Our favorites are easy to use, clean thoroughly, and have great accessories
Kayla is an eCommerce writer at Dotdash Meredith Corporation, covering health, wellness, and beauty. Biodegradable Toothbrush
Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.
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Electric toothbrushes use rotating movements, oscillating technology, or sonic vibrations to help remove bacteria, plaque, and food debris. While a manual toothbrush can do the job, many of our favorite electric toothbrushes have features—from pressure sensors to facial recognition—that deliver real-time feedback and provide guidance as you brush. Research shows that people who use an electric toothbrush may have healthier gums and experience less tooth decay over time .
The Oral-B i0 Series 8 is 20% off at Amazon right now!
To find the best electric toothbrush for maintaining oral health, we tested over 40 models under the supervision of a licensed dentist, evaluating each one for ease of use, functionality, and overall value. An orthodontist on our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy.
The Oral-B iO Series 10 is a great choice for those seeking an advanced electric toothbrush option featuring seven cleaning modes, real-time coverage, pressure monitoring, and a built-in timer right on the smart charger. The pre-charged device's numerous features and beeps, while comprehensive, required a manual read and app download. The package included three identical brush heads, a smart charger, and a travel case. The toothbrush’s handle felt just right and the small, round brush head was a refreshing change, allowing for better access to tight spots and crevices. The multiple settings and extra features (like the tongue cleaner) offered a diverse brushing experience. While navigating these settings might require more effort than some would prefer, for tech or oral care enthusiasts, it's a great addition. Post-brushing, teeth felt plaque-free, although the taste was less minty, likely due to the smaller brush head.
The screen and its smiley face after a two-minute brushing added a fun, rewarding element to the routine. While the $400 price tag felt steep, the toothbrush impressed with its advanced features, catering to varied oral care needs.
Surprisingly it lacks a protective cover for the brush head.
Starting with an affordable price tag, the Voom Sonic Pro 5 Rechargeable Electronic Toothbrush offers much more than expected in terms of features and effectiveness. We found the setup of the Voom Sonic Pro 5 Rechargeable Electronic Toothbrush to be remarkably easy and intuitive. While most settings were self-explanatory, we referred to the manual to grasp each function thoroughly. The handle was the perfect width, offering comfortable handling. Although the brush head seemed initially small, it worked well, and switching between settings was simple despite occasional accidental changes.
A notable feature was the timer—a 2-minute timer with 30-second intervals for each teeth quadrant, a significant aid. The toothbrush offers five settings catering to different needs, although it lacks a battery life indicator and a built-in sensor. Despite the absence of some features, the 2-minute timer with quadrant alerts stood out, leaving our teeth exceptionally clean, reminiscent of a post-dental cleaning appointment. We highly recommend this toothbrush for ideal for lazy brushers, those with sensitive teeth, and individuals aiming to whiten their teeth and remove stains.
The absence of a battery life indicator or built-in sensor, make it challenging to monitor the remaining battery life.
The Oral-B iO Series 8 Electric Toothbrush, with its compact design and travel-friendly features, is an excellent companion for on-the-go dental care.
Visually, the toothbrush is beautiful, with a handle that's just the right thickness, making it easy to travel with and display. While the spin speed was fast and caused a bit of a mess, maneuvering it in the mouth was simple. The toothbrush head is relatively small, requiring a pause to switch settings during brushing. Cleaning was easy, though toothpaste residue stuck to the dark purple brush.
The toothbrush's functionality impressed us, especially the AI integration with the app for precise brushing tracking and a helpful red blink when brushing too hard. The app gamified the experience, providing scores and tracking results. Battery life was conveniently displayed, and the Bluetooth and WiFi features were surprisingly effective, although setting up an Oral B account was a minor annoyance. The sensor indicating excessive pressure was an eye-opener.
Our teeth felt wonderfully clean, making us convert to using electric toothbrushes. Despite the relatively high cost, considering its daily use and impact on dental health, the investment seemed worthwhile. This toothbrush is excellent for those who brush aggressively, offering useful alerts and callouts.
The Oral-B iO Series 8 Electric Toothbrush setup can be a bit frustrating, as it required downloading an app, which felt like an extra step. However, the setup instructions were clear and easy to follow.
The ProtectiveClean 6100 toothbrush stands as a testament to Sonicare's excellence, surpassing even the fanciest of Sonicares with its multiple settings —clean, whiten, and gum—and three intensity levels, and superior performance.
Setting it up was a breeze and highly intuitive; no manual consultation was needed. One button for the setting, another to power it on, and adjusting intensity mid-brush was easy. The handle design, reminiscent of our older Sonicare, made maneuvering easy. The brush head size was perfect, offering comfort and efficient coverage.
The timer worked well, though switching settings mid-brush could be smoother. Battery life impressed us—charged once, and it's been over a month with a single charge. We appreciate the absence of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or an app—it keeps brushing simple and effective.
Post-brushing, our teeth felt exceptionally clean, akin to a dental visit. Given the brand's reputation and the toothbrush's settings and intensities, this toothbrush is a great fit for those looking for a thorough and effective clean.
Changing settings mid-brush requires stopping the brush, interrupting the flow of the brushing experience.
The Oral-B iO Series 5 toothbrush is an excellent choice for sensitive teeth, thanks to its specialized sensitivity modes and gentle brushing experience. The toothbrush offers multiple settings (sensitive, extra sensitive, intense, polish) and various intensity levels. Initially, we thought the toothbrush might be too thin, but it was just right for reaching all areas comfortably, and the brush head size suited our needs.
We found the setup of the Oral-B iO Series 5 toothbrush to be straightforward, but understanding the light-up buttons required reading the instructions, especially for first-time electric toothbrush users. The built-in timer with 30-second alerts and a 2-minute indicator worked well, though the toothbrush didn't auto-stop at 2 minutes as expected. The battery life indicator and pressure sensor were valuable features. The toothbrush can connect to a Bluetooth app, providing extra functionalities like a timer, ring color customization, and an AI display to monitor brushing.
Our teeth felt exceptionally clean after using this toothbrush, especially reaching tricky spots effortlessly. Considering its features and being priced below average, it's a good deal, despite lacking an automatic 2-minute shut-off feature. This toothbrush is ideal for individuals who tend to over or underbrush and those with sensitive teeth or inconsistent brushing pressure.
The color "white" on the ring, indicating gentler pressure, is actually blue, potentially causing confusion or misunderstanding for users.
The Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 stands out as a perfect choice for those looking for an efficient and easy-to-use water flosser, ensuring a thorough and refreshing clean for your oral hygiene routine. The water flosser was a pleasant surprise, making flossing easier to remember and removing food particles effectively.
We found the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 toothbrush and water flosser combo easy to set up, even without instructions. The package included all the necessary pieces and even four extra toothbrush heads, a helpful touch. The toothbrush handle and head size were just right, and the tongue cleaner on the brush head was a welcome feature. Switching between settings during brushing was seamless with conveniently placed buttons.
The 2-minute timer and 3 brush settings (clean, whiten, massage) were straightforward to use, and the 10 water pressure settings for the flosser catered to individual needs. The battery indicator and the toothbrush stand's charging convenience were notable. However, we missed a pressure alert feature for excessive brushing force. Though lacking Wi-Fi or an app, the device provided an efficient and quick routine, leaving our teeth feeling clean and gums refreshed.
Considering the fair price, especially in comparison to similar products without the water flosser, we believed it offered great value. It's particularly beneficial for those with sensitive gums or gaps between their teeth. Despite its loud noise when in use, the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 is a compelling choice, with minor improvements such as quieter operation and more effective tongue cleaning nubs to enhance the experience.
One downside of the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 is its noisy operation, especially during the use of the water flosser, which might be bothersome for others nearby.
The Oral-B Genius 9600 electric toothbrush stands out as the epitome of excellence among Oral-B's offerings, combining advanced features, efficient cleaning modes, and thoughtful accessories for an exceptional dental care experience.
It only took us a few moments to grasp how to operate the Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush. While a bit heavier than some others we tested, it wasn't bothersome. The variety of cleaning modes delighted us. Switching between regular, light brushing, whitening, and tongue settings was easy—just press the down arrow and the handle lights up with the correct mode. Despite not finding a pressure sensor, we didn't miss it much as we could switch to a gentler mode if needed. Bluetooth connectivity is available, but we didn't find it necessary as all the features worked fine without it.
Our teeth felt exceptionally clean, with the round brush head reaching every corner effectively, including those tricky spots at the back of the mouth. The tongue-brushing setting was a pleasant surprise, providing a softer approach to cleaning the tongue. The hard-sided travel case ensures convenient and safe packing, a definite plus for travelers. The inclusion of a suction cup holder for countertop placement is a thoughtful touch. For the price, this toothbrush offers great value for its quality and features.
The Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush is slightly heavier than some other toothbrush models, which might be a minor concern for individuals seeking a lighter toothbrush.
The hum by Colgate stands out as the ultimate toothbrush for kids, revolutionizing their brushing experience and turning it into an enjoyable, stress-free routine.
The hum by Colgate toothbrush proved to be very user-friendly. The vibrant color of the toothbrush appealed to us, and the app's gamification, encouraging kids to earn points and unlock fun filters for pictures, was a hit. It added a sense of accomplishment, going beyond a simple "great job on brushing your teeth."
The accompanying app was also intuitive and easy to navigate independently. We appreciated its design, allowing it to stand on its own. However, the reliance on batteries was a drawback, necessitating replacements. This toothbrush had a significant impact on the daily routine; the hum made kids actually look forward to brushing their teeth.
It relies on replaceable batteries, which may not be as convenient or eco-friendly as rechargeable options.
To date we've tested over 40 electric toothbrushes to find the best ones on the market, doing three distinct tests with Oral-B, Sonicare, and a broader range of brands including Quip, Waterpik, Colgate, and more. Since we started testing electric toothbrushes, we've spent over 3,472 hours brushing our teeth with electric toothbrushes in the Lab (under the expert guidance of Dr. Marc Schlenoff, Vice President of Clinical Development at Tend) and at home. This is what we look for when we're testing each electric toothbrush.
The technology & features vary from brush to brush, and often indicative of the price point. While more inexpensive models may have one brushing mode and a two-minute timer, higher-end models can be outfitted with everything from facial recognition to pressure sensors and Bluetooth connectivity.
All of the electric toothbrushes on our list are rechargeable and come with charging cords. It's common for electric toothbrushes to last for two to three weeks on a single charge.
You're supposed to change your toothbrush every three months. When it comes to electric toothbrushes, that means changing your brush head every three months. Most electric toothbrushes come with at least one brush head. Replacements vary in price by brand and can be as inexpensive as $1-2 per brush head or as pricey as $15 or more per brush head.
While accessories are not necessary, having them can save you money and improve your overall experience. For example, some electric toothbrushes come with a charging stand, which can give your toothbrush extra fuel to last several days and even weeks between charges. Others come with travel cases that allow you to take your toothbrush with you wherever you go. Some of the toothbrushes on our list have travel cases that can charge your toothbrush (and even your phone). Whether your toothbrush includes these accessories likely comes down to the brand and how much you're paying.
We also tested these toothbrushes but ultimately decided not to include them in our list above. They fell short in our test when it came to technology, features, and functionality:
Experts recommend changing your brush heads every three to four months. That's because bristles start to wear out and become more abrasive on your gums.
If you suffer from sensitive teeth or gums, look for toothbrushes that have a sensitivity setting, according to Melissa Seibert, DDS, CEO of the Dental Digest Institute. Some electric toothbrushes have AI technology or pressure sensors that teach you how to brush the right amount and apply the right amount of pressure, says Dr. Seibert. "Brushes with oscillating-rotating technology are a very effective mechanism for delivering a safe, but effective clean," she adds.
To further accommodate sensitive mouths, you can also look for soft or gentle brush heads. Dr. Seibert also recommends using a toothpaste or fluoride or one that has been formulated for sensitive teeth.
The price range for electric toothbrushes varies wildly, so what you decide to spend should be based on the features you're looking for and your budget. You can score a basic, no-frills model like our best budget pick, the Voom Sonic Pro 5, for less than $20. If you're looking for bells and whistles, you can invest hundreds of dollars in a model like the Oral-B Genius 9600, which has app connectivity for real-time feedback and a premium travel case that charges the toothbrush and your phone.
According to Dr. Schlenoff, if used properly, both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective. He says it's really a matter of personal preference. While they can both do a good job cleaning your teeth, an electric toothbrush comes with smart technology like pressure sensors, facial recognition, and brushing timers. If those features are appealing to you, you may prefer an electric toothbrush.
Receiving her master's degree in public health in 2020, Kayla Hui is a seasoned public health practitioner and health journalist. She has interviewed dozens of experts, reviewed numerous research studies, and tested a plethora of products to deliver well-researched product reviews and roundups. Her goal is to help readers make more informed decisions about their health and well-being.
41.Pitchika V, Pink C, Völzke H, Welk A, Kocher T, Holtfreter B. Long-term impact of powered toothbrush on oral health: 11-year cohort study. J Clin Periodontol. Published online May 22, 2019:jcpe.13126. doi:10.1111/jcpe.13126
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