The 13 Best Teeth Whitening Products That Actually Work, Per 150 Testers

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 2.6 shades | Recommended usage: Twice per day for 30 minutes | Results in: 2 weeks

Brush on this minty Crest whitening gel, the winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s teeth whitening products test across all categories, to whiten teeth almost three shades in two weeks. The formula (which comes with an applicator wand) ranked highly across the board, with testers raving about how easy it was to incorporate into their routine.

The serum scored best for overall satisfaction, with 100% of testers agreeing that it removed surface tooth stains and didn’t irritate gums (some did note tooth sensitivity during use, however). They also liked that it had a pleasant fresh taste and didn't leave excess product on teeth.

It received one of the highest ratings for lightening teeth, by 2.6 shades on average in two weeks of use. One user liked that the product was “discreet." Another raved: "It didn’t have a bad taste or interfere with my day or night routine, and I actually saw results."

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 2.7 shades | Recommended usage: Once per day for 30 minutes | Results in: 2 weeks

Zimba's whitening strips were the best in the strips category in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent test. Offered in six flavors ranging from spearmint to watermelon, they put a great-tasting spin on classic whitening strips and earned top scores for ease of use and noticeably lightening teeth.

An impressive 100% of testers found that the strips made teeth visibly whiter, by an average of 2.7 shades in two weeks. Users gave them high marks for being effortless to apply, staying in place and having an enjoyable flavor (particularly the coconut variant).

Note, though, that teeth must be dry before application so the strips adhere and they can leave residue that requires rinsing. They “didn’t taste gross” and “took care of yellow staining I had,” two fans commented. Another echoed: "I did see a noticeable difference in my teeth."

RELATED: Best Teeth Whitening Strips

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 2.6 shades | Recommended usage: Once per day for 1 hour with strips only, plus 5 minutes with strips and light | Results in: 19 days

Up your whitening game with Crest’s kit of hydrogen peroxide strips and a wireless LED-light device — inspired by pro treatments — to boost the effects. Almost all users agreed that it was gentle, yet erased stains and whitened teeth well. The duo received the highest score for removing surface stains from teeth, and 100% of testers agreed that it didn’t cause tooth sensitivity or irritate gums. The product whitened teeth an average of 2.6 shades in 19 days of use.

Testers also praised it for not being messy and that the device sat securely on teeth, although some found the time commitment of more than one hour per day inconvenient. They enthused that the set “truly worked and clearly whitened teeth,” even ones stained by tea and red wine. "I can see the whitening effect after just one use," another marveled. (See one tester's before-and-after photos, below.)

Whitening ingredient: Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid | Level of whitening: 2.1 shades | Recommended usage: Twice per day for 20 minutes | Results in: 1 week

Oralgen proves there is no need to break the bank for an effective LED teeth whitening kit. To use this, you dispense the whitening gel into the mouth tray, turn on the attached LED activator light and place the tray on teeth. While it requires a 40 minute daily time commitment, the product lightened teeth by 2.1 shades on average in one week, GH Beauty Lab testing found.

An impressive 100% of testers agreed it was easy to use. The device also scored high for not being messy, not sensitizing teeth or gums, fitting securely and comfortably on teeth, visible whitening effects and removing surface stains. "I didn't have much hope being a 40+ year former smoker, but it really works," a tester marveled. "I've tried other products and this is the first that made a noticeable difference." (See one tester's before-and-after photos, below.)

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 1.6 shades | Recommended usage: Twice per day for 30 minutes | Results in: 1 week

Look no further than these Rembrandt whitening strips if your teeth tend to be sensitive. They effectively whitened teeth, by 1.6 shades in one week, yet 100% of testers agreed that they didn't cause sensitivity. The strips also rated highly for not leaving excessive residue on teeth.

They didn't perform as well for ease of use: Testers reported that they didn't like the fit of the strips, plus they didn't sit securely in place and weren't as comfortable to keep in the mouth during the treatment time. Users did appreciate the fast results, however, commenting how they "visibly lightened teeth quickly" and "did show improvement in seven days."

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 2.9 shades | Recommended usage: Once per day for 30 minutes | Results in: 20 days

Tooth stains don't stand a chance against these Up&Up whitening strips, which were a GH Beauty Lab tester favorite. The treatment whitened teeth by 2.9 shades on average in 20 days and received the highest score for removing surface stains. Testers also rated them high for having easy-to-understand instructions, not leaving behind excessive residue and making teeth visibly whiter.

(They didn't sit securely on teeth, however, especially the bottom strips, users noted.) "The product was extremely easy to use," a tester commented. "I was very surprised how well it worked."

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 2.3 shades | Recommended usage: Once per day for 30 minutes | Results in: 20 days

Teeth whitening strips can sometimes be messy and leave behind a gooey residue, but not these from Equate. In GH Beauty Lab testing, they whitened teeth 2.3 shades on average after 20 days of use. A full 100% of testers agreed they were easy to incorporate into their routines and not messy to use. They also scored well for having simple instructions, feeling comfortable to keep in the mouth, no unpleasant taste and removing surface stains from teeth.

Two caveats: The strips can cause tooth sensitivity and half of testers found it difficult to keep them attached to teeth. Several testers remarked on how "easy to use" these were and liked that they "could do other things while wearing the strips." One raved: They visibly whitened teeth — I could clearly see a difference."

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 2 shades | Recommended usage: Once per day for 15 minutes | Results in: 1 week

If you suffer from gum sensitivity, no worries about irritation with these Burst whitening strips. They whitened teeth two shades in only one week of application and scored highest for not inflaming gums in Beauty Lab testing. A full 100% of testers also found they felt comfortable in the mouth, and they ranked near the top at being easy to use, non-messy, adhering well on teeth and not causing tooth pain.

Note that they did leave excessive residue on teeth and scored low for removing surface stains and producing visible whitening effects. Multiple testers liked that "you only had to wear them for 15 minutes" per day. (See one tester's before-and-after photos, below.)

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide, silica | Level of whitening claimed: Up to 10 years of stains | Recommended usage: Two times per day | Results in: 4 weeks

Get noticeably whiter teeth at a bargain price by just brushing with Colgate’s groundbreaking whitening toothpaste, a GH Beauty Award winner, which contains high levels of the bleaching active hydrogen peroxide. Data shows that this formula, with 3% hydrogen peroxide, can remove up to 10 years of yellow stains on teeth in four weeks of twice-daily use, GH Beauty Lab analysis confirmed.

Though it may take longer to see results than stronger treatments, GH's Beauty Director found that it doesn't cause any sensitivity and her teeth are noticeably whiter when using this versus other toothpastes. Former Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn is a fan of the Colgate Optic White Pro Series Whitening Toothpaste, which contains an even higher level of hydrogen peroxide (5%): "This toothpaste works just as well as the whitening strips I’ve tried, without any irritation at all," she said. "It visibly whitened my teeth after just a couple weeks of brushing morning and night."

RELATED: Best Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 2 to 4 shades | Recommended usage: Once per day for 45 minutes | Results in: 20 days

True to its claim of professional-level whitening, the Crest whitening strip kit is a GH Beauty Lab and dentist gold standard for smile brightening. Lab evaluations found that after 20 days of daily use, they lightened teeth a noticeable two to four shades. The strips simply stick on teeth and can be worn during daily activities for convenience. (Note that they must be applied for 45 minutes to achieve best results and some reviewers experienced discomfort during use.)

"These strips are one of the most effective at-home teeth whitening products," said Michael J. Wei, D.D.S., FIADFE, a cosmetic dentist in New York City. "They are designed to remove tough stains from coffee, tea and smoking, and they’re easy to use, since they don’t require any special trays or gels." Ellen Katz, D.D.S., co-founder of Maison BE Dental Studio in New York City, also recommends this kit and Dr. Gonchar calls it "one of my personal favorite over-the-counter whitening products."

Whitening ingredient: Carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 1 shade | Recommended usage: Once per day for 9 minutes | Results in: 1 week

No pesky cords attached to this innovative Snow LED teeth whitening kit, which like professional dentist treatments, has a wireless LED mouthpiece to use with the included hydrogen peroxide gel. In GH Beauty Lab testing, it received a perfect score for not sensitizing teeth or gums, was easy to use and brightened teeth by one shade after one week of use for the recommended nine minutes per day.

Though one tester found the LED device uncomfortable in the beginning, another liked the "durable" silicone mouthpiece and that she could "walk around and do things while using it." It earned raves for being pain-free: "This is the easiest and most painless whitening kit I've used," a fan said.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Snow Teeth Whitening Kit

Whitening ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Level of whitening: 1.9 shades | Recommended usage: Once per night | Results in: 1 week

Whiten your teeth while you sleep with Colgate's gentle, "convenient" wand, a top performer in the pen category in GH Beauty Lab testing. The built-in brush dispenses a 3% hydrogen peroxide-based liquid you can paint on teeth in seconds.

Among brush-on teeth whiteners, it earned the highest score for not irritating teeth, plus ranked well at visibly whitening teeth, removing surface stains and not leaving excessive residue on teeth.

One drawback: Testers commented that it was difficult to clean the wand. "Being able to apply and go to sleep with it on was so easy," a tester remarked. Another said: "I had absolutely no pain or sensitivity like I've had in the past with whitening strips."

RELATED: Best Teeth Whitening Pens

Whitening ingredient: Urea peroxide | Level of whitening: 1.6 shades | Recommended usage: Twice per day | Results in: 2 weeks

Simply swipe on Moon's handy whitening wand onto teeth for a more sparkling smile, no rinsing necessary. The formula lightened teeth 1.6 shades on average after two weeks in GH Beauty testing and earned the highest score for easy application.

It rated well across the board with testers for its effortlessness, including having straightforward instructions and being simple to work into their routines and not messy. The pen scored below average for helping to remove surface stains, however.

"I liked how easy it was to apply and go," a tester reported. Another praised that the formula could be brushed precisely near the gumline to fully cover teeth.