Oral-B Pro 650 CrossAction
A practical electric toothbrush (oscillating-rotating) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
The Best Electric Toothbrushes in the UK (2026)
An electric toothbrush helps most people brush more effectively than a manual one - the consistent motion and built-in timer do a lot of the work. The choice comes down to the cleaning action (sonic or oscillating), the modes and pressure sensor, battery life and the ongoing cost of brush heads. This guide explains what matters, then lists our top picks.
Quick answer
For most people, a mid-range brush with a two-minute timer, a pressure sensor and decent battery covers everything. Oral-B (oscillating-rotating) and Philips Sonicare (sonic) dominate and are both excellent; budget brands like Aquasonic and Bitvae offer great value.
What to look for
- Cleaning action - oscillating-rotating (Oral-B) or sonic (Sonicare and most others).
- Pressure sensor - warns you when you brush too hard, protecting your gums.
- Timer - a two-minute timer (often with 30-second pacing) ensures a full clean.
- Battery life - some last weeks per charge, handy for travel.
- Brush head cost - the ongoing expense; check head prices before buying.
- Modes - sensitive, whitening and gum-care modes if you want them.
How we pick
We rank on real-world usefulness: cleaning action, pressure sensor, timer, battery, modes and head availability. We don't show scraped prices or star ratings; our editorial score reflects how well each suits everyday brushing. Electric brushes generally remove more plaque than manual ones, but for any dental concerns see your dentist. Check the live Amazon price, as these go on deal often.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Oral-B Pro 1
A practical electric toothbrush (oscillating-rotating) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
#3 
Philips ProtectiveClean 5300
A practical electric toothbrush that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
#4 
Oral-B Smart 6
A practical electric toothbrush (oscillating-rotating, 5 cleaning modes) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
#5 
Oral-B Vitality CrossAction
A practical electric toothbrush (oscillating-rotating, 1 cleaning modes) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
#6 
Oral-B Complete Deep Clean
A practical electric toothbrush (oscillating-rotating) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
#7 
Oral-B Pro-Expert
A practical electric toothbrush (oscillating-rotating, 1 cleaning modes) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
#8 
Oral-B Pro Sensi
A practical electric toothbrush (oscillating-rotating) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
#9 
Oral-B Vitality Plus
A practical electric toothbrush (oscillating-rotating, 1 cleaning modes) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
#10 
Philips Sonicare 1100 Power
A practical electric toothbrush (sonic) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush.
Frequently asked questions
Are electric toothbrushes better than manual?
Research generally finds electric brushes remove more plaque and help reduce gum problems, mainly thanks to the consistent motion and built-in timer. Technique still matters, but most people brush more effectively with one.
Oral-B or Philips Sonicare?
Both are excellent; the difference is the cleaning action. Oral-B uses an oscillating-rotating round head, Sonicare uses sonic vibration with a larger head. It comes down to feel - match the features to your needs rather than the badge.
How often should I replace the brush head?
Roughly every three months, or sooner if the bristles splay. Heads are the ongoing cost of an electric toothbrush, so factor that into your choice.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Oral-B Pro 650 CrossAction (our score 9.6/10) - A practical electric toothbrush (oscillating-rotating) that helps you brush more effectively than a manual brush..