Best Electric Toothbrush Overall
Oral-B Pro 1000
Best Electric Toothbrush Overall
Oral-B Pro 1000
Pros
- Physical movement, not vibration
- Simple and easy to use
- Incredible price—new brush heads are affordable, too
Cons
- Some might want more tech help
As with everything vaguely tech enabled, the trend with electric toothbrushes has been to ratchet it up. Certain models pair with your phone for data collection and brushing tips. Other models coach you in real time. Some have haptic feedback. Whatever.
This Pro 1000 from Oral-B is the best electric toothbrush on the market because it’s simple. The head oscillates, pulsates, and rotates—in english this means it physically moves in multiple directions. It gives you four quadrant timers within the two-minute brush time. And, it tells you if you’re pressing too hard, because that can be tough on your gums. That’s it. That’s all you need, really. Buy this toothbrush today, and you can use it for the next two decades.
“Studies” in the dental world are a bit funny, because the big players usually have a hand in them. Generally though, oscillating toothbrushes tend to perform better in neutral trials. That makes logical sense, when you considered a lot of the cleaning in a dental office is physical. Your hygienist is scraping plaque off, not using a vibrating tool.
Oh, and new brush heads cost about $4 (name brand) and $1.50 (off-brand) each. Nice and affordable.
Best Vibrating Toothbrush
Philips Sonicare 5300
Best Vibrating Toothbrush
Philips Sonicare 5300
Pros
- Specific brush modes
- Head replacement reminders
- More gentle than rotating toothbrushes
Cons
- Oscillating toothbrushes tend to test higher in clinical trials
Those rotating brushes can feel a bit uncomfortable, though. Some don’t like the physical scrubbing feeling. The industry’s answer to that was the vibrating brush head. Like I said, oscillating brushes tend to perform better in trials, but as a user… I can say they almost always perform at the same level. As with anything, it’s about being consistent. Oscillating vs. vibrating is a personal preference. I like the low-effort, carwash feel of oscillating, but a lot of people prefer vibrating toothbrushes.
For vibrating toothbrushes, Philips Sonicare is the name you want to stick with. Like Oral-B has with rotating models, Philips has a whole roster of vibrating brushes. After testing, I’d recommend the 5300. It’s not that much more expensive than lesser models, but it’s got some key upgrades—like alternate brush modes and reminders to replace your brush head.
That said, Philips replacement heads tend to be more expensive, as they have a more specialized shape. Expect to pay around $10 per replacement.
Best Electric Toothbrush for Travel
Colgate hum
Best Electric Toothbrush for Travel
Colgate hum
Pros
- Most traditional feel
- Incredible battery life, great for travelers
- Super affordable
Cons
- Not as hardcore as other options
Another vibrating option is Colgate’s hum. Though not as powerful as Philips Sonicare brushes, the hum has one massive benefit: Travel packing. That’s why we’ve already endorsed this thing. The battery lasts a lot longer than other electric toothbrushes, and the travel case makes it easy to toss in a dopp kit.
As for the brushing, this one felt a bit more… regular, like a tech enhanced corner store toothbrush. It’s lighter than the other options, and the vibration is quite as intense. If you’re new to the electric toothbrush world, this would be my recommendation.
As for replacement heads, they cost a lovely $5 each.
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Best Electric Toothbrush and Water Pick Combo
Waterpik Complete Care 5.0
Best Electric Toothbrush and Water Pick Combo
Waterpik Complete Care 5.0
Now 47% Off
Pros
- Good price for 2-in-1
- Water pick works amazing for flossing
- Great example of a vibrating brush
Cons
- Big, takes up a lot of counter space
If you’re really a freak about your dental hygiene, or if you’re just afraid of flossing (not valid, shut up) and it’s environmental impact (valid), Waterpik makes a nice brush-pick combo.
The brush is really, really similar to that Philips Sonicare. It feels the same in hand. It has the same three settings. Plus, the vibration feels about the same.
In testing, there was nothing to fault besides the actual size of the thing. You need some counter space to store it, so it’s not ideal for small apartment living.
Rotating vs Vibrating, Which Brush Type is Better?
Sorry to do this, but the answer is a very lukewarm: Ehhh, up to you. No, listen that’s really the case.
In clinical trials, there’s a slight, very slight, bit of evidence that says rotating brushes are better. The scrubbing action removes a ton of plaque, and the circular heads are better for getting in every nook and cranny. If that’s what you want to hear, cool. Buy a rotating brush.
But honestly, vibrating brushes do just as good of a job. In all the years when I’ve switched between the two, my dentist has never been able to tell. What’s most important is consistency. Use either type of electric toothbrush twice daily, and you’re almost guaranteed to have clean teeth. With nothing more than a $50 electric toothbrush, it’s honestly difficult to let them get dirty. So, it’s mostly down to personal preference between the two styles:
Rotating – A dentist office, deep clean feel feel. These brushes are a bit more physical than their vibrating counterparts.
Vibrating – Feel a bit more like regular toothbrushes. Not as harsh on the gums, but require a bit more work when getting behind and around teeth.
Luke Guillory
Associate Commerce Editor
Luke Guillory is the Associate Commerce Editor at Esquire.
