The Best Water Flossers of 2023

best water flossers

Everything featured on The Nessie is independently selected and rigorously tested. We may receive a small commission on purchases made from some of our links. Also, The Nessie is part of the Ness Card ecosystem. Since you’re here, you’d probably be into it.

No matter who you are, what you do, or what you eat, plaque can develop between your teeth. Flossing is the accepted way to help clean it—most people opt for string floss, which is cheap and fairly easy to use. However, if you have orthodontic devices, like braces, or you have a disability and struggle with the fine motor skills required to floss, you may consider using a water flosser.

Water flossing can be excessively messy, and the jury’s still out scientifically on whether it’s really that helpful. (Despite what some dedicated water-flossing enthusiasts might lead you to believe.) But if you’re in the market for a water flosser, we have some thoughts on the best ones.

The Best Water Flossers

The Best Water Flosser

Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 7000

  • Larger water flosser with customizable, comfortable settings
  • 20 oz reservoir
  • ADA accepted
$139.96 at Philips Check Price on Amazon
product image, white background
Pros
  • Lots of modes
  • Many nozzles
  • Adaptable in terms of pressure and comfort
Cons
  • Some splatter
  • Large

The Philips 7000 is the largest oral irrigator I tested, but it’s also my favorite. It has three nozzles (standard, comfort and quad stream, which is an X-shaped stream of water), and four modes (clean, deep clean, sensitive, and massage) that can be combined with 10 intensity settings of increasing intensity to create a highly tailored experience. This was the gentlest option I tried and the stream was wide enough that it wasn’t painful when it hit my soft palate. You can also add in a pulse mode if you’d like to blast water between your teeth. This gave me the most comprehensive cleaning experience of all the flossers I tried. 

That said, the Philips 7000, which is similar in size to a small tissue box, takes up more space on your countertop than the other flossers we tested. It also has to be plugged in. If you have limited bathroom countertop space (or outlets), it may not work for you.

The Philips 7000 has one of the largest water reservoirs of any flosser on this list: 20 ounces. That’s large enough to allow you to irrigate for the oft-recommended 2 minutes; the other flossers we tested would have to be refilled to make this possible. I also liked that when you put the wand back into its magnetic holder, the Philips turns itself off automatically.

The Best Cordless Water Flosser

Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser

  • Smaller flosser that’s customizable and easy to pack
  • 6 oz reservoir
  • ADA accepted
Check Price on Amazon
product image, white background
Pros
  • Rechargeable
  • Fairly small
  • Easy to travel with
  • Slick design
Cons
  • Small water reservoir
  • Some splatter

If you’d like a smaller water flosser, the water bottle-sized Waterpik Cordless is your best bet. It’s low profile, but still comes with four nozzles for different stream settings. “My patients with implants, bridges, and a history of gum disease often have tough nooks and crannies to clean,” says Chris Salierno, DDS, Chief Dental Officer at Tend. “I’ve found that WaterPik’s nozzles have been well-designed to reach these hard-to-reach areas that can trap food and plaque.” The reservoir is small—just 6 ounces—but it’s easy to refill if you’d like to floss for longer than 30 seconds.

The Waterpik Cordless Advanced is almost a foot tall and contains a streamlined reservoir. The design makes it easy to hold, but it’s also not too top heavy, which means it stays upright on your countertop even when it’s full of water. The main differentiator from other cordless flossers is that the Waterpik offers a gentle stream of water that still manages to give you a clean mouthfeel. (Several of the other cordless options had strong, narrow streams of water—without many adaptable settings —which made my gums bleed and hurt my soft palate.) The Waterpik charger is also magnetic, so you don’t have to worry about it getting wet. And it’s easy to clean—all you have to do is rinse it off. For a deeper clean, you can even stick the reservoir in the top rack of the dishwasher. 

Why Do You Need to Floss?

best water flossers | hands holding floss, retainer, toothbrush
Candid

The American Dental Association recommends icon-trusted-source ADA “Floss/Interdental Cleaners” View Source daily flossing as a hygiene step to remove plaque from between your teeth. When you have plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—on your teeth, you’re at a higher risk for developing cavities and gum disease. This is true even if you regularly brush your teeth.

Most dentists agree. “Flossing is the number one thing you can do to keep yourself out of a dentist’s chair,” says Sonia Chopra, an American board-certified endodontist and author. “This is because decay often starts between the teeth, where your brush can’t reach, and flossing is the only way to get in there. So just as with brushing, you should be flossing every single day, preferably right before bed.”

However, the scientific evidence supporting flossing, at least in the peer-reviewed research world, is a bit sparse. One study icon-trusted-source Sage Journals “Dental Flossing and Interproximal Caries: a Systematic Review” View Source showed that kids who flossed most days had lower rates of carries (decay)—but this was only the case for kids who had access to professional flossing in a dental setting, not those who engaged in self-flossing. A meta-analysis icon-trusted-source Cochrane Library “Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults” View Source on flossing found that even over 12 trials, “overall there is weak, very unreliable evidence which suggests that flossing plus toothbrushing may be associated with a small reduction in plaque at one or three months.” Much of the research icon-trusted-source Journal of Dental Hygiene “The Effect of Brushing Time and Dentifrice on Dental Plaque Removal in vivo” View Source shows that brushing your teeth for just two minutes twice a day is enough to provide significant oral health benefits. 

Still—you should probably floss. Our experts say that removing plaque is just good hygiene. It’s like clipping your toenails or applying lotion to dry skin. Even though you won’t see those benefits in the peer-reviewed research, adding them into your daily health routine is still a good idea.

Is a Water Flosser Worth It?

Nick Milanovich, PhD, the president of Speaking Science, notes that most water flossers are actually oral irrigators—basically, “garden hoses for your whole mouth.” Milanovich was previously a product developer in Oral Care at Colgate-Palmolive, and he worked in Clinical and Scientific Affairs at Sonicare.

Milanovich notes that a few water flossers work beyond irrigation; they use small volumes of high-pressure water to clean between your individual teeth. But most water flossers—including all of the flossers we tested for this guide—simply irrigate your mouth by moving loose food debris, and maybe cleaning around your braces.

The ADA also evaluates icon-trusted-source ADA “Waterpik Water Flosser” View Source water flossers. Some sport an “ADA Accepted” seal which, according to its website, means that the flosser will remove plaque more efficiently than a toothbrush alone. (This certification process appears to be specific to a few brands, including Waterpik, and doesn’t look like it represents much as far as quality.) But even the ADA doesn’t take a stand about the effectiveness of water flossers versus string floss, except that water flossers can be a useful option for people who have trouble flossing by hand. If you’ve had (or have) dental work like braces, water flossers can be easier to manage.

Water Flossing vs. Flossing: Which Is Better?

There are virtually no studies about whether or not a water flosser is better than string floss. (The one study icon-trusted-source The Journal of clinical dentistry “Evaluation of the plaque removal efficacy of a water flosser compared to string floss in adults after a single use” View Source that does exist about plaque removal and water flossers was funded by Waterpik, a brand that sells water flossers.)

Ultimately, the jury’s still out. But regular flossing may have a slight edge over water-based methods. Chopra says that the “click” sound you get when using string floss is the sound of the string going through the super-tight contact point between teeth. “The only thing that can get into that contact spot and clean it out is (string) floss,” she says. “Not even a [water flosser] is a replacement.”

“If a person can adopt using (string) floss, then go this route first,” says Milanovich, “and learn how to do it properly.” If this is not an option because of manual dexterity (or you just really hate string floss), a water flosser might be something to consider. 

How To Use a Water Flosser

best water flosser | woman's hand reaching for philips water flosser
Philips

Recommendations vary, but often dentists suggest using a water flosser once per day after you’ve used string floss and brushed your teeth. If you’re just opting to use a water flosser (and not string floss), use it after brushing.

For most water flossers, you’ll fill the reservoir with warm water, then choose a nozzle tip to clip into the handle.

Then, put the nozzle into your mouth. (Make sure that the flosser isn’t turned on yet.) Aim the nozzle at a 45-degree angle, related to your teeth. Most experts recommend thinking of your mouth as divided into four zones: Top right, top left, bottom right, and bottom left. You’ll address each area for about 30 seconds; that’s two minutes of flossing total.

Choose the settings you’d like. (If you’re new to water flossers, opt for the most gentle settings.) Then turn the flosser on while it’s in your mouth. Make sure you’re leaning over the sink! You’ll want to keep your lips slightly parted to allow the water to drain into the sink as you floss, rather than swallowing it.

Most experts recommend following your gum line and moving from tooth to tooth. Irrigate along the top of your tooth, as well as the space between teeth. If you’re using a smaller flosser—especially a cordless option—you’ll probably need to stop to refill the reservoir every so often.

Once you’re done flossing, make sure to empty the reservoir so bacteria doesn’t grow! Leave the reservoir slightly open, to allow it to dry. 

How We Found The Best Water Flossers

waterpik cordless advanced
Waterpik

Meet Your Guinea Pig

I’m Jenni Gritters, a journalist with over 10 years of experience covering science, health, and psychology. I’ve written product reviews for publications like Reviewed, Wirecutter, Forbes and Slate, and you can find my essays and reported stories in the New York Times, Slate, and the Guardian. I was previously an editor at Wirecutter where I covered parenting gear, outdoor gear, and travel apparel as a writer and editor.

Our Testing Process

First I spent a week researching water flossers and talking to dental professionals. They taught me about whether or not water flossers are necessary for all people (they aren’t!), and when someone might find them to be useful.

Then I ordered six flossers; two with larger base stations, and four cordless options more well-suited for travel. I picked flossers that ranged in price, from $30 to $130. 

Once the flossers arrived, I used each for two days and also enlisted my husband to help. I have very sensitive gums and teeth, while he feels very little mouth pain. We set each flosser up according to the instructions, used each with the different nozzles and modes over the course of a few days, and took notes. We also washed each flosser and noted how much (or little) mess was involved with using it. In the end, we were aligned on the best options.

How to Pick a Water Flosser

Water flossers are for people who want to keep their teeth clean but don’t want to (or cannot) use string dental floss. Using dental floss requires fine motor skills and dexterity; the action can be challenging if you have a disability, are a younger child or older adult, or you have orthodontic appliances, like braces. If you have dental concerns or an interest in oral hygiene, you may consider buying a water flosser.

Which Features Matter Most With Water Flossers?

Ideally, a good water flosser will have the following features:

  • Ease of use: The water flosser should be easy to set up and use with nary a second look at the directions.
  • Easy of cleaning: Water flossers can get mold-laden quickly because you’re dealing with plaque and moisture while using them. Thus, it’s important to choose a flosser that’s easy to clean.
  • Low-splatter water stream: The stream of water looks different with different flossers (some emit a steady stream while others send water into your mouth in bursts). All water flossers are a bit messy, but the less mess, the better. A steady stream tends to create more splatter, depending on the pressure behind it, because you don’t have breaks for readjustment.
  • Water pressure: A water flosser should have adjustable pressure settings so you can achieve a stream that removes food debris but still feels pleasant against your gums.
  • Charge: Whether it’s plugged in or cordless, a good flosser should stay usable over the course of at least a few days.
  • Size: Some water flossers are huge and take up a lot of space on your counter because they have big tanks. Others are cordless (and battery-powered, so you’ll need to charge between water flossing sessions). This will be subjective, but you should choose the flosser that best meets the needs of your space.
  • Cleans your teeth: The flossers we tested all promoted oral irrigation. Ideally, your teeth should feel cleaner post-floss than when you started! 

Other Great Water Flossers

MySmile Cordless Water Flosser

  • Handheld flosser with a digital readout
  • 12 oz reservoir
  • Not ADA accepted
Check Price Amazon
product image, white background
Pros
  • Budget price
  • Digital screen
  • 8 nozzles
Cons
  • Less comfortable than other flossers
  • Complex settings
  • High splatter

My second-favorite cordless option is the MySmile. It’s the only flosser with a digital readout that shows the temperature of the water, battery charge, and mode options. You don’t really need this feature, but it feels high-end. The settings are a bit annoying; you press start to turn it on, then choose your settings—which include strong, soft, normal, pulse, and “child”—and hit start again to put the flosser into action. But once you start flossing, you can’t pause the two-minute session. Instead, you’ll have to turn it all off and start all over again with choosing your settings.

The MySmile has a larger profile than the Waterpik Cordless. The reservoir holds almost 12 ounces of water. The battery charge also lasts for more than two weeks, which is nice for travel. But overall, the water streams on the MySmile are less comfortable than those in the Waterpik Cordless. My gums bled! It’s also not ADA accepted.

Waterpik ION

  • Loud but effective countertop flosser
  • 20 oz reservoir
  • ADA accepted
Check Price on Amazon
product image, white background
Pros
  • 7 total nozzles
  • Battery operated
  • Large reservoir
Cons
  • Exceptionally loud
  • Larger size
  • High splatter

The Waterpik Ion is a pretty great flosser. It has seven total nozzle types and you can choose a pressure level from 1-10. This means the Ion has a lot of options (although still fewer than the Philips). But the main downside is that this flosser is really loud! If you want to floss and have a sleeping partner or child nearby, it will most certainly wake them up.

This is a battery-operated flosser that needs to be charged every four weeks. You can floss for about 90 seconds; the reservoir holds 20 ounces of water, which is the same capacity as the Phillips 7000. 

I thought this flosser was less comfortable than the Philips. Even the “gentle” options were less gentle, and the available streams were more likely to splatter because they had higher intensity. If you’re most concerned about effectiveness, though, this option does have that ADA seal.

In this article
Articles you might like

Want more?

Subscribe to Nessie Sightings. Wellness recommendations you’ll want—delivered to your inbox twice a week. Subscribe to our (free) newsletter and join our growing community!

The emails are free, the finds are priceless.

A dose of wellness for your inbox

Select

Ness will process your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

“This card is such an exciting addition to my wallet and it’s perfect for someone who values health and wellness but hasn’t found a credit card that rewards me for that. I love getting rewarded for wellness practices like sleeping, meditating, and moving my body—plus extra points on purchases at my favorite places like Whole Foods, ClassPass and sweetgreen. The app is easy to use and the card is designed for your definition of health and wellness, which I love. It’s flexible!”

Kira's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“It’s no secret that wellness is such an important part of my everyday life. I spend a lot of money to help fuel my love of running, recovery, nutrition and mindfulness, so the fact that I can now earn rewards for every dollar I spend with the Ness Card is amazing. My health always comes first, and the Ness Card makes that easy to do. It’s a win-win for everyone!”

Andi's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“As a new mum, wellness and self-care is a priority for me—so I can, in turn, be able to take care of my baby. I love the incentives that Ness offers for making healthier choices. And to be rewarded along the way for those purchases is such a plus!

Oh, and getting 5x point rewards on my Erewhon $20+ smoothie makes it a little more justifiable.”

Amrit's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“I made a promise to myself to find my joy again in 2023. For the past few years, I haven’t been taking care of myself mentally and physically because I’ve just been on the go and focusing on the future instead of being present. I realized that part of the reason I wasn’t happy was because I wasn’t taking care of myself. So, now with the Ness Card—which literally rewards you for staying on top of your wellness journey—I’ve easily been able to focus on my mental and physical journey. Using the card is now a part of my weekly routine, whether I’m buying groceries, going to therapy, spending a day at the spa, or treating myself to a delicious yummy meal.”

Candace's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“I love life with the Ness Card! The team behind the scenes work really hard to make it valuable and to create a sense of community, which you feel in every newsletter and hand-crafted partnership. The card itself encourages me to be even more curious about where I’m spending my money. It definitely incentivizes me to spend ‘healthier’, which is really unique. On top of that, getting points for taking more steps? There is seriously nothing like it.

David's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“My favorite thing about the Ness Card is that it rewards you for your healthy habits, and not all of them require spending. Yes, you can earn 5x points when you spend at any of their approved health and wellness merchants (think Erewhon and many of your other favorites) but you also earn points for being active daily! So now your sanity walks are literally paying off :) As someone who not only works in wellness but lives and breathes it, essentially most of my expenses live in that realm and with the Ness Card I can now be rewarded nicely for those purchases.”

Kirsty's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“I love that I have rewards to look forward to when I focus on my health and wellness. As a mom of two and full time photographer/creator, it’s hard to find time to prioritize my health and—as my body ages—I want to make sure that I’m treating it to all the TLC it needs (and deserves)! The Ness Card reminds me to take care of my mental, physical, and emotional health on the daily.”

Valerie's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“It’s refreshing to have a card app that is so easy to use. I can track my spending and rewards at the click of a button. I love getting a notification when I get extra points for getting a full night sleep or getting my steps in, though of course those are optional. I work a lot, and I feel like I get extra rewarded for taking the time to take care of myself – whether it’s therapy or simply cooking at home instead of dining out. The points accumulate really quickly, and I’ve already gotten a $1,000 credit at Erewhon in my first four months. I also go visit family in Europe a lot, and no one takes my card there, so it’s so convenient to be able to use my Ness Card without ever paying a fee.”

Mélanie's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“As someone who spends the majority of her money on wellness, the Ness Card is perfect for me! I love earning 5x points on purchases at healthy businesses that I was already making, anyways. The Ness Card also motivates me to get enough sleep, practice mindfulness and other healthy habits. The app is really user-friendly and I love watching my points add up. I am excited to redeem them for wellness-related items!”

Lauren's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“The Ness Card motivates me to keep up my healthy habits, and has helped me discover new brands and products that are in alignment with my goals. I’m not spending any more with my Ness Card, but the money I am spending on health and wellness is actually earning me rewards, benefits, and even cash back. And because Ness’s definition of a ‘healthy merchant’ is so generous, I’m able to recognize all of the small ways I practice self-care throughout the week. From buying fresh veggies to going to therapy to taking my supplements, the Ness Card is there to cheer me on: ‘Keep being healthy, girl. You deserve 5x points for that.'”

Melissa's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“The Ness Card rewards me when I spend money on health and wellness. Especially because so much of my wellness routine is spent being active, gardening, making food with my husband, getting a massage, or having some me time, it is nice to be rewarded for that with points that are with brands I shop at all the time anyway. It allows my wellness choices to work harder which I love.”

Research Based

This article was rigorously researched and fact checked. We use peer-reviewed journals and reputable medical sources (think: CDC, WHO, NIH, and the like) to back up every claim we make, and also reach out to experts in the field to ensure we’re covering things the right way. We apply these principles to everything we cover—including brands we partner with—and we’ll always disclose sponsorships, ads, and any kind of financial relationship with anything featured on The Nessie. You deserve the best, most straightforward information on health and wellness, and we think this is the right way to do it. You can read more about our testing and review process here.

If something doesn’t seem quite right, let us know at [email protected].