Some adults struggle with toothbrushing, so it comes as no surprise kids will struggle with it. Kids' teeth are easily prone to decay, so electric toothbrushes can clean even the trickiest of spots through vibrations and sound waves. However, the prevalence of products from well-known brands such as Oral-B or Colgate may make you wonder which electric toothbrushes would be the best to purchase.
To help you choose a suitable toothbrush for your child, we combined a buying guide and a list of the 10 best products after reviewing comments on e-commerce websites like Amazon. Our top pick was Philips' Sonicare for Kids, but we have nine other great options as well. Read on for the full list and helpful shopping tips, with research backed by a dental hygienist!
Quick List - Top Electric Toothbrushes For Kids
Philips Sonicare
Best for Teaching Kids to Brush Their Teeth
Jaeyoung is an oral health educator and dental disease preventer passionate about paving the way for patients to embark on their journey to proper oral hygiene. She graduated from UNC School of Dentistry in 2018 and served on the UNC SOD SPURGEON Student Government. She's always trying to keep up with new dental research articles and products to help her patients choose compatible products that work with their lifestyles. She's also a coffee lover and mom to two Bengal cats and multiple plants!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Nowadays, electric toothbrushes for kids have taken on many functions and shapes. Choosing a suitable one for your kids has become much more difficult. Hopefully, this buying guide can provide you with some tips in picking out the best one for your child.
Manufacturers usually indicate the targeted age group for each toothbrush. Some electric toothbrushes even have different modes to suit different needs. However, the mouth size of children varies, so you should take into consideration your child's age, mouth size, and gum condition when choosing a toothbrush.
If the brush head is too big, it cannot thoroughly clean the backside or corners of your kid's teeth. Meanwhile, if the brush head is too tiny, it cannot cover all the areas needed to be brushed. Furthermore, if your child has sensitive teeth or gums, you should look for a gentle brush head.
If your kids have more primary (baby) teeth than permanent (adult) teeth, I would recommend a smaller brush head. The size of the brush head also depends on the size of their mouth and how wide they can open to reach all the biting surfaces and backsides of their last teeth in each arch.
Some electric toothbrushes may look the same, but their operating systems can be completely different. There are two types of electric toothbrushes for children: oscillating and sonic vibration.
An oscillating brush has a spinning head and a round shape, so the brush rotates to remove the plaque. Since these brushers have a wider head design, children can use them to cover more surface area.
Children are newer to the brushing process, so having a wider brush can help them brush their teeth completely by lowering the risk of missing spots or cracks between the teeth.
Both oscillating and sonic brushes move about the same amount of plaque and food debris. They both require manual work because you have to use your hand to guide the brush heads to clean along the gumline.
Oscillating brushes usually come with a brush head that is round. There are different types of oscillating brush heads, such as ones for whitening, ones for gum care, thin and bristled ones, and ones that are more angled.
Sonic toothbrushes vibrate to remove the plaque rather than spin. The bristles are in an oval shape, so they're longer and thinner than oscillating toothbrushes. Sonic toothbrushes are usually better for children with sensitive teeth or gums, so you may want to get this type if your child has mouth pain after brushing their teeth.
Sonic brushes usually come with brushes that are more elongated and oval-shaped. They are similarly shaped to a manual toothbrush, which can reach more surface areas.
There are also different sonic brush heads for a variety of purposes. I would recommend using a larger brush head to reach more surfaces, but for those who have braces or severe gag reflex, a thinner and smaller brush head may work better.
Many children don't exactly enjoy brushing their teeth. Some kids even throw tantrums! Luckily, nowadays, electric toothbrushes include various functions that can entertain your kids, educate them on oral care, and make them look forward to brushing their teeth.
Some toothbrushes can play songs and even talk to your kids once turned on. Some are equipped with LED lights that can change colors, and some are also connected to your smartphone, allowing you to track your kids' brushing habits or play some interactive videos on free apps.
Technology has come a long way, especially in dentistry and oral home care. Some electric toothbrushes (or ETB) can instruct your kids on how to brush properly, and some advanced ones can even play your kid's favorite songs or play entertaining sounds as a reward. These little encouragements can motivate kids to continue to brush well.
Normally, an electric toothbrush only has one single mode. However, due to different oral care needs, many toothbrushes now come with various modes such as clean, sensitive, or massage so that you can adjust it to your child's needs.
If your kid's gums or teeth are sensitive, then choosing a toothbrush with multiple options is recommended, since the single-mode may not be gentle enough.
An ETB with multiple modes and levels of power would be a good investment. Gum care, whitening, deep clean, and sensitive modes can be some options in some ETB.
Your kids may also like choosing what mode they want to use. Some of the latest modes also include tongue clean, intense, and super sensitive modes, but they may come at a higher price point.
There are two types of electricity supply for electric toothbrushes: primary (or single-use battery) and secondary battery. Each has its own pros and cons.
An electric toothbrush with a single-use battery as a power source is convenient for kids to bring to school, kindergarten, or faraway trips. If the battery runs out, your kids can still use the toothbrush immediately just by putting in new battery.
However, if the battery nearly runs out, the toothbrush will not work properly. That means you have to estimate the time to replace batteries. Some electric toothbrushes have indicator lights to let you know when it's about to run out of juice.
Single-use, battery-powered ETBs can be convenient for kids to use when they are away from home. The batteries can be easily replaced if they have extra batteries already handy.
One con, however, is that the ETB won't work if the batteries run out and there are no extras. In that case, kids can use their ETB as a regular manual toothbrush.
Using an electric toothbrush with a rechargeable battery is a cost-saving and environmentally-friendly lifehack because you can just use your home's electricity source to recharge without having to buy new primary batteries.
However, if your child goes somewhere far away and you forget to recharge the toothbrush, your kids may not be able to use them. Before they set off on their adventure, check the battery level to prevent this from happening.
Rechargeable ETBs are my favorite. My Sonicare that I've had for years still works great, and the charge can last for a whole weekend when I'm away on trips. No batteries needed, and you don't have to worry about backup batteries!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Philips Sonicare Sonicare for Kids Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush|HX6321/02 | ![]() | Best for Teaching Kids to Brush Their Teeth | |
2 | Brusheez Electric Toothbrush|PEKTUNI | ![]() | Best Full Toothbrushing Kit Option | |
3 | 7am2m Kids Electric Toothbrush | ![]() | Best Mode Variation and Versatility | |
4 | Proalpha Sonic Electric Toothbrush | ![]() | Best for a Wide Range of Ages | |
5 | Vekkia Kids Sonic Electric Toothbrush | ![]() | Best for Different Teeth and Gum Concerns | |
6 | Colgate Sonic Electric Toothbrush Rechargeable|CN08075A | ![]() | Best for Toddlers and Young Children | |
7 | Oral-B Pro-Health Jr.|Pro Health | ![]() | Best for Sensitive Mouths | |
8 | Arm & Hammer Powered Toothbrush |00766878000091 | ![]() | Best for Ease of Use With a Button or Switch | |
9 | Seago Talking Power Brush | ![]() | Best for a Long-Lasting Battery Life | |
10 | Yuantongshun Electric Toothbrush for Kids | ![]() | Best for Kids Under Three |
Pros:
Cons:
This toothbrush puts a heavy emphasis on the helpful app that teaches and encourages kids to brush their teeth. It also has other features to help with brushing such as a timer and music cues.
A couple of reviewers said the toothbrush broke after only a few months of use. However, many more reviewers said they loved how the app encouraged kids to brush their teeth by offering in-app rewards. They also noticed the app helped kids become better at cleaning their teeth.
Pros:
Cons:
This one is unique in that it includes a tray to store the toothbrush, a rinsing cup, an hourglass, and a second toothbrush head for a complete tooth brushing experience. It also includes a mounting kit to attach the tray to a wall.
A couple of reviewers had issues with water leaking inside of the toothbrush and ruining the batteries. On the other hand, loads of reviewers loved the tray since it helped them organize their toothbrushes. They also found the toothbrush comfortable to use for brushing.
Pros:
Cons:
This one comes with six toothbrush heads, so you'll have a replacement supply for a long period of time. When you consider this along with the charging station, you're sure to have a toothbrush for the long haul.
Some reviewers mentioned issues with the battery life lowering and the toothbrush dying after a few months. On the bright side, many loved how the toothbrush included tons of settings. They also enjoyed the two-minute timer included with it.
Pros:
Cons:
This toothbrush option makes charging convenient since you can plug it into any USB charging station. It also has other convenient features for people who want to make brushing easier, such as a two-in-one brush and "reminder bristles" that let you know when it's time to replace the brush head. When the normally white and yellow bristles wear down to a blue color, that means it's time to get a new brush head.
A couple of reviewers said the base melted after a while which made them worry about potential fire hazards. Nevertheless, the majority said the battery life lasted a long time. They also found the toothbrush easy for a child to use and hold while they brushed their teeth.
Pros:
Cons:
This one comes with a cleaning mode, a soft mode for sensitive teeth, and one to massage the gums. Since it includes three replaceable heads and a rechargeable battery, the toothbrush is designed to last a long time.
A few reviewers had issues with the head easily falling off the toothbrush. Despite that point, multiple reviewers liked that the product came with three additional toothbrush heads. They also loved how it was rechargeable and the batteries lasted a long time.
Pros:
Cons:
This one is designed for toddlers with a single brushing mode, popular kid's character designs, and a thinner handle that's easy for small hands to hold. The soft bristles also help children avoid overbrushing and harming their gums.
A few reviewers weren't happy with how the toothbrush only vibrated and didn't spin. Despite that point, quite a few reviewers said the size of the toothbrush worked great for toddlers and young kids. They also said the thinner handle made it easier to hold.
Pros:
Cons:
This one uses a mixture of soft bristles and oscillation to make it comfortable to use. It also includes an app with a two-minute timer, so your child will have a better chance at brushing their teeth for the recommended time.
A couple of reviewers didn't appreciate how the toothbrushes came with random characters on them. However, some reviewers loved how the toothbrush used soft bristles. They also appreciated how the batteries lasted a couple of months, so they didn't have to replace them often.
Pros:
Cons:
This toothbrush lets you easily control the oscillating brush with a button or a switch. This means you can hold it down to control when it stops spinning or switch it on to keep it on.
A few reviewers had problems with the toothbrush no longer working after a month or so. On the bright side, loads of reviewers liked how the toothbrush was easy for kids to use. They also liked how they could either hold the button down to turn on the toothbrush or flip a switch to keep it on.
Pros:
Cons:
This one uses LED lights as the timer, so the toothbrush can entertain kids and show them when to stop brushing. It also has the longest battery life out of all the electric toothbrushes on this list.
A couple of reviewers didn't like how the toothbrush was small and seemed to only be designed for toddlers. However, many reviewers loved how the toothbrush used lights to entertain kids while providing a timer. They also noticed the toothbrush had a strong vibration.
Pros:
Cons:
This one vibrates at a slower speed, so it can be comfortably used on toddlers and babies without hurting their teeth. It also has a slim handle, so toddlers can easily grasp it once they're old enough to use a toothbrush.
Some reviewers noticed issues with the toothbrush head breaking or snapping off. Nevertheless, many reviewers felt the toothbrush was a great size for kids under three years old. They also loved how it was a good introduction for kids getting to electric toothbrushes.
To get your kids using their ETB regularly, Jaeyoung recommends this: "Electric toothbrushes may be able to help kids brush more and better, but the most important thing for them to understand is why they should be brushing and what bacteria can do to harm their teeth if they're not being brushed.
You can even bring their ETB to their dentist or hygienist so that a dental professional can show them how to use it properly and encouraged them on staying on top of their oral care."
"It's important to remember to advise your kids to not scrub with the ETB. They should be gently guiding the ETB along their gum line.
Some patients don't realize that they're using scrubbing motions with their ETB, resulting in the permanent loss of their gums (gum recession) and irreversible damage to tooth enamel from abrasion."
You may have some questions when it comes to electric toothbrushes for children, so we wanted to address a common one. If you wonder about the right age to introduce your child to electric toothbrushes, you can get the answers below!
If you look at what experts say, they recommend children under the age of three stick with manual toothbrushes. Once they reach three years old, they can start using electric toothbrushes. Either way, you should help children with the toothbrushing process until they can properly clean their teeth on their own.
After you get a toothbrush for your child, you may want to find some toothbrushing gear for yourself. If you're looking for some other oral care options, check out our other suggestions.
No. 1: Philips Sonicare|Sonicare for Kids Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush|HX6321/02
No. 2: Brusheez|Electric Toothbrush|PEKTUNI
No. 3: 7am2m|Kids Electric Toothbrush
No. 4: Proalpha|Sonic Electric Toothbrush
No. 5: Vekkia|Kids Sonic Electric Toothbrush
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Health
Beauty
Home goods
Home electronics
PC
Camera
Food and drinks
Kitchen
Fashion
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior
Hobbies
Outdoor
Home, garden, and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Media
Games
Apps
Automotive
Gifts
Mobile devices