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Design and Features
While the more expensive brushes in the iO series run a range of smart features, the iO2 keeps things simple, while retaining the same linear magnetic drive system that defines the premium range. This technology, which uses magnetic forces to create tiny oscillations on the bristle tips, is a step up from the brand’s older, gear-driven models. It’s noticeably quieter, replacing the familiar mechanical “brrr” with a smooth, low-pitched hum. The cleansing action feels less like a vigorous scrub and more like a precise, powerful polish.
As well as the core oscillating technology, the iO2 retains the features that really matter. It has a visible pressure sensor that alerts you if you brush too hard. It also has a dentist-recommended two-minute timer that pulses every 30 seconds to remind you to move on to the next part of your mouth, ensuring you don’t miss a spot.
So, what features have been left on the cutting room floor to keep the price down? Thankfully, this is all stuff you don’t really need. There’s no flashy color display on the handle, no Bluetooth connectivity, and no AI-powered app to remind you to replace your brush head. Although these features may look impressive on the box, they don’t remove a shred of plaque – the iO2’s back-to-basics approach is a welcome dose of common sense.
The rubberized grip is comfortable and secure, though the handle is noticeably heavier and feels less premium than the smooth, sculpted body of the iO9 or iO10. The only real flaw with the design is the location of the pressure sensor light. It sits right where your thumb rests, which means you often can’t see its helpful red glow in the mirror. However, when you press too hard the pitch changes with the motor sound, which serves as a more than enough warning.
Cleaning power and performance
This is where the iO2 really shines. Because it uses the same magnetic drive and accepts the same high-quality iO brush heads as the rest of the range, the cleaning performance is effectively the same as Oral-B brushes costing hundreds of pounds more.
After two minutes, my teeth felt smooth and polished, giving a satisfying, just-cleaned sensation. The oscillating-rotating head is adept at getting into hard-to-reach places between teeth and along the gum line, and it is small enough to effectively navigate orthodontics.
iO2 keeps things simple with just three brushing modes: ‘Daily Cleaning’, ‘Sensitive’, and ‘Whitening’. In practice, these equate to high, low and pulsating polishing speeds, which is exactly what you need. You cycle through them with a single power button, and you can even set the brush to remember your favorite mode, so it starts up just the way you like it every time – no screen required.
Battery life and charging
The battery life of the iO2 is average for an electric toothbrush, lasting three to four weeks after twice-daily use on a single charge. However, when the battery finally dies, recharging it from flat is a strangely slow process.
It takes 24 hours to charge from empty to full, which is in sharp contrast to the three hours of fast charging available on the more expensive iO models. This isn’t a deal-breaker if you leave your brush on a charging stand when you’re not using it, but if, like me, you keep your brush in a cabinet and only charge it when it’s finished, the wait can be a real pain.