2. Best overall
3. Best for monitoring progress
4. Best looking
5. Best for reluctant brushers
7. How we test
8. Our expert
9. FAQs
10. More info
Investing in one of the best electric toothbrushes for kids can be a game-changer for reluctant brushers. They are often fun-shaped, colorful, and packed with features designed to instill good brushing habits. And while it is never easy to make a toddler brush their teeth regularly, the best electric toothbrushes for kids can make this process less stressful and time-consuming.
Children's electric toothbrushes are different from the best electric toothbrushes for adults — they are smaller, softer, and come with a ton of motivational features. They do, however, offer the same benefits, according to the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry.
But which electric toothbrush should you invest in? To help you pick the right model, we have tried and tested some of the bestselling brands of electric toothbrushes for kids. We have looked at price, design, features, and battery life, taking note of any pros and cons that you need to know about before making a purchase. Here's our ultimate roundup of the best electric toothbrushes for kids — tested by us, approved by our children.
The quick list
The best electric toothbrush for kids, overall
The Oral-B Kids electric toothbrush takes the top spot thanks to its good battery life, four brush heads, colorful design and a fun-filled app that helps kids improve their brushing technique.
Best for monitoring brushing progress
This toothbrush comes with an app packed with personalized brushing tips and animated rewards that encourage the child to brush properly — and it also allows the parent to monitor their brushing progress.
Best looking electric toothbrush
Coated in colorful silicone and ergonomically designed, the Foreo Issa Kids will brighten up your bathroom shelf. However, it is pretty pricey and comes with no connected apps.
Best for reluctant brushers
The innovative and fun-shaped AutoBrush Sonic Pro takes only 30s to brush, and features three light modes for added sanitation. However, it may not reach some of the back teeth.
Best for interactive play
This affordably priced toothbrush features fun games capable of transforming your child's dental hygiene, but its brush heads fray quickly, and it can be loud, too.
The best electric toothbrushes for kids we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Live Science Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best electric toothbrush for kids
✅ You want to instill good brushing habits: Its app is packed with fun brushing challenges.
✅ You are looking for a toothbrush for a younger child: It features a sensitive mode that is easy on the gums.
✅ You want excellent value: This affordable toothbrush boasts great performance, and it looks good, too.
❌ You need multiple spare brush heads: Only one head supplied.
❌ You want a feature-packed app: The app is a valuable addition, but it comes with no frills.
The Oral-B Kids electric toothbrush scores an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 81% of users giving it a full five stars. Positive reviews praise this electric toothbrush for ease of use, good battery life and kid-friendly design, with most users saying their children enjoy using it even without the free app. Negative reviews cite mostly problems with charging and battery.
The Oral-B Kids electric toothbrush uses oscillating-rotating movement to clean your kid’s teeth, and it’s suitable for children as young as three years old. In our Oral-B Kids Electric Toothbrush review, we tested the Frozen-themed toothbrush, but other themes are available including Star Wars, Disney Princesses and Pixar Kids. Prices may vary.
The first thing we noticed with the Oral-B Kids electric toothbrush is that it comes with just one toothbrush head, so you will need to purchase refills.
On the plus side, this rechargeable electric toothbrush lasts for up to eight days between charges too, so you can take it away on short breaks or sleepovers without having to remember to pack the charger.
A free Disney Magic Timer app is also available with selected toothbrushes, including the Frozen II model. Simply download the app, scan the toothbrush and your child is all set to brush along with their favorite Disney and Pixar characters. They can unlock and collect stickers for good brushing technique too.
A 30-second reminder prompts little ones to switch brushing position, and a 2-minute timer tells them when it’s time to stop brushing. Younger children may prefer to choose the Sensitive mode, while the Daily Clean mode may suit older children better.
However, negative reviews mention problems scanning the toothbrush to match favorite characters in the app, and some parents report a build-up of mold and dirt on the toothbrush where the head connects with the handle. It’s worth pointing out that these negative reviews are few and far between.
- Read our full Oral-B Kids Electric Toothbrush review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Small, round brush head with extra-soft bristles. |
| Performance | It is fairly noisy (65 dB), but provides a thorough clean. |
| Functionality | Easy to customize and use for toddlers. |
Best for monitoring brushing progress
✅ You want a customizable design: The toothbrush comes with 10 colorful stickers to wrap around the handset.
✅ You want to monitor your child's brushing progress: Both the brush and the app store brushing history.
✅ You are looking for great brushing performance: It offers a thorough clean that is easy on the gums.
❌ You are on a budget: The brush and the spare heads are on the expensive side.
❌ You have a very young child: The handset may be too big.
The Philips Sonicare for Kids scores a massive 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 83% of users giving it a full five stars. Users praise this electric toothbrush for helping to improve their child’s brushing technique. However, some buyers complain that the colorful stickers tend to peel off over time, the toothbrush head provided is too big for little mouths, and the lack of a pressure sensor means kids could be inadvertently brushing too hard.
The Philips Sonicare for Kids impressed us with its customizable design and smart features, which is why we gave it a rare 5-star rating in our Philips Sonicare for Kids review.
Suitable for kids aged three and older, the Philips Sonicare for Kids features an interactive app to help make brushing sessions more fun. Simply download the app to a phone or tablet and connect the Bluetooth-enabled handset for personalized brushing tips, coaching and animated rewards that encourage your child to brush hard-to-reach spots.
The app also features data on your child’s brushing history, so you can double-check they’re staying on track. The brush itself records up to 20 sessions without requiring a sync to the app, so if you haven’t got your phone or tablet to hand, you won’t miss out on a session’s data.
A handy two minute timer encourages your little one to brush for the recommended time. A bonus quad pacing feature prompts them to move the brush around the four quadrants of the mouth, resulting in a thorough clean.
The colorful design of the Philips Sonicare for Kids is also customizable, with 10 stickers provided that wrap around the handset, instantly updating your child’s toothbrush to the design of their choice.
This electric toothbrush comes with 2 power modes - a low mode for younger children and a more powerful mode for older kids. You can also buy smaller toothbrush heads for younger children if the toothbrush head provided is too big for your child.
- Read our full Philips Sonicare For Kids review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Two brush heads: Standard for older children, Compact for toddlers. |
| Performance | It is relatively quiet (38 dB) and provides a thorough clean. |
| Functionality | Toddlers may struggle with gripping the toothbrush. |
Best looking electric toothbrush
✅ You want a stylish design: The toothbrush is a real looker, and it is soft to the touch, too.
✅ You are looking for soft bristles: Its shallow silicone bristles are easy on the gums.
✅ You want a long battery life: Up to a whopping 265 uses on a single charge.
❌ You are on a budget: It is one of the most expensive toothbrushes on the market.
❌ You want a dedicated app: No useful content to help with brushing technique.
The Foreo Issa Kids scores 3.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 37% of users giving it a full five stars. While many parents praise this electric toothbrush for its smart design, not all are sure it cleans their kids’ teeth very well. Some worry the sonic cleaning is underserved by the silicone brush head, while others are concerned that it doesn’t do as good a job as rotating-oscillating brushes, such as the Oral B kids electric toothbrush.
Foreo is known for its beautifully designed sonic toothbrushes, and the Foreo Issa Kids electric toothbrush is no exception. Available in four bright colors, its distinctive design adds cheer to any bathroom shelf.
Foreo toothbrushes and toothbrush heads are made with silicone, making them easy to keep clean and hygienic. Plus, the shallow silicone bristles make these toothbrushes kind to little gums, giving a gentler clean. Foreo claims their toothbrushes remove 30% more plaque to give your child’s oral hygiene a 140% boost.
During our Foreo ISSA Kids review, we found that children enjoy the soft and silky feel of the ergonomically designed handset. Each color choice comes with its own animal character, and you can choose from rose nose hippo, true blue pony, merry berry shark, or mellow yellow gator.
The handset also features a light-up smiling ‘Glee’ or sad ‘Glum’ face, depending on your child’s brushing habits. For example, Glee appears at the end of the recommended two minute brushing time, while Glum appears if they switch off the toothbrush before two minutes, and when the toothbrush hasn’t been in use for 12 hours.
A 30-second quadrant pacer prompts your child to switch position, while a one-hour charge gives up to 265 brushing sessions. A USB cable is also provided, offering ease and flexibility when charging, especially while travelling.
There’s no doubt you get what you pay for with the Foreo Issa Kids, but it is still one of the most expensive kids’ toothbrushes on the market. Replacement toothbrush heads are almost impossible to track down in grocery stores or pharmacies, so you’ll probably need to find and buy them online.
- Read our full Foreo ISSA Kids review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Soft, flexible silicone bristles on an angled head. |
| Performance | It is quiet (35 dB) and provides a good clean, but it needs to be moved manually. |
| Functionality | Toddler-friendly size and a free connected app. |
Best for reluctant brushers
✅ Your child struggles with regular brushing: Its unique design allows for an ultra-quick clean.
✅ You want a brush that actively improves gum health: It features a gum massaging mode and LED light therapy.
❌ You are on a budget: It costs nearly $100.
❌ You are looking for a thorough clean: It may not be able to reach back teeth.
The Autobrush Sonic Pro for Kids scores a respectable 4.1 out of five stars on Amazon, with 62% of users giving it a full five stars. Positive reviews praise this unique electric toothbrush for its colorful design and time-efficient cleaning, with many parents claiming that it was a game changer for their children. Negative reviews cite concerns about the quality of the clean and the lights' intensity.
The Autobrush Sonic Pro for Kids is anything but ordinary — instead of a single brush head, it is equipped with innovative U-shaped bristles designed to encompass all the teeth simultaneously, and it only takes 30s to complete a brushing cycle —making this quirky-looking toothbrush a perfect choice for reluctant brushers.
The Sonic Pro is not only time-efficient, but eye-pleasing, too. It will brighten up your child's dental routine with colorful designs and catchy music tunes. However, during our AutoBrush Sonic Pro for Kids review we found that its quirky shape may be tricky to get used to.
The AutoBrush Sonic Pro for Kids features three cleaning modes: Care mode for those with sensitive gums and teeth, Deep Clean, and Massage mode for gentle gum stimulation. Its BASS technology uses up to 30,000 high-frequency vibrations per minute to remove plaque and leave the teeth squeaky clean, while its three LED light modes help to remove bacteria and boost gum health.
On the other hand, the AutoBrush Sonic Pro for kids may struggle to reach some of the teeth, especially those at the back, and can be relatively noisy.
- Read our full AutoBrush Sonic Pro for Kids review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Soft U-shaped bristles encased in waterproof rubber. |
| Performance | Time-efficient, but it does not provide a thorough clean.. |
| Functionality | Suitable for children aged up to 12. |
Best for interactive play
✅ You are on a budget: It is affordably priced, and so are the replacement brush heads.
✅ You want to instill good brushing habits: It is packed with fun features that encourage your child to brush regularly.
❌ You want sensitive sensors: The brush struggles to detect pressure.
❌ You are looking for a durable brush: Its bristles frail quickly.
The BriteBrush scores a hefty 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 74% of users awarding it the top rating. Positive reviews often say it has transformed their child’s brushing technique and made oral hygiene fun. However, some parents complain that the soft bristle brushes fray too quickly and need to be replaced more often than other toothbrushes.
Suitable for children as young as three, the BriteBrush comes in a choice of three distinctive designs: Baby Shark, Sesame Elmo and Game Brush. Each design comes loaded with fun, interactive games and music, to encourage your child to brush more effectively.
During our BriteBrush GameBrush review, the brush did a good job of encouraging our little one to brush up and down. However, we did find that the smart sensors sometimes didn’t recognize that we were brushing up and down already. So the constant reminders, and the fact that the game stopped to remind us, was often a source of frustration.
The ‘side recognition technology’ didn’t appear to work at all. The games continued on, regardless of whether we changed sides or not, so parents may wish to continue supervising their little ones to ensure they’re covering the whole mouth.
Our verdict? Affordably priced, and with lots of features, there’s no doubt that most kids will find the BriteBrush fun to use at first. But it can be a frustrating experience for kids and parents alike.
- Read our full BriteBrush GameBrush review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Two brush heads included in the pack. |
| Performance | Loud (70 dB) and under-performing. |
| Functionality | The brush head may be too big for toddlers. |
How we test
How do we test the best electric toothbrushes for kids at Live Science?
We actually test our electric toothbrushes for kids on the people they're designed for. Supervised by a parent or guardian, our child testers will 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.
Our expert
Dr. Lane went to Cornell University and majored in Chemistry with a concentration in Biology. She then attended the University of Maryland - Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. She was accepted into and completed the competitive Implant Clerkship, served as the President of the Psi Omega Dental Fraternity, and was initiated into Gamma Pi Delta, a Prosthodontic Honors Fraternity. Dr. Lane talked to Live Science about the benefits of using an electric toothbrush for kids.
Frequently asked questions
Should kids use an electric toothbrush?
While research into electric toothbrushes for kids is limited, there is some evidence to show it’s better for dental health than a traditional toothbrush. A 2021 study into the use of electric toothbrushes compared with manual ones revealed that they removed over 30% more plaque in children aged 3-6 years, and over 50% more plaque in children aged between 7 and 9.
"Patients that have tartar buildup may not have the best brushing techniques with a manual brush, so an electric brush can be a useful tool to keep teeth clean," Dr. Alina Lane, DDS, founder of All Smiles NYC, told Live Science.
When can kids start using an electric toothbrush?
The majority of electric toothbrushes can be used by children aged three or above, so this is a great time to introduce them. You’ll still need to supervise your child and offer support and help with brushing until they’re around six or seven, depending on how independent they are.
More info
How to choose an electric toothbrush for kids
If you’re shopping around for an electric toothbrush for your child, look for models that are age appropriate. There's a lot of choice around these days, with some toothbrushes designed for older children only.
Consider how you want the brush to be powered. Battery-powered brushes tend to be cheaper, but the cost of replacement batteries can add up. Your child’s toothbrush runs the risk of slowing down as batteries run out, making brushing less efficient. Electric rechargeable models may end up being a cheaper investment in the long run.
If you’re not sure, you can always start with a cheaper battery-operated model and see how your child gets on with it, before investing in a more expensive rechargeable device.
Examine the size of the brush head and make sure it’s small enough to be used comfortably by your child. Large, deep brush heads may make cleaning tight spots between the molars and cheeks almost impossible for younger children. The width and shape of the handset is also important - a good ergonomic design will make the toothbrush more comfortable to hold for two minutes in tiny hands.
Two minute timers and bonus features that encourage your child to move the brush around their mouth, such as quadrant pacing, help to set good brushing habits early on.
Colorful designs can help to make brushing more fun, but it may mean your child outgrows their favorite TV character before they outgrow their brush, and you may find yourself splashing out on a new toothbrush sooner than you’d like.
Above all else, don’t forget adult supervision. Watching your child brush their teeth and helping them out when they need it makes the biggest difference to your child’s oral hygiene. A little praise and encouragement goes a long way too.
