These 6 Water Flossers Will Make You Want to Ditch Traditional Floss

By
Melanie Rud
Melanie Rud
Melanie Rud

Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty. She covers all things skincare for Byrdie, from ingredients to acne advice.

Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines
and
Syden Abrenica
Syden Abrenica

Syden Abrenica is an NYC-based writer with 5+ years of experience writing and editing for national magazines such as Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Health, All You, and Harper's Bazaar.

Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 06/21/22
Reviewed by
Matt Nejad, DDS
Dr. Matt Nejad smiling
Reviewed by Matt Nejad, DDS
Matt Nejad, DDS, is an expert biomimetic and esthetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, California
About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board
Dentist
Fact checked by
Anna Harris
Fact checked by Anna Harris
Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor. 
LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Best Water Flossers

Byrdie / Lecia Landis

Much to the chagrin of dentists everywhere, flossing is somewhat of the ugly stepchild of the oral care world. Brushing your teeth twice a day? Doable. Flossing twice a day? For some reason, that feels like an obscene request. That’s where the beauty of a good water flosser comes in, making the once-dreaded task easier than ever yet still offering the same efficacy as the OG method.

As the name suggests, these handheld devices rely on a pressurized stream of water to help flush out food and any other debris from spaces in between your teeth. “One of the biggest advantages water flossers have over traditional floss is that they require less manual dexterity,” says Dr. Angelique Freking (i.e., no more trying to wrangle a tiny piece of floss in the back of your mouth). She adds that they’re also great for patients with dental work such as bridges and an especially good pick for anyone with braces, which are extremely hard to keep clean.

Meet the Expert

  • Angelique Freking, DDS, is a general and cosmetic dentist and the director of dentistry at Park Slope Dental in New York City.
  • Sanda Moldovan, MS, DDS, is a double board-certified periodontist and nutritionist in Beverly Hills. She is also the founder of Orasana, an All-Natural Oral Health & Wellness brand that understands the connection between the mouth and the overall health of the body.

Keep reading for more on the best water flossers out there.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Overall, Runner-Up:
Philips Sonicare Power Flosser at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Cordless:
Waterpik Cordless Plus Water Flosser at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Cordless, Runner-Up:
Burst Water Flosser at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Multitasking:
Jetpik Power Floss System at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best for Deep Cleansing:
Orsana WaterJet at Orasana.com
Jump to Review
In This Article

Best Overall

Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser

4.9
Waterpik Aquarius

Amazon
View On Amazon View On Target View On Target
What We Like

  • Trusted brand

  • Large tank

  • Comes in various colors

What We Don’t Like

  • Takes up a lot of counter space

According to Dr. Freking, Waterpik makes the gold standard of water flossers: “They’ve been around the longest, and dentists trust the brand,” she says. (Some of the brand’s products have even been studied head-to-head against regular floss and shown to be more effective.) She likes this model in particular because it has great power and a large reservoir tank, so you won’t have to refill it as frequently. It also touts an impressive range of 10 pressure settings, seven tips, and a massaging mode for gum health.

Pressure Settings: 10 | Tips: 7 | Power: Electric | Special Features: Massaging mode for gums, built-in timer

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000

4.9
Philips Sonicare Power Flosser

Amazon
View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart
What We Like

  • Has the ADA Seal of Acceptance

  • Quiet operation

  • Can fill reservoir with mouthwash

What We Don’t Like

  • Takes up a lot of counter space

Another great overall option, this is the only Philips brand interdental cleaner to receive a Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association (and one of only five total devices that have that distinction). It features a unique, X-shape stream of water to help thoroughly clean both in between teeth and along the gums and is engineered to be super quiet, too—always a win in our book.

Pressure Settings: 10 | Tips: 2 | Power: Electric | Special Features: Quad stream tip creates four streams of water

Best Cordless

Waterpik Rechargeable Cordless Plus Water Flosser

Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser

Amazon
View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart
What We Like

  • Cordless design

  • Charges quickly

  • Portable and lightweight

What We Don’t Like

  • Has less pressure than corded options

If you are looking for a good cordless option, Dr. Freking recommends this one. While they do have less pressure and a smaller tank, the upside is that you can keep cordless models in the shower (just make sure to clean them regularly), and they’re easy to pack for travel, she says.

Per that point, this one is waterproof, charges quickly, and has a convenient indicator that shows the status of the battery. It comes with four tips, all of which rotate 360 degrees.

Pressure Settings: 10 | Tips: 4 | Power: Battery, rechargeable | Special Features: Rotating tips, rapid charging system

The 15 Best Teeth Whitening Products and Kits of 2023

Best Cordless, Runner-Up

Burst Water Flosser

Burst Water Flosser

Courtesy: Burst
View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond View On Burstoralcare.com
What We Like

  • Cordless design

  • Long-lasting battery life

  • Comes in various colors

What We Don’t Like

  • Has less pressure than corded options

Dr. Freking also likes this cordless option. At the risk of sounding vain, it’s one of the more aesthetically pleasing water flossers we’ve seen, featuring a sleek design and available in white, black, pink, and purple. Charge it overnight, and you’ll get up to 80 days of battery life; it also comes with a convenient travel bag. It does only have three pressure settings, although they do offer a nice array of options.

Pressure Settings: 3 | Tips: 1 (2 others can be purchased separately) | Power: Battery, rechargeable | Special Features: 80-day battery life, rotating tips

Best Multitasking

Jetpik JP200 Elite Dental Power Floss System

Jetpik JP200 Elite Dental Power Floss System

Jetpik
View On Amazon View On Jetpik.com
What We Like

  • Combines multiple dental tools

  • Good value

  • Can be charged via USB

What We Don’t Like

  • Must repurchase entire system if battery dies

This one device pretty much does it all. The innovative tool acts as a pulsing water irrigator, electric dental floss, and sonic toothbrush all in one, leaving your teeth and gums healthier and saving real estate on your countertop.

Pressure Settings: 3 | Tips: 3 | Power: Battery, rechargeable | Special Features: Works as toothbrush and electric floss

The 13 Best Whitening Toothpastes of 2023

Best for Deep Cleansing

Orsana WaterJet

Orsana WaterJet

Orsana
View On Orasana.com
What We Like

  • Cordless design

  • Safe for kids 8 years and up

  • Periodontist-developed

What We Don’t Like

  • Only has three pressure settings

This product was created by Dr. Sanda Moldovan, who says water flossing is her preferred flossing MO. “​​The pulsating water stream can reach up to 6 millimeters under the gum and 360 degrees around the tooth,” she explains. Most people don’t reach that deep with other flossing methods, she adds. Still, the adjustable three pressure levels are gentle enough that they can even be used on kids ages 8 and up.

Pressure Settings: 3 | Tips: 3 | Power: Battery, rechargeable | Special Features: Easy-fill reservoir, comes with a travel case

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Waterpik Aquarius Flosser because it's equipped with everything you need to keep your gums healthy, like 10 pressure modes, seven tips, a large reservoir tank, and a massaging gum mode. The Philips Sonicare Power Flosser is also a great option because it has a quiet operation, a unique X-stream of water to deep clean your gums, and it is approved by the American Dental Association.

What to Look For in a Water Flosser

Consider Your Usage

Are you going to be taking your water flosser with you to the office and on frequent trips? You may want a cordless, portable model that can easily be tucked away into your bag. If you require deeper cleaning, one product on this list combines a water flosser with an electric toothbrush and floss. Or, if children will be using the water flosser, you'll want an easy-to-use model that makes it fun for them to floss. Additionally, if you are planning on using your water flosser in the shower, be sure to find a water-resistant model.

Different Pressure Modes

Everyone has different preferences for how soft or strong they want the water pressure against their teeth and gums to be. This is particularly important for those with sensitive and sore gums. Many models have multiple settings to ensure your water flossing experience is comfortable. Lighter pressure modes can also be more suitable for children as they get used to using the water flosser.

Additional Features

Some models come with different-sized tips to place into the water flosser depending on if you have dental work like braces. Our pick for kids on this list has two tips, one for regular cleaning and one for braces. Having more options means you can find the fit that works for you.

FAQ
  • Do dentists recommend water flossers?

    Yes, many dentists recommend water flossers to their patients. And the American Dental Association awards the ADA Seal of Acceptance to water flossers that meet certain criteria, noting that they can help remove plaque from the gum line and between teeth. Studies have generally found that water flossers are at least as effective as using string floss to remove food particles from between teeth.

  • Do water flossers damage gums?

    No. Water flossers have undergone testing as to how they affect plaque formation, bleeding, and gum pocket depth. The consensus is that water flossers help remove plaque and are effective and safe to use.

  • Do water flossers help with bleeding gums?

    They can. One study showed reduced bacteria in gum pockets as deep as 6 millimeters, and another study showed that patients who reported gum inflammation and bleeding showed reduced bleeding after using a water flosser.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. After resolving to floss daily (and continuously falling short of her goal), she has recently recommitted to making it a part of her daily routine. Since floss picks are her preferred method, she relied on the input of experts and consumer reviews to write this story.

Make Your Pearly Whites Sparkle With the Best Electric Toothbrushes
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

  1. Abdellatif H, Alnaeimi N, Alruwais H, Aldajan R, Hebbal MI. Comparison between water flosser and regular floss in the efficacy of plaque removal in patients after single use. Saudi Dent J. 2021;33(5):256-259.

  2. Goyal CR, Lyle DM, Qaqish JG, Schuller R. Evaluation of the plaque removal efficacy of a water flosser compared to string floss in adults after a single use. J Clin Dent. 2013;24(2):37-42.

  3. Abdellatif H, Alnaeimi N, Alruwais H, Aldajan R, Hebbal MI. Comparison between water flosser and regular floss in the efficacy of plaque removal in patients after single use. Saudi Dent J. 2021 Jul;33(5):256-259. doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2021.03.005.

  4. Jolkovsky DL, Lyle DM. Safety of a water flosser: a literature review. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2015 Feb;36(2):146-9. PMID: 25822642.

  5. Lyle DM. Use of a water flosser for interdental cleaning. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2011 Nov-Dec;32(9):78, 80-2. PMID: 22167932.

  6. Bertl K, Edlund Johansson P, Stavropoulos A. Patients' opinion on the use of 2 generations of power-driven water flossers and their impact on gingival inflammation. Clin Exp Dent Res. 2021 May 31. doi: 10.1002/cre2.456. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34060707.

Related Stories