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Rich Scherr is a renewal strategist and fact checker for Dotdash’s Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a veteran finance and technology reporter who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Technology Newsletter for nearly two decades and is a regular contributor to the Baltimore Sun’s sports section. He also worked as a news editor for AOL and wrote for the Associated Press and The Washington Post.
Electric toothbrushes use a rotating motion, oscillating technology, or sonic vibrations to help remove bacteria, plaque, and food particles. While a manual toothbrush can get the job done, many of our favorite electric toothbrushes come with features ranging from pressure sensors to facial recognition that provide real-time feedback and recommendations as you brush your teeth. Research shows that people who use electric toothbrushes have healthier gums and fewer cavities over time.
To find the best electric toothbrush for oral health, we tested over 40 models under the supervision of a licensed dentist, rating each one for ease of use, functionality, and overall value. An orthodontist on our committee of medical experts also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy.
The technology and features of electric toothbrushes vary depending on their price. Cheaper models have a brushing mode and a two-minute timer, while more expensive models offer facial recognition, pressure sensors and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Oral-B iO Series 10 is a great choice for those looking for an advanced electric toothbrush with seven brushing modes, real-time coverage, pressure control, and a built-in timer on the smart charger. Although comprehensive, the pre-charged device’s numerous functions and beeps require manual reading and downloading of applications. The package includes three identical attachments, a smart charger and a travel case. The handle of the toothbrush feels perfect and the small round head is a refreshing change and allows better access to hard to reach places and crevices. Multiple settings and additional features such as a tongue cleaner provide cleaning versatility. While navigating these settings may take more effort than some would like, it’s a great addition for tech or oral care enthusiasts. There is no residue left on the teeth after brushing, although there is less of a minty aftertaste, likely due to the smaller brush head.
After two minutes of brushing, the screen and smiley face will add a fun and useful element to your daily brushing routine. While the $400 price tag seems a little high, this toothbrush impresses with its advanced features to suit a variety of oral care needs.
The Voom Sonic Pro 5 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is affordable and offers more features and benefits than expected. We found the Voom Sonic Pro 5 Rechargeable Electronic Toothbrush to be very easy and intuitive to set up. While most of the settings are self-explanatory, we consulted the manual to get a full understanding of each feature. The handle has the right width for a comfortable grip. Although the brush head seems small at first glance, it works well and switching between settings is easy, despite the occasional unexpected change.
One of the notable features is the timer: each section of the tooth has a 2-minute timer with 30-second intervals, which helps a lot. The toothbrush offers five settings to suit different needs, but it lacks a battery indicator and built-in sensors. While some features were missing, the 2-minute quadrant timer stood out and left our teeth exceptionally clean, reminiscent of a dental cleaning appointment. We highly recommend this toothbrush for those who are lazy to brush their teeth, those with sensitive teeth, and those who want to whiten their teeth and remove stains.
With its compact design and convenient features, the Oral-B iO Series 8 electric toothbrush is the perfect companion for your on-the-go dental care needs.
This toothbrush looks great and has the right thickness of handle for easy transport and display. Although the spinning is fast and creates some mess, it is very easy to maneuver in your mouth. The toothbrush head is relatively small and you will have to pause to change settings while brushing. Cleaning was easy, although toothpaste residue stuck to the dark purple brush.
We were impressed with this toothbrush’s capabilities, especially the integration of AI into the app for precise brushing tracking and the helpful red flashing light when you’re brushing too hard. The app gamifies the process by providing assessments and tracking results. Battery life is conveniently displayed, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functions work well, although setting up an Oral B account is a bit of a hassle. A sensor indicating excessive pressure opens the eyes.
Our teeth were so clean that we switched to electric toothbrushes. Although the cost is relatively high, the investment seems worth it considering their daily use and impact on dental health. This toothbrush is ideal for those who brush their teeth frequently. It provides helpful alerts and explanations.
The ProtectiveClean 6100 Toothbrush is a testament to Sonicare’s superiority, with multiple settings (cleaning, whitening, and gum cleaning) and superior performance that outperforms even the fanciest Sonicare models.
It’s easy to set up and intuitive; no human consultation is required. One button is for settings, another for turning on, and the intensity of the middle brush is easy to adjust. The handle design is reminiscent of our old Sonicare toothbrushes and is very easy to use. The brush head is the perfect size for comfort and effective coverage.
The timer works well, although switching between medium brush settings could be smoother. We were impressed by the battery life – it lasted more than a month on a single charge. We appreciate the lack of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or apps—it makes brushing your teeth easy and efficient.
After brushing, your teeth feel especially clean, just like when you go to the dentist. Considering the brand’s reputation, customization, and durability of the toothbrush, this toothbrush is ideal for those looking for a thorough and effective clean.
The Oral-B iO Series 5 toothbrush is a great choice for sensitive teeth thanks to its special sensitivity mode and gentle brushing. The toothbrush has several settings (sensitive, ultra-sensitive, intense, polishing) and different intensity levels. We initially thought the toothbrush was too thin, but it gets into all areas easily and the brush head is the perfect size for our needs.
We found the Oral-B iO Series 5 toothbrush to be very easy to set up, but understanding the backlit buttons requires reading the instructions, especially for first-time electric toothbrush users. The built-in timer with 30-second alarm and 2-minute indicator worked fine, but the toothbrush did not automatically stop after 2 minutes as expected. The battery charge indicator and pressure sensor are valuable features. The toothbrush can be connected to a Bluetooth app, offering additional features such as timers, ring color customization, and an AI display to monitor brushing.
Our teeth felt incredibly clean after using this toothbrush, especially when we got to the tricky spots with little effort. Considering its features and below-average price, it’s still a good deal despite the lack of an auto-shutoff feature after 2 minutes. This toothbrush is ideal for people who frequently brush too much or not enough, as well as those with sensitive teeth or inconsistent brushing pressure.
The Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 is the perfect choice for those looking for an effective and easy-to-use water irrigator. Provides a thorough and refreshing clean for daily oral hygiene. Water flossers have come as a surprise: they make it easier to remember to floss and help remove food debris effectively.
We found the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 Toothbrush and Water Flosser Combo to be easy to install and didn’t even require instructions. The package contains all the necessary parts and even four additional toothbrush heads, which is very convenient. The handle and brush head are the right size, and having a tongue cleaner on the brush head is a nice feature. Conveniently located buttons make switching between settings smooth while cleaning.
A 2-minute timer and 3 brush settings (cleaning, whitening, massage) make it easy to use, while 10 water pressure settings allow you to meet your individual irrigator needs. Noteworthy are the battery charge indicator light and the ease of charging the toothbrush holder. However, we missed the pressure alert feature when brushing too hard. Although there was no Wi-Fi or app, the device provided efficient and fast daily care that kept our teeth clean and our gums fresh.
Considering the fair price, especially compared to non-flossing alternatives, we think it’s a great value. Especially useful for people with sensitive gums or spaces between teeth. Although the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 is noisy during use, it is still an attractive choice and also has some small improvements, such as quieter operation and more effective tongue cleaning ridges, to improve usability.
Colgate Buzz is the perfect toothbrush for kids that revolutionizes brushing and makes brushing a fun, stress-free daily habit.
The Colgate toothbrush is very easy to use. We were drawn to the bright colors of the toothbrush, and the app’s gamification, which encourages kids to earn points and unlock fun image filters, was also a hit. This adds a sense of accomplishment that goes beyond just “brushing your teeth well.”
The companion app is also intuitive and easy to navigate on your own. We appreciate its design that allows it to stand on its own. However, dependence on batteries is a disadvantage and requires replacement. This toothbrush makes a huge difference in your daily life; her joy makes children look forward to brushing their teeth.
It uses replaceable batteries, which may not be as convenient or environmentally friendly as rechargeable batteries.
To date, we’ve tested over 40 electric toothbrushes to find the best on the market, with three different reviews of Oral-B, Sonicare, and a wider range of brands, including a test of Quip, Waterpik, Colgate, and more. Since we started testing electric toothbrushes, we’ve spent more than 3,472 hours brushing them in the lab (under the expert guidance of Dr. Mark Shlenoff, Tend’s vice president of clinical development) and at home. This is what we look for when we test every electric toothbrush.
Our team of dental professionals helps us research and test the best electric toothbrushes. Each of them has the knowledge and experience to provide reliable oral care advice.
Dr. Shlenoff says both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective if used correctly. He said it’s really a matter of personal preference. While both electric toothbrushes do a good job of cleaning your teeth, they come with smart technologies like pressure sensors, facial recognition, and brushing timers. If these features appeal to you, you may prefer an electric toothbrush.
“If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for a toothbrush with a sensitivity setting,” says Melissa Seibert, DDS, CEO of Dental Digest Institute. Dr. Seibert says some electric toothbrushes have artificial intelligence technology or pressure sensors that teach you how to brush properly and apply the right pressure. “Brushes with oscillating technology are a very effective mechanism that provides safe and effective cleaning,” she adds.
To further accommodate sensitive lips, you can also look for soft or gentle brush heads. Dr. Seibert recommends using fluoride toothpaste or one specifically formulated for sensitive teeth.
We also tested these toothbrushes but ultimately decided not to include them in the list above. In terms of technology, capabilities and functionality, they performed poorly in our tests:
Kayla Hui received her Master of Public Health in 2020 and is an experienced public health professional and health journalist. She interviews dozens of experts, reviews numerous studies, and tests numerous products to provide thoughtful reviews and reviews of products. Her goal is to help readers make more informed decisions about their health and well-being.
41. Pichika V, Pink S, Fölzke H, Welk A, Kocher T, Holtfreter B. Long-term effects of electric toothbrushes on oral health: an 11-year cohort study. J. Clin Periodontol. Published online May 22, 2019: jcpe.13126. doi:10.1111/jcpe.13126
Post time: Jun-26-2024