Travel Products Style Beauty The 9 Best Travel Toothbrushes of 2023 With advanced A.I. features, the affordable Oral-B's Genius X is our top pick. By Leslie Hsu Oh and Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Instagram Taylor Fox is a Commerce Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over seven years. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 22, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Amazon If you're asking yourself, what exactly is a travel toothbrush? You've come to the right place. “Travel toothbrushes are smaller and easier to pack in small spaces,” says Dr. Leslie Joseph-Messner, a dentist who traveled extensively through Alaska when she worked for the Indian Health Service. “A regular toothbrush can work fine, but size does matter when traveling. I carry a travel toothbrush regularly with me, because you never know when your flight could be canceled or if you need to brush after a meal.” She recommends looking for the American Dental Association seal of approval when shopping for your travel toothbrush. Then consider size, foldability, voltage, antimicrobial properties, and manual versus electric models. No matter which one you choose, it's imperative to avoid mildew by drying out your travel toothbrush before you return it to its case. Our favorite travel toothbrush is the Oral-B Genius X, which has high-tech features at an affordable price. We also have recommendations for the best disposable, kid-friendly, and sustainable options that may be perfect for your travel style. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Oral-B Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush at Target Jump to Review Best Budget: Colgate Smart Electric Toothbrush at Amazon Jump to Review Best Innovation: Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige at Amazon Jump to Review Best Disposable: Colgate Disposable Mini Toothbrushes at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Kids: Philips Sonicare Kids Rechargeable Toothbrush at Amazon Jump to Review Most Sustainable: Suri Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush at Trysuri.com Jump to Review Best Folding Toothbrush: Radius Tour Travel Brush & Case at Amazon Jump to Review Best Electric: Philips Sonicare Electric Toothbrush at Amazon Jump to Review Best Kit: Dental Source Travel Toothbrush and Crest Toothpaste Kit at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Oral-B Genius X Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush Target View On Target Why We Love It It’s reasonably priced for an artificially intelligent toothbrush, and its tracking methodology is better than that of its main competitor (the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige) when used in real time. What to Consider It's definitely a splurge. This electric model includes a traveling case that can charge both your toothbrush and your phone, and it's loaded with tech features that ensure you'll get the best brush possible every day. Oral-B claims that the Genius X has learned how thousands of people brush their teeth and will use artificial intelligence to coach you on technique, including which areas you might have missed and the right pressure to use on your teeth. Keep in mind that the pacer and timer do not work if the app is not being used in real time. It comes with six different brush modes and three different brush heads: cross-action (good overall clean), 3D white (whitens the teeth), and floss-action (deeper clean). Price at time of publish: $220 The Details: Cross-action, 3D white, and floss-action bristle | Electric | ADA Seal Best Budget Colgate Hum Smart Electric Toothbrush Amazon View On Amazon View On Target Why We Love It It pairs with a smartphone app that gives you points for brushing technique and consistency, and rewards you with discounts on future purchases. What to Consider Its battery life could be better and there is no pressure sensor. For many users, this toothbrush is a “game-changer” due to the interactive app that coaches you on how to brush based upon a timer and pacer, and rewards you with discounts on future purchases. This toothbrush is battery-powered, meaning you don’t need to save suitcase space for any cords or adapters. Amazon Alexa can integrate with this product and notify you when it’s time for a new brush head. Price at time of publish: $40 The Details: Soft bristle | Electric | No ADA seal Best Innovation Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Power Toothbrush 4.5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart Why We Love It This is the best smart toothbrush on the market — it learns and adapts in real time to your brushing style and reminds you when it’s time to replace your brush head. What to Consider It’s expensive and doesn’t have a built-in charging cable. The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige uses Bluetooth and artificial intelligence to provide real-time guidance on how much pressure you apply, your motion, how long and how often you brush, and even areas you missed brushing. A lot of the special features are automated, meaning you may not even know the toothbrush is adjusting the intensity with which you are brushing (something the Oral-B’s Genius X can’t do). It also reminds you when to replace the brush head. While the Genius X cleans with oscillating rotation and pulsation, the Sonicare 9900 Prestige cleans with a side-to-side sweeping motion and a sonic technology to disrupt plaque. The Genius X takes up to 12 hours to charge, compared to the Prestige’s 16 hours; however, the Genius X only lasts 16 days on a single charge, while the Prestige lasts 32 days. Price at time of publish: $380 The Details: All-in-one bristle | Electric | No ADA seal The 8 Best Electric Toothbrushes for Travel of 2023 Best Disposable Colgate Max Fresh Wisp Disposable Mini Toothbrushes Amazon View On Amazon View On Target Why We Love It It comes with gluten-free toothpaste, and there’s no rinsing required. What to Consider Some users may find the bristles to be too rough on gums and teeth. These disposable mini toothbrushes contain a built-in bead of sugar-free peppermint or spearmint toothpaste, which dissolves in your mouth and does not require rinsing. Soft bristles remove plaque, but they may be rougher on the gums and teeth than some people prefer. They’re perfectly pocket-sized to save space in your luggage or to carry around every day in case you need to freshen up on the go. As a bonus, they also brighten your teeth. Price at time of publish: $16 for two 24-packs The Details: Soft bristle | Not electric | ADA Seal Best for Kids Philips Sonicare Kids Rechargeable Toothbrush 4.7 View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Brandsmartusa.com Why We Love It The toothbrush works with an ingenious interactive app that rewards kids who brush twice a day for the recommended length of time with the care of a pet named Sparkly. What to Consider It doesn’t have a travel case, battery-powered option, or kid-sized brush heads. Having tested this toothbrush with four kids, I couldn’t find a comparable travel-sized version. For me, it’s worth bringing these toothbrushes on travels with my kids because of the interactive app. My kids nearly always tell me they are too tired to brush their teeth until I remind them to take care of their pet, Sparkly. Without fail, they will brush their teeth just to make sure their Sparkly is happy. The only way to get food, accessories, and scenes for Sparkly is to consistently brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes. Price at time of publish: $35 The Details: Soft bristle | Electric | No ADA seal The 11 Best Toiletry Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Most Sustainable Suri Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush Suri View On Trysuri.com Why We Love It The travel case charges the toothbrush via USB-C and has built-in UV-C sanitizing capability as well as holes for ventilation. What to Consider There is no pressure sensor. The Suri Sustainable Sonic features a magnetic motor that is one-third the size of a standard electric toothbrush’s motor and yet delivers 33,000 vibrations per minute. The recyclable and repairable brush heads are made of corn starch and castor oil. The battery charges in four hours via USB-C and lasts for 30 days. Best of all, it has an IPX7 waterproof rating so you can brush your teeth in the shower. Price at time of publish: $92 The Details: Medium/soft bristle | Electric | No ADA seal Best Folding Toothbrush Radius Tour Travel Brush & Case Radius Tour Travel Brush. Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It The handle is reusable and acts as a built-in travel case. What to Consider The brush head is larger than most, so it may take some getting used to. It can be hard to find the perfect travel case to protect your toothbrush en route, but this handy folding brush perfectly protects your bristles while also making it more compact. The jack-knife design easily fits into any toiletry bag or purse for easy packing and doesn't trap in moisture. Plus, the brush head is replaceable, so you can continue to use the foldable handle again and again. Price at time of publish: $8 The Details: Soft bristle | Not electric | ADA accepted Best Electric Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Toothbrush Target View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Abt.com Why We Love It One charge lasts up to two weeks — so it's perfect for traveling. What to Consider It comes with a USB charger, but not a wall adapter. Keeping up with your daily oral care while traveling doesn't have to be complicated when your electric toothbrush has a long-lasting charge and USB charger. Not only can you travel with this toothbrush on a single charge for a weekend trip, but even week-long adventures, so you never have to worry. It also provides the high-quality dental care users want. The brush features a pressure sensor and two intensity settings to protect sensitive gums from over-brushing, a two-minute timer so you brush for the full recommended time, and a brush head replacement reminder so you always have the best quality care. Price at time of publish: $50 The Details: Soft bristle | Electric | No ADA seal Best Kit Dental Source Travel Toothbrush and Crest Toothpaste Kit Dental Source Travel Toothbrush and Crest Toothpaste Kit. Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It It's a simple travel-sized kit with both a toothbrush and toothpaste. What to Consider It's not a fancy electric toothbrush, it's a traditional, compact, manual toothbrush. This toothbrush kit is a classic for a reason, it gets the job done without taking up too much space in your toiletry case. The compact toothbrush fits inside the protective case to use as a handle while brushing and comes with a 0.85-ounce tube of Crest toothpaste for your on-the-go dental care needs. Even if you're an electric toothbrush fan, this travel toothbrush kit should be added to your toiletry bag as a convenient backup or in-flight option. Price at time of publish: $7 The Details: Not electric | No ADA seal Tips for Buying a Travel Toothbrush Consider the benefits of manual versus electric Although many manual toothbrushes are more portable than their electric counterparts, they lack advanced features that benefit your oral hygiene. According to an 11-year study of the long-term impact of electric toothbrushes versus manual ones, electric toothbrushes are more effective in preventing periodontitis and gingivitis, because they can utilize thousands of strokes to brush away bacteria and plaque. They can also massage your gums as well as clean hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. Dentists advise that an electric toothbrush can limit the amount of pressure you apply on your teeth and gums. Many also come with timers to help you brush for the full amount of time recommended by the American Dental Association and provide other feedback, like which areas you missed while brushing. However, because some require docking stations, cords, chargers, or batteries, many travelers opt for the manual toothbrush while away from home. When space is your main concern, choose something durable, easy-to-pack, or foldable, or that comes with its own case. Choose the right bristles for you In general, soft bristles are good for sensitive teeth, whereas some people feel cleaner after using a hard-bristled toothbrush. Regardless of which type of bristles you prefer, we highly recommend using a case, as bristles can easily be damaged when tossing your toothbrush into your luggage. Frequently Asked Questions Can I bring an electric toothbrush on a plane? Yes, the TSA allows electric toothbrushes in your checked bags as long as they do not contain lithium-ion batteries. If yours does contain a lithium-ion battery, or if you want to bring a spare lithium-ion battery, pack it in your carry-on baggage. You do not need to take out your electric toothbrush during the airport security check. How should I pack a toothbrush for travel? Always pack your toothbrush inside of a hard case in order to protect the bristles on your brush head. If you are traveling internationally, be sure to double-check both voltage (printed on the base of your toothbrush charging stand) and plug type. The U.S., Barbados, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico use 120-volt outlets with plug type A or B. Europe uses 220-240 volts with a two-pin plug type C and F in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, while the United Kingdom uses a type G. In general, Oral-B charging stations support 110-130 volts, which means you’ll need a step-down converter and a plug adapter. Sonicare charging stations support 100-240 volts, so you only need to worry about a plug adapter. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Leslie Hsu Oh, a veteran gear tester for Backpacker Magazine, Outside Magazine, Popular Mechanics, REI, Runner’s World, Sierra Magazine, and T+L, believes that having a great experience while traveling depends on the quality and technical innovation of your gear. She and T+L commerce writer Taylor Fox used their travel experience and in-depth research to select the best travel toothbrushes for every type of traveler. While researching travel toothbrushes, we spoke with Dr. Leslie Joseph-Messner, a dentist with Tahoe Forest Health system. The 17 Best Travel Toiletries of 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter, and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit