Healthy Teeth and Gums Start With a Great Toothbrush, and We've Tested Over 30 of Them (2024)

Why We Recommend It

This toothbrush was ready to use right out of the box—we just needed to attach the brush head, and it was all set. The brush features a two-minute timer; you’ll know you brushed the right amount of time when you feel a brief interruption in the pulsations. Even for those of us with sensitive teeth and gums, this toothbrush didn’t cause any pain or irritation. This is due, in part, to the built-in pressure sensor that stops the pulsating brush if you start brushing too hard.

This toothbrush is affordable, and we appreciate its simple and sleek design. It comes with a small charging dock that’s just slightly larger than the toothbrush's wand, meaning it takes up very little counter space.

Keep In Mind

The low battery light is small and can be easily overlooked, so it’s probably best to put it back on the charging dock after each use. The toothbrush lacks many of the extra features that you may find with other electric toothbrushes (which may be a plus for some users). Alao, we found that it took a good amount of force to trigger the pressure sensor to stop the brush, so it may not be as reliable as you may want it to be, especially if you tend to over-brush.

Key Specs

Head Type: Rotating and pulsating brush | Bristle Stiffness: Soft | Power: Rechargeable; 10 Days | Timer: Yes | Features: Oscillating, pulsating, and rotating brush, pressure sensor, two-minute timer

Why We Recommend It

When looking for an electric toothbrush that offers targeted teeth whitening, we were very interested to test this electric toothbrush by Philips. It comes with a specific whitening mode as well as 3 different intensity levels. With a simple press of the plus or minus button on the front of the toothbrush, we were able to quickly adjust the brushing intensity as needed.

To also help ensure a more thorough brushing, the toothbrush vibrates every 30 seconds so you can move from quadrant to quadrant while brushing before turning off automatically after 2 minutes. In addition, the travel case is hard and durable and fits both the brush and the charger, so you can toss it into your luggage and take it with you whenever you’re away from home.

Keep In Mind

The cost of this electric toothbrush might put it outside of most budgets, especially when compared to other toothbrushes that are available at half the price. And that’s before you factor in the cost of replacement brush heads since there aren’t any additional brushes included. The included travel case is very hard, but unfortunately we received one that was already damaged right out of the box. After taking a beating, the case became hard to close.

Key Specs

Head Type: Sonic | Bristle Stiffness: Medium | Power: Rechargeable; 3 Weeks | Timer: Yes | Features: Two-minute timer, 3 intensity levels and 2 cleaning modes

Why We Recommend It

Similar to the Oral B Pro 1000 Electric Toothbrush, which is also featured on this list, this pick uses the Pro 1000 base but includes Oral-B’s unique CrossAction brush instead of the generic, softer brush head. The CrossAction brush head has much firmer bristles, including some angled at 16 degrees to help wrap around your teeth for a deeper cleaning than you’d get with straight bristles.

This toothbrush also features a pressure sensor that will cut off the brush if you are brushing too hard, as well as a 30-second timer that lets you know when to move to another quadrant of your mouth. However, if you find that the CrossAction brush is too firm or uncomfortable, you can easily swap it out for another Oral-B brush head like the FlossAction.

Keep In Mind

The CrossAction brush is great for deep cleaning, but the harder bristles may not be a good fit for everyone. We also found in our testing that the brushes cleaned well but struggled to remove particular sticky and stuck-on foods; it's a strong choice for deep gum cleaning but could fall short on some surface cleanings.

Key Specs

Head Type: Rotating | Bristle Stiffness: Firm | Power: Rechargeable; 10 days | Timer: Yes | Features: Angled brush head, 30-second quadrant timer, pressure sensor

Why We Recommend It

Sure, we know that gum care is important, but do you actually know what your gums need while you’re brushing? The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 offers three different brushing modes, including one specifically for gum care. Add in the pressure sensor and two-minute brushing timer (to make sure you spend enough time in each quadrant of your mouth), and you’ll be able to give your gums a gentler brushing experience.

We found in our testing of the 5100 model that the sonic vibration intensity gave us a deep-clean feeling without needing to apply too much pressure, which—thanks to the built-in pressure sensor—meant we were never over-brushing.

Keep In Mind

Unfortunately, a lower price point sometimes means that your new purchase may not last as long as other, more expensive models. For this model, it’s a good idea to keep track of your warranty to make sure you can get a replacement if it stops working after your purchase.

Key Specs

Head Type: Sonic | Bristle Stiffness: Medium | Power: Rechargeable; 14 Days | Timer: Yes | Features: Travel case, 3 brushing modes, brushing timer, pressure sensor

Why We Recommend It

The Oral-B iO Series 9 might be one of the most technologically impressive electric toothbrushes on our list. It features 7 different smart brushing modes and a smart pressure sensor light that changes color based on how hard or light you brush. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity to the Oral-B app for 3D teeth tracking to ensure a thorough cleaning.

It took us a few minutes to get the app fully set up and connected to the toothbrush. Still, after it was set up, we were impressed with all the features we could use through the app, like the two-minute brushing timer, checking the remaining battery life, switching between brushing modes, and using the 3D teeth tracking to see if there were any areas we had missed.

Keep In Mind

One of the biggest things to consider before buying this toothbrush is the price. It is frequently listed on sale, but with a regular retail price of just under $300, no matter what kind of deal you find, it may still be out of reach for some budgets. There’s no denying the vast array of unique features here, but if you don’t think you’ll be using them for each day, you may not feel like you’re quite getting your money’s worth.

Key Specs

Head Type: Rotating and micro-vibrations | Bristle Stiffness: Medium | Power: Rechargeable; 10-14 days | Timer: Yes | Features: Smart pressure sensor light, 7 smart brushing modes, Bluetooth compatibility with app

Why We Recommend It

One of the biggest benefits of the iO Series 5 is that it offers many of the smart features and app compatibility of other models in this series but at half the price of Oral-B’s more expensive models like the Series 8 and Series 9. The Series 5 toothbrush has five brushing modes, including two specifically designed for more delicate brushing on sensitive teeth.

During our testing, we were impressed with the different brushing features and how easy the brush was to use. Especially for users who are used to traditional toothbrushes, this electric toothbrush really feels like a leap into the future. The built-in timer, which buzzes every 30 seconds, was a big help for us so we could focus on each quadrant of our mouth and not rush through brushing.

Keep In Mind

While we enjoyed the smart features of this electric toothbrush, interpreting the different color changes and light pulsations on the color ring would have been very difficult to interpret if we hadn’t thoroughly read through the manual first (or for those who are color blind or have impaired vision.

Key Specs

Head Type: Rotating | Bristle Stiffness: Soft | Power: Rechargeable; 10-14 days | Timer: Yes | Features: Pressure sensor light, 7 brushing modes, brush head replacement reminder light, Bluetooth compatibility with app

Why We Recommend It

When it comes to Oral-B electric toothbrushes, this might be one of their best offerings to date. To start, it offers a smartphone-compatible Bluetooth app that tracks your brushing history and uses AI to log which areas you have and have not brushed to help you make sure you have every tooth covered. You can even use the app to change the colors on the light-up ring if you want.

During our testing, we noticed how easily the electric toothbrush could pair with the app and appreciated the two-minute timer that pulsed every 30 seconds to indicate when we should move to a new area. Overall, we felt that the full retail price may be too high for many users. But for those willing to make the jump to a pricier toothbrush—or if you can find it on sale—there is a lot of value packed into this brush.

Keep In Mind

One of the biggest selling points of this brush is its compatibility with the app, so if you aren’t planning to use the app this toothbrush may not be worth it for you. We did find that the smaller base caused the brush to tip over, so it’s important to put it in a place where it’s less likely to get bumped.The entire set only comes with 1 brush head, and the cost of buying replacement brush heads can add up over time. This should really be considered when budgeting for this higher-end electric toothbrush.

Key Specs

Head Type: Rotating | Bristle Stiffness: Medium | Power: Rechargeable; 2 weeks | Timer: Yes | Features: Pressure sensor light, two-minute timer, Bluetooth compatibility with app

Why We Recommend It

Many of the electric toothbrushes on our list only come with one brush head, which can be a real issue while traveling, especially if that single brush head needs to be replaced while you’re out of town. For the frequent traveler, this toothbrush includes two extra brush heads (that’s three total) and a simple carrying case that fits easily into your backpack or luggage. It also comes with a magnetic charging base that can take your battery from empty to a full charge in about three hours.

During our testing, we were impressed with the speed and brushing power of this electric toothbrush. On top of that, after downloading the app and pairing the toothbrush, we noticed that our brushing stats were quickly loaded into the app.

Keep In Mind

During our testing, we found that the speed and force behind the brush head could sometimes feel a little too fast, which made it difficult to prevent splatter while using the brush. The price is also a major consideration too, as this is one of our list’s higher-priced toothbrushes. While Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility are certainly impressive, a lot of what you are paying for is the integration and use of the app. So, if you think you aren’t likely to explore these features fully, it may be worth finding a cheaper option.

Key Specs

Head Type: Rotating | Bristle Stiffness: Medium-firm | Power: Rechargeable; 2 weeks | Timer: Yes | Features: 2 extra replacement brushes, two-minute timer, smart pressure sensor, color display screen on brush wand

Why We Recommend It

This toothbrush is ready to use right out of the box and requires virtually no set-up to use. During our testing process, we found that the Bluetooth app pairings were fun to play around with, but found that it wasn’t something that was required to feel like we were getting our money’s worth from this toothbrush.

Testing specifically on sensitive teeth, the gentle vibrations and ability to change the intensity didn’t cause any pain or discomfort while brushing, even with the firmer bristles. We also appreciated the two-minute automatic shut-off timer because it helped us make sure that we were brushing the full recommended time.

Keep In Mind

While we didn’t find that the firmer bristles caused issues with sensitive teeth, it has been a reported problem among some users and is worth keeping in mind. Frequent use may also result in the battery life deteriorating over time, so it is a good idea to keep an eye on the length of the warranty to make sure you can replace it if the battery drains too quickly or your on/off button starts to become faulty.

Key Specs

Head Type: Sonic | Bristle Stiffness: Firm | Power: Rechargeable; 14 Days | Timer: Yes | Features: Spare brush head, 3 brushing modes, battery life indicator lights, Bluetooth compatibility with app

Why We Recommend It

It’s common to find different intensity settings on an electric toothbrush, but the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 goes the extra mile to include three separate cleaning modes as well. A quick button press lets you switch between modes to help you focus on cleaning, whitening, and gum care.

We were impressed with the different intensities (which equaled 9 different brushing experiences in total), which meant this toothbrush could benefit those with sensitive teeth as well as anyone wanting a stronger cleaning. Overall, while it only cost a few dollars more than the Philips ProtectiveClean 5100 model, we felt like we were more than getting our money’s worth from this newer model.

Keep In Mind

The included brush head is a generic head designed for cleaning. While this brush head works for the whitening and gum care modes, a separate brush head designed specifically for gum care is available from Philips and, unfortunately, isn’t included in this package.

Key Specs

Head Type: Sonic | Bristle Stiffness: Medium | Power: Rechargeable; 14 Days | Timer: Yes | Features: travel case, 3 brushing modes, brush replacement reminder light, pressure sensor

Why We Recommend It

Many of the electric toothbrushes on this list offer a ton of great features and impressive app capabilities. But what if you want a versatile, budget-friendly electric toothbrush without all the fancy, expensive extras? This makes the Voom Sonic Pro 5 Rechargeable Electronic Toothbrush a good choice thanks to its relatively low price point (which can be even lower if you happen to catch it on sale), 5 brushing speeds, and longer-than-average battery life.

During our testing, the easy set-up and comfortable wand handle made using the brush for the first time a breeze. Compared to similar electric toothbrushes, we felt that the Voom Sonic Pro 5 could clean well at a lower intensity. The full price for this toothbrush is considerably lower than comparable competitors, making it a good value for the money.

Keep In Mind

While we were impressed with its range of brushing speeds, we occasionally felt like the brushing still wasn't strong enough. This may be partly due to the toothbrush’s softer bristles—which is worth considering if you prefer a firmer brush. On top of that, replacement brush heads tend to be a little pricey, so if you don’t like the included brushes, it will cost you extra to try to replace them

Key Specs

Head Type: Sonic | Bristle Stiffness: Soft | Power: Rechargeable; 8 weeks | Timer: Yes | Features: Brushing timer, auto shut-off, 5 brushing speeds

Why We Recommend It

This easy-to-use electric toothbrush whitens, brightens, and helps remove surface stains while effectively cleaning teeth. We were impressed with just how powerful its whitening mode was during testing. Our editor (a habitual coffee drinker) saw a noticeable difference after just a week of use. She found herself smiling more and feeling more confident in her smile. If our best whitening pick is out of your budget, this pick sits at a much lower, accessible price without compromising results.

The small brush head is small-mouth friendly and can easily hit hard-to-reach areas. After use, our teeth felt smoother and cleaner, and our floss picked up less plaque the more we used it. The slim handle fits comfortably in small and large hands, and we didn’t experience difficulty navigating the power and setting buttons when brushing. The four modes—clean, soft, whitening, and massage— are labeled and illuminated when selected. It charges quickly and has a long battery life. We only charged it once throughout the entire test with no issues.

Keep in Mind

We never knew how much battery life the brush had left, which was frustrating. We suggest always sitting it back on the charger so it doesn’t randomly die. The setting button is also sensitive enough that we accidentally changed our desired setting mid-brush a few times.

Key Specs

Head Type: Vibrating | Bristle Stiffness: Soft | Power: Rechargeable | Timer: Yes | Features: Two-minute timer, pressure sensor, whitening, gentle, and massage mode

Why We Recommend It

This pick is great if you need a straightforward, basic electric toothbrush that won’t break the bank and will still clean your teeth and leave your mouth fresh. During testing, it was immediately ready to use right out of the box after attaching the head. The settings are self-explanatory: one button turns it on, and the other turns it off. The vibrating bristles gave our typical brushing patterns an extra boost, which we greatly appreciated.

The handle is thick, sturdy, and easy to hold. We think it’d be very useful for someone with dexterity problems who needs a wider handle when brushing. The brush head is small and ideal for cleaning those harder-to-reach nooks and crannies. It’s also easy to clean—just rinse it under water after use. Even though it may not have all the frills other electric toothbrushes have, it gets the job done at a budget-friendly price point.

Keep in Mind

We wish this pick had more settings and more power when brushing. Finding replacement heads for the toothbrush can also be difficult, so we recommend buying ahead of time.

Key Specs

Head Type: Vibrating | Bristle Stiffness: Soft | Power: Rechargeable | Timer: No | Features: Tongue and cheek cleaner, floss tip bristles, removable head

Why We Recommend It

A soft-bristled brush, like the HiSmile Electric Toothbrush, can help mouths with receding gumlines. It has a small brush head with soft-tapered bristles with a unique feel and shape compared to regular bristles. We cleaned sensitive areas of our mouth more easily than before, and our sensitivity reduced after just five days of use. It effectively cleaned our teeth and left them nice and fresh.

It’s easy to set up and fairly intuitive to use. It has a timer, automatic shut-off, three different intensity settings, and a long battery life. When the battery is low, three red dots flash at the bottom of the handle, and recharging takes two to three hours via a USB-to-USB-C cable. We didn’t have to recharge this toothbrush once during testing. It also comes in nine fun, bold, punchy colors, which is always a bonus.

Keep in Mind

There’s no pressure sensor to alert you when brushing too aggressively, which would have been great for receding gums. Also, the “intense” setting was too intense for us.

Key Specs

Head Type: Vibrating | Bristle Stiffness: Soft | Power: Rechargeable | Timer: Yes | Features: Three modes, automatic shut off, mode memory

Why We Recommend It

This pick features a small, rounded, oscillating brush head that’s gentle on your gums and teeth while fighting (and preventing) plaque. Its built-in timer prompts you to move to a new area of your mouth every 30 seconds to ensure that the two minutes spent brushing actually clean your teeth, which can help remove the old food and bacteria that form plaque. We found that feature more than useful when we used it.

Overall, it’s a simplistic, straightforward brush with a sleek design. Its handle is easier to clean, thinner, and lighter than past models. There are three intensity modes—high, medium, and low—and a pressure sensor to alert you when brushing too hard, which is great for overall gum health.

Keep in Mind

We feel it’s a little pricey for having so few features, but its pros outweigh the cons. It’s louder than other picks, and it takes up to 22 hours to fully charge, which is a long time for a toothbrush with minimal features.

Key Specs

Head Type: Oscillating | Bristle Stiffness: Soft | Power: Rechargeable | Timer: Yes | Features: Pressure sensor, built-in timer

Why We Recommend It

Aggressive and harsh brushing can lead to poorer oral health and conditions such as gingivitis or receding gums. If you struggle with overbrushing, the Oral-B Smart Clean 360 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush has an intuitive pressure sensor around the neck that flashes red when too much pressure is applied. Thanks to this feature, our overall technique was vastly improved by the end of the testing period. The built-in timer prompts you when to brush different areas of your mouth and tells you when the session is over. We loved how clean our teeth felt after every use.

We didn’t need the instructions to set up this brush. The handle wasn’t too thin or thick, and it was easy to maneuver while brushing and even easier to clean afterward. We also loved the battery life—we didn’t have to charge it for two full weeks of use. Another perk is that it comes in a twin kit with two of everything in the box. With two handles, brush heads, travel cases, and charging stations, you can use it for two people or as a travel option alongside an at-home one.

Keep in Mind

We didn’t love how the timer operated—there were mini vibrations to indicate when it was time to switch sides and a longer one at the two-minute mark, but it wasn't very clear figuring out which was which, and we often brushed for longer than needed. It also takes 12 hours to charge.

Key Specs

Head Type: Oscillates | Bristle Stiffness: Soft | Power: Rechargeable | Timer: Yes | Features: Pressure sensor, timer

Why We Recommend It

This brush sits at one of the lowest price points here, but it performed just as well as some of our top-rated options, which is why it’s our favorite Oral-B electric toothbrush. It’s a simplistic, straightforward brush with a small round brush head and comfortable handle. While we were initially surprised at how small the head was, we loved how it scrubbed and cleaned every tooth. We didn’t have to scrub or brush with this pick. Instead, we just guided it along our teeth and let it do all the work. When we were done using it, we could clean it easily by rinsing it under running water. The value of this powerful brush is undeniable, and we plan to repurchase it when the time comes.

Keep in Mind

We’d love to see two improvements: a longer battery life and an indicator to let us know when to recharge it. While we didn’t mind the lack of tech-related features, the toothbrush sometimes died mid-brush, which was frustrating. We learned to charge it every three to four uses and didn’t run into that problem again.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you clean your toothbrush?

  After you use your toothbrush, be sure to run it under hot water as soon as you’re done. Then you can also deep clean it once a week by either swirling it in enough antibacterial mouthwash to cover the brush head or soaking it in a mixture of two teaspoons of baking soda dissolved in a cup of water for 15 minutes.

• What is better: a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush?

  Most dentists agree that you can effectively clean your teeth with either kind of toothbrush as long as you brush for two minutes.

• How often should you replace the head on an electric toothbrush?

  Be sure to check the instructions that come with your electric toothbrush but generally, you can expect to have to replace the head every three to four months or once the bristles look splayed, just like you would with a manual toothbrush.