Guide
Are electric toothbrush heads universal?
Published
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In short
No. Each brand uses its own fitting, and even within a brand there can be separate families. Classic Oral-B round heads fit Oral-B Pro, Vitality, Smart and Genius handles but not the iO; iO heads only fit iO handles. Philips Sonicare click-on heads fit most current Sonicare rechargeable handles. Third-party compatible heads are made for specific handle families, so match the brand and family before buying.
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Brush heads are the part you buy most often, so it is natural to hope one pack will fit any brush in the house. In practice, heads are designed around the drive shaft of each handle, and the shaft differs between brands and sometimes between ranges from the same brand. This guide explains which heads fit which handles for Oral-B, Oral-B iO and Philips Sonicare, what compatible heads are, and how to check fit before you buy. It also covers households with different brushes.
The short version
The table shows the main head families and the handles they fit. Always check the listing for the exact handles a head is made for.
| Head family | Fits | Does not fit |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Oral-B round heads | Oral-B Pro, Vitality, Smart, Genius | Oral-B iO, Sonicare |
| Oral-B iO heads | Oral-B iO handles | Classic Oral-B, Sonicare |
| Sonicare click-on heads | Most current Sonicare rechargeable handles | Oral-B, Philips One |
| Philips One heads | Philips One | Sonicare click-on handles |
Why heads do not swap between brands
Oral-B brushes move a round head in an oscillating and rotating pattern, so the head grips a shaft that turns. Sonicare brushes vibrate an oval head side to side at high speed, so the head is tuned to a different shaft and motion. The fittings are physically different, and a head designed for one action would not work properly on the other.
Our sonic vs oscillating article explains the two actions.
Oral-B: classic heads and iO heads
Classic Oral-B heads, such as CrossAction, Precision Clean and Sensitive Clean, fit the long-running family of Oral-B rechargeable handles: Vitality, Pro, Smart and Genius. The iO range uses a different magnetic drive and a different shaft, so it needs iO heads, such as Ultimate Clean, Gentle Care and Radiant Shine.
That means a household with a Pro 3 and an iO6 needs two kinds of head. See Oral-B iO brush heads explained for the iO choices.
Philips Sonicare: click-on heads
Most current Sonicare rechargeable handles, from the entry 3100 to the DiamondClean 9000 and Prestige 9900, take click-on heads. The A3, C3, G3, W and other families all click onto these handles. Philips One and some older or battery models use their own heads.
Genuine heads with a BrushSync chip also tell supported handles which mode suits the head and when to replace it. Compatible heads fit but do not carry the chip. See Sonicare brush heads explained.
Compatible heads
Third-party compatible heads are sold for popular handle families, such as classic Oral-B or Sonicare click-on. They are not universal either: each is made for one family. Quality and fit vary between sellers, and smart features such as BrushSync do not work.
Our genuine vs compatible brush heads article weighs up cost, fit and features.
How to check before buying
A few quick checks before you order will save you from buying a pack of heads that does not fit.
- 1
Find your handle's brand and range on the handle, box or receipt.
- 2
For Sonicare, find the HX model number; see which Sonicare model do I have?.
- 3
Read the head listing's compatibility line, not just the picture.
- 4
For Oral-B, check whether the listing says iO or classic.
- 5
If unsure, compare the shape of the fitting with your current head.
Households with different brushes
If two people use different brands, keep heads in separate, labelled spots so nobody fits the wrong one. If you are buying new brushes for a couple, choosing two handles from the same family keeps heads interchangeable and lets you share packs. Our Oral-B iO models compared and Philips Sonicare models compared guides help you pick within one family.
Plan on a new head about every three months each, as the NHS advises; our brush-head planner works out heads per year.
Travel and spare heads
When you travel, pack a head that matches the handle you are taking, not the one in the drawer at home. If two people share a wash bag with different brushes, keep each head in its own cap or case so they do not get mixed up. A spare head is useful on longer trips, in case one is dropped or damaged. If you buy heads abroad, check the packaging carefully, as names and packs differ between countries even when the fitting is the same.
Frequently asked questions
Do Oral-B heads fit Sonicare? No. The fittings and brushing actions are different.
Do old Oral-B heads fit an iO? No. iO handles need iO heads.
Do all Sonicare heads fit all Sonicare handles? Click-on heads fit most current rechargeable handles. Philips One and some older models differ.
Are compatible heads universal? No. Each compatible head is made for one handle family.
What you need
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