Best Electric Toothbrush, Backed by Real-Life Testing (2026)NEWS | 24 February 2026The best electric toothbrush reduces plaque and gingivitis better than a manual one, encourages you to brush long enough, and prevents overzealous scrubbing (it's a thing—just ask my dentist). I didn't always love to brush my teeth, but over the years, I've come to appreciate the dental health ritual: two minutes of foamy, mindless maintenance that keeps the oral hygienist off my back.
Investing in preventative dental care can save you thousands of dollars (and a lot of discomfort) in the long run. If you have a permanent retainer from orthodontics, an electric device can deal with the plaque buildup far more effectively than a manual toothbrush. And a worthy electric toothbrush doesn't have to cost a fortune.
We've tested dozens, from budget-friendly basics to high-tech models packed with pressure sensors and multiple cleaning modes. Each one gets at least two weeks of use—longer if we're verifying battery claims—so we can assess performance, comfort, and overall value. Listed below are the best electric toothbrushes you can buy.
For more self-care recommendations, check out WIRED's Guide to Mouth Tape, Best Lip Balms, and Best Red-Light Therapy Masks and LED Devices.
Best Sonic Electric Toothbrush
Courtesy of Philips Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Philips Sonicare 4100 Electric Toothbrush $56 Amazon $50 Best Buy $50 Target WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED Narrow brush head for smaller mouths
Built-in pressure sensor and 2-minute timer
Battery life is about 2 weeks
BrushSync reminds you to swap brush heads
Available in a variety of colors TIRED Only two vibration intensities
Vibration is a bit mild
There are two types of electric toothbrush. An oscillating toothbrush has a round head that spins, like what you might find at the dentist, and a sonic one vibrates. (See below for a more detailed explanation.) Oscillating toothbrushes might be a bit intense for a beginner electric tooth-brusher, so the Philips Sonicare 4100 is our first pick. Its sonic vibrations are powerful without being aggressive, and the narrower brush head makes it a more comfortable fit for smaller mouths. At $50, the 4100 is a midrange Sonicare model with a pressure sensor, a two-minute timer, and two vibration intensities (high and low).Author: Boutayna Chokrane. Source
