Best electric toothbrushes: expert picks for clean teeth

Every electric toothbrush will clean your teeth, but some come with extra features and accessories that can bump up the price.

To find the models with the best cleaning power, we thoroughly tested the most popular electric toothbrushes from brands including Oral B, Ordo, Philips and Suri. We measured precisely how much plaque each brush can remove, how easy it is to use and how often you will need to recharge it.

The electric toothbrushes we tested

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All the electric toothbrushes we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

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Oral B iO Series 7

Most recently tested May 2024

Type Circular oscillation

Need to know Two minute timer, interval timer, pressure sensor, battery level indicator, travel case

Oral B iO Series 9

Most recently tested May 2024

Type Circular oscillation

Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, pressure sensor, battery level indicator, travel case, Ultimate Clean brush head, a magnetic charging stand, a brush head refill holder

Oral B iO Series 10

Most recently tested May 2024

Type Circular oscillation

Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, pressure sensor, battery level indicator, an interactive smart charging base

Oral B Vitality Pro

Most recently tested May 2024

Type Oscillating-rotating 

Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer

Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush

Type Sonic

Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator

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Philips Sonicare 5300 Series

Most recently tested January 2025

Type Oscillating to the right and left

Battery charge time 11 hours

Need to know Two-minute timer, battery level indicator, pressure sensor, travel case

Philips Sonicare 7100 Series

Available from: Boots (£119.99), John Lewis (£119.99)

Most recently tested January 2025

Type Oscillating to the right and left

Battery charge time 11 hours

Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator, pressure sensor, travel case

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9400

Most recently tested May 2024

Type Oscillating to the right and left

Need to know Two-minute timer, interval timer, battery level indicator, pressure sensor

Superdrug ProCare Advanced Clean

Available from Superdrug (£17.50)

Most recently tested May 2024

Type Rotating

Need to know Two-minute timer

SURI 2.0

Most recently tested January 2026

Type Oscillating to the right and left/sonic

Need to know Two-minute timer, plant-based brush head, travel and charge case

More electric toothbrushes from our tests

Here’s how the rest of the electric toothbrushes from our tests measured up, listed in alphabetical order.

How we test electric toothbrushes

We rigorously test each electric toothbrush in our lab by assessing key aspects such as plaque removal and battery life. Each model is also tested by our panel of trialists who rate how comfortable and convenient it is to use.

• Cleaning power: To see how good an electric toothbrush is at removing plaque, we enlist a panel of 30 triallists to clean with each brush and compare the results. When a triallist arrives at our lab, our dental expert measures the amount of plaque present before and after brushing using a standardised rating scale and then look at the difference between the two ratings. The triallist brushes their teeth for two minutes – the amount of time dentists recommend we brush our teeth for. This is repeated over several weeks until each triallist has brushed with each brush – a total of 200 teeth-cleans overall.
• Battery charge: To see how long the battery lasts, we see how many two-minute brushes a fully charged battery gives. We test in the way you use toothbrushes, so we leave a 12-hour gap between each run, just as you would when you’re brushing twice a day. We also add a weight to the head of each brush to mimic the effect that the pressure you use when brushing has on the battery.
• User experience: Changing from a manual toothbrush to an electric model, and switching between different types of electric toothbrush, can take some getting used to. To help you find the brushes that feel best, our panel of triallists rates how comfortable each model is to brush with. They also rate how noisy they are during use to help you pick a quieter brush if you clean your teeth while other members of the household are sleeping.

We regularly revisit the electric toothbrushes on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing.

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What are the different types of electric toothbrush?

• Rotating – These have a set of bristles that turn. Bristles can be arranged in a circle that rotates, or individual tufts of bristles can spin. Rotating-only brushes are usually the cheapest type of brush you can buy.
• Rotating-oscillating – These electric toothbrushes have small, round heads and are among the most popular brushes in the Oral B range. The head oscillates – rotates in one direction and then the other – around one tooth at a time to sweep away plaque.
• Pulsing – Some rotating and rotating-oscillating electric toothbrushes pulsate to make the head move backwards and forwards against teeth while it’s spinning. This helps dislodge plaque and is a technology typically found on pricier rotating brushes.
• Counter-oscillating – These electric toothbrushes have the same head shape as oscillating brushes, but the tufts of bristles rotate in different directions simultaneously – with each tuft rotating in the opposite direction to those next to it.
• Dual head – As the name implies, these electric toothbrushes combine two heads in one – one part rotates and the other sweeps from side to side.
• Side to side – Rather than spinning, these toothbrushes sweep from side to side at such high speeds that they vibrate against your teeth. Philips Sonicare electric toothbrushes clean in this way.
• Sonic and ultrasonic – These are brushes that vibrate at certain high speeds and frequencies to help break down plaque. Manufacturers of sonic brushes claim that they also drive cleaning fluid (a mixture of toothpaste, water and saliva) between teeth to help dislodge plaque. Vibrating brushes are generally more expensive than rotating models.

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How often do I need to replace my toothbrush?

The NHS advises brushing twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time, and changing your manual toothbrush (or toothbrush head if it’s an electric toothbrush) every three months, where possible. 

Studies show toothbrushes are far less effective at removing plaque after the initial three months of use, as the bristles become worn. Dentists also say it’s important to change your toothbrush following illnesses such as mouth infections. 

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Given that many toothbrushes and toothbrush heads end up in landfill, you may feel reluctant to replace them as regularly as this. We have investigated eco-friendly products to replace your plastic toothbrush, including an electric toothbrush made of aluminium and corn starch, as well as manual toothbrushes made from natural materials.

And bear in mind that if you have an electric toothbrush, it’s likely you will be able to keep it – as opposed to the toothbrush heads – for several years. When it does stop working, you may be able to dispose of it via a kerbside recycling collection or you can take it to a recycling centre. Companies such as Colgate and Philips also operate recycling programmes. 

How to brush with an electric toothbrush

1. Clean thoroughly and evenly: Brush your teeth twice a day – morning and night – and brush for at least two minutes each time. Clean both sides of your teeth – the outside (next to your cheeks and lips) and the inside (next to your tongue or palate). Make sure you clean evenly across all your teeth: top and bottom, inside and outside.
2. Angle the brush head: Tilt the brush head at 45 degrees to where teeth meet the gum – this is where most plaque builds. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste that contains fluoride. Using a fluoride toothpaste is the best way of preventing tooth decay – it can protect against holes forming in your teeth that will need filling by your dentist.
3. Clean one row at a time: Start with back outer surfaces and lightly brush each tooth from top to bottom until you reach the middle of your mouth. Don't brush too hard – the bristles should lightly sweep across the tooth. Brush too hard and you risk brushing away the enamel, which protects your teeth. This leads to heightened sensitivity. Repeat for the same row on the other side of your mouth.
4. Clean inside surfaces: Again, start at the back, cleaning from the top to the bottom of each tooth, and work towards the centre on each side of your mouth. Tilt the brush and use the tip to brush the insides of front teeth.
5. Brush the biting surfaces: End your brushing routine by cleaning along the biting surfaces of your teeth. When you've finished brushing, spit out the toothpaste but don't rinse – this will help keep more of the fluoride in your mouth to continue working against cavities.
6. Floss regularly: Your toothbrush won't reach into the gaps between your teeth. Flossing every day will help dislodge bacteria and plaque that takes hold between teeth.