Oral-B iO2 review: a smart, simple upgrade that nails the basics

Oral-B has long been a go-to name when it comes to the best electric toothbrushes, and for good reason. With a huge range of models to choose from, there's genuinely something for everyone, no matter your budget or preferences.

Launched just this January, the Oral-B iO2 is the brand’s latest entry-level option, designed for anyone ready to upgrade from manual brushing without diving into anything too high-tech. With an extended battery life and three brushing modes, it’s already proving to be a popular choice – and now, it's my turn to put it to the test.

Keep reading to find out what I really think of the Oral-B iO2, and whether it could be your new brushing essential.

Oral-B iO2 review: price and availability

The iO2 is positioned as the most budget-friendly pick in the iO lineup, with an RRP of £100 (around $130). It comes in four stylish colours – I've been testing the Forest Green version, and it looks great on my bathroom counter.

Since its launch, I’ve spotted the iO2 on offer across several retailers, and it’s even currently 50% off on Oral-B’s official store, which is a pretty decent saving.

Oral-B iO2 review: design and features

Design-wise, the iO2 keeps things sleek and simple. It features a smooth matte-finish handle and it’s slightly lighter than other iO models – about 117g without the brush head. There’s just one button, which handles both power and brushing modes, making it super straightforward to use.

You’ve got three brushing modes to play with – Super-Sensitive, Gentle and Daily Clean. It’s not overloaded with options, but it covers all the bases, especially for those with sensitive gums or just starting out with an electric toothbrush. There’s also a pressure sensor just above the button that lights up red if you're pressing too hard, and there's a built-in 2-minute timer with 30-second quadrant alerts.

The box includes the toothbrush itself, one iO brush head, travel case and a charger.

It’s compatible with all Oral-B iO replacement heads, but make sure you're buying iO-specific heads and not the standard Oral-B ones, as they're not interchangeable.

The iO brush heads also come with a handy usage indicator, meaning the blue bristles gradually fade over time. This lets you know when it's time to replace the head, which I think is a really smart and practical touch.

Oral-B iO2 review: performance

Using the Oral-B iO2 has been a genuinely positive experience for me, and there are lots of things I’ve really enjoyed about it. It was great to see all the key features you'd expect from a quality electric toothbrush – like a pressure sensor and a built-in timer – alongside three brushing modes. You usually only get one or two modes with a more 'basic' brush, so having a choice here was great. I quickly found that the Daily Clean mode worked best for me. However, on days when I brushed more than twice, I’d switch to the Gentle mode to avoid overdoing things.

The brush itself felt really comfortable to hold and wasn’t too heavy in the hand whilst brushing. I also absolutely loved the included travel case, and even though you have to detach the brush head to fit it inside, it wasn't too much of the problem.

Both the pressure sensor and timer felt accurate in use, but the light indicator above the power button is quite small, so it's not always easy to see when it's flashing. The same goes for when the battery is low, so a slightly larger or more visible light would’ve helped here.

That being said, one of the best things about the iO2 is its battery life. Now, it does take a full day (around 24 hours) to fully charge, but once it’s powered up, you can get a solid 5 to 6 weeks of use out of it. That’s one of the best battery performances I’ve seen in a while. I usually just popped it on charge in the morning before heading to work, and by the next morning, it was good to go.

After a few weeks of testing, I also noticed my teeth felt significantly cleaner than they did with a manual brush. A lot of reviews out there focus on the lack of app connectivity or smart brushing features that some of the higher-end models have. However, if you’ve read any of my previous reviews, you’ll know I’m not a huge fan of those extras, so I was pretty pleased to see they weren't included.

Oral-B iO2 review: verdict

The Oral-B iO2 is a simple yet highly effective electric toothbrush that delivers all the essentials without overcomplicating things. With three useful brushing modes, a pressure sensor, and an impressive battery life, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone switching from manual brushing. Whilst the indicator light could be more visible, its performance makes it a solid, no-fuss option that genuinely improves your brushing routine.

Oral-B iO2 review: alternatives to consider

If you’re intrigued by the iO series but fancy something a bit more high-tech, check out the Oral-B iO9. It's definitely a step up in price, but you get an interactive display and more features for those who love smart gadgets.

Another solid alternative is the Philips Sonicare 7100. It’s also on the pricier side, but offers more advanced settings and greater control.