I’ve Put 40 Toothbrushes to the Test—These are the 5 Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2024
As a practicing dentist with over 20 years of experience, I always tell my patients that switching from a manual to an electric toothbrush is one of the best decisions they can make for improving their oral health.
Here’s why.
While effective when used properly, manual toothbrushes have many flaws that make taking care of your teeth difficult. Here are some that may be familiar to you:
- They need more time and effort to get the job done well.
- They have stiff plastic bristles that damage gums
- Excessive scrubbing can erode tooth enamel over time
- Brushing hard forces food particles deeper between teeth instead of removing them
- They don’t come with a built-in timer, which means on average most people brush for only 30 to 60 seconds, which is nowhere near enough to keep your mouth clean.
And that just covers the basic hassles and limitations.
What if I told you that using a manual toothbrush could actually be harmful to your overall health in the long run?
It’s true. According to a 2014 study1, electric toothbrushes are better at reducing plaque and preventing gingivitis, which are the two most common causes of gum disease and tooth decay.
And as you know, tooth decay and gum disease, if left untreated, can not only lead to infection and tooth loss2, but can also increase the risk of other health problems such as diabetes4, heart disease5, respiratory issues6, and even pregnancy complications.7
The study above found that electric toothbrushes can remove up to 21% more plaque and reduce gingivitis by up to 11%!
That’s a huge difference from manual toothbrushing, nearly 10 times as much1 in fact! That could save you a lot of trouble in the future!
So if you care about your oral and overall health, you need to ditch that manual toothbrush and switch to an electric option as soon as possible.
Dr. Kelly, DDS is a board-certified dentist. From Newport Beach to sunny Florida, she's assisted countless patients in achieving their best smiles by applying her expertise in dental care and cosmetic dentistry techniques.
“But Doc,” I hear you ask, “Which electric toothbrush is best?”
That’s a great question.
Not all electric toothbrushes are the same.
As a dentist, I’m always reviewing the latest advancements in oral care to ensure my patients have access to the most effective products.
While regular electric toothbrushes have been improving over the years, sonic toothbrushes are now leading the way in the next toothbrush evolution.
“Sonic toothbrushes? What are those?”
That’s another great question!
Sonic toothbrushes are a special type of electric toothbrush.
They use sonic waves to vibrate the bristles, which allows them to produce beyond 30,000 brush strokes per minute, which is much more than the 2500 to 7500 strokes of standard electric toothbrushes!8
Remember how I said standard electric toothbrushes are a lot better than manual toothbrushes?
Well, at 30000 vs 2500 to 7500 strokes per minute, sonic toothbrushes are up to 4-12 times more effective than regular electric toothbrushes!8
Which is to say sonic toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque, whitening teeth, and improving gum health compared to all other toothbrushes.
And that’s not even counting all the other useful features they come with such as:
- Built in timers: Signals you to switch to different areas of your mouth as you brush
- Self-sanitization: Your toothbrush keeps itself clean!
- Different modes to suit your brushing needs
- Flexible brush heads and comfortable bristles that won’t irritate you
As a result, you get to enjoy better oral health overall.
Here are 4 ways a good sonic electric toothbrush will help improve your oral health:
1. It will remove more plaque and debris to significantly lower cavity and gum disease risks
2. It will enhance your gum health as the sonic vibrations reduce inflammation, stimulate the gums, and improve sensitivity issues
3. Its softer brush heads and automated movement preserve tooth enamel
4. You get to enjoy fresh breath for longer, as it is not only more effective at reducing bacteria buildup but also sweeping away tongue residue.
5. It will help you save money as you enjoy fewer expensive dental procedures!
This means that sonic toothbrushes are hands down the best electric toothbrushes money can buy.
But let’s dig deeper, shall we?
I like finding the best of the best products when offering recommendations to my patients.
So let’s go deeper.
What are the best sonic toothbrushes?
After extensively testing over 40 major sonic toothbrush models myself and assessing patient experiences, I've compiled a definitive list of the best sonic toothbrushes worth considering in 2024.
Before we get to the list, though, let’s first talk about what you should be looking for in your next sonic toothbrush
Top Features To Look Out For
Trust me when I say there are A LOT of sonic toothbrushes out there.
It can get quite overwhelming trying to find the right model for you.
So here are the most important things you need to keep an eye out for:
“Brush strokes per minute”: Look for a model that oscillates at higher frequencies. Go for 30,000+ strokes per minute. Remember, the higher the better. This is what breaks up plaque and prevents a lot of those oral health issues we’ve talked about.
“UV-C Sanitation”: UV and UV-C are both types of ultraviolet light. However, UV-C is a shorter wavelength, which makes it more germicidal. This means it can kill more bacteria and viruses. So for maximum hygiene between uses, go for a sonic toothbrush with UV-C sanitation.
“Smart Timers”: The best sonic toothbrushes come with a timer that buzzes every 30 seconds to remind you to switch to brushing the next quarter of your mouth. This ensures you brush the mouth more thoroughly for the full dentist-recommended 2 minutes. Using a model that does not have this feature means you will not be consistent when you brush.
“Multiple Cleaning Modes”: The best sonic toothbrushes come with more than just one cleaning mode. For example, you can have a toothbrush with a general cleaning mode and a second sensitive mode for sensitive teeth. Such customization options allow you to adjust it to suit your preferences, making your toothbrush a lot more effective (and fun to use!).
“Long Battery Life and Rechargeability”: Remember those old electric toothbrushes that had replaceable batteries? When the battery runs out it becomes a manual toothbrush, and that sucked, right? Well, modern sonic electric toothbrushes come with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. These last a little over 2 weeks on a single full charge on average. The best ones also come with a convenient charging station that looks good in your bathroom.
What To Avoid
Let’s now talks about what you DON’T want in your sonic toothbrush:
“Cheap Knockoff Brands”: Stick to established brands that have been in business for a while. Read reviews and ensure that the brand that you are buying your toothbrush from is legit. The mechanisms within the best sonic toothbrushes need to be durable and functional. Cheap knockoffs will either break easily or just won’t clean well, which is a waste of money.
“Limited Warranty Periods”: Aim for toothbrush models that come with at least a 2 year warranty. This indicates the company stands behind their product and can vouch for its quality.
“Excessive Noise During Operation”: Many of my patients find excessively loud buzzing or rattling noises to be highly annoying. It can be rather disruptive early in the morning or at night when you’re brushing. The best sonic toothbrushes operate relatively quietly. Before buying, read reviews to see if there is any mention of noise levels.
“Gimmicky Features”: It is not uncommon to come across a toothbrush that has an app and requires Bluetooth connectivity just to work. Some brands do this to justify their higher costs. Quite frankly, you don’t really need all these features. Plus, with so many moving parts, there is a lot that can go wrong with such products leaving you with an expensive manual toothbrush. Go for a product that gets the job done without the bells and whistles.
What Else To Consider When Buying A Sonic Toothbrush
Here are a few more things that are just nice to think about as you consider buying your next sonic toothbrush:
“Your Budget”: Sonic toothbrushes come in all sorts of price ranges. Basic models can cost as little as $25 but you’ll be sacrificing some features. High end models can cost over $200 but you’ll be getting all the bells and whistles. It’s up to you to set your own expectations regarding what you want and how much you are willing to spend.
“Aesthetic Preferences”: Do you want an electric brush color that matches your bathroom decor? Or perhaps you just want one in your favorite color? Some brands have more color options than others. Figure out any aesthetic considerations that you think will be important for an enjoyable brushing experience.
1. UMMA Diamond Sonic Toothbrush
Unrivaled UV-C sanitization
Industry leading 40,000 brush strokes a minute
Lifetime warranty
Smart sense technology
Two brushing modes
Sleek, ergonomic design
Runs out of stock often
Only available online
The UMMA Diamond Sonic Toothbrush is a high-speed sonic brush paired with a patented UV-C sanitizing and drying dock to keep bristles germ free before each use.
I particularly like how the angled bristle design reaches nooks and crannies other brushes miss. It delivers 40,000 brush strokes per minute, which is the highest of any sonic toothbrush in the market today. You also get two brushing modes: clean and sensitive clean, to suit your preferences.
I also like the smart timer feature, which tells you when to move the brush to different quadrants of your mouth. The beautifully designed dock does 3 things: it charges the toothbrush, it cleans and dries the brush head with UV-C light, and it kills 99.9% of all the germs and viruses on the brush head. This ensures that your toothbrush is always clean and safe to use. It comes in 6 color options.
2. Philips Sonicare DiamondClean
Quadpacer and pressure sensor
Five cleaning modes
Lightweight ergonomic handle
Travel case and charging glass
No UV sanitization
Some users complain that the battery degrades over time
Very expensive
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean is a sonic electric toothbrush that uses 31,000 brush strokes per minute to remove up to 10x more plaque than a manual toothbrush. It has a built-in pressure sensor that alerts you when you’re brushing too hard, and a smart timer that helps you brush for the recommended two minutes. It also has five modes to choose from: Clean, White, Sensitive, Gum Care, and Deep Clean.
The DiamondClean also has a sleek and ergonomic handle that comes in different colors, and a travel case and charger that make it convenient to use and store.
I like the adaptive five mode settings and ergonomic lightweight handle design. However, lack of UV sanitization leaves bristles prone to bacteria growth between uses.
3. Oral-B Genius 8000
Position detection with habit tracking
Six specialized cleaning modes
Pressure sensor technology
Carrying case included
Battery life less than premium models
Higher noise levels on high speed
Very high price
The Oral-B Genius 8000 is a smart toothbrush that comes with a unique built-in position detection. It visually tracks where you brush and for how long to provide customized guidance based on your specific habits. This allows you to adjust techniques in real time.
I like the six varied brushing modes one can choose from based on sensitivity needs. However, for some reason, the light ring indicator tends to drain battery faster than similar models without that feature.
4. Quip Smart Electric Brush
Streamlined, intuitive design
Travel-friendly
Motion and pressure sensors
Optional dental floss attachment
Save money with a refill plan
Only 15000 brush strokes per minute
Not good for sensitive teeth or gums
Brush head may get moldy if not dried well
Not as fast or powerful as other toothbrushes
Quip offers a streamlined, cost-effective electric brush solution focused on the basics without many extra features. Beyond just visibility timers, I appreciate Quip's more advanced motion and pressure sensors that help guide complete and gentle brushing.
You can also get an optional dental floss dispenser that attaches to the toothbrush. This makes it easier to floss every day. It also comes with ferromagnetic bristles. Unfortunately, this means that if you have sensitive teeth or gums, this may not be the best choice for you.
5. Fairywill Sonic Electric Toothbrush
Excellent value and the price
Four specialized brush heads included
Rotating noise reduction
Waterproof IPX7 rating
Some users found that it broke after only a short while, so it may not last very long
Only comes with a 1-year warranty, which is quite short
Is not as fast or powerful as other toothbrushes on this list
Fewer settings than premium models
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Fairywill delivers noteworthy cleaning performance and features given its more budget friendly price point. It comes with rotating noise reduction technology that allows for quieter operation than comparable sonic models.
I also like that Fairywill comes with four brush heads for specific needs, such as teeth whitening, sensitivity, or gum massage. Its IPX7 waterproof certification also enables flexible safe usage in both dry and wet applications.
My Favorite Electric Toothbrush Of 2024!
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The most powerful toothbrush on the market
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Comes in a range of aesthetically pleasing colors
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Brush head gets covered, dried, and sanitized
