The best water flossers are small powered devices that use pressure to direct a spray of water around your gum line and between your teeth, blasting away plaque and other buildups that can cause inflammation, gum disease, and cavities. Plaque can get stuck between your teeth and on your gums. Flossing once a day is a good way to get rid of this plaque.
If you have gingivitis, wear braces or aligners, or just have trouble weaving dental floss between your teeth, a water flosser can be a very helpful tool. It removes more bacteria-causing plaque than string floss alone. And doctors we talked to said that they are a very effective way to keep your teeth healthy. Below we have mentioned the best water flossers.
Best Water Flossers Comparison Table
| Water Flosser Model | Ion | Aquarius | Cordless Express | Aquasonic Aqua Flosser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterpik Ion | N/A | No | Yes | No |
| Waterpik Aquarius | No | N/A | No | No |
| Waterpik Cordless Express | Yes | No | N/A | Yes |
| Aquasonic Aqua Flosser | No | No | Yes | N/A |
| Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser | No | Yes | No | No |
Waterpik Ion
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Rechargeable battery |
| Pressure Settings | 10 |
| Reservoir Capacity | 60+ seconds |
| Tip Compatibility | All Waterpik flossing tips |
| Other Features | Magnetic charger, LED battery indicator |
Testers all agreed that Waterpik’s Ion was the best water flosser for the counter because it cleaned well and took up less room. It tied with our previous longtime pick, the Waterpik Aquarius, as the one “most likely to give you that ‘just left the dentist’ feeling.” But the Ion’s unique cordless charging base is a big improvement because it solves one of the biggest problems we’ve had with other water flossers: the fact that you need an outlet near your tabletop. A cord links the flosser to the water tank on the counter.
The Ion has 10 different pressure levels and comes with different-sized tips. So you should be able to find a setting that gives you the right amount of comfort and efficiency. This type also has the longest warranty we’ve seen, which is three years. Overall, this is one of the best water flossers that you can buy right now.
Pros
- Compact and portable design
- Includes rechargeable battery
- Comes with four tips
Cons
- May not be as powerful as other Waterpik models
- Smaller water reservoir
Waterpik Aquarius
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Outlet |
| Pressure Settings | 10 |
| Reservoir Capacity | 90+ seconds |
| Tip Compatibility | All Waterpik flossing tips |
| Other Features | On/off switch on handle, massage mode, LED mode indicator |
The Waterpik Aquarius cleans your mouth just as well as the Ion, and it has the same three-year guarantee and 10 pressure settings. This model, on the other hand, takes up more space on the table than most and needs to be plugged in while you use it. Still, it was easy for us to use and clean, just like the Ion. The Aquarius is the only one of our picks that has a “massage” setting that sends out blasts of water. For now, this is one of the best water flossers that you can buy right now.
Pros
- Large water reservoir for extended use
- Seven flossing tips included
- Adjustable water pressure
Cons
- Larger size may not be suitable for all bathrooms
- Higher price point compared to other Waterpik models
Waterpik Cordless Express
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Source | AA batteries (included) |
| Pressure Settings | 2 |
| Reservoir Capacity | 30 seconds |
| Tip Compatibility | All Waterpik flossing tips |
| Other Features | Portable, waterproof, travel bag included |
Consider the Waterpik Cordless Express if you want to use your messy water flosser in places other than the sink, like the shower. It’s a small water flosser that doesn’t have a cord and works almost as well as our other top picks. Unlike its countertop peers, which have large water reservoirs and handheld sprayers, this battery-powered flosser has a sprayer and a single-use water reservoir all in one, so it can be used with one hand. This type can also be stored in a bathroom drawer or a suitcase when not in use. Overall, this is one of the best water flossers that you can buy right now.
Pros
- Portable and convenient for travel
- Two pressure settings
- Includes three flossing tips
Cons
- Smaller water reservoir may require refilling
- Battery life may not be as long as desired
Aquasonic Aqua Flosser
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Outlet |
| Pressure Settings | 10 |
| Reservoir Capacity | 150+ seconds |
| Tip Compatibility | Aquasonic flossing tips |
| Other Features | LED mode indicator, rotating tip, 360° swivel handle |
This Aquasonic Aqua Flosser is our best overall because we liked how easy it was to turn it on and off and switch between settings while using it. Because handling, or how easy it is to hold and use the water flosser, is so important, and this Aquasonic model does a great job in many ways. We think it’s really well made, and the handle is a nice shape. Still, this is one of the best water flossers that you can buy right now.
Pressure levels and the size of the reservoir are important ways to tell the difference between good and great water flossers. Even though it only has three levels, which is less than some of the more expensive ones on our list, they work well and do the job. One of our favorite modes was the pulse mode, which did a great job of getting the gunk out from between our teeth.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Compact and portable design
- Comes with four tips
Cons
- May not be as powerful as other Waterpik models
- Smaller water reservoir
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Outlet |
| Pressure Settings | 10 |
| Reservoir Capacity | 90+ seconds |
| Tip Compatibility | All Waterpik flossing tips |
| Other Features | On/off switch on handle, massage mode, LED mode indicator, 7 water flosser tips included |
In our tests, we found that the Waterpik Aquarius was a good flosser. It wasn’t too hard to use or too easy to use, and it had a long-lasting water tank that let us clean our teeth without feeling rushed. We thought it worked very well because after using it, our teeth felt very clean, even when we used the lower, gentler settings.
One of the hardest things about using a water flosser when you have braces is that it can be hard to control, especially for kids who might have trouble using a bigger flosser. But we think that the Aquarius’s smaller handle would be great for kids or people with smaller hands in general. Thus, this is one of the best water flossers that you can buy right now.
Pros
- Large water reservoir for extended use
- Seven flossing tips included
- Adjustable water pressure
Cons
- Larger size may not be suitable for all bathrooms
- Higher price point compared to other Waterpik models
FAQs
What is a water flosser?
A water flosser is a dental health tool that uses a stream of water to remove plaque, food particles, and germs from in between teeth and along the gumline. It is also called an oral irrigator or a dental water jet.
How does a water flosser work?
A water flosser uses a stream of pressured water to clean between teeth and along the gum line in a gentle and effective way. The water stream helps to wash away germs, food particles, and other debris that can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Are water flossers better than traditional flossing?
Some people find that water flossers work better than traditional flossing because they can reach places that traditional flossing might miss. But flossing the old-fashioned way is still a good way to clean between teeth and along the gumline, and some people may prefer it to a water flosser.
