Electric Toothbrush

Key Features of the Best Electric Toothbrushes

• Rotational Heads

  Firstly, look for brushes with rotating heads, preferably at the highest possible speed. These heads will let you clean individual teeth with precision, and to get in between teeth to remove debris. Cheaper models will only have side-to-side heads, which are much less effective.

• Sensitive Mode

  Many of the best electric toothbrush models come with “sensitive mode”, which modulates the brush vibration speed to suit more delicate enamel. If you suffer from toothache, these brushes could deliver excellent cleaning power without worrying too much about tooth surface damage.

• Daily Clean Mode

  Part of almost all modern electric toothbrushes, Daily Clean modes tend to last for around 2 minutes - the recommended brushing duration for most users. However, not all brushes give you a sonic notification to move around the mouth.

• Timers

  Very few people clean their teeth for the recommended 2-3 minutes. However, if your electric brush is equipped with a timer, you can set it to automatically inform you when the time is up – a good prompt to encourage better oral health. And interval timers are even better, telling you to move between areas of the mouth for better coverage.

• Apps and Bluetooth

  Advanced models like the SoniCare (from Phillips) and the latest Oral B electric toothbrush models will have the ability to connect to smartphone apps which track your brushing history, providing guidance about where to brush more (or less). This comes with a price boost, but can deliver impressive results.

• Grip and Ergonomics

  It doesn't matter how many smart features a toothbrush has, if you can't hold it comfortably it won't work. Look for ergonomic designs with grips that fit your hand shape, and slimline handles that are light and easy to manipulate.

• Charge and Battery life

  Another nuts and bolts issue that really matters is charge. All electric toothbrushes need to be charged, but they vary in terms of how much charge they retain and how long it lasts. Look for 2 weeks if you can find it – especially if you need a brush for travelling.

• Pressure Sensors

  More advanced models like the Oral-B iO come with pressure sensors which can tell when you are pushing too hard, and potentially damaging your teeth or gums. If you are worried about your technique, these brushes are a must-have option.

• Price

  As ever, electric toothbrushes vary enormously in terms of price (and value for money). Even single brands like Oral B offer prices ranging from around £20 to over £200. If you just need efficient cleaning without the bells and whistles, opt for cheaper models. You can still enjoy excellent cleaning performance – with a marginal loss of convenience.

• Brands

  Oral-B and Philips are the two biggest electric toothbrush brands and both offer a range of budget, mid-range and premium models. Spotlight is smaller brand specialising in "deep cleaning" sonic models and may also be worth a look. And Curaprox is another smaller alternative that many dentists recommend.