The 8 Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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Our winner was the Oral-B Genius X Limited, which gave us a fresh-from-the-dentist feeling
People / Tamara Staples
How strong is your tooth-brushing game? Unless you use a proper technique at all times, you’re not cleaning your teeth well enough with a manual brush. You’re likely speeding through your routine, or worse, brushing so hard that you’re damaging your gums. Along with a good toothpaste and whitening strips or an LED whitening kit, an electric toothbrush can maintain those pearly whites safely and easily — especially those spots you simply can’t reach with your manual toothbrush.
Today's Top Deals
SmileDirectClub Electric Toothbrush is 35% off at Amazon.
Oral-B Genius X Limited Electric Toothbrush is 25% off at Amazon.
Voom Sonic Pro 5 Electric Toothbrush is 20% off at Amazon.
Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Toothbrush is 20% off at Amazon.
Oral-B iO Series 9 Electric Tooth Brush is 17% off at Amazon.
“I recommend using an electric toothbrush over a manual toothbrush because of its superior ability to clean hard-to-reach spots, " says Dr. Bill Busch of NKC Dental, who is also the team dentist for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Current. “Electric toothbrushes are much like the professional instruments that dentists use, both in shape and the way the bristles vibrate or rotate.” Dr. Busch notes that if you choose a model with multiple speeds and brush head options, it’s like having several tools in one.
We tested 45 electric toothbrushes from some of the best brands recommended by dentists in the lab and at home. We brushed, polished, and in some cases, flossed as we sought out devices that performed the best without damaging sensitive teeth and gums. Basking in the glow of cleaner, brighter smiles, we made our final selections based on ease of use, functionality, portability, battery life, quality, and overall value.
Keep reading to learn about the best electric toothbrushes that PEOPLE tested.
Best Overall: Oral-B Genius X Limited
Pros
It's easy to use right out of the box — just press the power button.
It features a pressure sensor to avoid harsh brushing.
This rotating brush has six cleaning modes, including one for sensitive teeth.
Cons
The charging base is prone to tipping.
If you've been using a manual toothbrush for years, welcome to brushing on a completely different level. We loved how effective this rotating electric toothbrush was right from the start — after one use, it felt like we had gone to the dentist for a teeth cleaning.
Using this toothbrush is as easy as just turning it on, though it does have some special features that we quite liked. It has a two-minute timer (the duration most dentists recommend for brushing) that vibrates every half minute to remind you to switch to a new quadrant in your mouth. Press too hard with those bristles and a red light flashes, reminding you to ease up, which is perfect for those with receding or sensitive gums. There are also six different cleaning modes, including one for sensitive teeth, which was very easy to toggle between.
This toothbrush is well-designed, with a handle that’s comfortable to hold and buttons that are placed well so you won’t accidentally shut it off mid-brush. The compact round head made it easy to get into hard-to-reach spots in our mouths, too.
If you’re used to the price of manual toothbrushes, it’s understandable that the price tag will give you pause. But we think it’s well worth the price to have such a noticeably clean, fresh mouth. This smart toothbrush even connects via Bluetooth to an app so you can learn about good oral hygiene and improve your brushing habits. You won’t have to work that hard at them, though; this brush glides over your teeth effortlessly and does all the work for you.
Our only quip: The charging base was slightly prone to tipping over, though resting the brush up against something else (like the wall or the mirror) helps to prevent this from happening.
Special Features: Bluetooth, LED light | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | What’s Included: Handle, brush head, charger, travel case
Best Overall, But for Less: Voom Sonic Pro 5 Rechargeable Electronic Toothbrush
Pros
The battery lasted the entire testing period (the brand says it lasts three months).
It has a small brush head that fits into hard-to-reach places.
It includes a two-minute timer divided into 30-second intervals for optimal brushing.
Cons
The button placement might lead to accidental selections.
This sonic toothbrush was easy to set up and quite intuitive to start using right out of the box. The handle fits perfectly in your hand and is easy to maneuver. At first, we thought the brush head might be a bit too small, but it provided ample coverage and got into hard-to-reach places just fine. Even using light pressure, our teeth felt incredibly clean.
We loved the two-minute timer that's divided into four 30-second segments, so you get an alert when it's time to move on to the next quadrant of your mouth. We also appreciated the five different settings that can be easily toggled between depending on your brushing needs: "clean" for everyday cleaning, "white" for buffing away stains, "sensitive", "polish" for a deeper clean, and "massage" for a gentle gum-nourishing sensation. Perhaps it was a little too easy to switch settings due to the placement of the buttons, which we would sometimes inadvertently press, so you’ll need to be aware of them to avoid choosing the wrong setting.
It would have been nice to have a battery life indicator, but the battery lasted a long time (it even extended past the testing period — the brand claims that it lasts a whopping three months). Also, there’s no included spare replacement head, but for the price of both the toothbrush and the replacements (you can order them separately), the brush is still a fantastic value. All in all, it’s a great electric toothbrush for the price.
Special Features: 5 speeds, charger | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | What’s Included: Handle, 2 brush heads, charging base, USB cable
Best Budget: Smile Direct Club Electric Toothbrush
Pros
The setup is very user-friendly.
It's powered by a AAA battery, so you don’t have to worry about cords or chargers.
The brush was easy to use and maneuver in our mouths.
Cons
It only has one setting, which is less than a lot of the options we tested.
This brush was very simple to set up — just insert a battery, click on the vibrating brush head, and turn it on. We liked the handle size — it is a little hefty at first and the brush head looks a bit small, but we found it easy to maneuver the brush around our mouths.
This brush doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some of the other options we tested (no adjustable speeds or settings — there's a two-minute timer that pauses every 30 seconds to remind you to change to a different mouth quadrant, and that’s about all the features you’ll get with this very reasonably priced brush), but our mouth felt so fresh and clean after using it that we didn’t miss them.
We love that it's battery-operated (there’s a AAA battery that’s included) so you don't have to worry about chargers or cords. It would have been nice to have a battery indicator light, but it’s also just as easy to keep a spare battery on hand.
If you want to graduate from a manual brush without breaking the bank, it’s an excellent deal, especially since it comes with a spare brush head, too.
Special Features: Timer | Power Source: AAA battery (included) | What’s Included: Handle, 2 brush heads, mirror mount, travel case
Best with Water Flosser: Waterpik CC-01 Complete Care 9.0 Sonic Electric Toothbrush with Water Flosser
Pros
We found it very effective at removing stuck food from our teeth.
It has an intuitive design that makes it simple to change settings.
It includes three brush modes.
Cons
It is noisier than the others we tested and has a strong vibration.
If you're looking for an electric water flosser along with your toothbrush, this electric brush/flosser combo is very easy to set up, though we did have to refer to the instructions when we first used the flosser to ensure that we didn’t spray the entire bathroom with water. (Yes, it can be a bit messy at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.)
This vibrating brush is lightweight and easy to maneuver for a deep clean. The handle size felt just right, as did the toothbrush head — and bonus points for the tongue cleaner on the back of the head. We liked the button placement, which makes it super easy to toggle between cleaning, whitening, and massage modes while brushing. Plus, it comes with two additional brush heads, so you can hold off on ordering replacements for a bit.
The three brushing modes offer enough variety, but we were especially impressed by the 10 flossing modes. No worries if you’ve got sensitive gums — there are enough settings to find the one that’s most comfortable for you. We loved that our teeth felt clean and our gums didn't hurt. No food was stuck between our teeth, either. So if you’ve been scrimping on flossing and want to establish better habits, this is the device for you.
There’s no Bluetooth or app connectivity, but we think there are enough bells and whistles to appease dental hygiene enthusiasts. First, we liked that it has a two-minute timer that vibrates every 30 seconds to tell you to switch up the brush placement in your mouth.
We also appreciated the on-off switch on the flosser, so if you don’t use up all the water in the reservoir, you're not standing there with a spurting flosser. Of note: The flosser can be a bit noisy, so you might want to time your brushing to not be when your partner or roommates are sleeping. It's also very powerful, so sensitive teeth may not love it or just need some time to get adjusted to it.
One downside is that while the Waterpik stand has a spot for the toothbrush to keep it charged, saving you a bit of space on your counter, the overall mechanism is quite bulky and will definitely take up more room than a standard electric toothbrush. Also, the flosser reservoir needs to be cleaned more often to avoid hard water stains; however, it's easy to do so with vinegar, or you can just place it on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Special Features: 10 pressure settings, 3 cleaning modes | Power Source: Corded electric | What’s Included: Handle, 2 brush heads, 5 flossing tips, reservoir, travel case
Best Programmable: Oral-B iO Series 9
Pros
It's easy to adjust the settings on this rotating model, even mid-brush.
It has a pressure sensor to keep you from over-brushing.
It includes four brush heads and seven smart modes.
Cons
The bristles feel a bit wide, so this may be better for those with larger teeth and mouths.
If you've got gum sensitivity, don't shy away from electric toothbrushes — especially this one. This Series 9 from Oral-B offers a deep clean without disrupting your gums.
It’s got a fun colorful display, but we were even more impressed by the seven smart modes you could easily program for a customized brushing experience: daily clean, intense, whitening, gum care, sensitive, super sensitive, and tongue clean. There is a slight learning curve when it comes to the different brush settings, so it might take a little trial and error to find the right one, but the clean, fresh mouth you’ll be rewarded with is worth the little effort.
We liked that you can change modes mid-brush with this rotating model, and it’s got a built-in timer that you can adjust in the settings on the app. Can you use it without the app? Yes, but to do so would mean losing out on an enhanced brushing experience.
We were impressed with how fresh and clean our mouth felt after using this brush, similar to the feeling after a cleaning at the dentist without all the effort — just glide the brush around your mouth. We especially liked the pressure sensor — we set it off so many times in the beginning, a clear indication of how much we’d been over-brushing. The wide brush head has longer bristles that may be best for those with larger teeth and mouths. We also found its design set off the sensor until we got the hang of using it.
This brush is quite pricey, but, for its programming capabilities, we think it’s worth it. It also comes with a charging travel case and four brush heads for added value.
Special Features: 7 smart brushing modes, timer | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | What’s Included: Handle, 4 brush heads, charging travel case, magnetic charger
Best Deep Clean: Philips Sonicare ExpertClean 7300 Electric Toothbrush
Pros
It has a compact vibrating head that makes it easy to get behind back teeth.
This is one of the quietest electric toothbrushes we tested.
There is a battery charge indicator so you'll always know when it's time to charge.
Cons
We didn’t find the settings to be that intuitive — we had to consult the manual for guidance.
If you've been using a manual toothbrush, this vibrating electric iteration will introduce you to a whole new way of brushing. We loved the compact brush size that made it easy to move around our mouth, especially in the back to get a deep clean. It’s not at all hard to set up — it’s charged up and ready to go right out of the box. In fact, we used it the entire testing period with that initial charge.
The modes and settings might seem a bit vague at first — we frequently needed to consult the manual — but once you get the hang of it, you’re golden. It connects well via Bluetooth to the app, but if we’re being honest, we were enchanted more by the deep cleaning action of the brush head than any additional app features. But the app does add value and enhances the experience.
We like that it has a two-minute timer to ensure you're brushing long enough, but even better is the sensor that alerts you when you're brushing too hard — if you have gum sensitivity, this will certainly help you improve your brushing technique. There is a battery charge indicator near the bottom of the brush, so you'll always be prepared to charge before it dies. It’s also got a nice, quiet operation, which is a bonus.
Special Features: Bluetooth wireless technology, BrushPacer and SmarTimer, pressure sensor, 3 modes, and 3 intensities | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | What’s Included: 1 ExpertClean handle, 2 brush heads
Best Value: Philips Sonicare 4100 Electric Toothbrush
Pros
It's a high-quality vibrating toothbrush that’s easy to use.
The battery lasted for three weeks on a single charge.
The handle was lightweight and comfortable to hold.
Cons
It doesn't have a sensitivity sensor to avoid over-brushing.
We thought that the handle on this 4100 series electric toothbrush was the ideal size. In fact, it felt like holding a pencil, which should give you a good idea of the lightness and size of this brush. The vibrating brush head is on-point, too, reaching far in the back for those hard-to-reach spots. We liked that it's also designed to brush the tongue.
The brush itself is easy to clean off with just some running water, though we noticed the stand gets covered in white residue, so you have to clean that more often. We easily toggled between two presets, though we missed having a timer or sensitivity sensor to avoid over-brushing. The battery lasts and lasts — we clocked it at about three weeks, even when used on the stronger setting. There is a battery life indicator, though no Bluetooth connectivity.
After brushing, we were left with super clean and fresh mouths. And while we still continued to floss (as you should!), we found that there was far less food that needed to be removed than usual.
While this brush might not have any special features, we think that it’s priced fairly for its performance.
Special Features: Timer and pressure sensor | Power Source: Corded electric | What’s Included: Handle, brush head
People / Vicky Wasik
Best Investment: Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Power Toothbrush
Pros
It provides fresh-from-the-dentist results.
There are several different ways to recharge the battery.
It has three intensity settings.
Cons
It only includes one brush head.
If you're looking for the Cadillac of electric toothbrushes, you’ve found it in the Prestige 9900. It looks and feels luxurious, and though the price tag reflects it, we were impressed by how clean and fresh our mouths felt after a single use. It's really easy to set up this vibrating electric toothbrush — just press the start button, choose from low, medium, or high intensity, and you’re off to the races. It’s even got a healthy charge out of the box.
We found that it was effective yet gentle on sensitive teeth, though there’s a sensor that will alert you to over-brushing. If you've ever been told by your dentist that you're a hard brusher, this could most likely get you to break out of that habit. Let the brush do its job, and you’ll find that you have clean teeth without your gums taking the brunt of the bristles. We also liked that you can easily change intensities while brushing, plus it comes with a timer that shuts off after two minutes.
There's also an app, which keeps you on task with your brushing habits. Do you need it in order to operate the brush properly? No, but if you’re committed to a healthier mouth, it can help you learn about better brushing habits, as well as how to adjust the settings and timer as needed.
We know we should be most focused on the brush's effect on our dental health, but we couldn’t help but notice its attractive curb appeal, including the travel-friendly sleek faux leather charging case with gold accents. The brush itself is ergonomically designed to feel great in your hand — not too heavy, not too light. However, considering the price, it only comes with a single brush head, and replacements are quite pricey, so we're definitely considering this one an investment.
Special Features: SenseIQ technology | Power Source: Corded electric | What’s Included: Handle, brush head, charging base, travel charging case
Other Electric Toothbrushes We Tried
PRO-SYS VarioSonic Rechargeable Power Electric Toothbrush: There’s not much to set up with this toothbrush — just attach the brush head and plug it into the wall with the USB cord. We liked that there were several speeds that you could easily click through while brushing. This might not have all the “fancy” features as some others on this list — we would have liked an over-brushing sensor — but it comes with a travel case, and the extra toothbrush heads are a good value. Overall, it’s a great price and does the job of keeping your teeth clean and polished.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush: It's very easy to set up this electric toothbrush — just hit two buttons: one to turn it on and the other to choose from clean, whiten, and gum (for focused gum health). It’s also got three intensity settings that you can adjust mid-brush. though if you want to switch cleaning modes while brushing, you have to shut it off and turn it back on, resetting the timer as you go. The handle feels comfortable, and we found it easy to maneuver around our mouths, thanks to its compact size.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Electric Toothbrush
Ease of Use
When selecting an electric toothbrush it’s important to find one that is comfortable and easy to use. Look for an electric toothbrush with a comfortable handle and brush head as well as adjustable pressure, especially if you have sensitive teeth and gums.
Price
Dr. Sean Kutlay, owner and principal practitioner of a top-rated cosmetic and general dentistry practice in Santa Clarita, Calif., says technology has improved greatly, so consumers have a wide array of options at different price points for “good” electric toothbrushes — provided you use it at least twice a day or after meals, in addition to flossing. “In my experience, after the $50 to $200 price range, it’s hard to see an improvement in quality in terms of dental care,” he explains. “Within that price range, you generally will get what you pay for.” Our best electric toothbrush list has a wide range of prices, from the budget-friendly Smile Direct Club Electric Toothbrush to the splurge-worthy Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900, which exceeds Dr. Kutlay's typical "range" but offers a more luxe experience with the accompanying app and chic design and travel case.
Replacement Brush Heads
Electric toothbrushes come with a hidden cost: replacement brush heads. Ideally, you’ll want a brush that already comes with several replacement heads to ensure continuity of use when it wears out, or that more than one person in your household can use by swapping out their own brush head. That’s why we were blown away by the added value of the four brush heads that came with the Oral-B iO Series 9.
Special Features
If you’ve been using a manual toothbrush, know that any of the electric toothbrushes on our list will dramatically level up your brushing game. But if you have sensitive teeth and gums or just want more bells and whistles on your toothbrush, you’ll want to look for special features like timers and pressure sensors that alert you when you’re brushing too hard, like those on our best overall pick, the Oral-B Genius X Limited. Even if you just want a battery indicator to let you know when your toothbrush is running out of juice, be sure to take your needs into consideration when purchasing an electric toothbrush.
People / Vicky Wasik
How We Tested
Our PEOPLE Tested team tried out 45 electric toothbrushes, first after a lunch featuring spinach, a vegetable notorious for getting stuck between teeth, and then for an extended testing period at home.
Ease of Setup: First, we unboxed each electric toothbrush, noting the ease of setup, including which ones already carried a partial charge and could be used right away. We examined the design of each, particularly control button placement, whether the handle was ergonomically designed, and how heavy or light it felt in our hands,
Performance: After connecting the electric toothbrush head to the handle, we added a squirt of toothpaste and brushed our teeth for two minutes (using the built-in timer where applicable). We cleaned all surfaces of our teeth, keeping the brush at the proper 45-angle to the gums. We did not scrub or apply pressure; we let the vibrating or rotating bristles do all the work. When the two minutes were up, we noted how clean our teeth felt or if any gunky residue was left behind.
Overall Value: To make final selections for our best electric toothbrushes list, we rated each one on ease of use, functionality, overall quality, portability (especially those touted as travel-friendly), and value.
Battery Life: During extended testing, we noted how long they could use the toothbrushes on a single battery charge and whether the strength was consistent as the battery drained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush?
Yes, because human error gets in the way of proper brushing with a manual model, explains Dr. Kutlay. “Lots of times people aren’t fully educated on how to properly brush,” he says. “Using an electric toothbrush not only adds more power to the surface of your teeth to remove plaque, but it can also properly clean your gums and time how much you spend on each area of your mouth.”
He likens it to using a manual lawn mower versus an electric one. “Unless you want to spend much more time doing a good job — which you can [with a manual toothbrush] — an electric one is just going to get the job done better in a shorter amount of time,” he says.
Which is better: a rotating or vibrating electric toothbrush?
Rotating electric toothbrushes have an edge over vibrating electric toothbrushes in terms of proper brushing technique. “Rotating toothbrushes are better because the bristles are able to get underneath the gums more effectively,” says Dr. Busch.
With a vibrating toothbrush, he says you must still operate it with enough skill to brush your teeth effectively. “With a rotating brush, the toothbrush does most of the work with little assistance from the operator,” he says. Our best overall pick, the Oral B Genius X Limited, is a rotating electric toothbrush.
Can you use an electric toothbrush every time you brush?
There’s no need to have an array of toothbrushes to support good dental hygiene. “It is fine to use an electric toothbrush every time you brush as long as you use a quality toothbrush,” says Dr. Busch. If you’re a hard brusher, choose a toothbrush with a sensor that will stop the brush whenever you press too hard on your teeth.
Do you still need to floss if you use an electric toothbrush?
Sorry, but using an electric toothbrush will not get you out of a flossing routine. “Nothing — I repeat — nothing replaces flossing,” says Dr. Busch. “Only floss can get in the deep crevices of gums and in between your teeth.” If you feel tied down by dental floss, we suggest the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 for getting rid of food stuck in your teeth.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE, where she writes about everything from home improvement to health and hygiene products. She has more than 18 years of experience as a writer, editor, and social media consultant for publications including Forbes Advisor, Health.com, Martha Stewart Living, Insider, Apartment Therapy, and more. For this article, she pored over extensive testing insights from both our PEOPLE Tested lab and from the homes of our testers. She also interviewed two dental experts for their thoughts on how to properly use an electric toothbrush and how to purchase the right model.
Meet Our Experts
Dr. Bill Busch, DMD, MAGD is a provider at NKC Dental who is also the team dentist for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Current.
Dr. Sean Kutlay is the owner and principal practitioner of a top-rated cosmetic and general dentistry practice in Santa Clarita, Calif.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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