Dental professionals recommend that we floss at least once a day to get rid of the plaque between the nooks and crannies of teeth and the gums. While traditional flossing is still effective, a more convenient method of flossing is with us — water flossing.
There are currently a number of water flosser brands, but only two have the ADA seal of Acceptance — Waterpik and Philips.
Waterpik is the most popular water flosser brand, and, according to the company, 9 out of 10 dentists recommend these flossers over other brands.
This post takes a deep dive into the best Waterpik water flossers of 2023, with comprehensive reviews to enable you to make a more informed buying decision.
What Is a Waterpik Water Flosser?
A water flosser is an oral health device that relies on pressure to direct a stream of water around your gum line and between teeth. This device works like traditional floss and helps blast away plaque between teeth, bacteria, and other build-ups that may cause oral issues, such as inflammation, cavities, and gum disease.
Waterpik is one of the largest oral care brands that manufacture water flossers. They have some of the best water flossers on the market, ranging from countertop flossers for deep cleaning, compact and travel-size water flossers, and toothbrush and water flosser combos.
How Effective Are Waterpiks?
According to the American Dental Association, water flossers with the ADA seal of Acceptance, such as Waterpiks, effectively get rid of plaque. This is the film that turns into tartar which then leads to gum disease and cavities if not taken care of.
Waterpik reviews have proven that they effectively remove this plaque and food debris from your teeth and under the gum line.
This flosser is also ideal for people with gingivitis or those wearing braces, as they may have trouble weaving dental floss between their teeth. A water flosser takes their flossing to the next level, especially when traditional flossing is ineffective. It is important to keep track of your usage and get Waterpik water flosser replacement tips after the recommended period.
7 Best Waterpik Water Flossers
Waterpik manufactures various types of water flossers, including the water flosser and electric toothbrush combo. All these water flossers have unique features and are intended for different groups of people with specific needs.
For us to pick the seven best products, we had to run them through a number of tests. Our list of the top Waterpik water flossers also takes into consideration various factors, including:
- Battery Life
- Portability
- Effectiveness
- Quality of features
- Pressure modes
- Overall value for money
All factors considered, here are our top Waterpik water flosser reviews:
- Waterpik Aquarius: Best Overall
- Waterpik Cordless Advanced: Best for Beginners
- Waterpik ION: Best based on the quality-price ratio
- Waterpik Cordless Freedom: Best for Your Budget
- Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0: Most Convenient
- Waterpik Whitening: Best long-term buy
- Waterpik Water Flosser For Kids: Best for Children
Waterpik Aquarius
The Waterpik Aquarius water flosser is arguably the best Waterpik water flosser you can find, thanks to its effectiveness and convenience. With a whopping 4.6-star rating out of over 116,000 reviews on Amazon alone, you can definitely tell that this brand is the go-to solution.
Its large water reservoir holds up to 22 ounces of water, which can get you going for up to 90 seconds of continuous use, allowing you to use it without feeling rushed.
The product has seven different tips, all serving different purposes but with a similar goal — three classic tips, one for braces, one for plaque, one with a toothbrush head, and one for periodontal pockets.
Key Features
- Ten floss settings
- Up to 90 seconds of flossing time
- Seven flossing tips
- Two flossing modes: for gum stimulation and regular floss mode
- Large water reservoir
- Three-year warranty
- Available in five colors
Waterpik Cordless Advanced
The Waterpik Cordless Advanced has a minimalist and straightforward design, making it perfect for beginners looking to introduce water flossing into their dental hygiene regimen. It is one of the most popular Waterpik rechargeable water flossers.
This basic cordless option has a decent water reservoir that lasts you up to 45 seconds of use. While the tank is not big, it is a perfect portable Waterpik water flosser.
The Waterpik cordless advanced water flosser reviews indicate that this is an ideal option for those just getting into the water flossing oral care routine, as it is easy to use without any complex features.
Key Features
- 45 seconds of flossing time
- Four water-flossing tips
- Three pressure settings
- Portable and lightweight
- Two-year warranty
- 4-hour rapid charge
Waterpik Ion
The lightweight and simple-to-use Waterpik Ion countertop model has some of the features you’d usually find in a more expensive model but at a lower price point.
This product has an impressive Quiet Mark score, making it one of the quietest water flossers on the market today. It also ranks high for its ergonomic design, which makes it convenient to clean between teeth and effectively remove plaque.
The flosser includes a rechargeable battery which makes it easy to go cordless, and comes with a retractable hose, which helps keep countertop clutter minimal.
Key Features
- Long-lasting charge of up to four weeks
- 90 seconds of flossing time
- Six water flossing tips
- Ten pressure settings
- Magnetic handle cradle
- No cord needed
- Three-year warranty
Waterpik Cordless Freedom
As the name implies, this Waterpik water flosser gives users more freedom. This is another Waterpik water flosser cordless device.
The Waterpik Cordless Freedom is one of the most portable water flossers in the market that gives you the freedom to use it anywhere and gets the job done effectively.
The product is waterproof, making it ideal for travelers. It also makes cleaning the Waterpik water flosser easy as it is cordless and does not get negatively impacted by water. The product runs on AA batteries, meaning charging is not required.
Another similar product to check out is the Waterpik Cordless Plus water flosser.
Key Features
- Lightweight and portable
- 30 seconds of flossing time
- Waterproof
- Two pressure settings
- Three water-flossing tips
- No cord or outlet needed
- One-year warranty
Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0®
The Waterpik Sonic-fusion 2.0 is the second generation of the world’s first electric toothbrush and water flosser combo. The kit allows you to brush and floss your teeth without switching products.
This Waterpik water flosser toothbrush has a patented water-flossing brush head. It has been clinically proven by the manufacturers to be twice as effective as traditional brushing and flossing in getting rid of plaque and improving gum health.
Key Features
- 1 minute+ of water capacity
- Ten pressure control settings
- Three cleaning modes (Floss only, brush only, brush + floss combo)
- 2-in-1 device
- Three-year warranty
Waterpik Whitening
The Waterpik Whitening water flosser delivers precision whitening while you use the water floss. It helps to restore the natural whiteness of your teeth in just four weeks.
The Whitening Infuser technology used expertly mixes water with a gentle stain-removal agent. This device removes plaque and improves overall gum health while whitening teeth.
Key Features
- Four whitening tips
- 10 pressure settings
- 30 whitening tablets
- 90+ seconds of flossing time
- Three-year warranty
Waterpik Water Flosser For Kids
This is a water flosser from Waterpik, specifically made for kids. The Waterpik Water Flosser for kids makes it possible to take care of your child’s oral hygiene from an early age and offers long-term cavity and gum disease prevention.
It is easy to use and more effective in flossing, especially for kids with braces. The product comes with a detachable tank, so it is important to note how to remove the reservoir from the Waterpik water flosser.
This custom model is ideal for children aged 6+ and features a small, extra-safe electrical design. It is also smaller compared to other regular water flossers on the market.
Key Features
- Removable water reservoir
- 60 seconds of flossing time
- Three pressure settings
- Two Waterpik water flosser tips
- 20 fun removable cling labels
How To Use Waterpik Water Flosser
Using a Waterpik water flosser is pretty straightforward and has proven to be much easier and more convenient than traditional flossers.
While each Waterpik is different in functionality and features, you can use them in an almost similar way. You can get a comprehensive Waterpik water flosser manual in your packaging. Here’s how to use Waterpik water flossers for maximum results:
- Fill the water tank with lukewarm water. You may add salt to the water and stir. Place the reservoir firmly on the base.
- Choose a preferred flossing tip and click it on the handle.
- Before pushing the button to start the device, ensure that all Waterpik water flosser parts are intact. Begin with the lowest pressure setting and gradually increase the pressure. Lean over the sink and place the flosser tip in your mouth.
- When the water flosser is on, close your mouth to prevent leakage.
- Aim the flosser tip at your gums and move it along the gum line.
- Let the water run from your mouth into the sink, and don’t swallow the water.
- Turn the device off when finished, and remove the flossing tip using the eject button.
Pros And Cons Of The Waterpik Water Flosser
Water flossers, in general, came to resolve various issues and challenges raised when using traditional flossers.
Waterpik, one of the largest water flosser brands in the market today, has received an overwhelmingly positive reception. Existing Waterpik water flosser before and after images show just how effective they are.
However, while these products have their benefits, Waterpik flosser reviews show they also have a few notable downsides. Some of these downsides can be resolved by other solutions. For instance, if you find water flossers messy, you can try out some of the best air flossers.
This next section will take you through the pros and cons of the Waterpik water flosser to enable you to make a more informed decision.
- Up to twice as effective in removing plaque than regular brushing and flossing as it gets in hard-to-reach areas.
- Improves gum health and around dental implants more than traditional flossing.
- More effective in removing plaque around braces.
- Convenient to use.
- May leak and lose strength with time.
- Easy to make a mess than with string floss.
- Requires regular maintenance.
- Much more expensive than traditional floss.
Waterpik Water Flosser Reviews & Dentist Advice
Waterpik is arguably the best and most popular water flosser brand in the market. It has served hundreds of thousands of people, with the majority giving the product a huge thumbs up.
But what do dentists say about Waterpiks?
The American Dental Association approves these products, and they have been given the ADA seal of Acceptance to indicate that they are safe and effective.
Dentists recommend water flossers, especially for people who may have difficulty using traditional string flossers. For instance, they are ideal for flushing out food debris and plaque that gets caught around the brackets of braces wearers.
Moreover, the elderly or people with manual dexterity problems can benefit greatly from these water flossers. This is especially true for those with medical concerns like arthritis, where lifting the flossing string and working it may be challenging.
However, our dentists advise that water flossers should be used in addition to traditional flossing and not used to replace string flossing, especially if you can still use string flossers.
Waterpik Water Flosser In-Depth Video Review 2023
Using Waterpik water flossers is quite straightforward. However, the video below will give you even further clarity on how these products work and how they can benefit you:
Waterpik vs. Others
There is currently one main Waterpik competitor: the Philips Sonicare airfloss. Philips is another leading company that manufactures various oral products, such as the famous Philips Sonicare toothbrush and Philips Zoom Whitening.
So, how does it compare? Here’s a quick summary table to guide you:
| Features | Waterpik | Philips Sonicare |
|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Proven to be twice as effective as traditional methods. | Quite effective, but not as much as the Waterpik, in protecting gum health and removing plaque. |
| Stream style | Continuous water flow. This cleans better but messier. | Quick, tiny bursts. Cleans well, but not as good as the continuous water flow, but makes less of a mess. |
| Using mouthwash | Not economical, especially for larger tanks. | Thanks to the quick, tiny bursts, you can use mouthwash as it is economical. |
| Counter space | Quite larger than Philips brands. | Smaller than Waterpik. |
| Extra features | More features than just traditional flossing, such as gum massage. | Basic features that only enable flossing. |
FAQ
The Waterpik Sonic-fusion is right for you if you prefer the convenience of having an electric toothbrush and water flosser in one device.
Anyone can use a water flosser as they are safe and approved for human use without any adverse effects. They are especially recommended for people that may not find string flossers easy to use, such as those with braces.
The Waterpik water flosser Ultra and the Aquarius models are quite similar in many things, but the Aquarius stands out with its more advanced functionality and convenience features. However, Waterpik water flosser ultra reviews indicate that the device is more aggressive in removing plaque. The Waterpik water flosser ultra plus is a more advanced version.
The Waterpik Aquarius is arguably the best Waterpik water flosser, as it has tons of features, added convenience, a bigger water tank, and various tips and pressure modes, among others.
Different people can use the same water flosser but with different removable tips to minimize the transfer of bacteria. It is important that every user knows how to take apart a Waterpik water flosser.
The Waterpik Sonic-fusion 2.0 is the latest entrant in the company’s line of products. It is the second generation of the world’s first electric toothbrush and water flosser combo.
