5 Best Water Flossers for a Deep Dental Clean
Flossing. Whether you love it or dread it, you need it. So why not do it with one of the best water flossers? A nifty departure from traditional string floss, water flossers (otherwise known as oral irrigators) give your teeth that professionally cleaned feeling at home — with plenty more control over how the purging happens. While these devices cost a lot more than your standard container of dental floss, they serve up an array of pressure settings and speeds, and come in different sizes and shapes, so you can find one that makes the investment worth it.
While string floss does the trick, go ahead and try any one of the best water flossers to mix up your routine and, hey, maybe even motivate yourself to get a little more up close and personal with your pearly whites.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser, $100
- Best Waterproof: Quip Rechargeable Water Flosser, $70
- Most Versatile: Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000, $80
- Best Deal: Amazon Basics HydroClean Cordless Water Flosser, $30
- Best Battery Life: Burst Water Flosser, $70
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do water flossers do?
- Who are water flossers best for?
- Are there any other flossing alternatives?
Best Overall: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
Why It's Worth It: Anything Waterpik puts out is a safe bet, so that leaves you with a lot of choices. The Aquarius Water Flosser is just as good a place to start as it is to end because this is the only device you'll ever need to clear up your canine crevices — in addition to a toothbrush, of course. It includes pulse-modulation technology, which helps tackle plaque and stimulate circulation in the gums (hello, massage setting). Just so you know, Waterpik as a brand is highly recommended by dental professionals, and this model — and all of the brand's others — is approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Editor Tip: The device features a timer that runs for 1.5 minutes, so you'll know just how long to floss.
Key Specs: 7 flosser tips, 10 pressure settings, timer, 10 to 100 PSI pressure (pounds per square inch), ADA-approved
More to shop from Waterpik:
- For a cordless option: Waterpik Cordless Advanced, $100
- A sleeker pick: Waterpik ION Water Flosser, $100
- If you want to splurge: Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 Professional Flossing Toothbrush, $200
Best Waterproof: Quip Rechargeable Water Flosser
Why It's Worth It: In 2022, Quip made a splash in the oral world with its sleek electric toothbrush (a Best of Beauty winner), and we're pleased to say it's now a bonafide member of the water flosser game. The Quip Rechargeable Water Flosser brings that same elegant energy to your mouth without sacrificing any power in the process. It has a 360-degree rotation, a magnetic tip that snaps into place, a battery lasts up to eight weeks, and a subscription-optional plan that delivers fresh floss tips to your door every three months. Pair it with one of their iconic toothbrushes and call it a high-quality cleaning.
Editor Tip: When filling up the reservoir on this water flosser, ensure your faucet is running at a gentle flow to get just the right level.
Key Specs: Magnetic tip attachment, eight-week charge life, USB charger, two pressure modes, two water flow modes, ADA-approved
Most Versatile: Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000
Why It's Worth It: Philips has made everything from beard trimmers to light bulbs to baby bottles and, since the pandemic, cordless water flossers (yay). This option, the Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser, delivers a powerful stream of water that gets in between each tooth for a super clean feel. Despite the strong flow, this thing is quiet so as not to bug the flossers and brushers with whom you're sharing your sink. The pulse wave technology guides you from tooth to tooth during your flossing, and the X-shaped water stream covers a plentiful surface area. And you know that old saying, right? A minute of water flossing a day keeps the dentist from being mad at you!
Editor Tip: You can use this water flosser in the shower, which would take your everything shower to an entirely new dimension.
Key Specs: 2 flosser tips, USB charging cable, 3 intensity levels, 2 flossing modes, 14-day battery life, ADA approved.
Best Deal: Amazon Basics HydroClean Cordless Water Flosser
Why It's Worth It: There's no basic like an Amazon basic. Thus, the Amazon Basics HydroClean Cordless Water Flosser is an excellent, affordable option for people looking to try water flossing for the first time or water flosser lovers shopping for their first cordless option. It's easy to clean and portable, and the flexible tip makes tricky spots easier to reach.
Editor Tip: This battery-powered model is a good choice if you lack bathroom counter space or an easy-access outlet for USB charging.
Key Specs: 2 pressure settings, battery-powered (AA), 360-degree rotating tip, 30 seconds of water capacity, ADA-approved
Best Battery Life: Burst Water Flosser
Why It's Worth It: Whether you use the Burst Water Flosser instead of string floss or in addition, you'll appreciate the super clean feeling it helps you achieve and how it feels in your hand. The water stream is strong but not painful, the rotating tip handles plaque all over, and one overnight charge lasts 80 days. It's easy to fill but still water-resistant in case you turn the faucet on a little too fast. Oh, and it also comes with a silky gray travel bag.
Editor Tip: The brand recommends filling the tank with lukewarm or warm water for the most comfortable flossing experience.
Key Specs: 1 flosser tip, 3 pulse settings, 360-degree rotation, USB rechargeable, 80-day battery life, travel case included
Frequently Asked Questions
What do water flossers do?
Water flossers are an equally effective alternative to standard string floss, but rather than a piece of nylon or Teflon thread, they use a stream of water to clean in between your teeth. Chrystle Cu, DDS, a board-certified dentist in San Mateo, California, and Cocofloss founder spoke to Allure to explain how these tools do their thing. “These electronic devices shoot out a powerful stream of water that you can use to clean between your teeth and along your gumline,” says Dr. Cu. “They can take some getting used to and can be messy. For some people, they provide a good alternative to string floss — as long as you use them correctly.”
Who are water flossers best for?
Traditional floss may not work for everyone, and water flossers are a fantastic alternative. “Water flossers are especially great for [people who have] multi-unit dental restorations like bridges and implant-supported dentures with large areas of food impaction,” says Dr. Cu. They can also be helpful for people with manual dexterity issues or people with orthodontia like braces for whom using traditional floss is a struggle.
Are there any other flossing alternatives?
Dr. Cu is also a proponent of a third flossing option: interdental brushes. "Interdental brushes are itty-bitty cylindrical brushes with a handle and 360 degrees of bristles, kind of like a micro bottle brush," she explains. "These scrubby floss alternatives can be especially helpful if you have trouble flossing or if you have larger gaps between your teeth due to gum recession." No matter how you choose to floss, water, string, or interdental, it's critical to do so before you use your toothbrush.
More dental content we adore:
- 9 Best Teeth Whiteners for Sensitive Teeth, According to Dentists
- 9 Best Flosses That'll Upgrade Your Dental Care Routine
- 15 Best Electric Toothbrushes Ever, According to Dentists
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