The 5 best water flossers for your teeth in 2025, tested and reviewed

If you've barely touched your string floss, a water flosser may be your best bet. When only about one-third of American adults floss daily, skipping flossing isn't as harmless as it seems. Flossing, particuarly, water flossing, does more than keep your smile fresh — it helps prevent cavities, gum disease and bad breath, and it’s even linked to lower risks of heart disease, stroke and cognitive decline. In other words, that little string packs a serious health punch.

Another note to all the parents out there: It's never too early to start flossing. "Children should begin flossing when they have two teeth that touch, typically around the age of 2 or 3," says Casey Johnson, a board-certified orthodontist who practices in Colorado. "It's generally recommended to start with regular dental floss to ensure that proper technique and habits are established." But if kids find floss hard to use, a water flosser can be an effective alternative, says Johnson, if used under adult supervision.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing for two minutes twice daily and flossing once daily healthy oral care to prevent the development of gum diseases such as gingivitis. If the idea of threading a piece of string between your teeth fills you with dread, we have good news! Water flossers, also called oral irrigators — handheld devices that use a steady stream of water to clear debris and buildup from the teeth and gumline — may be even more effective than string floss.

And according to the ADA, water flossing is an excellent alternative for those with dental work that makes traditional flossing challenging, such as those with crowns, bridges, braces or implants.

Johnson recommends the Waterpik brand because "it is easy to use, durable and has everything you would need for a water flosser." Other brands may have more bells and whistles, "but Waterpik is a simple solution that does the job well at a relatively low cost for the consumer," Johnson says.

After testing 14 products and speaking with a number of dentists about what to look for in a high-quality water flosser, I agree: Waterpik earns the top spot for best water flosser. That said, there are four other flossers that stand out for a number of reasons, whether you're on a budget, looking for a long-lasting battery or want a flosser you can travel with. Read on to discover which water flossers made the cut (and which ones didn't).

Table of contents

• Best overall water flosser

• More water flossers we like

• Traditional dental floss vs. water flossers

• Factors to consider when purchasing a water flosser

• How we chose the best water flosser

• Other products we tested

• FAQs

• Meet our experts

Related: We also compiled a list of the best electric toothbrushes you can buy to boost your oral hygiene. And check out our list of the best at-home teeth whitening products to help you get that Hollywood smile.

Update, September 10, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 overall pick remains unchanged.

Best overall water flosser

(back to top)

More water flossers we like

Traditional dental floss vs. water flossers

Experts agree that a water flosser should supplement rather than replace traditional flossing in most cases. "While water flossers are effective, regular floss remains the gold standard for flossing because it can reach slightly under the gums, providing better removal of food particles and plaque," says Chelsea Perry, a dentist practicing in Westborough, Mass.

(back to top)

Factors to consider when purchasing a water flosser

When choosing the best water flosser, it's essential to think about your health and lifestyle needs. Here's what to consider:

• Type: Countertop or cordless? A countertop model offers more power but requires space and an outlet, while a cordless model is portable, rechargeable and travel-friendly.

• Gum sensitivity: Look for models with adjustable pressure settings and gentle pulse modes.

• Orthodontics, implants and crowns: Choose a flosser with specialized nozzles for braces and other dental appliances. Ensure the flosser has tips designed to effectively clean around implants and crowns.

• Lifestyle: Do you travel frequently? If so, opt for a cordless, rechargeable model that's compact and easy to pack.

• Space availability: Select a design that fits comfortably in your bathroom, especially if space is limited.

• Water pressure settings: Perry points out that adjustable pressure settings can accommodate different sensitivity levels.

• Water capacity: To avoid frequent refills as you floss, consider the flosser's water capacity — a larger reservoir means you may be able to get through a full session without having to stop to add more water. Just be aware that Perry advises against leaving water in the reservoir between uses.

• Nozzles: Check for a variety of nozzles to address different dental needs.

• Pulsation frequency: Ensure the flosser offers effective pulsation for thorough cleaning.

• Features: Do you need normal, soft or massage pulse modes to enhance your flossing routine? What about a pause button to control water flow or a water pressure indicator for precise control? Perry adds that a rotating nozzle helps reach all areas of your mouth.

• Design and ergonomics: Evaluate how comfortable and easy it is to hold and use. Perry adds that she avoids flossers with overly complex controls and those that are difficult to clean.

• Price: More expensive doesn't always mean better. Find a model that fits your budget without compromising essential features.

• Warranty: Check for a warranty to ensure your investment is protected.

As dental hygienist JoAnn Gurenlian, a Proclaim Health adviser, points out, "The best option when it comes to toothbrushes, flossing and beyond is always the one that the patient will use regularly."

So, do your homework and choose the best option for you.

(back to top)

How we chose the best water flosser

We did our research, contacted multiple dentists and dental health experts, including the American Dental Association, and spoke to almost a dozen longtime water flosser users to select the 14 products we tested.

All testers completed a standardized rating form for each product they tested, and based on their ratings and notes, the final product selections were determined.

(back to top)

Other water flossers we tested

While our top picks stood out for their exceptional quality, value and performance, we tested several other water flossers that still offer notable benefits. Here's what we found:

• Oclean: This water flosser is the most streamlined, elegantly designed flosser I've ever seen. I wanted to love it. Unfortunately, even on the lowest-intensity setting, the tips suctioned my inner cheeks and underneath my tongue and vibrated too forcefully for me.

• Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000: I loved this compact countertop version of the Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser, but since it offers the same features as its cordless counterpart, we chose to include the cordless version instead.

• Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser: It's a basic version of the newer and more feature-rich Waterpik models on our list, so we chose not to include this water flosser. However, it's a solid option for those who want a simple, cost-effective flosser.

• Proclaim Custom-Jet Oral Health System: This next-level water flosser and oral health system is worth the investment if you have the cash to spend. The key is the system's custom mouthpiece, which requires a trip to your local dentist for an oral scan (the mouthpiece comes with custom jets based on your mouth's specific physiology). Unfortunately, it costs a not-insignificant $600 (although it is FSA/HSA eligible), so it didn't make our list. That said, if you're serious about getting the deepest at-home clean you can, this is like the Rolls-Royce of water flossers.

• Burst Water Flosser: This water flosser has a powerful stream that does a great job clearing away debris and gunk but may be too intense for some. The water reservoir is smaller than other brands, and refilling it can be inconvenient.

• Quip Rechargeable Compact Water Flosser: With a rotating nozzle, the Quip easily reaches crowded areas of my mouth and feels comfortable (not too bulky) to hold. Its compact size makes it a good option for on-the-go, but it's much pricier than our top travel pick.

• Nicwell Cordless Portable Dental Flosser: This popular option has a large enough water reservoir and a strong enough battery life to adequately clean between all your teeth, and we like that it's lightweight and portable. You can also frequently find it on sale for around $30, but its regular retail price of $50 seems high when compared to the other, similar rechargeable models on our list.

• Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0: Waterpik has a solid lineup of ADA-accepted water flossers, and this one's no exception. A bonus? It's also a toothbrush, aka a "flossing toothbrush." If you're looking for a water flosser and toothbrush in one, this is a great dentist-recommended option.

• Moon Water Flosser: With a sleek, compact design, Moon's water flosser won't take up much counter space. I found it effective, but it only has two pressure settings: gentle mode and deep clean, while our "best overall" pick has 10 for roughly the same price. It does come with a unique "tongue scraping" tip that most water flossers don't offer, and I found it fun to use.

(back to top)

FAQs

Are water flossers as effective as traditional floss?

Yes and no, according to the research and the experts. Even proponents of water flossers concede that traditional flossing produces the best results if done frequently. But that's the key: frequency. "Water flossers require less effort and therefore are used more frequently than traditional floss," says Johnson.

Can I use a water flosser if I have braces or implants?

Yes. Some water flossers tout their effectiveness for people with implants or orthodontics, and many of the dentists we spoke to said they recommend them for patients in those categories.

"We have patients tell us they will use normal floss," says Johnson, "but after a few appointments, it's clear that they haven't flossed at all. We have found that patients who use water flossers use them much more frequently and often have healthier gums."

How often should I use a water flosser?

At least once a day for 60 seconds. The best time to floss is at night before bed. Perry's nighttime routine is to brush for two minutes, floss with traditional floss and then use a water flosser.

Who shouldn't use a water flosser?

"People with periodontal disease should not use a water flosser because the force of the water jet can potentially push bacteria deeper into the gum pockets, exacerbating the condition," says Perry. If you have gum disease, talk with a dentist about whether a water flosser is right for you.

What's the difference between a water flosser and an electric toothbrush?

An electric toothbrush can help you get to hard-to-reach tooth surface areas. A water flosser can get between teeth and below the gumline, but it doesn't clean the tooth surface.

Is a countertop or cordless water flosser better for me?

It depends on your preferences and needs. Countertop models generally provide more flossing tips for family use but take up more space and need a power outlet. Cordless water flossers are rechargeable, portable and convenient. They often come with various flossing tips designed for different purposes, although they may be less suitable for multiple users sharing the same device.

(back to top)

Meet our experts

• JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA, dental adviser at Proclaim Health in Philadelphia

• Casey Johnson, DDS, board-certified orthodontist at All Kids Dental in Colorado

• Chelsea Perry, DMD, founder of Elite Dental Studio in Westborough, Mass.

(back to top)

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.