If You're Looking for a New Electric Toothbrush, Read This (2024)

Today, options abound. When shopping, your primary focus should be on the seal from the American Dental Association (ADA), says Adam Harwood, DMD, an endodontist in NYC. These products have been tested to ensure they meet criteria for safety and efficacy. Beyond that, it's largely a matter of preference. Sonicare isn't necessarily better than Oral B, for example—but each brush will have subtle differences in features, like shape, UV cleaning, pressure sensors, and more. Is your head, er, spinning yet? Dentists defer to these electric toothbrushes because they are gentle on sensitive or receding gums, plus give teeth the most thorough clean.

Oprah herself uses Philips One by Sonicare, even choosing it for one of her Favorite Things. Lady O says of the brush, "Sometimes something practical is the perfect present. I’ve long been a Sonicare user, and I’m excited about this travel-friendly version, complete with a sleek case. The rechargeable smart brush uses micro-vibrations to ensure a complete clean, and it has a two-minute timer, so brushing isn’t cut short. Your loved one’s dentist will thank you."

This rechargeable toothbrush removes up to five times more plaque than a manual toothbrush. It also has a pressure sensor, timer, and brush head replacement reminder.

If you're forgetful, it might pay to buy this pack that comes with three extra replacement heads. Otherwise, this toothbrush has a pressure sensor, display screen, and charging travel case. Users say it feels like they came straight from the dentist after brushing.

If whiter teeth are what you're after, try this toothbrush. It's a favorite on Amazon and is supposed to whiten teeth in just one week while still cleaning gently.

Because this brush has a pressure sensor that activates when too much pressure is applied, it's a great choice for anyone with receding gums. This feature protects your gums from irritation and your teeth from enamel erosion caused by excessively hard brushing, says Lana Rozenberg, DDS, a dentist in NYC. It also has a built-in timer, complete with a pacer that gives a gentle vibration when it's time to move to another section of your mouth.

Though this specific model is a favorite, Michael Florman, DDS, an orthodontist in Los Angeles, stands by any model by Oral B. These brushes are soft and many have pressure sensors that prevent you from brushing too harshly—a common cause of tooth and gum sensitivity, he explains.

This electric toothbrush is great for sensitive gums, because it has a built-in pressure sensor, says Jennifer Jablow, DDS, a dentist in NYC. Manufacturers promise the brush removes 10 times more plaque than manual toothbrushes, and Jablow says it delivers—her patients that switch to Sonicare have less plaque buildup and experience less gum bleeding when brushing.

If bright colors help you get excited about brushing your teeth, this is the toothbrush for you. The 30-day battery life and protective travel case make it perfect for bringing on trips—and it's not super expensive, so you won't worry if you leave it in the hotel bathroom. Still not convinced? Well, this small but stylish toothbrush is loved by Oprah and was in her last Favorite Things list.

This brush is the one of the sleekest-looking on the market. There are two plastic handle colors, blue and green, and four different metal shades. It also has a three-month battery life, a built-in travel cover, and a subscription model so you never run out of new heads again.

This electric toothbrush moves three ways—it oscillates, rotates, and pulsates—to effectively tackle plaque on teeth and along the gum line, says Harwood.

A brush that spins side-to-side and an ergonomic handle make it easier to achieve a thorough brush, which results in less plaque and reduced risk for dental disease like gingivitis, says Harwood.

Though as effective as the brand's adult models, this electric toothbrush has gentle bristles and a flexible brush head that's more appropriate for small mouths, says Harwood. It also has a two-minute countdown timer, a convenient suction base, and a fun kid-friendly design.

Another sleek-looking option, this brush features an oscillating circular head with two speeds, a brush head cover, and a matching stand. It also works on a subscription model that includes peppermint-flavored toothpaste.

A round brush head separates this toothbrush from others on the market, says Goodman. It's a very unique toothbrush similar to the tool your hygienist uses to polish your teeth, he explains. Plus, the bristles on the brush are one-third the width of traditional toothbrush bristles, making them better able to clean surfaces conventional bristles cannot.

This starter kit comes with an extra head and also uses bluetooth to help you brush better. It also has three speeds: normal, sensitive, and deep clean, plus a timer reminding you to brush for two minutes.

This pretty purple brush has all the bells and whistles of its more expensive counterparts, plus a built-in tongue scraper and a magnetic mirror mount.