We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Health Products The 7 Best Teeth Whitening Products of 2024, Tested in Our Homes Get photo-ready with one of our top picks By Theresa Holland Theresa Holland Theresa Holland is a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE with several years of experience covering home, outdoor, pets, travel, and beauty. Her work has been featured in Byrdie, Travel + Leisure, The Spruce, Brides, and more. People Editorial Guidelines and Cai Cramer Cai Cramer Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE.com with 2 years’ experience in journalism and digital media. She regularly tests the best and buzziest products in the beauty and lifestyle spaces and has researched and written about moisturizers, blow dryers, clothing, and luggage, among many other popular products. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 4, 2024 01:15AM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Add to Cart What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Jhett Thompson White, sparkling teeth are universally flattering — there's really no denying this. So what's the best way to get a bright, shiny smile? You could always schedule a professional treatment with your dentist, but today's at-home options work surprisingly well, and they come at a fraction of the cost. Experts Say "Peroxide-based whitening gels of any concentration, including those over-the-counter and in the dental office, have the same method of action. They dissolve into the enamel (without damage) and break down the tough stains built up inside." — Dr. Aodhan Docherty, cosmetic dentist and teeth whitening technology researcher From classic whitening strips and convenient pens to fast-acting kits with high-tech LED trays, there are tons of teeth whiteners on the market. We tested over 20 to find options that are not only effective but also user-friendly and gentle, even on sensitive teeth. Ahead, the best teeth whitening products that PEOPLE tested. Our Top Picks Best Whitening Strips: SALE Crest 3D Sensitive Teeth Whitening Kit at Amazon $50 $35 Jump to Review Best Whitening Trays: Opalescence Tooth Whitening Prefilled Trays at Amazon $78 Jump to Review Best LED Light: iSmile LED Teeth Whitening Kit at Target $50 Jump to Review Best Whitening Pen: AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Pen at Amazon $16 Jump to Review Best Purple Toothpaste: Hismile V34 Colour Corrector Serum at Amazon $29 Jump to Review Best Toothbrush: SALE Voom Sonic Pro 5 Electronic Toothbrush at Amazon $40 $30 Jump to Review Best Advanced: SALE Auraglow Whitening Kit at Amazon $60 $48 Jump to Review Best Electric Toothbrush: Oral-B Genius X Limited at Amazon $200 Jump to Review Best Water Flosser: SALE Aquasonic Aqua Flosser at Amazon $50 $40 Jump to Review Best Toothpaste: Made by Dentists Total Care Toothpaste at Madebydentists.com Jump to Review Best Whitening Strips Crest 3D Sensitive Teeth Whitening Kit PHOTO: Amazon $50 $35 at Amazon View on Target $40 $33 at Walmart Star Qualities Strips are mess-free and portable Gentle enough for sensitive teeth Whitened our teeth noticeably in two weeks Red Flags Takes longer to notice results than some other methods The 2001 launch of Crest Whitestrips was a tipping point for at-home whitening. The original product is still a mainstay, but there are now several enhanced versions worth considering. 3DWhitestrips Sensitive was our favorite of the three whitening strips we tried. The effective yet gentle hydrogen peroxide strips whiten your teeth over the course of two weeks, a process that we found literally painless on sensitive teeth and reactive gums. We liked the straightforward process and appreciated how the individually wrapped strips can be stashed in your bag for on-the-go use. Since this kit lives up to its claims as a pain-free teeth whitening solution, we think the price is worth it. Overall, this product does the trick and provides a nice bright refresh to your smile. Type: Strips | Active Ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Duration Per Use: 30 minutes PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson Best Whitening Trays Opalescence Tooth Whitening Prefilled Trays PHOTO: Amazon $78 at Amazon View on Dentalfinds.com Star Qualities Noticeably whitens teeth after each use Quick and easy to get started with Red Flags Trays can feel a little bulky and uncomfortable in the mouth Opalescence Go comes with 10 single-use trays pre-filled with hydrogen peroxide gel, which you're supposed to wear for 30 to 60 minutes each. Unfortunately, they're not very comfortable and might make your mouth overproduce saliva. We were only able to keep them in for about 8 minutes the first time but extended the sessions as our teeth became acclimated. While we wouldn't recommend this kit for beginners or folks with sensitive teeth, the trays definitely produce noticeable results. After each use, our teeth lightened a full shade. And if you can wear the trays for the full recommended time, the effects will likely be even more dramatic. Type: Trays | Active Ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Duration Per Use: 30–60 minutes PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson Best LED Light iSmile LED Teeth Whitening Kit PHOTO: Amazon $50 at Target View on Shopismile.com Star Qualities Accelerator light speeds up the whitening process Only 10 minutes per day required Made teeth four shades whiter in two weeks Red Flags Slight gum discomfort during testing "Blue light LED teeth whitening is used by many dentists for professional treatments," says Dr. Docherty. And this user-friendly kit from iSmile was a hit during testing. We liked the convenience of applying the gel directly to the silicone mouth tray, which connects to the LED accelerator light. While we experienced mild gum discomfort, wearing it for the recommended 10 minutes was no problem. More to the point, it was extremely effective. Our teeth were four shades whiter after using this LED whitening kit for two weeks. If your teeth tolerate it well and you have some spare time, you can opt for two daily sessions to speed up the effects. Considering the professional-level results, this is a great value for at-home whitening. Type: Tray with LED light | Active Ingredient: Carbamide peroxide | Duration Per Use: 10 minutes PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson Best Whitening Pen AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Pen PHOTO: Amazon $16 at Amazon $16 at Walmart View on Auraglow.com Star Qualities Very easy to use Only needs 1 minute to start working Red Flags May tingle slightly and make your mouth water Teeth whitening pens are super convenient, especially for on-the-go use. We like this one from Auraflow, which leans on a high concentration of carbamide peroxide to lighten your teeth without causing sensitivity. Just click the bottom until the gel appears at the tip, brush it on, let it dry for a minute, and go about your day. It did tingle for a second, but overall, it was comfortable. However, your mouth may start to water waiting for the gel to dry. Since you're not supposed to swallow, we made sure there was a nearby sink to spit into. Also, the instructions say not to eat or drink anything for an hour after applying the gel. The results won't be as dramatic as other kits (our teeth were one shade lighter after two weeks), but with consistent use, you'll see a noticeable difference. Type: Pen | Active Ingredient: Carbamide peroxide | Duration Per Use: 1 minute People / Jessica Juliao Best Purple Toothpaste Hismile V34 Colour Corrector Serum $29 at Amazon View on Hismileteeth.com $20 at CVS Star Qualities Instantly creates the appearance of a whiter smile Pleasant taste Takes 2 minutes to use Red Flags Whitening effects are only temporary The purple toothpaste craze hit TikTok earlier this year, and lots of creators posted their own dramatically instant results. Purple toothpaste uses color theory to neutralize yellow tones in the teeth (purple counteracts yellow on the color wheel) and temporarily creates the appearance of a bright white smile. Hismile’s color-correcting serum went viral on TikTok for its instant whitening effects — mentions of Hismile have garnered over 227 million views on the platform. The formula comes out of the bottle like a watery toothpaste (and tastes like one, too), and makes teeth look whiter. While teeth might appear instantly brighter, those whitening effects are temporary and don’t actually work to address deep stains. This also isn’t a substitute for regular toothpaste because it doesn’t contain fluoride. We still think this a great trick to have in your cabinet for the day of a big event or for when you’re in the mood to flash some extra pearly whites. Type: Serum | Active Ingredient: Red and blue dye | Duration Per Use: 2 minutes Best Toothbrush Voom Sonic Pro 5 Electronic Toothbrush $40 $30 at Amazon $48 at Walmart View on Voomsonic.com Star Qualities Battery lasts for over 30 days between charges Brush head gets into all the nooks and crannies Includes five different brush settings for a custom cleaning Red Flags No battery life indicator Teeth brushing with a regular or electric toothbrush and flossing with traditional floss or a water flosser are two of the most important steps in any oral hygiene routine — which means they're also two of the most vital steps in achieving a pearly white smile. One of our favorite electric toothbrushes is the Voom Sonic Pro 5. This device is more than just a standard toothbrush. It has a two-minute timer and five different settings: clean, white, sensitive, polish, and massage. It’s also easy and intuitive to set up, so we were able to start using the toothbrush right out of the box. The small brush head is super convenient for reaching every spot in the mouth for a thorough clean. Just about the only thing we’d change about this well-priced toothbrush is that it doesn’t have a battery indicator, so it’s hard to tell when you’ll need to recharge it again. But, the battery also lasts for over 30 days with just one full charge, so that doesn’t bother us much. Type: Toothbrush | Active Ingredient: N/A | Duration Per Use: 2 minutes Best Advanced Auraglow Whitening Kit PHOTO: Amazon $60 $48 at Amazon $48 at Walmart View on Auraglow.com Star Qualities Highly concentrated for fast results Gel has a nice minty flavor No pain or sensitivity during testing Red Flags Large silicone tray may cause some discomfort for smaller mouths If your teeth can handle more intense treatments, Auraglow's Complete LED Whitening Kit might be your best bet. It comes with 20 highly concentrated carbamide peroxide treatments and a rechargeable LED accelerator that promises results 10 times faster than most other at-home systems. We liked the minty taste of the gel, and while the tray is made of soft silicone, it was too large for smaller mouths, so our lips had to stretch around it. Wearing the tray for a half-hour wasn't very comfortable, but the pro-level results were worth it, and we appreciated the pleasant minty flavor of the gel. In the end, our teeth were several shades lighter after two weeks, and we didn't experience any pain or sensitivity. Type: Tray with LED light | Active Ingredient: Carbamide peroxide | Duration Per Use: 30 minutes People / Jessica Juliao Add to Cart While you're shopping for the best teeth whitening products, take a look at other highly ranked oral health products. Our team of editors and independent testers put in rigorous testing to highlight only the best of the best. Oral-B Genius X Limited $200 at Amazon Aquasonic Aqua Flosser $50 $40 at Amazon $40 at Walmart $40 at Aquasonic.com Made by Dentists Total Care Toothpaste View on Madebydentists.com Colgate Overnight Whitening Pen $20 at Amazon $20 at Target $25 $20 at Walmart What to Know About Teeth Whitening Products Type There are a few types of at-home teeth whiteners. On the more basic end are single-use strips, which you leave on for 30 to 60 minutes, and whitening pens filled with brush-on gel. There are also higher-tech kits with reusable plastic or silicone trays and blue LED accelerator lights, like the Auraglow Whitening Kit. This type of teeth whitening kit typically offers faster results with shorter sessions. Active Ingredient Most teeth whiteners call on hydrogen peroxide, which has a clinically proven bleaching effect. According to Dr. Docherty, this is the same active ingredient used by dentists for in-office whitening treatments. But since hydrogen peroxide can cause sensitivity, some gels include gentler alternatives like carbamide peroxide or PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid). However, Crest 3DWhiteStrips Sensitive uses hydrogen peroxide in a smaller concentration and is a great choice for sensitive teeth and/or gums. Usage Aside from cost savings, one of the main draws of at-home teeth whiteners is convenience. Some systems offer noticeable results in sessions as short as five or 10 minutes, while others require you to wear strips or a tray for 30 to 60 minutes. Additionally, you may need to avoid eating or drinking shortly after each use. Look for a kit that fits your schedule and lifestyle. Behind the Scenes We researched and selected more than 20 teeth whitening products for the PEOPLE Tested team to evaluate. Initial Shade Comparison: Before getting started, we compared our teeth to a dental color chart and recorded the shade. After unboxing the kits, we read through the directions and followed the brand's step-by-step guidelines.Comfort Evaluation: Unless we experienced pain or severe discomfort, we left the strips, gel, or trays on for the recommended time. We noted the feel of their teeth and gums during and after each session.Final Shade Comparison: Upon completing the treatment, we then compared the new shade of the teeth to the initial color.Ratings: Each kit was scored for comfort, effectiveness, convenience, and overall value, and those with the highest average ratings earned a spot on this PEOPLE Tested list of the best teeth whitening products. People / Jhett Thompson Frequently Asked Questions How do teeth whitening products work? According to Dr. Docherty, peroxide whitening gels dissolve into your tooth enamel and break up the stains without causing damage. "Those stains then exit the enamel, and the tooth appears lighter," he explains. How do blue LED lights work for teeth whitening? When combined with peroxide gel, Dr. Docherty says blue LED accelerator lights "provide consumers with noticeable whitening results that are affordable and easy to use." In other words, they help speed up the process of at-home teeth whitening. You can expect your teeth to lighten with fewer and often shorter sessions. Can you whiten sensitive teeth? Dr. Docherty says you can. If your teeth are extra-sensitive, he recommends using desensitizing toothpaste for two weeks before starting, as well as throughout the whitening process. "Remember less is more when it comes to the amount of whitening gel used," Dr. Docherty adds, noting that you can do every-other-day sessions to minimize irritation. Lastly, he says to avoid applying gel or whitening strips on receding gums or exposed roots. How long does it take to see results when whitening your teeth at home? It depends. Some LED-accelerated teeth whitening systems offer results in as little as one or two sessions. But with gentler formulas, it may take a week or two of consistent use before you notice a change. Why Trust PEOPLE? In compiling this list of best teeth whitening products, freelance journalist Theresa Holland relied on our testers’ input, countless online user reviews, and an interview with Dr. Aodhan Docherty. This story was most recently updated by staff writer Cai Cramer, who added new products based on testing insights and updated existing descriptions to be more in-depth. Our Expert Panel Dr. Aodhan Docherty is a cosmetic dentist and teeth whitening technology researcher. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase. The 7 Best Red Light Therapy Devices of 2024, Tested by Real People