Best water flosser 2025 - reviews & recommendations (2025)

How we tested

We specialize in reviewing dental health products and we’ve been consistently testing water flossers since Electric Teeth launched 10 years ago. We publish detailed written and video reviews to share our findings and opinions.

When a new water flosser is released, we buy it, test it and compare it to what’s already available. We then update our reviews and recommendations accordingly.

Comfort is an important factor when it comes to sticking to a regular flossing habit. Over the years we've learned what does and doesn't make for a comfortable flossing experience. We've also found that some features are more useful than others for getting the most out of a water flosser — see the buyer's guide below for more notes from our testing.

You can find out more about our testing process here. Not only do we test products ourselves, but we take on feedback from our community. We have open comment sections and a popular YouTube channel that provide us with invaluable feedback.

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 of our buyer's guide.

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:

Sonicare Power Flosser 3000

Why we like it:

Despite the Waterpik Aquarius being my top pick, the Power Flosser 3000 is still a very good choice. It is certainly comparable. The flossing time and cleaning results are on par, but I found the Aquarius more user-friendly because of the textured grip on the pressure control dial and rotating nozzle.

The Power Flosser 3000 is noticeably quieter at lower pressure settings, but crank up that pressure and it’s as loud as the Aquarius. Noise is something you will generally need to accept with countertop flossers, unless you opt for something like the 3000 and keep the pressure low, but if it's your first time using a water flosser you may not know the amount of pressure you prefer.

Like the Aquarius, the Power Flosser 3000 has 10 different pressure settings. I found these easy to select using the rotating dial. Something else I liked about it is that the power cable clips underneath the unit, which means you can push it closer to the wall, unlike the Aquarius.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced

Why it's the best cordless:

I've included a section below on when to choose corded vs cordless, but in a nutshell a cordless flosser takes up less space, it's a bit more portable and it can be quieter. The downsides are that you get less flossing time because of a smaller reservoir.

The Cordless Advanced is the most comfortable cordless flosser I have tested. I do prefer the smaller and more nimble handles of a countertop flosser, such as the Aquarius, but the shape and the large area of raised dots on the back of the Cordless Advanced make it lovely to hold.I felt in control, even when I wanted to rotate the nozzle.

I found the nozzle easy to rotate, helping me to reach all my teeth and clean the entire mouth. In fact, I found rotating the nozzle on the Cordless Advanced was easier than on the Aquarius. The large wheel used for rotation felt natural to use and provided good feedback.

Bitvae C5

Why we chose it:

The Bitvae C5 has all the features I 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

Waterpik Slide Professional

Why it's the best for travel:

If you want a travel-friendly water flosser, the Waterpik Cordless Slide is my recommendation.

I found that it wasn't quite as easy to use as other water flossers, but it’s a worthwhile compromise if you’re looking for a compact option.

The Slide collapses down to a size that is 50% smaller than its expanded footprint. That’s a similar size (albeit a bit thicker) than a typical smartphone.

You could be forgiven for thinking that this would come with a compromise in performance, but honestly, it doesn’t.

Hydro Floss

What we liked:

The Hydro Floss is a product that's been around for a long time. I was very pleased with how well it cleaned my gum line and between my teeth.

Whilst it's difficult to make a strong case for it over the Waterpik Aquarius, it does have some advantages.

Firstly, it boasts one of the largest tanks we've tested, holding 27 fluid ounces. Similar to other models, it offers water flow control via a button on the handle and water pressure adjustment through a control dial on the base unit. Hydro Floss has even designed the base to neatly store the power cable, which is a feature not commonly found in other units.

It also has a range of specialist heads, which may be useful if you have specific interdental cleaning needs. The design is a little dated, but that's not going to be a big factor if the functionality is important to you.

Video summary

The video below runs through our key advice and recommendations when choosing a new water flosser, updated for 2025.

Buyer's guide: useful pre-purchase advice

In the following sections I've elaborated on some of the points made as part of my overall recommendations above. I've included some additional information and photos that are useful to consider when shopping for a water flosser. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

Cordless vs corded (countertop) water flossers

If you have space (approx 6 x 6 inches) for one in your bathroom, I 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 my own hands-on testing, I have found them to be as effective as each other.

I'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. You only get 40 to 60 seconds of usage with a cordless flosser. That's OK for me, I've mastered my technique, but when you first buy one you might be surprised about how often it needs refilling.

Most cordless models offer just 2-3 intensity settings, which are easily changed via buttons on the unit. I find a low and higher power setting is more than enough in most instances. The technique you use is more important. Countertop flossers often come with extra features, such a greater range of pressure settings (more on why that's useful below) and 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. For the most part, countertop units need a power outlet. The exception is the Waterpik ION that I have mentioned above, which only needs charging once a month.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.

If you are short of countertop space, one option is to store the flosser elsewhere and get it out as and when you need it. Many people place it in a bathroom cabinet. This overcomes the space issue, but regular use can become more challenging as it takes more effort and time to get it setup, and there isn’t the visual reminder from it sitting in plain sight.

Why having a range of pressure settings is useful

To start this section off, I should emphasize that power isn't everything. I've found that lower power and good technique to be better than higher power and poor technique.

Furthermore, there is no clinical evidence to support greater water pressure being more effective at removing plaque.

The amount of pressure you use is a matter of preference. In this section I will explain how pressure settings are implemented on various flossers and what my preferences are for daily use.

Pressure is measured in Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) or Bar. Typically, cordless models tend to have a pressure range of 30 to 70 PSI and corded (countertop) have a range of 10 to 100 PSI.

That being said, the most powerful flossers currently available are both cordless and offer up to 160 PSI. They are the Burst water flosser and the Ordo Hydro Sonic water flosser.

For my daily usage I tend to use around 70 to 80 PSI.This is what I find to be most comfortable.

You might not need to switch between them all the time, but having a choice of pressure settings 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.

Having extra power can blast away more debris, but sheer force is not essential and may feel uncomfortable to some people. A low setting is ideal for inflamed, sensitive and bleeding gums.If you have healthy teeth and gums, the higher setting can be used.

For specific health conditions like periodontal disease, using more powerful flossers can cause more damage.

It's also worth noting that the lower the pressure used, the more flossing time you get from each fill of the tank.

I've created a video here that looks at the most powerful water flossers and shows me using them. I've also created the table below, which shows the pressure range available, the number of pressure settings and some other useful water flosser features to compare. Please note: where the pressure range is not entered in the table, this is because it has not been disclosed by the manufacturer.

My preferred pressure controls

My pick for the best overall water flosser is the Waterpik Aquarius. One of the reasons it's my top choice is that it has a contoured pressure dial. This makes it easy to select the setting you want, even if your hands are wet — a common occurrence when flossing with water!

By contrast, the Sonicare Power Flosser range does not have a textured or contoured dial. This makes it more slippery when wet. It's not a deal-breaker, but for me it's something that separates them between the best choice and the runner-up choice.

My recommendation for the best cordless flosser is the Waterpik Cordless Advanced. It has a mode button that makes it easy to switch between the different pressure settings, even whilst using the flosser.

LEDs on the unit indicate which mode is selected and it remembers the last mode selected and default to that mode until you change it.

Generally speaking I would say have 2 different modes — low and high — is enough for most users. Having the extra control of 10 modes on a countertop flosser is a bonus, but if a cordless model will be more convenient for you, you can certainly get by with 2 or 3 modes.

The 'high' mode on the Cordless Advanced operates at 75 PSI, which is within the range of pressure that I find to be most comfortable. The low setting uses 45 PSI, which is better if my gums are feeling a bit sensitive.

Charging and power options can affect user experience

The way you charge or power your water flosser, either at home or on the road, can make a reasonable difference to the overall user experience.

It's hard for me to comment specifically on what's best here because everyone has a different bathroom and use-case. Instead, I'll make some comments and give photo examples of details that are worth taking into account.

In the slideshow below I am initially showing the difference between the Waterpik Aquarius and the Sonicare Power Flosser. The power connector for the Power Flosser is stowed underneath the unit and the position of the cable means it can be pushed right back up against a wall or flat surface.

By comparison, the Aquarius needs an inch or so’s clearance for the cable.

For me it's not a big deal — I use the Aquarius without issue — but if you are very tight on space but still want a countertop flosser, the Power Flosser gives you that extra little bit of space.

Another option if you are tight on space but would like a countertop flosser is the Waterpik ION. I have included it in the list above as the best cordless countertop model. This is because you can detach the charging cable once its charged, thus making its footprint even smaller. It only needed charging once per month in my testing and I was using it once per day.

It is very much comparable to the Waterpik Aquarius. I didn't find the nozzle rotation and handle quite as comfortable to use, but these are trade-offs worth putting up with if you need something more compact and portable. The other downside is that it's slightly more expensive, but not by much.

Some cordless flossers can be charged by USB

Cordless water flossers need charging about once per month in my experience. My main recommendation, the Waterpik Cordless Advanced, has a stated battery life of 4 weeks. In my testing, using the high mode once a day, I achieved around 6 weeks.

The Advanced uses a proprietary charging cable, as do Quip and Burst. It's not an issue unless you lose them, which is easily done. This is where the Sonicares Cordless Power Flosser 3000 and the Ordo Hydro Sonic stand out because, with USB type-c connectors, you can easily source replacements.

The magnetic charging cable for the Cordless Advanced is a little bulky, but it's easy to use and given you'll be using it less than once a month, its size isn't a big issue.

One of the advantages of cordless flossers is that they are, in theory at least, more portable. I cover travel considerations in the next section, but one aspect of portability is the charging cable. If you can use the same USB cable that charges your phone, it's one less thing to carry.

Some of the flossers that can be charged using a generic USB-C cable include the Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 (not to be confused with the non-cordless version I have talked about above), and the Waterpik Cordless Slide, which is my recommendation for the best travel flosser.

Useful features if you plan to travel with your water flosser often

Cordless water flossers are naturally more portable than countertop flossers, but unless you go for a compact one like the Waterpik Slide, they can still be quite bulky. The Cordless Advanced, for example, isn't exactly on the small side.

If you travel frequently and really do want something with maximum convenience, the Slide is a great option for its compactness and the other reasons I talk about above.

There are a few other flossers that offer similar functionality and have other useful travel features.

The Oclean W10, for example, isn't marketed as a travel flosser, but it has a detachable base, which makes it easy to drain. Additionally, because the base can be detached in this way, it means the nozzles can be stored inside the flosser. It is also charged by a generic USB-C cable — another bonus when you're traveling. Find out more in my Oclean W10 video review.

The Synhope compact water flosser (view it here on Amazon) is a cheaper alternative to the Waterpik Cordless Slide. It has an even smaller footprint than the Slide, charges by USB-C and has a compartment for nozzle storage, but the brand isn't established and I have concerns around ongoing support and nozzle replacements. See my video review for more detail.

Removable batteries are an option but wouldn't be my choice

In some situations using a flosser with removable batteries could be an option. For example, if you're going away somewhere and won't be able to easily charge your flosser or plug it in to mains power.

The downsides of removable batteries are that you don't get feedback on remaining power, so you always need to have spares on hand. They also add to the overall lifetime cost.

If you are interested in a flosser with removable batteries, the Waterpik Cordless Express is a good option. It does the fundamental job of cleaning the interdental spaces well. It is easy to grip hold off too. However, the nozzle is not easy to rotate and you don't have any travel friendly accessories in the box.

Electric toothbrush and water flosser combos generally aren't worth it

Unless you have a very specific use case, I don't recommend opting for a single hybrid product that combines an electric toothbrush and a water flosser. You'll get better performance if you buy them as separate products.

If this is the sort of product you're interested in, the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 is the only truly combined toothbrush and water flosser and therefore the best option. You use the same handle for both brushing and flossing. You can even floss with water as you brush — the water is pushed out through a rubber nozzle in the centre of the toothbrush head.

I must reiterate that I did find it disappointing in my testing. It is noisy and cumbersome to use. You don’t get to enjoy all the benefits of neither an electric toothbrush nor a water flosser and you're better off buying them separately.

There is little to rival the Sonic-Fusion from other well-known brands. You may find cheaper challenger brands offering something similar, but I recommend opting for the reliability of Waterpik.

Solutions like the Sonicare Power Flosser 7000 toothbrush system are another option and do give a bit more versatility, should something fail.The toothbrush may be charged from the main unit, but if the water flosser fails, the rechargeable battery in the toothbrush should give you a few days use whilst the water flosser (including your brush's charger) is repaired.

• Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 review
• Waterpik Cordless Advanced vs Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000
• Instafloss – initial thoughts and reaction
• Waterpik Aquarius WP-660 review
• Waterpik Cordless Advanced review
• Waterpik Aquarius vs Ultra
• Waterpik vs Sonicare toothbrush: how do they compare?
• Waterpik WF-04 Sidekick review
• Burst Water Flosser review
• Oral-B Water Flosser Advanced review
• Hydro Floss water flosser review
• Waterpik ION/ION Professional Cordless review
• Panasonic EW1511 review
• Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000 vs 5000 vs 7000
• Waterpik Aquarius vs Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000
• Quip cordless water flosser review