toothbrush

electric toothbrushes are clutch for whiter teeth. they remove 21% more plaque than manual brushes, which means less staining buildup. plus they won't mess up your enamel if you use them right.

oscillating (round head)

the scrubby one

  • • spins back and forth in circles
  • • better for braces
  • • cups each tooth individually
  • • example: oral-b

sonic (rectangle head)

the vibey one

  • • vibrates side to side super fast
  • • gentler on sensitive teeth
  • • covers more area faster
  • • example: sonicare, quip

for whitening specifically:

  • 2 min timer - all good brushes have this. ensures you actually brush long enough to remove stains.
  • pressure sensor - stops you from scrubbing too hard. over-brushing = enamel damage = yellow teeth. super important.
  • whitening mode (optional) - some brushes have this. it's basically just the regular mode but slightly more aggressive. not necessary but kinda nice.

don't be dumb:

  • • wait 30 min after eating/drinking acidic stuff before brushing (protects enamel)
  • • don't press hard - let the brush do the work
  • • replace brush head every 3 months (worn bristles = useless)
  • • expensive models don't clean better. they just have bluetooth and apps.
  • • any $50+ brush is fine. you're paying for features, not better cleaning.

bottom line:

both oscillating and sonic work great. just get one with a pressure sensor and 2-minute timer. that's literally it. don't overthink this.

Common Questions

Buy

Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

$40-60

awards:

Best Overall

Wirecutter

Best Overall

Wirecutter

Best Overall

Good Housekeeping

features:

Simple reliable design

2-minute timer

extensive brush head compatibility

affordable replacement heads

Buy

Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100

$50-80

awards:

Runner-Up

Wirecutter

Best Overall

CNN Underscored

Best Sonic

Good Housekeeping

features:

Quieter operation

pressure sensor

compatible with many brush heads

single mode operation

Buy

Oral-B iO Series 9

$270-320

awards:

Best Smart Brush

CNN Underscored

features:

Connected app with feedback

7 cleaning modes

OLED display

16-zone AI tracking

60-day guarantee

Buy

Oral-B iO Series 10

$350-400

awards:

Best Overall Premium

TechRadar

features:

iOSense smart charger

comprehensive mouth-tracking

WiFi connected dock

quietest operation

Buy

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige

$320-400

awards:

Best Sonic Premium

TechRadar

features:

SenseIQ technology

auto-adjusts intensity 100x per second

AI-powered app

premium build quality

Buy

SURI 2.0 Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush

$105-125

awards:

Best Sustainable

TechRadar

features:

UV-C cleaning travel case

pressure sensor

aluminum body

plant-based recyclable heads

magnetic wall mount

Buy

Philips Sonicare For Kids Design a Pet Edition

$50-70

awards:

Best for Kids

Wirecutter

features:

Kid-friendly design

app with rewards

gentle for sensitive teeth

customizable power settings

Buy

Burst Sonic Toothbrush

$70-90

awards:

Top Rated

Consumer Reports

features:

Subscription model available

excellent cleaning performance

long battery life

charcoal-infused bristles

Buy

Philips One by Sonicare

$25-40

awards:

Best for Travel

CNN Underscored

features:

Ultra-portable

slim design

30-day battery

travel case included

lightweight

Buy

Philips Sonicare 7500

$150-200

awards:

Best Value Premium

TechRadar

features:

Metal handle

12 intensity settings (4 modes x 3 levels)

premium build

no app required

quiet operation

Buy

Quip Electric Toothbrush

$25-45

awards:

Best Direct-to-Consumer Budget

Consumers Advocate

features:

ADA Seal of Approval

slim design

subscription available

affordable replacement heads

Buy

Hum by Colgate Smart Electric Toothbrush

$70-100

awards:

Best Design

CNN Underscored

features:

Sleek slim design

app tracking

3 intensity levels

lightweight

multiple colors

Oral-B Pro 3 3000

$40-60

awards:

Best Budget Oscillating

Good Housekeeping

features:

Visible 360-degree pressure sensor

3 cleaning modes

reliable performance

affordable

Buy

Oclean X Pro Elite

$80-100

awards:

Quietest Brush

TechRadar

features:

Sound-deadening technology (48-49dB)

app connectivity

long battery

32 intensity settings

Buy

Oral-B Pro 5000

$40-60

awards:

Best Budget Oscillating

Good Housekeeping

features:

Visible 360-degree pressure sensor

3 cleaning modes

reliable performance

affordable

Goby Electric Toothbrush

$50-75

awards:

Best Subscription Option

Wirecutter

features:

Subscription service for replacement heads

2-minute timer with quadrant pacer

simple design

Mode Electric Toothbrush

$60-80

awards:

Best Minimalist Design

TechRadar

features:

Wireless charger wall mount

built-in LED

one-setting simplicity

elegant design

Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush

$50-70

awards:

Best Overall Value

Good Housekeeping

features:

Excellent plaque reduction

fresh breath

dentist-clean feeling

no unnecessary features

Buy

AquaSonic Black Series

$40-60

awards:

Budget High-Performer

Consumer Reports

features:

40000 VPM

4 modes

8 brush heads included

wireless charging

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