Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Oral-B Pro 500
Best Mid-Budget UpgradePhilips Sonicare 1100
Best Ultra-BudgetPrice
$25-$40
$25-$30
Summary
Wirecutter's pick when you want oscillating cleaning at a lower price than the Pro 1000. Fewer features but the same core cleaning technology.
At $25 from Walmart, this is the cheapest way to get a real Sonicare in your bathroom. Bare-bones but from a trusted brand with widely available replacement heads.
Pros
- Oscillating brush head — same core tech as the Pro 1000
- Often cheaper than the Pro 1000
- Compatible with all Oral-B replacement heads
- Wirecutter-recommended as the budget oscillating pick
- Lowest price entry point for a brand-name sonic toothbrush (~$25)
- Philips brand reliability and quality
- Compatible with standard Sonicare replacement heads
- Available at Walmart for easy in-store pickup
Cons
- No pressure sensor (a key Pro 1000 feature)
- Fewer modes than the Pro 1000
- Less widely discussed in community forums than the Pro 1000
- Very basic — minimal modes and features
- Replacement heads (Sonicare C1) can add up in cost
- No pressure sensor at this price point
- Less powerful than higher Sonicare tiers
Our take
If the Pro 1000 is ever out of stock or on sale for less, the Pro 500 is a legitimate step-down that doesn't sacrifice the cleaning action that makes Oral-B great.
If $50 still feels like too much, the Sonicare 1100 is the move — it's a legitimate Sonicare at half the price of the 4100, and it gets the job done.
Buy
