Dentists Say This Electric Toothbrush Can Help Prevent Cavities

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Not many of us actually enjoy brushing our teeth. But it’s a necessary evil to keep our breath smelling fresh, our teeth strong and healthy, and our overall health better (poor dental hygiene has been linked to a long list of other health concerns, after all). So, if there’s anything to make it easier and more effective, we’re all ears. That’s why we (and the dentists we spoke with!) are huge fans of electric toothbrushes.

“Many dentists recommend electric toothbrushes for their effectiveness in plaque removal and overall oral hygiene maintenance,” says cosmetic dentist Kevin B. Sands, DDS. “Electric toothbrushes with oscillating or sonic technology can reach areas that may be difficult to clean with a manual toothbrush, leading to improved gum health and reduced risk of cavities," he says.

Best electric toothbrushes

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Technically, any ol’ toothbrush can work for brushing your teeth. But there are a ton of benefits to using an electric toothbrush over an old-fashioned manual alternative. “If you’re not one who is good with keeping up with it, it is great to get an electric toothbrush with a timer and soft bristles to make sure all spots are reached and plaque is removed before turning into tartar,” says cosmetic dentist Marc Lowenberg, DDS. “In general, electric toothbrushes remove plaque and stains more effectively than manual toothbrushes, while still being gentle on tooth enamel and helping to prevent gum recession.”

But buying an electric toothbrush can be a little overwhelming, especially with many of the best models offering a long list of high-tech (and often pricey) features. It can be difficult to know what’s worth paying extra for and what features you can safely skip. Still not sure where to start? Our editors vetted dozens of models and worked with two dentists to help you decide.

What to consider

To find your personal best electric toothbrush, shop models with multiple brush head options that work with a variety of individual needs, such as sensitive teeth or gum care. Sands recommends looking “for models with oscillating or sonic technology for thorough plaque removal. Additionally, built-in timers and quadrant pacing features can help ensure thorough and consistent brushing.” Here’s the low-down on everything else you should look for to find the best electric toothbrush for you.

Bristles

You might be tempted to buy a toothbrush with stiff or hard bristles. Intuitively, it should clean better, right? But, Lowenberg says, “always look for brushes with softer bristles. I’d advise against purchasing toothbrushes that have hard bristles, which can weaken teeth and result in enamel erosion.” FYI: All of our recommendations below feature soft or extra-soft bristles.

Pressure sensor

Knowing just how hard (or not) to press your toothbrush against your teeth can be difficult, especially with a manual toothbrush. That’s one way the best electric toothbrushes make brushing safer and easier. “Pressure sensors are extremely important because too much pressure does not allow the bristles of the brush to function properly, and too little pressure does not remove plaque,” says Lowenberg. Plus, many of the best electric toothbrushes can connect to your phone and allow you to track if you’re putting too much or too little pressure on each tooth.

Pressure sensors can also prevent overbrushing, which Sands cautions can lead to gum recession and enamel erosion. These sensors users when they're applying too much pressure, promoting gentler brushing techniques.

How we selected

Our editors and writers vetted dozens of electric toothbrushes over the past few months. We compared everything from brush shape and bristle hardness to pressure sensors and price. We also chatted with lifelong experts in the dental industry, Lowenberg and Sands, to get their professional takes on what to look for. Ultimately, our team decided on these five models as the best electric toothbrushes worth buying in 2024.

Oral-B’s iO series of electric toothbrushes has been a favorite of ours for years, and we’re obsessed with the latest iO Series 9. The dentists we spoke with agree since it checks every single must-have feature. “It's from a trusted brand and appears to have exceptional plaque removal capabilities that far surpass manual brushing, ensuring optimal oral hygiene,” says DSands.

Dentist Mikenah Joy Vega, DDS, agrees, calling the Oral-B iO the "Tesla of toothbrushes," as it can do more than just clean your teeth and gums. "On top of the standard electric toothbrush features such as a stop timer and multiple brushing modes, the Oral-B iO collects data as you brush to teach you how to improve your brushing," she says. In addition to a timer and multiple brushing modes, the pressure sensor also detects when you're brushing too hard by signaling a red light. We found the sensor on the iO Series 9 to be the easiest to use and the most accurate for delivering that “just-right” pressure. Plus, the round brush heads feature soft bristles to protect your gums and tooth enamel.

We have only two gripes about the iO Series 9. The first is that it’s a little heavier than other models we tested. The 1.5-pound weight might not seem like much, but it feels heavy, especially for a toothbrush. For those with limited mobility or hand dexterity or anyone who’s upgrading straight from a featherweight manual brush, the difference is noticeable. Although that’s not a deal-breaker on its own, the price might be. This is a premium, high-end electric toothbrush with all the bells and whistles, and you’ll pay handsomely for it. Still, if you want the very best for your dental health, we think it’s worth the “splurge.”

Quip is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) toothbrush brand that might not have the big brand-name cache of Oral-B and Philips, but it does have the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance, meaning dentists think it’s legit. Joy Vega also points out it's a great brush for those dealing with sensitivity. "It’s simple and gets the job done," she says. "The bristles and vibrations are very soft." The price point also makes it the perfect starter electric toothbrush, she says.

For Sands, this electric toothbrush checks most of his “must-have” boxes. “With its advanced features, smart timer, gentle bristles, travel-friendly design, and durable construction, it can be considered a good electric toothbrush option for those seeking effective and convenient oral care," he says. It also uses sonic vibrations to get your teeth clean and even connects via Bluetooth to Quip’s dedicated app to track your brushing habits and offer coaching tips on how to clean your teeth more consistently and effectively. About the only thing missing is a pressure sensor.

The company’s simple ordering model allows you to set up auto brush-head refills so you never forget and end up using old, subpar bristles. Lowenberg cites this as one of his favorite features of the Quip. “It offers a subscription service where a new brush head is sent every few weeks, making it easy for people to keep up with a healthy oral care routine," he says.

We love the sleek, ultra-minimalist design, which is available in jet-black, all-white, or pale pink. Dare we say it looks good enough to encourage you to become more interested in consistently brushing? That same design is functional, too, with a magnetic mount wall system for easy brush access by your bathroom sink and a clever travel cover that doubles as a mirror mount.

Our team had two main beefs with this electric toothbrush. The battery life is pretty lackluster, especially compared to larger (though usually much more expensive) models. But, more importantly, the Quip lacks the horsepower of premium models from other higher-end brands. Still, for the price (less than half of our other recommendations in this year’s roundup), it’s hard to complain.

While you can score a great electric toothbrush for under $100 (we’re looking at you, Quip), the very best, most premium models can run north of $250 or more. Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige stays true to its “prestigious” name with all of the latest and great high-tech features you could ever want in an electric toothbrush and a sky-high price tag to match.

Lowenberg loves just about everything about this best-in-class electric toothbrush. “This brush has an outstanding configuration of bristles that genuinely makes you feel like the bristles are getting in between each tooth," he says. "The vibrating power of the brush will also leave you feeling like your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned as if you had gone to a dental office for a professional cleaning.”

Sands agrees. “From a dental perspective, this toothbrush stands out for its innovative features and exceptional functionality," he says. It’s jam-packed with an adaptive, real-time pressure sensor, premium all-in-one brush heads (that clean, whiten, and bolster gum health) with soft, non-damaging bristles, and multiple brush modes designed to target deep cleaning, gum health, whitening, tongue care, and more. “The benefit is that it delivers a personalized brushing experience tailored to meet the specific oral health needs of each user," Sands says. It all fits neatly into a leatherette travel case with built-in USB charging.

It’s hard to find much of anything to dislike about this flagship electric model in Philip’s line-up. But there’s no getting around the sky-high price tag. Still, if you take your dental hygiene seriously, and only the best will do, this is the best premium electric toothbrush you can buy right now.

If you’re not keen to drop $300 on an ultra-premium electric toothbrush, we feel you. But, if you want to splurge just a little on something more than the most basic model you can find, there’s Curaprox’s Electric Hydrosonic Pro. This Swiss-made model is a solid midrange option with almost every feature recommended by the dentists we consulted, all wrapped in a sleek, simple design that looks great on your bathroom sink.

"It's an excellent electric toothbrush option for maintaining optimal oral health and is particularly suitable for individuals with braces or implants, as it cleans gently yet efficiently," says Sands. Almost all of the essential features are here, including three different brush heads—”power,” “sensitive,” and “single”—and seven unique cleaning modes. So, no matter how you like to clean or how sensitive your teeth and gums are, you can switch out for the right one for you. Plus, the electric motor is super powerful, with up to 84,000 movements per minute. The round brush heads feature extra-soft bristles to protect you from overbrushing and damaging your gums. We also like the minimalist USB charger, which takes up little room, and the included protective case makes traveling with this toothbrush a breeze.

It’s hard to find much to complain about with the Hydrosonice Pro. The only thing missing is a pressure sensor. While it’s a feature our experts recommend, the changeable brush heads (all with soft or extra-soft bristles) will help you avoid doing any lasting damage to your teeth and gums if you do tend to brush hard. It also lacks a companion smartphone app. But in our experience and in talking with professional dentists, that’s more of a nice-to-have (bordering on a novelty) than an essential feature.

The best toothbrush brands have been in a race for years to pack as many features into their electric toothbrushes as possible. While that can be a good thing, sometimes keeping it simple is best. Colgate takes things back to basics with its straightforward Hum Smart Electric Toothbrush Kit. The design is sleek and minimalist, so it looks great and is easy to use. This is an electric toothbrush that’s designed to deliver everything you need and nothing you don’t—all at an incredible price.

“This is a great option from a trusted brand and offers a range of appealing features, including convenient accessories like a travel case, replacement brush head, as well as smart functionality incorporating Bluetooth connectivity,” says Sands.

Colgate really thought of everything. There’s a two-minute timer (a requirement, according to the dentists we spoke with) and three different brush modes, including a tongue cleaner on the back. Surprisingly, this electric toothbrush connects with Colgate’s own smartphone app via Bluetooth to deliver real-time brush-tracking tips and feedback, too. That’s not surprising among the best electric toothbrushes we tested, but it is surprising in a budget model like the Hum.

With an oval brush head (not quite the round head that Lowenberg recommends, but close enough), soft bristles, and a built-in timer, we love everything about this model. The only thing missing is a pressure sensor—something the dentists we consulted do recommend. But, at this price point, it’s something you might be willing to forego to save a little dough.

Meet the experts

• Marc Lowenberg, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist at Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in New York, NY.

• Kevin Sands, DDS, is a board-certified cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills, CA.

• Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD, is the Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

• Mikenah Joy Vega, DDS, is an aesthetic dentist based in Houston, TX.

In what ways is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush?

To be clear, the American Dental Association (ADA) says that both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective at getting plaque off of your teeth—you just need a little more skill with a manual brush. “The average person doesn’t brush as well as they should, so electric toothbrushes can help,” says Mark S. Wolff, DDS, Ph.D. So, even if you are a pretty good brusher, it's likely that an electric toothbrush can make you even better. In fact, in one independent study, all kinds of electric toothbrushes outperformed regular ones when it came to reducing plaque and gingivitis.

The best electric toothbrushes are designed with clever features to help you brush your teeth more thoroughly, effectively, and consistently. That includes things like brush timers, pressure sensors, and even smartphone compatibility to make sure you’re getting complete coverage every time you brush.

Timers can be a game-changer, especially if you tend to lose track of (or just don’t bother to track) how long you brush. According to Lowenberg, Most electronic toothbrushes have a built-in timer and are designed to do all the work. "When we talk about the ‘right’ way to brush, it should be done twice a day for 30 seconds per quadrant—if you’re not one who is good with keeping up with that, an electric toothbrush with a timer and soft bristles can be very helpful in making sure that all spots are reached and plaque is removed before turning into tartar," says Lowenberg.

Plus, electric toothbrushes are just plain better than traditional manual toothbrushes. “They remove plaque and stains more effectively, while still being gentle on tooth enamel and ultimately helping to prevent gum recession,” says Lowenberg. He goes on to say that, as long you use a brush with soft bristles, an electric toothbrush is also the better choice for people with braces.

Other things to consider when shopping for the best electric toothbrushes

Timer

Having a built-in timer that tracks exactly how long you brushed your teeth might seem like overkill. But, seriously, dentists are sticklers for the “brush for two whole minutes!” rule because it works. “I also usually recommend brushes that have a built-in timer which will buzz when the two minutes are up, ensuring that the proper amount of time was spent brushing,” says Lowenberg.

Brush head

The right brush shape is really about the one that best fits comfortably in your mouth. Dr. Lowenberg likes round brush heads, as he feels they tend to be smaller and can get into the most hard-to-reach places of your mouth. “The mouth has so much surface area and hard-to-reach places, having a smaller round head makes it easier to clean more areas in the mouth," Lowenberg says.

Brand and cost

According to Sands, brand reputation and cost can be factors to consider when choosing an electric toothbrush. But, he’s quick to point out that the most important considerations should be the features and technology offered by the toothbrush, as well as its compatibility with individual oral health needs.

Many of the very best (and fanciest, feature-rich) electric toothbrushes cost $200 or more. But in general, any toothbrush that people are excited to use is great because they will be more inclined to use it. Even many newcomer brands, like “Quip, Burst, and Goby are all new reasonably-priced electric toothbrushes that are simple to use and effectively clean teeth," Sands says. He also likes that some offer a subscription service where a new head is sent every few weeks, which makes it easy for people to keep up with a healthy oral care routine.

Ultimately, Lowenberg advises not stressing too much over the exact brand or how much you’re spending. “The actual toothbrush doesn't make as much a difference as how you brush," he says. "Making sure to brush for two minutes each time, and having a toothbrush with soft bristles (hard bristles will damage your gums and enamel) is important.”

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