Black Friday The sale is in full swing, and while many are looking for discounted TVs and mobile phones, savvy shoppers know this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on essentials. In particular, dental care products. The last week of November is the best time of the year to invest in one of the best electric toothbrushes or water irrigatorsas this is when they typically reach their lowest prices ever.
There's just one problem – the sheer number of offerings can confuse even the most experienced users, not to mention those who have never tried these products before. Don't worry though, this is where we come in. We've drawn on the collective experience of our expert reviewers to come up with a list of five essential tips to help you navigate your Black Friday Toothbrush Discounts with ease.
#1 Know your characteristics
If there's one thing you should know about electric toothbrushes, it's whether they're sonic or oscillating. Understanding the pros and cons of each type is the first step to finding your ideal partner. However, don't get too hung up on what's “best.” Both sonic and oscillating toothbrushes will help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, but the final choice will largely depend on your personal preference.
Oscillatory-rotating: These electric toothbrushes have a small round head that spins quickly in one direction and then the other to break up plaque and remove food debris. This technology is supported by market-leading brands such as Oral-B, Colgate and Quip. Rotary toothbrushes are known for their deep, thorough cleaning and research have shown that they are slightly more effective in reducing plaque and preventing gingivitis than sonic ones. However, they are also noisier and can create more water splash.
Sonic: These electric toothbrushes use high-frequency vibrations—typically 25,000 to 50,000 strokes per minute—to clean away food debris and break up plaque buildup. The sensation of brushing with a sonic toothbrush is often described as a slight tickling sensation, which is why many users with sensitive teeth prefer it over oscillating-rotating models. They are also much quieter.
Black Friday Tip: Do you prefer the feeling of professional polishing? Go oscillatory-rotational. Looking for a quieter, softer brush that still delivers powerful cleaning? Go sonic.
#2 Don't overpay for features you won't use.
Electric toothbrushes come with a dizzying array of features, from basic two-minute timers to connected apps and even AI-assisted brushing tips. However, many of them are just fancy additions that won't have a significant impact on your brushing experience in the long run. Before purchasing an electric toothbrush, consider what you need it for and what features you can easily do without.
Essentials: Most importantly, find a two-minute timer that ensures you brush for the dentist-recommended time, ideally with a quadrant pacemaker (a feature that causes the toothbrush to vibrate slightly every 30 seconds while brushing to indicate when it's time to change its position in the mouth). Then check the pressure sensor. This feature alerts you when you brush too hard, thereby preventing accidental damage to your gums and enamel. Pressure sensors can be especially useful for first-time users.
Nice to have: If you have special dental needs (such as sensitive teeth), look for multiple brushing modes and/or brush head types for a more personalized cleaning experience. If you're often on the go, consider purchasing a model that comes with a travel charging case.
Frill: Smartphone apps that provide brushing reports and AI-powered recommendations may be useful for some users, but they generally aren't that useful in everyday life. In our experience, the novelty of having a teeth-brushing app wears off after a few weeks, and you end up forgetting you even had it.
Black Friday Tip: Don't overpay! Many manufacturers tend to clear out older models and starter kits during Black Friday sales. You can often find a fantastic mid-range brush with all the features you need for a fraction of the price of the latest ultra-smart flagship model.
#3 Think long term
The initial cost of purchasing an electric toothbrush is only part of the investment. You also have to consider the ongoing cost of replacing heads, which according to American Dental Associationshould be changed every three to four months. Before you choose a specific model, be sure to check how much it will cost you to maintain over time.
Black Friday Tip: Stock up on replacement brush heads (they tend to be on sale on Black Friday too) or choose an electric toothbrush set that includes a few extra replacement brush heads. A slightly more expensive kit with six attachments may be a better long-term investment than a basic kit with just one.
#4 Choose USB charging
Many electric toothbrushes come with dedicated charging docks, but a growing number of models are opting for a universal USB-C charging port (either located on the handle or in a travel case that doubles as a charger). Since convenience is key to a consistent daily routine, we recommend focusing on the latter. Not that there's anything particularly bad about the charging cradle—it's just another charger to pack away and possibly get lost.
On the other hand, charging via USB is much more convenient. You can use the same cable for several different devices, making your life easier both at home and while traveling, and you can easily replace it if you lose it. The USB-C cable is also more compact than the often bulky charging dock.
Black Friday tip: When comparing models, give preference to models with USB-C charging.
#5 Compare prices
Not all that glitters is gold, and the same principle applies to Black Friday shopping. Before you click “Add to Cart,” take five minutes to do your due diligence: check reviews for your chosen toothbrush, compare prices across stores, and if possible, run the deal through a price checker to make sure it's genuine (e.g. CamelCamelCamel for products listed on Amazon).
When looking at reviews, look beyond the star rating. Pay attention to comments about battery life decreasing over time, troubleshoot hacking or charging issues, and check to see if there have been any complaints to the manufacturer's support team. When in doubt, go with well-known companies such as Oral-B, Colgate, Philips or Oclean. Most major brand electric toothbrushes come with a standard two-year warranty, which you can register online to ensure that any potential warranty claims are hassle-free and hassle-free.
Black Friday tip: Historically, the best Black Friday deals on electric toothbrushes can be found on Amazon and dental brands' own websites, but always check prices elsewhere before purchasing.
