The Best Electric Toothbrush
Jump down to our electric toothbrush buying guide if you want to know more about what to look out for when choosing.We've also added some frequently asked questions (and answers!).
#1: Oral-B Pro 7000 SmartSeries
#2: Philips Sonicare DiamondClean
#3: Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100
#4: Philips Sonicare Essence 5600
#5: Oral-B AdvancePower
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| Six different modes | ||
| Display shows time remaining | ||
| Smartphone app |
| Lots of different modes | ||
| USB charging case |
| Simple to use | ||
| Pressure sensor |
| Simple to use |
| Cheap | ||
| Replaceable batteries |
| Expensive | ||
| Travel case doesn't double as a charger |
| One button control can be confusing | ||
| USB charging case uses old-style USB connector |
| No travel charger |
| More expensive than other budget models |
| Somewhat slow |
Features and specifications
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| Ease of use Two button design makes it easy to select the desired programme and then start it. Two minute timer and pacer tell you when to change brushing position. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features Six different modes in addition to the timers mentioned above. SmartGuide display shows remaining time. Smartphone app gives feedback on your brushing habits. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Look and feel Premium design in black, with good materials used. Travel case plain but attractive. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pros and cons
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| Verdict The top of the range model with all the added extras you could want. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Ease of use One button operation to both start the toothbrush and switch between operating modes can be confusing, otherwise easy to use. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features Multiple cleaning modes including different length programmes. Easy to replace brush heads. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Look and feel Matte black plastic with a high quality feel. Home charger has a unique 'glass' design. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pros and cons
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| Verdict An excellent toothbrush with great design. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Ease of use Programme selection button and separate start button, making the toothbrush easy to use. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features Three brushing modes, and a pressure sensor to warn if you're pressing too hard. Removable brush heads and a travel case. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Look and feel Shiny white plastic with transparent plastic around the buttons. Attractive and understated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pros and cons
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| Verdict A good mid-range toothbrush, with most of the features you'll need. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Ease of use Very easy to use with a single button press needed to start the toothbrush. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features A two minute timer automatically stops the toothbrush. Brush head can be replaced. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Look and feel A simple design and somewhat bulky, but overall inoffensive. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pros and cons
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| Verdict A fair toothbrush, and one of the cheapest to come with a rechargeable battery and timer. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Ease of use With only one mode, no timer and no pace timer it couldn't be easier to use. Just one button to start and stop the toothbrush. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features Comes with two AA batteries. Brush head is removable and can be replaced. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Look and feel Basic looking budget design. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pros and cons
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| Verdict The bargain basement option, but still a step up from a normal toothbrush. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Electric toothbrush buying guide 2020
Electric toothbrushes come highly recommended by many dentists. These modern upgrades of the toothbrush make cleaning your teeth much more efficient and provide better results. Since your dental hygiene doesn't only affect your teeth but your overall health, a good electric toothbrush is a worthy investment.
The only problem with buying an electric toothbrush is the fact that choices can be overwhelming. When electric toothbrushes first came out, the choices were very limited. Since the electric toothbrush went mainstream, many companies started to offer different variants. And that's why we've created this guide, to help you make the right choice when purchasing your new electric toothbrush.
The following points are the top considerations that you need to keep in mind while buying a new electric toothbrush. By doing so, you'll be able to get a model that's perfect for your needs and gives you the kind of performance that you're looking for.
Your budget
The price of electric toothbrushes can vary significantly. When you start searching for a new one, you'll find models with prices as little as $29 up to the $150+ range. Generally speaking, more expensive models have more features. When you pay top dollar for an electric toothbrush, you expect everything to be of exceptional quality, and that's exactly what the best models give you.
Things like automatic pressure and position detection, multiple speeds, and even synchronizing with a mobile app are things that you can find in the higher end models. To some people this is totally worth it while for others it wont be.
Before you start searching for your new electric toothbrush, the first thing you need to do is set a budget. By doing so, you'll get directly to the models that you might actually buy instead of wasting your time with models that you won't. If you can afford it though, higher-end models are definitely recommended.
Brush Head Shape
Electric toothbrush heads come in two different shapes, which is one that's similar to the traditional toothbrush and a round shape. Most high-end models have a round brush head for a simple reason, which is the type of motion it uses.
As you've probably guessed, round brush heads rotate in a circular motion to clean the teeth, which is usually more efficient than the traditional brush head style, which vibrate. Some premium models, however, have a traditional brush head shape and use innovative motion techniques to achieve great results.
Extra Brush Heads
Just like in a normal toothbrush, the heads of electric toothbrushes wear out with use and need to be replaced. That's why most manufacturers include extra heads with their brushes. When buying a new electric toothbrush, the more extra heads that come with it the better.
If an electric toothbrush comes with few extra heads (or none), you'll find yourself having to pay for replacements really soon, which will add to the brush's actual cost. Getting a model with a decent number of extra heads is worthwhile.
Chargeable Vs. Non-Chargeable
All of the available electric toothbrushes are either chargeable or use AA batteries. The cost of replacing these batteries can soon add up.
Getting a rechargeable model is always a good idea. Asides from saving money from not having to replace batteries, you'll never find yourself in that position where you really need to brush your teeth and the battery is dead with no spare ones around. High-quality models are capable of fully charging within a short period so you'll never find yourself in this situation as long as you have the charger with you.
Timer
If you often find yourself wondering “is this enough” while brushing your teeth, an electric toothbrush with a timer is something that you're definitely going to love. All you have to do is start the built-in timer for a brushing session and the brush will tell you when the time is up.
This useful feature won't only help you make sure you brush your teeth enough, it'll also help you ensure you're not brushing your teeth for more than you have to. Brushing your teeth for longer-than-recommended periods can give you gum-related problems. With a timer, you know your teeth are getting the exact amount of cleaning they need to stay healthy.
Battery Life
Having an electric toothbrush that you need to charge quite often is anything but convenient. That's why decent battery life is an important thing to bear in mind when choosing your new electric toothbrush.
The battery life per charge can vary from one model to the other. In high-end models, you should expect around 170 minutes of brushing per charge, which means you won't have to charge your toothbrush for more than a month. When it comes to battery life, the longer you can get the less you'll have to charge your toothbrush.
Some models do come with a charging base to make the charging process as easy as possible. The longer battery life, however, is especially useful when you're traveling as you don't have to carry the charging base with you.
Pressure and Position Sensors
Having “smart” features on an electric toothbrush such as pressure and position sensors makes it much better to use. When you're applying pressure on your teeth with the toothbrush, the built-in sensor measures the amount of pressure and lets you know if you're pressing too hard.
In addition to giving you better results when brushing your teeth, this feature will prevent you from accidentally injuring your gums. As for the position sensor, it notifies you so you can adjust your brushing position to get the best results.
Modes
Having different modes to choose from is something that sets high-quality electric toothbrushes apart from cheaper models. Premium electric toothbrushes come with modes like whitening, gum care, tongue cleaner and more.
In addition to the fact that different modes make the electric toothbrush more convenient to use, having such a variety of modes to choose from allows you to get the exact results that you want. Whether you want to whiten your teeth or clean your tongue for a better oral hygiene, the right mode can the task simpler.
LED Battery Indicator
Despite sounding like a small thing, having an LED battery indicator on the toothbrush is a feature that makes life easier for many electric toothbrush owners. In case of electric toothbrushes with no such indicator, you can only tell that the battery is dead when the brush stops working.
You can't tell that you need to charge just by looking at the brush. In the case of models with an LED battery indicator though, you always know how much charge is left in the brush and whether you need to charge it or not. Taking the guessing out of the equation means you won't find yourself on vacation or a work trip with a dead electric toothbrush and no compatible charger nearby.
Which electric toothbrush is best for me?
The best overall electric toothbrush
If you're looking for the best, the Oral-B Pro 7000 SmartSeries is our overall top scoring electric toothbrush you can buy. If you just want the best, get this.Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I replace brush heads?
In usual operation (twice a day, for two minutes each time) brush heads should last for two to three months. Some brush heads come with an indicator that fades over time to let you know that they need to be replaced. If you notice the brush head has started to fray they should be replaced, regardless of time.
What daily maintenance is needed to keep my electric toothbrush in good condition?
Not much! After use rinse your toothbrush with tap water and remove any toothpaste. Every few weeks remove the brush head and clean the toothbrush where the brush head connects (you might notice more debris build up if you live in a hard water area). Leave your toothbrush in an upright position and let it air-dry.
How do I use an electric toothbrush?
Simply select the cleaning mode by pressing the button, then put the brush head in your mouth and move it along your teeth. If the brush has a pacer or timer, it will vibrate to let you know when to move the brush to another part of your mouth. Don't put too much pressure on the toothbrush as this will cause the bristles to wear out quickly, and may be less effective at cleaning too.
My name's Mary Cairns and I've worked in the health and personal care field for the majority of my career. I work on Expertly Tested as a reviewer and writer, covering these topics.