If you only have 45 seconds of water, you'll have to refill the tank once to get to the suggested 1 minute of water flossing. This isn't a huge issue, but having to do it every day may get tedious. The 4-hour rapid charge is actually a disadvantage in this case, and an 8-hour charging time would be more practical. Waterproof: The electrical components are completely isolated, and it is safe to use in the shower. This might save you some time in the morning and is something that a countertop model cannot accomplish. Both the Aquacare 4 and the Aquacare 6 Pro-Expert have a 45 second flossing time. Both have at least 2 pressure settings, 2 weeks of battery life and a water resistant design. Both have rotating nozzles, are comfortable to hold and come with a 2 year warranty. But, neither feel the best quality. Even Waterpik, the brand leader, doesn’t get it right all the time. Its WF-10 Cordless Select is a great water flosser on paper. In fact, the USB magnetic charging cable is brilliant to use.Yet the design means you don’t have a lot of surface area to grip onto. Your hand feels restricted, which makes it feel less comfortable to use. The design of the Waterpik Cordless Select means you don’t have a lot of surface to grip onto.

The Fairywill 5020E has a few more features, but again, you may run into reliability issues. It lasts an impressive 90 seconds when using the most powerful of the 3 modes available. In our testing, the cleaning performance was comparable to other water flossers. The mouth felt clean after each use. But, it is not supported by clinical evidence. The studies simply haven’t been completed. In practice, people are often disappointed. It is an expensive solution that doesn’t deliver the tooth whitening results most would expect from Waterpik calling it a “whitening” water flosser. It is only ever going to remove extrinsic staining. It won’t change the natural colour of the teeth like professional bleaching. The Waterpik is big and clunky to use. I broke the door to the water tank trying to pull the tank off to clean. Christine

And the tank part is impossible to clean because of the shape. It has such a horrible design. You can’t get a brush in the very bottom part because it’s at a 90-degree angle. There’s mold in the tip of the hose that I can’t clean and it makes the water taste bad. I had returned my first one because it leaked profusely from the bottom, but the replacement does too. Dani However, reports have emerged about Fairywill products breaking sooner than they should, which is one of the risks of going for cheaper products from less well-known brands. Remember that when it comes to using a water flosser vs flossing, you shouldn't replace floss with a water flosser — instead, it should supplement your oral hygiene routine. FAQ Is the cordless Waterpik better? Nozzle variety: a variety of nozzles allows for a more personalised oral care routine. Individual circumstances, such as periodontal disease, can be more effectively treated at home. However, it isn’t perfect; the Waterpik’s nozzles rotate easier and replacement nozzles are more affordable.

Like the Cordless Plus, the WF-03 Cordless Freedom is another cheaper option — it is one of the only cordless options that uses removable AA batteries.It cleans the teeth well and it is American Dental Association approved like other Waterpik models. Independent assessment of the product and any clinical data that exists. Examples include the Oral Health Foundations “Approved” statusand the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. Mode/pressure setting notification lights The Ultra Professional WP-660 has all of the essential features we look for in a water flosser. It is a suitable option whether you are taking proactive steps to clean interdentally, have periodontal disease or if you’re recovering from oral surgery. The bit I most struggled with was keeping my lips closed while manoeuvring the flosser around my mouth, but with a few practice runs I was able to get into a good groove while using it. How often should you use a water flosser? In fact, the Cordless Select has a magnetic USB charging cable. This is super convenient and great for travellers.

The names and features of the tips can vary from one brand to another. The range of nozzles and the availability tends to be best with larger brands. For example, DentJet only offers a jet tip only. Those with more personalised needs will not be best served by DentJet. This Waterpik cordless model does a supremely thorough job of cleaning between the gums and ridding them of unwanted bacteria. While it’s a fairly chunky beast to wrap your mitts around, refilling and charging the thing is easy enough – with a top-up from the tap delivering about 45 seconds of flossing time. Also included is a rechargeable battery, along with a handy array of four tips for interdental cleaning, including an orthodontic tip for braces should you be embracing the Invisalign life right now. Other tips include a standard jet tip for everyday use, along with a plaque-seeker tip for targeting pesky areas. There's even a tongue-cleaner tip if you're really after a thorough, full-mouth clean.

How do they work? In most cases, they fire a stream of water under pressure around the gum line and into the gaps between your teeth. This removes any food particles left behind after brushing and chips away at any plaque. They’re particularly good in areas of the mouth where you might struggle to floss, and can also help clean around bridges, braces and false crowns. So, it is always best to have a discussion with your dentist or hygienist on what is best for your teeth and gums. From handling and testing lots of water flossers, we’ve come to regard some features as essential, and others as nice to have but not a dealbreaker if they are missing. For good oral health, simply brushing your teeth is not enough. If you just brush, plaque and debris get left behind. The Waterpik Water Flosser cleans away debris that other devices miss. It cleans deep between the teeth and below the gumline to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas. The compromise here is the small water tank. It is just 150ml. This means less flossing time per fill of the tank. It also has removable AA batteries rather than a built-in rechargeable one. But, in its favour, you do have the option of the different types of interchangeable nozzles. You don’t with most other cheap models.

What should I look for when buying a water flosser?

Key specs – Pressure: Not stated; Tank capacity: 250ml; Modes: 2; Tips provided: 2; Battery: Li-ion; Battery life: 14mins; Charger: USB Type-C, cable and charger provided; Dimensions: 60 x 75 x 280mm Battery life We fully charge each water flosser and run it on its highest setting until the battery drains. We time how long it takes for the battery to drain. LED indicator: Having an indicator that tells you whether your battery is full or empty is highly useful.