The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (2024)

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (1)

This article was updated in January to reflect the latest deals and prices.

Flossing is a vital part of our daily dental 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 electric toothbrushes decades ago, are revolutionising the market, helping to take the faff out of flossing. Alongside teeth whitening kits, they're becoming a must-have on bathroom shelves.

That’s because flossing is the most reliable 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?

As with any gadget, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. So, we put a range of market-leading models through their paces — you'll find a quick guide below to the best ones below, but read on for more detail.

Best waterflossers 2024

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 in addition to 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, such as right at the back of your mouth and behind braces or fixed retainers.

How we test water flossers

Our panel blind tested seven different brands of 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 teeth before and after using the water flosser. Manufacture checks were also carried out, looking at noise level, weight, size and run-time.

1

Joint best water flosser

Spotlight Water Flosser with UV Steriliser

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (9)

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (10)

1

Joint best water flosser

Spotlight Water Flosser with UV Steriliser

Now 40% Off

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

2

Joint best water flosser

Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (11)

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (12)

2

Joint best water flosser

Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000

Now 19% Off

Score 83/100

Another stellar gadget loved by our testers. With a smaller tank than the Spotlight flosser, the panel found this one was easy to fill up and use. They also liked that it has six different settings, allowing them to select the perfect pressure for them.

Panellists also said it was easy to angle around their mouths to get to those hard-to-reach areas and dislodge any leftover debris post-brushing.

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

3

Best water flosser for travel

Polished London Aqua XP Water Flosser

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (13)

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (14)

3

Best water flosser for travel

Polished London Aqua XP Water Flosser

Score 82/100

If you can't travel without a water flosser, then add this one to your packing list, as it's small and portable. Testers loved its sleek design and compact, lightweight feel, meaning it took up the least amount of space on the bathroom shelf compared to some of the other more sizeable models we tested.

In the lab, this was also the quietest product on test. The only complaint was that the instructions could have been clearer.

Key specifications

Number of settings:3
Number of attachments:3
Type of attachment heads:Standard nozzle, periodontal nozzle, tongue cleaning nozzle
Volume:N/A
Run time:Full minute without needing to be refilled
Battery time:Three weeks
Waterproof:Yes

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4

Best easy to use and best budget water flosser

Pecham Portable Water Flosser

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (15)

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (16)

4

Best easy to use and best budget water flosser

Pecham Portable Water Flosser

Score 78/100

If you're after something affordable and simple to use, this Pecham flosser ticks both boxes. It scored the highest on test for how easy it was to use, and the panel found changing heads and attachments to be a breeze. They also liked that it comes with a waterproof bag. Although one niggle was that it's quite heavy when full.

Key specifications

Number of settings:4
Number of attachments:4
Type of attachment heads:Three jet tips, Orthodontic tip
Volume:300ml
Battery time:Three weeks
Waterproof:Yes

5

H2ofloss Water Flosser

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (17)

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (18)

5

H2ofloss Water Flosser

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 to be awkwardly placed, but it's a minor quibble for the price.

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:Full minute without needing to be refilled
Battery time:10-15 days
Waterproof:Yes

6

Best for sensitive teeth

Binefia Portable Oral Irrigator

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (19)

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (20)

6

Best for sensitive teeth

Binefia Portable Oral Irrigator

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

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7

Best water flosser for braces

Waterpik Ultra Cordless Water Jet Flosser WP450

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (21)

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (22)

7

Best water flosser for braces

Waterpik Ultra Cordless Water Jet Flosser WP450

Now 31% Off

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

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (23)

Florence Reeves-White

Senior Beauty Writer

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

The GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (24)

Tested byNora Merik

Beauty and Grooming Tester

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 GHI's winning water flosser is £50 off right now (2024)

FAQs

What is a good inexpensive water flosser? ›

Thus, the Amazon Basics HydroClean Cordless Water Flosser is an excellent, affordable option for people looking to try water flossing for the first time or water flosser lovers shopping for their first cordless option. It's easy to clean and portable, and the flexible tip makes tricky spots easier to reach.

Can bacteria grow in Waterpik? ›

Keeping the tool clean aids in the removal of potentially harmful particles such as spores, bacteria, and mycotoxins, as well as potential food sources such as organic matter and mineral buildup.It also helps ensure that the machine continues to work properly; a malfunctioning waterpik is an open door for retaining ...

Is a water flosser worth the money? ›

Research has shown that there's minimal difference in plaque removal between using floss versus a Waterpik. Both Waterpiks and flossing are good ways to take care of your teeth and gums along with brushing. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning in between your teeth once a day.

Is there a difference between a Waterpik and a water flosser? ›

The truth is there is no difference. A Waterpik is simply a brand of water flosser that has become so well known that the name of the company and the product itself have become synonymous.

Do dentists actually recommend water flossers? ›

Thousands of dental professionals recommend the WATERPIK water flosser to their patients, and they see the difference it makes. The Waterpik water flosser should be the standard of care for in-between clean. The clinical science behind the effectiveness of biofilm removal is unrivaled.

Is it OK to put Listerine in your Waterpik? ›

Can I use mouthwash or other additives in a WATERPIK water flosser? Yes, although all you need for effectiveness is warm water, there are additives including certain types of mouthwash that are safe to use.

Can Waterpik cause gum recession? ›

No, water flossing does not cause gum recession nor damage to teeth or crowns. On the contrary, water flossing aids in flushing debris out of bridges, crowns, implants, braces, and other dental restoration better than brushing and flossing alone which can extend the lifespan of your dental restorations.

Is it safe to use tap water in a Waterpik? ›

It is not necessary to use distilled water. If you would brush your teeth with your tap water, then it is safe for your water flosser. Just make sure to clean the unit at least once a month (more often if you have hard water).

What are the disadvantages of a water flosser? ›

Cons
  • If the cost is an issue, then you may not want to get a Waterpik as a flosser as it will be more expensive initially.
  • You can't use it without electricity, thus limiting its mobility. ...
  • Plaque, even after it is removed by your dentist or in the shower, sticks to your teeth and can be difficult to remove.
Mar 3, 2023

Should I use a water flosser before or after brushing? ›

Therefore, our recommendation is to consider using your Waterpik water flosser first before brushing your teeth. This will allow the stuck-on debris to dislodge and then you can easily brush the remaining area free of all particles.

Is it better to floss before or after brushing teeth? ›

Recent research suggests flossing before brushing your teeth is the way to go. This approach is superior for eliminating dental plaque on tooth surfaces and boosts the fluoride concentration in your mouth. Flossing before brushing helps strengthen your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.

How do I choose a dental water flosser? ›

What Should I Look for When Purchasing a Water Flosser?
  1. Decide Whether You Want a Countertop or Handheld Cordless Flosser. ...
  2. Features. ...
  3. Make Sure it's ADA-Approved. ...
  4. Consider If It's Compatible with a Variety of Tips. ...
  5. Purchase One From a Reputable Brand.

Do I need an expensive water flosser? ›

Water Flossers Do Not Have to Be Expensive

Water flossers are more expensive than interdental brushes or dental floss, but they typically last longer than either of these interdental cleaning options. The ADA recommends the following water flossers: Philips Sonicare AirFloss, starting at around $69.99.

Which is better string floss or water flosser? ›

Studies show that water flossers remove 29% more plaque than floss. Water flossers are also more gentle for people with gum sensitivity. In addition, patients with less dexterity tend to find water flossers easier to use than most other interdental cleaners.

What is the difference between a power flosser and a water flosser? ›

What is the Difference Between the Two? The main difference between a power flosser and a water flosser is that with the latter, large amount of pulsating water is released as opposed to the water droplets discharged by the power flosser.

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