Our main recommendation
Our pick for the best overall water flosser is the Waterpik Aquarius.
In the sections below we explain how we came to this decision and offer some alternative choices for specific situations.
Our in-house dentist Dr. Gemma Wheeler explains the evidence for using an electric flosser, and our buyer’s guide includes further advice to help you decide.
It’s worth noting there are various other ways to refer to a water flosser, but they are one and the same: electric flosser, oral irrigator, water toothpick and water jet flosser are other common terms. Often they are referred to as a ‘Waterpik’ as this is the best-known brand in the market.
What to look for in a water flosser
In this post we offer recommendations for both corded (countertop) and cordless water flossers.
If you have space (approx 6 x 6 inches) for one in your bathroom, we recommend going for countertop over cordless
Both types of flosser come with similar features. Not all of them are necessary.
From our testing, the most essential features of a water flosser are:
45 seconds or more flossing time
Flossers with a water tank of around 200ml will achieve this. 45 seconds is enough time to get a thorough clean without having to refill. It can make the flosser slightly heavier but it is a worthwhile trade off.
2 or more pressure modes
If you have sensitive gums it is useful to be able to adjust the pressure.
Rotating nozzle (or handle if it’s a countertop flosser)
Having a 360 degree rotating nozzle makes it easier to reach all parts of the mouth.
Comfortable grip (cordless)
From our testing, a large area for the palm and fingers to grip onto is better than a slim handle. It’s also helpful if the grip is made from materials that prevent slippage, particularly when wet.
Water control button on the handle (countertop)
A button or switch on the flosser handle allows for much greater control of the water flow. This makes it easy to stop, start and pause the jet of water. No need to use the on/off switch on the countertop unit itself.
Hose storage (countertop)
Having a convenient place to tuck away the hose when not in use avoids trailing cables around the bathroom.
How we chose
Our selection process
Our team is made up of dental professionals and experienced product testers. We specialize in oral health and abide by a strong.
We buy and test every product we recommend. In most instances, we have detailed written and video reviews for each product.
We consult the clinical evidence, the feedback from consumers and industry leaders.
Together, we ensure our recommendations include only the very best choices.
We regularly review our recommendations based on newly released products and clinical evidence.
Best Countertop
Waterpik Aquarius WP-660
Why we chose it:
The Waterpik Aquarius has all of the essential features we look for in a water flosser.
It is fairly compact with hose storage to keep things neat, although there is no place to store any excess power cable.
In our testing, we found it easy to control the water flow from the handle, and the water pressure was easy to adjust with the rotating dial.
Twisting the top of the handle moves the nozzle and helps reach all areas of the mouth. A very thorough clean is achieved each time.
80 seconds is the minimum cleaning time available, even when set to the highest of the 10 pressure settings.
What we like
- 80+ second flossing time
- Easy to rotate the nozzle
- 10 pressure settings
- Available in different color options
- Hose storage
What we dislike
- No power cable storage
- Price – it is expensive
Best Cordless
Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560
Why we chose it:
The Cordless Advanced is one of the most comfortable cordless flossers we have used.
The nozzle is easy to rotate so you can reach all the teeth and clean the entire mouth. You get 45 seconds of cleaning time from the most powerful of the 3 modes.
It has all the features we recommend and has been approved by the Oral Health Foundation and American Dental Association. This means that the flosser has been assessed by an independent panel of experts, and that it is safe and that it has the benefits it says it does.
What we like
- 45+ second flossing time
- Easy to rotate the nozzle
- Grippy handle
- 3 pressure settings
- Easy to attach magnetic charger
- Different color options available
- Travel pouch included in the box
What we dislike
- Price – it is expensive
