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5 Best Electric Toothbrushes (2026): Philips, Oral-B, Quip, More
The 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 oral-health ritual: two minutes of foamy, mindless maintenance twice a day (or more) that keeps the dental 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 associated 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, including budget-friendly basic options and high-tech models packed with pressure sensors and multiple cleaning modes. Each brush 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.
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Updated August 2026: I’ve added the Quip Ultra Next Generation Smart Sonic, the Quip Ultra Lite Sonic Electric Toothbrush, and the Laifen Wave Pro Electric Toothbrush. I also updated specs, prices, and links.
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Next up, I’m testing the Boka Power Brush 3.0 for $37 and the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 for $380. I’m also reevaluating Moon’s Electric Toothbrush for $70 and testing several Waterpik models for the upcoming WIRED guide to water flossers.
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; the versatility of the Philips Sonicare 4100 helped cement it as my top pick for all people. 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).
Battery life is excellent—lasting about two weeks per charge in our tests—and unlike with Oral-B models, the 4100 shuts off after the two-minute timer. It’s also designed with BrushSync technology, which tracks how long you’ve been using your brush head and how much pressure you’re applying. A light on the handle and a beep remind you when it’s time to replace the brush head—a thoughtful touch.
Unlike the Oral-B brush’s standard black and white, the Sonicare 4100 also comes in pink, azure blue, and dark forest green, which might not seem like a huge point to note, but even the smallest pop of color can make a mundane task feel a little less … mundane.