5 Best Water Flossers, According to Our In-Depth Testing

We tested a dozen of the most popular water flossers in our search for the best. Below are our quick thoughts on two other notable options that didn't make the final cut, along with the reasons why:

•Panasonic EW 1511: This one has two more pressure settings than our best cordless pick, but testers found that this flosser was not powerful enough to clean effectively. Consumers also mentioned that the tank was quite small and thus they had to refill it mid-flossing.

•Burst Water Flosser: While affordable, testers noted that this flosser's 110 mL tank required frequent refills. They also found it messy to use. We did, however, like that it comes with flexible tips that rotate a full 360º for hard-to-reach spots, like the back of your mouth or for those with braces.

For our most recent test, our analysts evaluated 12 water flossers in the Health, Beauty & Sustainability Lab, and also sent them to consumer testers (for home use) and our partner lab, Quiet Mark (to compare the amount of noise they generate).

✔️ 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," says Sharon Huang, D.D.S. "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. Countertop flossers, on the other hand, range from 10 to 20 fluid ounces, which means you can usually clean your entire mouth in just one fill.

Do dentists recommend water flossers?

Yes, the dentists we spoke to recommend them. “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 health routine at home.”

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

Can a water flosser replace string flossing?

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. 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.

How do you clean a water flosser?

GH Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou suggests using soap and water to maintain cleanliness between deep cleans.

Some tanks, such as those on countertop models, can be cleaned with soap and a sponge, rinsed with a water and vinegar mixture and then water. For handheld flossers, pull the tank out and clean it with a bottle brush, soap and water.

"I also filled it with half water and half white vinegar and ran a full reservoir (in my shower because it sprays everywhere, and then a few cycles with plain water to rinse it out)," Papantoniou says.

What's the difference between a Waterpik and a water flosser?

Waterpik is a brand name, while water flosser is the generic term for a device that cleans the mouth with a stream of water. Since the Waterpik brand has created many popular models of water flossers over the years, some people use the brand name Waterpik in place of the term water flosser.

Beauty and Health Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler conducts hands-on testing and analysis of beauty and health products for the Good Housekeeping Institute, including overseeing our water flosser Lab tests and surveys. With a background as a cosmetic chemist, she brings expertise in evaluating ingredient efficacy and scrutinizing product claims.

Former Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin collaborated with our Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab experts to translate their testing and data analysis for this guide. She also interviewed dental professionals Dr. Sara Larbi, Dr. Sharon Huang, Dr. Sally Cram and Dr. Adam S. Harwood.