Electric Toothbrush Heads: Types and Compatibility Guide

Your electric toothbrush head is the part that actually cleans your teeth — and it needs to be the right type for your brush, your mouth, and your oral health needs. This guide covers everything you need to know about brush head types, which ones fit which handles, when to replace them, and how to save money on replacements.

Oral-B Brush Head Types

Oral-B offers two distinct brush head systems — they are not cross-compatible.

Oral-B iO Series Brush Heads

The iO line uses a proprietary magnetic connection that only fits iO handles (Series 3-10). Available heads include:

• iO Ultimate Clean: The standard all-purpose head. Angled bristles in a round design for tooth-by-tooth cleaning. This is the head most users should start with.
• iO Gentle Care: Extra-soft bristles for sensitive teeth and gums. Recommended for patients with recession or post-surgical sites.
• iO Radiant White: Polishing cup in the center for stain removal. Same cleaning ability as Ultimate Clean with added whitening action.
• iO Targeted Clean: Smaller head with focused bristle tufts for precise cleaning around crowns, implants, and tight spaces.

Standard Oral-B Brush Heads

All non-iO Oral-B rechargeable handles (Vitality, Pro, Smart, Genius) share the same round-head connection. Available heads include:

• CrossAction: Bristles set at a 16-degree angle for better gumline access. The most popular Oral-B head.
• FlossAction: MicroPulse bristles designed to mimic the action of dental floss between teeth.
• Precision Clean: Classic round head with tightly packed bristles. Good all-around cleaning.
• Sensitive Clean: Extra-soft bristles with a smaller profile. Gentle on inflamed gums.
• 3D White: Polishing cup for whitening with regular cleaning bristles surrounding it.

Sonicare Brush Head Types

All current Sonicare brush heads use the same click-on connection and are compatible with all Sonicare handles from the past several years. However, BrushSync features (automatic mode switching and replacement tracking) only work with compatible handles and heads.

• C3 Premium Plaque Control: Dense bristle arrangement for maximum plaque removal. The closest equivalent to Oral-B's CrossAction.
• W3 Premium White: Wider head with whitening bristle pads. Good for surface stain removal.
• G3 Premium Gum Care: Extra-soft bristles with a flexible neck for gentle gumline cleaning. Ideal for gum disease patients.
• A3 Premium All-in-One: Combines plaque removal, whitening, and gum care in a single head. The best general-purpose option for most users.
• Optimal Sensitive: The softest Sonicare head. Ultra-soft bristles for maximum gentleness.
• ProResults: The original standard Sonicare head. Still available and effective, often at a lower price.

Other Brand Brush Heads

Quip

Quip uses a proprietary brush head that only fits Quip handles. Available in standard and soft versions. Replacement heads are delivered via subscription ($5 every 3 months, including toothpaste and a battery for battery-powered models).

Burst

Burst brush heads fit Burst handles only. Available in standard charcoal-infused bristles and a whitening variant. Subscription price: $6 per head every 3 months.

Waterpik

Waterpik sonic toothbrush heads are proprietary to Waterpik handles. Limited selection compared to Oral-B and Sonicare.

When to Replace Your Brush Head

The standard recommendation is every 3 months. For a detailed explanation including indicator bristle systems, signs of wear, and cost-saving strategies, see our dedicated guide on how often to replace your brush head.

Cost Comparison

Annual replacement head costs vary significantly by brand and whether you use OEM or third-party heads:

• Oral-B standard (OEM): $20-40/year (4 heads at $5-10 each)
• Oral-B iO (OEM): $32-48/year (4 heads at $8-12 each)
• Sonicare (OEM): $32-48/year (4 heads at $8-12 each)
• Oral-B standard (third-party): $8-16/year (4 heads at $2-4 each)
• Sonicare (third-party): $12-24/year (4 heads at $3-6 each)
• Burst (subscription): $24/year
• Quip (subscription): $20/year

Third-Party vs. OEM: What to Know

Third-party brush heads offer significant savings, but quality varies. Here is what to consider:

• Bristle quality: The best third-party heads use end-rounded bristles comparable to OEM. Cheap ones may have sharp bristle tips that can irritate gums.
• Fit and durability: Reputable third-party heads fit snugly on the handle. Poor-quality ones may wobble, reducing cleaning effectiveness and creating noise.
• BrushSync/smart features: Third-party heads lack the RFID chips used by Sonicare BrushSync and similar tracking features. This means no automatic mode switching or replacement reminders.
• Warranty considerations: Using third-party heads should not void your toothbrush warranty, but some manufacturers may use it as a reason to deny claims.

For most users, mid-range third-party heads from reputable brands offer excellent value for everyday cleaning. If you have gum disease or sensitivity, consider sticking with OEM heads designed for those specific conditions.

Need help choosing a toothbrush to go with your new heads? See our best electric toothbrush rankings or our dentist-recommended picks.