What About U-Shaped Toothbrushes?
U-shaped toothbrushes that use a bristle-filled mouthpiece to clean one section of teeth—or even the entire mouth—at once in about 30 seconds are now widely available. We’ve tested several and find them acceptable as a supplement to traditional brushing. None of them are as effective as standard electric toothbrushes. Bill Busch of North Kansas City Dental and Joseph Salim of Sutton Place Dental Associates agree that these are not replacements.
“I find the best use for it is for children and in nursing home environments, where quick and easy compliance to brush is crucial,” says Busch.
Willo AutoFlo+ Fully Automatic Kids Toothbrush – Starter Kit for $249: This toothbrush is impractical. It requires extensive maintenance—about a 20-minute cleaning cycle with a full bottle of hydrogen peroxide, every two weeks. The liquid toothbrush bottles ($28) are costly, lack fluoride, and replacing the cleaning plug and bottle, if lost, is impossible. It also fits poorly. My 7- and 10-year-olds, according to Willo’s size guide, needed medium brush heads, but they fit the small heads. Additionally, my kids find the bubble gum flavor unpleasant.
Nonetheless, brushing isn’t always easy for young kids. Ensuring they brush for long enough and reach all areas is a constant struggle, and this toothbrush solves that problem. My kids love it. They simply use the vibrating brush head, and the light-up countdown timer shows how much time is left, ensuring the back right molars are adequately brushed. I no longer have a huge smeared toothpaste mess to clean each day since the spit/water/toothpaste mix drains directly into the sink. The Super Scrub setting is a bit harsh for my 10-year-old, but Daily Clean works well. —Adrienne So
AutoBrush Sonic Pro for $94: AutoBrush pioneered this category, and Medea has tried both the old silicone-bristle model and the new nylon version. Neither impressed her, but if you want a U-shaped brush and find it on sale, give it a shot. You can read AutoBrush’s study with Salus Research here.
SymplBrush for $99: Former WIRED reviewer Brenda Stolyar tried SymplBrush, a blend of Willo and AutoBrush, and liked it. “I can tell it hits each tooth and each side, often missed with a standard toothbrush,” she remarked. “It’s a pleasant, all-around, clean-type feel.” Still, it didn’t always remove the buildup near her gumline, so she resorted to another brush. For someone who brushes too hard, this offers a gentler gum cleaning experience.
Y-Brush DuoBrush Sonic for $80: This is an excellent choice with a U-shaped attachment and a standard brush head at a reasonable price. Medea was impressed by how clean her teeth felt, and having both types of heads reminded her of the necessity of a deep clean between quick sessions.
More Electric Toothbrushes to Consider
There are more electric toothbrushes than we can recommend in one guide. If none of the options above fit your preference, consider these.
Laifen Wave Special Electric Toothbrush for $90: Laifen’s original toothbrush had perhaps too much power. The intense vibrations made the entire body buzz and felt overly abrasive. But the new Laifen SE rectifies this. It offers a gentler experience with 26,000 vibrations per minute, effective yet gentle on sensitive teeth. A 60-degree oscillation pattern clears plaque effectively, and slim bristles navigate between teeth without irritating gums. Extra features include 1,000 customization options via the app, a travel mode, and various stylish colors.
Snow LED Whitening Electric Sonic Toothbrush for $79: While I gravitated towards sensitive options like Moon before, I’ve been content with Snow’s LED toothbrush’s standard setting. It includes whitening and polishing options, and the built-in blue light aids in whitening even on non-whitening settings. After several weeks, my teeth seem slightly brighter—not as drastically as a dedicated whitening product but helpful to combat tea stains. My only criticism is the price, but for those seeking strength paired with gentleness, this is a solid option. —Nena Farrell
Philips One by Sonicare Toothbrush for $25: Our original budget selection, though Bitvae’s offering is more powerful, rechargeable, and cheaper. Nonetheless, it’s sleek, thin, and provides gentle vibrations, surpassing manual brushes. It comes with a travel case too.
Oclean X Ultra S Electric Toothbrush for $130: Oclean produces superb electric toothbrushes that clean without excessive vibrations. They may be pricey, but if you or your child benefit from a voice assistant guiding you on brushing speed or pressure application, this model could justify the cost. The voice might frustrate some, but perhaps that’s beneficial. Oclean brushes synchronize with the app, providing detailed brushing reports, though it’s unnecessary due