Article updated January 2024 to reflect latest deals and stock levels, ensuring you get the best value when investing in a new device.
Many of us are guilty of thinking brushing twice a day is enough for a good dental routine. However, flossing is an often forgotten, yet essential part of keeping our teeth and gums healthy.
If, like us, you've struggled to truly get to grips with fiddly flossing tape or interdental sticks, then water flossers may be the answer. These gadgets use pressurised water to give a thorough clean in between the teeth after brushing.
They're relatively new on the scene, so the Women’s Health lab has tested a range of market leaders to find the best for boosting your oral hygiene – here are our picks at a glance but scroll down for more detailed reviews.
1
Best water flosser
Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 Oral Irrigator
Read more
2
Best at removing plaque
Waterpik Ultra Cordless Water Jet Flosser WP450
Read more
3
4
5
Best for design
BURST Water Flosser
Read more
6
Do dentists suggest you use water flossers?
Regardless of how good you may be, brushing alone isn’t enough because you can only access 60% of the surface of your teeth. Adding flossing into the mix is essential for keeping gums and teeth healthy as it reaches the remaining 40% between the teeth and just below the gumline.
‘Water flossers are a brilliant addition to interdental cleaning,’ says Dr Richard Marques, a Harley Street dentist. He also suggests adding diluted mouthwash to the flosser for a thorough antibacterial clean. However, as good as a water flosser is, it won’t replace manual flossing completely, Marques explains.
He recommends continuing to manually floss when you can. But don’t worry, you don’t need to use the water flosser and regular floss every day after brushing – any form of interdental cleaning each day is good.
Are water flossers actually beneficial?
Yes, they absolutely are. Their USP is how good they are at getting to those hard-to-reach areas right at the back of your mouth, and they can also help reduce gum bleeding, according to Marques.
If you have fixed braces or retainers, water flossers can also help remove food debris and plaque from behind them more easily than manual flossing.
How we test water flossers
Over the course of two weeks, our panel blind tested seven different brands of water flossers to see how easy they were to use, as well as considering their overall performance and design.
Before and after images of their teeth were then analysed by dental health professional Farah Karim, who visually graded any changes.
In the WH Lab, our experts put each product through its paces using a VISIA image analysis machine to assess how effective it was at removing plaque and food deposits on the buccal surfaces of the teeth. Finally, we assessed each one on noise level, weight, size and run-time.
1
Best water flosser
Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 Oral Irrigator
1
Best water flosser
Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 Oral Irrigator
Now 25% Off
This water flosser scored well overall, but it really earned extra brownie points for how easy it was to hold (some flossers can be quite bulky). The testing panel also praised its wide-angle range, which allowed them to get to those harder to reach areas.
It has six different pressure variations, so you can find the perfect one for you. Testers said it didn’t cause any irritation and it wasn’t too aggressive.
Key Specifications
| Number of settings: | 6 |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 2 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Standard nozzle, Quad stream nozzle |
| Volume: | 250ml |
| Run time: | Full minute before needing to be refilled |
| Battery time: | Two-week battery life and USB charging travel case |
| Waterproof: | N/A |
2
Best at removing plaque
Waterpik Ultra Cordless Water Jet Flosser WP450
2
Best at removing plaque
Waterpik Ultra Cordless Water Jet Flosser WP450
Now 37% Off
Performing best in the lab, this water flosser was the most effective at removing plaque and food deposits on the buccal surfaces of the teeth.
Our panel of testers also praised its cleaning abilities and said it helped them reach their wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth. It made cleaning easier for those who wear retainers, too.
Key Specifications
| Number of settings: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 4 |
| Type of attachment heads: | High Pressure Classic Jet Tip, Orthodontic Tip, Plaque Seeker Tip, Tongue Cleaner |
| Volume: | 210ml |
| Run time: | 45 seconds during use |
| Battery time: | N/A |
| Waterproof | N/A |
3
Best flosser to share
PECHAM Water Flosser
If you live with your partner and only want to buy one flosser, choose this Pecham model. It was quick and easy to change the head, so it’s ideal for sharing. Like electric toothbrushes, it also has coloured bands to differentiate the heads, so you won't get confused.
For those looking for high intensity when it comes to pressure, it pulses 1400-1800 times a minute and claims to remove up to 99.9% of food residue. It also features rotating jet tips, which help to massage gums and promote blood circulation.
Some testers said they would have liked a low battery light indicator, but that was a small niggle.
Key Specifications
| Number of settings: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 4 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Three jet tips, Orthodontic tip |
| Volume: | 300ml |
| Run time: | N/A |
| Battery time: | Three weeks |
| Waterproof: | Yes |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Best budget water flosser
H2ofloss Water Flosser
4
Best budget water flosser
H2ofloss Water Flosser
It may only cost a little under £30, but that doesn't mean this water flosser gives a budget clean. H2o has cleverly designed it with a gravity ball at the end, which means that it will continue to spray water, whichever angle you hold it at.
Our panel liked that it holds enough water to last the full minute of flossing, but some said the larger water tank made it a little bulky to hold.
Key Specifications
| Number of settings: | 5 |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 6 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Two standard tips, Orthodontic tip, Periodontal tip, Tongue scraper tip, Toothbrush head |
| Volume: | 300ml |
| Run time: | Full minute without needing to be refilled |
| Battery time: | 10-15 days |
| Waterproof: | Yes |
If you want a flosser that will look good on your bathroom shelf, Burst’s aesthetically pleasing design and range of colours may appeal – it has a smiley face on the on/off button and it comes in pastel pink and lilac, as well as white and black. It’s also a good option for anyone wanting to persuade teens to floss more.
Aside from looks, it has a smaller water capacity (good for smaller hands) and a long-lasting battery, as well as being gentle and accurate when cleaning.
Key Specifications
| Number of settings: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 3 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Three Other tips available to buy: Perio Tip - for those with sensitivity and Ortho Tip: for those with orthodontics and lots of dental work |
| Volume: | 111ml |
| Run time: | N/A |
| Battery time: | 80 days |
| Waterproof: | Yes |
6
Best for sensitive teeth
Binefia Binefia Cordless Water Flosser
6
Best for sensitive teeth
Binefia Binefia Cordless Water Flosser
Those with sensitive teeth shouldn't shy away from water flossing, especially with this Binefia model has five settings, which include ‘soft’ and ‘gentle’ modes. Our panel was impressed with its cleaning ability, so much that one tester said it ‘cleaned better than regular floss’.
Testers also found it ‘easy to grip’, and liked that it came with six replaceable nozzles, which can be kept together neatly in the handy travel bag provided.
Key Specifications
| Number of settings: | 5 |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 6 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Two standard tips, Orthodontic tip, Periodontal tip, Tongue scraper tip, Toothbrush head |
| Volume: | 300ml |
| Run time: | N/A |
| Battery time: | 20 days |
| Waterproof: | Yes |
Tested byNora Merik
Beauty and Grooming Tester
Nora is our Beauty and Grooming Tester and has a master's degree in cosmetic science. She is using her expert knowledge of product development, formulation, product evaluation and market research to test a wide range of hair and beauty products in the beauty labs for Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, ELLE, Men’s Health. In the lab she uses a variety of methods such as the Diastron, The Multi Skin Test Centre, The VISIA Complexion Analyser to test anything from hydration, skin barrier function, pore size and more.
