The humble toothbrush reigns supreme in the quest for a brighter, healthier smile. But with the vast array of electric toothbrushes flooding the market, choosing the right one can feel like navigating a dental obstacle course. From sleek sonic models promising plaque-blasting power to feature-packed options boasting app connectivity and gum-massaging abilities, the options are enough to leave even the most diligent brusher bewildered. Worry not, fellow grin enthusiasts! This comprehensive guide dives deep into the world of electric toothbrushes, equipping you with the knowledge to select the perfect partner for your oral hygiene routine. We’ll compare features, analyze brushing styles, and weigh the pros and cons of each type, all while keeping your budget and specific dental needs in mind. So, buckle up and get ready to discover the electric toothbrush that will transform your brushing experience and leave your smile sparkling with confidence! Among the devices available, StudyFinds set out to find the best electric toothbrushes so you can find the perfect model.
In a recent survey, U.S. respondents based their first impression of someone else on their smile (76%). Yet one in ten Americans admit to not brushing their teeth before bed. Yuck! Of course, brushing is the key to dental health, along with flossing. And did you know that dental health has a significant impact on your overall health, including your joints and your heart? A Japanese study confirms the latter after exploring the connection between gum infection and atrial fibrillation (AFib), or an irregular heartbeat:
“Periodontitis [gum disease] is associated with a long-standing inflammation, and inflammation plays a key role in atrial fibrosis progression and atrial fibrillation pathogenesis,” says researcher Shunsuke Miyauchi, assistant professor with the Hiroshima University’s Health Service Center. “This study provides basic evidence that periodontitis can aggravate atrial fibrosis and can be a novel modifiablerisk factor for atrial fibrillation,” adds his colleague Yukiko Nakano, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences.
We hope these results provide you with additional motivation to take good care of your teeth. To make it easier, StudyFinds consulted ten expert websites to find the top five best electric toothbrushes for you to pick from. If you don’t see your favorite on the list, please let us know in the comments.
StudyFinds’ “Best of the Best” articles are put together with the idea of taking the work out of common consumer research. Ever find yourself searching for a product or service on Google and reading multiple reviews to find items listed across many of them? Our Best of the Best lists are created with that process in mind, with each item ranked by how frequently it appears on expert reviews or lists. With Best of the Best, you are getting consensus picks — making them truly the best of the best!
The List: Best Electric Toothbrushes, According to Hygiene Experts
1. Oral-B Pro 1000
The Oral-B Pro 1000 wasn’t only the most recommended brush — for some experts, it was the best! “I tested the Oral-B Pro 1000 for a week, and it was my favorite product due to its simplicity and impressive cleaning abilities,” a CNET reviewer reports.
“After more than 100 total hours of research, interviewing dental experts, considering nearly every model available, and testing 36 toothbrushes ourselves in hundreds of trials at the bathroom sink, we’ve found that theOral-B Pro 1000 is the best electric toothbrush,” states Wirecutter. “Although it has among the fewest fancy features of the rechargeable brushes we’ve tested, it does have the most important things experts recommend — a built-in two-minute timer and access to one of the most extensive lines of replacement brush heads available — at an affordable price.”
“You don’t need a smart brush,” claims Wired. “You can spend a little bit less and get a more powerful cleaner with Oral-B’s Pro 1000. Oral-B’s electric toothbrushes all have oscillating brush heads, which are 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.”
2. Philips Sonicare 4100
For StudyFinds and Wirecutter, it’s the “runner-up:” “If you can’t find the Oral-B Pro 1000, or if you prefer a quieter brush with a head that vibrates back and forth instead of oscillates, we recommend thePhilips Sonicare 4100. Like the Pro 1000, the 4100 has a two-minute timer with quadrant pacing plus a pressure sensor and is not trumped up with unproven features.”
For Women’s Health, the Philips Sonicare 4100 is the best electric toothbrush. “Those hard-to-reach molars don’t stand a chance against this budget-friendly toothbrush’s power. It also has super-soft rounded bristles that sneak their way between teeth. It’s no surprise that this is the number one bestselling electric toothbrush on Amazon with nearly 100,000 five-star reviews.”
CNN also highly recommends this model: “Affordable, full-featured, effective and compatible with many varieties of replacement brush heads from Philips and third parties, the Sonicare 4100 is a great way to improve your oral hygiene routine. A gentle mode makes it easy for beginners to get used to high-tech brushing.”
3. Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige
Another Philips Sonicare product closely follows number two on this list. While you may not “need” a smart toothbrush, you can still want one! Health declares the 9900 Prestige the best smart toothbrush, noting that “the Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900 is in a class of its own when it comes to smart technology.”
“There’s something about a smart toothbrush that has AI smart technology — it really takes your brushing to the next level. The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige actually detects your brushing style and adapts to give you the right amount of pressure at the right time. You’ll also get personalized guidance from the Philips Sonicare app, and the BrushSync feature will remind you when it’s time to replace your brush head. It really does it all. If you want a smart brush, this one is worth the money,” claims CBS Essentials.
Do you have sensitive gums? “The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige is a lifesaver if you have sensitive gums like me,” a CNET tester writes. “I sometimes brush too hard, and the Philips Sonicare buzzed and lit up when I pressed down too hard with the toothbrush — a gentle nudge to let me know to lighten the pressure. The brush also automatically adjusts intensity if you’re pushing too hard.”
4. Oral-B iO Series 9
The Oral-B iO toothbrushes received high praise from experts, and this model was the most recommended one. “The Oral-B iO Series 9 offers more features and modes than any electric toothbrush we tested, from multiple modes to suit any brushing goal to a connected app that really provides useful feedback. It’s pricey, but a 60-day guarantee makes it easy to see if it will work for you,” writes CNN.
The Oral-B iO Series 9 is CBS Essentials’ high-end electric toothbrush pick. “The Oral-B iO series […] rechargeable toothbrush offers a deep clean from powerful (yet gentle) micro vibrations emitted from its bristles. Not only that, the AI recognition gives you 3D teeth tracking via an app that you download, so that you get a truly professional clean every time you brush your teeth. A smart pressure sensor stops you from brushing too hard, making it gentle on sensitive teeth and gums. The Oral-B iO series 9 offers a personalized teeth brushing experience with seven different smart modes.”
“Marketed as the ultimate clean electric toothbrush, the Oral-B iO Series 9 offers a truly personalized brushing experience,” adds Live Science. “If you’re after a super smart, connected clean, with a brush that looks sleek and stylish on the bathroom shelf, the Oral-B iO Series 9 could be the perfect electric toothbrush for you.”
5. Philips One by Sonicare
And another Philips Sonicare brush! This model is a little more affordable than the Prestige: “You can get a great clean without spending over $100 on a high-end smart toothbrush. […] The Philips One Sonicare is a colorful, aesthetically pleasing toothbrush that’s a big step up from a manual toothbrush. It comes with a two-minute timer and has micro-vibrations that will make your teeth squeaky clean,” adds CBS Essentials.
“If you don’t need the most powerful vibrations, get the Philips One,” recommends Wired. “It’s thin enough that it 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 to a manual brush. Plus, it’s good to stay in the habit of brushing thoroughly instead of feeling like an electric toothbrush will do the work for you.”
According to CNN, “the slim, compact Philips One by Sonicare comes with a form-fitting case and has 30 days of battery life, making it the perfect electric toothbrush for travel. It doesn’t have all the features of some more expensive brushes, but offers more than enough to keep up your tooth care routine on the road.”
