The 6 Best Teeth Whitening Pens of 2024, Tested by Real People
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Brighten up your smile starting at just $20
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When it comes to certain teeth whitening products or procedures, you learn to grin and bear the discomfort — but that’s not the case with whitening pens, which offer a convenient and portable way to brighten your smile without increasing sensitivity.
Why Whitening Pens?
“The major benefit of using a whitening pen [compared to other whitening products] is the convenience factor. It can easily be carried around in your pocket or purse for frequent on-the-go touch-ups.” —Dr. Shahira Saad, cosmetic dentist
Designed to create immediate and lasting results, whitening pens don’t whiten as drastically as in-office whitening sessions, LED whitening kits, or teeth whitening strips, but they’re far more convenient — just apply the gel to your teeth, wait 30 to 60 seconds, and then either rinse or let the product dissolve on its own. The thin brush tips allow for a more precise application that can penetrate hard-to-reach crevices between teeth for a more uniformly brightened smile.
We tested over a dozen teeth whitening pens both in our lab and at home over several weeks to evaluate effectiveness, ease of use, sensitivity, value, and practicality for on-the-go touch-ups.
Best Overall: Colgate Optic White Overnight Whitening Pen
Star Qualities
Significantly brighter teeth in less than a week
No irritation or discomfort on sensitive teeth
Relatively affordable at $20 for 35 uses
Red Flags
Takes 6 hours for one treatment (overnight)
This budget-friendly formula from Colgate is top-rated for its impressive performance, especially considering its price tag. The $20 pen is a potent overnight treatment designed to provide results in one week, but our tester saw results in less than a week.
Out of all the formulas we tried, this one received the highest praise for its value, effectiveness, and ease of use. It’s comfortable enough to use on sensitive teeth and gums, which isn’t always the case for whitening pens. The pen features enough formula for up to 35 uses and is safe enough to use daily, but you only really need to do so for around one week and then can use it on an as-needed basis (though keep in mind, it’s an overnight treatment thus not ideal for quick fixes).
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Treatment Length: Overnight for one week, then touch-up as needed
Best Budget: Smileactives Teeth Whitening Pen
Star Qualities
No brushing or rinsing your teeth after needed
Lightening-fast application
Comes in a 2-pack on Amazon for added value
Red Flags
Minty tingling sensation that some may find unpleasant
Slight lingering aftertaste
With 1.13 ounces of gel, this slim pen packs some major whitening power, and it comes in a two-pack on Amazon for much less than other comparable formulas. On top of being a great budget-friendly option for daily use, it’s a dream for travelers who are looking to pack light, as it takes up next-to-no space and can easily be tucked into a toiletry bag.
We noticed our teeth looking brighter after just two days of use and experienced more drastic results in about a week. While it felt a bit awkward to hold our mouths open while the gel set (about 45-60 seconds), we appreciated that rinsing afterward isn't necessary. However, the minty aftertaste may not appeal to everyone, and you might prefer to spit it out to avoid discomfort.
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Treatment Length: 45-60 seconds, two to four times daily
Most Convenient: Snow Sensitive Teeth Whitening Serum
Star Qualities
Can leave on anywhere from 9 to 30 minutes, depending on needs
Relatively fast drying and curing time compared to others
Red Flags
Instructions aren’t very detailed
Teeth whitening pens can be a more convenient alternative to strips, but some require long down times. If you’re in a pinch and want to freshen up your teeth without waiting hours for the formula to work its magic, try this extra-strength option from Snow.
The portable teeth whitening pen dries quickly and can be left on teeth for between 9 and 30 minutes (depending on your stain removing needs), which is much less than some of the other options on our list. Since it has a faster drying and curing time, the teeth whitening pen is a great option for coffee lovers who want to have their espresso and drink it, too.
Our only complaint is that the pen doesn’t come with very detailed instructions. Since this type of teeth whitening has a bit of a learning curve, we wouldn’t recommend it for beginners.
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, potassium nitrate | Treatment Length: 9-30 minutes
People
Best for Sensitive Teeth: Lumineux Bright² Pen
Star Qualities
Easy and intuitive to use
Helps prevent stains
Helped reduce plaque build-up, especially on front teeth
Convenient two-pack lasts awhile
Red Flags
Only brightened our teeth one shade
Filter replacement can get relatively costly
This pen was one of the easiest to grip and tidiest to use of all we tested. The simple and speedy application can be done just about anywhere, as the pen is incredibly compact and there’s no brushing required. Touch up at your desk, during your commute, or anywhere in between.
A huge draw of the Lumineux Bright Pen is that it also helps stain prevention: Just swipe it on and let it set for 30 minutes before drinking coffee, tea, or red wine in order to minimize potential discoloration. We even found it helped reduce plaque build-up, particularly on front teeth.
Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, carboxymethyl | Treatment Length: 30 seconds for stain prevention, 30 minutes for whitening, use daily
Related: The 8 Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Quick Results: Tarte Pearly Girl Vegan Teeth Whitening Pen
Star Qualities
Minty flavor leaves your mouth feeling clean
Designed for sensitive teeth
Visibly brighter teeth following testing
Red Flags
Gel residue is unpleasant to leave on after session
Better for short-term brightening than for long-term whitening
Whether you’re preparing to snap a selfie, head out on a date or nail your next job interview, it’s always a confidence boost to feel like your smile is at its best and brightest. Tarte’s whitening pen gets the job done in a major way, immediately brightening teeth after just one application.
This is an ideal pen for anyone looking for a quick fix or to mitigate coffee stains (it can be used up to four times a day). The soft brush easy to hold and to apply, which requires only 30 seconds of smiling to keep your lips away from your teeth as the gel adheres. The minty taste is refreshing, but does leave a gooey residue if you don’t rinse afterwards.
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Treatment Length: 15 minutes, up to four times daily
Best for Upkeep: Crest 3DWhite Teeth Whitening Pen
Star Qualities
Pen mechanism is simple and easy to use
Comfortable alternative to strips
Provides up to 70 uses, making it a great value
Red Flags
Works best for maintaining already whitened teeth
This whitening pen from Crest is a great way to maintain teeth that are relatively white and just need a quick touch-up. The pen features a high-quality mechanism that is simple and easy to use over an extended period of time, so you can use it to maintain a brighter tone without worrying about it losing its integrity after a couple of months. And it comes with enough formula for up to 70 uses, so the $25 price goes a long way.
We didn’t experience drastic stain removal but found that it works best at providing a subtle brightening effect. While the pen is marketed for on-the-go stain removal, we didn’t love it for that because you have to keep your mouth open for about a minute or so until the formula dries, making it a little less convenient.
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Treatment Length: Twice per day for 14 days
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What to Know About Teeth Whitening Pens
Active Ingredients
Teeth whitening pens feature active ingredients that are designed to target stains with delicate precision. “It’s most important to look for products that contain hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, as this is the only ingredient to truly whiten teeth from the inside,” says Dr. Saad. Hydrogen peroxide is known to cause less sensitivity, as it breaks down into water and oxygen after application.
Carbamide peroxide (a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and urea) is frequently used but contains higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, which can create more dramatic results but also cause slightly more discomfort.
Others rely on more natural ingredients, including coconut oil — but still require some form of peroxide. “Beware of many ‘whitening’ products on the market that work by acting as an abrasive (i.e. charcoal toothpaste) which can be damaging to your enamel, or ‘all-natural’ products which don’t contain the necessary peroxide ingredient,” Dr. Saad says.
Applicator
Gentle bristle-brushes are typically used in teeth whitening pens, as they are slim and flexible enough to aid with more precise application. These help to ensure the gel is comfortably and evenly distributed across each tooth. Silicone applicators are another option, however, they don’t offer as much precision and can cause slightly more discomfort for those with sensitive teeth or gums.
Overall Value
While all teeth whitening pens are generally compact and portable, the amount of gel inside can vary, and in turn can affect how often you’ll need to re-purchase them. Each pen will state how many uses it’s designed for, although in our testing we found that many had enough gel to far outlast the time frame suggested.
Pens with higher concentrations of peroxide will require less gel per application, so a little tends to go a long way. Other products include multiple pens per pack, which tends to be a more convenient and better value buy, as it means you’ll have to purchase them less frequently.
Behind the Scenes
We tested 17 teeth whitening pens from top-rated brands in order to narrow down a list of those we ranked most effective, easy-to-use, and which caused the least gum sensitivity. We received expert guidance from New York City-based cosmetic dentist Dr. Lena Varone, DMD, FIADFE, in planning out our rigorous testing steps. In order to test each teeth whitening pen in our lab, we noted the “before” teeth shade in accordance with a standard dental guide.
Ease of use: We carefully applied the provided gel to our teeth, paying close attention to how comfortable and intuitive it felt to hold the pen in our hand during use. Then, we allowed the gel to set for the recommended amount of time before rinsing it or allowing it to dissolve, per the instructions.
Comfort: After the first round of testing, we noted any lingering sensitivity or discomfort, as well as if there was any sticky gel residue left in our mouths.
Convenience: The main benefit of using a whitening pen is the convenience factor, so we evaluated if each pen was portable, considering the drying time, size, and how easy it is to use without a mirror.
Effectiveness: To see how the pens would work long-term, we took the pens home and used them daily for the remainder of the testing period, making careful observations about any changes in shade or sensitivity along the way.
Value: After the lab testing was complete, we revealed the prices of each product to our testers. They then rated the value based on the performance of the other testing attributes compared to the pen's cost.
Finally, we rated each whitening pen on a scale of one to five, with five performing the highest. The pens with the highest average scores made this list of the best whitening pens and earned the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do teeth whitening pens really work?
Yes! “Teeth whitening pens can provide a more gentle alternative to professional whitening,” explains Dr. Baker, who adds that while they won’t necessarily work overnight, they can produce visible results with a bit of patience. “It may take a little longer to see results since the concentration of the active ingredient is lower, but it will still whiten teeth.” She recommends teeth whitening pens in particular for patients with teeth sensitivity.
“Any whitening product containing hydrogen or carbamide peroxide will whiten your teeth,” adds Dr. Saad, who notes that “the degree of whitening depends on the strength of peroxide and the modality of peroxide carrier.”
Are teeth whitening pens or strips better?
For those with sensitive teeth, whitening pens are a better choice than whitening strips as they are more gentle and use a lower concentration of active ingredients like peroxides.
“Strips are better for people who want quicker results, because the ingredients simply stay on the teeth better when there is something covering the tooth,” explains Dr. Baker. “With the gel [from the pen], it stays on the teeth but gets washed away by saliva quicker.”
How quickly can yellow teeth get white again?
This ultimately comes down to your lifestyle, explains Dr. Baker. “Oral hygiene, diet, medications, and health history all play a role in how white the teeth are,” she says. She adds that anyone who often drinks beverages or eats foods that would stain a white T-shirt — think coffee, tea, red wine, or turmeric-heavy dishes — will experience less drastic results using a whitening pen.
For longer-lasting results, she suggests swishing with water after you eat or drink any of those types of drinks or dishes to help prevent staining.
She adds that teeth can be lightened much faster with a professional in-office whitening session, which is the most effective whitening option. But for those concerned with cost or potential sensitivity, teeth whitening pens are great alternatives.
“With consistency you can achieve a white smile with whitening pens,” says Dr. Baker. Dr. Saad adds that “after reaching ideal brightness and assuming good oral hygiene, you can expect to need a touch up in 6 to 12 months.”
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Sophie Dodd is a PEOPLE contributor who has been writing for People.com since 2018. She covers travel and lifestyle, with a focus on homegoods and beauty products. For this story, Sophie did a deep dive into the results of our teeth whitening testing and used her expertise as a commerce and lifestyle writer to research the products that scored the highest in order to narrow down this list. She also received advice from North Carolina-based dentist Dr. Britany L. Baker, DMD, and Orange County-based cosmetic dentist Dr. Shahira Saad, DDS, on what to look for when shopping for teeth whitening pens.
Our Expert Panel
Dr. Britany L. Baker, DMD, is a dentist practicing at Catawba Valley Dental Care in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Dr. Shahira Saad, DDS, is an Orange County-based cosmetic dentist practicing at Shoreline Dental Studio.
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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