We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Making flossing faff-free with one of these expert-tested gadgets floss pick water
Article updated January 2024 to reflect latest deals and stock levels, ensuring you get the best value when investing in a new device.
Many of us are guilty of thinking brushing twice a day is enough for a good dental routine. However, flossing is an often forgotten, yet essential part of keeping our teeth and gums healthy.
If, like us, you've struggled to truly get to grips with fiddly flossing tape or interdental sticks, then water flossers may be the answer. These gadgets use pressurised water to give a thorough clean in between the teeth after brushing.
They're relatively new on the scene, so the Women’s Health lab has tested a range of market leaders to find the best for boosting your oral hygiene – here are our picks at a glance but scroll down for more detailed reviews.
Regardless of how good you may be, brushing alone isn’t enough because you can only access 60% of the surface of your teeth. Adding flossing into the mix is essential for keeping gums and teeth healthy as it reaches the remaining 40% between the teeth and just below the gumline.
‘Water flossers are a brilliant addition to interdental cleaning,’ says Dr Richard Marques, a Harley Street dentist. He also suggests adding diluted mouthwash to the flosser for a thorough antibacterial clean. However, as good as a water flosser is, it won’t replace manual flossing completely, Marques explains.
He recommends continuing to manually floss when you can. But don’t worry, you don’t need to use the water flosser and regular floss every day after brushing – any form of interdental cleaning each day is good.
Yes, they absolutely are. Their USP is how good they are at getting to those hard-to-reach areas right at the back of your mouth, and they can also help reduce gum bleeding, according to Marques.
If you have fixed braces or retainers, water flossers can also help remove food debris and plaque from behind them more easily than manual flossing.
Over the course of two weeks, our panel blind tested seven different brands of water flossers to see how easy they were to use, as well as considering their overall performance and design.
Before and after images of their teeth were then analysed by dental health professional Farah Karim, who visually graded any changes.
In the WH Lab, our experts put each product through its paces using a VISIA image analysis machine to assess how effective it was at removing plaque and food deposits on the buccal surfaces of the teeth. Finally, we assessed each one on noise level, weight, size and run-time.
This water flosser scored well overall, but it really earned extra brownie points for how easy it was to hold (some flossers can be quite bulky). The testing panel also praised its wide-angle range, which allowed them to get to those harder to reach areas.
It has six different pressure variations, so you can find the perfect one for you. Testers said it didn’t cause any irritation and it wasn’t too aggressive.
Performing best in the lab, this water flosser was the most effective at removing plaque and food deposits on the buccal surfaces of the teeth.
Our panel of testers also praised its cleaning abilities and said it helped them reach their wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth. It made cleaning easier for those who wear retainers, too.
If you live with your partner and only want to buy one flosser, choose this Pecham model. It was quick and easy to change the head, so it’s ideal for sharing. Like electric toothbrushes, it also has coloured bands to differentiate the heads, so you won't get confused.
For those looking for high intensity when it comes to pressure, it pulses 1400-1800 times a minute and claims to remove up to 99.9% of food residue. It also features rotating jet tips, which help to massage gums and promote blood circulation.
Some testers said they would have liked a low battery light indicator, but that was a small niggle.
It may only cost a little under £30, but that doesn't mean this water flosser gives a budget clean. H2o has cleverly designed it with a gravity ball at the end, which means that it will continue to spray water, whichever angle you hold it at.
Our panel liked that it holds enough water to last the full minute of flossing, but some said the larger water tank made it a little bulky to hold.
If you want a flosser that will look good on your bathroom shelf, Burst’s aesthetically pleasing design and range of colours may appeal – it has a smiley face on the on/off button and it comes in pastel pink and lilac, as well as white and black. It’s also a good option for anyone wanting to persuade teens to floss more.
Aside from looks, it has a smaller water capacity (good for smaller hands) and a long-lasting battery, as well as being gentle and accurate when cleaning.
Those with sensitive teeth shouldn't shy away from water flossing, especially with this Binefia model has five settings, which include ‘soft’ and ‘gentle’ modes. Our panel was impressed with its cleaning ability, so much that one tester said it ‘cleaned better than regular floss’.
Testers also found it ‘easy to grip’, and liked that it came with six replaceable nozzles, which can be kept together neatly in the handy travel bag provided.
Nora is our Beauty and Grooming Tester and has a master's degree in cosmetic science. She is using her expert knowledge of product development, formulation, product evaluation and market research to test a wide range of hair and beauty products in the beauty labs for Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, ELLE, Men’s Health. In the lab she uses a variety of methods such as the Diastron, The Multi Skin Test Centre, The VISIA Complexion Analyser to test anything from hydration, skin barrier function, pore size and more.
The 10 moisturisers to trust on acne-prone skin
The best pimple patches to banish breakouts
These are the best tonics for removing blackheads
26 beauty bosses share their go-to products
12 of the hardest working salicylic acid products
Here's why you may need a clarifying shampoo
Dehydrated? Here's why you need hyaluronic acid
Your guide to the best products for sensitive skin
The Beauty Pie products I'd recommend to friends
These are the best shampoos for dry hair
Your straight-talking guide to The Inkey List
9 best sulphate-free shampoos to buy now
Women's Health, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
oral irrigator ipx7 ©2024 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.