The Best Water Flossers for Your Money

Let’s face it, most of us don’t floss as much as we should. That’s not good, because gum disease is more common than many people think.

If you're serious about taking care of your teeth, then brushing should only be the first step. Yes, you should floss often too, but to help the cause, you may also want to invest in a good Waterpik.

In case you're unfamiliar with the term, Waterpik (with no "c") is actually the brand name that's become synonymous with the overall category of water flossers. They're devices that shoot a stream of water into your mouth and between your teeth to dislodge food, plaque and other types of gunk that might get built up over time. Waterpiks (or water flossers, if you prefer) can help reduce the risk of gum disease and gingivitis.

But what's the best Waterpik or water flosser for you? We asked some dentists which 'piks are actually worth picking up. Here are their recommendations for the leading water flossers for 2023.

Comparing the Top Water Flossers of 2023

Best overall: Operan Teeth Cleaning Cordless Water Flosser

List Price: $43.99

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The Operan Teeth Cleaning Cordless Water Flosser is a cutting-edge oral care device. It has the power to revolutionize your dental hygiene routine. With its high-pressure water stream, this flosser provides an efficient and thorough clean. As a result, it effectively removes plaque and debris that are stuck between your teeth or along your gumline. The cordless design adds a layer of convenience as well.

This flosser ensures a comfortable and user-friendly experience. Perfect for both home use and on the go, this water flosser boasts a compact and portable design. Its rechargeable battery can ensure long-lasting performance while the intuitive controls make it easy to customize the water pressure according to your preferences. This water flosser is a powerful, portable, and efficient solution for a brighter and healthier smile, making it our top choice.

Pros

• Known for efficient plaque removal
• Convenient and cordless design
• Portable and travel-friendly design

Cons

• Smaller water reservoir compared to countertop models

Best design: Waterpik Aquarius Professional Water Flosser Designer Series WP 672

List Price: $86.96

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Dr. Ana Ortiz, the founder of Madison Green Family Dental in West Palm Beach, Florida, is among the many dentists who recommend Waterpiks. Specifically, the Waterpik Aquarius Professional Designer Series, which has 10 different pressure settings, seven different flossing tips, easy controls on the handle to adjust water flow and a reservoir that holds 90 seconds worth of water.

"I particularly like this model because of its relatively compact design, while still having a large reservoir for your cleaning solution, whether water alone or mixed with baking soda, mouthwash," Dr. Ortiz says via email.

"This is important because to get into a daily habit of using a Waterpik a patient needs the machine to be readily accessible (i.e., it needs to stay out so you use it daily) and to be enough water to do a thorough job of cleaning your teeth and gums. And this is silly, I know, but lots of patients like it because it comes in both white and black so they can incorporate it into their design preferences with a little more ease."

She adds, "I would be doing a disservice to my patients if I didn't mention this, but don't assume 'water picking' is an equal substitute for flossing. While it's certainly better than doing nothing at all, flossing really is the best method to prevent oral issues, however, a Waterpik can complement most preventative measures really nicely."

Pros

• Wide range of pressure settings and tips
• Flossing tip storage case for better hygiene
• Pulse-modulation technology ensures maximum plaque removal

Cons

• Motor may stop working after extended use
• Cord doesn't extend very far

Best value for money: Aquasonic Water Flosser

List Price: $49.95

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The Aquasonic Water Flosser is a professional rechargeable water flosser that is dentist-recommended for superior effectiveness and gentleness on gums and teeth. With four jet tips instead of the standard two, three convenient usage modes, and a hygienic travel bag, this oral irrigator stands out from many competitors. It's designed to cut flossing time by 90% and uses a powerful rechargeable lithium-ion battery to produce directed water jets to dislodge food and plaque.

This model also offers the added benefit of massaging gums by boosting circulation. Its lightweight, fully waterproof design and rechargeable lithium-ion battery make it easy to use; simply charge it overnight, and it will last for weeks of continuous use; plus, it’s dual voltage rated at 110V and 220V so you can take it with you wherever you go. Ideal for those with braces or other dental devices, as its 360-degree rotary tips can reach places that traditional floss can’t. The result is a superior and more thorough clean in half the time.

Pros

• Time-saving alternative to conventional flossing
• Waterproof design for safe use
• Ideal for braces and other dental devices

Cons

• Charging port may be difficult to use
• Water reservoir doesn't hold much

Editor's pick: Waterpik WP-660 Water Flosser, Aquarius Style

List Price: $99.99

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Dr. Rhonda Kalasho, of GLO Modern Dentistry in Los Angeles, has seen great success with the Aquarius style of Waterpiks. "It has a tank you can fill lukewarm water in, which I suggest to be lukewarm if you have sensitive teeth, and you adjust the pressure setting. It can be a bit more expensive than all the other brands, however, it is the easiest to use," she says.

The good thing about the Waterpik WW-660 is that when it goes on sale it usually costs $15 to $20 less than the "Best Overall" Waterpik model above, and it still features 10 pressure settings, seven different flosser tips and holds 22 ounces of water, which should last for about 90 seconds worth of usage.

"I also love that Waterpik has so many tips I can choose from, and they include ones you can use to brush over your teeth, even tips used for below the gum line and behind and around crowns, and implants," says Dr. Kalasho. "I personally have seen a major reduction in my patients' gum disease, staining and bad breath after including a water flosser like the Waterpik as part of their oral hygiene home regimen."

Pros

• High-volume 22-ounce capacity water reservoir
• Top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
• Accepted by the ADA for safety

Cons

• Leaks aren't covered by the warranty
• Noise may be loud

Most affordable: H2ofloss Dental Water Flosser

List Price: $49.99

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If you're trying to keep your teeth clean while sticking to a budget, and you also have chompers that are a bit on the gentle side, Dr. Lata Stefano, a dentist based in Ohio, recommends the H2ofloss Dental Water Flosser.

"This choice can be less expensive, has lower pressure which many users like, and has a quieter motor than many of the other options," she says.

The list price for the H2ofloss is around $50, but we've often seen it on sale for closer to $35. Equipped with six pressure settings and 12 different flossing tips, it's very versatile and should work for people with a wide range of teeth sensitivity. Plus, roughly 85% of the 12,000+ reviewers on Amazon rate this model at 4 or 5 stars.

Pros

• Handle features a convenient pause position
• Pulse frequency is designed for comfort
• Manufacturer provides a two-year warranty

Cons

• Flossing tips wear down over time
• Water reservoir may leak

Best cordless model: Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser WP-560

List Price: $99.99

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If you are always on the go, Dr. Mike Golpa can relate. Based in Las Vegas, he's the CEO of the G4byGolpa dental implant centers, and he recommends the cordless Waterpik.

"This one is extremely portable. Because I travel very often, this is a significant feature for me," he says. "I can take it everywhere and it saves space on the counter, while stationary models are quite bulky."

Waterpik is the top brand in water flossers, and this model is the company's top cordless option. It has three pressure settings and four flosser tips to handle a variety of needs (plaque seeker, classic jet and more), and comes with a travel bag and travel plug — as well as a rapid magnetic charger that will give you a full battery after four hours.

Pros

• Charges in only four hours
• Connects magnetically to the charger
• Includes a travel bag and storage case

Cons

• Water reservoir may require frequent refilling
• Design can be uncomfortable for small hands

Best budget-friendly cordless model: Nicefeel Cordless Water Flosser

List Price: $36.69

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Dr. Ashley Paré is a Florida-based cosmetic and general dentist and founder of Shoreline Smiles. Partly because she has many patients who have permanent retainers, braces or dental implants, "my personal favorite would be the Nicefeel Cordless Water Flosser Teeth Cleaner," she says.

"The reason I like this particular model is the price and convenience it provides. It's truly portable, or at least as portable as an irrigation machine can be. The reason I place such value on this unit is that for those of us with cosmetic dental work or orthodontics in place, having access to a tool like this can be a lifesaver. I don't literally mean life-saving, but getting something properly stuck in your permanent retainer can be super frustrating, so being able to take care of it while at the gym, at work, on business or personal travel, and so on is unique."

The Nicefeel's battery will be fully charged after four hours, and it'll last up to 20 days before needing to be recharged. Priced at about $35, and available for even cheaper via sales or coupons often available at Amazon, the Nicefeel is quite a good value.

Pros

• Convenient low-noise design
• Memory function allows presetting modes
• Single charge supports use of 20 days

Cons

• May start leaking after extended use
• Can be hard to control water flow

The Best Mouthwash To Use With a Waterpik

Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Multi-Care Whitening Mouthwash

List Price: $25.96

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Dr. Pia Lieb knows how valuable a good smile can be. She is the founder of Cosmetic Dentistry Center NYC and was the exclusive dentist for Victoria Secret supermodels, as well as the go-to for top modeling agencies worldwide including: The Society Management, IMG, DNA, Next, Soul Modeling, Elite Model World and Women Management.

"Before using a Waterpik, you must ultrasonically and manually clean all of the debris and plaque off your teeth through brushing and flossing with run-of-the-mill dental floss," she says. She swears by "Crest Glamour Push Mouthwash, as its effervescent action helps remove all organic debris."

Pros

• Protects against and removes surface stains
• Kills bad breath germs
• Refreshes breath with arctic mint flavor

Cons

• Not suitable for children under 12
• Label may not include advertised ingredients

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