10 best water flossers for healthier teeth and gums

We all know just how important it is to keep our teeth and gums squeaky clean, but most of us will also know how it feels to be ticked off by the dentist for not flossing to their high standards. With many of us having visited our dentists less regularly during the pandemic, there's no better time to incorporate an electric flosser into your daily routine.

Unlike traditional flossing which can be fiddly and difficult to master, electric flossers use a jet of water or mouthwash to dislodge the particles that can get stuck between your teeth or left behind after brushing, with many offering different settings for people with braces or sensitive gums.

Whether you are looking for a more straightforward dental hygiene solution, a water flosser for travel, a flosser to use in the shower or simply want to make sure you’re in the dentist’s good books the next time you see them, there will be an electric flosser that’s right for you.

How we chose our recommendations

There are lots of different water flossers on the market and so deciding which one is right for your individual dental needs can be tricky. We’ve thoroughly researched the best water flossers you can buy, including tried and tested experiences from a wide range of reliable sources.

Recommendations from real people

Firstly, we sought out trusted opinions from our Mumsnet users who have tried and reviewed a wide range of dental hygiene products on our forums, including electric water flossers.

We vetted their honest views and recommendations, getting their feedback on the products they have tried, felt worked well and found easy to use, even for beginners. We also took into account any products that they wouldn’t recommend - including water flossers that they found fiddly to use, particularly messy or simply ineffective.

Expert opinions

When it comes to dental hygiene products, we know that the views of dentists, dental hygienists and industry experts are hugely important. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are safe to use and gentle on gums whilst keeping teeth clean and hygienic. Whilst dentists don’t recommend completely replacing traditional flossing with a water flosser, we’ve made sure we included products and brands that are well regarded, rated or recommended by dental professionals.

Authentic customer reviews

Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best water flossers to buy today, we scrutinised in-depth consumer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Boots, John Lewis and Superdrug to get wider customer experiences regarding the water flossers on our shortlist. Through this research, we were able to weigh up the best water flossers for each situation and the possible pros and cons of each choice.

It’s worth remembering that health and dental routines and preferences vary hugely from one person to the next. With that in mind, here are the best water flossers to buy in 2022, whatever your requirements or budget.

1. Best overall water flosser: Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser WP-563

Price: £94.99 | Buy now from Amazon

Waterpik is a popular and trusted water flosser brand with a great reputation both on the Mumsnet forums and from a wealth of positive online reviews. Their products are often recommended by dental experts, with this particular model having approval from the Oral Health Foundation.

Lightweight and easy to use, the Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser offers a fuss-free solution for maintaining healthy gums and is ideal for beginners or those who have difficulty using traditional floss or interdental brushes.

With three different pressure settings to suit even the most sensitive gums, the Waterpik is suitable for use on braces, implants, crowns and bridges. Its rotating head revolves a full 360-degrees to help you reach those tricky spots, massaging and stimulating the gums during use to aid circulation.

If you’re worried about making a mess as you familiarise yourself with the settings, it’s reassuring to know that it’s cordless for freedom and fully waterproof so you can even use it in the shower for ease.

Whilst some reviewers found that the batteries drained quickly, for most it lasted for a full seven days. Unlike its predecessor, the Waterpik Cordless Plus, this model comes with a handy display that shows how much battery is left. When it runs low, the rapid four-hour charge means it’ll be back ready and raring to go in no time!

Key specs

• Pressure: 45 to 75 PSI

• Tank capacity: 207mls (45 seconds of use)

• Modes: Three

• Tips provided: Four tips included

• Battery: UK 2-pin charger, rapid charge

• Battery life: 7 days

• Charger: 4-hour magnetic charging

• Dimensions: H29.9cm, W6.96cm, D9.65cm

• Weight: 0.65 kg

Pros

• Three pressure and intensity settings to suit most dental needs, including braces

• Waterproof for use in the shower

• Range of tips included

Cons 

• Battery life could be better for the price

2. Best budget water flosser: Fairywill Cordless Portable Electric Water Flosser

Price: £37.04 | Buy now from OnBuy.com

If you are using a water flosser for the first time and don’t want to spend a fortune, the Fairywill Cordless Portable Electric Water Flosser is a budget-friendly option designed with travel in mind. This set comes with an electric toothbrush included, for an all-round dental hygiene solution at a competitive price.

A palm-sized model, which is smaller than some others on the market, this is a fully portable and compact flosser for use both in and away from home.

The Fairywill water flosser comes with a generous 300ml tank with a double-sealing ring to prevent leaking, plus the nozzle heads are also fully detachable to help you pack them away and store when not in use. The handy USB charger means there are more options to ensure you have a full charge while out and about too, without being restricted to a bathroom charge point.

With five different cleaning modes and a significant choice of pressure settings, this flosser is a versatile choice that will meet the majority of users’ needs, but do bear in mind it's a little noisier than some other models.

Key specs

• Pressure: 30-100psi

• Tank capacity: 300ml

• Modes: Five

• Tips provided: Four tips included

• Battery: Rechargeable lithium battery

• Battery life: 21 days

• Charger: USB charge

• Dimensions: H25.5cm, W6.7cm D13.3cm

• Weight: 0.62kg

Pros

• Long battery life

• Budget friendly

• Ideal for travel

Cons 

• The highest pressure setting can be quite intense

• Noisier than some other models

3. Best cordless water flosser: Philips Sonicare HX3806 Cordless Power Flosser 3000 Oral Irrigator

Price: £89.99 | Buy now from John Lewis

The Philips Sonicare is another popular cordless water flosser option, which comes with a compact design that fits comfortably on your bathroom countertop when not in use.

 An ideal choice if you’re always in a rush, the Philips Sonicare HX3806 can clean your whole mouth in just 60 seconds. Benefitting from ‘quad stream technology’ - which is essentially a unique X-shaped tip - the water is separated into four different directions from the jets, helping you effortlessly cover a greater area much faster, cleaning efficiently across both your teeth and gums. It also comes with a standard tip for spot cleaning, which helps to quickly remove unwelcome food debris after meals.

Using pulse waves, this water flosser guides you from tooth to tooth and comes with a fully rotating 360-degree nozzle, ensuring that even those hard to reach molars aren’t missed.

A great choice for travel, it's fully waterproof, suitable for use in the shower and can be popped back into its compact travel case when not in use.

While it’s more expensive than some other water flossers, it's a good choice for those looking for an efficient deep clean without the hassle of traditional string floss.

Key specs

• Pressure: Range adjusted by dial

• Tank capacity: 250ml

• Modes: Two

• Tips provided: Two - one standard and one quad stream

• Battery: Unspecified

• Battery life: 14 days

• Charger: USB

• Dimensions: H24.9cm, W9.2 cm, D13.5cm

• Weight: 0.42kg

Pros

• X-shaped tip

• Suitable for use in the shower

• Fast and efficient cleaning in less than a minute

Cons

• Pricey

4. Best water flosser for the whole family: MySmile Powerful Cordless Water Flosser

Price: £55.99 | Buy now from Amazon

Whilst there are some obvious benefits to improving your entire family’s dental routine, not all flossers are suitable for children’s sensitive teeth and gums, largely due to the fact most use substantial levels of pressure.

Made with the whole family in mind, the MySmile Powerful Cordless Water Flosser offers a wide range of pressure settings including a low-pressure setting of just 50 PSI which is ideal for children over eight years of age. It comes with eight jet tips marked with different colours, so that family members can all share the main flosser unit and simply change over their tips as required.

A compact design suitable for travel and IPX7 water resistant to enable use in the shower, the MySmile even comes with an innovative ‘three step to start’ design so you don’t need to worry about accidental sprays!

Key specs

• Pressure: 50 (Child) to 150 PSI

• Tank capacity: 350ml

• Modes: Five

• Tips provided: Eight

• Battery: 1800 mAh lithium

• Battery life: 15-20 days

• Charger: USB charging

• Dimensions: Unspecified

• Weight: Unspecified

Pros

• Low-pressure option suitable for children eight and above

• Eight colour-coded tips

Cons

• Some reviewers found the shape of the tank quite bulky to hold

5. Best water flosser for the shower: Hangsun Water Flosser Cordless Oral Irrigator Rechargeable Ultra Dental Water Jet HOC700

Price: £25.45 | Buy now from Amazon

It's fair to say that using water flossers effectively can take some practice and by their very nature, they can be a little on the messy side, using pressurised jets of water and allowing them to run out of your mouth into the sink. For beginners, waterproof or water resistant flossers are a great place to start, providing the freedom to floss in the shower where spray and mess are less of an issue.

The Hangsun Water Flosser is cordless, portable and IPX7 waterproof, offering the freedom to clean your teeth and gums as you shower, incorporating flossing seamlessly into your morning routine. If you’re an early riser, you’ll also be pleased to know that it's one of the quieter flossers on our list, with a low-noise motor which can be used bright and early without disturbing others.

With four tips included (marked with different colours) this water flosser can be shared by multiple members of the family. We also love that the extra large 300ml water tank provides enough capacity for a thorough 90 second to two minute clean. It's great value too, although do be warned some users did find it to be too powerful even on the lowest setting.

Key specs

• Pressure: Normal, Soft and Pulse modes

• Tank capacity: 300ml

• Modes: Three

• Tips provided: Four

• Battery: Rechargeable

• Battery life: Unspecified

• Charger: USB (not included)

• Dimensions: Unspecified

• Weight: Unspecified

Pros

• Ultra quiet design

• Fully waterproof for use in shower

• Great value

Cons

• Charging adapter not included

• Some found it too powerful

6. Best water flosser for travel: Synhope Mini Cordless Water Flosser

Price: £30.59 | Buy now from Amazon

If you’re looking for a fully portable water flosser to use between meals at the office, on holiday or when travelling away from home, the Synhope Mini Cordless Water Flosser is one of the most compact flossers on the market. Its features include an integrated storage nozzle and telescopic water tank, making it smaller than most iPhones when not in use.

With a waterproof design and range of cleaning modes to suit a variety of dental needs, including those with periodontal disease, the pressure level is impressive for its size. There’s also a choice of tips and it comes with one ideal for use with orthodontic braces.

We like that it comes with a portable storage bag for travel convenience and is fully leakproof, although some users did struggle to fully drain away any excess water after use.

Key specs

• Pressure: Up to 140PSI

• Tank capacity: Telescopic water tank

• Modes: Three

• Tips provided: Three jet tips and tongue cleaning tip

• Battery: Lithium battery

• Battery life: 30 days

• Charger: USB charging

• Dimensions: H12.5cm, W6.2cm, D3cm

• Weight: Unspecified

Pros

• Compact

• Travel friendly

• Impressive pressure for size

Cons

• Draining after use can be tricky

7. Best water flosser for gentle cleaning: Panasonic EW1211 Rechargeable Dental Oral Irrigator

Price: £68.60 | Buy now from Amazon

The standout feature of the Panasonic EW1211 water flosser is its soft mode, which uses a water flow that contains fine bubbles of air to comfortably stimulate and massage areas of concern on your gums.

In particular, Panasonic highlights its effectiveness for periodontal care – a gentle water stream with microbubbles can directly clean any delicate areas caused by gum disease. It also has a jet mode which removes food residue caught between teeth and can clean around dental bridges, braces and crowns.

It’s a cordless model but unlike some other USB charged water flossers, this comes with a UK two-pin plug compatible with your bathroom shaving socket.

Key specs

• Pressure: 28 - 94PSI

• Tank capacity: 200ml

• Modes: Five

• Tips provided: Two

• Battery: Lithium ion battery

• Battery life: Unspecified

• Charger: 2-pin plug

• Dimensions: H28.5cm, W7.5cm, D8.5cm

• Weight: 0.28kg

Pros

• Five different pressure settings

• Microbubbles to stimulate and massage gums

Cons

• Replacement tips can be expensive and hard to find

8. Best water flosser for whitening: Waterpik Whitening Professional Water Flosser

Price: £96 | Buy now from Amazon

If you care enough about your oral hygiene to be interested in a new electric water flosser, the chances are you’d like to keep your teeth pearly white too.

If you’d like to shift some stains and clean your gums at the same time, Waterpik has you covered with a model that has a unique design and includes whitening tablets to use as part of the process.

Whilst Mumsnet user MiddleClassMother didn't notice any improvement in the whiteness of her teeth, many reviews rave about the effects. Clinically proven to remove up to 25% more stains than brushing alone, according to the manufacturer, the whitening infuser technology mixes water with a gentle stain removal agent that safely restores your natural whiteness, removes plaque and promotes healthier gums.

It’s worth nothing that with a hefty 600ml reservoir, this is one of the more bulky flossers on our list and takes up far more surface space. It also requires a UK 2-pin shaver socket and is corded, so you will need to stay close to the tank when in use.

Key specs

• Pressure: 10 to 100 PSI

• Tank capacity: 600ml

• Modes: Two

• Tips provided: Four

• Battery: Powered by electric socket

• Battery life: N/A

• Charger: 2-pin shaver socket, not chargeable

• Dimensions: H27.31cm, W11.94cm, D9.65cm

• Weight: 0.662kg

Pros

• Effective whitening and stain removal

• Substantial water tank

Cons

• Bulky size

• Corded

• Non-rotating tip

9. Best 2-in-1 water flosser: Waterpik CC-01 Complete Care 9.0 Sonic Electric Toothbrush with Water Flosser

Price: £199.73 | Buy now from Amazon

Even the best electric flosser can’t replace the work done by brushing – so you’re going to need a toothbrush too. This model from Waterpik offers the best of both worlds, housing an electric toothbrush alongside an electric water flosser so you can be sure you have all bases (and braces!) covered.

The design means you can charge both your electric flosser and toothbrush from the same shaving socket power outlet. It’s worth noting however, while the toothbrush is cordless, the flosser isn’t – so you’ll need to have room for the water tank on your bathroom countertop.

With a wide range of pressure options from a super gentle 10PSI through to 100PSI, you can pick a level that works for you and your dental needs.

Key specs

• Pressure: 10 to 100 PSI

• Tank capacity: 650ml

• Modes: Three

• Tips provided: Five

• Battery: Mains powered

• Battery life: Unspecified

• Charger: Shaving power outlet

• Dimensions: H26.04cm, W13.34cm, D11.18cm

• Weight: ‎1.12kg

Pros

• Complete dental hygiene solution in one

• Wide range of pressure settings

Cons

• Pricey

• Corded flosser

10. Best water flosser for braces: Power Floss Irrigator

Price: £18.95 | Buy now from Dentocare

If you or your family have bridges, orthodontic braces or crowns, extra care is needed when adding water flossers to your dental routine, particularly as high pressure can dislodge or cause damage if used incorrectly.

Ideal for cleaning otherwise inaccessible areas between braces and your teeth, the Power Floss Irrigator is a hand-operated manual flosser which requires no charging or electricity at all, simply using the power of a button pump action to directly target areas of the teeth and remove trapped food particles.

Easy to use, it’s also a very affordable option for beginners looking for a more gentle clean.

Key specs

• Pressure: Manual pump action

• Tank capacity: Unspecified

• Modes: N/A

• Tips provided: One

• Battery: N/A

• Battery life: N/A

• Charger: N/A

• Dimensions: L23cm

• Weight: ‎Not specified

Pros

• Affordable

• Gentle pressure for use with braces and bridges

• No charging required

Cons

• Hand-operated

• Not as powerful as battery powered flossers

How to choose a water flosser

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a water flosser:

• Tooth sensitivity - It sounds obvious, but if you have sensitive gums, it’s best to look for one that can be gentle on them. Look at the range of pressure settings on the flosser to ensure that the flosser won't be uncomfortable if you have existing gum conditions such as periodontal disease.

• What you want to use it for - Is it simply to jet food debris out from your mouth, or do you want something that will also clean your tongue or whiten your teeth?

• Dental work you've had done - Do you have any specialised requirements due to braces, crowns or dental implants? If you have any of these, look out for models that have tailored attachments designed to get them sparkly clean.

• Storage - Don’t forget the practicalities of your bathroom, and think about where you will use and store your new flosser. You can choose from countertop models, which have a water tank that sits separately from the water flosser, or cordless models which have an integrated water tank and separate charging dock. Countertop models tend to have more features and can offer a wider range of pressure, but they do take up a bit more room. Cordless electric flossers, on the other hand, are great for when you’re on the go.

• Portability - Do you plan to take your flosser with you when you travel? If so, look out for more compact models or those that come with storage pouches or travel bags.

• Use in shower - Not all water flossers are suitable for use in the shower. Look out for flossers that are cordless and IPX7 waterproof, as these offer flexibility on when and where you use them.

• Price - How much do you want to spend? Some water flossers can be picked up for a relatively low cost, but others offer more all round dental hygiene solutions and have a greater variety in terms of modes and pressure - these inevitably come with a higher price tag.

How do you use a water flosser?

It’s best to use your flosser before brushing your teeth. Most water flossers are electric, so you need to start by making sure it’s charged up. Once you’ve done that, fill the water tank with either lukewarm water (this can help prevent sensitivity) or a mix of water and mouthwash.

Depending on the type of cleaning you want to do, your electric water flosser might have a range of tips you can use that are suitable for different tasks, for example a plaque cleaner or an orthodontic tip.

One important thing – most electric water flossers come with a few different pressure settings. Make sure you start on the lowest setting, so you can be sure it’s comfortable for your gums. Once the tip is attached securely and you’re happy with the setting, you’re ready to go.

Once you have the flosser in your mouth, simply manoeuvre the tip where you want to clean, aim the nozzle between the gaps in your teeth and press the button on the flosser to activate the jet of water. You can then carefully work your way around your mouth, making sure you don’t miss any gaps.

It’s best to lean over your sink while you use your flosser. Water flossers work by shooting a jet of water and/or air out the nozzle, so you might find it takes a bit of practise to perfect your technique – the sink can capture any dribble while you’re getting used to it! And remember to clean your flosser regularly when using it by rinsing it, to ensure it’s hygienic at all times.

Is water flossing as effective as regular flossing?

If you don’t like string floss, don’t floss often, or find traditional floss hard to use, a water flosser could be the answer.

Many water flossers are now clinically proven to reduce gingivitis (bleeding gums), remove plaque, combat receding gums and improve gum health, and they can be particularly useful for cleaning if you have braces, bridges, crowns and dental implants.

But regular dental floss and interdental brushes can be effective too, when combined with brushing as part of your regular oral hygiene regime. You can find the NHS’s advice on keeping your teeth and mouth clean here.

Do dentists approve of water flossers?

Whilst most dentists will be reluctant for you to entirely replace or move away from traditional flossing, the majority of dentists and dental hygienists will agree that supplementing your existing dental routine with a water flosser will help improve your overall dental hygiene. They should not be used as a replacement or substitute for brushing or flossing.

What is the best water flosser to buy?

The Waterpik Cordless Advanced is the best water flosser to buy right now whether you're a beginner or experienced user. It’s lightweight, cordless and easy to use, with users praising its ‘immediate results’. It has two pressure settings and a 360-degree rotating head to help you reach those tricky spots. It also has the option of the included orthodontic tip, which is proven to be three times more effective at reducing plaque for people with braces.

Because it’s cordless, there are no batteries needed, and it keeps its charge for about a week. Its standard UK 3-pin plug means that everyone will have somewhere they can charge it too – unlike some models which need either a shaving socket or a USB charger.

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