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The 7 best water flossers for fresher breath, tried and tested
Take the faff out of flossing with the Good Housekeeping Institute's top-rated gadgets
Tested by Nora MerikFormer Beauty and Grooming Tester
Flossing is a vital part of our daily dental hygiene regime, yet we're probably not the only ones who sometimes forget to clean between our teeth (just don't tell our dentist).
While flossing should be regarded as just as important as brushing itself, it's an extra job that can get neglected. However, electric water flossers, much like the best electric toothbrushes did decades ago, are revolutionising the market, helping to take the faff out of flossing. Alongside the best teeth whitening kits, they're becoming a must-have on bathroom shelves.
That’s because flossing is the best way to dislodge the little bits of food that lurk in those hard-to-reach places, preventing plaque build-up and helping to keep your pearly whites looking bright for longer. It can also help reduce bad breath and gum inflammation, and who doesn’t want that?
The Good Housekeeping Institute has put a range of market-leading models through their paces in rigorous tests — you'll find a quick guide to the best ones below, but read on for more detail.
Best water flossers 2025
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Best water flosser for sleek design
Panasonic Series 800 Ultrasonic Oral Irrigator EW-DJ86-K511
Read review
Do dentists recommend using a water flosser?
Anything that helps people clean interdentally (between the teeth and gums) at home is a good thing from your dentist's perspective. “Water flossers are a brilliant addition to interdental cleaning and can even be used with mouthwash (or diluted mouthwash) in them to give antibacterial action between the teeth and gums,” says Harley Street dentist Dr Richard Marques.
“An estimated 40% of tooth surface is between the teeth, so cleaning this way is very important for gum and dental health,” he adds. Although it's important to note that water flossing should be used to supplement your current dental routine. Don’t worry, though, you don’t need to brush, water floss and manually floss each day (phew!), but it’s good practice to keep manually flossing when you can.
“Nothing can fully replace the mechanical action of floss (or interdental brushes), so we still recommend doing this occasionally,” Dr Richard explains.
Do water flossers really help?
Water flossers are a great way to improve your overall dental hygiene.
“They help to clear plaque and food debris and reduce gingival (gum) bleeding,” Dr Richard says. They can also help you reach difficult areas, including the back of your mouth and behind braces or fixed retainers.
How we test water flossers
Our panel blind tested a range of market-leading water flossers over a two-week period. They assessed how easy the flosser was to use, as well as commenting on its design and overall performance.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts used the VISIA image analysis machine to assess how effective the water flossers were at removing plaque and food deposits on the buccal surfaces of the teeth.
Images were analysed by dental health professional Farah Karim who visually graded the difference in the appearance of our panellists' teeth before and after using the water flosser. In the lab, our experts also checked noise level, weight, size and run-time (i.e. how long the water tank lasted without needing to be refilled).
Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000
Pros
- Easy set-up
- Effective at removing food debris
- Has 6 pressure settings to choose from
Cons
- The water comes out quickly so there's a bit of spray
Score 83/100
This is a stellar gadget loved by our testers. It has a smaller water tank than the joint winning Spotlight flosser below, and our panel found it easy to fill up and use. They also liked that it has six different settings, allowing them to select the perfect pressure for them.
They said it was easy to angle around their mouths to get to those hard-to-reach areas and dislodge any leftover debris post-brushing, too.
Key specifications
| Number of settings: | 6 |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 2 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Standard nozzle, Quad stream nozzle |
| Volume: | 250ml |
| Run time: | Full minute before needing to be refilled |
| Battery time: | Two-week battery life and USB charging travel case |
| Waterproof: | N/A |
Spotlight Water Flosser with UV Steriliser
Pros
- Delivered a powerful clean
- Speedy charging
- Large water tank so you won't have to refill during flossing
Cons
- The water tank is a little bulky, which made it tricky to hold
Score 83/100
This super-powerful brush gave what our testers described as a “dentist quality” clean. It features a hydro gravity ball, allowing it to continuously spray water, whatever angle you hold it at. The flosser's speedy charging and unique UV sterilisation mode, which removes potentially harmful bacteria from the water, also won points with the panel.
This flosser has the largest water tank of all the models on test, and it's also bigger than Spotlight’s previous model. This means you won't have to refill halfway through flossing — bonus — although some testers found it made it a little harder to hold.
Key specifications
| Number of settings: | 4 (including UV setting to sterilise) |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 4 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Periodontal Pocket Sprinkler, Orthodontic Spray Tip, Classic Jet Tip, Tongue Scrape |
| Volume: | 400ml |
| Run time: | Full minute before needing to be refilled |
| Battery time: | 30 minutes |
| Waterproof: | Yes |
Pros
- Affordable
- Holds enough water for a full minute of flossing
- Has 5 pressure settings so you can find the right one for you
Cons
- It's quite bulky
Score 77/100
Holding enough water for a full minute of flossing, this was a big tick for our testers, who all said their teeth felt cleaner after using it. And despite its low price tag, it still comes with a “gravity ball” at the end of the tube, which ensures water comes out of the flosser no matter which direction it's pointed in — so you can reach all the nooks and crannies easily.
Some testers found the buttons a little awkwardly placed, but it's a minor quibble for the price.
Key specifications
| Number of attachments: | 5 |
|---|---|
| Number of settings: | 6 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Two standard tips, Orthodontic tip, Periodontal tip, Tongue scraper tip, Toothbrush head |
| Volume: | 300ml |
| Run time: | Full minute without needing to be refilled |
| Battery time: | 10-15 days |
| Waterproof: | Yes |
Pros
- Includes a tongue scraper
- Soft setting the brand claims is gentle enough for children
- Comes with a handy travel bag
Cons
- Some liked the size; others found it chunky
Score 77/100
If you suffer from sensitive teeth, don't assume water flossing isn't for you. The Binefia has been especially designed for sensitive teeth with a ‘soft’ setting that it claims it's so gentle even children can use it.
Aside from its sensitivity claims, the panel found the machine easy to grip and control and it lasted “long enough to do the whole mouth without refilling.” It also comes with a handy travel bag to keep all the attachments together.
Key specifications
| Number of settings: | 5 |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 6 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Two standard tips, Orthodontic tip, Periodontal tip, Tongue scraper tip, Toothbrush head |
| Volume: | 300ml |
| Run time: | N/A |
| Battery time: | 20 days |
| Waterproof: | Yes |
Panasonic Series 800 Ultrasonic Oral Irrigator EW-DJ86-K511
Pros
- Great at removing plaque and debris
- Sleek design
- 5 levels of power
Cons
- Have to refill to floss for two minutes
- No travel case
Score: 74/100
Water flossers can be pretty chunky devices, often prioritising function over style. But this model from Panasonic breaks the mould, considering looks as well as performance.
And our panel approved. “I liked the sleek black design as some of the other water flossers I’ve seen are super bulky,” said one tester. It’s not style over substance though. “After just one session, I feel like all the debris in my mouth has been removed, and it also seems to help get rid of plaque because of the intense pressure,” said another panellist. Others said it felt powerful and like it was really making a difference.
It also uses USB-C charging, which meant many were able to use their phone cable. One tester said they had to refill it during a two-minute flossing session, but everyone who tried it said the tank was easy to fill.
Key specifications
| Number of attachments: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Number of settings: | 5 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Orthodontic and ultrasonic nozzles |
| Volume: | 200ml |
| Run time: | 60 seconds before refill required |
Pros
- Has a travel case and you can store tips within main body
- Lock feature
Cons
- Bulky
- Have to refill to floss for two minutes
- Lower settings less effective
Score: 73/100
Available in four something-for-everyone colourways, including lilac and rose gold, this option could make a nice, albeit practical, gift. “Although it’s bulky, the colour and design make it at least look attractive on my bathroom sink,” said one tester.
It’s cordless and waterproof (you’d hope so) and the brand claims it helps to prevent bacteria build-up by over 99%. On test, our panellists praised the power of the stream and the clean feeling it gave. The travel bag and option to store the tips inside the body of the flosser are a nice touch. Our panel also liked the rubber base, which makes it easier to grip, and said it was easy to fill up, too.
The best bit? Every single person who tried it told us that the battery life was good, which is pretty unheard of with a rechargeable, daily-use device. Many didn’t need to charge it at all during the two-week trial period. Talk about low maintenance.
Key specifications
| Number of attachments: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Number of settings: | 3 |
| Type of attachment heads: | Sonic nozzle |
| Volume: | 260ml |
| Run time: | 55 seconds |
Waterpik Ultra Cordless Water Jet Flosser WP450
Pros
- Able to reach the wisdom teeth
- Easy to control the pressure
- Most effective in our lab test for removing plaque and food deposits
Cons
- It's quite loud
- Some had to refill the tank during flossing
Score 72/100
For anyone who has braces or fixed retainers that sit behind the teeth, you'll know that flossing isn't easy, or always successful. But the Waterpik Cordless Plus won praise for both from our panel and in the lab, where it was the most effective at removing plaque and food deposits on the buccal surfaces of the teeth.
The panel also liked the fact it's cordless and has a compact design but said this meant they had to refill it halfway through flossing, which lost it some points.
Key specifications
| Number of settings: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Number of attachments: | 4 |
| Type of attachment heads: | High Pressure Classic Jet Tip, Orthodontic Tip, Plaque Seeker Tip, Tongue Cleaner |
| Volume: | 210ml |
| Run time: | 45 seconds during use |
| Battery time: | N/A |
| Waterproof: | N/A |
How to use a water flosser
You can use a water flosser before or after brushing. Used before, it can help to loosen leftover food, making it easier to remove when you brush or use manual floss. When used afterwards, it can help wash away debris stuck in those hard to reach spots.
Follow the instructions for your particular model, but as a general guide:
- Fill the water tank with lukewarm water from the tap.
- Leaning over the sink and starting on the lowest pressure, place the tip of the flosser in your mouth at a 90-degree angle to your teeth. Hold it slightly away from your teeth and gums rather than directly against them.
- Close your lips slightly to prevent spray and then turn the flosser on, allowing the water to drain out into the sink as you go.
- If you feel you need more pressure, adjust the settings according to preference.
- Working from tooth to tooth, aim the tip at the gum line and target the areas between the teeth. The whole process should take around two minutes.
- After every use, make sure you empty and rinse the water tank.
Final verdict: Which is the best water flosser?
Our joint winner, the Spotlight Water Flosser will give you a professional dentist-level clean at home, thanks to its powerful brush and generous water tank.
But if you’re looking for something more affordable, the H2ofloss water flosser costs less than £25 and delivered a deep clean on test.
If you have braces or wear a fixed retainer, this Waterpik Ultra Cordless Water Flosser is a great option for removing plaque from those hard-to-reach spots.
Why should you trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We’ve been testing products for over 100 years at the Good Housekeeping Institute – from the best mattresses to the best hairdryers and best treadmills – so we know what we’re looking for when it comes to analysing performance.
For our water flosser tests, we used a specialist VISIA image analyser to assess how effectively each model removed plaque. As well as relying on detailed feedback from our home testers, we also worked with dental health professional Farah Karim, to analyse the difference in panellists’ teeth in their before and after images.
Our team are also experts in their fields. Nora Merik, the lead tester for water flossers, has a master’s degree in cosmetic science and has tested hundreds of dental hygiene products in the lab. Senior Beauty Writer Florence Reeves-White has years of experience in the industry, writing about skincare, haircare and beauty tools.
22 March 2025: This article was updated to reflect the latest prices and deals, and ensure all our top rated flossers were still in stock. We also updated the headline and linked to more relevant Good Housekeeping articles.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
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