Best Water Flossers of 2026

How Do Water Flossers Work?

Water flossers are also known as oral irrigators. They are handheld devices that remove plaque and food particles between your teeth.

They do this by spraying steady pulses of water powered by a small motor. The pressurized stream of water can reach areas like your gum line and between your teeth.

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7 Best Water Flossers (Waterpiks)

Water flossers with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance help prevent cavities, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and other oral health conditions. The ADA currently has approved Waterpik and Philips Water Flossers.

These are the seven best water flossers available on the market:

Things to Consider Before Buying a Water Flosser

The best water flosser will depend on your needs. These are things to consider before buying a water flosser:

Pressure Settings

Water flossers come with two or more pressure settings. These settings let you control the force of the water spray the device produces.

Having more settings to choose from can be useful, especially if you have sensitive gums or teeth. You can start with the lowest pressure and gradually switch to stronger settings once you’re more familiar with your water flosser.

Flosser Tips

Some water flossers come with various flosser tips. Others might only have the classic tip.

A classic jet tip is good enough for everyday use. If you have braces, you might want a water flosser with an orthodontic tip.

Water Reservoir

The size of your device’s water reservoir will determine how much flossing time you have. Cordless water flossers typically have a water reservoir of 7 ounces, which gives you 45 seconds of flossing time.

Countertop water flossers can hold up to 35 ounces of water. This roughly translates to 90 seconds of flossing time.

Portability

If you travel a lot, portability is important to consider. Cordless water flossers are easier to bring around.

They operate on disposable or rechargeable batteries, and they’re often designed to be compact and lightweight. However, they often have less water storage and pressure settings.

Countertop water flossers provide lots of options, but they are bulky. They also need a socket outlet to work.

Is Water Flossing Better Than Traditional Flossing?

Studies show water flossers are effective at removing plaque. However, none confirm that they can prevent cavities between your teeth the way floss can.

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) recommends water flossing in addition to other methods of teeth cleaning. Dentists recommend using water flossers as a supplementary step to traditional flossing.

You may find water flossing easier to do if you have dental work, including:

• Braces
• Crowns
• Dental implants
• Non-removable bridgework

If you have trouble maneuvering string floss, a water flosser may be a good option.

What Does Science Say?

Research shows that water flossers have advantages over traditional floss in three key areas. This includes:

• Plaque removal
• Compatibility with orthodontic appliances
• Dental implant maintenance

A group of researchers found that using a water flosser after toothbrushing can result in 75% less plaque, while traditional string floss may only reduce plaque by 58%.3

Another study found that water flossers significantly reduce plaque and bleeding in people with fixed dental appliances. This is compared to traditional string floss.

Water flossers can also help with dental implant maintenance. Researchers found that water flossers significantly reduce bleeding in 30 days. This is compared to using traditional floss.

Summary

Water flossers use a stream of pressurized water to clean the teeth. These handheld devices remove plaque, food particles, and other debris.

Before buying a water flosser, there are a few factors to consider. These include:

• Pressure settings
• Flosser tips
• Water reservoir
• Portability

Studies show water flossers may be more effective than traditional flossing at removing plaque between teeth. To ensure you’re buying a quality product, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.

Ultimately, most dentists recommend using water flossers to supplement your daily oral hygiene routine. This ensures plaque reduction, which directly results in less cavities and gum disease.