The 6 Best Electric Toothbrushes, Tested in Our Lab

Here are the best electric toothbrushes that are on the market today.

We tested 13 electric toothbrushes at our Verywell Testing Lab and evaluated them for their ease of use, functionality, overall quality, portability, and value.

Electric toothbrushes can be as basic as simply having an on-off switch or come equipped with several brushing modes and a slew of additional features (even apps) that can either improve the experience or complicate it. Certain factors—like sensitivity alerts, interval timers, brush shapes, and ergonomic design—can set one electric toothbrush apart from another. But one thing that the dentists we spoke to agreed on is that soft bristles are best for removing plaque and preventing cavities without damaging your teeth or gums.

When looking for an electric toothbrush, it’s important to choose one that is, first and foremost, comfortable for you to use and is efficient at removing plaque from the surface of the teeth. According to Marc Schlenoff, DDS, FAGD , who was in the Lab and helped facilitate our test, the best electric toothbrush is the one that suits you best. When used properly, he said that any toothbrush should do the job of cleaning your teeth .

However, this toothbrush is one of the priciest devices on the market and only comes with one brush head. The additional features, such as the app and fancy charging travel case, likely contribute to the price. “The A3 replacement brush heads are also on the pricey end—$25-30 for two replacements,” our tester said. So while this toothbrush might be sleek in design and features, it is important to determine if it will work best for your budget before purchasing.

Once connected to the app, you get real-time notifications of what areas of the mouth you are hitting and if your motions and pressure are suitable to get a reliable clean for the teeth. Both the app and interval timer on the brush itself will notify you when to move on to the next section of your mouth and if you are using too much pressure on the teeth. The app also gives you a scored card of your brushing habits, provides tips for improved dental hygiene, and allows you to further customize your brushing experience with intensity levels and different brushing timers. “If you are truly invested in improving how you brush your teeth and your oral health and will take the time to utilize the app, those features may be 100 percent worth it,” our tester said.

The Philips Sonicare Prestige 9990 is labeled as the “Cadillac of electric toothbrushes” by one of our testers for a reason. Not only does the device look sleek and come with an attractive USB charging travel case (in addition to the charging disc), but it is easy to use and incorporates additional features like an app that can really improve your oral hygiene.

Other features included with the device are three different cleaning modes and a sensor that will notify you when you need to replace your brush head. However, the device does not include a travel case, which can make it more difficult to transport when on the go. Despite that, our tester thought it was very light and had a small charger that would make it easy to transport.

Our tester also noted that the device left her teeth feeling clean without any lingering food or other debris in the mouth. It feels like you’re getting a full, deep clean without using any pressure when brushing,” said our tester. “

Protecting the gums is key when brushing your teeth. The Philips Sonicare Protective Clean 5100 Rechargeable Toothbrush comes with a brush head that the brand says is created to take care of the gums without irritating them as you brush. Our tester found the bristles on the firm side and the vibrations to be pretty intense, so you don’t feel the need to apply any pressure, which is a nice gum-saving feature.

Although the device is more affordable compared to others on the market, it is important to note that it lacks some additional features that people might want in a device. For instance, the device doesn’t come with a travel case, additional brush heads, or brush head covers. This makes the product less valuable for what you are spending. Also worth noting: It cannot switch intensities. “I do think the pressure is a bit on the firmer side, so if you are someone who chronically brushes too hard, this is not the brush for you,” said our tester.

The Oral-B 1000 has a sensor built into the brush that will inform you when you are pressing too hard on the teeth. “I think this is a great basic toothbrush and would be good for kids—it’s easy to use out of the box and very simple to operate because it has just one setting,” said one tester.

Another no-frills electric toothbrush that will provide the user with a reliable clean is the Oral-B 1000 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush. Upon receiving the device, the toothbrush is ready to go after unboxing. All it takes is snapping on the single brush head provided in the package and then switching on the device with the click of a button. The device then uses just one mode and will inform you once your two minutes are up for brushing.

The device does not come equipped with a travel case or caps for the toothbrush head. This makes it slightly less portable compared to other devices on the market. But a travel case could be purchased for an additional fee if that is an important addition for someone.

This brush is a great value because it will not break the bank compared to other electric toothbrushes on the market, but it does come with some of the standout features of more expensive models. While it might lack some of the flashiest touches, the device gives users the cleaning benefits of using an electric toothbrush with a few extra bells and whistles like timed brushing, pressure sensors, and a replacement reminder for the brush head.

The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 device is a no-frills electric toothbrush that cleans teeth well at an affordable price. Although the device had no unique cleaning modes or intensity options for the user, our tester still received a thorough clean when using the device. “I felt like it was effectively cleaning my teeth and left them feeling shiny and free of gunk,” the tester said.

One downside of this budget-friendly device is that there is no way to alter the intensity of the vibrations. Our tester found the intensity to be harsher on the front teeth. So if you have sensitive teeth, that is something to consider before selecting this product.

The device is also easy to set up and use. It comes with eight brush heads, a travel case, and a USB charger. Then all it takes is snapping on one of those heads after charging the brush, and you can select between the different brush features with the touch of the button. While brushing, the device will notify you once 30 seconds have passed and it’s time to move on to the next section of the mouth.

An electric toothbrush does not need to be expensive to get the job done. The Phylian Sonic Electric Toothbrush earned top marks for being a budget-friendly toothbrush by our Verywell testers because of its affordability and quality. “I felt like it was an effective toothbrush: It cleaned my teeth and got the sticky food out in a single two-minute brushing session,” said one tester.

When it comes to power, Dr. Schlenoff told testers in our lab that a good electric toothbrush should do all the work for you. You shouldn’t have to apply any pressure or scrub your teeth the way you might with a manual toothbrush. You should only need to place the electric toothbrush along your gum line and move it around your mouth—a good electric toothbrush will take care of the rest.

The electric toothbrush comes with a traveling case, making it seamless for travel or brushing on the go. Also included with the device is a suction cup holder to attach to a countertop or sink. Our tester found this to be a useful addition that worked great in the bathroom to keep the toothbrush from moving around. One of the few critiques our tester had with the product is that it took some time to figure out exactly how to use the toothbrush the very first time. But after that initial use, the tester found the toothbrush to be relatively straightforward.

Additionally, our tester found the toothbrush made it so that hard-to-reach places are not missed. Switching between the six different brush features—including regular, light brushing, whitening, and tongue—is made simple by just pressing down the button of the brush until the chosen mode lights up.

The Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush received no less than four stars in our top attributes when looking for a toothbrush, making it the best overall in products tested by Verywell Health staff. First of all, our tester noted that the overall quality deserved top marks because of the shape of the brush heads and the five different brush features. This left her teeth feeling squeaky clean and free of any plaque or debris.

How We Rated the Electric Toothbrushes

4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best electric toothbrushes we tested. We recommend them without reservation.

4.5 to 4.7 stars: These electric toothbrushes are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them.

4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great electric toothbrushes, but others are better.

3.5 to 3.9 stars: These electric toothbrushes are just average.

3.4 and below: We don’t recommend electric toothbrushes with this rating; you won’t find any on our list.

Verywell Health/Vicky Wasik.

How We Tested the Electric Toothbrushes

The Verywell Health team tested 13 electric toothbrushes—first for several hours in the Verywell Testing Lab, followed by weeks of continued real-world testing. Before the initial test in the lab, each tester consumed sticky food (including dried mango, gummy candy, and caramels). Under the supervision of Marc Schlenoff, DDS, FAGD, testers used each toothbrush for a two-minute brushing session and noted how well each brush removed debris and how clean their teeth and gums felt after brushing.

We evaluated each brush and compared them for ease of use, functionality, overall quality, value, and portability. Our testers paid attention to brushing cues and timed settings, as well as any extra features (including any app functionality).

Verywell Health/Vicky Wasik

What to Look for in an Electric Toothbrush

Soft Bristles

One of the most important considerations when choosing between toothbrushes is the type of bristles used for the head. “Medium brushes and hard brushes are not meant for human tissues,” says Leena Palomo, DDS, MSD, professor and chair of the Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at New York University. “They’re meant for other appliances that are used in the mouth, such as partial dentures or retainers.”

Palomo recommends only selecting toothbrushes that include heads with the bristles described as “soft” or “extra soft.” These labels should be clearly marked on the packaging to avoid any confusion for the user. “Extra soft or soft toothbrush bristles are also helpful to minimize abrasion of the bristle against the dentition,” Kate Zoumboukos, DMD of SW Austin Dental, says.

Ergonomics

“Selecting a brush that fits comfortably in your hand is a great place to start,” Dr. Zoumboukos says. You want one that feels balanced when you hold it (not top heavy or bottom heavy) and allows you to grip it well. You don’t want an electric toothbrush that will become slippery or difficult to handle when it gets wet.

Verywell Health/Vicky Wasik

Alerts and Timers

Since you should be brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, many electric toothbrushes are equipped with timers that will indicate—often through lights or vibrations—when two minutes have elapsed. Some on this list take that a step further and offer subtle alerts at 20- or 30-second intervals to let you know when you should move from one section of your mouth to the next to ensure even brushing. “To achieve two minutes of toothbrushing, an electric toothbrush can be set with a timer, whereas a manual toothbrush can risk cutting that short,” Dr. Zoumboukos says.

Pressure alerts are another common feature, especially on more advanced electric toothbrushes. “We see that some power brushes, which are equipped with either an app or a pressure-sensitive device, alert you when you are pushing too hard, and they alert you when you miss specific areas of the mouth,” Dr. Palomo says. This can assist the user because the toothbrush is guiding them on how exactly they are brushing to get the largest benefit. 

Brush Head Size and Shape

The size and shape of the toothbrush head is another important characteristic to consider because it determines what portions of the mouth are reached when brushing—but at the end of the day, this comes down to personal preference.

“Smaller heads for some people are more useful in reaching the back of the teeth,” Dr. Palomo says. “In my practice, I have sometimes given kids’ brushes to adults because they are more effective for some patients at reaching the back teeth.” And Dr. Zoumboukos agrees: “Extra-large toothbrush heads can be difficult to navigate and clean effectively around the teeth.”

The shape also comes down to personal preference. Circular brush heads might mimic what your hygienist uses at your regular cleaning, but more oblong and angled brushes (especially at the tip) can make it easier to reach crevices and brush the molars toward the back of your mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should you change your toothbrush?

  Most dentists recommend switching out your toothbrush every three months to ensure that the bristles are not damaged or frayed. Some people might have to change their toothbrushes quicker than three months because the bristles appear frayed. Dr. Palomo said that this is a sign of needing to alter your brushing methods. “Replace the toothbrush, and don’t push so hard because you are wearing the thing out quicker than three months, which means you are pushing too hard,” she said.  

  There are also other reasons why people might have to change out their toothbrushes ahead of the three-month mark. “Toothbrushes often need to be replaced if you become sick or if certain foods damage or stain the brush,” Dr. Zoumboukos says.

• How do you clean your toothbrush?

  Research remains minimal about the benefits of cleaning a toothbrush outside of replacing it once it wears down. Dr. Palomo recommends using warm water on the bristles after using the toothbrush to wash away any excess liquid and debris. “Some early data suggests that cleaning gently with your thumb under warm water each time after using the brush and 10 days to two weeks with kind of the same rubric we use to clean makeup brushes,” she says. “Although the evidence on that is not as concrete.”

• What is better: a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush?

  Toothbrushes, whether manual or electric, can each be beneficial or hinder the user, depending on their situation. So dentists do not have one clear answer on if uniformly one type of brush is better than the other for the general population. “Electric toothbrushes offer consistency and efficient plaque removal. Manual toothbrushes, when used correctly, can effectively remove plaque as well,” Dr. Zoumboukos says.

  One benefit that electric toothbrushes can have is that they require less arm movement for the user. “When manual dexterity challenges arise, electric toothbrushes offer the ability to have a brush with minimal movement of the arm,” Dr. Zoumboukos says. “If an injury or limitation arises, electric toothbrushes can assist with dental plaque removal.”

  However, while the added vibrations and sensations can be beneficial to some patients, they can cause problems for others. “In cases where a patient may not feel comfortable with vibration or sensations produced from an electric brush, a manual brush allows full control, and manual toothbrushes can be selected with different handles and head sizes based on need,” Dr. Zoumboukos adds.

• How much should I expect to pay for an electric toothbrush?

  Electric toothbrushes have a fairly wide price range, with some available for under $10 and other costing a few hundred dollars, all depending on available connectivity and features. Some electric toothbrushes keep detailed records of your brushing habits in a connected app, while others simply offer more brushing power than a manual toothbrush.

  Our list includes toothbrushes across multiple price ranges. our least expensive toothbrush, the Phylian Sonic Electric Toothbrush at $19. Our most expensive pick, Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900, comes in at $380 and packed with features.

Why Trust Verywell Health

As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life.