The best electric toothbrush reduces plaque and gingivitis better than a manual one, encourages you to brush long enough, and prevents overzealous scrubbing (it’s a thing—just ask my dentist). I didn’t always love to brush my teeth, but over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the dental health ritual: two minutes of foamy, mindless maintenance that keeps the oral hygienist off my back.
Investing in preventative dental care can save you thousands of dollars (and a lot of discomfort) in the long run. If you have a permanent retainer from orthodontics, an electric device can deal with the plaque buildup far more effectively than a manual toothbrush. And a worthy electric toothbrush doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
We’ve tested dozens, from budget-friendly basics to high-tech models packed with pressure sensors and multiple cleaning modes. Each one gets at least two weeks of use—longer if we’re verifying battery claims—so we can assess performance, comfort, and overall value. Listed below are the best electric toothbrushes you can buy.
For more self-care recommendations, check out WIRED’s Guide to Mouth Tape, Best Lip Balms, and Best Red-Light Therapy Masks and LED Devices.
Featured in this article
Philips
Sonicare 4100 Electric Toothbrush
WIRED
- Narrow brush head for smaller mouths
- Built-in pressure sensor and 2-minute timer
- Battery life is about 2 weeks
- BrushSync reminds you to swap brush heads
- Available in a variety of colors
TIRED
- Only two vibration intensities
- Vibration is a bit mild
There are two types of electric toothbrush. An oscillating toothbrush has a round head that spins, like what you might find at the dentist, and a sonic one vibrates. (See below for a more detailed explanation.) Oscillating toothbrushes might be a bit intense for a beginner electric tooth-brusher, so the Philips Sonicare 4100 is our first pick. Its sonic vibrations are powerful without being aggressive, and the narrower brush head makes it a more comfortable fit for smaller mouths. At $50, the 4100 is a midrange Sonicare model with a pressure sensor, a two-minute timer, and two vibration intensities (high and low).
Battery life is excellent—lasting about two weeks per charge in our tests—and unlike Oral-B, the 4100 shuts off after the two-minute timer. It’s also designed with BrushSync technology, which tracks how long you’ve been using your brush head and how much pressure you’re applying. A light on the handle and a beep remind you when it’s time for a replacement—a thoughtful touch.
Unlike the Oral-B brush’s standard black and white, the Sonicare 4100 also comes in pink, azure blue, and dark forest green, which might not seem like much, but even the smallest pop of color can make a mundane task feel a little less … mundane.
Best Oscillating
WIRED
- High-power motor
- Built-in 2-minute timer with quadrant pulses
- Small round brush head to reach molars
- Durable build
TIRED
- Shorter battery life than its competitors
- Can feel intense
The Oral-B Pro 1000 has been around since 2012, outlasting and outperforming flashier models because it’s powerful and priced right. The high-power motor stays focused on your teeth, so you won’t feel that hand-numbing vibration along the handle. If you’re switching from a manual toothbrush, the intensity might be startling initially, but you’ll adjust.
With just one button and three brushing modes (Daily Clean, Whiten, and Sensitive), the Pro 1000 keeps it simple. A built-in timer pulses every 30 seconds to remind you to move to another quadrant of your mouth, with a triple pulse at the two-minute mark. Unlike some competitors, it won’t shut off automatically, which is handy if you like to keep brushing. Oral-B says the battery lasts about a week, but we squeezed out 10 days in testing. That’s decent, though not as long as some other models.
Like all of Oral-B’s electric brushes, the Pro 1000 uses an oscillating brush head, which is a small, circular design that gets between teeth more effectively than larger oval-shaped bristles. Round brush heads tend to be easier to maneuver for those with smaller jaws, and they reach the back of the farthest molars. Though we haven’t tried all of them, most Pro models are a good bet.
Best for Kids
Brusheez
Kids’ Electric Toothbrush Set
WIRED
- Fun, animal-themed designs
- Starter kit includes a protective brush cover, rinse cup, replacement brush head, and 2-minute sand timer
- BPA-free and certified safe for kids
TIRED
- Battery-powered toothbrush (AA batteries not included)
- Only one brush-head style
- No pressure sensor or feedback
My 2-year-old resisted brushing his teeth pretty heavily until I had him try the Brusheez Electric Toothbrush Set. He’s suddenly thrilled to brush his teeth, though sometimes it’s just him holding the vibrating bristles against his tongue and smiling. It’s plenty gentle against his teeth and is powered by two AA batteries (not included). It comes with a little storage base that holds the toothbrush, a two-minute hourglass timer, a rinse cup, and an extra brush head. There’s a fun cover for the toothbrush—we got my son the shark set, but there’s also a bear, giraffe, unicorn, dinosaur, and more options to get your kid excited about their new brush.
★ A built-in timer, plus an app: The Philips Sonicare Kids Electric Toothbrush ($35) is more expensive than the Brusheez, but it’s a rechargeable toothbrush and has a built-in two-minute timer, which is great for older kids who will know they have to brush until it stops. It’s also got a companion app (connect with Bluetooth) with cartoon lessons and rewards for brushing your teeth. —Nena Farrell
Most Sustainable
Suri
2.0 Electric Toothbrush
WIRED
- Repairable
- Battery life is around 40 days
- Soft bristles for sensitive gums
- Lightweight
TIRED
- Weaker motor than its competitors
- No pressure sensor
Most electric toothbrushes are disposable once they die, but Suri is built to last and be repaired. The brand offers a mail-in recycling program for used brush heads, which are made from cornstarch with castor oil bristles, so they’re biodegradable. The unsealed body allows Suri to swap out a dead motor or battery instead of sending you shopping for a whole new brush. But if you do decide to part ways, you can send it back for recycling.
Performance-wise, it’s a solid 7 out of 10, with soft bristles and vibrations that are gentle on sensitive teeth and gums. The slim, lightweight design is easy to hold, and the magnetic wall mount keeps your brush off the counter. Like most of our picks, it has a two-minute timer with 30-second pacing and a single-button interface. I will say its motor feels weaker than most of the ones we’ve tested. There’s only one type of toothbrush head, available exclusively through Suri’s site, which can be disappointing if you like options.
Compare Top 4 Electric Toothbrushes
Honorable Mentions
Courtesy of Quip
Quip Ultra Next Generation Smart Sonic for $100: Quip made its name as the Instagrammable toothbrush, and while its first model had its critics, the latest Quip Ultra is ideal for travel. The silicone, all-in-one body feels smooth in your hand and eliminates crevices where gunk and toothpaste residue usually build up. The new EasyClick Brush Pod also reduces the amount of plastic waste used in brush heads by 70 percent. It’s not as powerful as some of the oscillating brushes on this list, but it’s a fantastic option for frequent travelers who want something lightweight and low-maintenance.
The Ultra comes with a magnetic charger cable and mirror mount, a travel case, a countertop stand, and a replaceable brush pod. With a 30-day battery life, you usually don’t have to worry about packing a charger in your toiletry bag. The LED touch bar lets you adjust between 16 intensity levels—from a gentle polish to a deeper clean—by swiping, like adjusting the volume on a speaker. It also connects to the Quip app, so you can track your brushing habits.
Laifen Wave Special Electric Toothbrush for $90: Laifen’s original toothbrush was fine—it maybe had too much power. The intense vibrations made the whole body buzz and felt a bit too abrasive, especially on the front teeth. But the new Laifen Wave SE fixes all of that. It’s a gentler experience with 26,000 vibrations per minute, enough to be effective without overwhelming sensitive teeth. A 60-degree oscillation pattern helps sweep away plaque, and the thin bristles slip easily between teeth without irritating gum lines. If that isn’t enough, there are 1,000 customization settings via the companion app, letting you fine-tune your dental routine. Plus, extras like a travel mode and an array of pastel colorways make it as stylish as it is thoughtful.
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Nena-Farrell.jpg)
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Snow LED Whitening Electric Sonic Toothbrush for $79: I found myself leaning toward sensitive options with brands like Moon, but I have been plenty happy with the standard setting for Snow’s LED toothbrush. There are settings for whitening and polishing, too. The brush also has blue-light technology built into it to help whiten your teeth even on the non-whitening settings, and I do think mine look a touch brighter after weeks of use—you won’t get the same effect as a true whitening product if you’re looking for serious brightness, but I like that this can help me try to keep the tea stains away. My only complaint is the price, but if you’re looking for something powerful but gentle, this is a great choice. —Nena Farrell
AquaSonic Black Series for $50: This brush also comes with eight brush heads, which is nice for the price. I think it cleans well, but the heads are a bit small, and the whole thing was too intense for me, like the body was vibrating the plastic of the brush head more than the bristles.
Philips One by Sonicare Toothbrush for $30: This one is cute, thin, and offers gentle vibrations for a step above a manual brush. It also comes with a carrying case.
What About U-Shaped Toothbrushes?
U-shaped toothbrushes use a mouthpiece full of bristles to brush one section of teeth—or sometimes the entire mouth—all at once in around 30 seconds. We’ve tried a few and think they’re fine to use in addition to regular brushing. None of them is as effective as standard electric toothbrushes. Bill Busch of North Kansas City Dental and Joseph Salim, owner of Sutton Place Dental Associates, agree that these aren’t replacements.
“I find the best use for it is for children and in nursing home environments, where getting quick and easy compliance to brush is critical,” Busch says.
Photograph: Adrienne So
Willo AutoFlo+ Fully Automatic Kids Toothbrush – Starter Kit for $249: This toothbrush is ridiculous. The amount of maintenance is appalling—approximately a 20-minute cleaning cycle with a whole bottle of hydrogen peroxide, every two weeks. The liquid toothbrush bottles ($28) are expensive, and should you lose the included cleaning plug and bottle, it will be impossible to replace them. It’s also hard to fit correctly. According to Willo’s size guide, my 7- and 10-year-olds should have had medium brush heads, but they fit the small brush heads. Also, the bubble gum liquid toothbrush flavor tastes disgusting, or so my kids say.
Nevertheless, brushing your teeth isn’t always simple for young kids. It’s a constant battle to make sure my kids brush for an adequate amount of time and get full coverage on the top and bottom, and this toothbrush solves our problems. My kids love it. They just place the vibrating brush head in their mouths, and the light-up countdown timer shows them exactly how much time they have left, and I can be sure they’ve gotten the back right molars. I’m no longer cleaning up a gigantic smeared toothpaste mess every day because the spit/water/toothpaste mix drains directly into the sink. My 10-year-old finds the Super Scrub setting to be a little harsh, but Daily Clean works great. —Adrienne So
Willo Brushbot for $139: Given how much my children love the AutoFlo+, I was eager to try Willo’s new Brushbot which is much cheaper and takes up less space. (It also uses a different kind of expensive, proprietary foaming toothpaste.) While initially we liked it, we do have one weird problem—unlike the AutoFlo+, the Brushbot’s mouthpiece does not hang upside down to drain and dry, but instead stands upright on its charger. You have to make sure to drip-dry the toothbrush in the sink, which an 8- and an 11-year-old aren’t always going to remember to do.—Adrienne So
SymplBrush for $149: Former reviewer Brenda Stolyar used SymplBrush, which looks like a mix of Willo and AutoBrush, and liked it. “I can tell it hits each tooth and each side of it that might be missed with a standard toothbrush,” she says. “It’s a nice, all-around, clean-type feeling.” But she notes that it didn’t always get the buildup around her gumline, so she’d have to go in with a brush anyway. As someone who brushes too hard, she felt this offered a gentler brushing experience for her gums.
Courtesy of AutoBrush
AutoBrush Sonic Pro for $94: AutoBrush is the original in the category, and former reviewer Medea Giordano has tested both the old silicone-bristle model and the new nylon version. She wasn’t wowed by either, but if you want a U-shaped brush and can get this one on sale, try it. You can read about AutoBrush’s study with Salus Research here.
Y-Brush DuoBrush Sonic for $80: This is a great option because it has a U-shaped attachment and a standard brush head and isn’t crazily priced. Former reviewer Medea Giordano was impressed by how clean her teeth felt, and having both reminded her that she still needed a deep clean in between quick sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Electric Toothbrush do Dentists Recommend?
There is an endless array of electric toothbrushes to pick from, but they generally fall into two categories: sonic and oscillating. (For U-shaped brushes, see above.) The best toothbrush is, frankly, the one you’ll actually use twice or three times a day. You can buy the most recommended toothbrush on the market, but if it feels weird in your mouth or hurts your gums, you won’t want to use it.
Ada S. Cooper, a dentist and consumer adviser spokesperson for the American Dental Association, says both sonic and oscillating toothbrushes are effective in plaque removal.
- A sonic toothbrush looks similar to a manual brush, with an oval brush head. It vibrates gently and quietly, using high-speed side-to-side bristle motion to break up plaque. Sonicare was the first oral care brand to introduce a sonic toothbrush, and it’s 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 whole tooth. They tend to be louder than sonic brushes and might make your head vibrate more while you brush. You will get used to this if you’re new to electric brushes. Oral-B is probably the best-known brand for these types of electric toothbrushes.
Cooper also notes that you should talk to your dentist about which one will work best for you, and look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Most of our picks have it, but if they don’t, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ineffective.
What Features Should I Look For?
Beyond choosing between oscillating and sonic toothbrushes, there are a few other factors that you might want to think about.
- Brush and Bristles: A smaller brush head lets you clean along the gum line and around molars without scraping sensitive areas. Softer bristles are usually the safest choice to prevent irritation and discomfort.
- Smart Functions: Look for built-in timers and quadrant pacers to ensure you’re brushing long enough and hitting every area of your mouth. Adjustable intensity settings and modes let you dial in the power for sensitive teeth and/or receding gums. Some brushes also include pressure sensors that buzz or flash when you’re scrubbing too hard.
- Battery Life: Most electric toothbrushes use either replaceable or rechargeable batteries. I prefer rechargeable models for convenience, and their runtime can vary from about a week on a single charge to more than a month, depending on the toothbrush.
- Future Costs: Unfortunately, electric toothbrushes aren’t just a one-time purchase. You’ll need to replace the brush head every three months or so, and prices vary widely by the brand. It’s smart to check replacement costs upfront. Some brands also offer subscription plans, which can save you some money and ensure you never run out of heads.
- Brand Reputation: If you buy from a brand like Sonicare or Oral-B, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll be able to buy replacement brush heads or get a hold of customer service should you need anything. You can also get this 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 around in five years. Nevertheless, we’ve tested them out, and some make great brushes, so it may be worth it if the initial cost isn’t too high.
- Floss before brushing at least once a day, ideally twice (morning and evening). Floss picks are supplementary (not interchangeable).
- Brush at least twice a day, two minutes at a time, 30 seconds for each quadrant. The American Dental Association recommends placing the brush against the gum line at a 45-degree angle and moving the brush in gentle, vertical strokes to not damage the enamel of your teeth. Make sure to clean the inside surfaces, too.
- Be gentle. If your toothbrush bristles look like they’ve been crushed, you’re brushing too hard. You also want to use a soft-bristled brush to prevent gingival injury.
- Don’t forget your tongue. Bacteria builds up on your tongue, which can cause bad breath despite clean teeth. You can use the tongue cleaner that’s on the backside of some brush heads or purchase a separate tongue scraper. I like this one for $10.
- Don’t rinse. If you’re using fluoride toothpaste—which helps prevent tooth decay—you shouldn’t rinse your mouth or use mouthwash right away.
How Do I Clean My Electric Toothbrush?
Per the American Dental Association’s advice:
- Rinse your toothbrush well after each use to wash away remaining toothpaste and debris.
- Always store your toothbrush upright, and let it air dry between uses. Storing in a closed container (especially when still wet) can promote microbial growth.
- For extra sanitation, soak your toothbrush in Listerine mouthwash or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Toothbrush sanitizer devices are also available to purchase. Do not put in the dishwasher.
- Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles wear out.
How Do I Dispose of Old Toothbrush Heads?
First, check with your local and state organizations on the disposal methods or restrictions in your area. Some companies offer specialized recycling programs for their products, like Suri and Oral-B’s Recycle On Us program, which only accepts brush heads. You can also repurpose your old toothbrushes for polishing jewelry, scrubbing corners, and other chores.
Are Electric Toothbrushes FSA eligible?
No—according to the FSA, “Electric toothbrushes are not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts, and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) because they are general health products.”
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