6 Best Water Flossers, According to Our In-Depth Testing (2024)

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Dentists say flossing is a vital part of proper dental care, but mouth hardware like braces or dental implants, as well as dexterity issues in kids and the elderly, can make the task difficult or even impossible. But a good water flosser can help. These handheld devices take dental care routines to the next level by cleaning "below the gum line, reaching those tricky areas where harmful bacteria tend to hide," according to Sara Larbi, D.D.S., founder of the Dentist Lounge in Santa Monica.

To help you find the best option for your own use, our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab tested 12 devices recommended by dental experts. We evaluated each for design, ease of use, and other convenience features like multiple pressure settings and extra heads for family members. Ahead, our in-depth reviews of the six we recommend.

Our experts and editors are hunting down the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on our favorite top-tested products.

Our Top Picks:

• Best Overall: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 7000

• Best Value: Waterpik ION Professional Cordless Water Flosser
  

• Best Fast Treatment Time: Proclaim Custom Jet Oral Health System
  

• Best Cordless: Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser 2.0
  

• Best Variety of Tips: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser

• Best for Travel: Waterpik Cordless Express Water Flosser
  

Power Flosser 7000

Type: Countertop | Pressure Settings: 10 | Tips Included: 3 | Water Capacity: 20 fl oz.

The Philips Sonicare water flosser may be one of the priciest that we tested, but it was also the best — by far. It secured the highest marks for its mess-free deep cleaning, user-friendliness and whisper-quiet operation, scoring a 96% in overall satisfaction from our panel of consumer testers. It's so beloved that one tester hailed it as their "all-time favorite" across two decades of experience with water flossers.

Boasting a quartet of water stream options — clean, deep clean, sensitive and massage — as well as an automatic timer, the device ensures a thorough gum-cleaning experience. Outshining the competitors we tested, this unit also features the longest hose at nearly four feet, coupled with a retractable cord and magnetic handle, delivering unmatched ease of use and simple storage.

The convenient flip-top lid simplifies reservoir refills. And for those who prioritize uncluttered countertops, the unit's compact and stylish design was a clear preference over bulkier alternatives previously tested by our users.

$114.96 at amazon.com

ION Professional Cordless Water Flosser

Type: Countertop | Pressure Settings: 10 | Tips Included: 7 | Water Capacity: 20 fl oz.

This model, an upgrade of a previous iteration we extensively tested, has all the features you'd find in a top-of-the-line quality water filter, but at a fraction of the cost.

Its earlier iteration got high marks for its ergonomic design and effective between-teeth cleaning, according to our testers. Another big selling point? The retractable hose that keeps countertop clutter minimal, which is especially helpful since the unit is on the bulkier side as it is. But if you'd like to go cord-free, the flosser does include a rechargeable battery as well. "I love that it's wireless, and [it] can sit anywhere I want on my sink," said one tester.

Switch between its seven tips, including a standard jet tip. If you're looking for the best Waterpik for implants, there's also an orthodontic tip that a tester said cleaned underneath "painlessly" and "with ease," adding that "I have one [area] that floss cannot reach, and this made it a breeze to reach... my dentist is going to be thrilled."

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$79.99 at amazon.com

Custom Jet Oral Health System

Type: Countertop | Pressure Settings: 5 | Tips Included: 1 custom mouthpiece | Water Capacity: 660 mL

Costing hundreds of dollars and requiring a dentist visit, this customized flosser is truly an investment, but our pros found it saved significant time and effort. Using a 3D-printed mouthpiece to floss all your teeth at once, the Proclaim Custom Jet Oral Health System impressed GH Beauty and Health Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.

"Once you put the mouthpiece in and press the button, the system blasts the full tank of water through the mouth in about 7 seconds," she says. "The water comes out of a spout at the front of the mouth, so no water is sprayed around the bathroom." Ideal for those who struggle to keep up a flossing routine, the entire process is so fast that Butler says it took more time to fill the tank and rinse the mouthpiece than to floss.

The brand even claims that it can replace manual flossing. It funded a clinical study with subjects who showed signs of gingivitis. The subjects were assigned manual toothbrushing alone, manual toothbrushing plus string flossing or manual toothbrushing plus the Proclaim system. Subjects in the brushing plus Proclaim group showed significantly greater reductions in clinical indices of gingivitis than those in the brushing and floss and brushing alone groups.

$599.00 at proclaimhealth.com

Cordless Advanced Water Flosser 2.0

Type: Cordless | Pressure Settings: 3 | Tips Included: 4 | Water Capacity: 7 fl oz.

An updated version of a consumer favorite — the Waterpik Cordless Advanced 2.0 — this can be used anywhere (including in the shower!), yet still has many of the features of a full-size flosser.

Dr. Larbi also recommends this compact and versatile pick: “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. So, having it in the shower will keep it in sight and make it easier for you to remember to use it regularly.”

We appreciate that this travel-friendly model has a rechargeable lithium ion battery and comes with a magnetic charging cable that can be plugged into a USB port. Users say it's light in hand and easy to use. "It delivers a powerful and consistent water stream," says one. This small but mighty flosser also comes with four tips, including two brush tips for cleaning around braces and loosening plaque. The biggest drawback? Since the flosser is so compact, you may need to pause to refill it with water during a flossing session.

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$59.99 at amazon.com

Aquarius Water Flosser

Type: Countertop | Pressure Settings: 10 | Tips Included: 7 | Water Capacity: 22 fl oz.

Waterpik's Aquarius model has earned its spot as one of the best-selling water flossers on Amazon, with over 110,000 five-star ratings. Our consumer testers loved it too.

One raved: “I definitely felt like I had a professional cleaning done!” It comes with a whopping seven tips that serve different purposes: three classic, one for plaque, one for braces, one for periodontal pockets and one with a toothbrush head.

Its large reservoir holds up to 22 ounces of water (or mouthwash), which should equate to about 90 full seconds of flossing time — roughly three times more than most wet flossers. The large water capacity does mean that it will take up some space on your counter, but it's a sacrifice some users say is worth the convenience. And to ease the burden, it's available in four colors, including gray. Since it's going to stay on your countertop, the more color options, the better, we say.

$49.99 at amazon.com

Cordless Express Water Flosser

Type: Cordless | Pressure Settings: 2 | Tips Included: 2 | Water Capacity: 5 fl oz.

Waterpik's cordless, space-saving model packs in cleaning performance that matches that of a full-sized Waterpik. Small, lightweight and cordless, it's a great option for travel too, earning a perfect score for not taking up too much countertop space in our tests. It uses three AA batteries, so you don't have to worry about packing a charger on-the-go, either.

Though it requires more frequent reservoir refills than other models we tested, it scored the best among handheld devices for having an easy-fill tank. The reservoir holds five ounces of water (equivalent to 30 seconds of use), and even though it only has two settings, the switch makes it easy to change the water pressure. We also like that the removable tank is super easy to clean — just throw it in the dishwasher on the top rack.

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$37.97 at amazon.com

Other models we tested

We tested a dozen of the most popular water flossers in our search for the best. Below are our quick thoughts on two other notable options that didn't make the final cut, along with the reasons why:

•Panasonic EW 1511: This one has two more pressure settings than our best cordless pick, but testers found that this flosser was not powerful enough to clean effectively. Consumers also mentioned that the tank was quite small and thus had to refill it mid-flossing.

•Burst Water Flosser: While affordable, testers noted that this flosser's 110 mL tank required frequent refills. They also found it messy to use. We did, however, like that it comes with flexible tips that rotate a full 360º for hard-to-reach spots, like the back of your mouth or for those with braces.

How we test water flossers

For our most recent test, our analysts evaluated 12 water flossers in the Health, Beauty & Sustainability Lab, and also sent them to consumer testers (for home use) and our partner lab, Quiet Mark (to compare the amount of noise they generate).

We selected 119 people from our consumer tester panel who reported good dental hygiene habits (such as brushing twice a day and having a professional cleaning every six months) and who were already water flosser users.

The testers were asked to use the flosser every day for at least one week, then fill out a survey in which they rated the water flosser’s ease of use and performance, as well as their overall satisfaction with the device.

Our final picks include options for all types of water flosser preferences, but we also adhered to certain qualifying criteria, including keeping the American Dental Association Seal in mind.

Products approved by the ADA are proven to be safe and effective, though it's also important to note that only two water flosser brands carry the ADA seal: Waterpik and Philips.

What to look for when buying a water flosser

✔️ Cordless vs. countertop: If you're looking for versatility and portability, opt for a handheld, cordless water flosser. Most cordless flossers can be used in the shower, minimizing mess. If you have the counter space, consider a corded countertop model as they have greater water capacity and more pressure settings. They’re also easier on the hands — since most of their weight rests on the counter, all you have to lift is a lightweight wand.

✔️ Pressure settings: Some water flossers only have a couple of pressure settings, while others as many as 10 options. Some settings offer deep cleaning for extra work on the gums, while sensitive options offer a thorough clean but with a gentler intensity.

✔️ Tips: Though classic tips work just fine, some tips serve a more specialized purpose: “The ortho [tip] is what I find helpful for younger patients, especially," says Sharon Huang, D.D.S. "A 10-year-old is not going to floss, so this is something that's going to help them." For someone who doesn't have the dexterity or has braces, the ortho tip makes cleaning easier, she says.

✔️ Water tank capacity: If you opt for a handheld version, keep in mind you'll have to sacrifice some reservoir space. Countertop flossers, on the other hand, range from 10 to 20 fluid ounces, which means you can usually clean your entire mouth in just one fill.

FAQs

Do dentists recommend water flossers?

Yes, the dentists we spoke to recommend them. “I always find myself suggesting a water flosser to my patients," Dr. Larbi says. "They're a great addition to conventional flossing. It's a real game-changer for your overall oral health routine at home.”

The dentists we consulted also agreed that people with braces will especially benefit from a water flosser because the wires make it hard to use traditional floss. Sally Cram, D.D.S., a practicing periodontist in Washington, D.C., says that water flossers "are very good at flushing out food and debris that gets caught in and around the brackets.

"Water flossers are also a great option for elderly people or anyone with manual dexterity problems. "[For these people], wrapping floss around their fingers can be discomforting, especially if they suffer from arthritis," says Adam S. Harwood, D.M.D., an endodontist practicing in New York City. Beyond these examples, however, dentists don't recommend giving up on regular flossing in favor of using a wet flosser.

Can a water flosser replace string flossing?

Not quite, says Dr. Huang: “There's nothing that could replace a manual floss going under the gum. So that's still the gold standard and we should use the water flosser as an adjunct to that. After you floss the bacteria out from the gum, [the water flosser] flushes it out."

"Both [water flossing and flossing] have their own specific areas of effectiveness, so the ideal dental hygiene program takes advantage of both methods," says Dr. Harwood. Here's a good routine to follow, according to the dentists we spoke with:

1. Brush your teeth first.

2. Use traditional string floss to loosen anything stuck between your teeth and keep gums healthy.

3. Finish off with a water flosser to flush it all out.

The bottom line: For most people, water flossing should be done in addition to (not instead of) regular flossing. But if you know that there's no chance you'll actually use regular floss, using a water flosser is better than nothing.

How do you clean a water flosser?

GH Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou suggests using soap and water to maintain cleanliness between deep cleans.

Some tanks, such as those on countertop models, can be cleaned with soap and a sponge, rinsed with a water and vinegar mixture and then water. For handheld flossers, pull the tank out and clean it with a bottle brush, soap and water.

"I also filled it with half water and half white vinegar and ran a full reservoir (in my shower because it sprays everywhere, and then a few cycles with plain water to rinse it out)," Papantoniou says.

What's the difference between a Waterpik and a water flosser?

Waterpik is a brand name, while water flosser is the generic term for a device that cleans the mouth with a stream of water.

Since the Waterpik brand has created many popular models of water flossers over the years, some people use the brand name Waterpik in place of the term water flosser. In this article, we've included the best water flossers from Waterpik and other brands such as Philips Sonicare.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Beauty and Health Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler regularly conducts hands-on testing and analysis of beauty and health products for the GH Institute, including running the latest Lab tests and surveys on water flossers. In addition to her experience at GH, her background as a cosmetic chemist includes evaluating ingredient efficacy and scrutinizing product claims.

Jacqueline Saguin was GH's senior commerce editor. She collaborated with our Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab experts to translate their testing and data analysis into comprehensive product guides. She also consulted dental professionals Dr. Sara Larbi, Dr. Sharon Huang, Dr. Sally Cram and Dr. Adam S. Harwood to answer the most frequently asked questions about water flossers.

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