You go to the dentist twice a year, floss, well, as often as you remember, and steer clear of sticky, sugary treats. But let’s get real: A+ oral hygiene is all about brushing, and electric toothbrushes make that twice-daily job a little bit easier.

You stick it in your mouth, push a little button, and let the brush do most of the work for you. (Electric toothbrushes also require way less forearm effort and scream “I’m super serious about my dental health.”)

Electric toothbrushes aren’t exactly essential, but they can be helpful in a lot of situations, says Mark S. Wolff, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine—like if your dentist is constantly telling you you missed a spot, or if you’re not great at sticking to the two-minute recommended brushing time.

FWIW, the American Dental Association says that both manual and powered toothbrushes can be effective at getting plaque off of your teeth—you just need a little more skill with a manual brush. “The average person doesn’t brush as well as they should, so electric toothbrushes can help,” says Wolf.

It’s true: Electric toothbrushes clearly cost way more than your standard manual brush. But comparing the two is a bit like pitting a flip phone against a smart phone: You can make calls or text your pals on either one, but the latter has way more bells and whistles.

You can’t watch cat videos on your electric toothbrush (yet!) but most models have features (think: timers, multiple speeds, pressure sensors) that you won’t find on a manual scrubber. And keep in mind that you don’t need to change out the head as often as you would a manual brush—every six months is fine for electric compared to every three to four for the O.G. version, says Wolff. Which means that in the long run, the investment may be worth it.

So, if you’re just over pushing a brush back and forth over your teeth, it might be time to make the switch to electric. Take a look at the best electric toothbrushes on Amazon. They range from budget to splurge-worthy and will take your brushing game to the next level.

1. Philips Sonicare Essence

Those hard-to-reach molars don’t stand a chance against this budget-friendly toothbrush’s angled neck and super-soft rounded bristles that sneak their way between teeth. Travelers, take note: the battery can last up to two weeks between charges.

Among the more than 8,600 reviews (!) on the ‘zon is this glowing recommendation: “I can’t believe the feeling of pure cleanliness within my gum line, teeth crevices, and overall mouth. It is remarkable and just like being at the dentist – EVERYDAY.”

2. Oral-B White Pro 1000

This beauty oscillates, rotates, and pulses to get rid of gunk on your teeth. It also comes with a timer to help you meet the dentist-recommended two minutes of brushing that, let’s be honest, no one does on their own. This model may not have the bells and whistles of more expensive toothbrushes, but people say that’s NBD. “I love it. I wish I had purchased it sooner. It’s not too harsh on my gums and my teeth feel very clean after each use.”

3. Rembrandt Sonic Teeth Whitening Toothbrush

“This brush lives up to what I expect in such a brush,” says one reviewer. “I was pleasantly surprised with how clean this made my teeth feel after each use,” another said. This little brush swears it can remove seven times more plaque than manual brushes and promises to help whiten your teeth in the process. It also comes with three modes: daily, max, and gentle, to help meet your brushing needs at any given time.

4. Philips Sonicare DiamondClean

This is like the Maybach of electric toothbrushes. Sure, it promises to remove stains and all, but it also syncs up with an app on your phone that can tell you which side you’re brushing more than the other, plus other ways your brushing style needs a little improvement. It’s basically like having an on-call dentist. “You’ll be thoroughly impressed, even if you’re are upgrading from another electric toothbrush,” says one reviewer.

5. Oral-B Genius Pro 8000

This pretty rose gold toothbrush connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth to offer real-time feedback. When the light on the front turns red, it means you’re brushing too hard (most of us do) and need to ease up on the pressure. The cleaning it gives is next-level. “My teeth feel just like I left the dental hygienist, every day,” says one reviewer.

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