We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Beauty What Is the Best Water Flosser? Give your teeth a cleaning boost without the hassle of dental floss. By Amanda Prahl Amanda Prahl Amanda Prahl is a freelance writer who has been writing about home, culture, and lifestyle topics since 2016. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 10, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Brian Kopinski When you can't be bothered to floss with string, a water flosser is a reliable alternative for blasting away remnants of lunch and preventing plaque buildup. To make sure you walk out of the bathroom feeling like you just left the dentist, we spent hours researching the different pressure settings, water capacities, attachment types, performance, and cost of the most popular options out there. We also spoke with dental hygienist Jessica Lewis, RDH and New York City dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei, DDS, FIADFE, for expert advice on choosing the best water flosser. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Waterpik ION Professional Water Flosser at Amazon $100 Jump to Review Best Budget: SmileDirectClub Compact Water Flosser at Amazon $40 Jump to Review Best Cordless: SALE Oral-B Water Flosser Advanced at Amazon $90 $75 Jump to Review Best Portable: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000 Cordless at Amazon $80 Jump to Review Best for Braces: SALE Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser at Amazon $100 $80 Jump to Review Best Combo: Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 Professional at Amazon $200 Jump to Review Best Overall Waterpik ION Professional Water Flosser PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $100 $90 at Amazon View on Waterpik.com What Stands Out There are 10 pressure settings and seven interchangeable tips. What Could Be Improved The cord between the flosser and tank can get in the way during use. The exceptional level of personalization and high-quality components earned the Waterpik ION Professional Cordless Water Flosser our top spot. The device has 10 different pressure settings and seven different device tips, including those designed for dealing with dentures, braces, and areas that are more susceptible to plaque. With dozens of potential combinations, users can easily address their specific dental needs with minimal hassle. This flosser comes with a 20-ounce water reservoir and is powered by a lithium-ion battery that lasts up to four weeks on a single charge. It comes with a three-year limited warranty, which is longer than most competitors. While the charging base is cordless and uses a USB connection instead of a wall plug, the flosser itself is tethered to the water reservoir with a cord. Type: Cordless (though there is a cord between the flosser and water tank) | Water Capacity: 16 ounces | Pressure Settings: 10 | Attachments: 2 | Warranty: Limited 3 year Best Budget SmileDirectClub Compact Water Flosser PHOTO: SmileDirectClub $40 at Amazon What Stands Out It’s compact and portable, and the charge can last up to a month. What Could Be Improved It has only three pressure modes and one type of tip. A quality water flosser doesn’t have to break the bank, and the SmileDirectClub Compact Water Flosser is no exception. This sleek, no-frills model is easy to use and even easier to store, with a cordless design that collapses down to just 5 inches. It holds a charge for up to a month and is water resistant, so you can bring it in the shower with you. Because it is a value pick, this flosser doesn't have any extra features like some of its competitors. There are three different modes: soft, normal, and pulse for braces or deeper cleaning. Although it does come with a second tip attachment, it’s not a specialized one—it’s just a spare. For a basic water flosser, it does the job and provides a great value for the price, but it doesn’t provide a lot of options to customize. Type: Cordless | Water Capacity: Enough for 60 seconds of flossing | Pressure Settings: 3 | Attachments: 1 | Warranty: N/A Best Cordless Oral-B Water Flosser Advanced PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $90 $75 at Amazon View on Oralb.com What Stands Out It has multiple setting combinations, a comfortable handle grip, and is easy to carry. What Could Be Improved The power and stream buttons are placed close enough together that they may lead to accidental button presses. The Oral-B Water Flosser Advanced is a truly cordless flosser. It's fully self-contained and does not have a cord connecting it to an external water tank. Of course, the charging dock does need to be plugged in to recharge your device, but the actual operating device is cordless, which is very convenient. For added ease of use, its handle is particularly comfortable, thanks to a wide, textured grip. There are six different combinations of pressure settings and nozzles (three pressures, two nozzle types) to get the exact flossing experience you need. The only real design flaw is that the two main buttons—power and an “on-demand” water stream—are right next to each other, and it's easy to accidentally bump one instead of the other. Besides that, it’s a handy and compact option that provides more options than you might expect. Type: Cordless | Water Capacity: 5 ounces | Pressure Settings: 3 | Attachments: 2 | Warranty: 2 year Best Portable Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000 Cordless PHOTO: Amazon $80 at Amazon View on Philips.com What Stands Out It has a powerful stream with multiple flossing modes, intensities, and nozzles, and it’s waterproof. What Could Be Improved It can be a little heavy when the water reservoir is filled. The Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000 Cordless provides high-quality dental cleaning and the ability to take it anywhere. With a fully waterproof design, this flosser not only can be taken away from your sink without a cord tethering it, but it can even be taken with you into the shower. Unlike other flossers, which typically only allow users to change nozzles and pressure settings, this model has two modes (clean and deep clean), three pressure settings, and two nozzles for even more personalization options. This flosser has a 250-milliliter (8.4-ounce), water tank, allowing for a longer floss without needing a refill. While that extended time can come in handy, it does result in a slightly heavier unit than other portable flossers. The water tank is washable and dishwasher safe, which is particularly helpful in keeping everything hygienic and avoiding residue or mold. Type: Cordless | Water Capacity: 8.4 ounces | Pressure Settings: 3 | Attachments: 2 | Warranty: 2 year Best for Braces Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $100 $80 at Amazon $60 at Target Orig. $81 $60 at Walmart What Stands Out It has five different types of tips, including one specially made for cleaning around braces. What Could Be Improved The tank takes up a lot of counter space and has to be plugged into the wall to operate. Water flossers can be a big help for cleaning around braces, and the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser takes it a step further. Not only does it offer a whopping 10 pressure settings and two modes (floss and massage), but it also comes with five different water nozzle tips, including one specifically designed for working around the tight angles and tricky edges of braces. A 360-degree rotating tip handle and helpful one-minute timer make it even easier to work around those tough corners. While most of the features on this flosser model are geared at increasing convenience, a couple of elements do detract from this. The 22-ounce reservoir has enough water for around 90 seconds of flossing—significantly more than many alternatives—but it does take up a noticeable amount of counter space. Also, the tank must be plugged into the wall, and the flosser is attached to it with a cord. Type: Corded | Water Capacity: 22 ounces | Pressure Settings: 7 | Attachments: 5 | Warranty: Limited 3 year Best Combo Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 Professional PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $200 $180 at Amazon View on Waterpik.com What Stands Out It’s easy to switch between brushing and flossing, and it’s pretty compact. What Could Be Improved The combo design means there are no alternative nozzle tips. This device combines toothbrushing with water flossing, with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to switch between the two (or use them both at once). Like many other Waterpik flossers, it has 10 variable pressure settings and comes with a decent-sized water reservoir and a helpful timer. Although this is a countertop model, it’s still surprisingly sleek and doesn’t take up too much space. Just note that the brush/flosser is connected to the tank with a cord, so you’ll have to be careful not to get it tangled. Having the dual brushing and flossing function is very convenient, but it does come with a tradeoff: There are no alternative nozzle tips for different types of flossing or specialized needs. Type: Corded | Water Capacity: 22 ounces | Pressure Settings: 7 | Attachments: 5 | Warranty: Limited 3 year Final Verdict We love the Waterpik ION Professional Cordless Water Flosser for its numerous settings, specialized nozzle tips, and large water reservoir. The SmileDirectClub Compact Water Flosser, however, is half the price, compact, and portable, and a single charge lasts up to a month. It's also water resistant, so you can floss in the shower. How to Shop for Water Flossers Like a Pro Power Source Water flossers are either rechargeable, battery-powered devices or require being plugged directly into a wall outlet. The battery-powered ones aren’t necessarily better than wall units, but you can move freely with them, and they usually take up significantly less space on your bathroom vanity. Plug-in units, however, will never die since you don't need to charge them. “I personally always recommend a cordless water flosser because my number one complaint from patients has been that water flossers are messy," Lewis says. "A cordless water flosser allows the patient to take it in the shower." Many cordless water flossers are water resistant—just make sure to check up on that first. Water Capacity A larger water tank means you can go longer without refilling. On the other hand, larger water tanks can mean a more unwieldy handheld device or more counter space taken up by a standalone tank. If water capacity is important to you, just make sure you have the room for it. If maximizing your bathroom space is the priority, a smaller option that can easily be stored may do the trick. Pressure Settings Different pressure levels can be helpful for different levels of cleaning. For instance, a stronger water stream may be better for a deeper clean, though this can be uncomfortable until your gums grow accustomed to it. “Some people are sensitive to a higher pressure water flow, so finding a water flosser with adjustable pressure settings is ideal,” Lewis says. Attachments Many top water flossers come with multiple types of attachments, with a few of the most common being standard nozzles for general cleaning, orthodontic tips for braces, and periodontal tips for targeting below the gumline. Lewis recommends looking into tufted-end attachments, which can be ideal for patients with implants or bridges. Warranty Some water flossers are more expensive than others, so it’s important to check and see what kind of warranty your device has before buying. Most high-quality flossers come with two- or three-year warranties, but they may have slightly different limitations as to what is and isn’t covered. Always read the fine print to fully understand what your warranty covers to avoid any surprises. Questions You Might Ask Do dentists recommend water flossing? Lewis recommends a water flosser any time a patient has a pocket that's greater than 3 millimeters. (A pocket is a space between the gum and the tooth.) The reason behind this, she says, is because string floss has the ability to reach the base of a 2- to 3-millimeter pocket while water floss can reach up to 7 millimeters. “Disrupting the bacterial colonies down in these pockets play a vital role in keeping the mouth healthy," she says. Dr. Wei says that water flossers can be more effective at plaque removal, gentler on the gums, easier to use, and better at reducing or preventing inflammation. Also, most water flossers offer a variety of attachments and water pressure settings to achieve a comfortable clean that’s suited to your preferences. How often should I use a water flosser? Dr. Wei recommends using your water flosser once a day as part of your overall dental health routine. “When using a water flosser, aim to spend about one to two minutes cleaning between your teeth and along the gumline," he says. "Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific water flosser model." Should you use a water flosser instead of string floss? Choosing between a water flosser or string floss is a personal choice. Dr. Wei says some people may find water flossers easier to use, especially if they have dexterity issues or braces. Water flossers can also be more effective in reaching certain areas between teeth and around dental work like bridges. Water flossing, especially on lower-pressure settings, can be gentler on sensitive gums than traditional string flossing. Lewis, on the other hand, suggests incorporating both types rather than replacing one with the other all the time. That said, our experts agree that talking to your dentist about your options is going to be the best course of action. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Amanda Prahl, a contributing writer for Real Simple with over five years of writing lifestyle content. To compile this guide, she researched several water flossers from top brands, evaluating features such as water capacity, pressure settings, attachments, warranty, and charge type. She also spoke with Dr. Michael J. Wei, DDS, FIADFE and Jessica Lewis, RDHs, dental hygienist at Arizona Advanced Dental. The 8 Best Teeth Whitening Strips