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Do you dread having to use string floss? Or perhaps it's too painful or tricky to use? Electric flossers can help! They use water to clean out debris and plaque on and between the teeth, as well as around the gums, without the difficulties associated with string floss. Continuing to use string floss and introducing an electric flosser as another step in your routine is the best way to make sure you get healthier gums and teeth in general.
After researching the electric flosser market and the product options, we found that the tried and true Waterpik Countertop Water Flosser to be the best because of its numerous customizable features and undeniable positive effects on dental health. Continue on to see our other choices in our top 9 list, and check out the buying guide for some guidance and some tips from dental hygienist Jaeyoung Yoo on choosing an electric flosser!
Jaeyoung is an oral health educator and dental disease preventer passionate about paving the way for patients to embark on their journey to proper oral hygiene. She graduated from UNC School of Dentistry in 2018 and served on the UNC SOD SPURGEON Student Government. She's always trying to keep up with new dental research articles and products to help her patients choose compatible products that work with their lifestyles. She's also a coffee lover and mom to two Bengal cats and multiple plants!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
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Table of Contents
When it comes to electric flossers, there are several important factors to be mindful of that can help narrow down your options. Here are some points to consider!
Compared to air flossers, water flossers have been proven to be more effective overall because the constant stream of water does a more thorough job cleaning your teeth. Many water flossers also offer interchangeable tips, so multiple people can reap the benefits from one unit.
Water flossers can take some trial and error and messy attempts to get used to at first, but there are countless guides and videos that can help you!
Flossers that are corded, or fixed, tend to be bigger and are meant to stay in one place. So, they are difficult to travel with. This can also be problematic for those with small bathrooms or little counter space.
Cordless flossers are useful for those that travel a lot or want something smaller and less space-consuming. The size of cordless flossers can vary as well, so you can choose how big or small you want your electric flosser to be.
The downside of cordless flossers is that they hold less water, which means they need to be refilled before or during use. They also tend to be less powerful than their corded counterparts for the same reason.
I personally have the Cordless Advanced Water Flosser and love it because it is small, travel-friendly, and easy to clean. It's perfect for those who brush their teeth in the shower. It holds less water compared to the corded flossers but holds enough water for me to use it once at night without refilling it.
Cordless flossers usually have less pressure (PSI) compared to corded flossers. Advantages of a corded flosser would be the higher water pressure and more pressure settings. I would look at the specs and warranty for each product.
The more water a flosser can hold, the longer you will be able to floss without refilling it. If you feel that having to refill the flosser to clean all of your teeth will discourage you from flossing in the first place, opt for a flosser with a larger reservoir.
According to the Waterpik website, five ounces of water will give you a little over 30 seconds of flossing time. Seven ounces will get you 45, 15 ounces will get you a minute or more, and anything over 22 ounces can last 90 seconds or more.
If you prefer a longer flossing experience without refilling the reservoir, the corded flosser would be better. Having a bigger reservoir would also mean that the whole family would be able to use it with separate tips per person. Most electric flossers come with interchangeable tips and consumers can buy extra for family members.
Air flossers clean your teeth with strong jets of air that are sometimes mixed with water or mouthwash. Although air flossers are not as powerful as water flossers, they have the upper hand in some features.
First of all, they are much more compact, making them easier to travel with. They don’t require a steady stream of water, so they don’t need as large of a reservoir. This allows them to be smaller. If you have a small bathroom or travel a lot, the compact size to be worth trading in some of the power of a water flosser.
They also tend to be easier to use, making the initial learning curve more manageable and saving you from cleaning up potential messes.
If you prefer something more compact and less messy, an air flosser could be another option for you. However, if you experience severe sensitivity, the air may stimulate the sensitivity even more. Research shows that water flossers are more effective in removing bacteria compared to air flossers.
Some electric flossers are powered by chargeable or non-rechargeable batteries, while others need to be plugged into a socket to be used. Confirming the location of the electrical sockets in your bathroom is an important thing to do to make sure the flosser you want is compatible with your home.
If you don't have any available sockets in your bathroom, a rechargeable flosser is still a plausible option because you can charge it elsewhere and bring it into the bathroom when you want to use it. However, for most corded flossers, a direct connection to a power source is necessary.
Keeping the corded flossers away from the shower and toilet bowl would be smart for safety.
Taking a look at the features of the flosser helps you take your oral health to the next level. Features like adjustable pressure settings can be important for those with sensitive gums or teeth to prevent pain and damage. Pulsating settings can massage the gums to promote good gum health and loosen debris more effectively.
Whether or not you plan to share your electric flosser, interchangeable tips are important for hygienic use and sharing. Some brands have tips that have a colored ring on the base to help keep track of who uses what tip. Many flossers also come with specialized tips to cater to different needs.
If you experience sensitivity to high pressure, using an electric flosser with adjustable pressure settings will allow you to find what works for you. As mentioned above, most corded flossers have more adjustable settings and high-pressure settings.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Waterpik Countertop Water Flosser|White | $65.88 High Mid | The Gold Standard in Water Flossers | ||
2 | Zerhunt Cordless Water Flosser Teeth Cleaner | $27.96 Low Mid | A Compact Water Flosser for the Whole Family | ||
3 | Waterpik Portable Electric Water Flosser|WP-320 | $59.45 Mid | A Compact, Portable Corded Flosser | ||
4 | Philips Sonicare AirFloss Rechargeable Electric Flosser | $49.95 Mid | An Air Flosser Specially Designed for Those Who Hate Flossing | ||
5 | Waterpik Electric Toothbrush & Water Flosser Combo | $119.99 High | Brush and Floss at the Same Time | ||
6 | CREMAX Cordless Water Flosser | $35.99 Mid | Large-Capacity Cordless Water Flosser | ||
7 | Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser|WP-560 | $69.99 High Mid | Solid Water Flosser for Frequent Travelers | ||
8 | Waterpik Water Flosser for Kids|WP-260 | $35.99 Mid | Water Flosser for Children or Those With Sensitive Gums | ||
9 | Waterpik Battery Operated Power Flosser|FLA-220 | $8.49 Low | Super Compact Electric Flosser that Uses No Water |
The Waterpik Aquarius is the most well-known product when it comes to electric flossers, and for a good reason. This ADA Seal of Approval-toting water flosser is proven to blast plaque off and has diverse features to accommodate all types of gums and teeth.
There are 10 different pressure settings and two pulsation settings to choose from. The one-minute timer with a 30-second pacer helps you thoroughly clean all areas of your mouth. There are seven color-coded tips, making it a great choice for single-person use or shared use.
Reviewers were annoyed with how loud the machine is, comparing it to the volume of a lawnmower or boat motor. However, many reviewers could immediately feel how clean their teeth and gums were, and continued use had significant positive impacts on their oral health.
Many cordless water flossers' downfall is their limited capacity to store water, but this flosser holds 10 ounces of water without the bulk. Compared to other cordless flossers, this one is lighter and more compact. It weighs less than a pound and takes up just over two inches of counter space.
A full charge only takes four hours and can last up to two weeks. There are six interchangeable tips with brightly colored bands to keep track of which tip belongs to who, making it an ideal compact flosser to share with the whole family.
Some reviewers mentioned that the flosser died unexpectedly after a few months of use. Others also found the power button very sensitive and inconveniently placed, resulting in an unexpected mess.
Reviewers raved over the flosser's battery, mentioning that they only needed to recharge it once a week or so with regular use. The strong water pressure provided a powerful clean that many appreciated.
With five pressure settings and a 15-ounce reservoir that's half the size of standard corded water flossers, this is a perfect middle ground for those who want the power of a corded flosser with the compact size of a cordless flosser.
Not only does this mini flosser take up less space in the bathroom, but it also disassembles to make it easier to travel with. While most compact, travel-oriented flossers tend to have three pressure settings, this one boasts five.
Reviewers were disappointed that there was no cover for the reservoir. They were also concerned with how loud the flosser is. However, other reviewers appreciated the adequate power of the flosser while maintaining a small footprint. Some found the simplified settings were easier to navigate and more user-friendly.
The air flosser had a short life span for quite a few, with reviewers reporting the flosser dying out after two to 15 months of use. Reviewers who switched from water flossers or manual floss found this flosser insufficient for thorough cleaning but said it's still better than not flossing.
However, reviewers found the air flosser easy to use. Many reviewers with tightly packed teeth or spots difficult to floss traditionally found this air flosser to be the perfect tool to reach those difficult areas.
Get your brushing and flossing done with one machine. This corded water flosser has three modes that allow you to brush, floss, or brush and floss at the same time, saving you the hassle and space of having a toothbrush and a separate electric flosser.
This unit has 10 pressure levels and buttons on the handle to switch between the different modes. The 14-ounce water tank provides 60 seconds of continuous use. But reviewers warn that the brush and floss mode isn't as productive as it sounds; the toothpaste gets washed away quickly, and the water pressure is weaker than the floss mode.
However, having a toothbrush and water flosser combined into one unit saved reviewers time and space, which they were happy about. Being able to transition from brushing to flossing using the same machine was greatly appreciated.
This cordless water flosser holds just under 11 ounces of water in the reservoir, which is a little more than most cordless flossers. There are four pressure settings, one of which is a pulse mode to massage your gums.
The reservoir has two different openings for refilling, one on the side and one on the top. The charging cord is USB-compatible, which makes it ideal for taking on the go! Though, some reviewers felt the flosser was too big, which made it awkward to hold and use.
However, many liked how long the flosser held a charge, some saying one charge lasted up to two weeks. They were also surprised by how powerful the flosser is, given that it's cordless. Another point of praise was how easy it was to fill and clean because of the openings.
This cordless flosser isn't as robust in features as corded models; there is no massage mode or timer. However, there are three pressure levels to choose from and a rotating tip that makes it easy to get to hard to reach areas. This flosser is designed to be quiet, which is useful for people that have to be mindful of others.
Charging is easy with the compact charger that magnetically sticks onto the base of the flosser. This flosser also comes with a microfiber travel bag, a travel water plug to prevent leakage, and a storage case for the tips, making it a good choice for travelers.
Reviewers found the reservoir to be small, with many reporting that they needed to refill it up to four times for one use. They also had to take it apart to let it air dry after each use. There were also warnings to not keep the flosser connected to the charger, as this led to significant battery issues.
Since the flosser is waterproof, reviewers loved using it in the shower to make things more convenient and avoid extra messes. Others were impressed with the battery capacity, which lasted for several days without recharging. The charging system itself was also convenient and compact, saving a lot of space and hassle.
Designed for kids, this water flosser differs from corded flossers for adults by its bright colors and smaller size. There are also less powerful pressure settings, no massage modes, and no timer. Plus, it comes with removable stickers!
Reviewers felt suspicious of the fact that there was no cover for the reservoir. Since it is not covered during use, many felt wary that debris could fall in during use. Others found the unit to leak easily, leaving a mess that had to be cleaned up.
Others were pleasantly surprised at the compact size. Many reported that this flosser proved successful in getting kids excited to floss. Reviewers found the pressure to be strong enough for adult use, too.
This electric flosser doesn't use any air or water to clean. Instead, a disposable nylon tip moves at 10,000 strokes per minute to remove plaque between the teeth and under the gum line for convenient, on-the-go cleaning.
This flosser is powered by one AA battery, so there is no charging required. The compact size makes it easy to slip into a handbag or with your other toiletries. Also, it is a low-mess flosser because you can use it without any water.
Reviewers commented that the floss was very strong, which could be damaging to those with sensitive gums. For some, the tips were too thick to truly get in between the teeth, so they felt that they didn't thoroughly clean the spaces between teeth as well as traditional floss.
Reviewers liked using this product when they needed a quick floss in a pinch or didn't feel like fully flossing. Many found it powerful for its compact size. Reviewers with braces especially loved using this to comfortably clean between their teeth.
I would ask your dental professional for their recommendations based on your oral health and tooth structures. Some dental offices have electric flosser demos in the office, so you may be able to feel the different handles and see the variety of interchangeable tips there before purchasing.
It may take some time for consumers to get used to using an electric flosser. Don't give up and keep trying!
An electric flosser is just one tool that can be used to maintain and improve your dental health care. Check out the links below to find more products to keep cavities and bad breath away!
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Waterpik|Countertop Water Flosser|White
No. 2: Zerhunt|Cordless Water Flosser Teeth Cleaner
No. 3: Waterpik|Portable Electric Water Flosser|WP-320
No. 4: Philips Sonicare|AirFloss Rechargeable Electric Flosser
No. 5: Waterpik|Electric Toothbrush & Water Flosser Combo
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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