I hate brushing my teeth. I do it because I have to, but it’s a long and uncomfortable process: two minutes in front of the mirror can seem like an eternity. My dentist says I also brush too hard. Don’t even get me started on flossing. Electric toothbrushes make the whole experience easier. Their vibrations and oscillations can more effectively remove plaque from your teeth and gums, and most brushes come with a timer that encourages you to brush for a full two minutes.
Sonic or oscillating toothbrush?
There is a seemingly endless array of electric toothbrushes to choose from, but they generally fall into two categories: sonic and oscillating (for example). U-shaped brushessee below). The best toothbrush is the one you will use twice a day. You can buy the highest-rated toothbrush on the market, but if it feels weird in your mouth or hurts your gums, you might not want to use it.
Ada S. Cooper, dentist and consumer advisor spokesperson for American Dental Associationtold me that both styles are effective in reducing plaque, according to recent studies. She notes that you should talk to a dentist to find out which one will work best for you, and she tells you to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Most of our picks have it. (If they don’t, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad.)
- A sonic toothbrush looks like a manual brush, with an oval brush head. It vibrates gently and quietly, using a high-speed side-to-side bristle motion to break up plaque. Sonicare was the first brand to introduce a sonic toothbrush and is probably the best-known name in the category.
- Oscillating toothbrushes rotate and pulse (oscillate means move or rock back and forth) around the entire tooth. They tend to be noisier than sonic brushes and can cause your head to vibrate more while you brush. You will get used to it if you are new to electric brushes. Oral-B is probably the best-known brand for this type of electric toothbrush.
Other factors to consider
Besides choosing between oscillating and sonic toothbrushes, here are a few other factors you may want to think about.
- Future cost: You should replace the brush head approximately every three months, or more if you tend to brush with too much pressure. Their price varies depending on the brand and type of head, so it’s a good idea to check beforehand. Oral-B Offers different types of heads in packs ranging from $9 for one has $55 for 10. Many brands offer subscriptions for less. You can often find off-brand heads that cost less but work with the handle, although you may not get the same quality.
- Loading: Electric toothbrushes come with rechargeable batteries or replaceable batteries. Battery life depends on the brush, but it may need to be recharged every week or every few months. Do you want to commit to keeping it charged or keeping a spare battery on hand or do you prefer the ease of a manual brush that works anywhere, anytime?
- History of the brand: If you buy from a brand like Sonicare or Oral-B, chances are you can purchase replacement brush heads or contact customer service if you need anything. You can also get them in store instead of having to order them online. We recommend a few newer brands here, many of which only have online storefronts and there’s no way to predict whether they’ll be around in five years or not. However, some make excellent brushes, so it may be worth it if the initial cost isn’t too high.
How to brush your teeth effectively
Getting the best toothbrush money can buy won’t mean anything if you don’t brush properly. Fortunately, it’s quite easy to do correctly:
- Silk: Once a day, you should floss before brushing your teeth. Médée prefers thread cleaners to string and has switched to one rechargeable version of Quip.
- Brush for two minutes: Brush twice a day, spending about a minute each on your top and bottom teeth, or 30 seconds for each quadrant. That’s why most electric toothbrushes have a 30-second timer to remind you to move on to the next one. Be sure to clean the front and back of the teeth and focus on cleaning the gum line, where food can stick and plaque can build up.
- Be gentle: If the bristles on your toothbrush seem crushed, you’re brushing too hard. You want to keep your teeth clean, but you don’t need to scrub them to do that. Electric toothbrushes often help people be gentler, but it’s still worth paying attention to.
- Don’t forget your language: Bacteria builds up on your tongue, which can cause bad breath despite clean teeth. You can brush it with your toothbrush or use the tongue scraper that’s on the back of some brush heads. I like to pair this with a tongue scraper for $10 to remove most of the buildup first.
- Do not rinse: If you use fluoride toothpaste, which helps prevent tooth decay-You you should not rinse your mouth or use mouthwash immediately.
A good brush doesn’t have to cost you more than a few Hamiltons. We’ve tested many types, from basic to fancy ones with oscillating brushes and everything in between. We test the brushes for at least two weeks, but try to use them for their estimated lifespan, switching between modes and noting the cleaning power of each.
Below are the best electric toothbrushes you can buy. We also offer eco-friendly non-electric options if you don’t want to own another device that needs to be recharged. Don’t forget to check out our other self-care gadget guides, ranging from Best Hair Dryers And Best Hair Straighteners At Best Shower Water Filters And Best beard trimmers.
Updated December 2024: We have selected the Snow LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush and added ratings about the Snow Advanced LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush Set.
Reporting by Christopher Null contributed to this guide.
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