Does a Water Flosser Really Work? We Tested 14 Of Them And Asked Dentists to Find Out (2024)

Water flossers are small powered devices that rely on pressure to direct a stream of water around the gum line and between the teeth. This blasts away plaque and other build-ups that can cause inflammation, gum disease, and cavities. If you have gingivitis, wear braces or aligners, or simply have trouble with the fine motor manipulation of weaving dental floss between your teeth, water flossers are extremely helpful tools. According to the experts we spoke to, they remove more bacteria-causing plaque than string floss alone and are also highly effective tools for maintaining oral health.

We tested 14 different water flossers from brands like Waterpik and Aquasonic for effectiveness, ease of use, settings, and overall value. The best ones were uncomplicated, comfortable to hold, and had a big enough water tank to last through one full session. We also had an orthodontist on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy.

• Best Overall: Aquasonic Aqua Flosser
• Best Budget H2ofloss Water Flosser
• Best Waterpik: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
• Best Cordless: Waterpik Cordless Plus Water Flosser
• Best Portable: MySmile Cordless Oral Irrigator
• Best Electric Toothbrush-Water Flosser Combo: Waterpik Sonic Fusion Toothbrush & Flosser Combo
• Best With Additional Nozzles: Turewell Water Dental Flosser
• Best For Braces: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000

What to Look for in a Water Flosser

• Size: Before committing to a water flosser, consider how much counter space you can devote to it. If you don't have a lot of room, a cordless or more travel-friendly option might be better than a corded one with a large reservoir. The same goes for if you plan to take your water flosser with you when you're away from home; a smaller option will be easier to pack.
• Reservoir Tank: This is the source of water for the pressurized stream that comes out of the nozzle. A large and removable water reservoir makes it easier for people to use the water flosser regularly. However, larger tanks take up more counter space and are not cordless.
• Nozzles: Water flossers come with various nozzle options to cater to different users. The classic jet tip is the most commonly used and recommended. However, specialized tips can be useful when used appropriately. The orthodontic tip flexes around brackets, the periodontal tip delivers medication, and the plaque tip is useful for crowns and implants.
• Pressure Settings: Water flossers have different speed and strength settings. It's recommended to start on the lowest setting and gradually increase it over time. The best pressure setting is the one that's most comfortable and beneficial for you. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, make sure the flosser has a gentle "low" pressure setting. Using a setting that is too high can cause a sore mouth and sensitivity.
• Ergonomics: Make sure you like how the water flosser feels in your hand. Many of our testers noticed when a product was easy to hold or had an ergonomic, well-balanced handle. Since fitting the nozzle into the hard-to-reach places of your mouth can be awkward, you need a flosser that maneuvers smoothly as you twist and turn it around.
• Alerts & Timers: Some water flossers, like the Waterpik, include auto timers to let you know how long you've been flossing. Most of these products are set to alert you at the one- or two-minute mark, which is a good guideline for how long you should floss in a given session.
  

Why We Like It

This Aquasonic Aqua Flosser is our best overall because it impressed us with its easy-to-operate on-off switch and how simple it was to toggle between settings mid-use. That's because 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. We think it is well designed, with 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 (fewer than some of the more expensive options on our list), 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.

It's Worth Noting

• This isn't the fanciest water flosser available, so you should keep reading if you want something with more advanced settings.
  

Product Details

• Dimensions: 3 x 4 x 10 inches
• Reservoir Size: 150 mL
• Pressure Settings: 3
• Attachment Nozzles: 4
• Extra Features: Includes travel pouch

Why We Like It

We chose the H2ofloss Water Flosser Portable as our best budget pick because, frankly, we were surprised this flosser doesn't cost more, considering how versatile and functional it is. Where some more affordable flossers offer only the bare necessities, this one features five pressure settings, from low to super high, and includes six tips: two jet tips, an orthodontic tip, a tongue cleaner, a periodontal tip, and a toothbrush tip.

We found that the H2ofloss was intuitive and easy to figure out, even without a clear set of step-by-step instructions; it has a clean and practical design. This flosser is also effective at cleaning teeth and stores a good amount of water, especially for a portable unit. Our entire mouth felt clean after use, but we did struggle to find the right intensity—the higher settings were a bit too strong and splashed excess water everywhere.

All in all, this is a budget-friendly pick that would be great for beginners. It doesn't include many extraneous pieces or accessories, but the variety you get in terms of pressure settings and nozzle choice elevates this affordable option beyond other less-expensive competitors.

It's Worth Noting

• The high pressure modes might be too intense for some people.
  

Product Details

• Dimensions: 2.3 x 3 x 8.6 inches
• Reservoir Size: 300 mL
• Pressure Settings: 5
• Attachment Nozzles: 6
• Extra Features: None

Why We Like It

We found theWaterpik Aquariusa 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.

It's Worth Noting

• The cord connecting the flosser to the reservoir is noticeably short; it made using the handle a little more difficult.
  

Product Details

• Dimensions: 10.8 x 5.25 x 6 inches
• Reservoir Size: 22 ounces
• Pressure Settings: 10
• Attachment Nozzles: 7
• Extra Features: Built-in timer

Why We Like It

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. TheWaterpik Cordless Advancedis our pick for best cordless—and we think its lightweight, minimalist design is great, especially for newbies.

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 (and it costs more than some models with ten settings, like the Turewell). 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.

It's Worth Noting

• You won't find any special or standout features here; this is a basic flosser that simply gets the job done.
  

Product Details

• Dimensions: 11.65 x 2.7 x 3.8 inches
• Reservoir Size: 7 ounces
• Pressure Settings: 3
• Attachment Nozzles: 4
• Extra Features: Travel pouch

Why We Like It

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.

It's Worth Noting

• You may need to play around a little with the settings until you find one that works best for you.
  

Product Details

• Dimensions: Not listed
• Reservoir Size: 350 ml
• Pressure Settings: 5
• Attachment Nozzles: 8
• Extra Features: None

Why We Like It

As an electric toothbrush and flosser in one, the Sonic Fusion 2.0 allows you to brush, floss,ordo 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.

It's Worth Noting

• Because of the combination brush-flosser, you won't get any nozzle variety with this model.
  

Product Details

• Dimensions: 10.9 x 5.25 x 6 inches
• Reservoir Size: 16 ounces
• Pressure Settings: 10
• Attachment Nozzles: 2
• Extra Features: Built-in timer, travel case, recharge indicator

Why We Like It

The Turewell Water Flosser earned our pick for best with additional nozzles because it includes three jet nozzles and five issue-specific nozzles. But more importantly, we found that the flosser head was small enough to access hard-to-reach areas—which means you can utilize all those fancy nozzle heads in every part of your mouth, maximizing your oral health routine.

All of the various nozzles do require some fiddling as you change them out, so it's not as straightforward to use as some of our other picks, like the Waterpik Aquarius. Meanwhile, the unit's pressure settings are a standout—we like that it only features an on/off button and a pressure setting dial, which makes it easy and intuitive to operate.

We also really appreciated that the pressure dial was able to zero in on precise pressure settings most other wet flossers are unable to. This makes the Turewell suitable for people with sensitive teeth and gums who might otherwise find the standard pressure settings of a flosser too intense for their liking. If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to a pricey water flosser and a thorough clean that's gentle enough for sensitive teeth and gums, the Turewell has the right combination of settings and nozzles to meet your needs.

It's Worth Noting

• Attaching the nozzles can be tricky, so if you're planning to use a variety, you'll need some skill and patience.
  

Product Details

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.2 x 5.1 inches
• Reservoir Size: 600 mL
• Pressure Settings: 10
• Attachment Nozzles: 8
• Extra Features: None

Why We Like It

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.

It's Worth Noting

• Despite its impressive range of intensity settings, some users might find even the lowest setting to be too powerful or intense, especially if they have sensitive gums or are new to water flossing.

Product Details

• Dimensions: 5.32 x 5.91 x 9.92 inches
• Reservoir Size: 550 mL
• Pressure Settings: 10
• Attachment Nozzles: 3
• Extra Features: Magnetic dock w/auto shut-off
  

We tested 14 water flossers in the Health Lab to determine the best ones to add to your oral care routine. We're also testing these water flossers at home so that we can rate their performance over weeks and months of daily use. When testing water flossers in our Lab, we found that features like reservoir size, pressure settings, nozzle attachments, and how much space it will (or won't) take up on your bathroom sink are all important factors. The best ones were uncomplicated, comfortable to hold, and had a big enough water tank to last through one full session. We've rated each device for the following attributes:

• Ease of Use and Settings: We set up each device, filled the tanks with water according to the manufacturer's instructions, and evaluated the different tips and pressure settings, familiarizing ourselves with how it maneuvers around our teeth.
• Effectiveness: We set a one-minute timer for consistency and used each device to clean near the gumline and between our teeth. We noted how well each water flosser removed debris and plaque from their teeth, whether it left anything behind, how it handled in hard-to-reach places, how easy the different settings were to navigate, and how quickly the device ran through water in the tank.
• Overall Value: Water flossers that left our mouths with that "just left the dentist" feeling of cleanliness rated high on our list, along with products that featured larger reservoir tanks, multiple pressure settings, and simple designs free of confusing assembly steps or instructions. Products that didn't make our list of recommendations missed the mark on one or more attributes: They were too awkward or clumsy to use, didn't offer enough variable pressure, or simply weren't worth their higher price point compared to similar flossers.
  

The Experts

In addition to testing 14 models from the top brands, we also spoke with dentists and oral hygiene experts, including:

• Michele Bishop, DDS, founder and owner of Ingram Hills Dental in San Antonio, Texas, and the co-host of the YouTube Channel Tipsy Tooth Talk
• Ghias Jabbour, DDS, owner of Blanco Crossing Dental in San Antonio, Texas

How Water Flossers Work

Water flossers use a small motor to send a pressurized stream of water through a nozzle at your teeth and gums. In doing so, they can remove plaque and bacteria sticking to the hard-to-reach places in your mouth, like along your gum line and between your teeth, that regular dental floss may not be able to.

They are especially useful if you have orthodontics such as braces (and might not be able to floss in between archwires and around brackets), if you have crowns or bridges, if you have gingivitis and need to take extra good care of your gums, and people who can't manipulate dental floss effectively because of conditions such as arthritis.

Water Flosser Safety

Waterpiks and water flossers cannot damage the teeth or the gums, per Dr. Bishop, since water alone can't damage the structure of your tooth. They can cause mild irritation at first, but that's often normal. According to Dr. Bishop, some individuals may notice some bleeding similar to flossing when first using a water flosser, especially if the tissue is inflamed or diseased. As the biofilm and plaque causing the inflammation decrease, the bleeding should also.

More Water Flossers to Consider

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:

• Waterpik Nano Plus: Our tester thought this flosser was small and compact, with a sizable reservoir, but for the cost, we prefer some other options from Waterpik.
• Waterpik Cordless Express: This powerful flosser is nearly ready to use out of the box. It has two settings, which would work fine for someone who needs a lot of intensity—our testers noted that the lowest setting is still pretty strong.
• Waterpik ION Professional: The Ion is sleek, compact, and easy to use, but we weren't as impressed with its quality. The nozzle attachment fell off mid-use, and our tester struggled to reassemble it correctly.
• Waterpik Cordless Pearl: We found the Pearl is better for travel than everyday use. Our tester noted that it was messy to use along the front teeth, and the attachment needed re-inserting a few times.
  

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).