A water flosser may be the tool you’ve been looking for to take your dental care routine to the next level. Whether you have dental implants or braces or want to feel extra-fresh and ready for the dentist, the best water flosser will help you obtain a complete clean. Sara Larbi, DDS, CEO of The Dentist Lounge in Santa Monica, advises water flossers in addition to string floss to her patients. “[A water flosser] cleans below the gumline, reaching those tricky areas where harmful bacteria tend to hide.”
Our top picks:
The HomeAccessoris Institute, Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab tested 12 of the most popular water flossers on the market, sending them to 119 consumer testers who scored their performance and simplicity of use. We also asked our partner lab, Quiet Mark, to rate each model’s noise level. After collecting nearly 2,000 consumer survey responses and analyzing our in-lab testing data, we limited the possibilities to this list of the top water flossers of 2023, which includes the finest Waterpik models.
Read on for additional information on the best-tested flossers, and at the end of this article, you’ll get answers to all your questions regarding how to use water flossers, according to dental specialists. Looking for more strategies to improve your dental hygiene routine? Check out our recommendations for the best electric toothbrushes, tongue scrapers, and teeth-whitening kits.
1
PROS
- Less bulky than other countertop models
- Extra-long, retractable cord
- Quiet
CONS
- Pricey
specifications
Type
Countertop
Pressure settings
10
Tips included
3
Water capacity
20 fl oz
Quiet Mark rating
3 out of 3 stars
The Philips Sonicare water flosser aced our test, gaining 96% overall satisfaction among our customer testers for its mess-free deep cleaning, ease of use, and silence. Throughout 20 years of using water flossers, one tester rated it as their “all-time favorite” product.
Its four water stream settings (clean, deep clean, sensitive, and massage) and auto-timer location allow you to clean your gums thoroughly. “With my old flosser, I think I moved too fast between my teeth to do an effective job,” one tester admitted. I’ve completely re-learned how to use water flossers now.
The longest hose among the types we examined, the almost four-foot retractable cable and magnetic handle make it simple to use (and stow when not in use). A flip lid makes it simple to replenish the reservoir. Furthermore, if you value counter space, testers indicated they liked this model’s elegant, small-footprint design compared to other clunkier models they’d used in the past.
2
PROS
- Great price for a quality countertop model
- Cordless option
- Quiet
CONS
- Takes up more counter space than other models tested
specifications
Type
Countertop
Pressure settings
10
Tips included
6
Water capacity
22 fl oz
Quiet Mark rating
3 out of 3 stars
The Waterpik ION countertop model is simple and easy to use, with most of the functions of a high-end water flosser at a reduced price. We found it one of the quietest water flossers we evaluated, with a 3-star Quiet Mark rating. According to our testers, it also received top ratings for its ergonomic design and good between-teeth cleaning. The retractable hose reduces countertop clutter, but if you want to go cordless, the flosser also comes with a rechargeable battery. “I love that it’s wireless and that [it] can sit anywhere on my sink!” exclaimed one tester.
Change between its six tips, which include a normal jet tip. If you’re looking for the finest Waterpik for implants, a tester said it cleaned below “painlessly” and “with ease,” adding, “I have one [area] that floss cannot reach, and this made it a breeze to reach… my dentist is going to be thrilled.”
3
PROS
- Cordless and rechargeable
- Can be used in the shower
- Lightweight and compact
CONS
- Requires more frequent refills than some other models
specifications
Type
Cordless
Pressure Settings
3
Tips included
4
Water capacity
7 fl oz
Quiet Mark rating
Not yet tested
The Waterpik Cordless Advanced 2.0 is an improved version of a customer favorite that can be used anywhere (even the shower!) while still having many of the capabilities of a full-size flosser. “You won’t believe how many of my patients end up stashing their water flossers under the sink and completely forgetting about them until I remind them during their checkup,” says Dr. Larbi. Having it in the shower will keep it visible and help you remember to use it regularly.”
Though we have not formally evaluated the new Cordless Advanced Waterpik, it now features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It has a magnetic charging cord that can be put into a USB port. According to one Amazon customer, it “delivers a powerful and consistent water stream,” while another stated that “it’s light, not too bulky, and fits well in the hand.” This compact flosser has four tips, including two brush tips for cleaning around braces and releasing plaque. Because this flosser is small, you may need to stop flossing to replace it with water.
4
PROS
- Easy to clean and refill
- Can be used in the shower
CONS
- Requires more frequent refills
- Not rechargeable
specifications
Type
Cordless
Pressure settings
2
Tips included
2
Water capacity
5 fl oz
Quiet Mark rating
2 out of 3 stars
Waterpik’s cordless, space-saving variant delivers cleaning performance comparable to a full-sized Waterpik. Small, lightweight, and cordless, it’s also a terrific alternative for travel, achieving a perfect score in our testing for taking up only a little countertop space. Though it needed more frequent reservoir refills than the other types we evaluated, it had the greatest easy-fill tank among handheld devices.
Despite having only two settings, the switch simplifies changing the water pressure. It runs on three AA batteries, so you do not need to bring a charger. The reservoir carries five ounces of water (equal to 30 seconds of use) and includes a removable tank that is very easy to clean – place it on the top rack of the dishwasher.
5
PROS
- Requires fewer refills than comparable models
- Testers reported cleaner-feeling teeth
CONS
- Water reservoir may be tricky to clean
specifications
Type
Cordless
Pressure settings
3
Tips included
2
Water capacity
10 fl oz
Quiet Mark rating
2 out of 3 stars
This $40 water flosser from Smile Direct Club is an excellent choice for people looking to improve their hygiene without breaking the budget. The handheld teeth cleaning received the top rating in our ease-of-use testing due to its simple instruction booklet. Our testers liked how it was cordless, especially since it could be used in the shower. It received 98% total satisfaction for fully cleaning in between teeth. The large cordless water tank requires fewer refills than comparable machines. With a higher charge and stream than one tester’s existing flosser, they said it “felt good on my gums” and “made me feel like I was doing something better for my oral health than I was previously doing.” One disadvantage identified by the testers was that the unusually shaped water reservoir made cleaning more difficult.
6
PROS
- Multiple brush heads, including one designed for braces
- Holds large amount of water for its size
- Popular among Amazon reviewers
CONS
- Takes up more counter space than other models tested
specifications
Type
Countertop
Pressure settings
10
Tips included
7
Water capacity
22 fl oz
Quiet Mark rating
3 out of 3 stars
Waterpik’s Aquarius model is one of the best-selling water flossers on Amazon, with an average 4.6-star rating across approximately 124K+ (!) reviews. “I felt like I had professional cleaning done!” said one of our consumer testers. It comes with seven different tips, including three classics: one for plaque, one for braces, one for periodontal pockets, and one with a toothbrush head.
Its big reservoir contains up to 22 ounces of water (or mouthwash), translating to approximately 90 complete seconds of flossing time — roughly three times that of ordinary wet flossers. Because of its huge water capacity, it will take up some counter space. Fortunately, it comes in four other colors, including gray. Because it will be on your countertop, the more color options you have, the better.
How we test the best water flossers
For our most recent water flosser test, our analysts assessed the specifications of 12 water flossers in the Health, Beauty, & Sustainability Lab, as well as sending them to consumer testers (to analyze at-home use) and our partner lab, Quiet Mark (to measure the amount of noise they produce). We chose 119 persons from our consumer tester panel who reported good oral hygiene practices (such as brushing twice a day and getting a professional cleaning every six months) and already used a water flosser. The testers were requested to use the flosser every day for at least one week before filling out a survey rating the simplicity of use and performance of the water flosser and their general happiness with the gadget.
Our final selections contain options for various types of water flosser preferences, but we also followed certain qualification criteria, such as keeping the American Dental Association Seal in mind. The ADA-approved products are shown to be safe and effective, though it’s worth noting that only two water flosser companies have the ADA seal: Waterpik and Philips.
What should I look for when buying a water flosser?
✔️Cordless vs. countertop: Use a handheld, cordless water flosser for portability and adaptability. Most cordless flossers may be used in the shower, reducing mess. Consider a corded countertop type if you have the counter space because they offer larger water capacity and pressure settings. They’re also easier on the hands because the counter supports most of their weight, so all you have to raise is a light wand.
✔️Pressure settings: Some water flossers have only a few pressure levels, while others have up to ten. Some locations do extra work on the gums, whereas delicate alternatives provide a thorough clean but with a milder intensity.
✔️advice: While traditional advice is effective, certain tips serve a more specific purpose: “The ortho [tip] is what I find helpful for younger patients, especially,” Sharon Huang, DDS, stated. “A 10-year-old is unlikely to floss, which will assist them.” She claims that the ortho tip makes cleaning easier for people who lack talent or wear braces.
✔️Water tank capacity: If you choose a handheld model, remember to give up some reservoir space. Meanwhile, countertop flossers can hold 10 to 20 fluid ounces, allowing you to clean your mouth with only one fill.
What's the difference between a Waterpik and a water flosser?
Waterpik is a brand name, but water flosser is a generic term for a device that uses water to clean the mouth. Some people use the brand name Waterpik instead of the phrase water flosser because the Waterpik brand has manufactured numerous popular types of water flossers over the years. We’ve featured the best water flossers from Waterpik and other manufacturers like Philips Sonicare and Smile Direct Club in this article.
Do dentists recommend water flossers?
Yes, according to the dentists we spoke with! “I always recommend a water flosser to my patients,” Dr. Larbi explains. “They’re an excellent supplement to traditional flossing.” It’s a game changer for your complete oral care regimen.”
According to the dentists we spoke with, people with braces will undoubtedly benefit from a water flosser because the wires make it difficult to use standard floss. Water flossers, according to Sally Cram, D.D.S., a practicing periodontist in Washington, D.C., “are very good at flushing out food and debris that gets caught in and around the brackets.”
Water flossers are also an excellent choice for older people or those with limited physical dexterity. “Wrapping floss around their fingers can be uncomfortable for these people, especially if they have arthritis,” says Adam S. Harwood, D.M.D., an endodontist in New York City. Aside from these cases, dentists do not recommend abandoning regular flossing in favor of using a wet flosser.
Can a water flosser replace string flossing?
“Nothing could replace a manual floss going under the gum,” Dr. Huang explains. So, that remains the gold standard, and we should supplement it with the water flosser. [The water flosser] washes out the bacteria after you floss it out of the gums.”
“Because both [water flossing and flossing] have specific areas of effectiveness, the ideal dental hygiene program incorporates both methods,” explains Dr. Harwood. According to the dentists we spoke with, the following is a good schedule to follow:
1. First, brush your teeth.
2. to maintain your gum’s health, use classic string floss to loosen anything lodged between your teeth.
3. Finally, use a water flosser to clean everything out.
The final line is that most people should floss with water in addition to (rather than instead of) regular flossing. However, if you know you won’t use normal floss, a water flosser is preferable to nothing.
Why trust Home Accessories?
HA has more than 15 years of experience researching, producing, and editing content on skincare. It draws on the knowledge of top industry experts like dermatologists and aestheticians as well as the scientists at the Home Accessories Institute Beauty Lab. She is an authority in moisturizers and all other types of facial skincare products. April collaborates closely with the HA Beauty Lab to organize the testing of skincare products and transform test results into top-notch, enticing content for Home Accessories that is factually correct and validated by science.
Former senior editor at the Home Accessories Institute, Nicole Saporita frequently worked with specialists from the Beauty Lab.
