These devices emit a pulsing jet of water to blast away debris and plaque. Countertop units usually have a tank and a separate handset connected to it by a tube. In cordless flossers, a smaller tank is incorporated into the handset. Some come with a charging stand, while with others, you plug a cable right into the water flosser.
The scientific evidence isn’t clear on how well they work in comparison to their cheaper, simpler cousin: string floss. But some research suggests that water flossers might offer advantages for people with gum problems because the force of the water jet could potentially help clean inside the gum pockets characteristic of periodontal disease that collect bacteria and can’t be reached with a toothbrush or traditional floss.
Water flossers are also a great option if you have dexterity issues that make using string floss difficult, you have dental work like implants or orthodontia that’s tricky to maneuver around, or you simply don’t like to use string floss and are more likely to clean in between your teeth regularly with a water flosser.
You might know water flossers as WaterPiks, after the company that has marketed them to consumers since the 1960s. But these days, there are plenty of other brands on the market. And while WaterPik products are well represented among our recommended models, we also found lots of other solid performers at lower prices.
CR members can read on to see several of our top-rated water flossers or our full water flosser ratings.
