123rf.com (Olga Yastremska)
If it’s the price that’s scaring you, you can find a great cheap electric toothbrush for under $75. Chances are your dentist has suggested you get an electric toothbrush or someone in your life has raved about their brush. Luckily, there are great options for those of us on a frugal budget.
With more economical options, you’ll likely have to replace your brush handle every one to three years, but it’s impossible to go back to manual brushes once you’ve gotten used to that just-left-the-dentist clean feeling.
If you’d rather invest in a longer-lasting brush with features like Bluetooth connectivity, there are plenty of higher-tech options for the best electric toothbrush for you.
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $24.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $89.96 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $39.95 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $39.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $79.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $49.97 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $49.95 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $25.95 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $42.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
-
1. Oral-B Vitality Floss Action Rechargeable Toothbrush
Pros:- Two minute timer
- Cheaper replacement heads
- Comes with two brush heads
- Trusted brand
- Can personally say I liked this one
Cons:- Loud
- Power weakens as the charge runs down
- Easy to knock off stand
This Oral-B Vitality Floss Action Brush is the one that I used for years and had a really good experience with. It’s affordable, rechargeable, and a really great start for people who want to try an electric brush. Oral-B brushes oscillate, so instead of vibrating at such a high velocity, the circular brushes rotate about 45 degrees in different directions for more of a scrubbing action.
It has a two minute timer and at the end of two minutes will have a few quick pauses in the oscillation before returning to it’s normal running speed. It ends up feeling like the toothbrush is revving its engine but it’s the signal that you’ve brush long enough.
For electric brushes overall the Vitality is a bit louder than some, but is about average for the cheaper group. It’s rechargeable and a full charge will last you about a week. It will slow down slowly near the end of its battery life but you probably won’t notice a difference until you see how much power a fresh charge has so I do wish it had battery indicator lights.
The flossing action wasn’t a replacement for flossing, but the difference I felt between this and manual brushing was amazingly close to that feeling of just leaving the dentist. And my dentist had nothing but great things to say about my home care.
I like that the Vitality replacement heads don’t break the bank and there are a lot of choices of generics that weren’t quite a good as the Oral-B brand ones but still got the job done.
If flossing action doesn’t appeal to you, Oral-B makes a Dual Action Vitality brush with the same handle but different shaped brush heads.
If you like the oscillating action of Oral-B brushes, you won’t find a generic brush handle with the same kind of scrubbing movement. There are lots of great alternative for sonic brushes, but for oscillation–stick to name brand.
Find more Oral-B Vitality Floss Action Rechargeable Toothbrush information and reviews here.
-
2. Philips Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control Rechargeable Toothbrush
Pros:- Two minute timer
- Vibrates as fast as more expensive brushes
- Rechargeable
- Six colors to pick from
- Easy start function to ease you into sonic vibrations
Cons:- Replacement heads are pricey
- Sonic sensation might feel unpleasant to some
- Not as cheap as others
The Philips Sonicare 2 Series vibrates at 31,000 strokes a minute which is the same rate as Philips’ more expensive models. If that seems like an extreme amount of brushstrokes, it is. It breaks down to 515 strokes per second.
All that motion in your mouth polishes your teeth and propels your toothpaste around at high speed so that it can reach spaces between teeth that brushes can’t. It’s a sensation that most people are unfamiliar with and some may even find it unpleasant at first.
This Sonicare brush comes with an easy start feature where its first use is a gentle buzz and over the next 14 brushing sessions the power slowly ramps up so you can become accustomed to the feel of the vibration and ease your way into electric toothbrush use.
It comes with a two-minute timer so you’ll know when you have brushed the dentist-recommended amount of time without having to watch the clock. It comes with its own charging base and a light near the bottom of the handle that lets you know when the battery is getting low and when it is fully charged.
A single charge should last you around two weeks of regular use. This only has one brush head included and that will last you around three months.
It also comes in six different colors so it’s easy to tell your brush apart if there is more than one person using them in the same space. You have a choice of white, black, coral, white with coral, guacamole, or steel blue.
-
3. AquaSonic Vibe Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush
Pros:- Two minute timer and quad-pacer
- Eight brushing modes
- Long battery life
- Choice of color
- Sonic brushing action
- Includes charge case and base
Cons:- Not as strong as Sonicare
- Not as durable as bigger brands
- Pressure sensor is quite sensitive
The AquaSonic Vibe is a rechargeable brush with a lot of bonus features you normally see in higher-end Oral-B or Philips Sonicare brushes that cost closer to (or over) $100. This sonic toothbrush vibrates at 40,000 brushstrokes a minute, has a built-in two-minute timer, and a quad-pacer that will alert you by pausing the vibration every 30 seconds so you know when to move on to the next quadrant of your mouth.
The bad news is you may have to replace this brush handle much sooner than you would a more expensive brand because it isn’t going to be as durable and long-lasting.
The AquaSonic Vibe has four brushing modes to choose from: clean, soft, whiten, and massage. Each has its own strength and vibration pattern to best suit the goal of your brushing mode. Soft-mode is great for people buying their first sonic-style brush as it can feel a little strange before you get used to it.
The names of the modes are right on the brush handle and light up when they are selected so there’s no guesswork. The AquaSonic Vibe comes with eight brushheads, a typical charging station as well as a hard, charging case for travel.
One full charge can last over two months with twice-daily use, so there’s no need to have a charger taking up space on your bathroom counter.
The replacement brush heads are affordable )(Sonicare brush heads also fit) and it comes in Charcoal Grey, Satin Rose Gold, and Optic White.
Find more AquaSonic Vibe Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush information and reviews here.
-
4. Pursonic S750 Sonic SmartSeries Electric Toothbrush With Sanitizer
Pros:- Three-year supply of replacement heads
- Two minute timer with quad-pacer
- Three brushing modes
- Attached UV sanitizer
- Sonic action
- Choice of colors
Cons:- UV sanitizer makes the charging station bulky
- Not as good for travel
- No color choices
The Pursonic S750 has a built-in UV sanitizer and comes with a three-year supply of replacement brush heads for one user–that’s a lot ot ask for a cheap sonic toothbrush. The handle and base set includes 12 brush heads for you to switch out every 90 days.
Instead of a small dock this brush has a charging station with a lot for the brush handle, storage for two brush heads, and a built-in UV light sanitizer to kill the germs on your brushes in between uses. Studies have shown that UV radiation significantly reduces the presence of bacteria and viruses on toothbrush heads.
It has a two-minute timer with a quad-pacer, a must have for high-end brushes, and vibrates at up to 40,000 brushstrokes per minute.
The three modes (clean, soft, and massage) are a nice range of pulsation and are selected using one button to navigate through the functions which light up on the base when selected.
-
5. Cybersonic Classic Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush With Complete Dental Care Kit
Pros:- Unique dental care attachments
- Rechargeable
- More durable than most cheaper brushes
Cons:- No timer
- Replacements are pricey
- Takes up more space
The Cybersonic Classic vibrates at the same rate as Philips Sonicare with 40,000 strokes per minute. It comes with its charging station and a full battery charge ought to last you over a week of regular use.
Along with the standard brushing head, this model comes with a flossing head and tongue scraper so you can harness the sonic vibrations for all your daily dental care. It only has one mode and doesn’t come with a two minute timer, but the unit is sturdy and will last longer than some of the models in the same price range.
The Cybersonic brand has been around for years and has a bit of a cult following which is a good sign for the longevity of their brushes.
Replacement heads are available for the toothbrush, tongue scraper, and flossing head. They aren’t particularly cheap with could be an issue, especially considering how often I would want to change out my floss.
Find more Cybersonic Rechargeable Electric Sonic Toothbrush With Complete Dental Care Kit here.
-
6. 33% Off Oral-B Pro 1000 CrossAction
Pros:- Affordable
- Compatible with many brush head types
- Timer and quad-pacer
- Pressure sensor
- Many color choices
- 10-day battery
- Slim charging base
Cons:- Only one mode
- No travel case
- Shorter battery life
The Oral B Pro 1000 Oscillating Brush won’t break the bank but will break up plaque. It’s a great choice for people who want something quality and long-lasting but don’t like the feeling of sonic toothbrushes. Oral-B’s oscillating is a less intense feeling than the rapid vibration of sonic brushes and it isn’t for everyone.
Right now it’s only $39.94 for a savings of $20.05.
It has an automatic two-minute timer and quad-pacer as well as a pressure sensor that will pause the oscillations of the brush if you are pressing down too hard. There’s only one mode so while you can’t adjust the speed, it does make the brush a much simpler, no-nonsense option.
The brush has a 10-day battery based on twice-daily use but the charging base takes up so little space that it’s no problem to simply store your brush on the charger where it will always be fully charged up. Plus, I like that there are so many compatible off-brand brush head replacement options that are super cheap.
Find more Oral-B Pro 1000 CrossAction information and reviews here.
-
7. Philips Sonicare 4100 ProtectiveClean
Pros:- Colors to choose from
- Trusted brand
- Quad-pacer
- Pressure sensor
- Trusted brand
- Simple one-button design
Cons:- Doesn't come with brush heads
- Only one mode
- Other batteries are longer-lasting
The Philips Sonicare 4100 ProtectiveClean Brush is a great way to get all the dental health benefits of a sonic toothbrush without all the complicated bells and whistles.
It has a user-friendly one-button design and uses a quad-pacer pulse to make sure you’re covering all four quadrants of your mouth. There’s also a sensor that alerts you if you’re pressing down too hard and a light-up alert to tell you when it’s time to replace your brush head. The brush has a 14-day battery life based on twice daily use. I have a Sonicare that I don’t keep on the charging dock and I can say that I’m always surprised at how long the battery lasts.
This brush comes in white, black, and pink. Keep in mind that this is only the brush handle. You can buy the brush heads separately (there are many cheap generic brand options) or buy a bundle.
-
8. Fairywill Rechargeable Electric Sonic Toothbrush
Pros:- Cheap replacement heads
- Two minute timer with quad-pacer
- Three brushing modes
- Waterproof
Cons:- No adapter included for USB cord
- I don’t like that it starts out at the highest setting
- Easy to knock off base
The Fairywill Sonic Brush vibrates at 35,000 strokes per minute. It has a two minute timer with quad-pacer to ensure your teeth are getting the right amount of attention. It comes with a charging station, but the dock itself plugs in with an included USB cable.
The cable does not come with a wall adapter but you can plug it into any smartphone wall adapter and be good to go. The brush holds a charge for about a month and has an indicator light to alert you when it needs to be charged.
This one has three brushing modes: normal, super, and massage. The normal is your standard cleaning setting, super is high intensity, and massaging has an irregular pulse pattern. Each mode has an indicator light as well so you always know what mode you’re on.
The Fairywill brush is waterproof and safe to use in the shower, and I trust that since it doesn’t have a plug and charges by sitting on top of a docking station.
It comes with three brush heads to start and has cheap replacement brush heads easily available, which is huge to me as brush heads can really drive up the overall investment into an electric brush.
Find more Fairywill Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush information and reviews here.
-
9. Smile Bright Sonic Electric Toothbrush With UV Sanitizer
Pros:- Two minute timer with quad-pacer
- UV sanitizer
- Three brushing modes
- Comes with three brush heads
- Rechargeable
- Sonic action
Cons:- Replacement brushes are hard to find
- May break down faster than other models
- Takes up more space
This Smile Bright Electric Toothbrush With UV Sanitizer is another brush with lots of great features from a lesser-known brand name. It’s a sonic toothbrush that vibrates at 40,000 brushstrokes per minute.
I love that it comes with a UV sanitizer right in the charging base. After you’ve brushed, you can store your brush heads inside the UV sanitizer and once you replace the cover, a UV light will turn on, killing 99 percent of bacteria.
We know our toothbrushes aren’t generally sanitary and I try not to think about it, but with this you know your brush is fresh and clean every time you use it. The sanitizer fits four brush heads and will automatically shut itself off once the brushes have been sanitized which takes seven minutes. According to the CDC our mouths are filled with millions of germs so anything we can do to keep our brushes clean between uses is important.
The brush automatically shuts off after two minutes and has a quad-pacer alert so you can brush all your teeth evenly. It also has three brushing modes: clean, pulse, and dazzle. The brushing modes are listed right on the hand with lights next to them so it’s easy to see what you have selected. You get three brush heads with this set.
Also, being a lesser-known brand, I wouldn’t count on this one holding up longer than a year anyway. For the price and the bells and whistles it offers, this is really attractive and a great cheap option if you want to try out the features of more expensive brushes, but this one likely won’t be your long-term brush.
Find more Smile Bright Sonic Electric Toothbrush With UV Sanitizer information and reviews here.
Once you go electric...
There's a reason so few people go back to manual brushes after making the switch. I take that back, there are tons of reasons, but let's focus on just a few of them.
But are electric toothbrushes better than manual brushes?
The official stance is that both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective at cleaning your teeth according to the ADA but only if they are used correctly.
For manual brushes that means specific strokes, systematic coverage of each section of your mouth, and brushing for at least two minutes.
Meanwhile, electric brushes are powering the strokes for you, most have a quad-pacer to tell you when to move onto the next section of your mouth, and an overall-timer so you know you've gone the full two minutes.
According to Harvard Medical School, manual brushes who claim they brush for two minutes or more are actually only brushing about half that time when observed.
Electric toothbrushes take care of the work and all the thinking for you. It's well worth it.
Not to mention, it's how your dentist cleans your teeth. They use an oscillating brush to polish your teeth and, often, a sonic pulse to clean away plaque.
When you go to get your teeth professionally cleaned, the dental hygienist doesn't brush your teeth with the same kind of free toothbrush they send home with you.
That says something
How distracted do you get?
One of my favorite things about my sonic toothbrush is I always know I've brushed the correct amount of time because I was never the type to time myself with a manual brush.
Are you the type that wanders around while brushing or looks at your phone? Then you'll want a brush that babysits you a little with a quad-pacer.
Optimum brushing lasts for two minutes and is equally divided between the four quadrants of your mouth. I don't know about you, but I can't keep track of that kind of thing--which is why I have a brush that does it for me. Many quality brushes will have a signal marking when to move on to the next quadrant so you don't have to stare at a clock.
Are you heavy-handed? Many even affordable electric toothbrushes have pressure sensors.
Do you know if you're brushing too hard? Most people don't. Brushing too hard can damage your tooth enamel and lead to more problems later. Some electric brushes include pressure sensors that alert you when you're pressing down too hard.
Electric toothbrushes are easier on your arms.
Many of us have repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome or other medical conditions that make it difficult or painful to hold onto a thin manual toothbrush and brush as long and as diligently as we're supposed to.
Teeth-brushing is the kind of repetitive motion we're told to avoid. Electric toothbrushes pick up the slack and brush faster than your hand could ever brush.
Oscillating toothbrushes use circles of brushes that rotate back and forth at around 8000 strokes per minute and sonic toothbrushes vibrate at up to 40,000 strokes per minute or more. I could get a muscle cramp just thinking about it.
How to choose the best electric toothbrush for you.
It's good to be picky about your toothbrush. Your teeth are important and it's a product you'll be putting in your mouth twice daily. I think that more than warrants a bit of a splurge.
Oscillating or Sonic?
This is definitely a personal preference because they have completely different feels to them.
If you have a very sensitive mouth, stick with oscillating brushes because the movements are larger so they create less intense energy in your mouth.
If you can handle some buzzing, I do recommend going with a sonic brush because of how clean-feeling it leaves your teeth. I was a devoted oscillating user for years but after getting my first sonic brush, I don't think I'd go back. It can feel weird and a little strong at first but after a couple of days you get surprisingly used to it.