The experts I spoke with emphasized that electric toothbrushes are effective because they can help people stick with a dental hygiene routine. They require less effort than manually brushing teeth, can help users avoid over scrubbing (especially those with high-tech features like oral b genius toothbrush pressure sensors) and most come equipped with timers to encourage a thorough brushing session. With their powerful batteries, electric toothbrushes are super efficient at removing plaque and can help you avoid cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay more than a manual toothbrush.
All the models reviewed here will get your teeth squeaky clean, even if they vary widely in terms of brushing technology, battery life, accessories, extra functions and price. Do you want a toothbrush that gives detailed real-time feedback via your smartphone? There are several ways an electric toothbrush beats out a manual toothbrush in improving your cleaning regimen, experts said.
An older version of the Pro 1000 had a grippier handle with ridges, which tended to accumulate dribbles and made the brush handle a bit more difficult to keep clean. A 2021 redesign of the Pro 1000 handle made it more streamlined, with fewer grooves to wipe clean. It managed to leave the majority of our testers with sparkling teeth and the self-sanitising case was also an oral b genius toothbrush impressive feature for many. It did a good job in our lab test at leaving teeth plaque-free, while its chic appearance also appealed. While these toothbrushes didn’t top any of our categories, they may still be of interest to you. The dark blue bristles remain static to clean teeth surfaces, while the longer white bristles sweep from side to side to clean between teeth.
Plus, the mid-range price of $119 makes it much more accessible than some of the top range models of other electric brushes. The Oral-B iO comes in blue, pink, white and black, though brush heads only come in black or white. The design is updated from previous Oral-B models, with smoother contours and a light-up touch display screen. Sonicare brushes, as well as any other electric toothbrush that uses sonic vibrations are going to be much quieter than the Oral-B. The high-frequency vibration is meant to loosen dental plaque and tartar from your teeth through contact and also indirectly through fluid dynamics. Depending on who you ask, this may remove anywhere from three to ten times as much plaque as a manual brush.
Lindsay Modglin has written articles for Insider, Forbes, Everyday Health, and many more. She holds a professional certificate in scientific writing from Stanford University, further helping her break down complex health concepts into easy-to-understand language. Her number-one priority is ensuring that readers have access to accurate and actionable information so they can make the best decisions for their health. You’ll love this toothbrush for its eco-friendly construction with a handle made 99% from renewable castor oil plants. And, when it’s time to replace, simply recycle the toothbrush at the nearest Tom’s of Maine TerraCycle collection program. Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her bachelor’s degree in cosmetic science.
We haven’t tested the 4300, but we did love the 9900 in our review of the best electric toothbrushes, so we’re willing to bet this one lives up to those expectations. It has a pressure sensor, meaning it’s safe to use on sensitive areas and gums in need of a gentle brush, and it includes a charger and travel case for handy on-the-move storage. Though the ADA stops short of recommending electric over manual toothbrushes, a recent study found that electric toothbrush users benefit from healthier gums and less tooth decay than people who use manual brushes. Going electric can help prevent several oral hygiene issues, including dry mouth and bleeding gums, explains Dr. Jeffrey Sulitzer, DMD, Chief Clinical Officer at SmileDirectClub. The biggest benefit of electric toothbrushes is that they allow you to efficiently clean the hard-to-reach areas in the mouth, says Dr. Brian Harris, DDS, lead medical advisor at SNOW and Frost Oral Care. After testing eight toothbrushes, I found that the best electric toothbrush overall is the Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush thanks to its blend of features and affordability.
Colgate’s Hum is a lower-cost smart toothbrush with uniquely designed brush heads and the option of a rechargeable or replaceable battery-operated handle. It is streamlined and beautiful, with a slimmer handle than both our picks and most other smart brushes (the Quip Smart excluded). Like our top pick, the Hum has quadrant pacing and does not automatically shut off at the two-minute mark.
We loved the vibrating timer every 30 seconds to tell us to switch areas, and a satisfying longer vibration once we hit the two-minute mark. The flashing red light when you push too hard was a real bonus for those of us with receding gums. And though we were skeptical about the Bluetooth connectivity (an app for tooth brushing, really?), the real-time brush-tracking and history functions helped us improve our brushing prowess through time. I also performed some objective tests to compare how well each brush cleaned, including how well each toothbrush combatted plaque build-up. While I was concerned that these effects would only appear over a long time, Dr. Sonya Krasilnikov of Dental House in New York emphasized that a positive change in brushing habits can quickly make a difference. To test, I coated dentures in a mixture of flour, salt, and water to replicate plaque and sprayed them with Occlude Aerosol Articulation Marking Spray, a tool used by orthodontists, to make the “plaque” show up clearly.