Gear

The Best Electric Toothbrushes

Yes, you have to recharge a toothbrush, but these can actually make brushing a little easier. Here are our favorites.

It’s time I came clean: I hate brushing my teeth. I do it because I have to, but it’s a time-consuming, uncomfortable process—two minutes standing in front of the mirror can feel like an eternity. My dentist says I brush too harshly, too, and don't get me started on flossing.

Electric toothbrushes make the whole process easier. Most have a timer so you won't damage your teeth or gums by brushing too long, and the extra vibrations can help get rid of plaque. We've tested several, from basic models to smart, oscillating ones that require a subscription—and everything in between. Most are just OK, but some stand out. A good brush doesn't need to cost you more than a few Hamiltons. These are the best electric toothbrushes, and we also have eco-friendly nonelectric options if you don't want to recharge your brush.

Christopher Null's reporting contributed to this guide.

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  • toothbrush
    Photograph: Colgate

    Best Smart Toothbrush

    Colgate Hum

    The Colgate Hum (9/10, WIRED recommends) is great. It's slim and light, with a small brush head that can reach all the way to the back of your mouth without feeling uncomfortable. It costs significantly less than most smart brushes, and its smart features are superior. It accurately tracks your brushing, so you know where you've missed, and you don't have to open the app every single time you brush your teeth. It stores your brushes for 10 days, uploading them when you open the companion app if you pair the Hum to your phone via Bluetooth. (You can also collect "smile points" every time you brush, which translates to a few dollars off things like replacement brush heads.) 

    Better yet, if you don't have a free outlet in your bathroom, there's a version that takes two AAA batteries. The biggest downside is that the Hum has only one type of brush head, so you can't customize it for sensitivity. A brush head subscription costs $5, and Colgate sends you a new one every three months. It comes with a charger and a travel case. 

    $85 at Amazon
    $70 at Colgate
  • Photograph: Philips

    Best Cheap Electric Toothbrush

    Philips One by Sonicare

    The Philips One is one of my favorite electric toothbrushes. It's thin and comes very close to feeling like a regular toothbrush. It offers a gentle vibration that cuts through plaque, and while it takes more effort to use than a bigger, more powerful brush head, I still prefer it over a manual brush. (It's good to stay in the habit of brushing thoroughly instead of feeling like an electric toothbrush will do all the work for you.) It takes one AAA battery, or you can pay up for the rechargeable version. It comes with a small case for traveling. Philips says it is launching a brush head subscription service soon.

    $25 at Target (Battery)
    $40 at Philips (Rechargeable)
  • Photograph: Amazon

    An Oscillating Option

    Oral-B Pro 1000

    Oral-B electric toothbrushes all have oscillating brush heads, those circular bristles that get right in between all your teeth. The Pro 1000 has been around for a while and continues to outshine more expensive models with fancier features, like Oral-B's iO smart brush.

    The price is right, and it's rechargeable, but the whole thing is chunky and can get grimy easily from toothpaste; just be sure to rinse it thoroughly after every brush. Its vibrations are intense, too. This was the first electric toothbrush I ever tried, and my first few brushes left me feeling dizzy, but I can't take points away for power. It has a wide array of compatible brush heads, and you can subscribe to get them every few months.

    $50 at Amazon
    $50 at Walmart
  • Photograph: Quip

    A Modern Toothbrush

    Quip Electric Toothbrush

    Quip's toothbrushes are uniquely designed, with a smooth, light body and a paper-thin neck—they're the Instagramable friend of the toothbrush world. I tried the plastic version, which is nice, but there is a sleek metal one that costs a bit more.

    Brushing with the Quip is pleasurable, as its vibrations are just powerful enough to get my mouth sparkling clean without feeling too intense, though the thin neck feels precarious when I was really scrubbing away (it is easily maneuverable around your mouth). It comes with a travel cover that doubles as a stand for your sink. This brush isn't rechargeable, but you can buy (or subscribe for) a replacement brush head and battery for $5.

    I used the smart version, which gives you feedback on your brushing sessions like duration, intensity, and coverage. It doesn't show real-time tracking, but I didn't miss that feature. If you have the basic brush and want to upgrade to the smart one, you can get a Bluetooth motor for $25—no other brush I've seen has this option.

    $30 at Quip (basic brush)
    $50 at Quip (smart brush)
  • Photograph: Philips

    A Brush for Kids

    Philips Sonicare Kids Electric Toothbrush

    You don't necessarily need a kid-specific toothbrush, but this is a great rechargeable option (at a solid price) with the Sonicare reputation behind it. The companion app is filled with cartoon lessons and rewards, and your kids can monitor progress even when they aren't viewing the app in real time. (So you don't have to be in the bathroom with them.)

    WIRED writer Scott Gilbertson had his 8-year-old give it a try, and the two-minute timer kept her brushing until it was done—no shortcuts. She eventually lost interest in the app, but younger kids may stick with it longer. Even without the app keeping his kid's attention, he said he would still purchase this brush. It comes with stickers to customize the handle, though in Gilbertson's experience they didn't stick for very long.

    $50 at Amazon
    $55 at Walmart
  • Photograph: Shyn

    Another Good Brush

    Shyn Sonic Toothbrush

    Wired contributor Christopher Null rated the Shyn a 7/10 in his review of toothbrush subscription services. Most electric toothbrushes have brush head subscriptions now, but this is still a good option. Plus, its handle and brush heads are cross-compatible with Philips Sonicare products.

    Null says its pressure sensor (a beep to signal that you're brushing too hard) is not always accurate, but its cleaning power was exceptional. He hates the incredibly bright light that flashes when the brush is charging, but as long as your bathroom sink isn't visible from your bed, it shouldn't be a problem. It comes with a travel case and charger, and a subscription costs $5 for a new brush head every two or three months.

    $50 at Amazon
    $45 at Shyn
  • Photograph: Brightline

    Honorable Mentions

    More Electric Toothbrushes

    There are far more electric toothbrushes out there than we can recommend in a single guide. If none of the above appeals to you, one of these might do the trick.

    • Brightline Sonic ($37): WIRED writer Christopher Null rated this brush a 9/10 for its powerful vibrations that offer a noticeable clean without feeling too intense. Stock has been limited, but the company says it should be back to normal in late March.
    • Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9300 ($200): This is a great toothbrush as far as cleaning abilities and comfort, but its smart features leave something to be desired. As with the Oral-B iO, I couldn't get the app to accurately track my brushing sessions. Plus, it's too expensive. I was able to get it for free a few years ago through my dental insurance; if you're able to take advantage of something like that, it's a good option. It looks cute in pink.
    • Colgate Smart Electronic Toothbrush E1 ($100): Christopher Null rated this smart brush an 8/10 for its slim design and app features that encourage better brushing habits. You can't adjust the power though, and it's only available from Apple. Like the DiamondClean above, it's hard to justify spending so much on a toothbrush.
  • Photograph: Preserve

    If You Don't Like Electric

    Manual Toothbrushes With Less Waste

    Electric toothbrushes have their perks—they can help you get a deeper clean, they (usually) come equipped with a two-minute timer to ensure you're brushing long enough, and they create less waste, since you're only throwing away a brush head. Plastic disposables, on the other hand, are all still lingering around in landfills somewhere. These traditional toothbrushes, however, offer something different.

    • Colgate Keep ($10): This new Colgate brush is designed with less plastic than traditional toothbrushes, partly because most of its handle is made of aluminum. The handle feels sturdy and cool in your hand, and only the brush head needs to be replaced. The starter kit comes with a handle and two brush heads. Refills are $5.
    • Bite's Bamboo Brush ($12): Bamboo is biodegradable, unlike plastic, so it's a preferable material for toothbrushes. There are many bamboo options out there, but Bite's brush is one I've tried. The brush head comes apart for travel.
    • Preserve Toothbrush ($4): This toothbrush sits at an extreme angle that feels surprisingly natural as you brush. The handle is made out of 100 percent recycled plastics, and you can mail your used brush back to the company so it can be recycled again. It's dirt cheap too.
    • Bogo toothbrush ($10): This one is also made of recycled plastic and comes with a nice little stand you can stick to your bathroom sink or counter. You can subscribe and get a new brush every few months for a $4 discount.
  • Photograph: Quip

    Consider These Too

    Oral Care Accessories

    In addition to a good toothbrush, you'll need a few other things to keep your mouth clean.

    • Quip Refillable Floss ($15 for Plastic): I prefer floss picks over a string, but disposable ones are a huge waste. Quip's refillable floss pick solves this, and it's easy to floss with. It comes in a small container you can bring in your bag wherever you go.
    • Bite Toothpaste Bits ($12/one-month supply or $48/four months): Toothpaste tabs aim to reduce the plastic waste caused by typical toothpaste tubes. You bite down on them and start brushing with a wet toothbrush. They come in nice glass bottles, and refills arrive in compostable pouches (you can subscribe to get them every four months). There are mouthwash bits too. It's all a bit too pricey, though.
    • Huppy Toothpaste Tabs ($8/one-month supply or $32/four months): Your first Huppy order comes in an aluminum container, and as with Bite, refills arrive in compostable pouches. Bite tabs taste a little better, but Huppy's are solid and slightly more affordable.
    • Tongue scraper ($10): You can brush your teeth efficiently twice a day, but it will go to waste if you ignore your tongue. You don't need to buy a tongue scraper, but I find it makes the process more bearable. Plastic ones don't do as good a job as the metal ones, and there are also ergonomically designed models. Just rinse it thoroughly between uses.
Medea Giordano turned her shopping problem into a career as a product writer for WIRED. She covers a little bit of everything but loves health, beauty, and pet tech. Prior to WIRED, she was an assistant editor at Wirecutter and an assistant in the newsroom of The New York Times.... Read more
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