Our Editor-Tested Toothbrushes Make Brushing Your Teeth More Enjoyable (2024)

• Our Picks

• How We Tested

• What to Look For

• We Also Tested

• FAQ

• Why Trust Verywell Health

In our test, the GUM Technique Deep Clean Toothbrush ranked best overall, thanks to its professional-grade cleaning power and 45-degree angled handle. Its design promotes easier access to hard-to-reach areas, and the finely tapered bristles are great for removing plaque and debris to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Our tester noted the toothbrush's gentle yet effective cleaning action, without digging into the gumline or causing discomfort.

Our tester also appreciated its comfortable and easy-to-grip handle, which makes it maneuverable in tight spaces. The toothbrush's small head and fine bristles are also great for those with sensitive gums. Overall, the GUM Technique Deep Clean Toothbrush is an excellent choice for those looking for a manual toothbrush that delivers a deep clean.

The Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush impressed our tester with its six brushing modes (for instance, a light mode, whitening, and tongue setting) and pressure sensor, which protect against over brushing and gum damage. The three included brush heads allow you to customize your brushing experience, and the intelligent app tracks your usage and provides real-time brushing feedback via Bluetooth, so you know you're getting the most out of your time.

Although on the pricier side, it includes the brush, charging base, charger, USB charging travel case, three heads, and suction cup phone holder, in addition to all the special features, so it has all the bells and whistles. Our tester noted that her teeth felt incredibly clean after using the brush, and she could reach hard-to-reach areas easily. She also loved the tongue-brushing setting, which gently scrubbed her tongue and helped freshen her breath. Overall, it is an top-notch toothbrush that will make you and your dentist happy.

An affordable toothbrush that doesn't skimp on quality, the Colgate Extra Clean Full Head Toothbrush uses circular power bristles to clean teeth effectively and remove plaque. The gripped handle is comfortable to hold, and the built-in tongue scraper helps remove bacteria and freshen your breath. Our tester liked its affordable price and overall cleaning power, but found the medium bristle to be a little tough on her gums.

Fortunately, the Colgate Extra Clean Full Head Toothbrush comes in three different bristle options (soft, medium, and hard), so you can choose the one that's right for you. Other noteworthy features include an ergonomic design that helps you reach all areas of the mouth for a refreshing clean.

The Philips Sonicare 4100 is a simple electric toothbrush our tester found to be effective and gentle. Using ultrasound technology, it produces up to 62000 vibrations per minute, making short work of plaque and tartar. The built-in pressure sensors help protect your gums from over brushing, and the brush head replacement reminder alerts you when it's time for a new one. Compared to other electric toothbrushes, the battery life on this model is pretty average at around 14 days—some other models last for 30 to 60 days or more.

Our tester noted the toothbrush left her teeth feeling clean and polished after a two-minute brushing session. Overall, our tester thinks this is a quality electric toothbrush with an affordable price tag. Its simplistic design makes it easy to use, and the included charging base keeps it neatly stored on your countertop.

The Sensodyne Pronamel Medium Toothbrush is designed specifically for people with sensitive teeth and gums. It has an ergonomic handle, a solid grip, and a Duoflex brush neck that rocks and pivots to reach all the nooks and crannies in your mouth. The bristles are soft, gentle, and effective at removing plaque and debris. Our tester found the ease of use and pressure control excellent, and her teeth felt clean and fresh after a two-minute brushing session.

Other noteworthy testing insights include the durable non-slip grip and surprisingly gentle bristles—the medium bristle brush was softer than most. With more pressure control than other models, this toothbrush is a good choice for people who have sensitive teeth and gums, or those whose teeth are sensitive after using a teeth whitening kit. The only downside is that it doesn't have a tongue cleaner.

Our tester recommends the Oral-B Pro Health All In One Soft Toothbrush for gentle cleaning action that still gets the job done. The rounded, angled bristles clean deep between teeth and along the gum line, while the gum stimulators help improve blood flow—leaving you with healthy, happy gums. The bristles are set at a 16-degree angle to reach those hard-to-get-at spots better than straight bristles.

Our tester found the bristles soft and gentle on her teeth and gums but still effective at sweeping away plaque and debris. She also appreciated the extra features like the tongue cleaner for removing the lingering bacteria from the tongue surface and inside the cheeks. Overall, she thought this toothbrush was an outstanding choice for people looking for a gentle clean.

The Tom's of Maine Naturally Clean Toothbrush is made from natural, BPA-free materials that are recyclable when you're ready to replace them. Our tester found the toothbrush to be gentle yet effective, easy to maneuver around all quadrants of the mouth and an overall solid choice for people with sensitive gums. The bristles are staggered at various heights for precision cleaning around sensitive gums, and the angled brush neck helps you reach behind molars and into hidden crevices.

You'll love this toothbrush for its eco-friendly construction with a handle made 99% from renewable castor oil plants. And, when it's time to replace, simply recycle the toothbrush at the nearest Tom's of Maine TerraCycle collection program.

The Nimbus Extra Soft Toothbrush features microfine, tapered bristles that are gentle on sensitive teeth and gums. The long outer bristles clean the gum line, while the shorter inner bristles support plaque removal from the tooth surface. Our tester found the brush exceptionally soft, yet its cleaning power and precision was excellent—especially in cases of damaged enamel and sensitivities that create hot spots.

The toothbrush's ergonomic handle is designed for comfort and easy grip with a 45-degree angle. And its compact head can maneuver into the back of the mouth for a thorough clean. The Nimbus Extra Soft Toothbrush retains less water than standard nylon bristles, so it doesn't break down as quickly and can maintain its shape for longer. While it lacks a tongue or cheek cleaner, our testing team still recommends this toothbrush for anyone seeking an incredibly soft option.

The Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush stood out during testing for its no-frills design and solid cleaning capabilities. This toothbrush helps fight bad breath at its source with infused tea tree oil and magnolia bark, which minimizes bacteria growth on the bristles and in your mouth. Our tester found the toothbrush to be gentle on her gums while still delivering a deep clean, and she appreciated the slim, tapered bristles that were able to get into all the nooks and crannies of her mouth.

While it doesn't have any extra features like a tongue or cheek cleaner, the Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush makes up for it in terms of simplicity and freshness. Made from polyester instead of nylon, the bristles are less likely to harbor bacteria and hold up longer to wear and tear. The only disadvantage our tester noticed was the slightly awkward handle design, which may take some adjusting.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should you change your toothbrush?

  Experts recommend switching out their manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush heads every three to four months on average to get the best use from the device. “That’s largely because a worn toothbrush is not going to do much good in cleaning your teeth,” says Dr. Cooper. People should be on the lookout for frayed bristles, Dr. Cooper says, because that can indicate if the toothbrush needs replacing quicker than the recommended three to four months.

• What's better: a regular toothbrush or an electric toothbrush?

  A consistent debate regarding dental hygiene is whether an electric toothbrush is better for cleaning teeth than a manual toothbrush. But Dr. Cooper says it’s not necessarily about using a manual or electric toothbrush, but the technique the person uses when brushing their teeth.

  “Both are equally effective and thorough in cleaning your teeth if used correctly,” Dr. Cooper says, “and that's angling the brush at a 45-degree angle or so and sliding back and forth beneath your gums.” Proper toothbrush technique is twice per day for about two minutes, making sure to hit the top surfaces of the teeth as well as the back sides of the teeth.

• Can you clean your tongue with a toothbrush?

  Yes, you can clean your tongue with a toothbrush. However, a tongue scraper can reach further back on the tongue and may help prevent over-scraping, which can cause irritation.

  "While you can clean your tongue with a toothbrush, tongue scrapers are more effective," says Dr. Horowitz. "Tongue scrapers allow for a better clean of your tongue to get rid of more bacteria." Many toothbrushes now come equipped with a tongue cleaner on the back of the brush head. You can also purchase a tongue scraper separately.