The $7/Head Toothbrush Replacement Racket
“I pay $7 per toothbrush head because Oral-B has me locked in. The generics at $2.50 each are probably fine. This is the printer ink of dental care.”
Oral-B iO Ultimate Clean Replacement Brush Heads (5 Count)
45,678 reviews
Pros
- +Fits the Oral-B iO series perfectly
- +Micro-vibration bristles actually clean better
- +One sensitive head included (nice touch)
- +4.7 stars with 45k reviews — they work
Cons
- -$7 per brush head is printer-ink-level pricing
- -Oral-B has you locked into their ecosystem
- -You'll replace them every 3 months forever
Compatible iO Replacement Heads (8-Pack, Generic)
12,345 reviews
Pros
- +8 heads for $20 = $2.50 each vs $7 each
- +Same basic bristle design
- +65% cheaper per head
- +You can replace them more often guilt-free
Cons
- -Slightly lower build quality
- -Might not fit as snugly
- -Your dentist won't know the difference but you will
The Story
The Oral-B iO is a great electric toothbrush. I'm not disputing that. But the replacement heads are $7 each. Seven dollars. For a tiny plastic thing with bristles that you throw away every 3 months.
This is the razor blade business model applied to dental hygiene. You buy the handle once, then pay the Oral-B tax every quarter for the rest of your life. Generic replacement heads exist on Amazon for $2.50 each and have decent reviews. Are they as good? Probably 85% as good. Is 85% as good enough for your teeth? Your dentist says replace every 3 months regardless.
I buy the real Oral-B heads because I'm the kind of person who'll bet his net worth on Fannie Mae preferred stock but won't gamble on generic toothbrush heads. Make it make sense. I cannot.
The Lesson
Oral-B replacement heads are the printer ink of dental care. The generics are probably fine but I'll never switch because I'm irrationally loyal to a toothbrush brand.
Affiliate Disclosure: Links on this page go to Amazon and include an affiliate tag. If you buy something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is an honest comparison of products I've actually used.
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Glen's Musings — AI, investing, and building things. Occasional. Free.
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