Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I might earn a referral fee (at no expense to you) when you click a link.

There are approximately 150 electric toothbrushes for sale online. Many of them are made by household names, but others are China-direct products that are sold in bulk on wholesale marketplaces, then rebranded for U.S. customers. I know this because I analyzed the electric toothbrushes available on Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

One of the risks of buying an "off-brand" electric toothbrush is that its replacement brush heads may be unavailable or incompatible when you need them. Because of this risk, I believe that no-name toothbrushes should always sell at a discount to name brands. This isn't always the case.

Nevertheless, several electric toothbrushes are a compelling value. The following powered toothbrushes are legitimately-rated at four stars or better and have sold for $30 or less in the past 12-months. Some of these toothbrushes have sold for as little as $3 while on sale:

1. Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Pro
2. Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
3. Colgate 360 Optic White Sonic
4. Oral-B Pro 500 Electric Toothbrush
5. Philips Sonicare HX6321
6. Oral-B Pro-Health Sparkle Fun
7. Philips Sonicare DailyClean 1100
8. Oral-B Kids Electric Toothbrush
9. Dnsly TB-508 Sonic Electric Toothbrush
10. Oral-B White Pro 1000
11. Wagner Switzerland Whiten+
12. Oral-B Vitality FlossAction
13. Oral-B Vitality Rechargeable
14. Philips Sonicare Essence HX5611/01

I've done my best to condense the average customer experience into as few words as possible for each of these toothbrushes. (In the case of electric toothbrushes that are marketed to children, I've summarized the opinions of their parents.) I've also included a simple price guide: "Good value" is the average retail price; "great deal" is the lowest price that I've recorded.

If you'd like to learn more about electric toothbrushes, or to read more about my methodology for selecting products, scroll to the bottom of this buying guide for more information.

1. Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Pro

Good Value: $7 | Great Deal: $4

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart

Arm & Hammer's battery-operated toothbrush is cheap, effective and a great value, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say this brush has a loud motor; others caution that it is difficult to operate with one hand (while its wet). Some reviewers had a hard time replacing the batteries.

Replacement Heads: Spinbrush Pro Refills

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.

2. Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Electric Toothbrush

Good Value: $40 | Great Deal: $30

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart | Check Current Price on Best Buy

This inexpensive Sonicare toothbrush is ideal for people with sensitive or receding gums (because of its built-in sensor), according to several online customers. Some reviewers say the brush splatters and its handle gets slippery; others feel like the brush-head replacement indicator is a gimmick to sell expensive brush heads.

Replacement Heads: Philips HX9023/65 Sonicare C2 Click-On Heads

3. Colgate 360 Optic White Sonic Battery-Powered Toothbrush

Good Value: $5 | Great Deal: $3

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walgreens | Check Current Price on Walmart

Colgate's inexpensive battery-powered toothbrush is compact, long-lasting and powerful, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish the motor was quieter; others prefer a brush with a rotating head.

Replacement Heads: N/A

4. Oral-B Pro 500 Electric Toothbrush with Automatic Timer

Good Value: $29 | Great Deal: $19

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart | Check Current Price on Target

Oral-B's affordable electric toothbrush is powerful and reliable, according to several online customers. Many reviewers don't like the stop-and-start nature of the built-in timer (it works in 30 second intervals). Other customers warn that this toothbrush is loud and can accidentally splatter.

Replacement Heads: This model accepts most Oral-B replacement heads, including: CrossAction, FlossAction, Precision Clean, 3D White, Sensitive Gum Care, Deep Sweep, and Dual Clean.

5. Philips Sonicare for Kids: Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

Good Value: $40 | Great Deal: $30

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Target | Check Current Price on Walmart

This is a good electric toothbrush for kids, according to several parents who purchased this Sonicare model online. Many reviewers were surprised by how large this toothbrush's handle and brush head are. Parents either love or hate the Sonicare's companion app and Bluetooth connectivity.

Replacement Heads: Philips Sonicare for Kids Replacement Toothbrush Heads, HX6032/94

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.

6. Oral-B Pro-Health Sparkle Fun Battery Toothbrush for Kids

Good Value: $13 | Great Deal: $10

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart

This battery-powered kids toothbrush has soft bristles, a convenient timer function and a travel-friendly design, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say they received a brush with a dead battery.

Replacement Heads: This model accepts most Oral-B replacement heads, including: CrossAction, FlossAction, Precision Clean, 3D White, Sensitive Gum Care, Deep Sweep, Dual Clean and Stages Power (for Kids).

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Cyber Monday.

7. Philips Sonicare DailyClean 1100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

Good Value: $25 | Great Deal: $15

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart | Check Current Price on Best Buy

Philips' inexpensive sonic toothbrush has a long battery life, travel-friendly design and a convenient 30-second interval timer, according to several online customers. Many reviewers describe this model as "no-frills" and wish that it included a battery indicator light; others say this toothbrush has a loud motor.

Replacement Heads: Sonicare C1 Simply Clean Replacement Toothbrush Heads, HX6012/04

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.

8. Oral-B Kids Electric Toothbrush With Timer

Good Value: $25 | Great Deal: $19

Check Current Price on Amazon

Oral-B's kid-friendly electric toothbrush is durable, easy to use and the built-in timer motivates children to brush for two minutes, according to several online customers. Some reviewers complain that the handle is too thick for small hands; others wish this unit had better battery life (and a low-battery indicator light).

Replacement Heads: This model accepts most Oral-B replacement heads, including: CrossAction, FlossAction, Precision Clean, 3D White, Sensitive Gum Care, Deep Sweep, Dual Clean and Stages Power (for Kids).

9. Dnsly Sonic Electric Toothbrush (With 2 Minute Timer)

Good Value: $23 | Great Deal: $17

Check Current Price on Amazon

This inexpensive sonic toothbrush is lightweight, gentle on the gums and it has a convenient built-in timer, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say this brush is too weak; others wish the brush heads were larger. Many customers agree that this budget Sonicare alternative has excellent battery life.

Replacement Heads: Dnsly Sonic Electric Toothbrush Replacement Heads

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.

10. Oral-B White Pro 1000 Electric Toothbrush

Good Value: $41 | Great Deal: $24

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart | Check Current Price on Target

This rotating power toothbrush cleans almost as well as a dentist's office and its replacement heads are reasonably priced, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say this toothbrush has mediocre battery life; others complain that Oral-B's brush heads are too small.

Replacement Heads: This model accepts most Oral-B replacement heads, including: CrossAction, FlossAction, Precision Clean, 3D White, Sensitive Gum Care, Deep Sweep, Dual Clean, and Trizone.

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.

11. Wagner Switzerland Whiten+ Pressure Sensing Toothbrush

Good Value: $38 | Great Deal: $30

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart

Wagner's affordable electric toothbrush has excellent battery life and a lightweight travel-friendly design, according to several online customers. Some reviewers were disappointed that this brush is made in China.

Replacement Heads: Wagner Switzerland Whiten+ Replacement Heads

12. Oral-B Vitality FlossAction Electric Toothbrush

Good Value: $22 | Great Deal: $16

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart | Check Price on Bed Bath & Beyond

This rotating electric toothbrush is a good value, according to several online customers. Many reviewers wish this Oral-B model had a charging light and a low battery indicator.

Replacement Heads: This model accepts most Oral-B replacement heads, including: CrossAction, FlossAction, Precision Clean, 3D White, Sensitive Gum Care, Deep Sweep, Dual Clean, and Trizone.

13. Oral-B Vitality Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush with Timer

Good Value: $24 | Great Deal: $16

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Macy's | Check Current Price on Best Buy

A majority of online reviewers like or love Oral-B's Dual Clean electric toothbrush. Some customers (even happy ones) wish that the brush had a low-battery indicator; others describe the brush as big and bulky.

Replacement Heads: This model accepts most Oral-B replacement heads, including: CrossAction, FlossAction, Precision Clean, 3D White, Sensitive Gum Care, Deep Sweep, Dual Clean, and Trizone.

14. Philips Sonicare Essence (Sonic Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush)

Good Value: $25 | Great Deal: $10

Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart | Check Current Price on Kohl's

This Sonicare toothbrush is powerful, but gentle on the gums, according to several online customers (many of whom appreciate this brush's 2-minute timer). Some customers found mold growing inside the handle of their Sonicare, however, other reviewers say this can be avoided by regularly cleaning and drying the brush.

Replacement Heads: Sonicare HX7022/66 Screw-On E-Series Replacement Toothbrush Heads

Are Electric Toothbrushes Better Than Regular Ones?

Researchers can't agree whether electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque than manual toothbrushes, or, even which type of electric toothbrush is best. For example:

• This 1997 paper says electric toothbrushes are better; this 2011 paper says they aren't;
• This 1996 paper says that rotating brushes are more effective than sonic brushes; yet
• This 2011 paper says that sonic brushes are more effective than ionic brushes; however
• This 2012 paper says that ionic brushes are most effective.

Unless your dentist has recommended a toothbrush for its health benefits, it's safe to assume that marketing claims are puffery. That said, there are ergonomic reasons for using an electric toothbrush (or a water flosser).

"People who have dexterity problems — like the elderly, people with disabilities, or children — or those who have dental appliances, like braces, may find a powered toothbrush easier to use," according to the American Dental Association.

How Much Does a Good Electric Toothbrush Cost?

A good electric toothbrush (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $29, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same electric toothbrushes cost around $19 while on sale: an average discount of 34%. This data also suggests that Amazon is the best place to buy an electric toothbrush online. Always check the price and availability of replacement brush heads before buying an electric toothbrush.

Methodology for Selecting Products

I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find electric toothbrushes with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any toothbrushes with a price above the mid-point.

To find electric toothbrushes with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Brushes with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, approximately 85% of the products that are analyzed are eliminated for one or more of the reasons above.

About the Author: After losing several of his teeth in a violent assault, John DeFeo treats his remaining teeth (and the fake ones) with great care. He also considers dental hygiene to be a critical source of preventive medicine, having lost two family members to bacterial endocarditis that was the result of infected teeth.