Sustainable Smiles: The 10 Best Eco-friendly Electric Toothbrushes
Updated: Dec 1
Jump to
We all love our electric toothbrushes, they do the work for us with their buzzing and oscillating. They give us a clean feel without doing much work but have you ever considered the impact of your electric toothbrush? The truth is that brushing with a bamboo toothbrush is more sustainable but this may not be the best solution for everyone. Now, I am against throwing out your electric toothbrush just because there are more sustainable options available. If you have a perfectly good working one, keep using that one until it gives out, and only then explore your options for a more eco-friendly alternative.
Luckily, companies are becoming more aware of the impact their product has on the environment which results in more eco-friendly products being available. Electric toothbrushes are no exception. So, if you are looking for an eco-friendly electric toothbrush, I have 10 options below that get your teeth sparkly clean.
Why use an electric toothbrush
In 2019, a study by the Oral Health Foundation concluded that electric toothbrushes are more effective for maintaining dental health than manual brushing. Scientists found that people who brush electrically have healthier gums, less tooth decay, and also keep their teeth for longer, compared with those who use brush manually.
What are the downsides of an electric toothbrush?
Power. They need electricity to work as intended. Electric toothbrushes can be used manually but this is not ideal as they are not designed for this.
Price. Electric toothbrushes are pricy ranging from $20 to $200 depending on the model and brand.
Maintenance. Electric brushes require upkeep. This can be replacing batteries and purchasing replacement heads. Keep in mind that not all stores carry the same brands and models which can result in you having issues finding the head to match your brush.
Why are electric toothbrushes not eco-friendly?
The materials often used to make electric toothbrushes are not eco-friendly meaning they are almost all plastic. The body you can obviously use for a while but the heads need to be replaced every three months and these are made out of a mix of plastics. Unfortunately, these are rarely recycled.
Where manual brushes are powered by you, electric toothbrushes use electricity and are powered by a charger or batteries. If you have green energy in your home, you are halfway there to an eco-friendly electric toothbrush. However, the batterie of these toothbrushes often contaminates the environment as they are often disposed of improperly.
Research has shown that bushing electrically has a severe impact on our environment. Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly electric toothbrushes below that you can choose from.
What to consider when purchasing an eco-friendly electric toothbrush
Sustainable packaging
Eco-friendly, long-lasting materials
Rechargeable batteries
A timer to be electricity efficient
A recycling program when your toothbrush reaches the end of its lifecycle.
The materials the eco-friendly electric toothbrushes are made of often determine whether or not it is eco-friendly. Often, the less plastic used to make the toothbrush the more eco-friendly it is.
There are almost no toothbrushes that are 100% free of plastic because often nylon is used even in metal and silicone electric toothbrushes because it is the industry standard for toothbrush bristles. However, it is difficult to recycle.
Brush Heads
A positive aspect of electric toothbrushes is that you often only replace the head. However, there are also electric toothbrushes are a single unit. These are even less sustainable.
The replaceable brush heads can make a huge difference in how much plastic and nylon enter our landfills. If consumers only throw away their old electric brush heads, much less waste is produced compared to throwing away a manual plastic toothbrush.
Battery Type
As you use your toothbrush twice a day, a rechargeable battery is the most sustainable solution. It may be true that for some household appliances single-use batteries are better for the environment. However, because of the high frequency of use of an electric toothbrush, rechargeable batteries are better.
Battery Life
The battery life of your toothbrush is important whether the brush is recyclable or not. The better your electric toothbrush battery holds the charge, the less power will be wasted.
Can I recycle my electric toothbrush?
Toothbrushes are often made of different types of plastic making them very hard to recycle.
A special recycling program for both plastic manual and electric toothbrushes is available to dispose of your toothbrush the right way. It prevents hazardous materials from entering our soils when these toothbrushes degrade in landfills.
Oral B has its own recycling program that is next to toothbrushes also brush heads, toothpaste tubes, mouthwash containers, floss containers, floss string, and floss picks.
Can you recycle electric toothbrush heads?
Electric toothbrush heads should not be discarded in regular trash or recycling bin. You have to submit your old brush heads to a special recycling programs mentioned above. Lots of recycling programs accept brush heads, even if they don’t accept electric toothbrush bodies.
What Is The Most Sustainable Toothbrush Material?
The most eco-friendly manual toothbrush features a bamboo handle and boar hair bristles (not vegan). These materials are completely compostable.
For electric toothbrushes, the most eco-friendly materials are silicone and metal. Although these materials are not biodegradable or compostable, they are easily recycled in the right facilities.
Best electric toothbrushes
FOREO Issa 2
The Foreo Issa 2 is a great eco-friendly electric toothbrush alternatives to plastic models. They are completely made out of silicone which is much more durable compared to plastic. The rechargeable battery will last you up to one year because it is very energy efficient as you use less power with every brush compared to other models.
Even the bristles of this eco-friendly toothbrush are made of silicone and the head are easily replaceable when you need a new one every few months. The brush is completely waterproof and ergonomically designed. It has a built-in timer and a 3D flexible brush head for cleaner teeth and a healthier mouth. The silicone body and long-lasting battery makes sure this electric toothbrush is guaranteed to last you a long time.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 11,000
Number Of Modes: 16
Number Of Replaceable Heads: 1
Material Handle: Silicone
Material Of Bristles: Silicone
How long on 1 battery charge: 1 year
Pros
Entirely made out of silicone
Lasting battery. A charge lasts 365 days
Two year warranty
Cons
Not durable
Replacement heads do not last as long as promised
Battery doesn’t last as long as promised.
Foreo ISSA 3 Electric Toothbrush
This is the big brother of the brush mentioned above. It has an improved silicone brush head that’s twice as strong with 360-degree flex and this eco-friendly toothbrush also has a low-battery indicator that will let you know when it’s time to recharge your toothbrush. Compared to its little brother, it also has stronger bristles resulting in a better brushing experience. Just like the Issa 2, it has a battery life of up to 365 days and 16 different brushing intensities. This new version will also remember the last setting you used on your brush.
A tongue and cheek cleaner is included making it easier than ever to enjoy an entirely clean mouth. They even proved through clinical testing that your overall oral hygiene could improve by 140% using this brush. The brush’s Sonic Pulse Technology gently cleans your teeth and gums without irritating them, making it a great choice for those among us with sensitive gums/teeth.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 11,000
Number Of Modes: 16
Number Of Replaceable Heads: 1
Material Handle: Silicone
Material Of Bristles: Silicone
How long on 1 battery charge: 1 year
Pros
Entirely made out of silicone
Lasting battery.
Two-year warranty
Cons
A little pricier compared to the ISSA 2
The battery doesn’t last as long as promised.
Georganics Sonic Toothbrush
Geoorganics is a company that puts sustainability at the front making the Georganics Sonic Toothbrush a great eco-friendly electric toothbrush.
Georganics is a UK-based company that strives to use environmentally friendly materials in its packaging and materials. It also has a zero-to-landfill program that encourages consumers to recycle old oral health products rather than throw them away.
Even though the Georganics Sonic Toothbrush is made of plastic and features nylon bristles, all the parts are recyclable through its recycling program. It has 3 speeds with up to 35,000 rotations per minute with build times. The toothbrush runs off a powerful lithium-ion battery that will last up to 5 weeks on a full charge. This eco-friendly electric toothbrush comes in two versions: One with an E.U. plug and one with a U.S. plug. The electric toothbrush is packaged in entirely recyclable and compostable materials.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 35,000
Number Of Modes: 3
Number Of Replaceable Heads: 1
Material Handle: Plastic
Material Of Bristles: Nylon
How long on 1 battery charge: 5 weeks
Pros
Packaging is compostable
Recycling program for both brush heads and body with batteries.
E.U. and U.S. versions
2-minute timer with 30-sec pulse
Waterproof
Cons
Made of plastic and nylon
Available from select retailers only
Based in the UK which makes shipping expensive and polluting.
Quip Electric Toothbrush
If you tend to forget when you need a new toothbrush, the eco-friendly electric toothbrush from Quip might be for you. This is a subscription-based toothbrush where you get a new toothbrush every 3 months. This means the brush is not rechargeable but runs on a replaceable AAA battery. This eliminates the use of a charger and therefore the use of more plastic. According to Quip, this means the brushes result in up to 80% less plastic waste over their lifespan compared to traditional electric toothbrush brands. When you decide to use this brush with a rechargeable AAA battery you make this brush even more eco-friendly.
Even though you have a new toothbrush every 3 months, these eco-friendly electric toothbrushes are made mostly out of metal and are much smaller compared to a regular electric toothbrushes. This results in few materials used overall making it much more sustainable.
The body is metal but the replaceable brush heads are made out of recycled plastic with nylon bristles.
It has a buildin 2-minute timer that pulses every thirty seconds so you know when to switch quadrants. The brush heads have a tongue scraper on the back for a cleaner mouth feel.
The brush has 15,000 brush movements per minute, and the brush heads have soft bristles that are gentle on teeth making it great for aggressive brushers or those with sensitive gums.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 15,000
Number Of Modes: 1
Number Of Replaceable Heads: -
Material Handle: Metal
Material Of Bristles: Nylon
How long on 1 battery charge: 3 months on 1 AAA battery
Pros
Subscription with a new head every 3 months
Made of recycled metal and plastic
Quip products are available at many major retailers
Recyclable metal body
Cons
Not rechargeable
Nylon Bristles on the heads
Still relies on the use of plastic
Fayet Bamboo Smart Sonic Electric Toothbrush
The eco-friendly electric toothbrush from Fayet has pure bamboo brush heads. The body of this toothbrush looks like bamboo but is made out of biodegradable plastic to protect the electrical components within. This makes this burst both waterproof and recyclable. It has five different brushing modes, ranging from cleaning, and whitening, to sensitivity. It also has a very high number of strokes per minute for an amazing cleaning experience. The Fayet eco-friendly toothbrush is low noise (great when you have sleeping kids nearby) and has induction charge technology that makes sure that a full charge will last you for up to six weeks. It has a two-minute timer and a power display to keep track of battery life and brush mode. The package is completely recyclable and includes three replacement toothbrush heads next to the toothbrush body, one USB charging cable, one wifi charger, and an instruction manual.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 39,000
Number Of Modes: 3
Number Of Replaceable Heads: 3
Material Handle: Biodegradable PC
Material Of Bristles: Nylon
How long on 1 battery charge: 40 Days
Pros
Affordable
Low Noise
Lasting Battery
Lightweight
Waterproof
Recyclable packaging
Cons
Plastic body
PearlBar
PearlBar has a passion for filling the world with eco-friendly oral care products and inspiring global change that should start with your daily choices. This includes the bamboo head of this electric toothbrush. These can be composted in your compost bin if you remove the synthetic bristles. These bristles are multi-award winning activated-charcoal teeth whitening bristles to give your teeth something to smile about. The package of this toothbrush is sustainable and it is packed with 3 replaceable heads to last you up to 9 months. It is not a perfect eco-friendly toothbrush but is a great alternative to your standard electric toothbrush.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 35,000
Number Of Modes: 15
Number Of Replaceable Heads: 3
Material Handle: Plastic
Material Of Bristles: Synthetic
How long on 1 battery charge: 30 days
Pros:
Compostable bamboo brush heads
Sustainable packaging
Cons
A plastic body that looks like bamboo
Oral B Pro1000
If you want a brush from one of the well-known brands, Oral-B is for you. It has an amazing recycling program and uses 100% renewable electricity at its production sites in the US. This affordable brush is very basic brush has all the essential features without excessive mode you won’t be using. It has a built two-minute timer that pulses every thirty seconds so you know when to switch quadrants. Even though it has only one mode, it has a pressure sensor that stops when you’re brushing too hard. It is compatible with various brush heads from Oral-B that are designed to be 100% recyclable when you ship them back to the manufacturer using its recycling program. This is a great basic electric toothbrush that is accepted by the American Dental Association.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 22,000
Number Of Modes: 1
Number Of Replaceable Heads: 1
Material Handle: Plastic
Material Of Bristles: Nylon
How long on 1 battery charge: 10 days
Pros
Affordable
Great recycling program
Renewable energy used during production
Recyclable brush heads
Cons
Poor-quality plastic body
Oral-B Genius X Electric Toothbrush
This is the big brother of the previously mentioned Oral-B brush. This high-tech brush connects with your phone for extra information on your brushing habits. The Oral-B Genius X uses artificial intelligence to coach you into better brushing habits for better oral health. Oral B as a company is working towards sustainability with its recycling program for worn brush heads while they only rely on 100% renewable energy in its North American manufacturing sites. These factories are also certified Zero-Manufacturing-Waste-to-Landfill, which means that more than half of all waste is immediately recycled by the factory, while the rest is converted back to energy. Even though the brush is made out of plastic, premium materials are used to make sure your brush will last you for years. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers a greener way to power your brush, especially if your home utilizes green energy.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 48,000
Number Of Modes: 6
Number Of Replaceable Heads: 3
Material Handle: Plastic
Material Of Bristles: Nylon
How long on 1 battery charge: 14 days
Pros
Great recycling program
Renewable energy used during production
Recyclable brush heads
Improve your brushing through the app
Cons
Plastic
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9700 Series
If you are looking for one of the best electric toothbrushes available at the moment the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean may just be what you are looking for. Just like the previous Oral B brush you can connect it to your smartphone through an app for personalized coaching and feedback on your brushing. The quality design and 8 brush heads that are included will make sure this brush will last you a while. The 62,000 brush movements a minute will help you to remove up to ten times more plaque compared to a manual brush while the pressure sensor alerts you if you’re brushing too hard.
One of the amazing features is the glass cup charging base (it works similarly to wirelessly charging a smartphone). Simply pop the brush in the glass after use to charge it. It also includes a travel-friendly USB charging case.
Philips has gone public with its goals to become 100% carbon neutral and source all of its electricity through renewable sources by 2020. They compensated emissions equivalent to the annual uptake of approximately 16 million medium-sized oak trees. This covers all emissions from their sites, our business travel, and our logistics movements. Philips supports the principle of Individual Producer Responsibility and is a member of the Solving the E-Waste Problem (STEP) initiative in which they standardize recycling processes globally to harvest valuable components in electrical and electronic scrap (e-scrap). This is to extend the life of products and aims to reuse materials.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 62,000
Number Of Modes: 5
Number Of Replaceable Heads: 8
Material Handle: Plastic
Material Of Bristles: Nylon
How long on 1 battery charge: -
Pros
Improve your brushing through the app
Eco-Friendly brush heads available
Wireless charging
Top-tier toothbrush
Cons
Price
Plastic
Be. Brush
Be. Brush is one of the most promising eco-friendly toothbrushes on this list. Unlike regular electric toothbrushes, this one is not battery-operated but instead relies on manpower. You need to charge up the brush spring loaded motor by twisting the handle needs few times so it has enough power for you to brush your teeth. This eliminates the use of batteries and or a charging unit. The core of this electric toothbrush is stainless steel and the heads are made of resin making it both innovative and sustainable.
It has a 2-minute timer that automatically shuts off after runtime and a 120-gram pressure sensor that prevents aggressive brushing.
This eco-friendly electric toothbrush uses biodegradable brush heads that are available on a 3-month subscription basis. As they claim to be the most sustainable brush on the market it is no surprise that they ship in recyclable packaging only.
Unfortunately, it is not on the market yet and therefore has not been tested by consumers yet. It is unclear when this brush should become available but the website claims 2022.
Key Specifications:
Strokes Per Minute: 40,000
Number Of Modes: 1
Number Of Replaceable Heads: 1
Material Handle: Plastic
Material Of Bristles: Nylon-4
How long on 1 battery charge: -
Pros
Human-powered toothbrush
Recycling program for used brushes
Small brush heads
Recyclable packaging
Cons
Has been on pre-order for a while
Eco-Friendly Toothbrush Heads
If you already have an electric toothbrush that is working great, don’t purchase a new one just because it is more eco-friendly but keep using this one until it wears out because using what you have is much more sustainable compared to purchasing something new. However, when you run out of brush heads, there are more eco-friendly alternatives compared to plastic ones.
Bamboo Heads – BooHeads
These bamboo heads are handmade and compostable without their bristles. The bamboo is hand polished to be gentle on your mouth. It comes in multiple different varieties to suit multiple different electric toothbrushes.
Cornstarch Heads – Plus Ultra
These bioplastic brush heads suitable for the Philips Sonicare are a great alternative to plastic ones. Even though bioplastic will not break down in a landfill (despite their claim), only cornstarch is used for its production which is much more sustainable compared to petroleum especially when it breakdown in a landfill.
Recyclable Plastic Heads – EcoElement
These charcoal toothbrush replacement heads are built to remove plaque and grime using soft yet durable bristles. They fit most Oral-B electric toothbrushes and with Oral-B’s recycling program you can make sure you can dispose of these brush heads in an eco-friendly manner too.
