Oral-B are known for their quality when it comes to oral hygiene products and this cheap and cheerful brush is no exception. But choosing the right toothbrush for you can be difficult when so many options exist. Furthermore, a poor choice can lead to you wasting hundreds of dollars on a product that you never use.
Balancing safety, effectiveness and cost can be a challenge. However, this Oral-B Vitality Plus review is here to help you decide if this toothbrush is right for you.
The first thing that is important to know when considering the Oral-B Vitality toothbrush is the variation in models.
The Vitality can be bought under two different names:
Oral-B Vitality Plus CrossAction
- COMPREHENSIVE CLEANING with 2D TECHNOLOGY, oscillates and rotates to remove more plaque than a manual brush
- The essential toothbrush to achieve an everyday clean
- Helps you brush longer with the 2 minutes embedded timer
Oral-B Vitality Plus 3D White
- Rechargeable battery lasts up to five days
- 2D Cleaning Action: Rotating 7,600 times per minute
- Waterproof handle: Designed for use in the bathroom
Despite the difference in titles, the specifications of the handle are exactly the same – the difference comes in the brush heads (more on this later).
Oral-B Vitality Plus Performance
- Removes more plaque than a manual toothbrush
- Dual Clean head provides twice the cleaning than a manual toothbrush
- Oral-B is the #1 dentist recommended and used oral hygiene brand worldwide
How does the Oral-B Vitality work?
The Vitality handle provides a superior clean to your standard manual toothbrush by ensuring pulsations and oscillations of the head. Furthermore, the timer makes it easy to brush for a full two minutes – as per the ADA’s recommendations.
The CrossAction 2D head is designed to surround each tooth and provide a tooth-by-tooth clean.
The 3D White head features specially designed polishing cup to help remove surface stains.
What’s in the box?
The standard Oral-B Vitality Plus comes with:
- 1x Vitality Plus brush handle
- 1x charger
- 2x brush heads*
* Choose between CrossAction or 3D White brush heads. However, please be aware that these are sold as separate products – ensure that you are selecting the correct item before purchase.
Key features of the Oral-B Vitality Plus brushes
| Feature | CrossAction | 3D White |
|---|---|---|
| Price | (see price) | (see price) |
| Timer | 2-minute timer | 2-minute timer |
| Modes | Daily clean mode | Daily clean mode |
| Brush Heads | 2 x CrossAction | 2 x 3D White |
Oral-B Vitality Plus Pros and Cons
Pros
- Cheaper than most other electric toothbrushes
- More effective than manual toothbrushes
- Comes with more brush heads than most other budget electric toothbrushes
Cons
- Less cleaning modes than many other electric toothbrushes
- Doesn’t have a pressure sensor to help protect your teeth
4 Key features unpacked
1. Brush heads
The Oral-B Vitality is sold with a choice of CrossAction or 3D White brush heads.
CrossAction: head surrounds each tooth with bristles angled at 16 degrees, the 2D cleaning action oscillates and rotates for improved better plaque removal.
3D White: head has a special polishing cup to help remove surface stains, perfect for improved whitening
However, the Vitality is compatible with all of Oral-B’s electric toothbrush heads.
2. Timer
You should brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day. The Vitality Plus handle has an in built 2 minute timer which enables you to brush perfectly every single time you clean your teeth. It means that you don’t have to worry about timing yourself – it will automatically notify you with a buzz when it’s time to finish up.
3. Cleaning modes
The Vitality Plus features just one cleaning mode, but it is perfect for a classic clean. The Daily Clean mode is ideal for regular use and provides an effective clean every time. It also works with any of the specialist brush heads listed above.
4. Battery life
The Vitality lasts for 5 days without charging. This means 5 full days – or 20 minutes of brushing – before it needs to be plugged back into the socket.
How does the Oral-B Vitality compare?
Oral-B is notorious for producing some of the best electric toothbrushes available. The Oral-B Pro range includes several toothbrushes ranging from the budget-end Pro 650 to the impressive Genius (aka the Genius 9000).
The Vitality is one of the cheapest brushes out there. But how does it match up to some of Oral-B’s better-known brushes? The Pro 2500 is one of the best when it comes to value for money; the Pro 6500 is toothbrush that does not hold back on features. All of these brushes feature the handy 2-minute timer, but that is where the similarities end.
Who is the Oral-B Vitality Plus suitable for?
The Vitality is suitable for people who:
- Want an effective toothbrush at a budget price
- Aren’t looking for specific modes to address problems such as whitening
- Want an easy-to-use brush with no complicated features
The Vitality is certainly a budget brush to be rivaled. However, it is inappropriate for those who have sensitive teeth, as it features only the Daily Clean mode. A more appropriate brush would be the Pro 5000, which features five different modes including a sensitive and a deep clean mode.
Reliability and long-term use
Oral-B is one of the most well respected and trusted oral hygiene brands in the world. In fact, it is the #1 dentist recommended and used brand worldwide. However, while Oral-B products carry high expectations when it comes to product life, you must remember that this is depended on correct usage of the brush. In order to prolong the longevity of the Vitality, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Oral-B Vitality warranty and customer support
However, if issues do arise, it is important to know that good customer service options are available. Oral-B offer various methods of customer support, including live chat, email and telephone options.
Furthermore, the Vitality comes with a 2-year warranty.
Conclusion
The Vitality Plus is one of the cheapest electric toothbrush on the market from the renowned oral hygiene company, Oral-B. It is effective in its purpose: to thoroughly clean the teeth on a daily basis. If you are looking for a budget brush which promises to deliver, the Vitality is one of the best options around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the charger have an indicator light to show that it’s charging?
No, it does not. Once the handle is seated correctly on the charger, it will begin charging automatically.
Do you need to press and hold the button while brushing?
No, you don’t. Press once to turn it on, and once it has buzzed to notify you that your two minutes are up, press again to turn it off.
Can the handle be used with regular Oral-B brush heads?
The Vitality handle is compatible with all of Oral-B’s electric toothbrush heads.
Can you change the speed of the oscillations?
The oscillations of the brush head are set to one specific speed which cannot be changed.
Does it have a 30 second timer to indicate when to move on to the next quadrant?
No, this toothbrush only features a 2 minute end-of-brush timer. If you would like a brush that features the pro timer (every 30 seconds), you should consider the Pro 650.
Does this toothbrush use USB charging?
No it does not. The Vitality is charged using the charging base, which is provided on purchasing the toothbrush.
Size guide
Product dimensions: 2 x 4.3 x 9.5 inches
Weight: 380g
- COMPREHENSIVE CLEANING with 2D TECHNOLOGY, oscillates and rotates to remove more plaque than a manual brush
- The essential toothbrush to achieve an everyday clean
- Helps you brush longer with the 2 minutes embedded timer