Best Electric Toothbrushes in 2023

What Is an Electric Toothbrush?

An electric toothbrush is a toothbrush that makes rapid automatic bristle motions. Also called a powered or power toothbrush, it offers faster, more effective cleaning and plaque removal than a regular manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes have an on/off button on the front, a cylindrical brush handle, and a removable brush head. The brush head is usually rectangular, oval, or circular in shape. There is also a light for charging or alerting you when the toothbrush needs recharging or a new battery. Some are purely battery-powered while others have a rechargeable battery with a charging cable and base.

The brushing motion is either oscillating, which is rotating, or sonic, which is vibrating. The brush head has either a snap/click-on or a screw-on attachment. Some brush handles can use any brush head with the same attachment while others can only use the brush heads for their model. A variety of different brush head shapes and bristle configurations are available depending on the brand as well as different models designed for different ages and specific dental hygiene needs.

Manual vs. electric toothbrush

Dentists recommend that everyone brushes their teeth twice a day for a full two minutes, making sure to clean all tooth surfaces. It’s easier said than done, and irregular and inefficient brushing can easily lead to plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay. Dentists agree that electric toothbrushes help accomplish this easier and generally remove more plaque and reduce gingivitis more than regular manual toothbrushes. On the other hand, the decision whether to buy an electric toothbrush depends on what your dentist says; if your routine is fine, it may not be necessary for you to change to an electric brush, although you may want to for certain benefits anyway.

Electric toothbrushes are easier for anyone to handle than manual toothbrushes. Children, people with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or hand issues, as well as anyone with sensitive teeth or bleeding gums, have a much easier time brushing their teeth with electric toothbrushes. Because the brush handles move, they don’t have to use their hands or maneuver as much. Instead of constantly making brushing motions, the electric toothbrush heads move in place to really sweep off plaque, scrub teeth, and massage the gums. The bristles are often soft, allowing for a gentler clean that is just as thorough. 

Some electric toothbrushes are stand-alone devices while others offer additional features such as water flossing. Most have an automatic two-minute timer, 30-second pacing, and/or an auto-off switch. You’ll see electric toothbrushes available with no-slip grips, ergonomic handles, and a lightweight design for easier handling as well as a smart pressure sensor to stop you from over-brushing. These days, it is increasingly common to see electric toothbrushes with app connectivity and artificial intelligence, too.

Oscillating vs. sonic movement

There are two types of electric toothbrushes: oscillating and sonic. Oscillating toothbrushes, which are also called rotary or electric toothbrushes, use a back-and-forth rotating motion to remove plaque. Sometimes, they also pulsate. Their motion replaces manual brushstrokes to brush more in less time and with little pressure on your teeth while all you have to do is move the brush around your mouth to different areas of your teeth. They come with lower power than sonic toothbrushes because of their rotating heads, which allow for pinpointed cleaning of tooth surfaces. Manual toothbrushes allow for 300 strokes per minute. Oscillating toothbrushes rotate at 1,300 to 8,800 strokes per minute with an average range of 2,500 to 7,500 strokes per minute, which accounts for different speed options. Those that oscillate and pulsate rotate at 8,800 strokes per minute.

Sonic toothbrushes, also called vibrating toothbrushes, vibrate in a side-to-side pulsing motion. They vibrate at least 10 times faster than an electric toothbrush. The exact rate of several thousands of vibration strokes per minute depends on the model. However, they vibrate between 24,000 to 40,000 brush strokes per minute, with an average of 30,000 brush strokes per minute. Their smaller heads allow for easier reaching of the back teeth. Plus, sonic toothbrushes agitate fluids in the mouth to clean below the gum line and between teeth, which the brush cannot reach alone. Because of these features and their speed, they’re thought to have more cleaning power in a two-minute period.

When it comes to how people are divided between the two, they’re about equal. Oral-B/Braun is popular for oscillating electric toothbrushes while Philips Sonicare dominates sonic ones.

Battery operated vs. rechargeable power

The two types of power sources for electric toothbrushes are disposable battery-operated and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The battery-operated usually takes AA or AAA batteries, while the rechargeable ones have a charging base, case, or a charging cable that lasts a few years.

Battery-operated electric toothbrushes typically don’t have as much power as rechargeable ones. For this reason, it is necessary to do normal brush strokes while the vibration adds more cleaning than a manual toothbrush ever could. And while they’re far more initially affordable, you’ll also need to consider also the cost of replacement batteries. Rechargeable electric toothbrushes, on the other hand, are initially more expensive but tend to be longer-lasting.

Snap-on vs. screw-on brush head

There are two different types of brush head attachment methods: snap-on (or click-on) and screw-on. The snap-on or click-on electric toothbrushes have a part in the top of the handle that fits into the brush head. Sometimes, the brush handle has a rod that inserts into the brush head, or another type of fit called a zigzag. Alternately, the brush head may need a small turn on the brush handle before it clicks into place. There is a thin line that is barely noticeable to indicate the divide between the brush handle and the brush head. Snap-on or click-on brush heads are the most common type, and the brush handles that have this attachment are often interchangeable with other brush heads besides the ones for their specific models.

The screw-on brush head simply screws on and though it offers a more secure attachment, some electric toothbrushes have a ring around the thread or deep grooves. This feature can make for difficult cleaning and the accumulation of mildew.

Different shapes and sizes of brush heads

The size and shape of the brush head you choose is a matter of personal preference. However, there are certain benefits to each type. A larger brush head covers a wider surface area while a smaller one makes it easier to get between teeth and reach the back teeth. Round brush heads are typical for oscillating electric toothbrushes and because of their shape and high rotational speed, they completely cover each tooth surface.

In short, there are compact or full-size brush heads. A compact brush head has fewer bristles than a full-size one. People with small mouths prefer compact brush heads since they are better for reaching all the teeth. Some people prefer a full-size brush head and do extra flossing for their back teeth when necessary.

There are also electric toothbrushes with angled brush heads regardless of the brush head’s size and shape. An angled brush head gets into tighter angles to reach the deeper spots of your teeth, especially your upper and lower front teeth. Such areas are more vulnerable to plaque and tartar buildup.

Bristle strength

Manual toothbrushes come in three main bristle strengths: soft, medium, and hard. There are sometimes extra-soft bristles available while extra-firm or hard bristles are becoming rarer and more difficult to find. Electric toothbrushes tend to come in soft and medium strengths. Many are made from types of nylon filaments, which are durable but flexible. Soft bristles are gentle on gums and avoid gum recession while medium bristles remove more plaque but are harsher on gums. On the other hand, brushing too hard with a soft-bristled brush head has the same effect as brushing with a medium or hard-bristled brush head. It is also recommended to change brush heads every three months when they become frayed and over-used; old brush heads lose their efficacy and can actually scratch gums. It is common to see oscillating electric toothbrushes with soft or medium bristles and sonic electric toothbrushes with soft ones. Some electric toothbrushes offer extra-soft bristles, which are especially gentle bristles with unique bristle patterns that conform to the curves of your gums and teeth. They engage the gum line while making for a comfortable brushing experience.

Different bristle configurations

Bristle configurations matter just as much as bristle strength and brush head shape, as it can make your brushing experience more effective. Certain brand names have become associated with particular styles of toothbrush heads. The most common type of bristle configuration regardless of bristle strength or the brush head shape is one where the inner bristles are shorter than the outer bristles, which are longer around the edges and designed to envelop each tooth. Another type is an oval-shaped brush head on a sonic toothbrush with longer bristles on the very top, which form a sort of point or angled tip designed to get into crevices between teeth. It’s hard to remove surface stains without damaging tooth enamel and for this reason, some oscillating electric toothbrushes offer a polishing cup shape with end-rounded bristles, which are often called whitening brush heads. Yet another type is a sonic toothbrush with rounded jagged-shaped bristles, which are designed to curve around and conform to the shape of your teeth.

The traditional bristle configuration is flat-shaped, followed by ripple-shaped. Although, flat and rippled bristles can cause more lesions in the mouth. Various types of feathered bristle configurations cause far fewer lesions and have larger brushing angles.

Types of electric toothbrushes

While there are plenty of general electric toothbrushes that are great for an overall brushing experience, some are made for specific dental hygiene needs.

• For whitening: Whitening electric toothbrushes are designed to clean one tooth at a time, similar to the dental polishing your dentist does. They come with a polishing cup-shaped brush head with end-rounded bristles for oscillating toothbrushes, although sonic toothbrush designs are also available.
• For braces: Oscillating toothbrushes tend to be the most popular for braces. The brush heads are compact and round so you can clean teeth and braces at the same time. However, sonic toothbrushes with their larger, oval-shaped brush heads are also available for braces.
• For sensitive teeth: Gentle electric toothbrushes have soft or extra-soft bristles and special bristle configurations. They have fewer bristles than regular size and larger brush heads, but they are designed for optimal coverage. They can be sonic or oscillating toothbrushes, although oscillating is more popular.
• For plaque: One of the best types of electric toothbrushes for removing plaque has an oval-shaped “cross-action” brush head, where the bristles are configured to clean at several different angles at once. The cross-action type tends to be with a sonic toothbrush. However, like with whitening needs, oscillating toothbrushes for removing plaque are also available.
• For gum disease: Much the same as with plaque-removal needs, cross-action sonic toothbrushes are popular. They are especially so because they agitate toothpaste and saliva in the mouth for a more extensive clean that bristles can’t reach. Oscillating toothbrushes that are best for gum disease also pulsate fluids to have a similar effect as sonic toothbrushes.
• For children: Dentists recommend electric toothbrushes with timers. They also recommend interactive toothbrushes that have built-in rewards, music, lights, and app-controlled settings. Thirty-second alerts also called QuadPacing, and options such as parent check lights are also very helpful for teaching children to brush their teeth properly.

How Much Does an Electric Toothbrush Cost?

The price of your electric toothbrush depends on its features. Budget or low-end electric toothbrushes are cheap, as they come with the most basic settings and brush heads. Oscillating toothbrushes tend to be generally more affordable than sonic ones. Mid-tier electric toothbrushes come with different speeds, a two-minute timer, additional brush heads, and extra features such as pressure sensors. High-end electric toothbrushes come with the most features and include artificial intelligence and/or app connectivity.

What Is the Right Electric Toothbrush for Me?

Simply put, the right electric toothbrush for you is the one you’ll use regularly. Decide whether you want a battery-operated or rechargeable electric toothbrush. Choose for your specific dental needs such as whitening, plaque, or sensitive teeth. Then, you must choose between oscillating or sonic, which is often a matter of preference. Look at the brush head size and shape and imagine how you would experience brushing your teeth with it. Do you want medium, soft, or extra-soft bristles? Are the brush heads interchangeable? Do you want a toothbrush with several different speeds? What is the design of the brush handle? Is it lightweight? Multi-functional electric toothbrushes with accessories are also something to consider, along with the expected life of the toothbrush. Are you buying it with a manufacturer warranty? Ask yourself all of these questions before you make your purchasing decision.