There are a lot of products that fit the sexy corner of the grooming category. Toothbrushes aren't one of them. They are, however, essential—one of the few grooming products we award that you can't live without. Finding the perfect one is imperative.
Best for Forgetful Brushers
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush
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I'm one of those people who wore braces as an adult. Invisalign was too much of a responsibility, so I went the full-commitment route with the old-school teeth chains that can't pop in and out at night. Aside from straight teeth—that I sadly let revert by not wearing a retainer for life—the two years of having my teeth on lockdown resulted in a hyper-obsessive oral-care routine. To this day, there's always a floss pick to be found in my bag. This was also when I switched from a manual to an electric toothbrush, because, well ... bread gets stuck in metal, and it's not good.
There are plenty of good toothbrushes out there. Honestly, too many. But if you're new here, take note that we recommend only the best of everything, whether that's a new cologne, our favorite kicks, or a new smartwatch to add to your collection. So if you're looking for an extensive list of toothbrushes to mull over while your teeth rot, stop reading now. If you're here to get straight to the point and find out which brush your trusted Esquire teeth experts tested and use every day, keep scrolling. The list is brief, but these are the best toothbrushes the oral-care fanatics here at Esquire stand behind.
Best for a Pro-Clean Feel
Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Pros
- Round brush head cleans better
- Pressure sensors are ideal for sensitive and receding gums
- Rechargable
Cons
- Some customers say that it's a very noisy brush
The tricky thing about manual toothbrushes is that you're most likely not using them correctly. You're probably not brushing long enough or going too hard on your gums, and there's a high chance you haven't swapped it out for a fresh one in months.
This gem from Oral-B takes care of all those manual-brushing woes for you. The round head more closely mimics the kind of clean you'd get at a dentist's office. Three cleaning modes and a built-in two-minute timer ensure proper tooth coverage and a deep clean. The icing though, is the pressure sensor that stops the head from spinning if you brush too hard around your gums.
Brush-head firmness: Soft
One customer writes: "This Oral-B Pro 1000 is amazing! My teeth have never felt cleaner, after just one use. There are 3 different cleaning modes, each one referring to how fast the brush spins. I use the medium setting, as it works best for me. I know that there are some people that are complaining about the sound being loud on this toothbrush. It's not any louder than other electric toothbrushes that I've used. Also, when I'm brushing my teeth on the medium setting and I have my TV on, I can barely even hear it. I highly recommend this toothbrush to anybody that wants a clean mouth at a reasonable price."
Best for Forgetful Brushers
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Built-in brush-head reminder
- Comes in multiple colorways
Cons
- Higher priced than other electric toothbrushes
Sonicare's brush has many of the same features as Oral-B's, but it also comes with a travel case. The pressure sensor on this brush pulses instead of shutting off like other options. And there's also a two-minute timer that buzzes every 30 seconds so you know when to move on to another quadrant of your mouth. The separator here is the built-in brush-replacement light—for those of us who can't remember what day of the week it is, much less when to replace a toothbrush head. When it lights up, get to ordering some new ones.
Brush-head firmness: Medium
Commerce editor Luke Guillory writes: "I used an older version of the Oral-B 1000 for 15 years before it kicked the bucket earlier this year. In the time after I got it at age ten, a few things have changed. One thing is that I now live with my girlfriend in a New York City apartment, and she prefers a sonic toothbrush. She took this opportunity, when I was morose and explaining how long I've had this toothbrush, to go on Amazon and switch us over. Reader ... I hate to admit that I prefer it this way.
"My worry with sonic toothbrushes was the power. I liked the oscillating because it felt like a car wash for my teeth: violent. Like it was doing something. When I cranked my Sonicare 6100 up to max power, it caught me off guard. Water, spit, and toothpaste flew everywhere. It was exactly what I wanted. Sonic brushing is more to explain to me—and my dentist says there's no tangible difference between this and my old oscillating toothbrush—but I say the future is now. Give me the space-age shit that vibrates plaque into oblivion, please."
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Best for Rough Brushers
Quip 360 Oscillating Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Now 14% Off
Pros
- Brush-head-refill subscription available
- Travel case included
Cons
- Customers disliked that it doesn't connect to the Quip app
Some brushers (it's me) prefer an industrial-strength device in order to feel like it's working. But there's a reason brushes now have built-in sensors—there is such a thing as overdoing it. Quip is the perfect middle ground. It's by no means a less intense brush; it's just smarter. The toothbrush has the round head your dentist prefers and three intensities, works for 30 days on a single charge, and has both pulsating pressor sensors and a red-light indicator for that extra nudge when you're doing too much. There's a countertop holder and a mirror-mount accessory that comes with it, too.
Brush-head firmness: Medium
One customer writes: "I love this toothbrush! The design is good-looking and it feels good in my hand. The charging dock is sleek and small, so it doesn't take up a lot of room on my counter. Compared to a manual brush, I feel like my teeth are getting cleaner with a lot less effort. The oscillating head really helps to get every nook and cranny clean. The best feature is the 30-day charging time and travel case. Traveling with it is much easier knowing that I don't have to bring the charger and the charge will last my whole trip. Love this toothbrush!"
Best Starter Electric Toothbrush
Aquasonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush
Now 50% Off
Pros
- Comes with 8 brush-head replacements
- Wireless charging
Cons
Start here if you prefer not to commit to a brush-head-replacement subscription. The brush itself has a lot of the same bells and whistles as other electric options, including a wireless charging base, a travel case, and four cleaning modes. The bonus is that the starter kit here comes with eight brush heads, so you don't have to think about ordering new ones for the next two years.
Brush-head firmness: Soft
One customer writes: "I've always been a fan of using top-brand products, especially when it comes to dental care. Over the years, I've tried several ultrasonic toothbrushes from well-known brands, hoping for that professional clean feeling. Unfortunately, most of them didn't live up to the hype. I was left disappointed as each toothbrush only lasted three to four months, leaving me frustrated with the results. That all changed when I discovered the AquaSonic Ultrasonic Toothbrush. From the very first use, it was clear this was in a league of its own! The powerful ultrasonic vibrations provide a deep, thorough clean that genuinely feels like a professional tooth cleaning every single time. What truly sets AquaSonic apart is the fresh, invigorating sensation I get after each brushing session. My teeth feel polished, my gums feel massaged, and overall, my mouth just feels so much healthier. It's the perfect balance between comfort and performance, making it an absolute pleasure to use."
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How We Chose the Best Toothbrushes
Some products naturally lend themselves to easy testing. You use your toothbrush every day (hopefully), and so do we. But because it's an item that's so routine in our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the details of how well it's working. That's where we come in. We not only used these toothbrushes every day, but we focused on the details and differences that ultimately made them stand out from the overwhelming number of options out there. We tested factors like how long the battery lasted between charges, how powerful the vibration felt, how well the bristles held up, and ultimately how clean our teeth felt after using them. After all those considerations were weighed, we compiled this list.
What to Consider
While the toothbrushes we chose have a few techy features, there are a few basic factors to keep in mind before buying a new toothbrush.
Firmness: There are three brush-firmness options: soft, medium, and firm. You'll know right off the bat if a toothbrush is too hard or soft for your liking. Your gums shouldn't feel sore after brushing, nor should your teeth feel like they aren't clean. If you're unsure what's best, we suggest going middle-of-the-road with a medium firmness, or you can always ask your dentist, who knows your mouth so well, what they suggest.
Tech Features: Toothbrushes have come a long way from the tough, skinny, basic sticks that are manual brushes. As you can see from our list, you can get a very personalized brushing experience. Consider your oral-care needs, whether that's a gentle mode, extra whitening, or the option that will remind you to replace the brush head.
Lifestyle: A couple of our top picks come with carrying cases, which could be helpful if you travel often and don't want to splurge on a second brush. If you're like most people who plan to brush twice a day from home, any of these picks will be just fine.
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Why Trust Esquire?
Here at Esquire, we test lots and lots of products every day. From the high-tech gadget to the best cologne and clothing basics. If you can't tell from our very curated list, we don't recommend anything that we don't love. Especially when it comes to things we use consistently, like toothbrushes. We consider expert input, read tons of online reviews, and consider the personal experiences of our editors when compiling this list of the best toothbrushes. All so that you can rest easy knowing these are the best options you'll find.