The Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2023, Tested by Our Editors
To find the best electric toothbrush for maintaining oral health, we tested 13 models under the supervision of a licensed dentist, evaluating each one for ease of use, functionality, and overall value.
In our tests, the Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush came out on top, thanks to its six cleaning modes, intuitive controls, and thoughtful accessories. We also like the budget-friendly Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 , which has a smart timer and a two-week battery life.
Electric toothbrushes use rotating movements, oscillating technology, or sonic vibrations to help remove bacteria, plaque, and food debris. While a manual toothbrush can do the job, many of our favorite electric toothbrushes have features—from pressure sensors to facial recognition—that deliver real-time feedback and provide guidance as you brush. And research shows that people who use an electric toothbrush may have healthier gums and experience less tooth decay over time.
Best Overall
Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush
Amazon
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Why We Like It: The base is compatible with any Oral-B electric toothbrush head and replacement heads are relatively affordable.
It’s Worth Noting: If you aren’t interested in features like a pressure sensor or brushing feedback, you’ll be paying for features you don’t need.
In our test, the Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush ranked best overall after impressing our tester with how easy it was to switch between the cleaning modes and how thoroughly it cleaned her entire mouth—including her tongue. “I loved the round brush head on this toothbrush, which made it easy to get all around my teeth and even into hard-to-reach places at the back of my mouth,” our tester said. “I also liked the tongue brushing setting, which was much softer and made it easy to clean my tongue without using a super rough setting.”
Using Bluetooth and facial recognition technology, this high-tech toothbrush records your brushing habits and delivers feedback in real time. That way, you don’t brush too hard or brush under the recommended time of two minutes—two features our tester appreciated.
It also comes with a base, three brush heads, a sleek travel case with a USB port, and a suction base, which our tester really liked because it kept the brush in place, even on a slippery countertop. Plus, the hard-sided travel case has room for two brush heads and can charge both the brush and your phone at the same time. We also like that you have options when it comes to color: black, rose gold, orchid purple, sakura pink, and white.
Although the toothbrush has a heftier price tag, our tester noted that it’s made of quality materials and is designed well. We think that if you intend to use all of the features and accessories—the Bluetooth connectivity, six brushing modes, timers, pressure sensors, detailed feedback from the app, suction cup holder, and multi-use travel case—the price is worth it.
Price at time of publication: $305 for Rose Gold
Product Details:
- Features: Built-in timers, position detection, facial recognition, app, Bluetooth connectivity
- Includes: 3 brush heads, travel case with USB port, charger, base
Best Budget
Phylian Sonic Electric Toothbrush
Amazon
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Why We Like It: Not only is the Phylian effective at cleaning food from your teeth, it comes with eight brush heads to save you money.
It’s Worth Noting: The vibration on this brush may too harsh for people with sensitive teeth.
For the price, our tester noted that the Phylian Sonic Electric Toothbrush was easy to use, highly functional, and effective at cleaning their teeth, all for a fraction of the price on comparable Oral-B and Philips Sonicare options. When brushing, our tester said that she could easily switch between five modes: sensitive, clean, white, polish, and massage. When fully charged, the toothbrush offers 60-days of brushing between charges (a feature we’re continuing to test in order to verify).
It also comes with eight flexible brush heads, which, since you should change them out every three months, will last you two years. Our tester appreciated that the built-in timer reminds you to switch sides every 30 seconds—a feature that puts it on the same level as even the most expensive brushes on this list.
We rated the Phylian toothbrush no less than a 4 out of 5 on every attribute, but what stood out most was the overall quality. “It cleaned my teeth and got the sticky dried mango out in a single two-minute brushing session,” they said.
Price at time of publication: $24
Product Details:
- Features: Built-in timer
- Includes: 8 brush heads, USB charge cord
Best with Extra Brushheads
AquaSonic Vibe Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush
Amazon
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Why We Like It: The eight brush heads and travel case are notable accessories.
It’s Worth Noting: The toothbrush requires charging before use.
Get the most bang for your buck with the AquaSonic Vibe Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush. Our tester brushed their teeth for two minutes and noted that the toothbrush was effective at cleaning their teeth even after consuming sticky snacks that got stuck in the deepest corners of her teeth.
We gave this brush top marks for both overall quality and value because it comes with accessories that command a higher price from brands like Oral-B and Philips Sonicare. Impressively, the AquaSonic Vibe includes eight brush heads, a sleek travel case (with storage room for two brush heads), and a charging base and cord.
Our tester gave the AquaSonic Vibe a 5 out of 5 for ease of use, but a 3 for functionality. She noted that it was easy to switch from one brushing mode to another with the push of a button and that the setup was simple. “I ate gummies and dried mango and after a two-minute brushing on the clean setting, my teeth look clean and my breath fresh!” The only hiccup is that you have to charge it before you brush for the first time.
Price at time of publication: $50
Product Details:
- Features: Notification timer, wireless charging
- Includes: 8 brush heads, charging stand, travel case
Best Budget Sonicare
Philips Sonicare 4100 Electric Toothbrush
Amazon
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Why We Like It: It’s easy to use, cleans teeth thoroughly, and comes with a portable charging stand.
It’s Worth Noting: Since the bristles are stiffer, this toothbrush would be best suited for people with little to no teeth sensitivity.
The most affordable toothbrush of the Sonicare rechargeable line, the Philips 4100 has all the features you need to keep your teeth clean. Using pulsing and side-to-side movements, the toothbrush thoroughly cleans your teeth, said one tester. “I felt like it was effectively cleaning my teeth and left them feeling shiny and free of gunk,” they said. Our tester was also impressed with the 4100’s high-quality feel and how its ergonomic design made it easy to handle.
Overall, the toothbrush scored a 4 or 5 across all attributes, including overall quality and value. One tester said that the price was extremely fair, especially considering how portable the toothbrush was. While the toothbrush doesn’t come with a carrying case, “it has a very light and small charger that’s easy to transport.”
Price at time of publication: $48 for New 4100
Product Details:
- Features: Built-in timer with alerts every 30 seconds
- Includes: Charging stand, travel cap, 1 brush head
Best for Sensitive Teeth
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 Rechargeable Toothbrush
Amazon
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Why We Like It: The pressure sensor and strong vibration prevent over brushing and excessive pressure.
It’s Worth Noting: The three cleaning modes are a nice addition, but the settings can’t be changed while brushing.
If you have sensitive teeth, we recommend the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean Toothbrush. What makes this toothbrush perfect for you if you have sensitive teeth is the pressure sensor, which alerts you when you’re using excessive brushing pressure. This feature helps to protect your teeth and gums. Our tester noted that the vibration is stronger than on other models she tested, so “you really don’t need to use a lot of pressure.”
You can also customize your brushing experience with three settings: clean, white, and gum care, and the pulsing movements will change depending on the mode you choose. One thing to consider is that the modes can’t be changed during the middle of brushing. “You have to stop brushing, change the setting, then hit the power button again,” our tester noted.
Our tester gave the brush a 3 out of 5 score for portability. Since the toothbrush doesn’t come with a carrying case, it may be worth the investment to buy one. “That being said, it has a very light and small charger that’s easy to transport.”
Price at time of publication: $90
Product Details:
- Features: Pressure sensor, timer
- Includes: Charger, 1 brush head
Best Smart Toothbrush
Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900 Electric Toothbrush
Amazon
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Why We Like It: The Prestige 9900 syncs to an app that allows you to track your brushing habits and change settings.
It’s Worth Noting: The luxurious feel is nice but it comes with a high price tag.
The Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900 is in a class of its own when it comes to smart technology. Using sensors, the toothbrush identifies your brushing style and provided our tester with subtle, but helpful alerts when she was brushing too hard or scrubbing (the brush will pulse a light and vibrate once, quickly). The bristles are longer, so you can reach hard-to-reach areas, and it comes with a portable leather charging case for your travel needs.
Our tester said the brush was easy to use and scored the brush a 5 out of 5. Not only was it simple to turn on and get brushing, you can also change the intensity levels with a push of a button or on the app. While the app isn’t necessary to use the toothbrush, if you choose to use it, you can learn more about your brushing habits, play with brush settings, and change your brushing time.
In terms of overall quality, the Prestige 9900 has few competitors. It includes an attractive leather travel case that can charge the toothbrush, as well as a separate charging stand with its own cord. The colors—champagne, midnight, and pink— are beautiful, if that matters to you. And in a particularly nice design touch, we like that the brush handle has a seamless design (which means no liquid or toothpaste mixed with saliva won’t get stuck in any crevices).
The biggest downside, however, is the price. At upwards of $400, we were disappointed that this brush only comes with one brush head (especially when two replacement brush heads cost about $30 for the pair, which is definitely on the steep end of what you’ll pay for replacement heads). If you want a luxury toothbrush and will use all of the extra features (most of which are housed in the app), the price tag may be worth it.
Price at time of publication: $369
Product Details:
- Features: Scrubbing and pressure sensors, 3 brushing intensities, 5 cleaning modes with different timers and alerts, app connectivity
- Includes: Charging travel case, charging stand, two charge cords, 1 brush head