There’s nothing quite like that clean feeling after brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush. But with so many options available at so many price points, it can be tough to try and figure out which toothbrush is worth the splurge, especially when it comes to an electric toothbrush.
If you've been thinking about ditching your old-fashion manual toothbrush and are wondering if the up-front cost of an electric option is worth the upgrade, we asked board-certified dentists to walk us through the benefits.
Spoiler alert: It's worth it!
What are the benefits of using an electric toothbrush? | How to choose the best electric toothbrush | Dentist-approved electric toothbrushes | Editor-approved electric toothbrushes | More electric toothbrushes to shop | Meet our experts | How we chose
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What are the benefits of using an electric toothbrush?
Board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Samantha Rawdin at Gallery57Dental in New York City shares that she recommends electric toothbrushes to almost all of her patients, noting that they work better than manual toothbrushes because there's less chance for human error (and they "do the work for you").
"Instead of scrubbing, you hold the brush at a 45-degree angle towards the gums and walk the brush along the gum line," says Rawdin. "Plus, there are lots of studies out there showing that electric toothbrushes are more effective than a manual toothbrush at removing plaque, improving oral health and help to retain teeth longer."
In fact, a study from National Library of Medicine concluded that those who used an electric rather than a manual toothbrush had improvement on "overall plaque scores" and gingival health.
We found 13 of the best electric toothbrushes that will do the job for you — all you have to do is add toothpaste and press a button — and won’t break the bank in the process.
Dentist-approved electric toothbrushes
Tech-savvy smart brush: Quip Sonic Electric Toothbrush
- Features two minute timer
- Compatible with an app
- Head can pop off if brushing too hard
Power source: Corded charger | Brush head firmness: Soft
“In general, any toothbrush that people are excited to use is beneficial, because they will be more inclined to use it,” cosmetic dentist Dr. Brian Kantor of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in New York City says. “Quip is simple to use and effectively cleans teeth — it also offers a subscription service where a new head is sent every few weeks, which makes it easy for people to keep up with a healthy oral care routine.”
Silicone bristles: Foreo Issa Mini 2 Electric Toothbrush
- Features 16 speeds
- Has silicone bristles
Power source: Corded charger | Brush head firmness: Soft with silicone
“The sleek, 3-D flexible brush head on the Issa is more ergonomic than some of the other toothbrushes on the market and it allows you to effectively reach every part of the mouth,” Kantor says. “It uses silicone bristles that are nonabrasive and soft, providing for a gentler, more comfortable brushing experience.”
Another benefit Kantor notes is that the bristles are made with nonporous silicone, which is resistant to bacteria build-up. “I typically recommend that my patients use a soft-bristled, electric toothbrush with a timer, like the Issa, because they remove plaque and stains more effectively while still being gentle on tooth enamel and helping to prevent gum recession.”
Dentist- and editor-approved: Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
- Has two minute timer
- Long-lasting charge
- Two cleaning modes
Power source: Corded charger with charging dock | Brush head firmness: Soft
“The amazing configuration of bristles on this electric toothbrush makes you actually feel like the bristles are getting in between the teeth and the vibrating power of the brush leaves your mouth feeling like your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned, as if they had been done in a dental office,” says Kantor.
Commerce writer Emma Stessman bought this option on a dentist's recommendation and says it works great, even with its simple features. "It has two intensity settings and a built-in timer that lets you know when to switch to a different side of your mouth. The battery typically lasts around two weeks," says Stessman. "I sometimes brush my teeth in the shower (controversial, I know) so I appreciate that the brand says it’s safe to use there."
Pressure sensor: Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 Sonic electric toothbrush
- Features pressure sensor
- Three brush modes
- On the pricey end
Power source: Corded charger with charging dock | Brush head firmness: Soft
The 5100 series of the Phillips Sonicare features three brush speed modes and a sensor on when to replace the brush heads. This electric toothbrush also happens an option that Rawdin recommends to her patients, and likes it for the pressure sensor on it, which can help you from brushing too hard and causing gum problems.
Editor-approved electric toothbrushes
App included: hum by Colgate Smart Electric Toothbrush Kit
- Comes with a travel case
- Features a smart app
- Silicone button can get moldy after time
Power source: Corded charger with charging dock, option for battery-powered | Brush head firmness: Soft
This editor favorite smart toothbrush comes with an app that features a timer and shows you spots in your mouth that might need some extra TLC. It also has three brushing options, including deep cleaning, says the brand.
"The manual toothbrush I was using beforehand had a medium-sized brush head, which I assumed was best in order to really clean my teeth, so you can imagine the question marks in my head when I saw the tiny brush head on the Hum," wrote editorial operations manger Jill Ortiz. "However, the small brush head features the same rubber bristles as my manual toothbrush, along with a tongue brush and other bristles of different sizes and textures to better clean your teeth."
I [Garlin] also use the battery-powered version of this toothbrush and love its lightweight design and that it comes with a travel case.
ADA approved: Quip 360 Oscillating Toothbrush
- Comes with travel case
- Has three settings
- No toothbrush head cover
Power source: Corded charger with charging dock | Brush head firmness: Soft
Associate editor Kamari Stewart says she likes this electric toothbrush for the oscillating head function, which gives her a clean teeth feel. "I like that it buzzes every 30 seconds to let you know when to move on to the next quadrant of your mouth. I also have very sensitive teeth and gums so the gentle setting on here is perfect for me," says Stewart.
Easiest to clean: Suri Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush
- Comes with UV cleaning case
- Two cleaning modes
- Bristles made from cornstarch
Power source: USB chargeable with stand | Brush head firmness: Medium/soft
While commerce writer Danielle Murphy has only recently upgraded her toothbrush to this option, she says she is loving it so far. "It gives a deep clean and times out the full two minutes you should be brushing for. But what really makes this stand out is all of the additional features. It comes with a mirror mount, a small charger (convenient for travel) and a carrying case that doubles as UV cleaner (which I’ve never seen before). The heads are also plant-based and recyclable!"
Editor's note: Rawdin has an affiliation with this brand but it was organically chosen, vetted and reviewed by a Shop TODAY editor.
More electric toothbrushes to shop
Most affordable: Oral-B 3D White Battery Toothbrush
- Reviewers say good value for money
- 14,000 brush strokes per minute
- Needs AA batteries
Power source: Battery (AA) | Brush head firmness: Medium
No charger needed for this electric toothbrush — this battery-powered version from Oral-B is less than $10 and does the job well, every time.
Great for traveling: Philips One by Sonicare Battery Toothbrush
- Comes with travel case
- Has two minute timer and pacer
- Needs AAA batteries
Power source: Battery (AAA) | Brush head firmness: Medium
Not only is this toothbrush by Sonicare super sleek-looking, but it also comes in three colors, has a built-in timer and is lightweight yet durable.
Compact charger: Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
- Has three cleaning modes
- Has pressure sensor
- Has hard bristles, not dentist recommended
Power source: Corded charger with base | Brush head firmness: Hard
A fan favorite for many, this pick is rechargeable, comes with a round brush head and has a pressure sensor that stops the pulsation movement if you’re brushing too hard.
Great value for money: AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush
- Comes with eight replaceable brush heads
- Four cleaning modes
- Some say the vibrations can feel strong
Power source: Corded charger with base | Brush head firmness: soft
This pick from AquaSonic is a bit of a showoff: the toothbrush produces 40,000 vibrations per minute, comes with eight DuPont-engineered brush heads, has a four-mode operation, has smart vibration timers, is waterproof, rechargeable and comes in a nice travel case — all for under $40. Yes, please!
For a vigorous clean: Oral-B Vitality FlossAction Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush
- Round toothbrush head
- Has a two minute timer
- Hard bristles
Power source: Corded charger with base | Brush head firmness: Hard
A gentle option for those with sensitive gums and teeth, this pick has a two-minute timer and rotates side to side for a deep clean.
Great for sensitive teeth: Burst Original Sonic Electric Toothbrush
- Three cleaning modes
- Long battery life
- Some say want stronger power
Power source: Wireless charging base, USB cord needed | Brush head firmness: Soft
With soft bristles, a charge that lasts up to four weeks and a three-mode setting (whitening, sensitive and massage), you really can’t go wrong with this pick from Burst.
How to choose the best electric toothbrush
When shopping for the right electric toothbrush, Kantor says looking for brushes with soft bristles is key.
“I would advise against purchasing any toothbrush that has hard bristles, which can weaken teeth and result in enamel erosion,” Kantor says.
“I also usually recommend brushes that have a built-in timer which buzzes when the two minutes are up, ensuring that the proper amount of time was spent brushing. Now, many of the electric toothbrushes have a smartphone application and can track if you’re putting too much or too little pressure on each tooth.”
Rawdin says that if you opt for a vibrating toothbrush, you’ll want choose one that has sonic or ultrasonic vibrations. “The sonic vibrations remove plaque, break up stains and disrupt bacteria. Oscillating brush heads, or round brush heads that rotate side to side, are also very effective,” Rawdin says.
She notes that she loves options with pressure sensors, since these can help you avoid from brushing to hard, which can lead to tooth-wear, gum recession and sensitivity.
How we chose
We selected the best electric toothbrushes based on insights with interviews with top dentists, and recommendations from Shop TODAY editors. Other electric toothbrush picks are sourced through verified shopper reviews and brand reputation.
Our Shop TODAY editors have been using their selected electric toothbrushes consistently for two to six months.
Meet our experts
- Dr. Samantha Rawdin, DMD is a board-certified prosthodontist, a dental specialist practicing at Gallery57 Dental in New York City.
- Dr. Brian Kantor is a board-certified cosmetic dentist, practicing at Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in New York City.
