An electric toothbrush won’t fix bad habits, but it does help many people do a better job with less effort. Here’s how to think about buying one.
Are electric toothbrushes actually better?
Research reviews of powered toothbrushes have found they reduce plaque and gum inflammation somewhat more than manual brushes, with the clearest results for oscillating-rotating models. The difference is modest. A well-used manual brush still works. Where electrics help most is by making good habits automatic:
- a timer that makes you brush a full two minutes
- a pressure sensor that warns you when you press too hard
- less technique needed, which helps people with limited dexterity
Sonic vs. oscillating-rotating
| Sonic | Oscillating-rotating | |
|---|---|---|
| How it moves | Rapid side-to-side vibration | Small round head spins back and forth |
| Feel | Hum, like a vibrating handle | Cups each tooth as you guide it |
| Typical brands | Philips Sonicare, quip, Burst | Oral-B |
Neither is dramatically better. Pick the one that feels comfortable enough that you’ll use it twice a day.
What’s worth paying for
- Two-minute timer. Nearly all have one. Make sure it’s included.
- Pressure sensor. Useful if you brush hard, which many people do.
- Battery life. A week or more is typical, which matters for travel.
- Replacement head cost. This is the hidden expense. Check the price per head and how often you’ll replace it, roughly every three months.
What isn’t worth it
Smartphone apps, many extra cleaning modes and fancy charging cases don’t improve how clean your teeth are. If a model costs twice as much for those, skip it.
Using it well
Guide the brush slowly from tooth to tooth. Don’t scrub. Let the brush do the work, at about a 45° angle to the gum line, as in our brushing guide. And don’t skip cleaning between your teeth: see how to floss.
Our picks
Picks marked Research pick are chosen from spec comparisons and large-sample owner reviews. We switch a pick to Tested by us only after we've used it. Prices change, so check the current one.
1.Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
A widely sold sonic brush with a two-minute timer and a pressure sensor. It covers the features that matter most without the extras that add to the price.
- Timer and pressure alert
- Strong track record and widely available heads
- Fewer modes than premium models
- Replacement heads are a recurring cost
2.Oral-B iO series
Oral-B's newer line uses a small round oscillating-rotating head and typically adds a pressure sensor and brushing-coverage guidance. Reviews of powered brushes have tended to favor the oscillating-rotating design, so it is a reasonable choice if you prefer that feel.
- Round head works tooth by tooth
- Pressure feedback on most models
- Prices vary a lot by model
- Heads and models change often, so check the current lineup
3.quip electric toothbrush
A slim, battery-powered sonic brush with a built-in timer, sold with an optional subscription for refill heads and batteries. A good fit if you want something simple and compact, and don't need a pressure sensor or app.
- Compact and easy to travel with
- Optional refill subscription so you remember to replace heads
- Fewer features than premium brushes
- Subscription costs add up
4.Burst electric toothbrush
A direct-to-consumer sonic brush with replacement heads delivered on a schedule. Compare the price per head, and confirm what features your model includes, before you commit.
- Replacement heads by subscription
- Typically priced below premium brands
- Fewer independent comparisons than the big brands
- Subscription costs add up