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

Earning top marks across the board for its mess-free deep cleaning, ease of use and quietness, the Philips Sonicare water flosser aced our test, earning 96% in overall satisfaction among our consumer testers. One tester described it as their "all-time favorite" product throughout 20 years of using water flossers.

Its four water stream settings (clean, deep clean, sensitive and massage) and auto-timer setting allow you to really get into your gums for a thorough clean. "With my old flosser, I think I moved too fast between my teeth to do an effective job," said one tester. "I feel like I have now completely re-learned the correct way to use water flossers."

Featuring the longest hose among the models we tested, the almost four-foot long retractable cord and magnetic handle make it effortless to use (not to mention store away when not in use). Reservoir fills are easy thanks to a flip lid. Plus, if you value counter space, testers said they preferred this model's sleek, small-footprint design to other clunkier versions they've tried in the past.

Straightforward and easy to use, the Waterpik ION countertop model has most of the features you'd find in a top-of-the-line water flosser, but at a lower price. With an impressive 3-star Quiet Mark score, we found it to be one of the quietest water flossers we tested. It also got high marks for its ergonomic design and effective between-teeth cleaning, according to our testers. The retractable hose keeps countertop clutter minimal, but if you'd like to go cord-free, the flosser includes a rechargeable battery too. "I love that it's wireless, and [it] can sit anywhere I want on my sink!" said one tester.

Switch between its six 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."

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 previously tested the original model of the Cordless Advanced Waterpik, and though we haven't formally tested the new version, we note that it now has a rechargeable lithium ion battery and comes with a magnetic charging cable that can be plugged into a USB port. One Amazon reviewer raved that it "delivers a powerful and consistent water stream," while another said "it’s light, not too bulky and fits well in the hand." This small-but mighty flosser also comes with four tips, including two brush tips for cleaning around braces and loosening plaque. Since this flosser is compact, you may need to pause to refill it with water during a flossing session.

With an average 4.6-star rating across nearly 124K+ (!) reviews, Waterpik's Aquarius model has earned its spot as one of the best-selling water flossers on Amazon. Our consumer testers loved it too, saying “I definitely felt like I had 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 means that it will take up some space on your counter. Thankfully, 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.

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. 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.

Even though it only has two settings, the switch makes it easy to change the water pressure. It uses three AA batteries, so you don't have to worry about packing a charger on-the-go. The reservoir holds five ounces of water (equivalent to 30 seconds of use), and it has a removable tank that's super easy to clean — just throw it in the dishwasher on the top rack.

For our most recent test of water flossers, our analysts evaluated the specs of 12 water flossers in the , and also sent them to consumer testers (to analyze at-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.

✔️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," said Sharon Huang, DDS. "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. Meanwhile, countertop flossers can run the gamut of 10 to 20 fluid ounces, which means you can usually clean your entire mouth in just one fill.

The dentists we spoke to say yes! “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 homecare routine.”

The dentists we spoke to also agreed that people with braces will definitely benefit from a water flosser because the wires make it hard to use traditional floss. Sally Cram, DDS, 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.

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. Then, 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.

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.

This article was most recently updated by Jacqueline Saguin, GH's commerce editor who collaborates with our Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab experts to translate their testing and data analysis into comprehensive product guides. She updated this piece with their recommendations and insights.

Butler and Saguin 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.