11 Best Electric Toothbrushes for Ease of Use and Efficacy

1. Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Series

A high-performance electric toothbrush with smart sensor technology

The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean series delivers high-end, premium models equipped with numerous features and smart technology. In this series, all models come with a carry case, a hygienic cap to keep your brush head clean, and a USB charger, great for travel and on-the-go convenience.

This range includes Diamond Clean 9000, 9500, 9700, and Smart, each varying a little in price and features. However, all models feature a location sensor compatible with your smartphone app. 

Using Bluetooth technology, they can show you where you have brushed, and more importantly, where you have missed, while offering live feedback to correct your technique. If you brush too hard, the pressure sensor will trigger a light to flash, so you know when to ease up on the pressure. 

Philips has delivered an electric toothbrush with the lot, equipped with the most modern features and functions in stylish, sleek designs. The only downside to this range is the considerable price tag, limiting its accessibility to those buying on a budget.

2. Oral-B Genius 9000

Designed by the experts, with a dentist-inspired round brush head

The Oral-B Genius 9000 delivers a highly advanced brush featuring a dentist-inspired round brush head. It is designed to surround and cup each tooth with dynamic oscillating, rotating and pulsating movements, proven to be more effective in plaque removal. This is our pick for the best Oral-B electric toothbrush, with a variety of features offered to help improve your oral health from home.

Presented in a neat display stand, the Genius 9000 comes with a selection of heads so you can experiment and decide which suits you best. It also comes with a phone holder for bluetooth compatibility. 

The Oral-B app uses the brush's position and pressure to guide you, ensuring you brush each surface thoroughly. It is completely optional of course but is particularly helpful for kids to develop the right brushing technique.

A red pressure sensor will illuminate if you begin to brush too hard, while also slowing down. Once you are done, you'll receive feedback through the app so you can do an even better job next time. 

Again, this model won’t be for everyone as it still sits quite high in the price range, but the genius 9000 is also a great travel electric toothbrush, equipped with a phone holder and travel case, and with a long-lasting Lithium-Ion battery, so definitely worth the investment.

3. Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100

With sonic technology for precision cleaning and plaque removal

The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 is the best Sonicare toothbrush for braces with advanced sonic technology that pulses water between teeth and breaks up plaque, perfect for those hard-to-reach places. It is also suitable for use with fillings, crowns, veneers, and helps prevent cavities, making it a great all-rounder electric toothbrush.

Equipped with an automatic timer that not only ensures you're brushing for a full two minutes, but also helps you spend equal time on each quadrant, pulsing when it's time to move on to another area. A pressure sensor warns you if you're using too much force when you brush, which is a common problem that can cause gums to recede.

This toothbrush allows you to customize your brushing to your own needs, with a choice of three modes, clean, white, and gum care. The only feature missing with this electric toothbrush is the ability to change or vary the intensity. With BrushSync technology, it can track how long you've been using your brush head for, and how hard you've been brushing. When it is time to replace it, a light on your handle and a short beep will let you know.

4. Oral-B Smart 5 5000

A versatile electric toothbrush with Smart coaching and pressure sensor technology

The Oral-B Smart 5 5000 offers the features and functions of some of the more premium models, while still providing a personalised brushing experience at a more affordable rate. 

It is equipped with power and 5 cleaning modes to adapt to your brushing needs, including sensitive clean, which is why the Smart 5 5000 is our pick for best electric toothbrush for sensitive teeth.

Seamlessly connecting with the Oral-B app on your phone, it will guide you with real time feedback to improve your brushing technique and help you protect your delicate gums with pressure control technology. The pressure sensor reduces your brushing speed and alerts you to be gentler if you brush too hard.  

With the Smart Coaching you get from Oral-B Smart 5 5000 toothbrush, you will improve your brushing habits and your overall oral health. If this model is your pick, but it’s still a little out of your price range, you could consider the Oral-B Smart 4 4000 listed below. Both models are very similar, with the Smart 5 5000 equipped with 2 extra cleaning modes and a little more power.

5. Oral-B Smart 4 4000

An affordable, Smart electric toothbrush with pressure sensor technology

The Oral B 4 4000 is one of the best value smart toothbrushes available on the market today. This model is rechargeable and compatible with a variety of replacement toothbrush heads, including cross action, 3D white, sensitive clean, Tri Zone, gum care and several others, making this a great choice for those looking to make the transition to a smart electric toothbrush, but don’t want to break the bank.

With 3 cleaning modes the Smart 4 4000 connects with the Oral-B app on your phone, guiding you with real time feedback to brush better. It is designed to remove up to 100% more plaque than a standard manual toothbrush and helps you protect your delicate gums with the protective pressure control technology that reduces brushing speed and alerts you to be gentler if you brush too hard.

Keep in mind, there are 2 variants of this model, one with a case and one without. The choice between the two is subject mainly to your budget as the model with a case is a little most costly.

6. Philips Sonicare 2 Series

Designed to remove 7 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush

The Philips Sonicare 2 Series comes with one cleaning mode and two brush heads for simple and easy use. With the gentle motion of this power toothbrush, it is ideal for people who have had dental work done, including orthodontics, implants, and veneers.  

Philips Sonicare's advanced sonic technology pulses water between teeth, and it's brush strokes break up plaque and sweep it away for an exceptional daily clean. The QuadPacer lets you know when you have spent the optimal amount of time on each section of your mouth while the SmarTimer signals when your total time is up. Together these nifty features help you reach your recommended brushing time, every time.

With the Philips Sonicare easy-start program, you have the option for a gradual, gentle increase in brushing power with the first 14 uses of your new toothbrush which helps establish a healthy oral care routine.

7. Oral-B Professional Care 700

A simple and effective power toothbrush with an oscillating, round-headed brush

The Oral-B PRO 700 is a rechargeable electric toothbrush set at a dynamic 16-degree angle for tooth-by-tooth brushing. It is equipped with CrossAction bristles which oscillate, rotate, and pulsate to effortlessly attack, lift, and sweep away more dental plaque than a regular manual toothbrush. The PRO 700 is an easy-to-use, affordable, all-rounder.

The Oral-B brush head refills are designed to perfectly fit your toothbrush and come with unique features for amazing results, like end-rounding to be gentle on gums, angled bristles to clean in between teeth and ultrasound-thin bristles for extra-gentle cleaning. Although it doesn’t come with all the features a more premium model comes with, this makes it super versatile and still gives you the ability to personalise your brushing experience.

The battery life lasts just up to 7 days, whereas some of the more costly models generate a little more power and have longer lasting battery life.

8. Colgate ProClinical 500R Whitening

An easy-to-use electric toothbrush with dual brushing modes

With the Colgate ProClinical 500R Whitening electric toothbrush, you get the cleaning efficiency of an electric toothbrush in a sleek and easy to control design. It is ideal for those looking to brighten up their smile, as it starts whitening from day 1, by helping to remove surface stains. 

The ProClinical 500R comes with a brush head, powered by sonic technology, cleaning 5 times better than a manual toothbrush. With dual brushing modes, daily clean and gentle clean, its extra soft tapered bristles clean gently along the gum line.

This model is conveniently equipped with a travel case and a rechargeable battery with light indicator, for on-the-go convenience.

9. Oral-B Pro 100

With CrossAction bristles for a thorough clean

The Oral-B Pro 100 offers a superior clean compared to a regular manual toothbrush, with its CrossAction midnight black brush head. This is a great option for teenagers or people wanting to upgrade from their manual toothbrush.

This power brush comes with a waterproof handle, charging station and travel case, for convenience on-the-go. With a simple timer feature that helps you brush the dentist recommended 2 minutes.The Oral-B Pro 100 comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 8 days and is compatible with a variety of Oral-B replacement brush heads for extra versatility.

This won’t be a pick for everyone, as it does not come with pressure sensors or smart technology. But this is a simple, easy-to-use model, from a reputable brand that will encourage better brushing techniques and routines.

10. Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean

An affordable entry-level electric toothbrush

If you are looking for a simple, no frills electric toothbrush, this super affordable model ticks all the boxes when it comes to cleaning your teeth. This is the best budget electric toothbrush, ideal for those who want a simple entry-level model or want an upgrade from their manual toothbrush.

This model does not get to boast all of the hi-tech features some of the more premium models do. However, using a high-speed oscillating and rotating motion, it has just 1 brush mode with a 2-minute timer, for simple and easy use. And as part of the Oral-B range, you will have access to the widest, and most affordable, range of brush heads to customise your brushing experience. 

Please keep in mind, this model does not come with a pressure sensor feature. It is important to avoid applying too much force when brushing your teeth, while this one-speed model is great for beginners, aggressive brushers may risk damaging their enamel, which can cause sensitivity, enamel damage, and gum recession.

11. Philips Sonicare for Kids

Delivering a fun and interactive brushing experience

We couldn’t complete this list without mentioning the Philips Sonicare for Kids electric toothbrush. This brush is equipped with a fun, interactive Bluetooth coaching app, getting kids excited about brushing. Designed to build healthy habits and establish a regular brushing routine, the KidTimer and KidPacer help as a handy guide for kids as they brush.

With 2 kid friendly power modes delivering a gentle and effective clean, the Philips Sonicare is our pick for best electric toothbrush for kids.

Our favourite feature that we are sure the kids will love too is the Bluetooth app's central character called Sparkly. This loveable character helps coach and incentivise kids to brush longer and better. Each time your kid brushes well, Sparkly gets happier and each successful brushing session is rewarded with special achievements.

The Philips Sonicare comes with an ergonomic design for easy handling and a rubberised brush head to protect young teeth and gums. This electric toothbrush is fun, interactive, and educational, helping to establish proper brushing routines that should last a lifetime.

When it comes to choosing the right electric toothbrush, there are several factors you should consider that can help you decide.

Cleaning Action

Regardless of how many cleaning modes there are, you will notice that brush heads claim to do different things:

• Rotate – a circle of bristles or individual bristles may rotate or spin. 
• Pulsate – the head moves backwards and forwards against the teeth to help dislodge plaque.
• Oscillate – small, round heads which oscillate, meaning it rotates in 1 direction then the other. They can be kinder to sensitive teeth because they don’t give a ‘tickling’ sensation. Although, they can be louder.
• Sonic – vibrate at high speeds and frequency to help break down plaque. Sonic toothbrushes can vibrate up to 62,000 movements per minute to help break down plaque, but it can feel ticklish, especially on sensitive teeth and gums. 

Philips and Colgate brushes use sonic technology, whereas Oral-B favours oscillating technology. There is no evidence that proves that one type of cleaning action is better than the other. What you choose will depend on your personal preference and your level of sensitivity.

Brush Head and Bristle Variety

Dentists and manufacturers recommend changing your brush head once the bristles start to wear out, generally every 3-4 months. It is important to check that your electric toothbrush is compatible with replaceable brush heads, otherwise you might find yourself having to replace the entire toothbrush at the end of 3 months, which can be very expensive. And be sure to check the price of the replacement heads as they can be costly, especially for more premium models.

Most brands offer a great variety of bristle types which is a great way of personalising your brushing experience to cater to your mouth. For example, full-sized brush head for larger mouths, compact for smaller mouths, and softer bristles for sensitive teeth.

Budget

Does spending more get you more? Well, it’s kind of like looking at the range of apple iPhones. If you pay more, your camera might be slightly sharper, your battery might last a little longer, or you might have more storage. But at the end of the day, regardless of which model you own, all iPhones fulfill the purpose of making and receiving calls, texts, photos and emails.

It is similar with electric toothbrushes. Generally, they all provide the same basic function of brushing your teeth. Pay more and you might get a few extra features, a more modern design, or slightly better power and battery life. But we have found that spending more does not necessarily result in a superior clean for your mouth.

Features for improved brushing technique

The humble toothbrush has undergone some rather technological advances in recent years. Now you can purchase a brush with Bluetooth connectivity, app coaching and other features to better improve your brushing technique. Although these are features that may not be valued by everyone, they are a great way of encouraging kids, teenagers, and lazy brushers to learn the proper technique for the best results.

• Timer - The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends you brush your teeth for at least 2-minutes, twice a day. A built-in timer makes it easy for you to adhere to the right amount of time. It might beep, vibrate or pulse to let you know when you are done.
• Pressure sensor - You might think that pressing harder on your teeth makes a better clean. But according to the ADA, too much pressure can damage your gums and tooth enamel. A pressure sensor warns you if you are pressing too hard. It might beep, vibrate, slow down, or even turn off.

Charge indicator and Battery Life

If you regularly unplug your charger or are frequently on-the-go, a charge indicator can be very useful. It will alert you when to recharge and when your brush is almost dead. You might get a slightly longer battery life with a premium model. But if you’re planning on leaving your toothbrush on its charger, this feature may not be necessary.

Travel case

This additional feature may not be necessary for everyone, but it can be a useful accessory for those on-the-go busy bodies or avid travellers.

Cleaning Modes

Consider an electric toothbrush that offers different cleaning modes, like sensitive, deep clean or whitening. These can make your toothbrush more versatile, however, there is no unbiased evidence that proves that cleaning modes are important to the quality of the clean.