The 17 Best Teeth Whitening Products and Kits of 2023

Best Overall

Crest 3D White Whitestrips with Light

4.8

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Crest is no stranger to the at-home whitening world, but this latest innovation really is a game-changer. It takes the same beloved strips the brand is best known for and amps up their effects with blue light technology to provide unmatched results that can last up to 36 months.

For 10 days, you wear the strips for an hour, then hold up the light device to the strips for another 10 minutes (five minutes each on the top and bottom). The light boasts the same technology found in dentist’s offices, which helps the hydrogen peroxide in the strips better penetrate the tooth enamel and ultimately removes yellow stains and leads to whiter teeth. 

And, yes, it really works. Byrdie writer Jenna Igneri notes she began to see a brightening effect by day five, and by day 10, her smile was noticeably a few shades lighter, while any bothersome stains had faded significantly.

Price at time of publish: $70

Type: Strips, light | Session Duration: 70 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Whitestrips

4.8

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Truly a classic, you really can’t go wrong with these easy-to-use strips. They have the American Dental Association's (ADA) seal of approval, which was granted to them in 2017. To drive home how major that is, it's worth mentioning that it's the first product to earn the ADA seal in the Home-Use Tooth Bleaching Products category, according to the ADA. They promise to remove up to 10 years' worth of stains and yellowing, and this variety features extra grip to ensure they stay in place.

Dr. Marashi is also a fan, lauding both the affordable price and the good results they deliver. Still, he does note that compliance with any at-home product is usually the main issue, so you’ll need to use these every day (for the entire duration of the two-week treatment cycle) to see the best results.

Price at time of publish: $30

Type: Strips | Session Duration: 30 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide

Best Kit

GLO Science GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device

4.6

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A little bit on the pricier side, this is pretty much the closest you can get to a pro-style treatment at home. You start by applying the protective lip balm, then brush a thin layer of the whitening gel along the fronts of your teeth. Pop in the mouthpiece and turn it on, either manually or via the app, fancy.

The GLO technology—which stands for Guided Light Optics. FYI—it uses a combo of both light and heat to activate the hydrogen peroxide-based gel, so you get whiter teeth, fast. It shuts off after eight minutes, though you have to repeat the process twice more after that. Do three cycles total for seven days in a row for impressive results. As for their results? Byrdie writer Ashley Rebecca notes, "I’d say my teeth are about one to one-and-a-half shades lighter than they were in the beginning and with consistent use past the 10-day mark, they will get even brighter."

Price at time of publish: $159

Type: Gel, light | Session Duration: 8 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium nitrate, sodium fluoride

Best Kit, Runner-Up

Snow Teeth Whitening Kit With LED Light

4.5

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This is Dr. Marashi’s pick for a full-on system. “It combines a special wavelength of light delivered via the mouthpiece combined with the whitening gel. The light activates the gel to effectively break down dark colors that are staining your teeth,” he explains. It’s a fan-favorite on Amazon, too, repeatedly pulling in positive reviews with customers commenting on how well it works and how it’s worth the price.

Each kit comes with three wands of Snow's whitening gel as well as an extra-strength version in addition to the LED mouthpiece. The best part? It's safe for use by those with sensitive teeth, braces, bridges, caps, crowns, and veneers. Byrdie writer Leigh Weingus who experiences teeth sensitivity says, "f you want whiter teeth without the pain, spring for the Snow Teeth Whitening Kit With LED Light. You’ll end up with a brighter smile without the potential painful side effects and a bad aftertaste.”

Price at time of publish: $150

Type: Gel, light | Session Duration: 9 to 30 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, potassium nitrate

Best Toothpaste

Crest 3D White Brilliance Toothpaste

4.5

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Surprise, Crest does it again. Using toothpaste is probably the easiest way to work a whitening product into your routine—after all, you’re already brushin.g your teeth every day as it is. While we’ll admit, whitening toothpastes usually aren’t nearly as powerful as gels and other treatments, this one is actually a pretty solid option.

Combining the brand’s Fastest Whitening Technology and Advanced Stain Protection, it buffs off surface stains—up to an impressive 95% of them in just three days—and offers protection against further stains, all while strengthening your teeth and fighting off cavities with fluoride. We’re sold.

Price at time of publish: $7

Type: Toothpaste | Session Duration: 2 minutes | Active Ingredients: Fluoride

Best Toothpaste, Runner-Up

Moon Activated Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste

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Another game-changing whitening toothpaste is this charcoal toothpaste from the oral care brand Moon. Byrdie's former editorial director, Faith Xue says, "I never believed a toothpaste could whiten noticeably, but I swear my teeth look so much whiter and brighter since I started using this. Plus, I like that it's made with gentle ingredients, and the mint flavor isn't so extreme." Formulated without fluoride, it cleans and freshens the breath while its proprietary ELIXIR X blend of extracts and ingredients gets to work to whiten, brighten, and promote overall healthier-looking teeth and gums. Plus, we love that its key ingredient list sounds more like a skincare product than a toothpaste: It contains a combination of green and black teas, ginseng, echinacea, camu camu, cranberry, dead sea salt, tea tree oil, coconut oil, and peppermint oil.

It certainly doesn't hurt that it's also sulfate-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. And, fine, we know this isn’t necessarily an important feature of a tooth whitening product, but the packaging is also super pretty.

Price at time of publish: $8

Type: Toothpaste | Session Duration: 2 minutes | Active Ingredients: Activated charcoal

Best For Fast Results

Oral Essentials Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips 21 Treatments Certified Non-Toxic

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Breaking news: Sometimes you want your teeth whiter, fast. But most teeth whitening products require days, if not weeks to remove pesky yellow stains. Not these.

Price at time of publish: $30

Type: Strips | Session Duration: 30 minutes, for seven days | Active Ingredients: Vegetable Gylcerol

Best For Sensitive Teeth

Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive Teeth Whitening Kit

4.8

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Looking to whiten and brighten your smile, but worried your teeth are too sensitive for a tooth whitening product? Fear not, this teeth whitening system has a non-sensitizing gel that's formulated with hydrogen peroxide that won’t hurt your teeth or gums but still works super effectively. In fact, some results are noticeable in as little as one day.

Commit to using these for just two weeks to score teeth that are whiter. Snap open each individual pack and apply to the fronts of teeth post-brushing, for 30 minutes, for 14 days.

Price at time of publish: $30

Type: Gel | Session Duration: 30 minutes a day, for 14 days | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

Best Sustainable

Bite Whitening Gel Teeth Whitening Kit

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In the market for a whitening product that’s both clean and sustainable? Look no further than this whitening gel from Bite. You may be familiar with Bite for its innovative and clean toothpaste “bites,” and now the eco-minded brand has launched the first and only 100% plastic-free teeth whitening system on the market. The glass bottle comes complete with a compostable brush to make application quick and easy.

But of course, more on the product itself: The vegan peroxide-based formula is gentle enough to be used by those with sensitive teeth, but trust, it works. Simply swipe on for two minutes, twice a day, and watch it work its magic. Each bottle contains enough serum for 28 applications, enough for a two-week supply. 

Price at time of publish: $24

Type: Gel | Session Duration: 2 minutes | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide

Best for Aligners

Byte BrightByte

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If you’re currently rocking Invisalign or any other type of clear, corrective aligners, this pick is for you. “The foam keeps your aligners clean while whitening your smile simultaneously, so you get both straighter and whiter teeth at the same time,” says Dr. Marashi, who’s a fan. Oh, and did we also mention that it freshens your breath, too?

All you need to do is squeeze one pump of this 3-in-1 foam into your aligner or retainer trays, making sure it’s spread all over evenly. Then, pop them on and voilà! Simultaneously brighter, whiter, and straighter teeth.

Price at time of publish: $30

Type: Gel, trays | Session Duration: Dependent on tray use

Best Pen

Crest Whitening Emulsions Leave-on Teeth Whitening with Built-in Applicator

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For those looking for a simple, easy option that can be used pretty much anytime, anywhere, this portable pen can’t be beaten. All you have to do is brush the whitening gel (which contains five times more hydrogen peroxide than other comparable products) onto each tooth—that’s it. What we appreciate most is how its flexible brush tip can get inside the crevices between your teeth, making eliminating tough coffee stains a breeze. The formula took over two decades to develop and boasts a water-resistant, hydrating base that both helps it adhere better to teeth and minimizes sensitivity. The latter is a point confirmed by reviewers, who also talk about how well and quickly it works.

Price at time of publish: $42

Type: Gel | Duration: As long as it stays on | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

Best Pen, Runner-Up

AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Pen

4.2

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If you're looking for a more affordable whitening pen, try this super sleek pick from Auraglow. With a formula that has 35% carbamide peroxide, it's able to whiten the teeth up to 10 shades without causing any sensitivity to the teeth or gums. To use, just click the bottom of the pen until you can see the gel, and apply straight to the teeth and let it dissolve. We also love that it's completely portable, so you can carry it in your bag and whiten your teeth on the go.

Price at time of publish: $22

Type: Gel | Duration: As long as it stays on | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide

Best Toothbrush

Foreo Issa 3

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Okay, so a toothbrush alone isn’t going to whiten your teeth, but this one can help you achieve your goal of pearly whites faster (especially when it’s paired with a good whitening toothpaste.) Reviewers report that their teeth were whiter and brighter. Byrdie senior commerce editor Jill Di Donato says, "This is far and away the best brushing experience I've ever had. My teeth feel fresher and cleaner after each use—and I love the feel of the silicone bristles."

Credit the fact that yes, it’s a sonic toothbrush, but the first of its kind to combine silicone and polymer bristles to help more thoroughly break down plaque. It also has a built-in tongue and cheek cleaner, plus all kinds of other cool bells and whistles, such as 16 different adjustable settings.

Price at time of publish: $142

Type: Toothbrush | Duration: 2 minutes | Active Ingredients: Silicone and polymer bristles

Best Fast-Acting

Co. by Colgate Overnight Teeth Whitening Wand

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To be honest, a professional, in-office whitening treatment is undoubtedly the best way to get the fastest whitening results. That being said, this at-home option is no slowpoke. When used as directed (i.e. applied to clean teeth overnight and brushed off in the morning), the hydrogen peroxide-based formula can whiten teeth by up to three shades in just two weeks.

Price at time of publish: $30

Type: Serum | Duration: Overnight | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

Best In-Office Alternative

Candid X Philips Zoom Whitening Kit

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Again, nothing compares to in-office whitening, but this is the next best thing. The gel touts a clinical-grade level of hydrogen peroxide, while the trays are custom-made just for you, meaning they are both super comfortable and fit your teeth to a tee for maximum efficacy. They can be worn daily for 30 to 90 minutes up to two weeks (making this a nice customizable option as well), though you can start to see results in as little as three days.

Price at time of publish: $33

Type: Gel, trays | Duration: 30 to 90 minutes daily, for up to two weeks | Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

Honorable Mention

SmileDirectClub Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light

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This kit offers similar results to an in-office treatment, with some reviewers noting it whitened yellow teeth a full ten shades lighter in just around a week. The flexible mouth piece isn't uncomfortable and it takes just ten minutes, over the course of eight days.

Price at time of publish: $40 for 4 pack gel pens

Type: Gel, trays | Duration: Five minutes, twice a day, for eight weeks | Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide