I hate brushing my teeth. I do it because I have to, but it’s a time-consuming, uncomfortable process – two minutes standing in front of the mirror can feel like an eternity. My dentist says I brush too hard too. Don’t even get me started on flossing. Electric toothbrushes make the whole experience easier. Their vibrations and oscillations can more effectively get rid of plaque on your teeth and gums, and most brushes have a timer that prompts you to brush for a full two minutes.
Sonic or oscillating toothbrush?
There is a seemingly endless variety of electric toothbrushes to choose from, but they generally fall into two categories: sonic and oscillating (for U-shaped brushes, see below). The best toothbrush is the one you need to use twice a day. You can buy the highest rated toothbrush, but if it feels weird in your mouth or hurts your gums, you might not want to use it.
Ada S. Cooper, a dental spokesperson and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association, told me that both styles are effective in reducing plaque, according to recent studies. She notes that you should talk to a dentist about which dentist will work best for you, and she says to look for the ADA label Most of our picks have it. (If they don’t, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad.)
- ONE sonic toothbrush looks like a manual brush with an oval brush head. It vibrates gently and quietly using high-speed side-to-side movements to break up plaque. Sonicare was the first brand to introduce a sonic toothbrush and is probably the most well-known name in the category.
- Oscillating toothbrushes rotate and pulsate – oscillate means to move or swing back and forth – around the entire tooth. They tend to be louder than sonic brushes and can cause your head to vibrate more while brushing. You will get used to this if you are new to electric brushes. Oral-B is probably the most well-known brand for these types of electric toothbrushes.
Other factors to consider
In addition to choosing between oscillating and sonic toothbrushes, these are a few other factors that you may want to think about.
- Future costs: You should replace the brush head approximately every three months – more if you tend to brush with too much pressure. They vary in price 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 to $55 for 10. Many brands offer subscriptions for less. You can often find off-brand heads that cost less but will work with the handle, although you may not get the same quality.
- Charging: Electric toothbrushes have either rechargeable or replaceable batteries. Battery life depends on the brush, but it may need to be charged every week to every few months. Do you want to commit to keeping it charged or have an extra battery on hand, or do you prefer the ease of a manual brush that works anywhere anytime?
- Brand history: If you buy from a brand like Sonicare or Oral-B, chances are you’ll be able to buy new brush heads or get customer service if you need anything. You can also get these in store instead of having to order 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 on the market in five years or not. Some make good brushes though, so it might be worth it if the initial cost isn’t too high.
How to brush your teeth effectively
Getting the best toothbrush money can buy means nothing if you don’t brush properly. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to do right:
- Floss: You should floss once a day before brushing. Medea prefers dental floss to a string and switched to a refillable version from Quip.
- Brush for two minutes: Brush twice a day, spending about a minute each on your top and bottom teeth—30 seconds for each quadrant, which is why most electric toothbrushes have 30-second timers to remind you to move on to the next. Be sure to get 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 your toothbrush bristles look like they’ve been crushed, you’re brushing too hard. You want to keep your teeth clean, but you don’t actually need to brush to do it. Electric toothbrushes often help people be gentler, but you still need to be aware of it.
- Don’t forget your tongue: Bacteria build up on your tongue, which can cause bad breath despite clean teeth. You can brush it with your toothbrush or use the tongue cleaner that is on the back of some brush heads. I like to pair it with one tongue scraper for $10 to remove most of the buildup first.
- Do not rinse: If you use fluoride toothpaste – which helps prevent cavities – you should not rinse your mouth or use mouthwash immediately.
A good brush doesn’t have to cost you more than a couple of Hamiltons. We’ve tested many types, from basic models to fancy models with oscillating brushes and everything in between. We test brushes for at least two weeks, but try to use them for their estimated battery life, switching between modes and noting the cleaning power of each.
Below are the best electric toothbrushes you can buy. We also have eco-friendly non-electric options if you don’t want to own another device that needs charging. Don’t forget to check out our other self-care gadget guides, from the best hair dryers and straighteners to the best shower filters and beard trimmers.
Updated December 2024: We’ve made Snow LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush an option and added notes about Snow’s Advanced LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush Kit.
Christopher Null’s reporting contributed to this guide.
Startup with unlimited access to THE CABLE. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Register today.