When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. : This toothbrush is from a beloved brand, has a solid battery life, and is comfortable to use. The Quip has stronger credentials (ADA acceptance and customer reviews), but this is a great cheap but well-made toothbrush.
Philips One: The Philips One is a great budget option that comes in stylish colors and AAA-battery-operated as well as rechargeable models. The brush heads are well-priced, too, at $10 for two.
AquaSonic Vibe: The Vibe model is an all-around solid choice as it has ADA acceptance, no smart features, and pretty colors. The biggest sell is its affordable pricepoint.
BURST Sonic Toothbrush: The Hum offers more features for less money, but the BURST is a sleek and respectable product, with its diamond-faceted handle and three intensity settings.
BURSTkids Sonic Toothbrush: We wish this toothbrush offered smartphone integration for the price it’s going for. Still, the silicone handle and two different settings (standard and sensitive) make it an appealing choice.
Brusheez: Brusheez are another affordable, top choice for children as they come in 9 different animal character styles and a sand timer, which is a nice visual cue for some kids.
The CO. Worker: Colgate’s new CO. line looks and feels like a cosmetics brand, and the CO. Worker toothbrush has some advanced features like pressure sensors. If aesthetics are a high priority, it’s a fine pick, but otherwise, there are better options for the price.
Spotlight Sonic Toothbrush: With three settings and no app integration, this brush offers less than many others for more money. But the small, almond-shaped brush head is great for maneuvering into tight spaces and it was designed by dentists.
Soothsonic by Tend: The Soothsonic is a bit pricey for no smart features. But we do like the small, teardrop-shaped brush head with soft bristles, and the mint green travel case it comes with is super cute.
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How we tested for the best electric toothbrushes
To determine the top electric toothbrushes, we leaned on the advice of our three experts, personally tried out several leading options, and poured over customer and professional reviews. In particular, we noted:
Ease of use: Overall, we noted how easy was it to start a brushing cycle and hold and maneuver the toothbrush while it was cleaning. If the device had smart features, we also considered how easy they and the accompanying app were to use.
Comfort: How comfortable each electric toothbrush is to use was informed mostly by the thickness and curve of the handle and how big and/or flexible the brush head felt in mouth.
Speed and intensity: A key factor overall was if the intensity of the brushing cycle hit the sweet spot of powerful enough to clean well but not too much as to hurt. We also considered whether you can decrease or increase the intensity of a cycle, since it’s nice to start less intense if you’re new to the sensation of electric toothbrushes.
Noise: As with all things electronic, the quieter the device, the more preferable it is.
Smart features: Because these features usually cost more, we analyzed whether things like pressure feedback worked in-the-moment, and how easy the accompanying apps were to use to check things like which spots we missed.
Value for cost: How each toothbrush measured on the above factors, cumulatively, was compared against its price to judge whether the latter justified the overall performance and benefit.
Best electric toothbrush FAQs
Who should use an electric toothbrush?
“I would say that nearly 100% of people not already using one would benefit from an electric brush,” Courtney Hain, DDS, dentist, and owner of Smile San Francisco told Insider. Virtually everyone, especially people with limited dexterity or mobility issues, would do well to upgrade from a manual toothbrush. But the benefit is also psychological: Their higher price point can alone be motivating for some people to use the brush to its full effect, Dr. Paul Springs said. Also, they normally have a 2-minute timer which encourages most people to brush for a lot longer (and, therefore, more thoroughly) than a manual toothbrush.
Is there anyone who shouldn’t use an electric toothbrush?
If you tend to brush too hard, electric brushes may worsen the problem, causing damage to gums and teeth. But many electric brushes now have sensors to alert you if you’re pressing too hard. Ultimately, if you have concerns about gum recession or tooth structure, talk it over with your regular dentist. They can give you personalized advice.
Are electric toothbrushes really better than manual toothbrushes?
It depends. Some research says electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque from molars and premolars, but the dentists we consulted with said a manual toothbrush can definitely do an equal job, assuming you have the dexterity.
An electric toothbrush just makes the job a little easier, plus they generally have a timer to let you know when you’ve brushed for the recommended full two minutes. Also, electric toothbrushes are slightly more sustainable, since you’re only tossing out the small plastic head rather than the entire plastic manual toothbrush.
Can I brush my teeth for less time if I’m using an electric toothbrush?
Nope, sorry. In fact, what dentists often like most about electric toothbrushes is that they include a timer to guide you towards brushing for two minutes, which is the ideal time to use any toothbrush, manual or electric. But it might be an easier two minutes, especially if you’re someone with limited dexterity.
Our experts
Dr. Ben El Chami, DMD, is a dentist and the co-founder and chief dental officer of dntlbar.
Dr. Courtney Hain, DDS, is a dentist who owns and operates her own practice, Smile San Francisco.
