Last updated 13 November 2026. Written by the Clean Smile Home team. We sell Oral-B toothbrushes and replacement heads, so we have an interest here. We don't do our own lab testing: the compatibility rules below come from Oral-B, and any opinions on how heads feel or perform are credited to the reviewers who said them.
The short answer
Oral-B has two head systems that don't mix. If your handle says "iO" on it (iO2 up to iO10), you need iO heads. Almost every other Oral-B rechargeable, including Vitality, Pro, Smart and Genius models, takes the classic round heads. The older Pulsonic sonic brushes are the one exception: they need their own heads.
Why there are two systems
For about twenty years Oral-B used one push-on fitting. A small round head clips onto a metal shaft, the motor in the handle makes the shaft rotate back and forth, and any head in the range fits any handle. That's why a CrossAction head from 2015 will still go on a Vitality Pro bought this year.
The iO range, launched in 2020, broke that pattern. T3 describes the iO as using a "frictionless magnetic drive system", and Oral-B redesigned the shaft at the top of the handle to suit it. Animated Teeth puts it bluntly: on an iO handle, the old head style "simply won't fit". It works the other way too. An iO head has a different socket and won't sit on a classic shaft.
So the first job isn't choosing a head type. It's working out which family your handle belongs to.
Step 1: identify your handle
Look at the front of the handle, just under the power button, and at the box if you still have it.
- It says iO, iO Series, or iO followed by a number (iO2, iO3, iO4 and so on up to iO10). You have an iO handle. Go to the iO section below.
- It says Vitality, Vitality Pro, Pro 1, Pro 3, Pro Series, Smart, Genius, Genius X, Teen or Kids. You have a classic oscillating handle. Go to the round heads section.
- It says Pulsonic or Pulsonic Slim. This is Oral-B's sonic brush, which Animated Teeth lists as discontinued. It uses its own Pulsonic heads only.
- Nothing is printed, or it's worn off. Look at the shaft with the head removed. A classic handle has a thin metal pin sticking out of the top. An iO handle has a wider, more rounded top with no exposed pin. If you're still unsure, the model number is usually moulded into the bottom of the handle near the charging point.
A common mix-up: people often call any Oral-B with a round head "Pro". Some older handles do say Pro on them and some don't, but it doesn't matter. If it isn't iO and isn't Pulsonic, round heads fit.
Quick compatibility table
| Handle | Head system | Fits iO heads? | Fits classic round heads? |
|---|---|---|---|
| iO2, iO3, iO4, iO5, iO6, iO7, iO8, iO9, iO10 | iO magnetic | Yes | No |
| Vitality, Vitality Pro, Vitality 100 | Classic oscillating | No | Yes |
| Pro 1, Pro 3, Pro Series, Pro 750 and similar | Classic oscillating | No | Yes |
| Smart, Genius, Genius X | Classic oscillating | No | Yes |
| Oral-B Kids and Teen rechargeables | Classic oscillating | No | Yes |
| Pulsonic, Pulsonic Slim | Sonic | No | No (Pulsonic heads only) |
| Philips Sonicare, SURI and other brands | Their own fittings | No | No |
Oral-B's own wording on its US help page is that all of its brush heads fit all of its electric handles "except iO and Pulsonic". T3 says much the same, with the iO as the only exception in its list. Battery-powered Oral-B brushes are a mixed bag across markets, so check the refill named on the packaging rather than assuming.
If you have an iO handle
Any iO head fits any iO handle. A £35 iO2 takes exactly the same heads as an iO10, so you can choose on bristle type rather than model. Oral-B's UK brush head guide currently lists three main iO heads, and it also sells specialist heads for braces and implants.
iO Ultimate Clean
The default head and the one most iO handles come with. Animated Teeth describes it as round, with a "tuft-in-tuft" bristle layout and an outer ring of tufts angled at 16 degrees. Oral-B UK markets it for an all-round deep clean. If you've no particular reason to choose something else, this is the one to buy. We stock iO Ultimate Clean heads in black in packs of 4 and 8.
iO Gentle Care
Softer bristles for sensitive gums. T3 says it has "the smallest diameter filaments" of any Oral-B head. It's worth trying if you find Ultimate Clean too much, if your gums bleed easily, or if you're recovering from gum treatment. Remember that the iO already has a pressure sensor, so a soft head and a light hand together make a gentle clean. Our post on what a pressure sensor does explains why that matters.
iO Radiant White
Aimed at surface stains from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. Oral-B UK says it gives whiter teeth "as of day 1", which is a manufacturer claim rather than an independent result. It removes surface staining; it won't change the natural shade of your teeth the way bleaching does. Some people alternate it with Ultimate Clean rather than using it every day.
iO Specialised Clean and iO Interdental Clean
Oral-B launched Specialised Clean in 2022. Dentistry.co.uk reported that it has tufted bristles for cleaning around implants and between teeth, and a periodontist who tried it with ten implant patients over three months reported less bleeding around the implants. That's a small, uncontrolled group, so treat it as encouraging rather than proof.
Oral-B UK now also sells iO Interdental Clean heads, described as designed with dental professionals for braces, implants and misaligned teeth, and marked "exclusive for Oral-B iO handles". We haven't found an Oral-B statement saying Interdental Clean replaced Specialised Clean, so you may see either name. If you have braces, implants or bridgework, ask your dentist or hygienist which they'd prefer you use, and whether alongside a normal head.
Black or white iO heads?
Same head, different colour. Some iO handles come in dark finishes and the black heads match them. Cleaning performance is identical. Choose on looks or on whatever's cheapest per head at the time.
If you have a classic round-head handle
This covers most Oral-B rechargeables sold before the iO, and current budget models like the Vitality Pro. Every head in this list fits every classic handle. Names have shifted over the years, which causes a lot of the confusion, so we've noted the alternative names reviewers have spotted.
| Head | Shape | Best for | Also seen as |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossAction | Round, bristles angled at 16 degrees | Most adults; Oral-B's standard all-rounder | Pro CrossAction |
| Precision Clean | Small round | Beginners, smaller mouths, tooth-by-tooth cleaning | Pro Precision Clean |
| Sensitive Clean | Small round, extra soft | Sensitive teeth or gums | Sensitive, Sensitive Gum Care |
| Pro GumCare | Small round, ultra-thin tapered bristles | Gum health | Sensi UltraThin |
| 3D White | Oval with a rubber polishing cup | Surface stains; Animated Teeth says ages 12 and up | Pro White, Pro 3D White |
| FlossAction | Oval with rubber "MicroPulse" bristles | Cleaning between teeth (not a flossing replacement) | Pro FlossAction |
| Deep Sweep | Rectangular, three bristle zones | People switching from a manual brush | TriZone (possibly; sources differ) |
| Dual Clean | Two moving sections | Larger head coverage | None noted |
| Ortho Care | Small round, spaced tufts | Braces | Ortho Care Essentials |
| Power Tip | Four small tufts | Crowns, bridges, gaps | Interproximal Clean |
| Kids heads | Small round, soft | Children; usually sold by age band | Stages Power, character packs |
A note on that Deep Sweep and TriZone row. Animated Teeth thinks they're the same head under two names, but says so with some hedging. T3 lists TriZone separately and calls it Oral-B's only non-circular head. We'd rather show you the disagreement than guess. Either way, both fit classic handles.
Which classic head should you start with?
For most people it's CrossAction or Precision Clean. CrossAction has the angled bristles and is the head Oral-B leans on in its marketing. Precision Clean is smaller and a bit simpler, and Animated Teeth describes it as the smallest of the non-specialist heads. Some people prefer it for getting behind the back molars. We sell Pro Precision Clean heads in a 12-pack, which is enough for three years for one person changing every three months.
If your gums are sore, try Sensitive Clean or Pro GumCare. If you're bothered by staining, 3D White is fine to use, but some people find the rubber cup odd at first. FlossAction gets mixed reactions: Animated Teeth calls it vigorous and says some sensitive users find it too aggressive.
One battery quirk with Dual Clean
Animated Teeth noticed that a Vitality handle ran for about five days with a Dual Clean head, against around two weeks with a normal single-action head. Two moving parts take more power. If you own a Vitality or Vitality Pro, a standard round head will mean fewer trips to the charger.
Can iO heads be used on a classic handle, or the other way round?
No. The Oral-B iO manual says iO heads "only fit your Oral-B iO toothbrush handle", and the iO Interdental Clean packaging says the same. Classic round heads won't go on an iO handle either. There's no adaptor from Oral-B, and we wouldn't recommend trying third-party ones: if a head isn't held firmly, it can work loose while brushing.
If you're upgrading from a Vitality to an iO, your spare round heads won't come with you. Use them up first or pass them on to someone with a classic handle. Our Vitality Pro vs iO2 comparison covers whether that upgrade is worth it.
Which of our toothbrushes take which heads
| Toothbrush we sell | Price at time of writing | Heads it takes | Matching heads we stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral-B Vitality Pro | £22.07 to £23.00 depending on colour | Classic round | Pro Precision Clean 12-pack |
| Oral-B iO2 with travel case | £34.95 | iO | iO Ultimate Clean, black |
| Oral-B iO2 Ultimate Clean, Night Black | £36.79 | iO | iO Ultimate Clean, black |
| Oral-B iO2 Night Black with 3D White toothpaste | £36.77 | iO | iO Ultimate Clean, black |
| Oral-B iO2 Duo | £55.19 | iO | iO Ultimate Clean, black (8-pack suits two people) |
| Oral-B iO3 with travel case | £59.77 to £59.79 depending on colour | iO | iO Ultimate Clean, black |
Prices change, sometimes daily around Black Friday, so check the product page for the current figure. If you're choosing between the two iO models, our iO2 vs iO3 guide goes through the differences, and best electric toothbrush under £60 compares all of them side by side.
Three-year running cost: classic vs iO heads
Heads are where the real cost of an electric toothbrush sits, and the gap between the two systems is bigger than many people expect. Oral-B recommends changing every three months, which is 12 heads over three years for one person. Using our prices at the time of writing:
| Pack | Price | Cost per head | 12 heads (one person, 3 years) | 24 heads (two people, 3 years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Precision Clean, 12-pack | £23.91 | about £1.99 | £23.91 (one pack) | £47.82 (two packs) |
| iO Ultimate Clean, 4-pack | £21.41 | about £5.35 | £64.23 (three packs) | £128.46 (six packs) |
| iO Ultimate Clean, 8-pack | £31.27 | about £3.91 | £52.68 (one 8-pack plus one 4-pack) | £93.81 (three 8-packs) |
So over three years, one person on a classic handle spends roughly £24 on heads, and on an iO roughly £53 if they buy sensibly. That's about £29 more, or a little under £10 a year. For a couple it's closer to £46 more. Whether that's worth it depends on how much you value the iO's quieter motor, smoother feel and extra features. We think it is for most people who've tried one, but it's a fair thing to weigh up, especially if you're also paying more for the handle.
The clear lesson from the table: if you're on iO, buy the 8-pack. The 4-pack costs about £1.44 more per head.
How to fit and remove a head
- Switch the brush off.
- Pull the old head straight up and off the shaft. Don't twist it.
- Line the new head up so the bristles face the same way as the front of the handle (the side with the power button).
- Push it straight down. Oral-B says it should slide on with a little downward pressure. A classic head gives a small click; an iO head seats more smoothly.
- Give it a gentle tug to check it's secure before you brush.
Never force it. If a head that should fit won't go on, Oral-B suggests a bit of old plastic may be stuck on the shaft. Their advice is to run the top of the handle under warm water for at least ten seconds, then pull the stuck piece off. For more on keeping the shaft clean, see how to clean and look after your electric toothbrush.
Knowing when a head needs replacing
Most Oral-B heads, classic and iO, have coloured indicator bristles. The iO manual says the colour should fade halfway within three months if you brush twice a day for two minutes. Oral-B UK's brush head guide describes the iO bristles fading to white.
Many iO handles also have a replacement reminder. Tech Advisor explains that the centre of the button glows yellow (it can look amber) after about three months, and that you reset it by holding the mode button for two seconds after fitting a new head, or through the Oral-B app. Classic handles like the Vitality Pro don't have this, so a calendar reminder does the job.
If your bristles splay well before three months, the iO manual says you may be pressing too hard. We've written a full guide on how often to change your electric toothbrush head, including the research behind the three-month rule.
Genuine, compatible and fake heads
You'll see three kinds of heads for sale online:
- Genuine Oral-B heads, sold in Oral-B packaging through recognised retailers.
- Compatible heads from other brands, sold openly as "fits Oral-B". These are legal and usually cheaper. Quality varies a lot, and we haven't tested them, so we can't tell you which are good.
- Counterfeits, sold in packaging made to look like Oral-B's. Animated Teeth singles out Precision Clean as the most counterfeited Oral-B head and warns buyers to be careful about where they buy it.
Warning signs of a fake: a price far below everyone else's, blurry printing on the box, bristles that feel scratchy or uneven, no indicator colour, or a head that wobbles on the shaft. If you suspect a fake, stop using it. Poorly finished bristles are no good for your gums.
Who should buy which
You've just bought a Vitality Pro
Any classic round head fits. Start with CrossAction or Precision Clean. The 12-pack of Pro Precision Clean is the cheapest way to stay stocked for years. Our first electric toothbrush setup guide covers the first week.
You have an iO2 or iO3
Ultimate Clean unless your gums are sensitive, in which case try Gentle Care. Buy the 8-pack to keep the cost per head down.
A couple sharing one charger
If one of you has an iO and the other a classic handle, keep the heads in separate cups so nobody grabs the wrong pack. Animated Teeth notes that Oral-B heads come with coloured rings for telling them apart, which helps when two people use the same model.
You wear braces or have implants
On a classic handle, look at Ortho Care heads and Power Tip for the awkward spots. On an iO, look at Interdental Clean or Specialised Clean. Your orthodontist or hygienist will have a view, so ask at your next check-up. Our guide to water flossers, string floss and interdental brushes covers the cleaning between teeth that a head can't fully reach.
You've lost the box and can't read the handle
Take the head off and look at the top of the handle. Thin exposed metal pin: classic. Wider, rounded top: iO. Still stuck? Get in touch with a photo and we'll tell you.
Tips
- Buy heads in larger packs. For both systems, the price per head drops noticeably.
- Keep a spare head in your travel bag. A fresh head is better than borrowing one or using a hotel manual brush. See our travelling with an electric toothbrush guide.
- Write the date on the pack when you open a new head. It takes a second and saves guessing.
- Rinse the head and the shaft after brushing and let them air-dry with the head off now and then. It stops gunk building up under the head.
- Change the head after a cold or a mouth infection if it makes you feel better, though our head replacement guide explains why the evidence on that is thin.
- Don't share heads, even with a partner. Everyone gets their own.
Common problems
The new head won't go on
First check you've got the right system: iO heads on iO handles, round heads on everything else. If the system is right, there may be a fragment of old head stuck on the shaft. Oral-B's advice is warm water over the top of the handle for at least ten seconds, then pull it off.
The head rattles or wobbles
Push it fully down again. If it still moves, try a different head from the pack. A worn or counterfeit head can sit loosely. If every head wobbles, the shaft may be damaged and the handle could need a warranty claim.
The brush is louder than usual
Often a head that isn't seated properly, or dried toothpaste under the head. Remove it, clean both parts and refit. If it's still loud, check the handle with a different head.
My iO button keeps glowing yellow
That's the replacement reminder. Fit a new head, then hold the mode button for about two seconds until the handle vibrates, as Tech Advisor describes, or reset it in the Oral-B app.
I bought round heads for my iO by mistake
They won't fit, and there's no adaptor. If they're unopened, check our returns policy on the store page or contact us. Otherwise they'll suit anyone in the house with a Vitality or Pro handle.
My Dual Clean head drains the battery
That's expected. Animated Teeth found a Vitality lasted far fewer days with Dual Clean than with a single-action head. Switch to a standard round head if it bothers you.
Our verdict
Head compatibility on Oral-B is simpler than the product names make it look. There are only two real questions: is your handle an iO, and is it a Pulsonic? If it's neither, every classic round head fits. If it's an iO, every iO head fits, whichever model number.
After that, it's preference. CrossAction or Precision Clean for classic handles, Ultimate Clean for iO, and the gentler or specialist heads when your gums or dental work call for them. The bigger decision is cost: iO heads cost roughly twice as much over the long run. That doesn't make the iO a bad buy, but it's worth knowing before you choose a handle, not after.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Oral-B brush heads fit all Oral-B toothbrushes?
No. Oral-B says all of its heads fit all of its electric handles except iO and Pulsonic. iO handles need iO heads, Pulsonic sonic brushes need Pulsonic heads, and every other Oral-B rechargeable takes the classic round heads.
Will normal Oral-B heads fit an iO toothbrush?
No. The iO uses a redesigned shaft and magnetic drive, so classic round heads such as CrossAction or Precision Clean won't attach. You need iO heads such as Ultimate Clean, Gentle Care or Radiant White.
Will iO brush heads fit an Oral-B Vitality or Pro?
No. The Oral-B iO manual says iO heads only fit iO handles. A Vitality, Vitality Pro, Pro Series, Smart or Genius needs classic round heads.
Do iO2 heads fit an iO3 or iO10?
Yes. There's no such thing as an iO2-only head. Every iO head fits every iO handle, from the iO2 up to the iO10.
What brush heads fit the Oral-B Vitality Pro?
Any classic round Oral-B head, including CrossAction, Precision Clean, Sensitive Clean, 3D White, FlossAction, Ortho Care and Deep Sweep. Animated Teeth notes that the larger Dual Clean head drains a Vitality battery faster.
How do I tell if my Oral-B is an iO?
Look for "iO" printed on the handle or box. With the head removed, a classic handle has a thin exposed metal pin at the top, while an iO handle has a wider, rounded top. The model number is often moulded near the base.
What is the difference between iO Ultimate Clean and Gentle Care?
Ultimate Clean is the standard all-round head with angled bristles. Gentle Care uses softer, finer bristles for sensitive gums; T3 says they are the thinnest of any Oral-B head. Both fit every iO handle.
Which Oral-B head is best for braces?
On a classic handle, Ortho Care is designed for braces and Power Tip helps with tight spots. On an iO handle, Oral-B sells Interdental Clean heads for braces, implants and misaligned teeth. Ask your orthodontist which they prefer.
Are cheap compatible Oral-B heads any good?
Quality varies, and we haven't tested them, so we can't recommend specific brands. Openly labelled compatible heads are legal; counterfeits made to look like Oral-B are not. Animated Teeth says Precision Clean is the most counterfeited head, so buy from a retailer you trust.
Why won't my new Oral-B brush head go on?
Either it's the wrong system (iO and classic heads don't mix) or a piece of the old head is stuck on the shaft. Oral-B suggests running the top of the handle under warm water for at least ten seconds, then pulling the stuck piece off.
How often should I replace Oral-B brush heads?
Oral-B recommends every three months. The indicator bristles should fade by about half in that time if you brush twice a day for two minutes. If they splay sooner, you may be pressing too hard.
Are iO brush heads more expensive than normal Oral-B heads?
Yes. At our prices at the time of writing, classic heads in a 12-pack work out at about £1.99 each, and iO Ultimate Clean heads cost about £3.91 each in an 8-pack or £5.35 in a 4-pack. Over three years that's roughly £24 against £53 for one person.
Do Oral-B heads fit Philips Sonicare toothbrushes?
No. Philips Sonicare, SURI and other brands each use their own fittings. Oral-B heads won't fit them, and their heads won't fit an Oral-B handle.
Sources
- Oral-B: Which replacement brush head fits my Oral-B toothbrush?
- Oral-B UK: iO brush head guide
- Oral-B UK: iO Interdental Clean brush heads
- Oral-B iO user manual (via ManualsLib)
- Dentistry.co.uk: Oral-B launches its new iO Specialised Clean head (May 2022)
- Tech Advisor: The button on my Oral-B iO is glowing yellow
- T3: Best Oral-B brush heads compared (March 2022)
- Animated Teeth: Oral-B replacement brush heads
