20 best electric toothbrushes, tried and tested by over 335 people (2024)

The GHI recruited a panel of 335 testers to trial 30 electric toothbrushes for a fortnight. They were asked to judge each model on its ease of use, design, features, battery life and overall performance. We asked them to use a disclosing tablet before and after brushing their teeth to determine how effective their toothbrush was at removing plaque.

We also measured how loud each device was using a noise meter in our lab, so you know if it's going to make a racket before buying.

Here are our top picks for the ultimate clean.

Score: 97/100

This is one of the highest-scoring devices we’ve ever tested at the GHI, on top of being our top-rated electric toothbrush. It’s also more affordable than many others on the market, so you can achieve sparkling results at home, for less.

Every single tester told us it was straightforward to use, delivered powerful vibrations and visibly removed plaque. They all praised the design and said they would continue to use the toothbrush after the trial, too.

“I liked that the brush vibrated every 30 seconds to show how much of the two-minute time slot you had left,” said one tester, while another loved the “green and red light that indicates whether you’re brushing too hard,” and we had lots of positive comments about the handy travel case for taking it away with you on your trips. Gentle but effective was the overall takeaway, with squeaky clean smiles across the board.

Key specifications

Score: 93/100

Our runner-up is as gentle as a manual brush, providing a satisfying deep clean. Its rapid sonic vibrations push toothpaste and air into hard-to-reach areas, successfully removing plaque, reducing staining and freshening breath.

It has three cleaning modes, including sensitive and whitening, and comes with three different-sized brush heads for effective and comfortable use. Our testers liked its cleaning power, overall design and long battery life, with everybody planning to continue using it after the trial period. The only (small) downsides were its high-pitched noise and overly sensitive on/off button.

Key specifications

Score: 91/100

So you’ve made the decision to switch from manual to electric — congrats! If you’re a newbie and sceptical about the power of an electric toothbrush on sensitive teeth and gums, this model may well convince you.

Testers agreed it left their teeth feeling squeaky-clean, removing plaque without causing any discomfort, while most found the vibrations weren’t too overpowering. The pressure sensor also came in useful, and it was easy to manoeuvre.

Our lab test did flag it was on the noisier side, but the majority of testers didn’t find this to be an issue.

Key specifications

Score: 90/100

This toothbrush claims to help prevent cavities and improve gum health. It offers three cleaning modes, with a separate purpose-built brush head for each one. It even automatically detects which brush head you're using and selects the right setting.

Overall, our testers were impressed by this solid all-rounder. It enhanced their brushing experience and left their teeth feeling cleaner. Our lab tests found it reduced plaque, too. It also has a good pressure sensor and lasts for two weeks on one charge.

Key specifications

Score: 90/100

One of Oral-B’s most advanced toothbrushes yet, this top-of-the-range model boasts seven cleaning modes, including super sensitive, tongue cleaning and whitening. Its pressure sensor has coloured lights to let you know if you’re brushing too hard, too softly or just right, and its interactive display shows a two-minute timer and brush head replacement reminders.

It even makes use of AI to monitor your brushing with 3D teeth tracking. Suffice to say, our testers were impressed with all this tech, with nearly everybody finding it powerful and effective at cleaning thoroughly. Our only niggle is the lack of a replacement head in the box, which seems mean given its high price.

Key specifications

Score: 89/100

One of the quietest electric toothbrushes we’ve ever tested (along with the Oclean below), this was not only silent, but it was also gentle on sensitive gums for most of our panel. All found it comfortable to hold and easy to clean with, too.

The sleek and premium look made it stand out from the crowd, with one tester describing the magnetic charger and pad accessory as a “revelation’’. Many found the battery was so good they didn’t need to charge it during the entire trial period.

Key specifications

Score: 89/100

This elegant sonic toothbrush delivers a punchy 62,000 vibrations per minute, removing up to 10 times more plaque over a fortnight than a manual could muster. Its bristles are soft and flexible — great if you suffer from sensitivity — and its two-minute timer is broken into 30-second intervals to make sure all areas of your mouth get adequately brushed.

Its five cleaning modes cover all the most common brushing needs, leaving almost all testers with considerably cleaner teeth, and it comes in a choice of pink, white, black or rose gold.

Our panel rated its two-week battery life and USB travel case that doubles up as a charger. It’s just a shame that there isn’t a pressure sensor to keep us from brushing too rigorously.

Key specifications

Score: 88/100

Thanks to its five cleaning modes and a guided timer, testers felt this brush provided a customised clean, which everyone agreed visibly removed plaque.

The bristles felt soft for all, while many said it was easy to reach all areas of the mouth. Our panel praised its high-quality design, with one tester saying it was gentler than their previous electric toothbrush.

Key specifications

Score: 88/100

If you’re fed up with braces, implants or bridges getting in the way of your brushing, look to this cleverly designed sonic toothbrush. It comes with three differently sized brush heads to help you clean both teeth and gums thoroughly, while a choice of seven cleaning modes allows for customised brushing.

Our testers found it easy to control, with many praising its good looks and compact size. Their teeth felt much cleaner after use and the majority were satisfied with its battery life. It lacks a pressure sensor, which is disappointing at this price point, and it turned off easily while testers were adjusting the settings. But overall, our panel loved it.

Key specifications

Score: 87/100

When you travel a lot, there’s nothing more annoying than forgetting your toothbrush because you left it charging in a hotel somewhere. But good news – instead of needing cables, this smart gadget charges inside its travel case.

Using gentle micro-vibrations and AI technology to guide you through your brushing routine, our testers said it delivered a really clean feeling. It boasts a range of settings and will even remember the last one you used, so you don’t have to fiddle around to find your favourite.

Our panel found it sleek and stylish, and, while expensive, it does come with a lot of clever tech. It lights up to tell you if you’re using too much or too little pressure and vibrates when it's time to move onto the next section (although some found the vibration too subtle). There’s also a countdown timer that rewards you with a smiley face when you’ve brushed for the recommended two minutes.

Those who aren’t fans of reading the instructions will also be pleased to know that our panel found it intuitive and easy to set up and use.

Key specifications

Score: 87/100

This sleek matte black brush comes with carbon-coated bristles, designed to gently remove discolouration, which our testers found delivered on its promise. It didn’t cause any gum discomfort, with almost everyone finding the brush head was gentle on teeth.

Some missed a pressure sensor and thought the visual cues for the cleaning modes could have been clearer; however, everyone who tested it said they’d stick to this model in future.

Key specifications

Score: 85/100

For those who have sensitive teeth and gums but still love that squeaky clean feeling, this brush could be the one. Our testers liked how fine the bristles were and how soft they felt on gums, but said it still gave a great clean. One panellist even noticed immediate results, saying their teeth looked whiter after just one day.

As well as being whisper quiet, it charged quickly, and testers praised the handy magnetic wall mount included. For some, though, the buttons were too close together, making it easy to select the wrong one.

An interactive display screen was its most impressive feature, providing a visual guide to any areas missed and a countdown to ensure you brush for the recommended two minutes. However, some of our testers thought the emojis used on the interface were better suited to younger users.

Key specifications

Score: 85/100

The latest offering from Philips' legendary Sonicare range, this lived up to its predecessors, leaving all our testers with a thorough, fresh clean. What’s more, the majority also saw a visible reduction in plaque, which should earn some brownie points with the dentist.

Testers also raved about the “glamorous” design, with one saying their teeth were visibly whiter after use. The lab test found it to be “loud” on our noise scale — but this didn’t deter our testers, with almost all wanting to keep using it after the trial.

Key specifications

Score: 85/100

This Ordo toothbrush is available either as part of a subscription or on its own. Our testers liked its four different brushing modes that offer a customisable clean and appreciated its impressive three weeks of battery life. They found it easy to control and gentle, yet effective.

If you do opt for the subscription package, you can get a refill delivery of oral care products and a replacement head every one, two or three months.

Key specifications

Score: 84/100

This brush comes with handy pre-paid compostable pouches that can be used to return your used brush heads for recycling. It also won our testers over with its slim, stylish design, which didn’t cause any discomfort during use.

Everyone was happy with the 30-day battery life too, while it received a noise rating of “very quiet” in our lab test. Overall, it left most with that squeaky-clean feeling.

Key specifications

Score: 83/100

This model can last an impressive 300 days without the need for recharging, meaning you can pack it in your suitcase without fear of it running out.

As for its cleaning capabilities, it didn't cause any teeth sensitivity and its design made it easy to reach trickier areas. It did a good job of getting rid of that fuzzy feeling you wake up with and left behind fresher-feeling teeth. One tester even commented: “It has increased my confidence, as my teeth look so much better.”

Key specifications

SURI Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush

Score: 82/100

Made from plant-based castor oil and corn starch, this brush's soft bristles can be sent back to the brand to be recycled, making it another more eco-conscious pick.

It managed to leave the majority of our testers with sparkling teeth and the self-sanitising case was also an impressive feature for many. It did a good job in our lab test at leaving teeth plaque-free, while its chic appearance also appealed.

Key specifications

Score: 82/100

We often dismiss battery-operated toothbrushes for not being as effective as their chargeable counterparts, but Philips proved us wrong. This model reached into all testers’ nooks and crannies, leaving everyone feeling minty-fresh after brushing.

The slim design and carry case make it ideal for travel too, while no one reported any sensitivity after brushing. Yes, the battery will only last you up to 90 days, but considering the portability and price point, it's a great value buy.

Key specifications

Score: 81/100

Key specifications