The Best Toothbrushes to Keep Your Teeth Squeaky Clean

You might not put a lot of thought into choosing your toothbrush — most tend to do a pretty good job. But if you’ve ever ended up with a pack of cheap, too-soft brushes, the important but not particularly enjoyable task of brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day just got more annoying. There are endless options available. We’ve tested a handful of both manual and electric toothbrushes over the years, as well as some alternative, u-shaped brushes. These are our current favorites to make your daily routine and smile a little brighter, leaving your teeth (gums, and tongue) fresh-from-the-dentist clean. 

_{Prices are accurate as of September 4, 2024. Subject to change.}

Types of Toothbrushes

• Manual
• Electric
• U-Shaped
• Disposable

Manual Toothbrushes

Manual toothbrushes are simple, affordable, and great for travel, with no charging required — the classic kind you get at the conclusion of a dentist appointment. They also offer complete control, allowing users to adjust pressure and focus on specific areas, promoting a more personalized and comfortable brushing experience. 

Best Overall Manual: Colgate Keep Toothbrush

The Keep is a great manual brush with a reusable aluminum handle. That means you can replace just the brush head and waste less plastic than with traditional brushes. I tried the deep clean head — which has been rebranded as floss-tip, so you may see both packages — and it was soft enough to not aggravate my gums, but still gave a firm, satisfying clean. There’s a tongue cleaner on the back, too. The starter kit comes with a handle and two brush heads. Replacement brush heads are typically around $6 for two. 

A Close Second: Oral-B CrossAction All-In-One Soft Toothbrush

Maybe you don’t want to deal with replacement heads or simply like having a pack of toothbrushes in your bathroom at all times for yourself or guests. Oral-B makes great brushes in general and the CrossAction has bristles that scrub at multiple angles, plus a tongue cleaner on the back. However, it may be too soft for some.

A Recycled Brush: Preserve Eco-Friendly Toothbrush

I was initially surprised by the extreme angle of Preserve’s handle, but it felt incredibly natural once I actually started brushing. The handle is made from 100 percent recycled plastic and you can return brushes to the company to be recycled again once you’re ready to replace them. The bristles left my teeth feeling clean, but it lacks a separate tongue cleaner.

Electric Toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are powerful little tools. Rotating brush heads are efficient in removing plaque and deliver consistent, controlled movements, ensuring a thorough clean. Most models also have timers to encourage the recommended two-minute brushing duration, broken into 30-second increments so you know when to move around. If you tend to brush too roughly (guilty), electric toothbrushes also typically have pressure sensors to alert you when you’re pushing too hard. But they’re pricier, with more expensive replacement heads and you have to commit to a life of battery charging.

The Best Sonic Brush: Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Toothbrush

Philips Sonicare and Oral-B are two of the best toothbrush brands you can find and basically any of their models will give you a great clean. If you prefer the shape of a traditional toothbrush over circular, oscillating brushes, you’ll like Sonicare. The brand has several options across the price spectrum. Some are upwards of $300, but there’s no need to spend that much when the 4100 brush exists. Two intensity levels, a pressure sensor, and a two-minute timer is all you really need. You get that here, as well as a 14-day battery life. A sensor on the handle alerts you when it’s time to replace the brush head.

The Best Oscillating Brush: Oral-B Pro 1000

Go with Oral-B if you like circular, oscillating brush heads. Like Sonicare, Oral-B has a dizzying number of brushes available from affordable to around $300. The Pro 1000, specifically, is a great mid-range option from the brand. Maybe it’s because this is the first electric toothbrush I ever tried, but it was also the most powerful brush I’ve used — almost too powerful at first — and it’s usually only $50. This one has three cleaning modes and is compatible with a few different types of brush heads. Expect to get about 10 days out of a charge.

A Smart Brush: Oclean X Ultra S Electric Toothbrush

Most people don’t need to spend over $100 on a toothbrush and I think, in general, we could benefit from a whole lot less AI in our devices. But, if you struggle with brushing too hard or too fast, the Oclean’s X Ultra S might be a great choice. It has a voice guide that pauses cleaning to tell you what you’re doing wrong — it often told me I was using too much pressure — so you can actually learn better habits. I found this to be admittedly annoying, but in the end I had nothing to be annoyed at but myself. The small screen on the handle also shows you a map of where you’ve brushed and where you’ve missed. That can be pretty helpful, and also an eye opener for most of us who think our current habits are enough. The best part is the battery lasts over a month.

U-Shaped Toothbrushes

U-shaped toothbrushes are becoming popular, especially with children who dislike regular brushing. The unique U-shape conforms to the natural curvature of the teeth, allowing for simultaneous cleaning of the front and back, reducing the time required for brushing. However, they shouldn’t be a complete replacement and instead used on those nights when you just don’t have it in you to brush for two minutes. If you do want to try one, go with nylon bristles over silicone so you get a better clean.

The Best U-Shaped Brush: Y-Brush DuoBrush Sonic Toothbrush

If you really want to try a u-shaped brush, consider the DuoBrush first. It uses a standard electric toothbrush handle and comes with both u-shaped and sonic brush heads. You can switch between both, giving your teeth and tongue a deep two-minute clean most of the time, and getting a quick clean for those other moments.

Disposable Toothbrushes

Disposable toothbrushes won’t give you the same clean as actually brushing, but they’re great for midday or post-meal refreshes — no water or toothpaste required. They often come in soft, chewable bristle pads or silicone brushes that are gentle on the teeth and gums.

A Multi-Tool Disposable: Brushee 3-in-1 Tool

I haven’t yet tried Brushee, but they’re highly recommended and I’m intrigued by their multi-use. On one end is prepasted bristles that you can use with or without water, and on the other is a piece of actual floss for stubborn food. Unclick the two ends to reveal a toothpick. Each one is also individually wrapped, which is nice for cleanliness or travel. 

Most Affordable Disposable Brush: Colgate Wisps

Colgate Wisps have a dissolvable peppermint bead in the middle of bristles to remove food and give you a burst of freshness. The bottom is a soft pick if something is stuck in between your teeth, but it isn’t as good as a piece of floss. They’re not individually wrapped, which means an open bag in your purse is vulnerable to dust and grime.

_{Featured Image Credit: Eva-Katalin/ iStock}