![Oral-B Smart 1500 review 1](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Video_Thumbnail.jpg)
Everything you need at an affordable price point - just buy it
The 1500 has the essential features you want and not lots of unnecessary extras. This is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to achieve clean and healthy teeth.
We rate the Oral-B Smart 1500 is the best Oral-B electric toothbrush available today.
![Oral-B Smart 1500](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515IFc82sPL._SL500_.jpg)
Pros |
Cons |
---|---|
Easy to keep clean |
No icons on the handle to show which cleaning mode is selected |
Multiple clenaing modes |
Despite the name, it is not a ‘smart’ toothbrush |
American Dental Association (ADA) approved |
Defaults to the daily clean mode |
Dentist recommended features are built-in and perform as expected
We don’t have an extensive list of must-have features, but there are a few that our in-house dentists feel are really worthwhile: a 2 minute timer, a pacer and a pressure sensor. These are included in all but the cheapest of brushes these days.
![Oral-B Smart 1500 heald in a mans hand](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Electric_Toothbrush-60.jpg)
The 2 minute timer and pacer help you clean your teeth evenly
The pacer momentarily pauses the brushing action every 30 seconds to tell you to move on to the next part of the mouth. After 2 minutes the alert changes slightly to tell you that you have brushed for long enough.
Unlike some brushes, the Smart 1500 doesn’t power off automatically. This may be a disappointment to some, but it’s not a big issue.
The visible pressure sensor will alert you when you are brushing too hard
Scrubbing and using lots of force as you brush will damage the teeth and gums over the long term. Oral-B has for many years built pressure sensors into their toothbrushes and the 1500 is no exception.
When the handle detects you are brushing with excess force the motor will slow the brush head and the light ring at the top of the handle will illuminate red. When it does, you need to relieve the pressure until the light goes out.
It is relatively easy to spot out of the corner of the eye or in the mirror if you brush in front of one. You don’t get any vibration or alert through the handle like you do with the Sonicare 4100 Series.
If you know you have a habit of brushing with too much force, the Smart 1500 will help you rectify this.
A minor irk, in which no way affects daily use, is that the light is strongest on the backside of the ring, where the LED is located. It is not a consistently strong ring of red light as you might expect.
![Pressure sensor lit red as bristles splay on surfac](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Electric_Toothbrush-38.jpg)
The small round brush head reaches tight spaces and gives good cleaning results
Included in the box is a single brush head. Oral-B's oscillating-rotating brush heads are smaller than the sonic ones from the likes of Sonicare and can feel quite aggressive in comparison. They do make it easy to reach the tightest of spaces, though.
If you like an invigorating clean, the Smart 1500 certainly doesn’t disappoint. It sounds cliche, but a ‘dentist clean feeling’ really does apply here. Approved by the American Dental Association and backed by clinical evidence. Used correctly, the 1500 will remove plaque effectively.
If you are sensitive and don't like such a powerful clean, the softer Pro GumCare brush head and the lower powered cleaning mode can be beneficial.
![Top down look at Oral-B Smart 1500](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Electric_Toothbrush-58.jpg)
Whilst power is far from the most important factor in achieving good cleaning results, I am often asked how many oscillations and pulsations models offer.
The Smart 1500 series motor generates up to 8,800 oscillations and 40,000 pulsations per minute. The exact number depends on the brushing mode selected.
There are a number of differently styled, yet compatible Oral-B brush heads, but the key thing to know is that all things considered each head cleans comparably. Our preference is the softer Pro GumCare or the slightly firmer bristled CrossAction. Most dentists will advise a soft bristled brush, hence the Pro GumCare being a great option.
The brush handle won’t alert you when it’s time for a new brush head
On average you want to be replacing the head every 3 months. This ensures worn bristles are not being used for longer than they should and you therefore get the most effective and safest clean over this time.
Unlike the iO Series 3, 4 and 5 which have LEDs on the handle that light up when it is time to replace the brush head, the 1500 doesn’t.
If using the supplied CrossAction head the green bristles will gradually turn yellow over 3 months. Known as CleanMaximizer bristles, they are a visual clue it might be time to switch the head you are using.
If the head looks like it has seen better days, replace it. And even if it’s still not in bad shape after 3 months, it should still be swapped out.
![Oral-B Smart 1500 review 2](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Electric_Toothbrush-48.jpg)
Below average, but a reliable 2 weeks battery life from a full charge
2+ weeks is the claimed usable life of the Lithium-Ion battery sealed inside the brush handle, based on 2 cleans per day each 2 minutes in length. I achieved 19-20 days and have noticed much more consistent battery performance than the iO Series brushes.
But, at 2+ weeks it falls short of the industry average which is really at 3-4 weeks. By no means is this a deal breaker when considering the 1500.
When low, the battery notification LED will flash red and you may notice the motor slow. A full recharge takes up to 12 hours. The battery LED will flash green whilst charging, before turning off once complete.
The supplied white charging stand has a 3 foot/90cm power cable with a 2 pin power adapter. It supports 110-130v.
Electronics in the handle mean you can leave the brush on the stand at all times. Grime can build up on the stand, but it’s easily wiped clean.
![Smart 1500 toothbrush being placed on charging stand](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Electric_Toothbrush-14.jpg)
Good value for the features and performance
Although the retail price is $80, as a general rule, Oral-B brushes are discounted by around 10-20%, thus a purchase price of $65 is certainly achievable.
Factor in replacement brush heads which cost around $5 each and over 3 years, you will have a total ownership cost in the region of $120.
This is a fantastic price given the cleaning performance and dentist recommended features it boasts. It really is a must buy.
![Oral-B Smart 1500 review 3](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Electric_Toothbrush-11.jpg)
There are cheaper alternatives from Oral-B and other lesser known brands but these come with compromises.
Oral-B’s iO Series 3 is a very likeable alternative. Quieter, with a premium design and a smart pressure sensor, it costs around the same as the 1500 to buy. But, replacement brush heads are 2x the cost. Taking the ownership costs over $200.
Philips Sonicare has been and will continue to be a reputable alternative. Their 2100 Series costs about the same but lacks a pressure sensor. Opt for the better 4100 Series and it works out about $30 more expensive.
If you want a peaceful brushing experience this isn’t for you — it’s loud
Oral-B brushes are amongst the loudest available today, with the Smart 1500 registering 75 decibels.
It’s quite a mechanical noise that it makes, not a gentle humming sound like most sonic toothbrushes.
If you worry about waking others when you brush your teeth, then this isn’t going to alleviate your concerns. And you will struggle to hear what others are saying should they speak to you as you brush.
The iO Series 3 from Oral-B produces 64 decibels, whilst SURI’s S1 sonic toothbrush is quieter still at 54.
![Smart 1500 from Oral-B laid on left side](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Electric_Toothbrush-24.jpg)
3 cleaning modes to suit different preferences but it defaults to Daily Clean
For the vast majority of us, 1 cleaning mode is all we need. I don’t use all 7 modes on my iO Series 9.
According to the Oral-B website, you get 2 different modes on all variants of the Smart 1500.
- Daily Clean
- Sensitive
However, the model we purchased and tested had a third mode:
- Whitening
Daily Clean is my preference and the one I recommend most people use. But, the option of Sensitive is great for those who want to enjoy a less intense cleaning action, or for those days your teeth or gums might feel a little more tender.
Sensitive is also a great choice for first time electric toothbrush users. It makes for a more pleasing introduction to the increased power such brushes offer.
Don’t worry too much about which mode you use. Although differences exist, they are minimal, as our article on Oral-B brushing modes explains. Fundamentally, if used correctly, you will achieve a good clean with any.
![Oral-B Smart 1500 power button in hand](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Electric_Toothbrush-29.jpg)
No icons or labels to tell you which mode you’re using
Irrespective of your preference, the 1500 always defaults to Daily Clean.
You need to press the power button 3 times, each and every time you use it, if you want whitening mode.
The button is a little firmer than some might like, but this does mean it’s not so easy to press it accidentally. You do get feedback from the button to confirm your press has been registered.
There are no icons, LEDs or labels to show or confirm what mode you have selected. You will learn them in time based on the sound and sensation, but they are ordered as above.
It’s frustrating, as many competing brushes do have labels, but it’s just the way Oral-B design their mid-tier models. It’s an inconvenience and doesn’t stop me from using or recommending it.
There is no Bluetooth connectivity, despite ‘Smart’ being in the name
The word ‘smart’ is typically associated with Bluetooth enabled toothbrushes or those handles that really offer some groundbreaking technology built-in.
Whilst there is valuable technology built-in, the 1500 is not a Bluetooth enabled device. This is particularly confusing when the next toothbrush in the range, the Oral-B Smart 3000, does offer Bluetooth technology.
As clever as some of the Bluetooth technology and associated smart features are. You don’t need them. Few actually continue to use them months after getting their new toothbrush.
You’ve got color choices but competitors' products look and feel better
Like most other electric brushes the Oral-B Smart 1500 has a cylindrical handle. Actually, it is not perfectly round, it’s slightly thicker than it is wide, but we are talking millimeters of difference.
It will stand upright on a countertop and strategically placed raised dots on the rear of the handle prevent the brush from rolling along a flat countertop.
Unlike older models from Oral-B, the 1500 doesn’t have any large rubber panels on the handle to aid with grip. There's a small section around the power button, but the result is a much cleaner look to the handle.
A softer, dimpled texture to the plastic body also replaces the raised lines that have adorned the rear of brush handles such as the Pro 1500.
![Close up of the abck of the 1500 brush handle](https://www.electricteeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oral_B_Smart_1500_Electric_Toothbrush-35.jpg)
The brush isn’t slippy in hand by any means. It feels solid and generally secure. But, some might not be quite so enamored with the more minimal look.
A positive consequence is the water resistant handle can be rinsed under the tap and easily cleaned off. You don’t get grime building up as it did in the contoured rubber grips.
Of plastic construction, there is a gloss finish to the handle, which is available primarily in white, black, pink and blue colors. It is primarily cosmetic, but the matte finish of most Philips Sonicare and even Oral-B’s iO Series handles do look and feel better to the touch.
For lack of a better expression, it just makes the Smart 1500 look and feel a bit ‘cheap’ in comparison. But, then again, it does cost a lot less.
You can’t repair it yourself but have an industry average 2 year warranty included
Compared to previous Oral-B models, the 1500 has a revised design. It is less proven, but the design limits wear and possible failure points. Internally the same tried and tested mechanics are used. Thus, a long usable life is expected.
By the very nature of the product they are not immune to failure, but on the whole reliability and durability is solid. I’ve not had any reason to question the build quality and the finish of the handle.
If for whatever reason you aren’t satisfied, Braun offers a 60 day money back guarantee.
2 years of manufacturer support is provided as standard, but you should be hopeful of 5+ years of service from the brush.
Sadly there is no option to complete a repair yourself at home. It hasn’t been designed to be easily repaired. Opening the brush invalidates the warranty and typically renders the brush unusable.
Environmental impact
With the Smart 1500 you get the essentials in the box and not lots of unnecessary extras which reduces its shipping weight. Unfortunately, the box is a little bigger than it needs to be.
Thankfully, Oral-B now uses all cardboard packaging, whereas polystyrene was previously used.
It is not a smart brush, thus reducing component usage and e-waste at the end of its life.
This is common amongst electric toothbrushes, but it has not been designed to be easily repaired by yourself. Trying to replace parts like the battery will likely break the brush. This makes it more likely to be discarded rather than repaired if broken.
While Oral-B has partnered with schemes such as TerraCycle, it does not yet have its own recycling scheme for used brush heads or faulty products.
Its brush heads are made from petroleum-based plastic, which uses up the planet’s finite resources compared to using plant-based plastics.
Conclusion: Dentist approved, you’ll struggle to find something better for less money
The Smart 1500 is a brush I have confidence in recommending and is our recommendation for the best overall electric toothbrush.
It offers the most essential features of an electric brush and not lots of unwanted and unnecessary additional extras.
Of course, it cleans the teeth well and the choice of cleaning modes means it suits a variety of users.
It is a shame you can’t easily tell which mode you have selected and that it always defaults to the daily clean mode, but that is how Oral-B configures its mid-range models and it isn’t a deal breaker.
Size guide
- Toothbrush height with head - 23.2cm / 9.1 inches
- Toothbrush height without head - 19.5cm / 7.7 inches
- Width - 2.5cm / 1 inches
- Depth/thickness - 2.9cm / 1.1 inches
- Weight with head - 124g / 4.4oz
- Weight without head - 119g / 4.2oz
- Package weight - 269g / 9.5oz
Noise
- 73dB
Country of manufacture
- Germany (handle & brush head)
I decided to get the Oral B Smart 1500 (over the i03) in a couple months but wonder an even better, newer model will come out before long. Just guessing, do you think that's likely to happen soon, especially since the 1500 has been out for a while (years?)? I would hate for a newer, improved version to be released soon after I make the purchase. Thanks!
Hi Mark.
I am not privvy to any insider information. I suspect it is unlikely that the Smaryt 1500 will be replaced.
In many ways, the iO3 is the modern replacement. It launched after the 1500 etc.
It's quite rare for anything to come with that much better stuff. I wouldn't worry.
Many thanks for such a unique and extremely helpful service!
You answered my questions about my new Oral B toothbrush and followed up with an email notifying me of a new and relevant video.
Hello, could you tell me if its energy strength is 100-240v??
Hi. The charging stand supplied supports 110-130v.
It is possible to use this in countries with voltages higher, but you will need a voltage adapter.
Alternatively, you can buy a charging stand for that specific region (Europe for example that supports 220-240v) and charge the Smart 1500 on that stand.
It’s not “clinched”, it’s “cinched”.
You desperately need a proofreader.
Thanks for your feedback Randy.
We would love to have a proofreader, but alas we focus what budget we have on creating meaningful and helpful content for people.
Inevitably there will be the odd typo or grammatical errors, we are not journalists or writers by training.
Seeing as you haven't queried or made comments about the brush or the review as a whole, I am sure the general sentiment and message of the review came through despite this small error on our part. 🙂
I’ve been using Oral-b electric brushes for 20 years now and I prefer a more powerful/faster brushing action. Can you tell whether this model has the same speed/power as the Oral-b units like the 8000 and Genius X? I don’t care about the extra bells and whistles like Bluetooth so want to get the simplest unit that had max performance.
Hi Bob.
The oscillations and pulsations are as follows:
Smart 1500
Oscillations: 8,800
Pulsations: 40,000
Genius Pro 8000 & Genius X
Oscillations: 10,500
Pulsations: 48,000
Yes, technically the Genius Pro 8000 and Genius X are more powerful, but there isn't a significant difference and this will unlikely result in any meaningful difference in cleaning results.
There is the newer Oral-B iO but Oral-B doesn't state the number of movements for this range. I would say it was comparable to the Genius range but the iO does use a different style of motor in the handle.
I'm a hygienist, and I say No to Oral B. poor adaptability & head is too large. it is just a bad design. I find people have better results with the original Sonicare. Just my opinion. I am in no way affiliated with Phillips
Thanks for sharing your opinion Zac. We welcome all insight and experience.
How is the head too large? A Sonicare head is taller than Oral-B. Do you mean the height from the tip of the bristles to the back of the head?
Hi Jon!
I bought the smart oral b 1500 recently 12.21 from walmart. I haven't opened it as I was concerned over how many modes it has. The box does not discuss # of modes BUT
Wal-Mart, target Amazon etc. State on their pages of description it only has 1 Mode! And no description of what the 1 Mode does!Can you please follow up on this.?
Thanks so much Ali
Love ur review. Thanks for writing it. After having Sonicare for 10 years I decided to try this toothbrush. I decided I didn’t need the options of some of the other newer toothbrushes and I wanted only these two brands. In some ways I decided on this brush because it still had a normal plug and not a usb.
I was surprised how much noisier the oral b is. But I am in love with the quality of the clean.
I am not sure if I am just being a better electric brush user or if it is better. But with this design I also feel I am more attentive to each tooth and can really get behind my front teeth better. I am glad I made the switch to this brush.
Very thorough review, thank you!
Perhaps when you say "When either "bruising" mode is in use, the built-in timer and pacer are activated too," you mean "brushing" mode?
Indeed I did Leila. I think auto-correct had a part to play there. Now adjusted.
Thank you. While the Oclean X Pro Elite appears to be the quietest (48 db) it appears that you have to sacrifice some of the cleaning ability. Sure wish the Oral B Smart 1500 was quieter.
What about the Curaprox? I love their manual toothbrushes (my dentist uses them) but wonder if their electric one is as good, & is noisy as the OB Smart?
Hi Lahna.
Whilst the cleaning ability of the Oral-B is marginally better it isn't a deal breaker. The Elite still cleans well. Ultimately a case of what is most important to you.
We have yet to test the Curaprox electric toothbrush to be able to comment.
Is this quiet? How many db? Looking for less than 50 db.
Lahna thanks for the question. The Smart 1500 operates at around 75dB.
We have an article, 'what's the quietest electric toothbrush?' that lists out how loud or quiet some of the most popular electric brushes are with some associated advice and information too. I am sure you will find this useful.
I believe there is an error in your review of the Oral B Smart 1500. Your review says that the handle has 3 brushing modes. However, the official Oral B web site says that it only has 2 brushing modes. Interestingly, the Smart Clean 360 has 3 brushing modes.
Hi Richard.
Thanks for your comment. I can confirm that the Smart 1500 that we purchased, tested and reviewed has 3 modes. The Oral-B website has since been updated to suggest 2 modes rather than 3.
I have yet to ascertain whether this is an error on their part or they have further updated the model to disable the third mode that was available on the model we purchased.
Hi Jon!
I bought the smart oral b 1500 recently 12.21 from walmart. I haven't opened it as I was concerned over how many modes it has. The box does not discuss # of modes BUT
Wal-Mart, target Amazon etc. State on their pages of description it only has 1 Mode! And no description of what the 1 Mode does!Can you please follow up on this.?
Thanks so much Ali
The 1 mode will be daily clean, which is the default mode on Oral-B brushes.
I have often found product descriptions to be wrong. They might not be, the specific variant you have might be different.
Hi Jon,
So Oral B Smart 1500 went from 3 modes to 2 modes down to 1 mode?
When did this happen?
Were you able to see that too or verify it?
Very disappointing if so as I was hoping for at least 2 modes the gentle and daily clean.
Thanks so much,
Ali
No I am not saying this Ali. All Oral-B brushes have at least 1 mode, Daily Clean.
Oral-B states on their own website that the Smart 1500 has 2 modes. Yet the model we bought and reviewed had 3.
I have had many other instances where the number of quoted modes in a product listing/description were wrong.
Things can change with no notice, but I highly suspect the brush you have will have at least 2 modes available. Unfortunately, little effort appears to go into ensuring the product descriptions available online really explain what is available and what it does. Even Oral-B's own website lacks a lot of information.
I think you should open it and try it. If it does only have 1 mode and you can't return it, you can always try and make use of their money back scheme.
Thanks Jon. I got fed up so did not open the box and returned it to Wal-Mart. Fyi on the oral b site now shows 2 modes.
I saw the Alexa genius new in box for only $47 us dollars. I bought that as less than the 1500 and way more features. I am using my old 3000 charger and it's great. The brush itself has 6 modes and the built in timer and gum warning light. Really no need for the app or base. I will use the Alexa separately. (Now on sale for only $40!! )
As a side note I tried the Wal-Mart version of Sonic 2100 and bought the smallest Phillips brand brush heads because I am petite. Even so it banged my teeth and the Oral b round heads don't do that and work much better.
Kind Regards,
Ali
My old Oral-B 3D Excel electric toothbrush finally pulsated for the last time. I believe that I had this toothbrush since the early 2000's, even though I'm not exactly sure when it came out. It even had a case connected to the charger to hold 4 additional tips. I've read your reviews on the Pro 1500 and Smart 1500 as I think one of them are what I'm looking for, plain and simple with a long battery life. I was wondering why you recommend the Smart over the Pro? The only differences I see are that the Pro pulsates/oscillates faster and has a better grip on the handle whereas the Smart has a 3rd speed. Each has a pressure monitor just located differently. Your site was very informative, thank you.
Hi Craig.
Well firstly that is some impressive service that your brush gave you. I think it is safe to say you had your value from that one.
Great question and in truth there is a lot of similarities.
The reason we have picked the Smart 1500 over the Pro 1500 is for a couple of reasons.
1. The 360 pressure sensor is a bit more visible.
2. The availability of the Smart 1500 is likely going to be better than the Pro 1500, or at least we believe so. The Pro 1500 has never been that widely promoted etc, but we believe based on availability and stocks the Smart 1500 will be a brush that is more accessible to people.
3. I think in time we will see the Pro 1500 be discontinued in preference for the SMart 1500. The Smart is too similar really to the Pro for them both to exist.
Both are decent choices to be honest with you.
I hope this helps.
Jon,
I was at my local BJ's club and saw that they had a 2pk Oral-B Cross Action 1500 for $100. After a $20 store coupon I decided to purchase it for $80. When I opened the package the manual calls it a Smart 1500-2500 Pro Jr.. The box on the outside looks like a Pro 1500 which I was okay with for the price. I cannot find any information on pulsations/oscillations anywhere. Also, it's not as loud as my old one which makes me wonder if I bought a children's one.
Hi Craig.
I believe the Smart 1500 is to be known as the Smart 2500 in other parts of the world. I am not aware of it being specifically aimed at children but it could be.
Don't worry too much about the number of pulsations and oscillations, your technique and time spent brushing has a much bigger impact.
If you are able to send some images to me by emailing contact[at]electricteeth[dot]co[dot]uk that would be really helpful and I can investigate a little further.
Thanks for the input. Interestingly enough after I sent you my question I found that you did a review comparing the Pro vs Smart back in December 2020, whereas I read 2 separate reviews. Hopefully my next purchase will last as long as my 3D Excel.
Is this made in China? If not, where is it made?
Hi Julia.
The box states the brush handle and head are made in Germany.
I believe the charger is made in the USA.
I can't give 100% confirmation on the charger as the charger that was supplied has in my case come detached from the box.
Where can I purchase the black version? I haven't been able to find it anywhere!
James. I have not seen this version for sale as yet. Oral-B have advertised it in a promotional video, so hopefully, it will be available soon, but I don't know if and when this might be.
This is about my oral b toothbrush. Is it normal for the motor to sound so loud?
Yes Rosalie, the motors on Oral-B brushes are quite loud. Much louder than Sonicare toothbrushes.
Thank you for responding to my question. My toothbrush has settled in and is not quite as loud as when I first turned it on...