Best Electric Toothbrush

Each shopping guide that we create includes as much information as possible because we want our readers to have everything they need to know available to them. Our shopping guide for the top electric toothbrushes for 2024 goes over things such as how much they cost and the benefits of using one daily to brush your teeth. We now want to get down to the basics and look at the most important features that different models have. You may find that some of these features are more important to you than others.

Warranty
No matter which toothbrush catches your attention, you should look closely at the included warranty. You’ll want to look at what it covers and how long it lasts. Some manufacturers offer a warranty that only covers the first three to six months, which may not provide you with enough time to see if that model is right for you. The top companies offer a warranty that lasts for at least a full year. You should also see what happens if you want a refund or if a part breaks. Some companies will ask that you send the toothbrush back for a repair. Others will offer a full refund or a money back guarantee that lets you get your money back if you’re unhappy with the toothbrush.

Cleaning Modes
Though many of the cheaper electric toothbrushes that made our list have just one cleaning mode, others have multiple modes. The Diamond Clean from Philips has an impressive five brushing modes. You can pick a mode that uses less pressure when you have a toothache or a headache that worsens as the toothbrush vibrates, or you can select a deeper cleaning mode to target the stains that you notice on your teeth. The brushes that have just one cleaning mode are suitable for everyday use though. That mode will remove plaque and can work on some of the stains that you see too.

Stroke and Speed
The manufacturers of electric toothbrushes will often tell you the stroke or speed rating of those models before you buy. Though this tells you exactly how fast the brush rotates or moves, you should keep in mind that the speed or stroke can change in the future. This rating usually only applies to the speed produced when you first turn on that toothbrush and when you have a new battery or a fully charged battery inside. If you let the brush sit for a few days without charging the battery, you’ll often find that the speed decreases.

Cost
We created an entire section devoted to the cost of electric toothbrushes, but we want you to consider both the upfront cost and the long-term costs of owning and using one. The upfront cost includes just the price of the toothbrush itself. You may need to pay shipping to have the package delivered too. Long-term costs include the price of the replacement heads that you need. You might get as little as three months of use out of the head that comes with your toothbrush, though some heads can last for up to six months. A single replacement head might cost $5 or more, while a pack that comes with three heads can retail for $10 to $20 or more.

Power Source
In one of the sections above, we gave you a direct comparison between models that feature a rechargeable battery and those that rely on a disposable battery. You’ll likely find that you prefer one type of source. If you don’t have many outlets in your bathroom or have other devices that you use in those outlets, a disposable battery option might be better for you. Battery powered models are better for those who travel frequently too. The Diamond Cleaning toothbrush does come with a carrying case though that makes it a smart choice for travellers. Many shoppers prefer toothbrushes with rechargeable batteries though because of the convenience that those devices offer.

Brush Head
The two things to look at in regards to the brush head on the toothbrush is its size and design. You can choose one that has a rounded head or an oval head. Some prefer rounded heads because they are smaller. Users can more easily fit the head inside their mouths without opening too wide and putting pressure on their jaws. An oval head can reach more areas of your teeth though and may require that you move the head less. The right size head for you will depend on the size of your mouth.

Indicator Bristles
Indicator bristles are one of the coolest new features that manufacturers put on electric toothbrushes. If you ever used an older electric toothbrush before, you probably found that it came with stickers that you put on the handle. Those stickers let you know when it was time to replace the head. Some newer models now come with indicator bristles. Those bristles are usually white on the bottom and have blue and green sections on the top. As you use the toothbrush, the bristles will slowly change colors until each one becomes white. Once all the bristles are the same color, you’ll know that it’s time to replace the head.

Indicator Light
An indicator light is a feature found on many different electric toothbrushes today. If you choose one that runs on disposable batteries, this light will come on to let you know when the battery is almost out of light. Toothbrushes that run on rechargeable batteries often have an indicator light that comes on in two different situations. When you charge the battery, the light will turn on when it reaches a full charge. This same light or a light nearby may blink red when the battery runs low. An indicator light helps you know when you need to either replace or charge your battery.

Storage Options
Though the Philips Diamond Clean is the only electric toothbrush on our list that comes with a carrying case, you’ll find other models that have a container designed specifically for the heads. This feature is common on toothbrushes that come with multiple heads. Each container is roughly the same shape as the head but slightly larger. This lets you safely store the head away from the germs and grime in your bathroom. Storage containers are good for families who use the same toothbrush too. Each person in your home can have his or her own head and a container for that head.

Timer
Dentists recommend that you spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth three times a day. In just six minutes, you can significantly reduce the appearance of stains and make your teeth look whiter while also removing bacteria and cleaning your teeth. If you have a difficult time judging how much time you actually spend brushing, you should look for a model that comes with its own built-in timer. Though some models require that you set the timer yourself, others will come on as soon as you turn on the toothbrush. It will slowly count down the amount of time that passed and alert you as soon as you reach the two-minute mark.

Cleaning and Maintenance
The most popular electric toothbrushes are easy to use and require little in the way of maintenance. Once you finish brushing your teeth, you can run the brush head under a little cold water and give it a shake before putting it away. If you need to share that toothbrush with others, you may want to look for one that allows you to sanitize the brush. These models come with a UV spray that you can apply directly to the brush to kill germs and bacteria. You’ll also find separate products that let you soak the heads in between uses.

Pressure Warning
A common mistake that many dentists see is that their patients use too much pressure as they brush. When you buy a standard toothbrush, you have the option of buying a soft, medium or hard brush. Some companies make even softer brushes designed for users with sensitive teeth and gums. When you use an electric toothbrush, you might use the same amount of pressure that you used with an old brush. As the brush itself moves and vibrates though, you may use so much pressure that your teeth hurt or your gums bleed. Many newer electric toothbrushes have a pressure sensor that identifies when you use too much pressure. The sensor usually sends out an alert that causes a light to come on, which tells you when to slow down and use less pressure.

Vibrations
The first time that you use an electric toothbrush, you might find yourself surprised at just how many vibrations it produces. Those that run on a disposable battery generally shake less than those that use a rechargeable battery do. While you should expect the toothbrush to vibrate as the motor runs, you want to make sure that it doesn’t shake too much. If you purchase one that vibrates at a faster speed, you might notice your hands shaking, which makes it harder to use that toothbrush. A higher level of vibrations can also make your whole body shake.

Handle Design
Since you only use an electric toothbrush for two minutes at a time, you may think that the design of the handle isn’t very important. No matter how often you brush though, you want a handle that has an ergonomic design. Companies spend billions of dollars on research and development every year to make products that customers can use with minimal discomfort. You may want a handle that has a slight bend in the center that allows the natural curve of your palm to wrap around it. Many customers will also want to consider the size of the handle, especially if they have smaller hands.

Sound Produced
One thing that many adults do not consider is the amount of noise or sound that the toothbrush produces. Unless you used one in the past or lived with someone who used one, you may not realize how loudly they run. The noise produced can interfere with the lives of others in your house and can be so loud that you actually wince as you brush your teeth. A good way to find out how noisily these toothbrushes run is with a look at customer reviews. Many of the reviews that we looked at when creating our list mentioned which models ran louder than others.

Charging Dock
As you look at the top electric toothbrushes for 2024, you might want to look at the photos and available and read through the descriptions carefully to see if rechargeable models come with a charging dock. Sometimes called a docking station, this refers to a small case made from molded plastic. It typically has a special compartment on the front designed specifically for your toothbrush. This keeps the toothbrush from rolling into your sink or onto the floor. The docking station will have a small hole on either the back or the base too. You can run the charging cord through this hole to charge your battery as the toothbrush sits.

Quadrant Checker
We already explained the four quadrants found in the human mouth and gave you an image that shows you which teeth and areas of your mouth sit in each quadrant. If you’re like most people, you probably find yourself focusing too closely on one area. You might focus on quadrant one because you have a toothache and worry that you might have a cavity. Some users also find themselves focusing more on their front teeth or on teeth where they see stains. When you purchase a toothbrush that has a built-in quadrant checker, you can give each tooth the cleaning that it needs without spending too much time on one area. This feature lets you know exactly when you can move from one quadrant to another area of your mouth to ensure that the brush cleans all your teeth.