 9000 models come with 4 heads, where the Genius X comes with either 1 or 4, so perhaps this is why it is excluded.

This storage compartment can be purchased as an optional accessory should you like to have it.

Another accessory that Oral-B has offered in the past, is something called the smart wireless guide.  It is essentially a small countertop unit that connects to the brush, tracking how long you have been brushing for, rating your cleaning performance and showing the active cleaning mode. It’s almost like having the app when the app is not to hand.

It is not supplied with the 9000 or the X, but it is quite a popular accessory. However, the Genius X does not work with it, only the 9000 does.

The last difference between these 2 toothbrushes is the price.

The official retail price of the Genius 9000 is £299.99 whilst the Genius X is £339.99 and £359.99 for the standard and luxe model.

In reality, both sell for approximately 50-60% less than this.

Whilst prices are always subject to change and do vary from one retailer to another, generally speaking, the Genius 9000 that launched in 2016 sells for less than the Genius X that launched in 2019.

As a rough average, the Genius 9000 sells for around £135, whilst the X sells for £165 (standard) and £169 (luxe).

In fact, the 9000 has often been sold on special offers at around £99.

For the £20-30 premium that the X commands, it arguably justifiable. However, anything more than this and you might want to consider the Genius 9000, given such few differences actually exist.

If you could buy it at £99, a £60+ saving is fairly sizeable.

This then concludes how these 2 Oral-B Genius smart toothbrushes differ.

There are of course many similarities between them. The following is a list, for your confirmation of features they both share.

Both the Genius 9000 and Genius X 20000 have:

• 2 minute timer
• 30 second quadpacer
• Pressure sensor
• LED smart ring customisable 1 of 12 colours
• Fixed internal lithium-ion battery capable of up to 16 days battery life
• Water resistance
• 3D oscillating-rotating and pulsating cleaning action
• 6 brushing modes
• 5 cleaning icons on the brush handle
• Rubber grip on the rear of the brush handle
• A separate power button and cleaning mode button
• Charging stand included with a 2 pin (UK bathroom power connector) in the box that works on 220-240v
• Charger for the travel case a 2 pin (UK bathroom power connector) that works on 100-240v
• 2 year warranty extendable up to 3 years when registered online with Oral-B

Does one clean better than the other?

No.

The motor, brush head power, movements and cleaning modes are identical between these 2 electric toothbrushes.

If you could use both brushes in identical circumstances they would clean exactly the same.

The only real argument to suggest that the Genius X could clean better than the 9000 is the way that the AI has been implemented and the feedback it gives you.

To be honest, this is getting into very granular details and would be nigh on impossible to monitor and confirm.

With the right technique either will leave your teeth feeling fantastically clean and your gums healthier in a short space of time.

Do be aware that brushing correctly with an electric toothbrush is very important, you won’t gain the same benefits if used incorrectly, so it is worth familiarising yourself with the correct brushing technique that I explain here.

Is one better priced than the other?

Yes.

Oral-B set the recommended retail price.

For the Genius 9000, this is £299.99.

The Genius X is £339.99 for the standard and £359.99 for the luxe variant.

As you can see, this is a premium of anywhere between £40 and £60.

Both are premium brushes, but thankfully, for the most part, both can be purchased for significantly less than these recommended prices.

In fact, most of the time, they sell in the region of 50-60% less. At half the price, that is quite some saving.

Prices are always subject to change and do vary considerably from one retailer to another. The best prices tend to be found online through major online stores.

As the Genius 9000 has been on the market since 2016 it is subject to further discounts and promotional pricing. On a number of occasions, it has been offered at just £99.

Going by the average pricing data, the Genius 9000 sells for £135, whilst the X sells for £165 and £169.

When the price difference is around £20, the Genius X just about works out the better buy on the basis it is more convenient to use on a daily basis.

If you are able to pick the Genius 9000 up with a lower price than the average, it may be worth serious consideration as so few differences really exist.

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.