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Best electric toothbrush
We've tested electric toothbrushes from Oral B, Boots and others to find out which are the most effective at cleaning your teeth. Find out the top performers and best budget options
Every electric toothbrush will clean your teeth, but some come with extra features and accessories that can bump up the price.
Find out about the best electric toothbrush features and whether they're worth paying more for. Our round-up of some of the best electric toothbrushes to pass our tough tests will help you make the most of your budget.
The best electric toothbrushes from our tests
Only logged-in Which? members can view the electric toothbrush test results below.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
| Electric toothbrush | Cleaning performance | Battery life | Cleaning modes | Type | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 1 | |||||
| 3 |
Dates tested: May 2024 and December 2022. We changed the way we test and evaluate toothbrushes in May 2024, adding a new assessment of battery, which means models tested and reviewed before May 2024 are not directly comparable. Page last checked: August 2024. We're not able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available.
The electric toothbrushes we tested
All the electric toothbrushes we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best electric toothbrushes from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Oral B iO Series 3
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Circular oscillation
Battery charge time 10 hours
Need to know Two minute timer, interval timer, pressure sensor, battery level indicator, travel case
Oral B iO Series 7
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Circular oscillation
Battery charge time Thee hours
Need to know Two minute timer, interval timer, pressure sensor, battery level indicator, travel case
Oral B iO Series 9
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Circular oscillation
Battery charge time Two hours and 52 minutes
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, pressure sensor, battery level indicator, travel case, Ultimate Clean brush head, a magnetic charging stand, a brush head refill holder
Oral B iO Series 10
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Circular oscillation
Battery charge time Just under 14 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, pressure sensor, battery level indicator, an interactive smart charging base
Oral B Pro 3 3000
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Circular oscillation
Battery charge time Two and a half hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator, pressure sensor
Oral B Vitality CrossAction
Available from Amazon.
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Rotating
Battery charge time 16 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer
Oral B Vitality Pro
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Oscillating-rotating
Battery charge time 16 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer
Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Oscillating to the right and left
Battery charge time Five hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator
Find out how to choose the best toothpaste.
Philips Sonicare 2100 Series
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Oscillating to the right and left
Battery charge time 20 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator
Philips Sonicare 3100 Series
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Oscillating to the right and left
Battery charge time 20 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator
Philips Sonicare 4100 Series
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Oscillating to the right and left
Battery charge time 21 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator, pressure sensor, travel case
Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Oscillating to the right and left
Battery charge time 8 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator, pressure sensor, travel case
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9400
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Oscillating to the right and left
Battery charge time 24 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator, pressure sensor
Superdrug ProCare Advanced Clean
Available from Superdrug.
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Most recently tested May 2024
Type Rotating
Battery charge time 14 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer
SURI Sonic Toothbrush
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Most recently tested December 2022
Type Sonic
Battery charge time 5 hours
Need to know Two-minute timer, Adhesive-backed magnetic mirror mount
How we test electric toothbrushes
We rigorously test each electric toothbrush in our lab by assessing key aspects such as plaque removal and battery life. Each model is also tested by our panel of trialists who rate how comfortable and convenient it is to use.
- Cleaning power: To see how good an electric toothbrush is at removing plaque, we enlist a panel of 30 triallists to clean with each brush and measure the results. When a triallist arrives at our lab, our dental expert measures the amount of plaque on the inside and outside surfaces of each and every tooth. The triallist brushes their teeth for two minutes – the amount of time dentists recommend we brush our teeth for – and we then measure how much plaque is left behind. This is repeated over several weeks until each triallist has brushed with each brush – a total of 200 teeth-cleans overall.
- Battery charge: To see how long the battery lasts, we see how many two-minute brushes a fully charged battery gives. We test in the way you use toothbrushes, so we leave a 12-hour gap between each run, just as you would when you’re brushing twice a day. We also add a weight to the head of each brush to mimic the effect that the pressure you use when brushing has on the battery.
- User experience: Changing from a manual toothbrush to an electric model, and switching between different types of electric toothbrush, can take some getting used to. To help you find the brushes that feel best, our panel of triallists rates how comfortable each model is to brush with. They also rate how noisy they are during use to help you pick a quieter brush if you clean your teeth while other members of the household are sleeping.
We regularly revisit the electric toothbrushes on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing.
Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.
What are the different types of electric toothbrush?
- Rotating – These have a set of bristles that turn. Bristles can be arranged in a circle that rotates, or individual tufts of bristles can spin. Rotating-only brushes are usually the cheapest type of brush you can buy.
- Rotating-oscillating – These electric toothbrushes have small, round heads and are among the most popular brushes in the Oral B range. The head oscillates – rotates in one direction and then the other – around one tooth at a time to sweep away plaque.
- Pulsing – Some rotating and rotating-oscillating electric toothbrushes pulsate to make the head move backwards and forwards against teeth while it’s spinning. This helps dislodge plaque and is a technology typically found on pricier rotating brushes.
- Counter-oscillating – These electric toothbrushes have the same head shape as oscillating brushes, but the tufts of bristles rotate in different directions simultaneously – with each tuft rotating in the opposite direction to those next to it.
- Dual head – As the name implies, these electric toothbrushes combine two heads in one – one part rotates and the other sweeps from side to side.
- Side to side – Rather than spinning, these toothbrushes sweep from side to side at such high speeds that they vibrate against your teeth. Philips Sonicare electric toothbrushes clean in this way.
- Sonic and ultrasonic – These are brushes that vibrate at certain high speeds and frequencies to help break down plaque. Manufacturers of sonic brushes claim that they also drive cleaning fluid (a mixture of toothpaste, water and saliva) between teeth to help dislodge plaque. Vibrating brushes are generally more expensive than rotating models.
How often do I need to replace my toothbrush?
The NHS advises brushing twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time, and changing your manual toothbrush (or toothbrush head if it’s an electric toothbrush) every three months, where possible.
Studies show toothbrushes are far less effective at removing plaque after the initial three months of use, as the bristles become worn. Dentists also say it’s important to change your toothbrush following illnesses such as mouth infections.
Given that many toothbrushes and toothbrush heads end up in landfill, you may feel reluctant to replace them as regularly as this. We have investigated eco-friendly products to replace your plastic toothbrush, including an electric toothbrush made of aluminium and corn starch, as well as manual toothbrushes made from natural materials.
And bear in mind that if you have an electric toothbrush, it’s likely you will be able to keep it - as opposed to the toothbrush heads - for several years. When it does stop working, you may be able to dispose of it via a kerbside recycling collection or you can take it to a recycling centre. Companies such as Colgate and Philips also operate recycling programmes.
How to brush with an electric toothbrush
- Clean thoroughly and evenly: Brush your teeth twice a day – morning and night – and brush for at least two minutes each time. Clean both sides of your teeth – the outside (next to your cheeks and lips) and the inside (next to your tongue or palate). Make sure you clean evenly across all your teeth: top and bottom, inside and outside.
- Angle the brush head: Tilt the brush head at 45 degrees to where teeth meet the gum – this is where most plaque builds. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste that contains fluoride .Using a fluoride toothpaste is the best way of preventing tooth decay – it can protect against holes forming in your teeth that will need filling by your dentist.
- Clean one row of teeth at a time: Start with back outer surfaces and lightly brush each tooth from top to bottom until you reach the middle of your mouth. Don't brush too hard – the bristles should lightly sweep across the tooth. Brush too hard and you risk brushing away the enamel which is protecting your teeth. This leads to heightened sensitivity. Repeat for the same row on the other side of your mouth.
- Clean inside surfaces: Again, start at the back, cleaning from the top to the bottom of each tooth, and work towards the centre on each side of your mouth. Tilt the brush and use the tip to brush the insides of front teeth.
- Brush the biting surfaces: End your brushing routine by cleaning along the biting surfaces of your teeth. When you've finished brushing, spit out the toothpaste but don't rinse – this will help keep more of the fluoride in your mouth and working against cavities.
- Floss regularly: Your toothbrush won't reach into the gaps between your teeth. Flossing every day will help dislodge bacteria and plaque that takes hold between teeth.
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