The 8 Best Teeth Whitening Products of 2023

While professional dental treatments are an irreplaceable solution for teeth whitening, you shouldn’t sleep on the efficacy of at-home teeth whitening products. This oral hygiene staple is a secret weapon for brightening your smile and correcting minor discoloration — even for sensitive teeth — that doesn’t come with a hefty dental bill attached to it. The best teeth whitening products erase minor surface stains and help you maintain your pearly whites between routine cleanings. These are our top contenders for the best teeth whitening products on the market.

Best teeth whitening products overview:

• Best overall: Glo Science Classic Glo Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device
• Best budget: Colgate Optic White Advanced Toothpaste
• Best with baking soda: Arm & Hammer Advanced White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste
• Best fluoride-free: Burt’s Bees Purely White Zen Peppermint Toothpaste Fluoride-Free
• Best for sensitive teeth: Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Strips
• Best trays: Opalescence Teeth Whitening
• Best for travel: Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen 
• Best sustainable: Bite Whitening Gel Teeth Whitening Kit

How we chose the best teeth whitening products 

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including application method, ingredients, duration, frequency, and more, to create a short list of the top teeth whitening products. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best teeth whitening products for each category.

Our picks for the best teeth whitening products

This high-tech teeth whitening kit takes your smile from dull to radiant with an LED whitening mouthpiece and clinically proven brightening gel. Formulated with hydrogen peroxide gel, it visibly whitens your teeth, promotes long-term whitening stability, and corrects and removes minor discoloration. The brand’s patented G.L.O. technology can brighten your teeth five shades whiter in five days.

On top of that, the teeth whitening gel leaves a fresh minty taste and shouldn’t irritate sensitive teeth. The advanced technology may intimidate new users, but it’s fairly simple once you get the hang of it. The gel even comes with moisturizing lip care intended for pre-session application.

Session length: 8 min | Frequency of use: Up to 4 times per day, up to 10 days in a row | Type: LED, gel | Main ingredient(s): Hydrogen peroxide

You shouldn’t have to overspend for pearly white teeth. And with Colgate’s Optic White Advanced Toothpaste, you won’t. Our best budget pick produces a smile up to four shades whiter for less than $10. The hydrogen peroxide whitening formula removes stains beyond the surface, producing brightening results within weeks.

Colgate’s Optic White Advanced Toothpaste is formulated with enamel-safe ingredients. Hydrogen peroxide corrects discoloration, while fluoride minimizes tooth decay. It’s packaged in a small tube, so don’t be surprised if you quickly run out of this minty-flavored toothpaste.

Session length: N/A | Frequency of use: Twice daily for at least 6 weeks | Type: Toothpaste | Main ingredient(s): Hydrogen peroxide

We couldn’t conclude this roundup of teeth whitening solutions without Arm & Hammer’s Advanced White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste — and brand evangelists know why. This whitening toothpaste, formulated with 100% pure Arm & Hammer baking soda, is perfect for eliminating stubborn stains and plaque buildup.

This drugstore favorite offers a thorough cleaning with extra whitening power. Use it once, and you’ll see its brightening effects soon after. People with sensitive teeth will feel at ease with this formula since it fights cavities, tartar buildup, and discoloration without enamel damage. Arm & Hammer’s Advanced White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste can help bring out a whiter smile, but the baking soda flavor and gritty feel of this formula may not appeal to everyone.

Session length: N/A | Frequency of use: Daily for at least 6 weeks | Type: Toothpaste | Main ingredient(s): Baking soda, peroxide

With the cleanest toothpaste formula on this list, Burt’s Bees’ Purely White Zen Peppermint Toothpaste tops our list as the best without fluoride. We love that the formula doesn’t have toxins, avoiding ingredients like artificial flavors, parabens, and plastic microbeads. The natural, whitening toothpaste fits the brand’s Natural Origin standards, and has packaging that’s completely recyclable.

This toothpaste works thoroughly to clean surface stains so your sparkling white teeth can shine through. When brushing your teeth with this whitening toothpaste, you’ll enjoy a refreshing peppermint taste that instantly freshens stale breath. There’s only one downside that you should know about: For those of you who aren’t used to using natural products, you may feel some minor side effects while adapting to the pure formula. 

Session length: N/A | Frequency of use: Twice daily | Type: Toothpaste | Main ingredient(s): Hydrated silica

While you can’t go wrong with whitening toothpaste products and kits, whitening strips are just as effective in correcting discoloration. If you prefer the latter and have sensitive teeth, Spotlight’s Oral Care Teeth Whitening Strips are an easy choice.

With a very low dose of whitening hydrogen peroxide as the headliner ingredient, these strips perform their role perfectly without causing irritation. The formula’s gum oil further ensures a comfortable experience, although the strips can be bit tough to pull off when you’re ready to throw them away.

Session length: 60 min | Frequency of use: Daily for 14 days | Type: Strips | Main ingredient(s): Hydrogen peroxide

Opalescence Teeth Whitening is a whitening tray that can brighten the toughest stains. Since the brand prioritizes flexibility, you can order these trays ready-to-wear or have them custom-fit to your smile. The gluten-free and vegan teeth whitening gel comes in five different concentrations, as the entire system is designed for tailored care. 

Opalescence teeth whitening offers professional results and three different flavor varieties. It’s easy to use and whitens your smile without requiring too much manual effort. That said, getting the product may prove to be difficult, as you can only purchase it from dentists and a few select retailers. 

Session length: At least 15 min | Frequency of use: Daily for 5-10 days | Type: Tray | Main ingredient(s): N/A

Teeth whitening pens are great on-the-go options for stain removal that can make a brighter difference in your smile. This portable teeth whitening pen makes your teeth up to 10 shades whiter using its clinically proven gel formula.

Made with enamel-safe carbamide peroxide, the gentle whitening gel brightens stained teeth without causing sensitivity. The brand also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee — that’s how much they believe in the efficacy of this product. One downside is the small pen size, though.

Session length: N/A | Frequency of use: 1-2 times daily for up to 7 days | Type: Pen | Main ingredient(s): Carbamide peroxide

Per Bite’s website, the Whitening Gel Teeth Whitening Kit is the first plastic-free teeth whitening kit, an eco-friendly product with a clean, non-toxic formula that’s vegan and cruelty-free. The serum, formulated with hydrogen peroxide and mentha peperita oil, perfects the appearance of your bite with regular use.

With Bite’s Whitening Gel Teeth Whitening Kit, you get a system that effectively whitens teeth without harmful chemicals, flavors, or plastic packaging. However, the bottle size is rather small for the product’s price, and you only have three weeks to use the formula before it expires.

Session length: 2 min | Frequency of use: Twice daily for 14 days | Type: Gel | Main ingredient(s): Hydrogen peroxide, mentha peperita oil

Get whiter teeth at home

Whether your dental cleaning starts to wear off or your coffee habit causes teeth discoloration, teeth whitening products can help visibly restore your bright smile. The best teeth whitening products gently brighten your pearly whites, have clinically proven ingredients (like hydrogen peroxide), and easily remove minor stains. Some whiteners even leave your breath smelling minty fresh. 

If you want a product that checks all of the boxes listed above, try Glo Science’s Classic Glo Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device, our top pick for the best teeth whitening product. This critically acclaimed whitening kit features top-notch technology with an ultra-brightening gel formula. It also freshens breath with each use. 

How to pick the right teeth whitening products for you

When you want to brighten your teeth or remove minor stains between dental visits, teeth whitening products can help fill the gap. Choosing the right product can make all the difference in use results. Application method, ingredients, duration, and frequency are top factors to consider when picking your ideal teeth whitening product. 

Application method

Pick a whitening product that works best for your oral hygiene routine, from whitening pens and strips to trays and regular toothpaste. For a thorough cleaning and whitening session, go with a whitening tray or toothpaste. If you’re often on the go and want a product that’ll give you a quick fix, purchase strips or a whitening pen. Pens are also your best bet for no-mess whitening.

Ingredients

Look for formulas with clinically proven results. The most effective whitening ingredients are hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Hydrogen peroxide is a relatively gentle and enamel-safe key ingredient found in most whitening products. Baking soda is effective in whitening teeth but not the best ingredient for sensitive teeth.

Duration and frequency

Consistency is key for a successful whitening routine, so follow the use instructions of whichever product you choose. Typically, toothpaste products should be used twice daily. Most whitening pens, strips, trays, and kits also require everyday use but have a timestamp for when you should stop using them, usually after a certain amount of days.

The pros of making time for teeth whitening are that it brightens your smile and promotes good oral hygiene. As for the cons, you have to make time for it, and it might seem like a mundane or tedious task for some.

FAQ

What’s the most effective product to whiten teeth? 

The best teeth whitening product is one that visibly brightens your teeth without damaging the enamel. Our top recommendation is Glo Science’s Classic Glo Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device, as it checks all the necessary boxes. 

Can you whiten sensitive teeth?

Yes. Some teeth whitening products are made specifically for sensitive teeth, like Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Strips. 

What do dentists use to whiten teeth?

To whiten teeth, dentists offer custom teeth whitening treatments. Professional treatments are more expensive than at-home teeth whitening products but are usually very effective.