Table of Contents
- Best all-round water flosser Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser For Teeth Cleaning, $91 at Amazon
- Best combo water flosser and brush Waterpik Sensonic Complete Care Water Flosser + Electric Toothbrush, $200 at Amazon
- Best water flosser for beginners Viajet Ozone Oral Irrigator from $98 at Amazon
- Best cordless water flosser Philips Sonicare 3000 Water Flosser, $80 at Amazon
- Best budget water flosser COSLUS Water Dental Flosser Teeth Pick, $43 at Amazon
- Best water flosser for travel Waterpik Cordless Advanced 2.0 Water Flosser, $100 at Waterpik
One of the most important parts of oral hygiene tends to be the one we hate the most: flossing. But on busy days, flossing can feel time-consuming, and for those with sensitive gums, it can be seriously uncomfortable. Plus, it can be hard for large hands to get in the backs of the mouth to properly clean between back teeth and along your gumlines.
Water flossers are a great addition to the routine (sad to say, many dentists don’t love the idea of completely replacing string-flossing with a water flosser). It tends to be especially good for those looking to build a flossing habit, like a gateway drug for interdental health.
“They’re not a replacement for floss, but they can significantly improve hygiene when used alongside good brushing and manual interdental cleaning,” says dentist Dr. Lydia Sharples(opens in new tab) of the UK’s Bespoke Smile(opens in new tab) dental practice.
There are a lot of options when it comes to which water flosser to buy, but who knows better than dentists? We asked around, and these are the six top recommendations that came back.
Best all-round water flosser Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser For Teeth Cleaning, $91 at Amazon
“The Waterpik Complete Care water flosser and sonic electric toothbrush(opens in new tab) has been amazing for our patients,” says Dr. Jennifer Chiang(opens in new tab), family and cosmetic dentist at Sunnyvale Pediatric Dentist(opens in new tab) in Silicon Valley, California.
She points to the design of the flosser and toothbrush, which makes them easier to hold and adjust so users can hit all the right spots along the gumline and between the teeth without having to worry too much about technique.
The model “is worth the counter real estate” since its corded status allows it to have a more powerful motor than cordless water flossers, Dr. Chiang says.
The Waterpik Complete Care 5.0 Water Flosser + Sonic Electric Toothbrush(opens in new tab) is a combo system that makes keeping up with your oral routine simple. The water flosser’s PrecisionPulse technology creates a strong combo of water pressure and pulsations for a deep clean between the teeth. A large reservoir gives you over 90 seconds of flossing time, while five specialty tips and 360-degree tip rotation help reach areas that are more difficult to clean. The end result? It can remove up to 99.9% of plaque-causing bacteria.
Pros
- Efficient design with the flosser and toothbrush in same station
- Powerful, effective irrigation courtesy of PrecisionPulse technology
- Five specialty tips and 360-degree tip rotation ensure you clean those hard-to-reach spots
Cons
- The countertop design may feel bulky in smaller bathrooms
- Doesn’t have pressure settings which may not be ideal for those with sensitive teeth
Best water flosser for beginners Viajet Ozone Oral Irrigator from $98 at Amazon
“The Waterpik Complete Care water flosser and sonic electric toothbrush(opens in new tab) has been amazing for our patients,” says Dr. Jennifer Chiang(opens in new tab), family and cosmetic dentist at Sunnyvale Pediatric Dentist(opens in new tab) in Silicon Valley, California.
She points to the design of the flosser and toothbrush, which makes them easier to hold and adjust so users can hit all the right spots along the gumline and between the teeth without having to worry too much about technique.
The model “is worth the counter real estate” since its corded status allows it to have a more powerful motor than cordless water flossers, Dr. Chiang says.
The Waterpik Complete Care 5.0 Water Flosser + Sonic Electric Toothbrush(opens in new tab) is a combo system that makes keeping up with your oral routine simple. The water flosser’s PrecisionPulse technology creates a strong combo of water pressure and pulsations for a deep clean between the teeth. A large reservoir gives you over 90 seconds of flossing time, while five specialty tips and 360-degree tip rotation help reach areas that are more difficult to clean. The end result? It can remove up to 99.9% of plaque-causing bacteria.
Best water flosser for beginners Viajet Ozone Oral Irrigator from $98 at Amazon
“The best water flosser is the Viajet Ozone Oral Irrigator(opens in new tab) by Oratec,” says Dr. Lousia Correa(opens in new tab), known on Instagram as “The Queen of Smiles.”
She loves that the pick’s angle makes it easy to clean where your gums need it most” along the gumline and just below it. “Once you feel where the water jet should be to best clean, it is easy to consistently get the position and benefits,” she says.
Plus, it comes with a range of pressures, which is perfect for beginners.
“This oral irrigator has control over the intensity of the flow, allowing you to start lower when gum tissue is flabby and inflamed and gradually increasing the jet as gum tissue becomes healthy and strong,” Dr. Correa says, making it an approachable option for those starting out and those with sensitive gums and even those with sensitive gums.
The ViaJet Ozone Oral Irrigator(opens in new tab) is built to help you clean both along the gumline and just below it, which is ideal if you’re dealing with gum issues or just want a more thorough floss. It comes with five attachments to clean teeth, gums, tongue, and braces, so you’re not stuck using the same tip for everything.
Simple controls and a clear display make it easy to adjust settings as you work through your teeth. There’s also an ozone feature to help sanitize the water, plus internal tip storage and a leak-resistant reservoir to keep things neat. It’s a practical option if you want to start or step up your routine with an easy to use, straightforward device.
Pros
- Made to clean along the gumline and just below it, making it a good option for anyone who wants a deeper floss
- Comes with five tips to clean different areas so one device can cover all your needs
- Simple controls make it easy to customize water pressure
Cons
- Above-average price point
- Corded setup limits where you can use it
- With multiple tips and settings, it can take a few uses to find what works best for you
Best cordless water flosser Philips Sonicare 3000 Water Flosser, $80 at Amazon
Some people don’t love the idea of water flossers since they can get a little messy to use (operation generally requires your mouth staying open and water dribbling out). “The mess generated from other water flossers discouraged me from using them,” says Chicago-based cosmetic dentist Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes(opens in new tab).
This is where cordless flossers come in. Philips Sonicare 3000’s water flosser design makes it easy to get in every nook and cranny sans the splatter since it can be taken in the shower.
“I mostly like that I can use this in the shower,” says Moran-Kobes. “I fill it with warm water and a splash of Therabreath mouthwash and in one minute in the shower, all my interproximal areas are clean.”
The compact size, the intensity options, multiple head choices, and long battery charge all make this a valuable adjunct to my oral health routine.
Not only is the Phillips Sonicare 3000 great for convenience, but Moran-Kobes has found a host of other reasons to buy the Phillips Sonicare 3000: It’s a compact size, which doesn’t take up much space in your shower or on the bathroom counter, plus there are multiple head choices, a long battery charge, and different intensity options for your ideal clean.
Pros
- X-shaped water stream covers more area between teeth and gumline
- Battery life of more than two weeks
- Less messy than similar water flossers
Cons
- Tank size often means a mid-cleaning refill
- Relatively expensive replacement nozzles
- Lack of texture on grip means device can be slippery when wet
Best budget water flosser COSLUS Water Dental Flosser Teeth Pick, $43 at Amazon
“This is the one I bought for my daughter and would be fine for adults too,” says dentist Jonathan Neman of Neman Family Dentistry(opens in new tab) in Great Neck, NY. “It’s cheaper than the rest, and it does the same job. But more importantly, it has a rechargeable battery, a good-size water tank so you aren’t constantly refilling it, and it includes many different heads so you can see what is most comfortable.”
This budget pick still cleans great, and it’s a perfect entry into the world of water flossers if you’re not sure you want to throw down $100 on one yet. It’s perfect if you want a water flosser that will travel with you, too, thanks to its long battery life (no need to charge while away) and compact size.
Pros
- Up to 30 days of use on one charge
- Tested to be IPX-7 waterproof
Cons
- Relatively small water tank for daily use
- Fewer pressure settings than pricier models
Best water flosser for travel Waterpik Cordless Advanced 2.0 Water Flosser, $100 at Waterpik
“I prefer the Waterpik Cordless Advanced 2.0 water flosser(opens in new tab) due to its compact design, which allows it to remain conveniently on the countertop without occupying excessive space,” says Dr. Lena Varone, a cosmetic dentist at New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry(opens in new tab) who talks all things cosmetic dentistry at @drlenavarone(opens in new tab).
Added bonus? “This model is also easily portable, making it ideal for travel,” she says.
Plus, if you’re working on getting into a water-flossing habit, leaving this unobtrusive model out on your counter could be the visible reminder you need to pick up the pick.
“I find that larger water flossers, when stored away, are used less consistently,” says Varone.
If you’re just starting out or have sensitive gums, Varone likes that this one has a wide range of water pressures to help your gums get healthy.
“I love that it offers three pressure settings that range from gentle to strong, which allows for a more customized experience,” says Varone. It’s especially good for people with sensitive gums or for areas that require increased pressure to clean more effectively, she adds.
This Waterpik does the same great job as its corded brethren, just without the hassle of a cord. Sure, you have to refill it once or twice, but if you don’t see that being a problem, dentists don’t either. Waterpik’s cordless Advanced 2.0 water flosser(opens in new tab) removes up to 99.9% of plaque bacteria, the stuff that causes gingivitis, cavities, and bad breath, and it’s been clinically proven to be up to twice as effective as string floss for improving gum health and getting rid of both those baddies.
Pros
- Comes with four flossing tips and three pressure settings for custom clean
- Ready for travel with included microfiber bag and water plug
- Uncomplicated charging with four-hour magnetic system
Cons
- Have to refill water tank mid-clean (lasts up to 45 seconds)
- Magnetic charger can be bulky
- Above-average price point