I hate brushing my teeth. I do it because I have to, but it’s an uncomfortable and time-consuming process: two minutes standing 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 have a timer that encourages you to brush for the full two minutes. We’ve tested many types, from basic models to sophisticated models with oscillating brushes and everything in between. A good brush doesn’t have to cost you more than a few Hamiltons. Listed below are the best electric toothbrushes you can buy. We also have eco-friendly non-electric options if you don’t want to have another device that needs charging.
Updated May 2024: Our favorite smart brush, the Colgate Hum, has been discontinued. We’ve moved it to honorable mentions. We also added the Y-Brush as an alternative toothbrush and the Laifen Wave to honorable mentions.
Reporting by Christopher Null contributed to this guide.
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Sonic vs. Oscillating Toothbrushes
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 will use twice a day for two minutes. You can buy the best-rated toothbrush out there, but if your mouth feels weird or your gums hurt, you might not want to use it.
Ada S. Cooper, dentist and consumer advisory spokesperson for the American Dental Association, told me that both styles are effective in reducing plaque, according to recent studies. She notes that she should talk to a dentist about which one will work best for you and says to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Most of our picks have it. (If not, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad.)
- TO sonic toothbrush It looks like a manual toothbrush, 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 pulsate (oscillate means move or oscillate back and forth) around the entire tooth. They tend to make more noise than sonic brushes and can cause your head to vibrate more while you brush. You’ll get used to this if you’re new to electric toothbrushes. Oral-B is probably the best-known brand of this type of electric toothbrushes.
