An electric toothbrush removes more plaque than a manual one. The research on this is consistent and boring: powered brushes reduce plaque by about 21% more and gingivitis by about 11% more over three months, according to a large 2014 Cochrane review. The question is not whether to get one — it is which type to get.

Sonic Toothbrushes (Philips Sonicare)

Sonic brushes vibrate at very high frequencies — about 31,000 strokes per minute for a Sonicare. They clean through direct contact (the bristles physically scrub the tooth) and through fluid dynamics — the vibration agitates the water and toothpaste mixture, creating micro-bubbles that reach slightly beyond where the bristles touch.

The real advantage of Sonicare is the two-minute timer with 30-second quadrants. It trains you to brush each section of your mouth equally — something most people do terribly with a manual brush.

Downside: replacement heads cost about $8-12 each. You need a new one every three months. Over five years, that adds up to more than the brush itself.

Rotating-Oscillating (Oral-B)

Small round brush head that rotates and oscillates — spinning in one direction, then the other. Each tooth gets wrapped and cleaned individually. The round head reaches behind back molars more easily than a rectangular sonic head.

Oral-B brushes tend to cost less upfront than Sonicare, and replacement heads are cheaper — around $5-7 each. The motor is louder. Some people find the sensation more aggressive than sonic brushing.

Budget Electric Brushes ($15-30)

Store-brand or budget electric toothbrushes usually use AA batteries and vibrate at lower frequencies. They clean better than a manual brush but not as well as a premium sonic or rotating brush. The vibration is weaker and less consistent as the batteries drain.

If the choice is between a $20 electric brush and continuing with a manual brush, get the $20 electric. It is better. If you can afford the $50-70 for a Sonicare or Oral-B, the difference is noticeable.

The Feature That Matters

Pressure sensor. If you brush too hard — which most people do — the brush alerts you by changing pitch, flashing a light, or reducing power. Brushing too hard wears down enamel and causes gum recession. A pressure sensor is worth paying extra for.