The best electric toothbrush

Best electric toothbrush: using electric toothbrush to clean teeth
(Image credit: Getty)

When it comes to choosing the best electric toothbrush, the main things to look for are designs that remove plaque easily and have a good battery life. You don’t want to be constantly re-charging and you also want something that can reach into those awkward areas; ideally with different brush heads or cleaning modes to deal with all sorts of issues.

These new designs offer everything from state-of-the-art Bluetooth and app control to basic low priced models that are an ideal first-time purchase. So, to make some savings this summer, take a peek at our pick of the best electric toothbrush deals.

These top electric toothbrushes offer everything you need for healthy teeth and gums, with models that are recommended for those with braces or veneers as well as cleaning modes that can take care of interdental spaces. 

Oral-B genius pro 8000 electric toothbrush

(Image credit: Oral-B)

Oral-B Genius Pro 8000 Electric toothbrush

Best for smart use: a high-tech toothbrush with Bluetooth and app control

Specifications

Speeds: 1
Colours: Silver
Timer function: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Effective 3D cleaning action
+
Removes stains
+
Bluetooth connectivity
+
3 brushing modes
+
Battery life up to 12 days

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't come with 3-pin charger

This super high-tech Oral-B Genius Pro 8000 electric toothbrush is said to offer superior cleaning with three toothbrush heads – 3D white, sensitive and cross action – and it comes with four brush heads when you buy. Amazingly, it also includes Bluetooth connectivity and app control, which is bound to be a big hit with gadget lovers and tech geeks.

Deep clean

You can enjoy a really thorough clean with this brush, as it comes with three different heads to make sure you get a superior clean every time. The round 3D brush action is good for getting around each individual tooth, with an oscillating, rotating and pulsing motion to break up and remove plaque. It also has a polishing cup to help get rid of surface stains – just like going to the hygienist so well worth the investment.

App control

Use the Oral-B app and Bluetooth for help and guidance on your tooth cleaning as well as real-time feedback on your brushing technique! The brush will detect its position, so you can adjust it to get the best results. There’s also a two-minute timer as well as a triple pressure sensor to protect gums from over-brushing.

Long battery

Some toothbrushes need constant recharging but with the Oral-B Genius Pro 8000, the battery lasts for up to 12 days – ideal if you’re travelling or away from home for a week or more as you won’t need to pack the charger.

Philips sonicare 3 series gum health hx6631/13

(Image credit: Philips)

Philips Sonicare 3 Series Gum Health HX6631/13

Best electric toothbrush for battery life: it lasts up to three weeks

Specifications

Speeds: 3
Colours: Arctic Mist
Timer function: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Long battery life
+
Removes plaque gently, yet effectively
+
Gets in hard to reach areas to improve gum health
+
Prompts you to move to other teeth

Reasons to avoid

-
Changing intensity of brushing takes some getting used to
-
Doesn't come with a plug

A great all-rounder, the Philips Sonicare 3 Series Gum Health toothbrush comes with all sorts of nifty features to target hard to reach areas. It’s said to remove plaque up to six times more than a manual brush, improving gum health, whilst still being gentle. It’s actually clinically proven to reduce redness, swelling and bleeding of gums in as little as two weeks.

Easy start

Sometimes when you’re using an electric toothbrush for the first time, it can be difficult to know where to start or how to use one. This model comes with Easy Start, that gently increases power over the first 14 uses, so that you can get used to the feel of it.

Smartimer and Quadpacer

To help you clean your teeth for the dentist recommended time of two minutes, the Smartimer lets you know when you’re done. There’s also a Quadpacer interval timer that beeps when it’s time to move on to the next area of the mouth.

Power tip

The brush head itself is specially designed to reach those hard to access areas. It comes with just one brush head though so you’ll need to buy additional ones to change before too long.

Oral- B Pro 680 Pink 3D electric toothbrush

(Image credit: Oral-B)

Oral-B Pro 680 Pink 3D Electric Toothbrush

Best budget electric toothbrush: an affordable design that does all the expected AND has a limited edition travel case

Specifications

Speeds: 1
Colours: Pink
Timer function: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
3D brush head action
+
Handy travel case for taking on holiday
+
Easy to use
+
Great clean for sensitive teeth

Reasons to avoid

-
No adaptor to charge – only 2-pin plug
-
Noisy
-
Basic features compared to others on this list

A more basic electric toothbrush without all the fancy features, the Oral-B Pro 680 still helps keep your teeth and gums healthy thanks to its daily clean mode and two-minute timer. The battery lasts up to seven days while the 3D white brush head has a special cup feature to make teeth look whiter and more polished.

Special cup

This polishes teeth for a whiter result, starting from day one by removing surface stains, The round head also oscillates, rotates and pulsates to remove more plaque than a manual brush.

Daily clean mode

For a really thorough, deep clean, it leaves your mouth feeling fresh and clean from first use.

In-handle timer

Helps you to brush for the recommended two minutes – a great device when teaching children how long to clean their teeth for, and can even make this twice-daily ritual more fun for them, too.

Hayley Gilbert

Hayley is an interiors journalist with 24 years experience who has contributed to a huge range of consumer magazines, trade titles, newspapers and blogs. She has seen so many trends come and go - and come back round again - and has spent the last few years doing up her house in Hampshire. She loves the industrial look and is still a fan of grey in all its many forms. Hayley specialises in writing about kitchens and appliances – although can cover all interiors subjects with ease. For Realhomes.com, Hayley writes about small appliances and health and beauty gadgets