It is always a debate – is it worth it? Manual toothbrushes are cheap and electric toothbrushes are sometimes an investment. Both do a sufficient job of cleaning your teeth IF you are consistent with your brushing techniques.

Written by Sevgi || Edited by JC

Scientists found that people who use an electric toothbrush have healthier gums, less tooth decay and also keep their teeth for longer, compared with those who use a manual toothbrush.¹

The ground-breaking research took 11 years to complete and is the longest study of its kind into the effectiveness of electric versus manual brushing.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says: “Health experts have been speaking about the benefits of electric toothbrushes for many years. This latest piece of evidence is one of the strongest and clearest yet – electric toothbrushes are better for our oral health.

“Electric toothbrushes, especially those with heads that rotate in both directions, or ‘oscillating’ heads, are really effective at removing plaque. This helps keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay.” For more oral health information you can head over to www.dentalhealth.org.

Here are the 6 best electric toothbrushes for anyone wanting to maintain great oral hygiene with the least amount of effort.

(References: ¹ORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION (2018) ‘National Smile Month Nationwide Survey 2019’, Atomik Research, May 2019, Sample 2,003.)

1. Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100

The sonic technology will successfully sweep away the plaque and clean effectively but gently. The inbuilt sensor will let your child know when they are brushing too hard to help protect their gums and teeth. They have the option to choose from three modes to best suit their needs. There is clean mode for superior cleaning, white mode to get those tough stains and Gum Care to massage their gums gently. The lithium battery lasts 14 days between charges. ($79.97, available on Amazon || $79.96, available on Philips)

What We Don’t Like:

❣ Lots of other brands offering very similar product at a lower price point

What We Like:

❣ BrushSync technology – reminder when brush heads need replacing
❣ Pressure sensor
❣ Long battery life

2. Oral-B Smart 1500 Electric Toothbrush

This option will be great at protecting your child’s braces will improving their gum care. They will get a great clean with the 3D cleaning technology. If your child has a tendency to brush too hard on the gums the cleaning sensor automatically stops the brush. We love that the built in 2 minute timer alerts you every two seconds to switch mouth areas. ($77.99, available on Amazon || $79.99, available on Oral-B)

What We Don’t Like:

❣ No travel bag
❣ Not enough “smart” tech features
❣ Loud

What We Like:

❣ Useful pressure sensor
❣ Keeping time made easy with timer
❣ Great value for the price

3. Colgate Hum Smart Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

Amazon Alexa is built in to inform you of when you need to replace you toothbrush head which in our opinion is very smart. This electric toothbrush has bluetooth connectivity which makes it stand out from the rest. Also we adore the trendy design and pop of colours it comes in. The sonic toothbrush targets areas that need extra care and attention. Enjoy a gentle clean with the floss-tip bristles. ($32.00, available on Amazon || $29.99, available on Colgate)

Buy on Amazon     Buy on Colgate

What We Don’t Like:

❣ Bristles are rough, with an almost “plastic” feel to them
❣ App’s movement tracking isn’t always accurate
❣ Battery life — only 10 days

What We Like:

❣ Solid price point
❣ Lightweight, easy to handle
❣ Tongue scraper on back of brush head
❣ App shows you how much battery is left on your toothbrush
❣ Brush head replacement reminders

4. Phylian Sonic Electric Toothbrush

The battery life on this electric toothbrush is up to 60 days. The impressive 40,000 vibrations per minute removes plaque, prevents cavities and improves oral health. This electric toothbrush allows your child to customise their cleaning experience. Your child can set it on sensitive mode, cleaning mode, whitening mode, polishing mode and massaging mode. There is a mode for their every need. ($27.99, available on Amazon || $39.99, available on Phylian)

Buy on Amazon     Buy on Phylian

What We Don’t Like:

❣ No noticeable differences between brush heads
❣ Intense vibration
❣ No charging dock

What We Like:

❣ Affordable
❣ Easy to use
❣ Includes multiple brush settings
❣ Includes eight brush heads and a travel case

5. Triple Bristle Sonic Toothbrush

The Triple Bristle Sonic Toothbrush actively works to reduce gum pain, bleeding and the development of plaque. The three system cleaning mode keeps things simple for your child. It has a pressure control sensor technology for a deep clean while offering protection on their gums and braces. This electric toothbrush kit also offers dental floss to help your child achieve a faster brushing experience. ($59.97, available on Amazon || $59.97, available on Triple Bristle)

What We Don’t Like:

❣ Brush head is bulky
❣ No pressure sensor
❣ Build quality feels cheap
❣ Bulky charging stand
❣ No travel case

What We Like:

❣ Cleans 3 surfaces of the tooth at the same time
❣ Bristles positioned at the perfect angle
❣ Invigorating clean
❣ Built-in timer and pacer
❣ Distinct 3 brushing modes

6. Philips One by Sonicare Battery Toothbrush

This electric toothbrush is a budget friendly one and ultra-portable electric toothbrush. It comes in 4 different colours. The One buzzes every 30 seconds encouraging you to move on to the next part of your mouth. A longer buzz at 2 minutes lets you know when the job is done. It takes one AAA battery, or you can pay an extra $15 or so and get the rechargeable version. It comes with a small case for traveling. For $5 every three months, you can opt into a brush-head subscription with or without a battery. ($17.46, available on Amazon || $25.96, available on Phillips)

What We Don’t Like:

❣ Cleaning power is a little weak
❣ Battery cover is potentially prone to damage
❣ No battery charge feedback
❣ No pressure sensor to alert you when brushing too hard

What We Like:

❣ Slim, light and grippy in hand
❣ Various color choices
❣ A travel case is included
❣ Timer and pacer encourage brushing for the recommended time
❣ Turns itself off automatically after 2 minutes