What is the Best Electric Toothbrush in the UK? Reviews, Cost and More

This is a review of the best electric toothbrush in 2023 for the UK market. We reviewed dozens of the most popular brands, taking into consideration factors like motor power, technology features, cost and materials — both of the bristles and body.

This article includes reviews of the following:

• Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige: Best Overall
• Oral-B iO: Best for tech lovers
• Oclean X Pro Elite Smart Brush: Best noise reduction
• SmileTime Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush: Best affordable
• FOREO Issa 3: Best for gum care

We compare top brands and provide worthy alternatives, as well as real customer reviews and dentist recommendations.

This article focuses on the best electric toothbrushes in the UK for adult and teen oral hygiene. We have a separate guide to electric toothbrushes for kids.

Try the Sonicare 9900 Prestige risk-free

You can try our favorite electric toothbrush risk-free with Sonicare's Try & Buy promotion:

• Just £24.99 per month for 1 year
• Use your new Sonicare for a whole year to make sure it's a good fit
• If you love it, pay off your remaining installments for your new brush!
• If you aren't convinced, cancel your payments and return it — anytime within 12 months
• Free delivery in just 3 to 6 days

Get the Prestige now

The Best Electric Toothbrush

Best overall

Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige

Best for tech lovers

Oral B iO

Best noise reduction tech

Oclean X Pro Elite Smart Brush

Best affordable

SmileTime Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush

Best for gums

FOREO ISSA 3

Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige: Best toothbrush overall

Our top pick there is the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige. This electric toothbrush is top-of-the-range and features advanced technology to improve your oral health.

It uses Philips' patented sonic technology, which provides superior cleaning with its side-to-side brushing motion. The toothbrush also has advanced sensors that track your brushing technique and provide personalised feedback to ensure a thorough clean every time.

It offers multiple brushing modes and comes with a range of brush heads for specific purposes. The Sonicare 9900 Prestige is also compatible with the Philips Sonicare app, which provides real-time guidance and progress reports.

Philips offers a try-and-buy subscription for those who want to test the toothbrush for 12 months. Here's how it works:

1. Choose the best Sonicare toothbrush for you (including the Prestige)
2. Select your preferred payment method and choose your brush head
3. Your toothbrush will be delivered to your door in 3 to 6 days
4. Your toothbrush heads will be delivered every 3 months Monthly payments end after 12 months or when you cancel

With its exceptional cleaning performance and advanced technology, the Sonicare 9900 Prestige is definitely worth considering for anyone looking for the best electric toothbrush.

Many reviews of the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Prestige state that the app has helped users learn how to brush their teeth properly.

The Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush range offers a large number of options. If you're looking for a budget brush, the no-frills Sonicare EasyClean has one brushing mode and a timer — everything you need for a perfect clean.

Read our Sonic toothbrush reviews page for a more in-depth look at these electric toothbrushes and some similar alternatives.

Try the latest Sonicare toothbrushes risk-free!
Philips Sonicare Prestige	"Best top-tier Philips toothbrush" Removes up to 20x more plaque Luxurious USB travel charger case Award-winning toothbrush	Buy for full price (Try risk-free) Try & Buy for only £24.99/month 4.5/5
Philips Sonicare 9000	"Best mid-range Philips toothbrush" Removes up to 10x more plaque Guides you while brushing and points out neglected areas	Buy for full price (Try risk-free) Try & Buy for only £14.99/month 4.5/5
Philips Sonicare 4300	"Best budget option" Whiter teeth in just one week Safe and gentle on sensitive areas, braces and dentures	Buy for full price (Try risk-free) Try & Buy for only £4.99/month 4.5/5
Sonicare for Kids	"Best toothbrush for kids" Interactive app gets kids excited about brushing Exciting rewards for successful brushing sessions	Buy for full price (Try risk-free) Try & Buy for only £3.49/month 4.5/5

Braun Oral-B iO: Best for tech lovers

Oral-B offers a wide range of brushes, with basic models like the Vitality Plus often available for under £20 on Amazon. Mid-range models like the SmartSeries 6500 come with Bluetooth connectivity, and the most advanced is the AI-equipped iO9 brush which can precisely track how well you are brushing each tooth.

By connecting to the Oral-B App you can receive real-time brushing guidance to ensure you're reaching every part of your mouth. Your dentist can even adjust your brushing plan if there are certain teeth or areas you need to focus on.

If you're looking for more budget options, consider a basic model like the Vitality Plus often available for under £20 on Amazon. Or go mid-range with the SmartSeries 6500 that has Bluetooth connectivity.

The cheapest Oral-B electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor is the Pro 2000. Part of the brush lights up if you are putting too much pressure on your teeth. Oral-B's more premium models don't just light up but actually slow down the brushing speed if you are brushing too hard.

We have a separate article dedicated to the best Oral-B toothbrushes in the UK, which has a lot more detail about each one. For now, here's a summary of our top electric toothbrushes from Oral-B:

• Best high-tech brush: iO9 (full Oral-B iO review here)
• Next-best for tech on a lower budget: Genius X
• Best on a budget: Vitality Plus or Pro 2000 (with pressure sensor)
• Best for families: SmartSeries 6500 Double Pack (2 handles, storage for 4 heads)
• Best travel toothbrush: Pro 2 2500 (standard case) or Genius range (USB charging case)
• Best for sensitive teeth: Smart 5 5000
• Best for forming good habits: SmartSeries 6500

Oclean electric toothbrush range: Noise reduction

If you like the idea of a smart electric toothbrush but don't like the price tag of the Genius X or DiamondClean Smart, the good news is there is another option. The Oclean range of electric toothbrushes has something for everyone. Check out our reviews of the Oclean X Pro Elite and the Oclean Flow below, or read our Oclean X10 review.

The Oclean X Pro Elite includes advanced technology at an affordable price. It is a smart toothbrush that has not only app connectivity but also a touchscreen display that works even when your hands are wet.

This toothbrush, along with some of the other newer Oclean models, includes noise reduction technology, making it noticeably quieter than other electric toothbrushes.

If you're willing to take a chance on an unfamiliar brand, you might be pleasantly surprised with the Oclean X Pro Elite.

If you are looking for a budget toothbrush that is simple with no-fuss yet still professional-looking, take a look at the Oclean Flow. While it is a cheaper electric toothbrush, it includes noise-reducing technology making it quieter than many other toothbrushes.

If you are interested in learning more about Oclean full range of electric toothbrushes, read our full review here. And, if you're ready to buy an Oclean toothbrush, you can use code Dentaly10 for 10% off your order.

SmileTime Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush: Best affordable

The Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush from SmileTime is another choice for people who want to start an oral care routine but don't want to spend a lot of money. Designed with the latest sonic technology, it will clean your teeth gently and thoroughly, removing plaque buildup and discolouration.

The Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush has only one button power and mode selection and a 2-minute smart timer so you know how long to brush. Its DuPont Bristles gently massage your gums as you brush, making it a good choice for sensitive teeth.

Key features:

• 5 modes: Clean, white, polish, soft and sensitive
• Smart timer: 2-minute brushing
• Battery life: Up to one month
• Bristles: DuPont Bristles, which gently massage gums and whiten teeth as they polish
• Brush Strokes: 40,000 strokes/min
• Easy to use: One button power and mode selection

You can subscribe to automatically receive replacement heads for your SmileTime Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush every 3 months and save 10% off the retail price.

FOREO ISSA: Best for gums

The ISSA from the Swedish company FOREO combines soft silicone bristles with sonic pulse technology to create a clean that is effective on plaque but soft on gums. The original brush consists of 100% silicone bristles, while the newer ISSA 3 version (pictured) incorporates a core of PBT polymer bristles that scrub the surface of the teeth.

The materials used in this toothbrush head are resistant to bacteria, making it a more hygienic alternative to traditional nylon heads.

Reviews of this product are polarised. On the one hand, many people claim it is the best electric toothbrush for sensitive gums since the silicone material makes it almost impossible to exert too much pressure. This also helps protect tooth enamel from erosion due to over-enthusiastic brushing.

On the other hand, several people report having had reliability issues – either with the brush losing its charge or the bristles falling apart. Some people also comment that the large brush head is hard to get used to, especially if you have a small mouth.

The team at Dentaly.org tried and tested this toothbrush and you can read our full review of the FOREO ISSA toothbrush here.

If you are already considering buying a FOREO ISSA toothbrush you can get 10% off for a limited time by clicking below!

Why use an electric toothbrush?

Let's be clear on this from the outset: if you can't be bothered to brush your teeth properly, it doesn't matter how much you spend on a fancy toothbrush, you're still likely to end up with dental problems like tooth decay or gingivitis (gum disease).

Electric vs. manual

Electric or manual toothbrush? Although the quality of your oral hygiene is largely down to how you brush, not what you brush with, it seems that electric brushes do offer certain benefits.

But how is an electric toothbrush better? Well, a recent study published by the International Journal of Dental Hygiene found that power toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes, particularly those with an oscillating-rotating powered toothbrush head.

A study published in 2014 by health researcher Cochrane found that patients who used a powered brush experienced a 21% reduction in plaque after three months, compared with those who continued to use a manual brush. There was also an 11% reduction in gum inflammation (gingivitis) after this time.

More recently, a 2019 study from the Oral Health Foundation which gathered data over an 11-year period found that people who use powered toothbrushes:

• Have less tooth decay
• Have healthier gums
• Keep their natural teeth for longer

The advice from the NHS is that it doesn't matter what type of brush you use as long as you brush twice a day, clean every surface of each tooth, and use fluoride toothpaste.

Our guide to the best manual toothbrushes for adults has our top picks for manual brushes if you want to know more about those as well.

Benefits of electric toothbrushes

To summarise, any of these electric toothbrush features may help you maintain better oral health:

• Easier access to hard-to-reach teeth
• Better brushing motion for people with limited dexterity
• A timer and quadpacer to make sure you're brushing for the appropriate amount of time in each area of your mouth
• A pressure sensor to alert you when brushing too hard
• An app to track your progress and motivate you
• A smart toothbrush with technology to show exactly where you're missing
• Different brush heads for cleaning braces, sensitive teeth, etc.

How to choose an electric toothbrush

Don't assume that a cheap electric toothbrush will do a worse job of cleaning your teeth than an expensive one. Some technology may help achieve a deeper clean, but other features are only worth paying for if you'll actually benefit from them.

It's important you take the time to work out which features you really need and which are just nice to have – otherwise, you could end up paying well over the odds for your electric brush.

Battery-powered vs. rechargeable

The cheapest electric toothbrush you'll find is probably a battery-powered one that takes regular AA or AAA batteries. These are essentially the same as manual brushes but with a vibrating or rotating head.

Although these may still offer some benefits over manual brushes, they don't compare to rechargeable models in terms of the power and features they offer.

From a sustainability point of view, it's also better to buy a rechargeable brush rather than throwing away the whole unit – including batteries – every few months.

Battery-powered brushes might be a good option for kids who need some extra motivation to brush. However, if you're looking for an electric-powered toothbrush to take your oral hygiene to the next level, it's worth investing in a rechargeable model which should last a good few years.

Know your oscillating from your ultrasonic

When you start to research rechargeable electric toothbrushes, one of the first things you'll notice is the variety of different heads available. Different manufacturers use different technologies in their brushes, each one promising a better clean than the next.

Independent research on this matter is limited but tends to favour rotating-oscillating types. In the end, it may just come down to choosing the one that you find most comfortable.

Here is a quick explanation of some different terms you might come across regarding toothbrush heads:

• Rotating: The bristles turn, either as one whole circle or in individual clusters. Brush heads are usually quite small and are designed to clean one tooth at a time.
• Rotating-oscillating: Rather than spinning round and round in one direction, oscillating brushes rotate one way and then back again very quickly – as many as 8,000 times a minute.
• Counter-rotating: The head contains 6-10 tufts of bristles, each one spinning in the opposite direction to its neighbour. This style was considered revolutionary in the 90s but has since been overtaken by newer technology.
• Pulsing: The head moves back and forth against teeth to help dislodge plaque, even between teeth where the bristles can't reach. This is often paired with rotating-oscillating heads to deliver a more thorough clean.
• Side-to-side vibrating: Rather than rotating, the head moves from side to side very quickly to vibrate against teeth with an ultra-fast brushing motion. These are usually shaped like ‘normal' toothbrush heads.
• Dual-head: The head has two parts; one which oscillates and one which vibrates from side to side.
• Sonic: The brush moves at such a speed that the movements are audible. Most mainstream electric toothbrushes use sonic technology in some way, producing anywhere from 10,000 to 60,000 movements per minute. The high-speed vibrations can also push fluid between teeth to achieve interdental cleaning – this is known as a “non-contact brushing effect”.
• Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic waves, rather than physical vibrations, break down plaque. These brushes have around 1.5 million movements per second but are not widely available to purchase in the UK. Most which are advertised as ‘ultrasonic' are falsely labelled, with the exception of a few like Emmi-Dent and Megasonex. Check the vibration speed to be sure.

Two of the biggest brands on the market are Philips Sonicare and Braun Oral-B toothbrushes, Philips with sonic vibrations and Oral-B with a rotating-oscillating head.

Best electric toothbrushes UK: Summary

In the short video below, a dental hygienist explains why she recommends an electric toothbrush, and the features she herself finds useful:

We've talked about a lot of toothbrushes here! Here's a summary of some of the best electric toothbrushes in the UK to suit different budgets:

Conclusion

Remember, you don't need to spend a fortune to get cleaner teeth. Even with a manual toothbrush and good brushing techniques, you can keep your teeth clean and help prevent future dental problems — but let's face it, electric brushes are more fun!

Philips Sonicare offers some of the best electric toothbrushes on the market, most notably their top-of-the-line Sonicare 9900 Prestige. If you prefer oscillating action, the Oral-B iO is another fun brush when it comes to high-tech features. The Oclean X Pro Elite smart toothbrush also gives great value for money and a quieter motor.

We also have a guide comparing Oral-B and Sonicare electric toothbrushes, which has even more information on how to choose between these brands.

Not mentioned above, but still worth a look is the Snow LED toothbrush, which is a good brush to supplement your teeth-whitening routine. And finally, if you're looking for a natural alternative, but you still want the extra cleaning oomph of an electric brush, you can check out our guide to bamboo electric toothbrushes.

Our top pick of all is the Sonicare 9900 Prestige, for its SenseIQ technology which automatically adjusts your brushing intensity and provides real-time feedback so you can improve your brushing as you go.

Try it risk-free with the Try & Buy promotion. Use it for an entire year before you commit, with payments of just £24.99 per month. Stop payments and return your brush at any time within 12 months.

FAQs

How do you use an electric toothbrush?

The idea is that a powered toothbrush does most of the brushing work for you. There is no need for a scrubbing motion; simply hold the brush gently to each tooth for a few seconds before moving along.

How do you clean an electric toothbrush?

Running your toothbrush head under water after you've finished brushing will go some way towards removing grime. You can also wipe down the whole unit every few days.

Can you use an electric toothbrush with braces?

Yes! Braces create lots of extra places for food to get stuck, and an electric toothbrush can make the job of cleaning them much easier. Take care to avoid the hard brush head hitting your braces.

What's the best electric toothbrush for receding gums?

The FOREO Issa 3 has silicone bristles making it a great electric toothbrush option if you have receding gums, as the soft bristles help clean teeth gently and effectively.

What's the best electric toothbrush for sensitive teeth?

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, you'll probably benefit from a toothbrush that has a pressure sensor and gum care mode. The Oral-B Smart 5 is a great option if you have sensitive teeth.

Can you take an electric toothbrush in hand luggage?

Although very few airlines publish specific guidelines on this, the short answer is ‘yes'. You shouldn't have any trouble at all taking your powered brush in your carry-on luggage.

Contributors:

Amanda Napitu

Amanda specialises in writing informative content about dentistry. She has been a regular contributor to Dentaly.org since 2017, and collaborates with dozens of dentists to keep this content accurate and up-to-date.

Medically reviewed by:

Dr. Asha Ramesh

Dr. Asha Ramesh completed her Masters in Dentistry from India before moving into private practice in London. She is a registered dental hygienist with the GDC (286060). Dr. Ramesh has 20 publications in indexed journals with international and national distribution. She was an invited Keynote Speaker at the World Dental and Oral Health Congress held in London and at the Global Summit and Expo for Dental and Oral Diseases, Abu Dhabi. She has won various awards on her research topics at national and international levels. Dr. Ramesh has reviewed the above article for medical accuracy. She does not endorse or recommend any of the products featured on Dentaly.org.