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Best Water Flossers

Updated November 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Waterpik Aquarius Professional Water Flosser
Waterpik
Aquarius Professional Water Flosser
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33% Off Now
Bottom Line

Our team found this premium Waterpik has plenty of bells and whistles to offer a thorough yet enjoyable flossing experience.

Pros

Offers 10 convenient pulse settings to accommodate all users, delivering a whopping 1,400 pulses per minute. During trials, we really loved how many different tips it came with so that our team could customize it to their liking. Comes in a variety of colors to match any aesthetic.

Cons

We really dislike how loud it is even on the lower-intensity settings.

Best Bang for the Buck
Aquasonic Aqua Flosser
Aquasonic
Aqua Flosser
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Best for Traveling
Bottom Line

This water flosser is cordless and highly portable, making it perfect for traveling.

Pros

It’s clinically proven to be up to 5 times more effective than traditional flossing. There are 3 usage modes and it comes with 4 tips and a travel bag. It comes in white or black.

Cons

It doesn’t hold much water so you need to stop and refill it to clean your whole mouth.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser
Waterpik
Cordless Advanced Water Flosser
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Portable Convenience
Bottom Line

With its cordless design and straightforward operation, this is an easy-to-use tool to level up your oral hygiene.

Pros

Water flosser has 4 different tips, 3 pressure settings, and a magnetic charger that offers a long battery life. Does not make too much noise. Comes with a soft travel bag, a case for the flossing tips, and a water plug. Dishwasher safe.

Cons

The water reservoir is pretty small.

Bitvae Smart Oral Irrigator
Bitvae
Smart Oral Irrigator
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

An affordable water flosser that features a few modes for finding your preferred cleaning setting and works great for use on the go.

Pros

Cordless design. Has a suitably-sized water reservoir, and the battery provides 3 hours of use time. Comes with 6 tips, 3 mode options, and a tongue scraper. Flosser is comfortable to hold and easy to travel with. Available in multiple colors.

Cons

A few users felt that it was too powerful, even on the lowest setting.

Philips Sonicare Power Flosser & Toothbrush System 7000
Philips
Sonicare Power Flosser & Toothbrush System 7000
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Full Kit
Bottom Line

An all-in-one kit that we loved during trials thanks to its ability to ensure you get the best of flossing and brushing in a single place.

Pros

The brush comes equipped with a variety of intensity settings and a travel charger for taking it on the go. The flosser has 10 different intensity settings and we love how customizable those settings were thanks to the 3 different brush heads. Both the brush and flosser were easy to hold and left our teeth feeling clean.

Cons

The entire set-up is a bit large so those with smaller counter spaces may want to steer clear.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
113
Consumers
Consulted
10
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best water flossers

Whether you floss regularly or not, brushing and flossing are vital to maintaining a healthy smile. In fact, some dentists maintain that it’s actually worse to skip flossing than to skip brushing. Not everyone likes to use traditional string floss to remove plaque and food between the teeth, though, and this is where a water flosser comes in.

Water flossers are an alternative to string floss, using water pressure to remove food particles between the teeth. Water flossers are a relatively recent development in dental hygiene, but nowadays, there are many to choose from in stores and from online marketplaces like Amazon.

Before you place that water flosser in your cart, there are a few factors to think about. For example, you’ll want to consider the water flosser’s battery life, water pressure, portability, and cost. Also consider your own needs, especially if you have arthritis, braces, or other dental work. 

Water flosser on bathroom countertop
Before you invest in a countertop water flosser, make sure you have enough space in your bathroom. If your sink does not have a lot of surface area, consider using a small table or stool for the reservoir to rest on. 

Why get a water flosser?

Also known as water irrigation, water flossing was developed in the early 1960s. By 1975, the company WaterPik was leading the pack of water flosser makers.

Traditional string floss can be uncomfortable, especially if you’re not in the habit of using it regularly. For some people, it causes mild bleeding or gum irritation. What’s more, there are areas of the mouth — like the back molars – that can be hard to reach manually. 

Flossing can be even more difficult for those with dental work such as braces, permanent bridges, or crowns. But a water flosser easily accesses hard-to-reach spots, washing away food particles between wires, lodged in back molars, and in between bridges. The water pressure is gentle and won’t irritate sensitive gums. 

How water flossers work

Water flosser components

Most water flossers have several main components: a reservoir, handle, cord, and tip.

The reservoir holds the water source. It consists of a base with power and water pressure controls as well as a container for storing water

The handle is what you hold to (gently) manipulate the direction of the water. Some handles include an on/off switch

Corded models connect the handle to the reservoir base via a cord.

The tip twists onto the handle. Many water flossers come with multiple tip styles, each designed to serve different dental needs.

Step one

You’ll need a water source to use your flosser. Usually, a bathroom faucet works just fine. Fill the reservoir container with water before use.

Step two

Prepare the handle by placing one of the tips on the handle. 

Note: The first time you use a water flosser, you’ll need to prepare the pump. Turn the water pressure on the reservoir base to the highest setting. Then, activate the power switch on the handle. Angle the handle and tip into the sink, then turn on the power switch located on the reservoir base. Water should flow from the tip into the sink.

Step three

Once your water flosser is working, you can customize it to your liking. It’s best to start with the lowest pressure setting. Lean over your sink, and place the water flosser tip in your mouth. Your mouth should be mostly closed with the tip angled toward your gum line. Allow the water to fall from your mouth and into the sink as it removes debris along your teeth. Adjust the water pressure as needed. 

Step four

When you’re finished, turn off the power switch. Remove the tip from the handle, and store it in a safe place. A lot of water flosser reservoirs have built-in storage for the handle and tips.

Best Water Flossers-Staff Tip-1
Staff Tip
Tips with bristles, like plaque-seeker tips and toothbrush tips, should be replaced as often as you’d replace a toothbrush. Swap them out for new ones every three months.
Staff
BestReviews

Important water flosser features to consider

Water pressure

Different water flossers offer different amounts of pressure. Water pressure is indicated by PSI, or pounds per square inch. The higher the number, the more intense the pressure is. 

Most countertop water flossers have a higher water pressure range than cordless water flossers, although several exceptions exist.

In general, you can expect a water flosser’s pressure to range from 10 PSI and 110 PSI. Using a higher water pressure regularly (60 PSI+) helps maximize cleaning.

Water flosser tips

Any worthwhile water flosser will come with several different tip types, each meant for different dental needs.

Classic tips: Classic tips are suitable for everyday use. They’re best for people with fairly average teeth and non-extensive dental work. The classic water flosser tip is the most used and versatile water flosser tip.

Periodontal tips: Periodontal water flosser tips are designed for people with gum disease. Periodontal pockets are gaps around the teeth and below the gum line. They’re a classic sign of gum disease and quite vulnerable to bacterial growth and infection. Periodontal tips reach deep into the pockets to blast away plaque, accessing areas a regular toothbrush can’t.

Orthodontic tips: Orthodontic water flosser tips are designed to work around orthodontic structures, such as braces. Comparatively, they can remove more plaque and debris than string floss.

Plaque-seeker tips: These tips target plaque removal and include bristles to reach around crowns, implants, bridges, and other areas that are more likely to develop plaque.

Toothbrush tips: As the name suggests, these tips have a built-in toothbrush function. They don’t look much different from an electric toothbrush. With the water flossing feature, toothbrush tips wash away particles as the brush bristles loosen them.

Countertop vs. cordless

Traditional water flossers are “countertop water flossers,” meaning a cord connects the handle to a water reservoir. Countertop water flossers have a wider range of water pressures than their cordless counterparts, are more powerful overall, hold a lot of water, and often have storage space for the tips and handle. Countertop water flossers aren’t portable, however, and they require a bit of space to work properly.

Cordless water flossers are a portable alternative to countertop water flossers. They’re suited for travel, take up little space, and don’t require an outlet. On the other hand, cordless flossers have lower water pressure and a smaller water reservoir. There’s also no built-in storage for tips. 

Battery life is also something to consider. Water flossers powered by AA batteries will need new batteries every couple of months, whereas water flossers with rechargeable batteries will need a charge every week to every few months. 

Design

Water flossers are meant to be “function first, style second.” Most have the same sleek design with slight color variations. Silver, white, and gray are dominant color choices, although water flossers for kids might feature bright colors like pink, green, blue, or purple on the handle and reservoir base. 

Water flossers are a great choice for people with arthritis in their hands who struggle to use string floss regularly.

Staff
BestReviews

How much do water flossers cost?

Inexpensive 

These days, there are water flossers available in every price range. We recommend investing in a pricier one if you have the means because the quality is likely to be better. On the lower end, you can find water flossers between $15 and $35. Most of these are cordless, and the cheapest ones are likely to have battery power. The number of included tips may be limited.

Mid-range

If you spend in the $35 to $75 range, you’re more likely to find a quality water flosser that can last for several years. This price range includes both cordless and countertop water flossers along with a range of tip options.

Expensive 

If your budget has some breathing room, spending greater than $75 can get you a professional-quality water flosser. These flossers have bonus capabilities, such as enhanced plaque removal, several tips, and a handle that can rotate 360 degrees.

Best Water Flossers-Staff Tip-2
Staff Tip
Water flosser tips are prone to mineral build-up and must be cleaned every few months. You can do this by soaking the tips in a simple mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water.
Staff
BestReviews

Tips

  • Water flossing doesn’t replace brushing. You still need to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing your teeth will remove food, plaque, and tartar on the main surfaces of your teeth. Water flossers are meant for the gum line only. 
  • Aim for once a day. Same with string floss: Water floss once a day for the best results. 
  • Don’t forget to change the tips. Depending on the manufacturer and the type, tips should be changed out every three to six months.
Cleaning teeth with water flosser
Water flossers are meant for the mouth only. Don’t use it to clean any other cavities in your body, as you risk causing damage. 

FAQ

Q. Are water flossers FSA eligible?

A. They can be, but it’s not a given. If a dentist says you need a water flosser because of a particular oral condition, then you’d qualify for an FSA reimbursement.

Q. Can water flossers damage fillings?

A. Water flossers are pretty gentle, so it’s unlikely that they would damage fillings. Since you’re aiming for your gum line anyway, your fillings should be unaffected.

Q. Do water flossers remove plaque?

A. Water flossers can help with some plaque removal, but your best bet is to pair your water flosser use with regular brushing.

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