The best electric toothbrushes can elevate your brushing experience and bring your oral health to the next level. Whether you’re looking for a basic model that does the work for you, or a high-tech option complete with bells and whistles, our guide to the best electric toothbrushes will have something for you. We’ve considered a variety of budgets and dental needs when testing these brushes, so you can rest assured they are the best options on the market.
"Electric, sonic, or powered toothbrushes are clinically proven to be more effective than a manual brush in keeping gums and teeth healthy." — Amarjit Sohal, principal dentist at Broadway Dental Boutique (opens in new tab).
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve broken each electric toothbrush down by its features, what we liked and what we thought was lacking. Perhaps you’re considering the step up from a manual toothbrush, but aren’t convinced about the efficacy of an electric brush? Thankfully, plenty of research has been done in this area. A 2014 Cochrane (opens in new tab) review found that electric toothbrushes can remove around 20% more plaque and reduce the risk of developing gum disease by 11% compared with a manual brush.
If you’re not sure how to use an electric toothbrush, you’ll be pleased to find that even the more basic models come with personalized features such as pressure sensors, built-in timers and connected apps to help you improve your brushing experience. The more expensive options tend to give you a full breakdown of how well you’re brushing your teeth and if there are any spots you’re missing.
In some cases, you can also connect multiple toothbrushes to a family plan, so if you’re looking to upgrade everyone in the family, don't miss our guide to the best electric toothbrushes for kids.
Best electric toothbrushes we've tested
The Oral-B Genius X is the ideal next-level toothbrush for anyone wanting to improve and maintain good dental hygiene. An interactive app tracks and monitors your brushing habits and patterns using A.I. technology, while extra features help users set oral hygiene goals with coaching tips and tricks.
And if you’re not interested in using the app, there’s plenty to like about the Oral-B Genius X itself. Featuring six cleaning modes, including tongue cleaning, sensitive, whitening, gum care and pro cleaning alongside standard daily clean, this toothbrush delivers on oral hygiene with a powerful oscillating-rotating brush head. A sturdy travel case is included, with a charging travel case offered on some models.
Users who prefer a quieter brushing session may find the Oral-B Genius X a little noisy, given that it isn’t a sonic toothbrush. Operating at around 70 decibels, it’s similar to a dishwasher or washing machine. But for anyone who’s been advised by their hygienist to improve their brushing technique, it could be a game-changer.
Our tester found the daily cleaning mode and pro clean mode to be very similar, but pro clean had the edge when it came to that "clean-mouth feeling" after brushing. Gum care mode had a gently massaging, rhythmic oscillation that moved up and down in intensity, while 3D white mode echoed that sensation of having a polish at the dental hygienist.
- Read our full Oral B Genius X review (opens in new tab)
One of Oral-B’s most popular electric toothbrushes, the Oral-B Pro 1000 is a budget-friendly electric toothbrush that does away with all the bells and whistles of its hi-tech neighbors and simply cleans well.
One cleaning mode is all you get with the Oral-B Pro 1000, so it’s just as well the price point is low. But if you’re after simplicity, it could be the right toothbrush for you. The user guide says that the Oral-B Pro 1000 takes 22 hours to fully charge. We found it to be only slightly shorter. After depleting the battery fully, it took 20.5 hours for the Oral-B Pro 1000 to become fully charged.
Despite its simplicity, this toothbrush also includes some helpful features. There's a built-in pressure sensor that alerts you to when you’re brushing too hard (when our tester pushed it against their teeth, the spinning brush head turned off) and a timer that helps you remember when to move to the next quadrant of your mouth. It also alerts you when you complete the recommended two minutes of brushing time. Just like the handset itself, replacement brush heads are also very affordable.
Given that most people tend to use just one or two cleaning modes on even the most sophisticated brushes, the Oral-B Pro 1000 clears away the confusion and focuses on delivering a powerful clean with its round cross-action brush head. However, if you have sensitive teeth or gums, you may find it just a little too powerful. And if you want a toothbrush that promises to whiten teeth, or massage gums, you’d be better looking elsewhere.
- Read our full Oral B Pro 1000 review
Sleek and stylish, the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 features no less than four brushing modes: clean, white+, gum health and deep clean+. Each of these modes can be further tweaked to an intensity setting that suits you, giving you a wide range of brushing experiences to choose from.
Our tester noticed a big difference between clean/deep clean+, the latter leaving their teeth feeling cleaner. However, over a few cleans, they didn’t notice an enormous amount of difference between the other modes, except that Gum Health was a bit softer on the gums.
The DiamondClean 9000, like the Oral-B Genius, also comes with a free app to help you keep track of your oral hygiene and help you keep track of when you need replacement brush heads. You can even set up automatic re-ordering to keep your bathroom cabinet stocked up.
However, where the Oral-B Genius app helps users actively improve their technique by identifying areas they’ve missed during brushing, the DiamondClean 9000 app simply charts your brushing activity, and how much pressure you apply during sessions. So unless you need to be reminded to brush your teeth every day, or to ease up on pressure while brushing, you might not get as much from the app as you’d like.
A huge plus point for the DiamondClean is that it comes with its own USB-charging case, perfect for travel, or if you like to brush your teeth after lunch, at the office. Its high price point may be a deal-breaker for many users, but the DiamondClean 9000 has enough features to impress, with or without the app.
- Read our full Philips Sonicare DiamonClean 9000 review (opens in new tab)
The Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 delivers two oral hygiene must-haves in one fell swoop, by combining a separate sonic toothbrush and water flosser in one compact device, making it cost-effective and space-saving.
Offered with a host of extras, such as 5 water flosser tips, 2 brush heads, a storage case and travel case, the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 also features 3 cleaning modes and a bevelled tongue-cleaning feature.
We tested each of the cleaning modes in turn several times. General clean mode operates at a slightly lower frequency compared to whitening mode, which added extra polishing to a brushing session during the recommended two minutes. Massage mode was the most impressive mode our tester used, providing a gentle massaging pulse to stimulate the gum area, while giving that ‘deep clean’ feeling.
Designed to be plugged into a bathroom socket near a basin, it may not be right for everyone, and a lack of extra features may disappoint some users. But when it comes to value for money, you could do worse than investing in the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0, rather than shelling out separately for an electric toothbrush and a water flosser.
- Read our full Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 review (opens in new tab)
Marketed as the ultimate clean electric toothbrush, the Oral-B iO Series 9 offers a truly personalized brushing experience.
It features an in-built pressure sensor which flashes red when too much pressure is applied, white when brushing is too soft, and green when it’s just right, giving brushers the full Goldilocks experience when it comes to brushing. No less than seven brushing modes include daily clean, sensitive, gum care, intense+, super sensitive, tongue clean and whiten.
Apart from a change in intensity between the daily, intense+ and sensitive/super sensitive modes, our tester didn't notice a huge amount of difference between the modes. As this reviewer has sensitive gums, the only suitable mode was super sensitive mode. Even gum care was very harsh on their gums, and left them with an uncomfortable tingly feeling. If you’re looking for a toothbrush with a good amount of pressure, this is the choice for you, but if you’re a bit sensitive, there might be better options out there.
A smart, connected app completes the brushing experience, offering a 3D A.I. view during brushing to ensure no areas are missed out on. Users can also track brushing data and gum health over weeks, months, and years.
Available in three colorways, the handset also features a magnetic charger for easy docking. The handle powers up quickly too, with a full charge in just three hours. The Oral-B iO9 also comes with a handy travel case that doubles up as a charger, and a travel refill holder, although just one brush head is provided with the starter kit.
If you’re after a super smart, connected clean, with a brush that looks sleek and stylish on the bathroom shelf, the Oral-B iO Series 9 could be the perfect electric toothbrush for you.
- Read our full Oral B-io Series 9 review
Sleek and stylish, the Foreo ISSA 3 has innovated the design of electric toothbrushes. With a curved ergonomic handle and a 365-day battery life, this 4-in-1 toothbrush is designed to clean the teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Made from bacteria-resistant silicone and using silicone bristles as well as thermoplastic bristles, this sonic electric toothbrush goes easy on gums while delivering a whole mouth ‘deep clean’ feel.
16 intensity settings allow users to set the level of cleaning, while an angled brush head and extended bristles let you access those hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. A ridged panel at the back of the toothbrush head allows for cheek and tongue cleaning.
Although our tester worked their way through the 16 levels of intensity, they tended to find that the highest level setting gave the best results, or results closest to that of a regular sonic toothbrush, while the lower levels were largely redundant. However, users with sensitive teeth or painful gums may prefer operating this toothbrush at a lower setting.
While it might not have the extra features found in Philips and Oral B models, such as a pressure sensor or a sturdy travel case, the Foreo ISSA 3’s futuristic style will certainly give your bathroom shelfie the wow factor. And the 365-day battery life cuts down on energy, time and money.
- Read our full Foreo ISSA 3 sonic toothbrush review (opens in new tab)
This sonic toothbrush is Colgate’s answer to providing an accessible smart brush at a low price point. Users can choose from a rechargeable or battery-operated model and a range of colors, including blue, green, purple and black. The design differs slightly from the rechargeable to the battery models.
Featuring three brush modes, normal, sensitive and deep clean, the brush also has an in-built timer and an ergonomic handle, designed for comfort and accuracy while brushing.
The toothbrush also connects to the smart Hum app by Colgate, which allows users to track their brushing progress, and target brushing to neglected areas, helping you to brush your best. You can even earn points towards rewards, which you can redeem in the app’s shop towards replacement brush heads.
It took our tester just five hours to fully charge the battery, which is impressive given other brands can take over 20. However, the rechargeable toothbrush does hold less charge than some other electric toothbrushes, lasting only 10 days when others might last weeks or months between charges. If you were going on a long holiday, you would definitely need to pack the charger.
Based on its low price point and connected, smart features, we think you could spend a lot more cash on a toothbrush and still get the same experience. The Hum by Colgate is great value for money and fun to use.
- Read our full Hum by Colgate review
The Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush is an affordable option for those switching from manual to electric for the first time. Designed by dentists, it uses sonic technology to mimic the gentle feel of a manual toothbrush with a deep-clean effect.
Although fairly basic, there is plenty to like about the Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush. It's has an elegant, minimalistic design, available in three stylish colors - white, graphite grey and rose gold (and a limited edition Pride print) and three cleaning modes (sensitive, clean and white). A sturdy travel case is also included, as well as a charging dock. One drawback is that whilst this toothbrush is widely available in the US, the charging plug is designed for the UK, so you will need an adaptor in order to use it. However, the brush does come with an impressive three toothbrush heads, with replacements costing only $30 for a pack of three.
We worked our way through all three cleaning modes in our at-home testing. Whilst sensitive and clean gave good results, we tended to find that the highest setting - white - gave the best results. However, users with sensitive teeth or painful gums may prefer operating this toothbrush on the sensitive mode. We found the brush to be highly effective in removing plaque and discoloration, providing a clean finish that felt not too dissimilar to a deep clean you might receive at a hygienist - and all for an affordable price tag.
- Read our full Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush review
The Oclean X Pro Elite electric toothbrush is a budget-friendly option for those who want to try out a sonic toothbrush. The sleek gray design will compliment any bathroom, and the built-in touch-screen gives users insight into their brushing time. The app offers a more in-depth analysis of brushing and also offers the option to monitor children’s brushing through "family mode".
With 32 intensity levels and four brushing modes, you can find a setting that works for you whether you have sensitive teeth, or want a deep clean. The standard brushing time is set for two minutes, but you can change this if you want, with the touchscreen giving the option to customize the mode, duration and intensity from the brush itself. The Oclean app has a quiz to help you find the right brushing settings for your needs. Our tester had theirs set on white mode, intensity four and set for three minutes of brushing time. Overall, they found the touchscreen functional and simple to use and the app made it easy for them to keep track of brushing performance and target areas.
The charger is USB compatible, which makes it convenient for travel, and the battery life lasts over a month, taking just 3.5 hours to reach a full charge from empty – one of the fastest brushes we’ve tested.
- Read our full Oclean X Pro Elite review
The Oral-B iO Series 10 offers more features and smarts than any brush the brand has created before. As such, it comes with a premium price tag that makes it one of the most expensive brushes we've tested. Spending that extra does get you new features like fast wireless charging, quieter operating, and smart tracking features. But does this model justify that extra expense over the competition?
If you're a committed user who takes advantage of the tracking features, this can give you the best possible teeth and gum care. The new base with live feedback removed the need to rely on a connected phone for live feedback as you brush, which makes it less fiddly.
The round, rotating head on this brush also vibrates at a micro level, giving it the ability to provide the best clean yet. Combined with the iO specific heads, along with seven cleaning modes, this brush should be able to keep even the most challenging of mouths up to the highest dental standards.
The case has a lovely slim design which is ideal for compact travel but it only holds one extra head. This may be a negative for some who want different types of heads on the go. There is that extra case for carrying these though, so we see this as well addressed by Oral-B. Also, the case charges using the proprietary charger, not using your phone charger cable, to get this juiced up on the go, which we thought was a useful feature.
- Read our full Oral-B iO Series 10 review
How do we test electric toothbrushes at Live Science?
All of the electric toothbrushes in this guide have been through the same testing protocol by the Live Science team.
First, we run the toothbrush on its various settings and measure how loud it is with a decibel counter app. We then compare these results to other appliances and noise levels. We run and use the toothbrush on its different settings and modes, noting any differences in intensity and durations between settings. We also test the charging process, including how long it takes to reach a full charge, and for the battery to deplete. Finally, we submerge each toothbrush underwater for the length of a brushing cycle to test its water resistance.
Our expert
Amarjit Sohal MDDR. BSC. is a principal dentist and co-founder and at Broadway Dental Boutique. He obtained his BSc. Degree at Kings College London and furthered his MDDr. Degree at the 1st Faculty of Charles University. He has a love of Dentistry; considering it a hobby as well as a profession and practices it as an art.
He has taken further postgraduate courses, in particular
How to choose an electric toothbrush
There are several factors to think about when choosing the best electric toothbrush, but it’s worth thinking about comfort first as, if you’re caring for your teeth correctly, you’re going to be using the device a lot, up to twice daily or more. Look for an ergonomic handle that sits nicely in the palm of your hand and offers a firm but comfortable grip.
A key factor for many users is battery life. If your electric toothbrush spends most of its life in a charging dock by your bathroom basin, then battery life is not much of a problem. But if you travel regularly, then you may benefit from an electric toothbrush with a long-lasting battery. Look for toothbrushes that carry an internal lithium battery, as these can often hold their charge for several weeks.
Many electric toothbrushes come with additional features, and while these can be great, the simplest features are often the best. These are pressure sensors which alert you when you press too hard on your gums or teeth, and automatic timers which can be set to ensure you clean your teeth for the recommended amount of time, usually 2-3 minutes.
More advanced options tend to boost additional cleaning models and Bluetooth app connectivity. How useful you find these apps depends on the individual user, but the smartest apps can map your mouth to provide real time feedback and encourage you to make sure you don’t neglect any areas of your mouth. Kids especially can enjoy that kind of interactivity — although they may prefer a slightly smaller model from our guide to the best electric toothbrushes for kids.
Electric toothbrushes usually come in two forms: oscillating and sonic. Oscillating toothbrushes have been around longer, and feature round brush heads that rotate at high speeds – anywhere between 2500 – 7500 BPM (brushes per minute) – to remove plaque and buff teeth to a shine.
Sonic electric toothbrushes feature brush heads that more closely resemble traditional manual toothbrushes but employ sonic technology that vibrates the head up to an incredible 60000 BPM for a truly thorough clean. That said, there is little evidence to support one method over another, so your choice could come down to whether you enjoy the slightly less intense oscillating brush head over the sonic brush.
How long do electric toothbrush heads last?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends replacing your toothbrush head every three to four months. This is because the bristles on the toothbrush head wear out or break down through everyday use. If you don’t replace it, you may not get the most effective brushing experience and could be at risk of bleeding gums and plaque build-up.
Some people may need to replace their toothbrush head sooner if the bristles are beginning to fray. The good news is, lots of brands like Oral-B allow you to buy toothbrush heads in bulk.