If You’re Looking for a New Electric Toothbrush, Read This (2024)

Though you most certainly know how important it is to brush and floss, it may surprise you to learn just how crucial your toothbrush selection is. "An electric toothbrush will remove more plaque than a manual one, thanks to the mechanical motion," says Joseph Goodman, DDS, DMD, a dentist in Los Angeles. "Also, most electric toothbrushes have a timer, which assures you brush for the proper amount of two minutes." In the past, consumers were limited to Sonicare or Oral B—both superior electric toothbrushes, says Brian Harris, DDS, a cosmetic dentist and founder of Smile Virtual.

Oprah herself uses Philips One by Sonicare, even choosing it for one of her Favorite Things. Lady O says of the brush, "Sometimes something practical is the perfect present. I’ve long been a Sonicare user, and I’m excited about this travel-friendly version, complete with a sleek case. The rechargeable smart brush uses micro-vibrations to ensure a complete clean, and it has a two-minute timer, so brushing isn’t cut short. Your loved one’s dentist will thank you."

What to consider

• ADA Seal of Approval: When shopping, your primary focus should be on the seal from the American Dental Association (ADA), says Adam Harwood, DMD, an endodontist in NYC. These products have been tested to ensure they meet criteria for safety and efficacy.

• Beyond that, it's largely a matter of preference. Sonicare isn't necessarily better than Oral B, for example—but each brush will have subtle differences in features, like shape, UV cleaning, pressure sensors, and more. Is your head, er, spinning yet? Dentists recommend these electric toothbrushes because they are gentle on sensitive or receding gums, plus give teeth the most thorough clean.

How we chose

From heavily researching the market to chatting with experts to our own personal testing, we've pulled together a list of the 15 best electric toothbrushes out there today. We've got affordable and splurge options, some for receding gums, and even options for whitening.

The experts:

• Joseph Goodman, DDS, DMD, a dentist in Los Angeles
• Brian Harris, DDS, cosmetic dentist and founder of Smile Virtual
• Adam Harwood, an endodontist in NYC
• Lana Rozenberg, DDS, a dentist in NYC
• Michael Florman, DDS, an orthodontist in Los Angeles
• Jennifer Jablow, DDS, a dentist in NYC.

Philips Sonicare is practically synonymous with electric the electric toothbrush. This rechargeable toothbrush removes up to five times more plaque than a manual toothbrush. It also has a pressure sensor, timer, and brush head replacement reminder. This one won't break the bank, but it also ensures that your teeth are getting the cleaning that they deserve. One reviewer says, "This toothbrush is perfect for people new to electric toothbrushes. It's not too overpowering or complicated, it's cute, inexpensive, and pays for itself in one trip to the dentist. I would buy it again."

Another brand you can trust is Oral-B. If you're forgetful (and we don't judge), it might pay to buy this pack that comes with three extra replacement heads. Otherwise, this toothbrush has a pressure sensor and a display screen. A charging carrying case also makes it travel-friendly, perfect for those who seem to find themselves always on the go. Users say it feels like they came straight from the dentist after brushing.

We promised a whitening option, so here we are to deliver on just that. Try this one. It's a favorite on Amazon and is supposed to whiten teeth in just one week while still cleaning gently. There are three different intensities and modes—Clean, White, and Gum Care—so you can customize the use to best suit your needs with each brush. A pressure sensor helps to protect your gums and teeth as well.

Because this brush has a sensor that activates when too much pressure is applied, it's a great choice for anyone with receding gums. This feature protects your gums from irritation and your teeth from enamel erosion caused by excessively hard brushing, says Lana Rozenberg, DDS, a dentist in NYC. It also has a built-in timer, complete with a pacer that gives a gentle vibration when it's time to move to another section of your mouth.

Though this specific model is a favorite, Michael Florman, DDS, an orthodontist in Los Angeles, stands by any model by Oral-B. These brushes are soft and many have pressure sensors that prevent you from brushing too harshly—a common cause of tooth and gum sensitivity, he explains. One reviewer in particular raves, "The oscillating, rotating, and pulsating movements of the brush head ensure a thorough and efficient clean, reaching areas that manual brushing might miss. The 3D cleaning action leaves my teeth feeling remarkably clean and polished after each use."

For those whose mouths require a little extra TLC, this electric toothbrush is great for sensitive gums because it has a built-in pressure sensor, says Jennifer Jablow, DDS, a dentist in NYC. Manufacturers promise the brush removes 10 times more plaque than manual toothbrushes, and Jablow says it delivers—her patients who switch to Sonicare have less plaque buildup and experience less gum bleeding when brushing.

If a sleek design helps you get excited about brushing your teeth, this is the toothbrush for you. The 30-day battery life and protective travel case make it perfect for bringing on trips—and it's not super expensive, so you won't worry if you leave it in the hotel bathroom. Still not convinced? Well, this small but stylish toothbrush is loved by Oprah and even made her Favorite Things list back in 2021.

This brush is one of the sleekest-looking on the market. Choose from a plastic or metal handle, as well as an array of colors. It also has a three-month battery life, is water-resistant, and has a built-in travel cover that doubles as a mirror mount. And if you haven't heard of this brand before, one of its selling points is a subscription model so you never run out of new heads again.

This electric toothbrush moves three ways—it oscillates, rotates, and pulsates—to effectively tackle plaque on teeth and along the gum line, says Harwood. A reviewer loved its movement, saying, "But let's talk about personality, shall we? This toothbrush isn't just a cleaning machine—it's a sidekick on a mission to make your morning routine as entertaining as a stand-up comedy show. With its oscillating bristles and pulsating vibrations, it's like having a dance party in your mouth every time you brush. Who knew oral hygiene could be this much fun?"

For an introduction to the world of electric toothbrushes, Arm & Hammer offers a non-intimidating option that is a good starting point. The brush spins side to side and has an ergonomic handle, making it easier to achieve a thorough brush, which results in less plaque and reduced risk for dental disease like gingivitis, says Harwood. Color-fading bristles also make it more obvious when you need to replace the brush head (every three months).

Electric toothbrushes are not just for adults. Kick-start your kids' dental hygiene with a brush that is practical and playful. Though as effective as the brand's adult models, this model has gentle bristles and a flexible brush head that's more appropriate for small mouths, says Harwood. It also has a two-minute countdown timer, a convenient suction base, and a fun kid-friendly design. Your kids might even like brushing their teeth. Maybe.

Another sleek-looking option, this brush features an oscillating circular head with two speeds, a brush head cover, and a matching stand. You can also customize each piece of the toothbrush (from the head to the stand to the travel cover) for a piece that truly feels like your own. It also works on a subscription model that includes peppermint-flavored toothpaste. Oh, and add on the translucent travel bag while you're at it.

A round brush head separates this toothbrush from others on the market, says Goodman. It's a very unique toothbrush similar to the tool your hygienist uses to polish your teeth, he explains. Plus, the bristles on the brush are one-third the width of traditional toothbrush bristles, making them better able to clean surfaces that conventional bristles cannot. A reviewer says, "I am a registered dental hygienist, and while I recommend an electric toothbrush for every patient, I will only use Rotodent. The end of the bristles are rounded, not sharp, and don’t cause recession."

This starter kit comes with an extra head and uses Bluetooth to help you brush better. It has three speeds: normal, sensitive, and deep clean, plus a timer reminding you to brush for two minutes. Sync it to the app for an ultra-personalized experience where you can track the frequency, duration, and coverage of your brushing. You can even earn points that lead to rewards, like a 60-day trial to Headspace.

A sustainable, chic, and minimalist design makes this electric toothbrush feel like something straight from the future. Between the plant-based brush heads, 40-day battery life, waterproof and easy-to-clean design, and magnetic mirror or wall mount, this brush really has it all. You can also choose to add on a travel case that uses UV light to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria that live on your brush.