The Best Teeth Whiteners

Friday, March 24th

2023 Teeth Whitener Reviews

AuraGlow

• $60 to $100 to get started
• $35 per month for maintenance
• LED light tray
• Latex free
• Results last up to 1 year
• Multiple whitening format options
• 44,000+ reviewers

AuraGlow is a teeth whitening kit that uses LED light technology along with a gel to whiten your teeth. A single kit comes with 20+ individual treatments as well as the teeth trays and LED light. The kit promises to whiten your teeth up to 10 shades lighter within 7 days of using the product for 30 minutes at a time. AuraGlow targets stains from coffee, wine, soda, tea, and smoking.

Much cheaper than whitening at your dentist's office

The kit with LED, tray, and 2 10ml tubes of gel ranges from $60 to $100 depending on where you buy. Thankfully, when you run out of gel, the company sells refills separately. You can get three 10ml tubes of gel for $35. As this whitening method is meant to be used daily, and one tube provides an average of 10 uses, gel refills for AuraGlow will cost roughly $35 per month.

Gel is safe for all tooth types

The whitening agent in AuraGLow is a 35% carbamide peroxide teeth whitening gel. The gel is made in the USA and is safe for your enamel. The gel delivers fast whitening results without causing sensitivity issues. Carbamide peroxide is also safe for crowns, caps, and veneers and it polishes your teeth while whitening. By placing the gel in the tray, you apply the gel to your teeth along with the LED light glow for 30 minutes. The tray is latex-free and promises to be one-size-fits-all.

Additional whitening options

If you aren't a fan of holding something in your mouth for 30 minutes, AuraGlow also offers a variety of other tooth-whitening options to support your bright smile. You can get:

• AuraGlow Whitening Pen for $26
• Teeth Whitening Strips for $40
• Pre-filled Whitening Trays for $45

And if for some reason you need to replace your whitening LED light, they sell that separately too for $30.

Money back within 30 days

One of the things we liked about AuraGlow is that if you are unsatisfied with their products, you can get a full refund within 30 days of the purchase date. However, refunds are only valid within 30 days, and you have to provide proof of purchase from the AuraGlow website. It's also important to know that shipping and restocking fees are nonrefundable.

Thousands of happy customers

With over 44,000 individual reviews, AuraGlow is one of the most popular DIY teeth whiteners today. The average rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars across review sites, and 75% of all reviews about AuraGlow have 5 stars. Happy customers said across the board that they could see a noticeable difference in their teeth after only one use of AuraGlow.

Long lasting

Customers noted that once you've whitened your teeth to your satisfaction, it takes 6-12 months before you need to start treatments again. So, if you're worried about having to whiten for 30 minutes daily forever, you don't need to be. Some of the keywords from happy reviewers include: "easy-to-use" and "noticeably whiter." Only 7% of all reviews had one star. These customers were frustrated with the one-size-fits-all tray size and felt that the results weren't good enough to warrant the price.

Bright future for AuraGlow users

AuraGlow is a standout product. We're excited about the easy application, instant results, and multiple options. AuraGlow stands out in almost every department. While it's not super cheap to get started, the price is competitive, especially considering all the benefits of AuraGlow. Compared to some options that start over $100, this is the closest budget-friendly option to professional whitening on the market. It's worth trying for the benefits and easily makes it to the number one spot in our evaluation.

Smile Brilliant

• $140 to $189 depending on your package
• Completely bespoke mouth trays
• Treatment lasts up to 1 year
• Choose your sensitivity
• Choose how many treatments
• Professional whitening at home

Smile Brilliant is a teeth whitening system that promises to be for everyone. Built on the concept of customization, Smile Brilliant works to cut out the middleman (the dentist) by getting the tooth whitening technology directly from the dental lab to your home, passing the savings directly to the customer: you. Your only job is to choose how much whitening gel you want, and how sensitive your teeth are, and you can get a whitening system that's customized for your smile. This system includes the dental trays, which are molded to your mouth when they're made.

On the spendy side - but still cheaper than a professional whitening

The prices for Smile Brilliant range from $140 to $189 for a package, which isn't cheap, but they promise you're getting the same product that you'd get from the dentist which would normally cost over $600.

Are you sensitive or not?

You have two options to choose from to begin the customization process. First, by choosing sensitive or non-sensitive, you are provided three different package options for each type. The sensitive options are more expensive than the non-sensitive options by about $10-$20. All of the options provide custom-molded teeth trays. There are T9, T6, and T3 systems which just offer different amounts of gel. For example:

• Sensitive:
• T3 sensitive provides 9 gel and 9 desensitizing treatments for $159
• T6 sensitive provides 18 gel and 18 desensitizing treatments for $179
• T9 sensitive provides 27 gel and 27 desensitizing treatments for $189 (or $48/month)
• Non-sensitive
• T3 non-sensitive provides 9 gel treatments for $149
• T6 non-sensitive provides 18 gel treatments for $159
• T9 non-sensitive provides 27 gel treatments for $169 (or $43/month)

Completely custom to your mouth

This whitening system is unique among its competitors because of how custom everything is. The process is expensive compared to some whitening treatments, however the cost does cover every step of the process including getting your package with the putty and trays to make your dental impressions (with extra in case you make a mistake). The cost also covers shipping all the way around including between you and the lab. The custom trays are perfect for this system because you have to keep the trays in for an hour at a time. Smile Brilliant knew it would be important to maximize comfort for this process. Luckily, your results will last up to a year with the Smile Brilliant system.

A top-rated service across the board

Smile Brilliant provides access to reviews and testimonials on their website including before and after photos that show how well the process works. The Smile Brilliant system has an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Customers who left 5-star reviews were thrilled by the customer service with Smile Brilliant and also the results they got from their whitening treatments.

Amazing treatment

Customers love the comfort of custom-made trays, even if they were skeptical about the usefulness of the product and the price. Some of the themes across comments included quotes like "you get what you pay for" and "amazing treatment." The primary con noted in the lower-rated comments included frustration that the process took a while to get started since the shipping back and forth and molding process does require a few weeks.

Great system, but expensive

Smile Brilliant is, by no means, a cheap option for teeth whitening. However, compared to professional dental work, it's still hundreds of dollars less. If you're looking for a custom-built system, with whitening gel that's made in the lab just for you, Smile Brilliant is the place to go. We know it's not the most budget-friendly option, but with a full year of pearly-whites to look forward to post-treatment, and some of the best ratings online, this system easily makes it to the number two spot in our review.

iSmile

• $35.95 to $49.95 depending on where you purchase
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• 10-minute daily treatments
• Desensitizing gel

iSmile is an LED whitening treatment that uses a whitening gel and an LED mouth tray to deliver a brighter smile. In most other regards, this teeth whitener is comparable to other LED systems in this review. With a 5-LED light device that attaches to a one-size-fits-all mouth tray, you use the product once per day to start seeing results.

Not hard on your teeth - or your wallet

A single LED unit costs between $35.95-$49.95 depending on where you buy the product, and the package will come with the LED with batteries included, three 3ml Whitening Gel Syringes (mint flavored), 1 pack of desensitizing gel, and the mouth tray. And, if the decent price isn't good enough, iSmile offers a 30-day, 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you don't see the results you expected, you can get a full refund, no questions asked.

Whitening and desensitizing gels

Similar to some other gels on this list, the mint-flavored whitening gel uses 35% carbamide peroxide to make your smile lighter and brighter. However, iSmile also provides a desensitizing gel to protect your gums and teeth from sensitivity. Additionally, iSmile provides usage recommendations to reduce the likelihood of any discomfort. Their packaging notes that to prevent gum irritation they recommend using .4ml of the whitening gel in each treatment. They also note that overfilling the tray with gel won't make your teeth any whiter, but could increase the chances of irritation and sensitivity.

10 minutes a day keeps the stains away

iSmile stands out among other LED whitening treatments because of the timeframe needed to see results. Instead of the 30+ minute treatments used by other systems, iSmile only requires a 10-minute application each day. It's also recommended that you only use the product for a total of 10 days before stopping treatment, so you're not locked into months of whitening treatments either.

Customers are seeing brighter smiles

iSmile has received an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars for its whitening treatment. Happy customers noted that they saw results from using iSmile right away. The treatment was easy to complete and many users appreciated the desensitizing gel provided in the kit. Some noted that they felt sensitivity during the first treatment but nothing after, and their results lasted for months. Other positive reviews noted that the taste of the gel was pleasant. Some of the lower reviews noted that the mouth tray was hard to get used to at first, and other 1-star reviewers complained that the product didn't work for them at all.

Quick timeline and great price for whitening

Overall, iSmile provides a good product for a decent price. The gel system is comparable to other companies in our review and provides results for thousands of satisfied customers. Since iSmile is one of the fastest-working options in this review, it stands out as a top competitor. iSmile is an excellent choice among at-home teeth whiteners and easily takes third place in this review. Only its lower user rating kept it from taking the number two spot.

Snow

• $129 to $149 per kit
• Money-back guarantee.
• Accredited by the BBB
• Other oral care options for sale
• Cheaper to maintain
• Whitening lasts a year

Snow is an online distributor that offers a variety of whitening and dental products. The primary whitening kit from Snow is the Snow At Home Teeth Whitening Kit which costs $129 if you subscribe to their "confidence club." However, if you don't want to subscribe, the cost is usually $149 per kit. The kit is made out of completely recyclable materials and is made entirely within the US.

Competitive kit with money-back guarantee

The Snow At Home Teeth Whitening Kit has a variety of whitening technologies in each package. For the $149 price, you receive:

• 75+ treatments
• (2) whitening serum wands
• (1) extra-strength whitening serum wand for even faster results
• An LED blue light wired mouthpiece
• Improved teeth shade guide

On top of this kit, Snow also offers options for teeth whitening strips and whitening toothpaste, and you can buy refills of the serum and wands. And if you don't like their products for any reason, Snow promises a money-back guarantee within 30 days minus the cost of shipping.

Award-winning whitening

One of the standout features of Snow is that the products have won awards and been voted best-whitening-technology by 7+ different beauty and health magazines including Elle and Marie Claire. On top of that, Snow promises that the whitening that you get from their treatment will last up to a year, so once your teeth are pearly white, you don't have to buy more products right away. The initial investment should last you one full year.

Customers love Snow

On top of being well-rated by the Better Business Bureau, Snow is also "A+" rated for customer service and accredited by the BBB. Across review sites, Snow has a 4.6 out of 5-star rating. Customers who rated Snow 5 stars noted that they loved how easy it was to get the products and that maintenance was cheaper than the initial purchase as they didn't need to replace the LED. 5-star reviews also indicated that customers saw results within the first couple of weeks using the product: it may not be the fastest on the list, but it does whiten to customers' satisfaction.

A few grumblings

Overall, users are really happy with their results and with the customer service at Snow. Some of the customers who weren't happy said that Snow didn't do anything for their teeth. Others complained about receiving products that had already expired by the time they arrived.

Great high-end option

Snow is a popular choice in the high-end price range for teeth whiteners. The website provides all the options you need for dental care as well as a full range of whitening treatments. Their LED kit is competitive with some of the top options in our review with respect to results and customer satisfaction. However, the product does take a little time to take effect, so only that factor puts it lower than some of the other options in this review. But, if you don't mind paying over $100 for a whiter smile, it might be worth checking out this award-winning whitening system.

Crest Whitestrips

• $45.99 per pack for 22 treatments
• Recommended by dentists
• Wear during daily activities
• See results after one treatment

When you think about at-home teeth whiteners, Crest Whitestrips is probably the first one that comes to mind. Crest Whitestrips uses an adhesive, filmy strip that sticks to your teeth. You'll apply the strips to the front surfaces of your top and bottom teeth and leave the strips on for 30 minutes a day. Each pack comes with 44 regular whitening strips (22 30-minute treatments). Some packs also come with 2 strips of a 1-hour express treatment. This combo pack costs $45.99 and will last you just under 1 month of whitening.

Dentist approved formula

The two types of Whitestrips in the package are both enamel-safe and use Crest Advanced Seal Technology to help the strip mold the shape of your teeth. The strips are coated with a gel that has a dentist-recommended formula for whitening. The ingredients in Whitestrips include:

• PVP
• PEG-8
• Water
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Acrylates Copolymer
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Sodium Saccharin
• Glycerin
• Carbomer

Integrates into your daily life

Unlike many whitening systems that use trays and lights, you can go about your day while you have a Whitestrip on your teeth. The product is made to adhere to your teeth, so the strips will stay put until you remove them yourself. You can talk, work, and drink water while wearing Crest Whitestrips. This whitening product is easy to use around your daily life and doesn't require you to set aside specific time to whiten your teeth, which is a plus.

Most customers are happy, but gum sensitivity was a problem

The reviews for Crest Whitestrips average 4.5 out of 5 stars. Looking at user photos, it's easy to see a difference in the before and after smiles. Customers loved the flexibility of the strips and the price for the number of strips you get in the box. Many customers said they saw results after their first treatment. Over 77% of customers rated Crest Whitestrips 5 stars and were happy with their results.

Only whitens the front

However, a common complaint with teeth whiteners that use strips like these is that only the front-facing surfaces get lighter. That can result in an awkward look when the front of the teeth are white, but the sides are more yellow. Lower-rated customer reviews of Crest Whitestrips confirm that to be the case. Many of the low-rated comments also mentioned gum sensitivity during and after use.

Leading whitening strip brand

If you like the idea of being able to go about your day while whitening your teeth, Crest Whitestrips could be a great option for you. Pioneered by a leading brand, the strips are reasonably priced for the number of treatments you get. The Whitestrips have been tested over many years, and are recommended by dentists. However, with customers complaining about sensitivity, keep an eye out for your gums and teeth. You might need to pair Crest Whitestrips with sensitive toothpaste or other products to reduce inflammation.

GLO Science

• $149 to $199 per kit
• 3 different options for systems
• 10-day whitening
• Created by a cosmetic dentist
• Heating system as well as LED treatment
• 30-day money-back guarantee

GLO Science is a LED and gel whitening treatment with three different options. The GLO Science LED system is a dentist-invented teeth whitening kit that includes a warming LED mouthpiece and whitening gel that promises to quickly and safely whiten teeth at home. The system works not just with light, but also with heat. The warming mouthpiece is clinically proven to remove stains and whiten your teeth up to 12 shades. The three different kit options are priced between $149-$199 which is on par with or above some of the luxury options on our list.

Three different products all over $100

There are three different kits that you can use to get started with GLO Science.

• GLO Lit Teeth Whitening Device Tech Kit with Bluetooth: This kit costs $149 and includes:
• Three color options: black, white, and pink
• Heat & LED light whitening mouthpiece
• Mouthpiece storage case
• Quick charging & Bluetooth-enabled power pack with hands-free lanyard
• 7 Teeth Whitening GLO Vials (7 x 2.95 mL - 42 applications)
• GLO Lip Care (0.3 oz)
• Travel pouch
• GLO Brilliant Advanced White Smile At Home Teeth Whitening Device Kit: This kit costs $159 and includes:
• Two color options: white and blue
• Advanced warming teeth whitening mouthpiece with protective blue silicone cover
• Advanced GLO Control with heat indicator and countdown timer
• 5 Teeth Whitening Gel GLO Vials (5 x 2.95 mL - 30 applications)
• Nourishing Lip Care (0.3 oz)
• USB cord & user manual
• Classic GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device: This kit costs $199 and includes:
• Two color options: white and black
• GLO Brilliant Heat & LED whitening mouthpiece
• Mouthpiece storage case
• Rechargeable GLO Control with extended battery life and hands-free lanyard
• 10 Teeth Whitening Gel GLO Vials (10 x 2.95 mL - 60 applications)
• GLO Lip Care (8 mL)
• GLO universal power cord & USB adapter
• Zippered travel storage case

Expensive - so look for sales

Unfortunately, all three options are fairly expensive. However, the GLO website does offer sales and promotions regularly. At the time of this review, they were offering 15% off your entire purchase. And, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which helps make that high price tag risk-free if you wind up not liking the product.

Needs 4 treatments a day to be effective

The GLO vials use a pre-measured mixture of ingredients to create your new white smile. These ingredients and the GLO system were developed by Dr. Jonathan B Levine, a cosmetic dentist. In the GLO vials you will find:

• Polyethylene Glycol
• Hydrogen Peroxide (6%)
• Potassium Nitrate
• Glycerin
• Edetate Disodium
• Sodium Saccharin
• Sodium Fluoride
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Flavor

You don't have to use it forever

We like that GLO Science isn't a constant treatment. You only need to use it for up to 10 days in a row before you can enjoy your newly brightened smile. You don't have to worry about treatments until you want to whiten again. So, while it might be a little inconvenient to apply the gel and use the treatment four times a day (for a total of 32 minutes), it's not something that you need to worry about in the long term. And, when you're using the treatment it will turn itself off automatically, so you don't have to keep track of time every 8 minutes.

Happy customers noticed a difference

In terms of customer feedback, GLO Science earned 4.1 out of 5 stars on average. The 5-star reviewers definitely noticed a distinct difference in whitening. Happy customers also agreed that GLO Science didn't cause any sensitivity or discomfort. One happy reviewer noted that their dentist sold the exact same product for 3x the price that you can get from GLO Science's website, so they felt the value of the professional-level whitening was worth it.

Reviewers hate the corded battery pack

Unhappy customers complained that while the whitening gel didn't bother their teeth or gums, it did hurt their tongues. Other 1-star reviews noted that they found the corded battery packs unwieldy and difficult to get around with. Some felt frustrated that the cords got tangled with things while using the treatment and working at the same time.

Pricey but does what it promises

GLO Science is a great professional-grade option, but the price just makes it hard to buy. With other LED and gel treatments out there for much more reasonable prices, GLO Science just doesn't stack up. However, if you're looking for something that was developed by a dentist and will give you a white smile within 10 days, GLO Science might be worth checking out.

Go Smile

• $69 to $119 depending on the product
• 3 different whitening methods
• One-stop-shop for dental care
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Sonic technology

Go Smile is a service that offers a variety of whitening methods. There are three primary kits: LED and gel, a sonic toothbrush and toothpaste, and a tooth "pen" kit for maintaining your sparkly white smile. The services from Go Smile range from $69 up to $119 depending on which whitening method you want to use. The site is also a one-stop shop, providing options for refills and other dental needs, including options for kids.

Stands out with sonic technology

The three different whitening kits sold by Go Smile include:

• Blu Professional Sonic Whitening Device: This product is $119 and includes a hands-free device that uses sonic vibration and blue light technology to thoroughly brush and brighten your teeth. The device is shaped like a mouth tray which you can use in either brush mode or whiten mode. The kit provides:
• The device
• The charger and cable
• Whitening toothpaste
• Sonic Blue Smart Brush: This product is $89 and includes a sonic toothbrush that uses blue light technology to whiten and clean at the same time. The kit provides:
• Sonic Blue Bacteria-Killing Smart Brush w/ Blue Light
• 3.4oz teeth whitening gel
• 3.4oz luxury mint toothpaste
• 2 replacement brush heads w/cover
• Teeth whitening shade chart
• Charging station
• Boost & Maintain Teeth Whitening Kit: This product is $69 and provides a pack of mini-pens to whiten your teeth on the go. You get 14 Extreme White applicators (0.02 oz each), and 6 Stain Eraser applicators (0.02 oz each) in a single pack.

Expensive - look for those onsite deals

While Go Smile isn't the cheapest option on the market, there are lots of deals available on the website. For example, at the time of this review, arriving at the Go Smile landing page triggered an offer for 10% off when signing up for emails. They also offer a variety of deals on shipping costs if you buy up to $50 worth of items from the website. Since all of the starter kits begin above that price, you'll get free shipping with Go Smile. On top of that Go Smile is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. They promise that if you're not satisfied within 30 days, you can return the remaining product for a complete refund (although this doesn't include shipping and handling fees).

Not the fastest option for a bright smile

While there aren't a lot of reviews out there for Go Smile, it has an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from different retailers. Customers specifically focused on the whitening gel in reviews and noted that the gel cleans and whitens effectively and also has a great scent and taste. One thing a few of the reviews noted, even the 5-star ones, was that this product takes time. The reminder to "be patient" pops up across different reviews, so if you're looking for a quick fix for teeth whitening Go Smile might not be the best option for you.

Unique approach, but overpriced

Go Smile has a lot to offer if you want to try some different methods for whitening. The products are designed for a customer who doesn't want to have tons of different treatments for their dental hygiene. Both the Go Smile whitening device and the sonic toothbrush are designed to brush and whiten your teeth, so you don't have to have separate tools for those features. However, the products are on the expensive side, though not the most costly in our review. So, if you want to try sonic technology as a new approach to whitening, take a look at Go Smile.

My Smile

• Priced from $31 to $113
• Offers a variety of whitening options and styles
• Often have 10%-30% sale

My Smile is an online distributor that provides a variety of whitening treatments and oral care. The site sells individual products and bundles with options that range from tooth whitening powder to LED light treatments. At the time of this review, everything on the site was on sale by at least 20%, so prices may vary depending on when you shop. The price range for whitening products goes from $36.99 up to $113, so depending on which style of whitener you get, the prices aren't too bad.

Package options don't explain the contents

The site has a variety of whitening options, but the most cost-effective are the whitening bundles offered by My Smile. These are the Everyday Whitening Bundle, the Ultimate Whitening Bundle, and the Maximum Whitening Bundle. The bundles come with the following options:

• Everyday: This option costs $36.99 and is for people who want to whiten while they brush their teeth. The process is gradual, and you shouldn't expect immediate results. The bundle includes:
• Non-Sensitive Whitening Strips
• Mint Flavor Whitening Powder
• Ultimate: This option costs $41.99 and is for someone who wants to whiten while they brush, and shouldn't be used for immediate results. This includes:
• Teeth whitening strips
• Mint flavor whitening powder
• Maximum: This option is $91.99 and is for people who want to see fast results. The package comes with:
• 10-minute whitening formula
• Peroxide gel pen
• LED light tray
• Teeth whitening strips

A familiar product for a budget price

My Smile also offers a standard LED and gel package called the Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light. This product comes with a battery-powered LED and applicators with whitening gel. This LED kit is $31.99 at several retailers and is one of the top-reviewed items from My Smile.

The website could use some TLC

One of the things that stood out to us about My Smile is that the site doesn't seem very well-maintained. Many of the images used for product photos all appear to be just one promo image for each product. Many listings don't provide 360-degree views of products or even different angles of packaging and individual items. Further, the site has a variety of typos and inconsistencies across the copy, which doesn't make us feel very confident about their products.

Generally good reviews...

Surprisingly, the My Smile products have received decent reviews from consumers. The LED light and gel treatment has earned a 4.1 out of 5 stars on average. While that's lower than many others in our review, there are plenty of customers who enjoyed the My Smile products. One of the things that customers liked best about My Smile was the price. Their LED and gel kit is priced very reasonably and competes well with similar products that we evaluated.

...but some worrying feedback

However, reviewers also noted that while the initial kit is cheap, the maintenance isn't as inexpensive. Replacing the gels gets pricey quickly, and customers weren't as thrilled about maintaining their My Smile unit over time. The gel refills are $20 each and only contain 9 applications of gel each. Several customers also complained that the LED light in the unit didn't seem to help with the whitening as they could use the gel alone. Others noticed that their gums were very painful after use.

Not the best or the worst

My Smile has pros and cons. While the prices are competitive, their website is poorly made and doesn't inspire confidence in buyers. However, their basic whitening LED kit is well-reviewed and competes with other options in our rankings. Yet again, there were only 50% of happy customers, and the others had a lot to say about value, maintenance, and sore gums. Overall, it seems safer to go with a different option for maintaining a bright smile.