Top electric toothbrushes of 2023, including Spotlight, Oral B, and Philips
You floss as frequently as you remember, visit the dentist twice a year, and (most of the time) avoid sticky, sugary foods.
Remember that brushing is a crucial component of A+ oral hygiene, and the best electric toothbrushes help to make that twice-daily habit a little bit simpler.
Electric toothbrushes not only require far less forearm effort to operate (you simply insert it in your mouth, press a small button, and let the brush do the work), but they also shout to nosy/curious home guests and roommates that you are extremely serious about your oral health.
The dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, dentist Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD, argues that while electric toothbrushes aren’t technically necessary, they can be highly beneficial.
An electric toothbrush might be just what your dental hygiene regimen needs if your dentist is continually reminding you that you missed a place or if you struggle to brush for the recommended two minutes.
To be clear, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), using a manual brush requires a little bit more ability than using a powered one to remove plaque from your teeth.
Electric toothbrushes can be useful, according to Wolff, because the average person doesn’t brush as thoroughly as they should.
So even if you already brush your teeth rather well, an electric toothbrush may help you become even better.
In fact, in one independent study, electric toothbrushes of all types outperformed conventional ones in terms of lowering plaque and gingivitis.
These are the top electric toothbrushes recommended by dentists, ranging from affordable to luxurious options to up your brushing game.
Which electric toothbrushes are the finest in 2023? A quick glimpse
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Best overall – Spotlight Oral Care Sonic
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Best value electric toothbrush – Oral-B Pro 3 3000
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Best sustainable electric toothbrush – Suri Sustainable Electric Toothbrush
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Best Oral B toothbrush – Oral-B iO10
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Best electric toothbrush for sensitive gums – FOREO ISSA 3
Best electric toothbrushes
1. Spotlight Oral Care Sonic
Best overall 9/10
We like: that it checks off style, performance and value for money in one
We don’t like: sensitive on and off button is easily knocked
 Specs
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The Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush really exceeded my expectations for a brand that was established by two aesthetic dentists.
I never would have thought that an electric toothbrush could be considered a fashionable item, but this one has a sleek, ergonomic design that is every minimalist’s dream.
Three brushing modes—”Sensitive,” “Clean,” and “White”—are selected by pressing a single button made of brushed silver.
Other toothbrushes have more speed settings, but I thought this one was more than sufficient (and simpler).
It makes use of Sonic technology, which can move the bristles at a pace of up to 48,000 times per minute.
I adore this toothbrush because of its simple design and the deep cleaning it provides—it’s the closest thing I’ve found to a hygienist-standard clean at home.
Although it cleans effectively, my gums don’t feel too harshly rubbed. It also has a battery that lasts unusually long; over the four weeks I spent testing it everyday, I only had to recharge it once. It has unquestionably earned a spot in my bathroom cupboard for good.
The creators’ extremely white teeth may have something to do with it or the fact that it’s a dazzling white toothbrush (although it is also available in black and the required rose gold), but the focus of the entire brand does seem to be on whitening. There, this toothbrush excels.
Three sizes of brush heads are included, and the toothbrush also includes a stylish travel bag.
You can add your name to it as an amusing addition. There aren’t many drawbacks, but if I had to pick one, it would be that the button is very sensitive and can accidentally switch on, especially when travelling.
That, however, does not sufficiently diminish its overall performance. The closest thing you can come to a perfect ten.
2. Oral-B Pro 3 3000
Best value electric toothbrush, 8/10
We like: the reliable performance
We don’t like: the oscillating head is not quite as good as sonic pulses
 Specs
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The most popular Oral-B model, which costs $890 less than their top-of-the-line iO10 and uses less expensive replacement heads, provides completely dependable daily cleaning.
Its 3D brush action still oscillates, rotates, and pulses, and it has a respectable battery life, a pressure sensor, and a two-minute timer.
The Pro3 has three cleaning settings (daily clean, whitening, and sensitive), which are changed by pressing a small button on the toothbrush’s front.
The whitening function was absent from the prior generation, which also had a shorter battery life. It has a rubberized grip that is easy to hold and a carrying case.
Although it lacks some of the more expensive iO series from Oral-B’s bells and whistles, it consistently performs effectively.
Although in practise, after some use, I would guess the lithium-ion battery lasts for more like a week and a half, that’s still a respectable amount of time for such a cheap toothbrush.
The Pro 3 comes with various Oral-B brush heads that you can choose from and can be purchased in either black or pink.
3.Suri Sustainable Electric Toothbrush
Best sustainable electric toothbrush, 9/10
We like: the recyclable plant-based head and the self-cleaning travel case
We don’t like: lack of pressure sensor
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The Suri toothbrush may be summed up in three words: slim, sonic, and sustainable. It was developed as a result of irritation over the four million electric toothbrushes that, as a result of non-recyclable plastic pieces, wind up in landfills every year.
Suri’s response? Castor oil bristles, plant-based cornflour heads, and a durable aluminium frame.
If the heads are returned in the pre-paid biodegradable bag that is included with every toothbrush, Suri will also recycle them for free.
It is requested that you fill it with at least four heads in order to cut down on wasteful carbon emissions.
Although sustainability has long been lacking in the industry, everything sounds great in principle. But how does the brush actually work?
Although less than the more well-known brands Oral-B and Philips, it cleans at 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute, which is higher than the 30,000 threshold necessary to activate fluid dynamics.
This is how the vibrations in your mouth react, encouraging saliva to act as an additional cleaning agent to remove plaque from your teeth. See the FAQ section below for further information.
I have never used a toothbrush that is as ergonomically sound as this one. It was simple to manoeuvre about my mouth, and at 54db, it’s quieter than other kinds I’ve used.
Although the bristles mimic those of a manual toothbrush, the fast sonic vibrations left my mouth feeling fully cleaned.
The UV-C LED clean and charge travel case cleverly self-cleans the bacteria from the bristles, and the rechargeable battery lasts for 40 days between charges.
There are a few minor issues, but nothing major. There are just two cleaning modes, everyday clean and polish, and a one-year warranty, as opposed to the two years offered by most toothbrushes.
Additionally, there is no pressure sensor to indicate whether you are pressing too gently or too firmly.
Although it would be nice to have a guarantee that a sustainable product will last longer, it’s not a given that it will.
4. Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige
Best premium electric toothbrush 9/10
We like: it’s the most impressive electric toothbrush on the market
We don’t like: expensive for what you get
 Specs
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It would be easy to claim that this is the top electric toothbrush available. Because it is highly pricey and, overall, the Spotlight Oral Care and Suri offer a superior blend of performance and affordability, it didn’t win the top rank.
You receive a product that feels really expensive for your money. The Sonicare 9900 comes with a small, portable charging travel case and is available in “midnight” or “champagne.
” At first look, it appears to have only three brushing speeds (you may choose between them by tapping a button on the brush’s front).
The ‘SenseIQ’ technology, on the other hand, enables the oscillation and speed to be adjusted automatically according to the pressure, motion, and coverage of your particular brushing technique.
It uses sonic technology, like the majority of high-end electric toothbrushes, and when you clean, the bristles can move up to 62,000 times.
The Philips Sonicare app, which is powered by AI, then provides customised recommendations and real-time feedback.
The Philips brush head seems really high-end. With angled bristles for difficult-to-reach places and triangle tips to remove surface stains, it is made for all-purpose cleaning.
My teeth feel extremely clean and, I swear, appear a little bit whiter after only one use. This could be because I’m so amazed with the brush’s appearance and feel.
5. Oral-B iO10
Best smart electric toothbrush, 8/10
We like: the app is like having a dentist by your side
We don’t like: the ludicrous price
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Hold onto your hat if you thought the Philips Sonicare was pricey. Oral-B’s top-of-the-line iO10 retails for $900.
It’s difficult to imagine who the target market is for a toothbrush that costs that absurd amount of money.
But after using it for a month, I believe I can understand its purpose. You should use it since your dentist would recommend it.
Use the iO10 and its all-encompassing software to make sure that all the things she advises you to do—from flossing and mouthwash to caring for your gums and tongue—come to pass.
As one may expect, the brush itself is of exceptional quality. It has a flat, two-week-long magnetic stand that is smooth.
Since it is slimmer than other brushes, it may more readily reach the inner surfaces and rear teeth, which are difficult to brush.
Two replacement heads cost $30. In comparison to the Oral-B Pro that I’ve been using for years, it vibrates at a considerably greater frequency.
It has an atmosphere similar to visiting a dental hygienist for a thorough cleaning.
You could, however, obtain all of this from the iO9, iO8, and iO7, the latter of which is typically offered for $200.
The app is what you are actually paying for here. It uses a map of your mouth divided into 16 zones to provide you with real-time feedback if you’re willing to glance at your phone while brushing your teeth.
The software tracks the position and pressure of the brush as you move it around your teeth.
Watch as each zone transitions from blue to light blue to white to sparkling white if you’re brushing properly.
It’s fairly enjoyable, and you get a report at the end that you can use to set cleaning goals and compete for prizes.
The language-learning programme Duolingo employs ‘game-ification’ to encourage users to persevere with their objectives.
You can select one of several “journeys”—fresh breath, plaque fighter, whitening, gum health, or ortho care—each offering a distinct set of recommendations and cleaning options.
Who, though, is actually using a phone while brushing their teeth? young adults, maybe. But do they belong to the group that can afford to spend £800 on a brush?
Although the toothbrush communicates with the app through Bluetooth, you may still receive progress updates and ‘journeys’ if you leave your phone in the bedroom.
However, in actual use, I found that I started caring after a few days. On the plus side, the advice I received during those few days was enough to alter the way I wash my teeth.
Now, I focus more time on each zone in an effort to acquire the small smiling face that indicates success on the toothbrush’s built-in screen.
The iO10 would be at the top of our list if we only considered quality.
However, we must take pricing into account, so we won’t pretend that $900, or even the £500 it is typically offered for, is even remotely acceptable.
The iO10 may have been placed at the top of the Oral-B line to make the lower-end models (such the iO4) appear expensive in contrast. Okay, in that case.
We’ll refer to this as the ideal top-ranked toothbrush.
6. Oral-B iO4
Best budget sonic toothbrush 8/10
We like: it has many of the best features of the iO10 above, but is much, much cheaper
We don’t like: the price of replacing iO toothbrush heads
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The iO4 toothbrush from Oral-B is comparable to the iO10 except that it lacks some brushing modes, AI tracking, a travel case, and quick charging.
I’d heartily recommend the iO4 if you can live without all of them because it still has four brushing modes: daily clean, whitening, sensitive, and extreme sensitive.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll experiment with them at first but eventually fall back on the daily clean.
Is it worthwhile to switch to the iO line given that iO toothbrush heads cost $25.64 for four versus $9.95 for the regular Oral-B crossaction heads? Well, the unexpectedly quiet sonic vibrations actually provide the mouth a thorough cleaning by getting into all the tight spaces and nooks.
Average battery life and a lengthy charging time of 16 hours. Simply said, I’m not sure the iO4 would be worth the $240 that it is listed at full price.
However, it is virtually always offered at a discount of at least 50%. It makes sense to buy it from Amazon for $90.
7. Ordo Sonic+
Best for style 8/10
We like: the excellent battery life
We don’t like: no pressure sensor
 Specs
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This sleek-looking sonic toothbrush competes favourably with others costing four times as much.
Although the Ordo starter package costs an additional $10, I definitely suggest the Sonic+ toothbrush.
Along with interdental brushes, Ordo toothpaste, and the Sonic+ toothbrush itself, it also includes mouthwash and a refillable mouthwash container.
The toothbrush uses sonic technology but pulses at a lower frequency (40,000 pulses per minute) than the more expensive ones above.
My teeth still felt spotless clean, though, and I particularly like the brush’s core silicone bristle, which works to remove surface stains.
With four brushing modes (Clean, White, Massage, and Sensitive), a two-minute timer, and a very remarkable three week battery life, it has more than enough functions for even the most meticulous brushers.
Although it doesn’t feel nearly as expensive as the Philips Sonicare Prestige toothbrush, the sleek design is similar, and it’s a great toothbrush at a great price.
8. Philips Sonicare 7900
Best for gum care 7/10
We like: the special gum care mode
We don’t like: it’s quite loud
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Consider the 7900 if you want a Philips Sonicare toothbrush that is less expensive. It costs less than half as much and is just as comfortable to hold as the top-of-the-line Philips 9900 model.
It is meant to be very gentle on gums. It nearly sounds as like it’s about to take off in your mouth, but I found it to be a little rattly.
Additionally, and this may sound picky, but the tiny space between the brush head and handle is a terrible design decision because it gives the impression that the head is not attached properly.
With only a limited number of premium features—four brushing modes, three intensities, and a setting specifically for gum care—it does, however, deliver on cleaning performance.
There is no need to download a pointless software for this, but there is a Sonicare app if you truly want it, which is something I really appreciate.
The handle is light, and the oval brushhead is compact and manoeuvrable. Compared to Oral-B’s chunkier models, it nearly has the impression of being made with a daintier customer in mind.
The battery consistently lasts for two weeks, and there are a pressure sensor and quadrant timer, both of which are signalled by an increase in pitch.
The four W2 Optimial White brushheads that came with mine can be replaced with the somewhat more dense C3 Plaque Defence brushheads.
This is a strong option for an electric toothbrush priced around £100, especially if you prefer pink. (It is also offered in white or black.)
9. Colgate ProClinical 250R
Best budget electric toothbrush, 7/10
We like: that it’s an affordable electric toothbrush from a dentist-approved brand
We don’t like: there’s only one speed option
 Specs
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If you want a sonic toothbrush that won’t break the budget, look no further. Despite having only one speed and few of the other features seen on more expensive models, it is adequate.
It features a smallish brush head and a compact, lightweight design, which I appreciate, but the materials feel unquestionably flimsier and less durable than some of the other toothbrushes on this list.
With the exception of the fact that it would be wonderful to have a variety of speed options, I found it cleaned nicely during my testing.
It boasts five times the plaque removal of a manual toothbrush and is driven by sonic technology.
Although there is no pressure sensor and only a two-minute timer, I found the soft-bristled brush head to be particularly kind to gums.
Overall, this is a terrific budget-friendly toothbrush that demonstrates that you don’t need to spend a lot to have a thorough clean.
10. FOREO ISSA3
Best electric toothbrush for sensitive gums, 7/10
We like: the hygienic silicone design
We don’t like: the silicone bristles don’t give quite as good a clean as regular
 Specs
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This unusual electric toothbrush is made by FOREO, a company best known for its cutting-edge face brushes.
With a smooth silicone handle and curved design (two times stronger silicone than the previous edition), it has a similar “beauty tech” sensation.
It is quite easy to set up and use, and the battery lasts for an astounding 365 days on a single charge (I’m not sure how that works either, but it’s true).
It has never needed to be charged. Because of this, it makes a wonderful travel toothbrush.
Using sonic pulse technology, the brush cleans at a maximum rate of 11,000 pulses per minute.
It feels significantly different from other toothbrushes because of the silicone and PBT polymer bristles, which are now extremely flexible, that make up the head.
Unlike the others, you’re not supposed to hold it on your teeth; instead, you’re expected to use it like a regular toothbrush, scrubbing up and down and in circles.
Although it has been streamlined from the ISSA 2, the head is extremely large, making it difficult to reach all the nooks and crannies.
I want to love it, but I’m not sure I do. Although there aren’t any distinct “modes” per se, it has a wide range of 16 various speed settings, and I honestly think that’s too many.
It lacks a pressure sensor once more, but it does have an interval timer that reminds you to clean every 30 seconds in a different part of your mouth.
Having said that, I believe it to be a fantastic solution for anyone who has a sensitivity to gum.
Although it all feels a little strange, using the silicone brush leaves my mouth feeling clean because of how soft and flexible the bristles are.
FAQ
Why is an electric toothbrush preferable to a manual one?
An electric toothbrush is superior to a manual toothbrush since so much research has been done on them, according to Dr. Richard Marques, a private dentist in London’s Harley Street.
Without having to scrub too hard, you can clean your teeth using rotation, oscillation, or vibration.
Dentist Dr. Toby Edwards-Lunn notes that electric toothbrushes make it easier for kids, the elderly, and people with weaker grips to ensure their teeth are receiving the necessary cleaning.
“Today’s technology is so advanced that you don’t need to put any effort into using it. It’s done for you by the brush,” he claims.
Of course, using an electric toothbrush alone cannot ensure healthy teeth. Additionally important are the use of a quality toothpaste, proper brushing technique, timing of brushing, and flossing.
A smart place to start, though, is with an electric toothbrush.
Many of the high-end models available now come with extra functions to improve your oral health, including different cleaning modes, pressure sensors, and timers.
The only deterrent may be the price; while it varies greatly by model and brand, for obvious reasons, electric toothbrushes are 100 times more expensive than manual brushes you can buy at the store. Marques, though, asserts that you don’t need to spend a fortune to achieve success.
Although there are some fascinating new challenger brands on the market, as you will have seen above, he would advise using brushes from the dentist-recommended brands Oral-B, Phillips, and Colgate.
A lot of electric toothbrushes are provided with two-pronged power connectors, which is something to keep in mind.
It’s worth checking if you require an adaptor before buying because shaver sockets are somewhat of an antiquated relic in the UK.
How exactly should I use an electric toothbrush?
Dr. Tara Francis advises against swiping your toothbrush in either direction.
“Work your way around the mouth, holding the toothbrush for three to five seconds on each tooth’s surface and in the spaces between each tooth.
I refer to the top, the inside, and the exterior surface when I say “surface.” To help clean the necks of the teeth where they contact the gums, angle the brush’s bristles at an angle between the tooth and the gum line.
Will using an electric toothbrush help prevent gum disease?
According to Dr. Edwards-Lunn, patients who use electric toothbrushes have a significantly lower risk of developing gum disease.
“Unfortunately, gum disease has several contributing factors. You don’t necessarily have to have an electric toothbrush to obtain it.
However, it will significantly lower the risk. The plaque has to be removed most of all.
Can electric toothbrushes reverse gum recession?
Gums might recede for many reasons, according to Dr. Edwards-Lunn. “Patients may be vulnerable to it or occasionally brush too vigorously.
Gum disease issues from the past may have contributed to it. They may also have a genetically determined thin biotype of gum.
“Electric toothbrushes can help protect against further recession because they do the work for you and because most will now tell you when you’re pushing too hard.”
Can I whiten my teeth using an electric toothbrush?
There is a widespread misperception about teeth whitening, claims Dr. Edwards-Lunn.
All of the over-the-counter solutions won’t make your teeth whiter; rather, they will lessen the amount of “extrinsic stains,” or stains from food, drink, and smoking that are on the exterior of the teeth.
“In contrast, intrinsic stains within the teeth are caused by ageing or heredity.
On intrinsic stains, dentists can undertake tooth-whitening operations.
Although using an electric toothbrush won’t get rid of intrinsic stains, it will lessen the chance that extrinsic stains will get added.
