The best countertop and cordless water flossers for 2024 (2024)

Water flossers are an alternative to string floss

Instead of relying on traditional string floss, water flossers can be a viable substitute. Research indicates that incorporating a water flosser in conjunction with regular tooth brushing can decrease bleeding gums by 37%, a recommendation also supported by the European Federation of Periodontology.

Our in-house dentist Dr. Gemma Wheeler notes that interdental brushes are the most effective method of cleaning, but she does recommend water flossers for some people:

"A water flosser doesn’t replace interdental brushes, which are the most effective interdental cleaning method. My recommendation to patients is to find a cleaning method that works for them, and there is certainly a place for water flossers. The most effective type of interdental cleaning is the one that you will actually do."

In this post we recommend some reliable water flossers based on vigorous hands-on testing and advice from Dr. Wheeler.

What to look for in a water flosser

In this post we offer recommendations for both corded (countertop) and cordless water flossers. If you have space (approx 6 x 6 inches) for one in your bathroom, we recommend going for countertopover cordless — we explain this in more detail in this section.

Both types of flosser come with similar features, not all of which are necessary. From our hands-on testing, the most essential features of a water flosser are:

Waterpik Cordless Advanced

Why it's the best cordless:

The Cordless Advanced is one of the most comfortable cordless flossers we have used. Because of its portability, it's also better suited to those who travel. The shape and the large area of raised dots on the back make it lovely to hold.You feel in control, even when you want to rotate the nozzle.

The nozzle is easy to rotate so you can reach all the teeth and clean the entire mouth. In fact, we found rotating the nozzle on the Advanced was easier than on the Aquarius. The large wheel used for rotating the nozzle feels natural to use with good feedback. Being able to rotate the nozzle makes it easier to reach all parts of the mouth.

Bitvae C2

Why we chose it:

The Bitvae C2 has all the features we recommend of a cordless water flosser and comes with enough nozzles for several years of use, all for a very fair price.

Bitvae flossers don't have the clinical backing of the likes of Waterpik or Philips Sonicare, but I can confirm from my own testing that performance is comparable. I'd struggle to tell the difference if I were blindfolded.

I did find that the nozzle wasn't as easy to hold and rotate with one hand compared to the Waterpik Cordless Advanced, but I wouldn't regard that as a big enough inconvenience to be a deal-breaker, especially if I was shopping on a budget.

The overall feel isn't quite as premium as other irrigators, but it's not a stark difference

Hydro Floss

Why we chose it:

The Hydro Floss isn't the most visually appealing countertop unit, in our opinion. However, it compensates for this with a number of features, including its ease of repair. We do not wish to imply that it will fail sooner than other flossers, but if you ever need to fix it or replace a worn-out part, Hydro Floss sells individual components on its website. This level of access to parts (apart from tips) is not offered by many other brands and we wish more would follow suit.

Recently tested products

We have recently completed testing on 4 relatively new models from Waterpik. Each has its pros and cons, but none have resulted in a change to our top recommended products, although the Radiance gets very close. It is arguably the best of the latest flossers we have tested. It is very similar to the Aquarius with a slight refinement in its design. It is fairly quiet in use, has 10 pressure settings and easy to use on handle controls. The slight downside is that the tip isn't quite as easy to rotate as the Aquarius.

The ION is another cordless unit, but it is a bit different in that it has all the benefits of a countertop unit. Although technically cordless it is closer to a countertop unit with the large water tank and 10 different pressure settings. You just have the benefit of a rechargeable battery built-in so you don't actually have to be tethered to a power socket.

Other flossers we considered

Only a select few of the water flossers we test actually make it into this best list.

And yet, we can’t say that any of the water flossers we have tested are really bad.

We have been most disappointed by the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion. Admittedly this is a hybrid product, rather than a standalone water flosser. It combines an electric toothbrush and water flosser to create a flossing toothbrush.

Unfortunately, the Fusion isn’t great at either job. It is noisy and cumbersome to use. You don’t get to enjoy all the benefits of an electric toothbrush and water flosser. You are better off sticking with separate items. A regular electric toothbrush and one of Waterpik’s other countertop water flossers.

The Waterpik WF-06 and WF-05 are 2 countertop models that have ‘whitening’ capabilities. The WF-05 Whitening Professional is the premium model.

Both allow you to add whitening tablets into the handle of the flosser. As the water passes through, it dissolves the tablet. It results in a mildly abrasive solution being pushed against the tooth surface. The idea is that it will remove light surface stains from your teeth.

The tablets contain glycerine which helps to lift the stains off the tooth surface. Silica, also contained in the tablets, is an abrasive ingredient which also helps remove stains. Both are effective stain removers and are commonly found in professional polishing pastes.

In theory, it works. Waterpik has done its own research and found it to be effective at removing stains.

In practice, people are often disappointed. It is an expensive solution that doesn’t deliver the tooth whitening results most would expect from Waterpik calling it a “whitening” water flosser. It is only ever going to remove extrinsic staining. It won’t change the natural color of the teeth like professional bleaching.

Keep reading about other flossers we've tested...

Oral-B is a major player in the oral care space. It has produced water flossers in the past, the Oxyjet being the most well-known.

But it has been quite some time since it has competed properly within this space. Recently it has attempted to change this with its new Water Flosser Advanced.

Given its experience and might within the industry we expected better.

It has 45 second flossing time and at least 2 pressure settings. It has 2 weeks of battery life and a water resistant design.

It has a rotating nozzle and is comfortable to hold.

But, it does not feel the best quality. The retaining clip for the water tank feels weak, and the nozzle does not rotate easily

The nozzles do rotate, but not all that easily.

The different pressure settings and modes are made more complicated than they need to be.

It comes with a bulky charging stand that is less than ideal for travel.

It is more expensive than it should be when accounting for these shortcomings.

As you will have seen from our top choices, Waterpik does make some excellent products.

The Waterpik Cordless Advanced takes the top spot for best cordless water flosser. A good alternative is the Cordless 3000 Power Flosser from Philips.

It replaces the AirFloss that came before it. It wasn’t a true water flosser, offering bursts of air mixed with water. The Cordless 3000 is and it is a very good product.

It is arguably comparable to the Cordless Advanced, in fact you get longer usage times from it as the tank is bigger and the X shaped water jet allows for a larger area to be cleaned with each pass of the teeth and gums.

However, it isn’t perfect, the Waterpik's nozzles rotate easier and replacement nozzles are more affordable.

Fairywill has built a reputation for offering cheap alternatives to the major brands.

However, reports have emerged about Fairywill products breaking sooner than they should, which is one of the risks of going for cheaper products from less well-known brands.

They also don't come with the refinements of their more expensive counterparts.

For example, with the Fairywill 5020E you have to connect a power cable into the flossers. The Cordless Advanced and Cordless Select WF-10 have magnetic chargers.

In fact, the Cordless Select has a magnetic USB charging cable. This is super convenient and great for travelers.

Yet, despite this benefit, it loses favour because of the cramped grip. You don’t get the same in hand comfort as the vast majority of other models. We found it one of the most awkward models to use.

You don’t have to worry quite so much about in hand comfort with the likes of the Waterpik Nano or Aquarius. These are countertop units. They have slim handles, which the fingers and thumbs easily hold onto.

The Nano and Aquarius are both good options. But, there is little to differentiate between them. When you consider their features and price, our preference is the Aquarius.

The Hydro Floss is another slim handled countertop option. It is quite unique, because it has one of, if not the largest water tanks of any unit we have tested. It has an 800ml capacity.

Although it comes with a standard style jet tip, it is the only company to offer cannula style tips for the flosser, to get deep into periodontal pockets.

It also boasts the benefit of adding a magnetic charge to the water, which is supposed to help. In practice, you can’t tell the difference. At least we couldn’t.

It is a little dated in its design, but it is certainly functional.

The Hydro Floss or any of the Waterpik units will ever be as cheap as the east Asian brands — Truewell, Hangsun, Atmoko and Nicewell to name a few — nor will you get as many accessories in the box.

But if you do want a cheaper option from Waterpik, the WF-03 Cordless Freedom is a good option.

The compromise here is the small water tank. It is just 150ml. This means less flossing time per fill of the tank. It also has removable AA batteries rather than a built-in rechargeable one. But, in its favour, you do have the option of the different types of interchangeable nozzles. You don’t with most other cheap models.

As this page has shown, Waterpik dominate the water flosser market. It comes as no surprise that they have been relatively unchallenged by a major brand.

Oral-B has had a go, but in all honesty, they are not good enough devices. Philips' attempt with their Sonicare Power Flosser range of flossers on the other hand though is a different story.

No less than 4 different countertop models and a cordless device have been introduced. They are quite similar, with subtle differences. Our power flosser comparison highlights the notable differences.

All are very good, but it is the power flosser 3000 that is the best of the countertop units.

Unsurprisingly there is some similarity between the 3000 and the Waterpik Aquarius. The Power Flosser is the better looking. It is quieter in use too. It is the best alternative to Waterpik from a reputable manufacturer. But, a couple of small details let it down. It has no rotating nozzle and it isn’t quite as good value for money.

All flossers, irrespective of brand, have their pros and cons. For our main recommendations, we have chosen products that are comfortable to use and come with the features that we regard as essential. Comfort is important when it comes to interdental cleaning — the more comfortable a product is, the more likely you are to build a good flossing habit.

Our budget pick isn’t quite as comfortable to use, but it still has the features you need and it’s a good option if you don’t want to pay the price tag of the high end models.

Who should use a water flosser?

Overall, water flossers are not the most effective method for plaque removal. But they still show benefits for gum health.

They are a good option for someone who has tried and failed to use interdental brushes.

Our in-house dentist Dr. Gemma Wheeler says:

"I would recommend a water flosser to certain people:

1. Those who have limited hand mobility and so struggle with interdental brushes.
2. People with large gaps where a brush doesn’t fit but food gets trapped.
3. Those who won’t use floss and brushes due to a gag reflex, negative experience, or who can’t get the technique right.
4. Someone with braces, to help clean around the brackets.

I also say anyone who wants to try them can add them to an existing routine e.g. interdental brushes.

Even with the evidence available, I know that the most effective type of interdental cleaning is the one that you will actually do. I want to support people to make flossing a habit."

Cordless vs corded (countertop) water flossers

If you have space (approx 6 x 6 inches) for one in your bathroom, we recommend going for a countertop over a cordless water flosser. There is no evidence to suggest one is better than the other — scientific studies confirm the effectiveness of both types. In our own hands-on testing, we have found them to be as effective as each other.

We’ve found countertop models slightly more comfortable to use. They also have larger water reservoirs, meaning they have longer cleaning times and need to be refilled less often. They often come with extra features, such as extra pressure settings or a built-in timer.

That being said, a cordless water flosser is still a perfectly good option if you don’t have space for a countertop model, or if you travel a lot. Countertop units need a power outlet.They need to be plugged in for them to work. You are therefore more restricted on where you place them.Cordless units are wire-free. This makes them more portable and convenient, particularly if you don’t have a socket in your bathroom.

Examples of how much space countertop flossers take up

One of the drawbacks to countertop water flossers is that they are larger.

Each model is different, but you generally need an area 6 x 6 inches or 15 x 15cm on your countertop to accommodate the footprint of the water flosser.

You then want to have about 10-12 inches (25-30cm) space above this free for the unit to stand upright.

Each corded unit has a power cable that is around 3-4ft (90-120cm) in length. The hose from the handle tends to be of a similar length too.

A maximum distance from the power socket and the sink is approximately 2 meters. Any more than this and you will likely struggle.

A bit more on why having different pressure settings is useful

You might not need to switch between them all the time, but having the choice is valuable. Whilst countertop water flossers can have as many as 10 settings, 2 or 3 is common for cordless models. You want at least a low and a high setting. As the names imply, the pressure varies between these. Low is more gentle and high more intense.

Pressure is measured in Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) or Bar. Typically the pressure ranges from 10 to 100 PSI, although some models reach as much as 160 PSI.Low pressure tends to be around 30-45 PSI and high 60-80 PSI, subject to model.

The extra power can blast away more debris, but sheer force is not essential and may feel uncomfortable to some people. Lower pressure with the correct technique is equally as effective.There is no evidence to support using higher power over a lower power. A low setting is ideal for inflamed, sensitive and bleeding gums.If you have healthy teeth and gums, the higher setting can be used.

How a water flosser can be helpful for brace wearers

Water flossers can easily remove food and other debris from around the brackets on the teeth. All of our recommendations above are a good choice for brace wearers. Many brands also have specialised tips for braces to achieve even better results.

Using a water flosser to remove food and plaque will reduce the risk of decay on these tooth surfaces. They also have some positive effects on gum health, as proven in independent research.

Dr. Gemma Wheeler regards them as a good option for people who have braces, but also recommends using interdental brushes:

"If you have braces I would recommend a water flosser in addition to brushing and interdental brushes to get between the teeth.

Interdental brushes are still recommended for interdental cleaning with braces because the overwhelming evidence shows that interdental brushes are the most effective method for cleaning interdentally."

In the section below Dr. Wheeler goes into more detail about the various options for flossing with braces and how you can use a water flosser to maintain good oral health whilst undergoing orthodontic treatment.

The clinical evidence for and against water flossers

Water flossers are one of the less common forms of interdental cleaning. They are safe, with little ability to cause damage to the gums. Going by the studies that have been completed, it seems that water flossers do not fully remove plaque. Despite this, they can still have a positive effect on the gums, as we explain below.

Waterpik publishes its own clinical research

Waterpik has listed a large amount of clinical research on its website. Some people could perceive this as biased. But it is worth noting that it is independently scrutinised to be published in peer-reviewed journals. This means that you can discount any obvious problems with their data. However, do consider that they are unlikely to promote data that doesn’t support their hypotheses (read: advertising claims). Many of the articles are not available in full online, only the Waterpik summary or the paper abstracts.

Highlights from their research are (the link will lead you to the journal article, not the Waterpik page):

• Using a water flosser in addition to toothbrushing reduces bleeding gums and plaque levels. Lyle et al. compared bleeding scores and plaque levels in two groups: those using only an electric toothbrush; those using an electric toothbrush + water flosser. They found that the group who used the water flosser had decreased levels of bleeding gums. The plaque levels were also lower in those using the water flossers. Although these results were of less statistical significance.
• Waterpiks reduce gingival inflammation more than flossing does. Barnes et al. 2005 study found a Waterpik to be more effective than string floss in reducing gingival bleeding. This study compared manual toothbrush + floss to manual toothbrush + water flosser and sonic toothbrush + water flosser. They miss out a key comparison group: sonic toothbrush + flossing. This makes the evidence somewhat skewed in favour of the water flosser. Much of the benefit of switching to a powered brush is presented as being the water flosser, but there is no way to compare.
• Water flossers are effective and safe for implants. Kotsakis et al. showed that water flossers are as effective as interdental brushes and more effective than chlorhexidine mouthwash. They reduce the amount of bacteria on implants, without damaging the implant surface.

Independent reviews and papers support most of these claims

Independent reviews by Ng and Lim as well as Worthington et al showed that water flossers do not reduce plaque levels. This is also shown in Waterpik’s own study in 2011.Despite ineffective plaque removal, water flossers do reduce inflammation of the gums. They reduce bleeding from the gums, an indicator for active gum disease.

Water flossers might not reduce levels of plaque, but it is thought they do disrupt forming plaque from above and below the gum level. The theory is that this changes the structure of the plaque layer. If the plaque structure is altered, it may cause less inflammation in the gums. But at present, this is only a theory.

The water flossers also flush out food debris. This 2015 review by Sälzer et al also supports water flossers for improving gingival health versus no interdental cleaning aid. The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) also recommends water flossers for interdental cleaning in their evidence based guidelines.

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