Toothbrushes

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Toothbrushes

What's behind our toothbrush Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 7 models in toothbrushes to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
This is based mainly on cutting performance, handling, and ease of use. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
New head
Approximate retail price of an individual toothbrush head.
Plaque
How well each model removed plaque.
Ease of use
Represents the judgment of the panel of testers of how easy the toothbrush is to use.
Comfort
How comfortable the toothbrush is to hold and manipulate and how comfortable it is in the mouth.

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Recommended toothbrushes

Recommended toothbrushes are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended toothbrushes

Toothbrush buying guide

To find the toothbrush that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Buying guide video

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Why shop here?

In addition to finding Ratings for the latest models, you can now shop online using an ad-free interface where you can buy toothbrushes in a safe-shopping environment.

Learn more about our Price & Shop program

We tested 10 electric toothbrushes that cost from $15 to $140. Nine have rechargeable bases; one uses AA batteries. Most have built-in 2-minute timers that either signal or shut the toothbrush off after 2 minutes, plus "quadpacers" that signal every 30 seconds so that you spend an equal time on each quadrant of your mouth. If you're looking for information about toothbrushes, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ toothbrush reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our toothbrush buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and toothbrush reviews to help you choose the best toothbrush for your needs.

Ratings & recommended toothbrushes

Toothbrushes (7)

Recommended tooth brushes are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Toothbrush buying guide

Toothbrushes come in all sizes and colors--some spin and others pulsate. But a toothbrush is worthless if you're brushing incorrectly. Our ShopSmart editors consulted with Kimberly Harms, DDS, a dentist in Farmington, Minn., and a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association, on keeping your teeth healthy and when an electric toothbrush comes in handy.

Who should buy a power toothbrush? All you really need is a good soft-bristled manual toothbrush if you take the time and effort to really clean your teeth. But if you have arthritis, lack dexterity, or would like some extra power, the powered toothbrushes are wonderful.

What's the biggest brushing mistake people make? Just swishing the toothbrush around without making sure to reach all areas of the mouth. People tend to brush their teeth very quickly, and they end up missing spots, especially in the back of their mouth. And that's a real problem because plaque is full of bacteria and it can lead to gum disease and cavities.

Are there any steps you can skip if you're in a rush? I recommend that my patients brush at least twice a day and floss at least daily. I guess in a pinch you can occasionally skip one brushing. You won't suffer too much damage since it takes about 24 hours for plaque and bacteria to form on your teeth. But only occasionally!

Any products you recommend? I'm thrilled with the little Y-shaped floss picks. People don't like to floss, so I love anything that makes it easier. These floss aids help you get to those hard-to-reach spots in between teeth. I've even seen dinosaur-shaped flossers, which is very exciting because I'm seeing both kids and adults floss more. (Warning: We did the math, and floss picks cost about 4 cents apiece, about twice as much as regular dental floss costs per use.)

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