Electric toothbrushes

Overall score breakdown

Performance 70%

Each toothbrush is tested by 20 people to see how well it removes plaque. To measure plaque levels, teeth are dyed with a solution and a dental hygienist measures the amount of plaque on the inside and outside of every tooth. The triallist then brushes their teeth for 2 minutes and the hygienist measures how much plaque is left. This sequence is repeated over several weeks.

Battery 15%

We see how many 2-minute brushes a fully charged battery gives. We leave a 12-hour gap between each brush, just like you would when you’re brushing twice a day. We also assess at how long it takes for a flat battery to fully recharge.

Ease of use 15%

For ease of use our 20 triallists consider how comfortable each brush is to use and hold, how easy it is to attach and remove the brush head, and recharge the brush, and how comprehensive the instructions are.