The 9 Best Water Flossers of 2024, Tested by Real People
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Get ready for a deep clean
People / Vicky Wasik
A water flosser (a.k.a. oral irrigator or wet flosser) essentially flushes your mouth with pulsating water to get rid of gunk between the teeth, clean hard-to-reach areas, and prevent bad breath. According to the Cleveland Clinic, using one of these gadgets is a great way to amp up your oral hygiene game between dentist visits (in addition to traditional flossing).
"It goes in deeper below the gum line, even further than regular floss, to remove more plaque and debris," says Rhonda Kalasho, DDS, L.A. cosmetic dentist. "Water flossers have been proven through several studies to help reverse gum disease, minimize staining, and freshen breath."
Today's Top Deals
The Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser is 40% off (now $60) at Amazon.
The Aquasonic Aqua Flosser is 25% off with coupon (now $40) at Amazon.
The Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser is 20% off (now $80) at Amazon.
We tested 26 water flossers in the PEOPLE Tested Lab, evaluating each model for ease of use, effectiveness, settings, and overall value. To help you narrow down your options, we rounded up several standout designs for squeaky-clean teeth and healthy gums.
These are the best water flossers PEOPLE Tested.
Best Overall: Aquasonic Aqua Flosser
Pros
It features a waterproof design.
It includes a rechargeable battery.
It is reasonably priced.
It has a cordless design and is comfortable to use.
Cons
It only has three modes.
After trying 26 models in the Lab, the Aquasonic Aqua Flosser was a clear winner. It clocked perfect scores for ease of use and effectiveness, losing only half a point for settings. (It has only three modes — not a terribly low amount, but not outstanding.)
We got every bit of gunk out of our teeth with this all-around great flosser. We also liked how the curved handle felt in our hand, noting that it's easy to hold, direct the flow of water, and switch between the normal, soft, and pulse modes. We were particularly fond of the pulse setting, which did an excellent job of flushing out crumbs from between the teeth. The water reservoir was easy to fill as well.
Thanks to a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the Aqua Flosser is conveniently cordless and lasts for weeks between charges. Not only that, but the waterproof design means you can use it in the shower.
Other notable features include a built-in two-minute timer and a 360-degree rotary nozzle that makes it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas. Considering the very reasonable price tag and the fact that it comes with four replacement tips, we gave this product a perfect score for overall value. With that said, we'd recommend it to pretty much anyone in the market for a water flosser.
Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Features: 3 modes, 4 tip replacements, 2-minute timer, 360-degree rotary nozzle | Dimensions: 10 x 3 x 0.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 150 milliliters
People / Vicky Wasik
Best Customization: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
Pros
It has 10 pressure levels.
The handle is easy-to-control.
It has a large water tank.
Cons
The cord is a little shorter than we’d like.
No two people’s teeth are the same, which means that your water flossing needs are unique to you, too. That’s why we loved the Waterpik Aquarius — it comes with 10 pressure settings so users can customize their flossing experience to their own needs.
After giving this water flosser a try, our teeth felt spotless. The device’s large water tank allowed us to floss for a whole 90 seconds without the need to refill the container (in fact, it was still half full of water when we were done). The handle felt small and easy to control, and the device itself was really easy to operate.
The one thing that we would change about this device is the length of the connecting cord from the base to the water pick itself, which felt a bit short and slightly limited reach. But, overall, this water flosser had everything we needed to clean our teeth and leave us feeling fresh.
Power Source: Corded electric | Features: 10 pressure levels, 2 modes, 7 tips, 1-minute timer | Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.8 x 10.4 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 22 ounces
People / Vicky Wasik
Best Budget: H2ofloss Water Flosser Portable Dental Oral Irrigator
Pros
It has a cordless design.
It comes with five modes and six heads.
It includes a rechargeable battery.
This model has a large reservoir.
Cons
The instruction manual isn’t very thorough.
When using on high-pressure mode, this model splashes water.
H2ofloss makes a great budget pick. The brand's Cordless Oral Irrigator earned perfect scores for ease of use, effectiveness, and overall value. Though we appreciate that it has five modes, we knocked off half a point for settings since the higher speeds were a little too strong, making it harder to control and splashing water everywhere. That said, the softer modes were not only plenty effective but also comfortable and manageable.
While the instruction manual wasn't very thorough, we found the product design intuitive and user-friendly. This cordless wet flosser has a rechargeable battery and a generously sized 300-milliliter water reservoir. It comes with six heads, including two jet tips, a tongue cleaner, a periodontal tip (to flush out the gums), and an orthodontic tip (for braces and retainers).
Based on the ample features and high-end functionality, we were surprised by the wallet-friendly price point. All things considered, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend this water flosser to a friend and anyone else looking for an affordable, effective model.
Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Features: 5 modes, 6 tips, 360-degree rotation | Dimensions: 9 x 3 x 1 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 300 milliliters
Best for Beginners: Waterpik Cordless Express Water Flosser
Pros
It has a cordless design.
It's a great value.
It's convenient for travel.
It's easy to use right out of the box.
Cons
It only includes two pressure settings.
The “low” pressure setting still felt high.
It turns out, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get your hands on an excellent cordless water flosser. Getting started with the Waterpik Cordless Express flosser is as easy as filling up the reservoir and flipping the switch to turn it on. Once the nozzle is snapped in place, it doesn’t move around at all, and the included instructions are clear and easy to follow.
While this cordless flosser might be simple, it packs a high-pressure punch. The Waterpik handle has just two settings — low and high — though we found that even the low setting felt pretty high-pressured. For this reason, those with more sensitive gums might find the pressure to be too much. Overall, though we do wish that there were more than two pressure setting options, we think that this wet flosser is a top-notch pick for beginners, thanks to its high pressure and ease of use.
Power Source: 3 AAA batteries | Features: 2 modes, 2 pressure levels, 2 brush speeds, 2 flossing tips | Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.5 x 11.75 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 5 ounces
People / Tamara Staples
Related: The 8 Best Teeth Whitening Products for Pearly Whites, According to Our Testing
Best Splurge: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000
Pros
It's easy to set up.
It includes 10 different intensity modes.
This flosser has a large reservoir.
It comes with a magnetic dock.
Cons
It's not cordless.
The reservoir dock is a little bulky.
If you're open to investing in a top-shelf model, the Power Flosser 5000 is a solid choice. The instructions are clear, and the setup is simple — all you do is plug it in and fill it with water. We tried it out after eating a plate of nachos and were left feeling completely clean. It's easy to toggle between the 10 intensity modes, and the quad-stream tip delivers four streams of water for a more thorough whole-mouth cleaning.
This water flosser has a large 550-milliliter (18.6-ounce) lidded reservoir, so you won't have to refill it mid-session. It isn't cordless, so you won't have to worry about recharging it, though it's not very travel-friendly.
The flosser itself is compact and lightweight. And while the reservoir dock will take up some counter space, we appreciate that the handle attaches magnetically to the base. The price is steep, but we think it's worth it based on the settings and effectiveness.
Power Source: Corded electric | Features: 2 modes, 10 intensities, quad-stream tip, magnetic dock | Dimensions: 10 x 1.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 550 milliliters
Best Cordless: Waterpik WP-580 Cordless Advanced Water Flosser
Pros
It's easy to set up and use.
It includes a rechargeable battery.
It has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.
Cons
It only has three pressure settings.
We tried 12 Waterpik models in the Lab. Though a few of them fared well during testing, the brand's Cordless Advanced Water Flosser (WP-560) was our favorite. Earning perfect scores for ease of use and effectiveness, we liked how the intuitive two-button design left our teeth smooth and clear of debris. Although it only has three pressure settings, this is part of what makes it so user-friendly.
This cordless wet flosser is powered by a lithium-ion battery. Thanks to the rapid-charging system, it recharges in just four hours and lasts up to two months. The removable reservoir is also easy to fill. While it's only seven ounces, you'll have enough water for a one-minute flossing session.
We also like that it comes with four heads, including two standard jet tips, an orthodontic tip, and a "plaque seeker" for precision cleaning. This flosser also has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. The price of this water flosser is higher than average, but considering the convenient design, included attachments, and effectiveness, we think it's a decent value.
Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Features: 3 modes, 4 tips, 360-degree rotation, magnetic charger, battery indicator | Dimensions: 11.5 x 4 x 3 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 7 ounces
Best for Deep Cleaning: MySmile Cordless Oral Irrigator
Pros
It includes five water intensity modes.
It has a built-in two-minute timer.
It comes with eight interchangeable heads.
Cons
There is a slight learning curve to get started using this flosser.
It has a higher price than some other options on our list.
For deeper cleans, we recommend MySmile. With five water-pressure modes and a two-minute timer, the brand's Cordless Oral Irrigator earned perfect scores for effectiveness and settings. It comes with eight heads, including two regular jets, a high-pressure tip, a lower-pressure tip, a "plaque seeker," an orthodontic tip, a "pik pocket" for gums, and a tongue cleaner.
We found this wet flosser generally easy to use, though we had to play around with it a bit to figure out how to change the heads and use the different modes. Still, it did an excellent job cleaning our teeth and getting into hard-to-reach crevices.
We also like that the handle shows the water temperature and how much battery life is left. The Cordless Oral Irrigator is not only effective but also fun to use. We think it's worth the price and would recommend it to anyone looking for a high-tech wet flosser.
Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Features: 5 modes, 8 tips, 2-minute timer, battery indicator, temperature light | Dimensions: 12 x 5 x 3 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 350 milliliters
Related: The 10 Best Teeth Whitening Strips of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best Electric Toothbrush-Flosser Combo: Waterpik Sonic Fusion Electric Toothbrush & Water Flosser Combo
Pros
It has a sleek design.
It has 10 water pressure levels and two speeds.
This flosser comes with a protective travel case.
Cons
It's pricier than most other models on our list.
Interested in an all-in-one gadget for at-home teeth cleaning? Look no further than the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0. Though it boasts three modes, two brush speeds, and 10 water-pressure levels, this electric toothbrush-flosser hybrid is intuitive and user-friendly. It's easy to change the settings, and you can even brush and floss at the same time.
This water flosser immediately removed food stuck between our teeth and left our mouths feeling noticeably cleaner and fresher. We like that it has a large 14-ounce reservoir with a magnetic head holder. While you'll need to make room for the base on your bathroom counter, we were fans of the sleek appearance, compact handle, and time-saving design. It also comes with a travel case for the toothbrush component.
This is one of the more expensive water flossers we tried. But considering the convenience of a brush-floss combo and impressive results, we think it's worth the investment.
Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Features: 3 modes, 10 pressure levels, 2 brush speeds, 2 heads, 2-minute timer, battery indicator, magnetic head holder, travel case | Dimensions: 11 x 2 x 0.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 14 ounces
People / Vicky Wasik
Related: The 8 Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Sensitive Gums: Turewell Water Dental Flosser
Pros
It has simple and intuitive controls.
The pressure dial allows users to customize water force.
It includes eight water tips.
Cons
There is no timer function.
The setup requires a bit of fiddling so that no leaking occurs.
We found the Turewell wet flosser to be straightforward to use and a great pick for those with sensitive gums. The base has just two buttons, an on-off switch on the flosser’s handle, and a pressure dial on the base that allows users to fine-tune the force of the water spray. That means that those with sensitive gums can easily control the water pressure to their liking and switch between powerful and gentle flossing. It also comes with eight water tips so that every member of the household can hygienically floss with the same device.
The tank is large enough to hold at least a minute's worth of usage, with water still left over to spare. We found that the nozzle required some fiddling to get into its proper seating so that no leaking occurred, but once we had it set up, the device felt intuitive and gentle. We also wish that it came with a timer function. Overall, we think this device makes for a great introduction to water flossing, especially for those who want to fine-tune their experience with adjustable pressure.
Power Source: Corded electric | Features: 10 pressure settings, 360-degree nozzle rotation, 8 tips | Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 600 milliliters
People / Vicky Wasik
Things to Consider When Buying a Water Flosser
Settings
Most wet flossers have multiple modes, such as pulse and steady stream. Many, like the Turewell Water Flosser, also allow you to change the speed or intensity of the water pressure. "The pressurized water is excellent at washing away caught food and plaque from in between teeth and around the gumline," says Dr. Kalasho.
A higher-end wet flosser model may have more settings, though this doesn't necessarily mean it'll do a better job cleaning your teeth. The most important thing is that the wet flosser is user-friendly, comfortable, and easy to toggle between modes.
Reservoir Size
The water that your wet flosser uses to operate is contained in a reservoir. Depending on the type of wet flosser you choose, the reservoir will either be attached to the flosser or the base of the unit. Small and portable wet flossers have a built-in reservoir that holds anywhere from five to 22 ounces of water. Larger, countertop units contain a separate reservoir in the base of the wet flosser that holds 150 to 600 milliliters of water.
Extra Features
Water flossers often have other notable features beyond modes and pressure settings. This includes interchangeable heads, a 360-degree rotating nozzle, a built-in timer, rapid charging, a battery indicator light, a magnetic base, or a travel case. The H2ofloss Water Flosser, for example, is a wet flosser that comes with six different heads and a travel case.
Power Source
When browsing models, pay attention to the power source. Many modern wet flossers — like our best overall pick, the Aquasonic Aqua Flosser — run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which typically means they're cordless. They often charge fully in just a few hours and can last for weeks, if not months. Other wet flossers have corded designs, like the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000, in which case the water reservoir is usually separate from the handheld flosser.
Portability
You'll also want to consider the portability of your wet flosser. If you travel often, a cordless model with a rechargeable battery and carrying case might be your best bet. But if you only plan to use yours at home, prefer a larger reservoir, or don't want to worry about recharging it, a plug-in model may be a better choice.
ADA Seal of Acceptance
Some water flossers, like the Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser, carry a Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association (ADA). When you see the seal, you know a product meets the organization's strict criteria for effectiveness and safety and that it lives up to its marketing claims.
People / Tamara Staples
How We Tested Water Flossers
We selected 26 popular water flossers to test in our lab. We set up makeshift bathroom spaces equipped with sinks and electrical plugs (for wet flossers with cords) and then got to work. And let us be clear: Messes were made. (But we got soaked so you don't have to!) Here's how we scored each water flosser.
Ease of Use: When using the water flosser, we evaluated whether it was easy to set up and easy to use. This included switching between pressure settings, the ergonomics of the handle, and whether it was corded or cordless.
Effectiveness: Our testers ate sticky food (such as dried fruit) before attempting to use the water flosser. This allowed us to easily see how powerful and effective each flosser was.
Overall Value: After considering the price and whether we'd recommend the wet flosser products or repurchase them for ourselves, each water flosser also received a score for overall value. Those with the highest average ratings were ultimately chosen for this roundup.
After testing, our top pick is the affordable Aquasonic Aqua Flosser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a water flosser do?
A water flosser (or wet flosser) is an oral irrigator that flushes your mouth with pulsating water to get rid of gunk between the teeth, clean hard-to-reach areas, and prevent bad breath.
Are water flossers any good?
When used correctly, water flossers are a great addition to your tooth cleaning arsenal, along with an electric toothbrush, a good toothpaste, and a whitening product. These devices work for removing stuck-on food and debris caught in your teeth. The high water pressure and rotating heads of the wet flosser help get into those hard-to-reach places like the back of your mouth or close to your gum line.
Is there a difference between a Waterpik and a water flosser?
Waterpik is a popular water flosser brand, so no, there is no difference. We tested 12 Waterpik models in the lab. While all were efficient water flossers, our favorite was the Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Cai Cramer is a commerce writer who specializes in covering beauty products. To compile this review, they considered testers' feedback on dozens of wet flossers, taking into account things like ease of use, effectiveness, and features. While researching wet flossers, we spoke with an LA-based cosmetic dentist, Rhonda Kalasho, DDS.
Meet Our Expert
Rhonda Kalasho, DDS, is an LA-based cosmetic dentist who provided insight on how water flossers work and who would benefit from these tools.
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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