We 9 Best Teeth Whitening Products of 2024—From Strips to LED Lights (2024)

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Crest is no stranger to the at-home whitening world, but this latest innovation really is a game-changer. It takes the same beloved strips the brand is best known for and amps up its effects with blue light technology to provide unmatched results lasting up to 36 months. For 10 days, you wear the strips for an hour, then hold up the light device to the strips for another 10 minutes (five minutes each on the top and bottom). The light boasts the same technology found in dentist’s offices, which helps the hydrogen peroxide in the strips better penetrate the tooth enamel and ultimately removes yellow stains and leads to whiter teeth. And yes, it really works. We began to see a brightening effect by day five, and by day 10, our smile was noticeably a few shades lighter, while any bothersome stains had faded significantly.

Who It’s For

Those who don’t mind a little extra labor (i.e., holding a light for 10 minutes) in return for elevated results should opt for this kit. It delivered impressive changes in less than two weeks.

Type: Strips, light | Session Duration: 70 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide

Truly a classic, you really can’t go wrong with these easy-to-use strips. They have the American Dental Association's (ADA) seal of approval, which was granted to them in 2017. To drive home how major that is, it's worth mentioning that it's the first product to earn the ADA seal in the Home-Use Tooth Bleaching Products category, according to the ADA.

The product promises to remove up to 10 years' worth of stains and yellowing, and this variety features extra grip to ensure they stay in place. That grip was something we noted in our experience, too, plus the fact that we never experienced any sensitivity or discomfort (although that may not be the case for everyone!). Dr. Marashi is also a fan, lauding both the affordable price and the good results they deliver. Still, he does note that compliance with any at-home product is usually the main issue, so you’ll need to use these every day (for the entire duration of the two-week treatment cycle) to see the best results.

Who It’s For

If you don’t mind committing to a full two-week protocol and are looking for an effective and affordable pick, consider this set of strips.

Type: Strips | Session Duration: 30 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide

Read Full Review: These Teeth Whitening Strips Left My Smile So Bright

A little bit on the pricier side, this is pretty much the closest you can get to a pro-style treatment at home. You start by applying the protective lip balm, then brush a thin layer of the whitening gel along the fronts of your teeth. Pop in the mouthpiece and turn it on, either manually or via the app, fancy.

The GLO technology, which stands for Guided Light Optics, uses a combo of both light and heat to activate the hydrogen peroxide-based gel, so you get whiter teeth fast. Something worth noting: The device shuts off after eight minutes, though you have to repeat the process twice more after that. After doing three cycles for seven days in a row, you should notice improved results. We saw fairly subtle changes at the 10-day mark, but our teeth continued to get even brighter after the fact.

Who It’s For

If you don’t mind a little bit of a lengthier process because you're getting a professional-grade experience, definitely check out this buy.

Type: Gel, light | Session Duration: 8 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium nitrate, sodium fluoride

Read Full Review: GLO Science's GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device Gave Me a Brighter Smile in 10 Days

This is Dr. Marashi’s pick for a full-on system, which includes LED teeth whitening abilities. “It combines a special wavelength of light delivered via the mouthpiece combined with the whitening gel. The light activates the gel to effectively break down dark colors that are staining your teeth,” he explains. It’s a fan-favorite on Amazon, too, repeatedly pulling in positive reviews with customers commenting on how well it works and how it’s worth the price.

Each kit comes with three wands of Snow's whitening gel as well as an extra-strength version in addition to the LED mouthpiece. The best part? It's safe for use by those with sensitive teeth, braces, bridges, caps, crowns, and veneers. It didn’t trigger any sensitivity or pain (or bad aftertaste for us in the least), and it did brighten our smile.

Who It’s For

This is another great choice for those looking for a full-on, at-home whitening system. But it’s also a perfect pick if you have sensitive teeth, braces, caps, crowns, and veneers.

Type: Gel, light | Session Duration: 9 to 30 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, potassium nitrate

Looking to whiten and brighten your smile but worried your teeth are too sensitive for a tooth whitening product? Fear not; this teeth whitening system has a non-sensitizing gel formulated with hydrogen peroxide that won’t hurt your teeth or gums but still works super effectively. In fact, some results are noticeable in as little as one day.

Commit to using these for just two weeks to score teeth that are whiter. Snap open each individual pack and apply to the fronts of teeth post-brushing for 30 minutes for 14 days.

Who It’s For

Consider these winning strips if you have sensitive teeth—and/or want to whiten your teeth in a hurry, as these deliver results even after just one day.

Type: Gel | Session Duration: 30 minutes a day, for 14 days | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

If you’re currently rocking Invisalign or any other type of clear, corrective aligners, this pick is for you. “The foam keeps your aligners clean while whitening your smile simultaneously, so you get both straighter and whiter teeth at the same time,” says Dr. Marashi, who’s a fan. Oh, and did we also mention that it freshens your breath, too?

All you need to do is squeeze one pump of this three-in-one foam into your aligner or retainer trays, making sure it’s spread all over evenly. Then, pop them on, and voilà! Simultaneously brighter, whiter, and straighter teeth.

Who It’s For

This is only meant to be used with aligners or retainers, so if you want to freshen up your dental gear while whitening your smile, this is the product that does it all.

Type: Gel, trays | Session Duration: Dependent on tray use | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen Peroxide

Okay, so a toothbrush alone isn’t going to whiten your teeth, but this one can help you achieve your goal of pearly whites faster (especially when it’s paired with a good whitening toothpaste.) We were big fans of the brushing experience—it left our teeth feeling fresher and cleaner after every use. Credit the fact that, yes, it’s a sonic toothbrush, but the first of its kind to combine silicone and polymer bristles to help more thoroughly break down plaque. It also has a built-in tongue and cheek cleaner, plus all kinds of other cool bells and whistles, such as 16 different adjustable settings.

Who It’s For

Here’s a good option for anyone who may not want to use any kind of active whitening ingredients but is still looking for a way to improve the look (and health) of their teeth.

Type: Toothbrush | Duration: 2 minutes | Active Ingredients: Silicone and polymer bristles

To be honest, a professional, in-office whitening treatment is undoubtedly the best way to get the fastest whitening results. That being said, this at-home option is no slowpoke. When used as directed (i.e., worn for one hour a day for seven days), the brand claims that they can remove up to 10 years worth of staining. Did they deliver? They lightened our teeth by an impressive six shades, so much so that people were commenting on how good they looked.

Who It’s For

Those who want to see whitening results fast should try this product, as long as they don’t mind wearing strips for one hour per day and can handle a bit of sensitivity.

Type: Strips | Session Duration: 1 hour for 7 days | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

For those looking for a simple, easy option that can be used pretty much anytime, anywhere, this portable pen can’t be beaten. All you have to do is brush the whitening gel onto each tooth—that’s it. What we appreciate most is how its flexible brush tip can get inside the crevices between your teeth, making eliminating tough coffee stains a breeze. And since it relies on carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide, it is less likely to trigger sensitivity.

Who It’s For

If you want a quick touch-up or just want to easily be able to whiten your teeth on the go, try this pen. It’s also great if your staining is in the spaces between your teeth.

Type: Gel | Session Duration: As long as it stays on | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide

FAQ

• How do teeth whitening products work?

  Dr. Marashi explains that teeth whitening products typically involve a peroxide gel that’s applied to the surface of the teeth, whether it’s delivered via a foil, a strip, or a custom-molded tooth tray. The peroxide gel soaks into the tooth, dissolving internal discolorations. “Think of it as applying bleach to a cranberry stain on white fabric,” he says.

• Are teeth whitening products safe?

  According to Dr. Marashi, yes, teeth whitening products are safe. “Obviously, there may be some inferior products out there, but by and large, they are safe!” he says. A great way to know if an oral care product is up to par is by checking to see if it earned an ADA Seal of Acceptance.

• Can you avoid pain and sensitivity after using teeth whitening products?

  Some folks may be wary of using teeth whitening products, as they’ve been known to cause minor tooth sensitivity. According to Dr. Marashi, you can avoid this by using a topical fluoride or desensitizing toothpaste after removing your whitening product.

• Can yellow teeth become white?

  Coffee stains and yellow teeth can be made considerably brighter via a wide range of whitening products. Whitening products work by dissolving stains on the teeth.

Updated byShannon Stubbs