Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Overall, this is an excellent toothbrush when it comes to performance. Like all other Oral-B models, the Genius 8000 model does an outstanding job of cleaning teeth, and offers a wide range of speed/cycle options to ensure it fits as many needs as possible. However, it is not all that impressive with regard to build quality compared with older Oral-B models and has a more raucous sound when operating. The app is more capable than ones from Sonicare, but still remains a “frill” rather than a really useful utility. The overall appearance of this model is very sleek. It’s all black, and looks less utilitarian than most other electric brushes. The downside of the black finish is that it highlights every little spec of toothpaste that gets flung about when using the brush, and also shows water spots after washing. So, if you’re a stickler for a super pristine look, be prepared to wipe this down often. The brush body is very lightweight, which is a plus if you have older hands. However, it does feel less sturdy than older Oral-B models. I know that does not necessarily translate into lower durability/longevity, but it may be contributing to the operating sounds. This is louder and more “grinding” sounding than older models regardless of the mode selected. It has the “Smart Ring” which is a band around the handle at the base of the brush head that provides visual feedback as to timing and pressure. It’s a useful feature but can be a bit annoying at times. I have to say I still find the external monitor from the older Pro models to be more to my liking than the Smart Ring. It comes with three different brush heads, and is compatible with the full range of Oral-B heads. For me, that’s always been Oral-B’s main advantage over Sonicare. I prefer the shape and size of the Oral-B heads (they are usually round) plus they are usually less expensive than Sonicare heads. One outstanding improvement over older models is the use of a Li-ion battery. It avoids the memory effect of other types of rechargeable batteries, and provides consistent power right up until it’s empty. The app shows improvements over Oral-B’s initial efforts, and I find it to have a better look and feel than the Sonicare app. If having an app track your brushing gets you to brush more, great. For me, these apps are something to play with once and then never use again for two reasons: I don’t find they provide any more useful info than I get from the Smart Ring; and 2) I usually don’t have my phone in the bathroom. But, if you’re partial to integrating an app into your brushing routine, it’s available. While I still find the best value in Oral-B brushs are their older models (such as the Pro 5000 or 3000) this remains a good option if you like extra bells and whistles. While it loses a star due to the operating sound and build quality (considering the price point), it is otherwise a good performer.