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The 8 Best Teeth Whitening Products for Pearly Whites, According to Our Testing

Get photo-ready with one of our top picks

Person using a teeth whitening pen on their teeth

People / Jhett Thompson

White sparkling teeth are universally flattering — there's really no denying this. So what's the best way to get a bright, sparkly smile? You could always schedule a professional treatment with your dentist, but today's at-home options work surprisingly well, and they come at a fraction of the cost.

"Peroxide-based whitening gels of any concentration, including those over-the-counter and in the dental office, have the same method of action," cosmetic dentist and teeth whitening technology researcher Dr. Aodhan Docherty tells PEOPLE. "They dissolve into the enamel (without damage) and break down the tough stains built up inside."

From classic whitening strips and convenient pens to fast-acting kits with high-tech LED trays, there are tons of teeth whiteners on the market. We tested over 20 to find options that are not only effective but also user-friendly and gentle, even on sensitive teeth.

Ahead, the best teeth whitening products that PEOPLE tested.

Best Whitening Strips

Crest 3D Sensitive Teeth Whitening Kit

Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive Teeth Whitening Kit

Amazon

Pros
  • Mess-free whitening strips are easy to use and come individually wrapped, making them easy to take with you on-the-go

  • Gentle hydrogen peroxide formula is made for sensitive teeth, and didn’t cause any burning on our gums

  • Whitened our teeth noticeably over the course of two weeks

Cons
  • Takes longer to see noticeable results than some of the other whitening methods we’ve tried

After its 2001 launch, Crest Whitestrips was a tipping point for at-home whitening. The original product is still a mainstay, but there are now several enhanced versions worth considering. 3DWhitestrips Sensitive was our favorite of the three we tried. The effective yet gentle hydrogen peroxide strips whiten your teeth over the course of two weeks, a process that was literally painless on sensitive teeth and reactive gums.

We liked the straightforward process and appreciated how the individually wrapped strips can be stashed in your bag for on-the-go use. Since this kit lives up to its claims as a pain-free teeth whitening solution, we think the price is worth it. Overall, this product does the trick and provides a nice bright refresh to your smile.

Type: Strips | Active Ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Duration Per Use: 30 minutes

Best Whitening Trays

Opalescence Tooth Whitening Prefilled Trays

Opalescence Go Tooth Whitening Prefilled Trays

Amazon

Pros
  • Single-use trays are pre-filled with gel formula, making them super quick and easy to get started with

  • Strong formula noticeably whitens teeth after each use

Cons
  • Trays can feel a little bulky and uncomfortable in the mouth

  • One of the more expensive options we’ve tested

Opalescence Go comes with 10 single-use trays pre-filled with hydrogen peroxide gel, which you're supposed to wear for 30 to 60 minutes each. Unfortunately, they're not very comfortable and might make your mouth overproduce saliva. We were only able to keep them in for about 8 minutes the first time but extended the sessions as our teeth became acclimated.

While we wouldn't recommend this kit for beginners or folks with sensitive teeth, the trays definitely produce noticeable results. After each use, our teeth lightened a full shade. And if you can wear the trays for the full recommended time, the effects will likely be even more dramatic.

Type: Trays | Active Ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Duration Per Use: 30–60 minutes

Best LED Light

iSmile LED Teeth Whitening Kit

iSmile LED Light Activated Teeth Whitening Kit

Amazon

Pros
  • Accelerator light speeds up the whitening process

  • Only 10 minutes per day required

  • Effectively got teeth four shades whiter in two weeks

Cons
  • Slight gum discomfort was experienced during testing

"Blue light LED teeth whitening is used by many dentists for professional treatments," says Dr. Docherty. And this user-friendly kit from iSmile was a hit during testing. We liked the convenience of applying the gel directly to the silicone mouth tray, which connects to the LED accelerator light. While we experienced mild gum discomfort, wearing it for the recommended 10 minutes was no problem.

More to the point, it was extremely effective. Our teeth were four shades whiter after two weeks. If your teeth tolerate it well and you have some spare time, you can opt for two daily sessions to speed up the effects. Considering the professional-level results, this is a great value for at-home whitening.

Type: Tray with LED light | Active Ingredient: Carbamide peroxide | Duration Per Use: 10 minutes

Best Whitening Pen

AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Pen

AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Pen

Amazon

Pros
  • Pocket-sized pen is super easy to use and convenient to bring with you on the go

  • Gently lightens teeth without causing sensitivity (though we did find that it tingled slightly on the gums)

Cons
  • Results are not as dramatic as some of the other whitening options we’ve tested

  • May tingle slightly and make your mouth water

Teeth whitening pens are super convenient, especially for on-the-go use. We like this one from Auraflow, which leans on a high concentration of carbamide peroxide to lighten your teeth without causing sensitivity. Just click the bottom until the gel appears at the tip, brush it on, let it dry for a minute, and go about your day. It did tingle for a second, but overall, it was comfortable.

However, your mouth may start to water waiting for the gel to dry. Since you're not supposed to swallow, we made sure there was a nearby sink to spit into. Also, the instructions say not to eat or drink anything for an hour after applying the gel. The results won't be as dramatic as other kits (our teeth were one shade lighter after two weeks), but with consistent use, you'll see a noticeable difference.

Type: Pen | Active Ingredient: Carbamide peroxide | Duration Per Use: 1 minute

AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Pens displayed on a floral background

People / Jessica Juliao

Best Purple Toothpaste

Hismile V34 Colour Corrector Serum

Pros
  • Instantly creates the appearance of a visually whiter and brighter smile within 2 minutes from the very first use 

  • We found the light peppermint taste to be pleasantly similar to regular toothpaste

Cons
  • Whitening effects are only temporary and don’t actually work to address the cause of the stain

The purple toothpaste craze hit TikTok earlier this year, and lots of creators posted their own dramatically instant results. Purple toothpaste uses color theory to neutralize yellow tones in the teeth (purple counteracts yellow on the color wheel), and temporarily creates the appearance of a bright white smile. 

Hismile’s color correcting serum went viral on TikTok for it’s instant whitening effects — mentions of Hismile have garnered over 227 million views on the platform. The formula comes out of the bottle like a watery toothpaste (and tastes like one, too), and makes teeth look whiter. While teeth might appear instantly brighter, those whitening effects are temporary and don’t actually work to address deep stains. This also isn’t a substitute for regular toothpaste because it doesn’t contain fluoride. We still think this a great trick to have in your cabinet for the day of a big event or for when you’re in the mood to flash some extra pearly whites.

Type: Serum | Active Ingredient: Red and blue dye | Duration Per Use: 2 minutes

Best Toothbrush

Voom Sonic Pro 5 Electronic Toothbrush

Pros
  • Rechargeable toothbrush comes equipped with a battery that lasts for over 30 days in between charges

  • Small vibrating brush head gets into all the nooks and crannies to remove debris and polish teeth

Cons
  • There’s no battery life indicator, so it’s hard to tell when we need to recharge it

Teeth brushing with a regular or electric toothbrush is one of the most important steps in any oral hygiene routine — which means it’s also one of the most vital steps in achieving a pearly white smile. One of our favorite electric toothbrushes is the Voom Sonic Pro 5, which is a more affordable alternative to our other favorite electric toothbrush, the Oral-B Genius X

This device is more than just a standard toothbrush. It has a two-minute timer and five different settings: clean, white, sensitive, polish, and massage. It’s also easy and intuitive to set up, so we were able to start using the toothbrush right out of the box. The small brush head is super convenient for reaching every spot in the mouth for a thorough clean. 

Just about the only thing we’d change about this well-priced toothbrush is that it doesn’t have a battery indicator, so it’s hard to tell when you’ll need to recharge it again. But, the battery also lasts for over 30 days with just one full charge, so that doesn’t bother us much. 

Type: Toothbrush | Duration Per Use: 2 minutes

Best Advanced

Auraglow Whitening Kit

Auraglow Complete LED Whitening Kit

Amazon

Pros
  • Features highly concentrated strips of carbamide peroxide

  • Gel has a nice minty flavor that wasn't too overbearing

  • No pain or sensitivity was experienced during testing

Cons
  • Large silicone tray may cause some discomfort for smaller mouths

If your teeth can handle more intense treatments, Auraglow's Complete LED Whitening Kit might be your best bet. It comes with 20 highly concentrated carbamide peroxide treatments and a rechargeable LED accelerator that promises results ten times faster than most other at-home systems.

We liked the minty taste of the gel, and while the tray is made of soft silicone, it was too large for smaller mouths, so our lips had to stretch around it. Wearing the tray for a half-hour wasn't very comfortable, but the pro-level results were worth it in the end, and we appreciated the pleasant minty flavor of the gel. In the end, our teeth were several shades lighter after two weeks, and we didn't experience any pain or sensitivity.

Type: Tray with LED light | Active Ingredient: Carbamide peroxide | Duration Per Use: 30 minutes

Auraglow Complete LED Whitening Kit displayed on a gray counter

People / Jessica Juliao

Things to Consider When Buying Teeth Whitening Products

Type

There are a few types of at-home teeth whiteners. On the more basic end are single-use strips (like Spotlight Oral Care's Teeth Whitening Strips), which you leave on for 30 to 60 minutes, and whitening pens filled with brush-on gel. There are also higher-tech options with reusable plastic or silicone trays and blue LED accelerator lights. This type of kit typically offers faster results with shorter sessions.

Active Ingredient

Most teeth whiteners call on hydrogen peroxide, which has a clinically proven bleaching effect. According to Dr. Docherty, this is the same active ingredient used by dentists for in-office whitening treatments. But since hydrogen peroxide can cause sensitivity, some gels include gentler alternatives like carbamide peroxide or PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid). However, the Crest 3DWhiteStrips Sensitive uses hydrogen peroxide in a smaller concentration and is a great choice for sensitive teeth and/or gums.

Usage

Aside from cost savings, one of the main draws of at-home teeth whiteners is convenience. Some systems offer noticeable results in sessions as short as five or 10 minutes, while others require you to wear strips or a tray for 30 to 60 minutes. Additionally, you may need to avoid eating or drinking shortly after each use. Look for a kit that fits your schedule and lifestyle.

How We Tested

Before getting started, we compared our teeth to a dental color chart and recorded the shade. After unboxing the kits, we read through the directions and followed the brand's step-by-step guidelines. Unless we experienced pain or severe discomfort, we left the strips, gel, or trays on for the recommended time.

We noted the feel of their teeth and gums during and after each session. Upon completing the systems, we then compared the new shade of their teeth to the initial color. Each kit was scored for comfort, effectiveness, convenience, and overall value, and those with the highest average ratings earned a spot on this PEOPLE Tested list of the best teeth whitening products.

Person removing Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive Teeth Whitening Kit from box

People / Jhett Thompson

Frequently Asked Questions
  • How do teeth whitening products work?

    According to Dr. Docherty, peroxide whitening gels dissolve into your tooth enamel and break up the stains without causing damage. "Those stains then exit the enamel, and the tooth appears lighter," he explains.

  • How do blue LED lights work for teeth whitening?

    When combined with peroxide gel, Dr. Docherty says blue LED accelerator lights "provide consumers with noticeable whitening results that are affordable and easy to use." In other words, they help speed up the process of at-home teeth whitening. You can expect your teeth to lighten with fewer and often shorter sessions.

  • Can you whiten sensitive teeth?

    Dr. Docherty says you can. If your teeth are extra-sensitive, he recommends using desensitizing toothpaste for two weeks before starting, as well as throughout the whitening process. 


    "Remembering less is more when it comes to the amount of whitening gel used," Dr. Docherty adds, noting that you can do every-other-day sessions to minimize irritation. Lastly, he says to avoid applying gel or whitening strips on receding gums or exposed roots.

  • How long does it take to see results when whitening your teeth at home?

    It depends. Some LED-accelerated teeth whitening systems offer results in as little as one or two sessions. But with gentler formulas, it may take a week or two of consistent use before you notice a change.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

In compiling this list of best teeth whitening products, freelance journalist Theresa Holland relied on our testers’ input, countless online user reviews, and an interview with Dr. Aodhan Docherty. This story was most recently updated by staff writer Cai Cramer, who added new products based on testing insights and updated existing descriptions to be more in-depth.

Meet Our Expert

Dr. Aodhan Docherty is a cosmetic dentist and teeth whitening technology researcher.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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