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Oct 24, 2024

The 7 Best Water Flossers, Tested by Editors

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The best water flossers offer powerful yet gentle water pressure, multiple

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

The best water flossers offer powerful yet gentle water pressure, multiple settings, and features like a rechargeable battery and easy-to-fill reservoir.

Brian T. Luong, DMD, is an orthodontist at Anaheim Hills Orthodontics and Santa Ana Orthodontics and Chief Dental Officer at Become Aligners.

Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.

In This Article

Health / Joy Kim

Whether you’re battling plaque buildup, struggling with braces, or just want a more comfortable way to floss, a water flosser can be a game-changer in your daily routine. According to Cheryline Pezzullo, DDS, Director for Community-based Programs at NYU College of Dentistry, water flossers are small powered devices that use water pressure to clean between teeth and around the gum line, removing plaque and other buildups that can cause inflammation, gum disease, and cavities.

To find the best water flosser for you, Dr. Pezzullo recommends looking for models with adjustable pressure settings, easy-to-clean reservoirs, a variety of nozzle tips for personalized cleaning, and the American Dental Association (ADA)’s seal of acceptance.

From compact travel options to high-powered models that tackle the toughest buildup, we tested 32 water flossers from top brands like Waterpik and Aquasonic. We evaluated them based on effectiveness, ease of use, settings, and overall value to bring you the top options for every need. An orthodontist on our Medical Expert Board reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy.

I’m a Commerce Editor at Health, and as someone who prioritizes dental health, the Sonic Fusion 2.0 water flosser is a small change that has made a big difference in my oral hygiene. It lets me brush, floss, or do both simultaneously, streamlining my routine while providing a comprehensive clean. The combination of sonic brushing and targeted water pressure effectively removes plaque and debris, making my mouth fresher and my gums healthier.

-Lauren Paige Richeson, Commerce Editor

We found the Waterpik Aquarius a solid flosser, not too complicated or too simplistic, with a long-lasting water tank that allowed us to get all the gunk out of our teeth without feeling rushed. We found it superbly effective because our teeth felt spotlessly clean after using it, even when we opted for the lower, more gentle settings.

One of the toughest things about using a water flosser, if you have braces, is that it can be hard to manipulate, especially for kids who might have trouble managing a larger-size flosser. But we think the Aquarius's smaller handle would be perfect for kids (or those with smaller hands, in general).

We were impressed with the settings on the Aquarius, too. It features ten pressure settings, which are adjustable on the flosser base, a timer that alerts you after both 30 and 60 seconds of use, and seven nozzle tips for different purposes (or family members). If you want a countertop water flosser with a long-lasting reservoir and don't mind sticking close to the sink while you floss, the Aquarius is a standout from Waterpik.

Health / Joy Kim

While we we're first impressed with it's price, the Aquasonic Aqua Flosser proved to be a great water flosser in many ways. Ergonomics—how comfortable the water flosser is to hold and operate—is so important, and that's just one area where this Aquasonic model really excels. With its easy-to-operate on-off switch and how simple it was to toggle between settings mid-use, we think it is well designed and has a nice shape to the handle.

When it comes to separating good water flossers from great water flossers, pressure settings and reservoir size are important factors. While it only has three settings they are effective and get the job done. The pulse mode, in particular, was one of our favorites—it did an excellent job getting gunk out from in between our teeth.

To get a thorough clean, you need a flosser with a large enough tank that won't require refilling or cut your session short before you can reach every nook and cranny of your mouth. We are incredibly impressed with the tank size on the Aquasonic chiefly because it is a cordless design—typically, cordless models sacrifice tank size to be compact enough to handle. Plus, we found the tank easy to fill. Finding a cordless water flosser that's high-powered and has a tank long enough to last through an entire cleaning session is a tall order. And at this price, we don't think you can do better.

Health / Tamara Staples

If you've never used a water flosser before and aren't sure if it's right for you, a basic cordless option is the best way to experiment with a flosser without the commitment of a more complicated unit. The Waterpik Cordless Advanced's lightweight, minimalist design is for anyone new to water flossing.

We found the reservoir easy to fill, and the water lasted much longer than the 45 seconds indicated on the package. We also like that it was easy to set up the product, and using it is very intuitive. However, with only three pressure settings, the Waterpik Cordless Advanced doesn't offer a highly customized experience. It did a decent job cleaning our teeth—in some tests, we felt like our teeth were thoroughly cleaned after a minute, while in others, we noticed some residue and thought there was a little too much water to manage in our mouths. While it might be too simplistic for some, we recommend the Waterpik Cordless Advanced for first-time users and anyone concerned that string floss alone isn't providing enough benefit to their oral care routine.

We found the MySmile to be a uniquely user-friendly experience, thanks to its digital design and travel-friendly features. Throw in a free travel pouch, and you get a water flosser perfect for stashing in a bag or suitcase and taking it with you wherever you're going.

Although the MySmile is battery-powered and compact, it still manages to include a 350-milliliter tank, which is the largest of all the cordless flossers we tested. That means you get more use out of the flosser before needing to refill but for roughly the same size and cost as other flossers featured here.

We appreciated the digital features of the MySmile, which made the operation much easier: We can see the water temperature, pressure settings, and battery life at a glance, elevating the appearance and the actual usage of the flosser beyond some others we tried. We also like the variety of nozzle attachments, especially the one with the bristle brush; using it felt like brushing and flossing at the same time.

One area where the MySmile came up a little short was the ease of use; we found changing the pressure settings to be a little confusing and weren't sure whether to use the "soft" setting or the "child" setting for the lowest pressure. But this didn't affect how well the MySmile worked—it gave us that "totally clean" feeling, and the digital design truly heightened our experience in testing.

As an electric toothbrush and flosser in one, the Sonic Fusion 2.0 allows you to brush, floss, or do both at the same time—and we found it super easy to toggle back and forth between settings, making it a clear choice for best electric toothbrush-water flosser combo.

The unit features a large reservoir but is still compact, a rarity in countertop flossing units. It's downright sleek and is designed to look nice on your bathroom counter, in addition to being a solid water flosser.

The Fusion doesn't just look good, either: We found it both effective and easy to use. Whether we're using the pik flosser or the toothbrush (or both), the Sonic Fusion left our mouths feeling instantly clean, as if they had just had their teeth scrubbed by a professional.

We also like that the interface is simple to navigate, with a dial to control the pressure setting to specific levels and more convenient handheld-based controls to adjust function settings when switching from brushing to flossing. If you don't have time to mess around with an entirely separate oral care device, the Sonic Fusion performs both functions well and saves time.

We found the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000 to be the best pick for those with braces because it was extremely efficient in cleaning our entire mouth thoroughly. Our test came after indulging in some nachos, and we were pleased to find that our mouths felt completely clean afterward.

The setup process was straightforward. We started by plugging in the base, followed by filling the reservoir. The lid is attached easily and secured well. The instructions provided were clear and helpfully included guidance for cleaning with braces, which we appreciated. This model boasts a 'Clean' and 'Deep Clean' mode, complemented by ten intensity settings, making it versatile for different cleaning needs. We found it very easy to switch between pressure settings as needed.

The Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000 delivers a very effective whole-mouth clean. Considering its effectiveness, we believe the price point of $99 is justified. Its compact size and light weight make it an appealing choice for an effective, space-saving water flosser.

We found the Quip Rechargeable Cordless Water Flosser to be highly effective at removing plaque and debris, making it a great alternative to traditional floss or picks. Since testing, we’ve been flossing much more regularly—a clear testament to its convenience! Our teeth feel noticeably cleaner and smoother compared to our previous dental routine.

The Quip flosser comes with a single nozzle attachment and offers two pressure settings—gentle and deep clean. Its minimalist design is simple but effective. The cordless nature makes it easy to handle, even though it’s slightly bulky. The controls are user-friendly, with accessible buttons for selecting water pressure and stream mode (continuous or on-demand). The rotating nozzle is a big plus, helping us reach those hard-to-access areas, though it does require a little effort to reposition due to its strong magnetic attachment.

The USB charging feature is sleek and convenient. It stands upright while charging, adding to the flosser’s overall ease of use. The replacement nozzles, which need to be swapped every three months, can add up in cost, but overall, this is one of the best cordless options for a simple, effective water flosser.

The water in the reservoir runs out quickly, especially when using the more powerful deep clean setting, requiring frequent refills during longer flossing sessions.

To find the best water flossers to add to your oral care routine, we tested 32 popular water flossers in the Health Lab and our own bathrooms at home for one month. With guidance from our experts, we incorporated the water flossers into our oral care routine at least five times a week and rated their performance based on the following attributes:

To assist with our research and testing, we sought advice from dentists and oral hygiene experts on using water flossers and the best products to recommend.

Water flossers can be highly effective in removing plaque and maintaining gum health. A 2013 study found that a water flosser combined with a manual toothbrush was 29% more effective at removing plaque, especially on approximate surfaces, than waxed string floss.

While both water flossers and traditional string flossing are effective, Dr. Pezzullo suggests that water flossers may be more comfortable and easier to use, leading to better compliance with regular flossing.

To incorporate water flossing into your dental routine, use it after brushing your teeth. Aim the nozzle at a 90-degree angle to the gumline and between each tooth, spending a few seconds on each. Start with a low-pressure setting and gradually increase if comfortable. Consistency is key, Dr. Pezzullo adds, so aim to use it at least once a day.

According to Dr. Bishop, Waterpiks and water flossers cannot damage the teeth or gums because water alone cannot harm the structure of your teeth. They may initially cause mild irritation, which is normal. Dr. Bishop also mentions that some people may experience bleeding similar to traditional flossing when they first use a water flosser, particularly if the gum tissue is inflamed or diseased. As the biofilm and plaque that are causing the inflammation decrease, the bleeding should also stop.

You can tell your water flossing routine is working by observing healthier gums, reduced bleeding during dental cleanings, and an overall improvement in oral hygiene, says Dr. Pezzullo. Regular dental check-ups will allow your dentist to assess the effectiveness of your oral care routine and make any necessary recommendations.

We also tested these water flossers but ultimately decided not to include them in our list of recommendations. They fell short in our test when it came to technology, features, and functionality:

Sarah Bradley has been a freelance writer since 2017, tackling health commerce articles, product reviews, and shopping guides on everything from dry skin moisturizers and wart removers to menstrual cups and toothbrushes for braces. She has personally tested electric toothbrushes and water flossers, so knows what makes a good product stand out from a great one (and really, really wants to tell you about it).

Goyal CR, Lyle DM, Qaqish JG, Schuller R. Evaluation of the plaque removal efficacy of a water flosser compared to string floss in adults after a single use. J Clin Dent. 2013;24(2):37-42.