Electric toothbrushes & flossers
Sonic, oscillating or water flosser: understand the tech, then choose.
Sonic and oscillating toothbrushes and water flossers compared on what the makers state: movements per minute, modes, pressure sensor, battery days and whether the charger fits a UK shaver socket.
Our top picks
All buying guides- OSCILLATINGBest electric toothbrushes with gentle modes and pressure sensors
Oral-B iO6: Sensitive and Super-Sensitive modes, display
Sensitive and Super-Sensitive modes · Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - SONICBest electric toothbrushes with a charging travel case
Sonicare Next-Gen 9900 Prestige: SenseIQ, 8 modes, display
SenseIQ adapts intensity · 3
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - SONICBest electric toothbrushes with a charging travel case
Sonicare DiamondClean Prestige 9900: USB charging case
Prestige USB charging case · USB lead and wall adapter included
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - OSCILLATINGBest electric toothbrushes under £300
Oral-B iO9: 7 modes, 3 heads, charging travel case
7 · Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Brush-head planner
Open the planner →Heads a year
8
4 per person
Packs a year
2
of 4 heads
Next change
pick a date
every 3 months
Based on the NHS advice to replace a brush or head every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles are worn.
Topics
Every topic on the site, tile by tile.
- Choosing an electric toothbrushModes, pressure sensors, apps and timers: how premium electric toothbrushes differ and what each feature does.
- Sonic toothbrushesPhilips Sonicare and other sonic brushes explained by movements per minute, modes and brush heads.
- Oscillating toothbrushesThe Oral-B iO range and its round heads, magnetic drive, display and smart pressure ring explained.
- Water flossersCountertop and cordless water flossers and brush-and-flosser combos compared on pressure, tank and tips.
- Brush heads and replacementsWhich heads fit which handle, how often to change them and the genuine versus compatible question.
- Charging, battery and travelBattery days, chargers, UK shaver sockets, travel cases and taking a toothbrush on a plane.
Common problems
Flashing lights, weak buzzing, chargers that will not charge: causes and fixes.
- Flossing or charging faultWaterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 flossing mode not starting, leaks at the head or charging faults? Practical checks for the brush and flosser combo.
- Motor runs, no waterWaterpik water flosser not pumping water? Work through air locks, tip seating, limescale in the valve and handle leaks, and know when to contact Waterpik.
- Will not start or buzzes weaklyPhilips Sonicare not working? Check the battery, travel lock, head fitting and easy-start, then fix weak or odd buzzing before a warranty claim.
- No battery light on the chargerPhilips Sonicare not charging? Check the socket and shaver switch, seat the handle properly, clean the contacts, allow for deep discharge, and match the charger.
- Handle will not chargeOral-B iO not charging? Check the magnetic base, the socket, a flat battery and the reset, then use the warranty route if the handle still will not charge.
- Unsure what a light meansWhat the red, white and green pressure ring on an Oral-B iO means, what battery and charging lights show, and how to change the ring colour on display models.
- Battery runs down fastElectric toothbrush not holding charge or not working? How battery age, charging habits and modes affect run time, what to check, and when a replacement makes sense.
Calculators
Small planners that do the counting for you.
Comparisons
- Waterpik vs Philips Sonicare Power FlosserWaterpik vs Philips Sonicare Power Flosser: countertop and cordless models compared on pressure settings, tank size, tips, charging and cleaning.
- Waterpik Ultra Professional vs AquariusWaterpik Ultra Professional vs Aquarius: two countertop water flossers compared on pressure settings, modes, timer, reservoir and tips in the box.
- Water flosser vs string flossWater flosser vs string floss compared: how each cleans between teeth, time per session, ongoing costs and what NHS guidance says about cleaning gaps.
- Water flosser vs interdental brushesWater flosser vs interdental brushes: how each cleans between teeth, sizing brushes, pressure settings on flossers, and what you buy each year.
- Water flosser vs electric toothbrush: do you need both?Water flosser vs electric toothbrush: what each is designed to do, why one does not replace the other, and combo units like the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0.
- Sonic vs oscillating electric toothbrushesSonic vs oscillating electric toothbrushes explained: how each head moves, round vs oval heads, noise, feel and which brands use each technology.
Buying guides
Focused guides to one type of brush or flosser each, compared on what the listings state.
- Best electric toothbrushes with gentle modes and pressure sensors
- Best electric toothbrushes with a charging travel case
- Best electric toothbrushes under £300
- Best electric toothbrushes in the UK: premium models compared
- Best smart toothbrushes with an app
- Best sonic electric toothbrushes
- Oral-B iO models compared: iO7, iO8, iO9 and iO10
- Philips Sonicare models compared: DiamondClean 9000, Smart and Prestige
Guides & advice
- Toothbrush pressure sensors explainedHow electric toothbrush pressure sensors detect force, what happens when they trigger on Oral-B and Sonicare, and which models show it with lights or a display.
- Electric toothbrush modes explainedDaily clean, sensitive, intense, whitening, gum care and tongue modes on Oral-B and Sonicare brushes: what changes in speed, pattern and time in each one.
- Taking an electric toothbrush on a planeCan you take an electric toothbrush in hand luggage? Lithium-ion battery rules, travel locks, cases and charging abroad, with pointers to your airline and gov.uk.
- Philips Sonicare brush heads explainedThe Philips Sonicare A, C, G, W and S head families, what the numbers mean, how BrushSync chips work and which Sonicare handles each click-on head suits.
- Oral-B iO brush heads explainedOral-B iO Ultimate Clean, Gentle Care and Radiant Shine heads compared, what differs between them, and why iO heads do not fit older Oral-B handles.
- Is the Oral-B iO worth it?Is the Oral-B iO worth it over a cheaper Oral-B? What the magnetic drive, display, smart pressure ring and app add, and what to weigh up on head costs.