Most Efficient Electric Toothbrush
A good electric toothbrush should be comfortable to hold, and its battery should last for at least a couple of days between charges. It also should be easy to swap out different brush heads. It’s important to avoid sharing brushes, as germs can spread and lead to infections.
An best electric toothbrush can help eliminate plaque, which is the sticky, germy film that builds up on teeth and gums. If left untreated, plaque can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing at least twice a day — ideally after meals and before bed — is critical to healthy teeth and gums.
Unlike manual toothbrushes, which have a fixed shape and movement, electric brushes come in many different shapes, sizes, and vibration frequencies. Some models even have replaceable brush heads, making them a great option for those with multiple members of the household. They can also be a good option for those with mobility problems or a limited range of motion in their mouths.
What is the Most Efficient Electric Toothbrush?
Some electric toothbrushes offer different brushing modes, such as gum care, sensitive, whitening, and pro clean. Others have different intensity settings, which can vary the vibration frequency or duration of the pulsing action. Many come with a variety of replacement brush heads designed to work best with specific modes and intensity settings.
A built-in timer is another common feature, helping people ensure they are brushing for at least two minutes each time they use their toothbrush. Some also have features, such as pressure sensors, that alert users if they are brushing too hard.
We evaluated more than 60 powered toothbrushes in our labs to find the best ones for both comfort and cleaning performance. For our cleaning performance tests, a dental hygienist measured the amount of plaque removed by each brush after it had been used for 2 minutes. The before-and-after differences were used to determine each toothbrush’s cleaning score. We also tested the comfort of each toothbrush, taking into account factors like noise level and the presence of a pressure sensor.
The Oral-B iO Series 9 and the Philips Sonicare 5100 were our top picks for brushing comfort. They both have several modes, including a sensitive mode, and both feature a pressure sensor that warns you when you’re brushing too hard. Both have built-in timers, and the iO Series 9’s display indicates when it is time to move on to a new quadrant of your mouth. Both were relatively quiet, though the iO Series 9 was louder (according to a decibel reader) than the Sonicare 5100. Both are compatible with Oral-B’s range of replacement brush heads. They also both have long-lasting batteries and chargers that fit in a compact travel case, which makes them ideal for travelers.