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Forbes Vetted
ByJane Sung, Deputy Editor
I oversee beauty and grooming, and have covered lifestyle for decades.
If you’re looking to brighten your smile, using the right teeth whitening products can be more affordable and convenient than going into the dentist’s office. The best teeth whitening kits minimize discomfort while being easy to use, and are designed to give professional-level results. Products for home use come in various forms, including strips, trays and LED mouthpieces, so you can choose the option that best fits your oral care routine and preferences. Our top picks include the Opalescence Go, which comes in two strength options, as well as the Crest 3D Whitestrips that are popular for their no-slip grip.
When shopping for the right treatment, look for active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are effective in diminishing stains, according to dentists. “Hydrogen peroxide works by breaking down into water and oxygen, which oxidizes stains and bleaches teeth,” says cosmetic dentist Dr. James Heaton. “Carbamide peroxide is a combination of hydrogen peroxide and urea, which acts similarly but at a slower rate.” (We’ve also rounded up the top peroxide-free formulas for those who looking for a whitening product for sensitive teeth.) Read on for the best teeth whitening kits that are safe and effective, plus tips on how to use them, according to experts.
Best Teeth Whitening Kit Overall: Opalescence Go
Best Teeth Whitening Strips: Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects
Best For Sensitive Teeth: Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
Best For Fast Results: Laughland Whitening Kit
Best Custom Teeth Whitening Kit: Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Trays
Best LED Teeth Whitening Kit: Glo Science Classic Brilliant Kit
Best Wireless LED Teeth Whitening Kit: Ollm LED Teeth Whitening Kit
Best Peroxide-Free Teeth Whitening Kit: Boka Rapid Radiance Teeth Whitening Kit
Best Teeth Whitening Pen: Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen
Best Teeth Whitening Kit Overall
An Easy-To-Use System Of Pre-Filled Trays
Opalescence Go
Type: Tray | Active ingredient: 10% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 15 to 30 minutes daily
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Option of two different strengths
Cons:
- Some find the single line of gel doesn’t adequately coat all teeth
The Opalescence Go is available in two strengths—10% hydrogen peroxide and 15% hydrogen peroxide—and is easy to use thanks to pre-filled trays. NYC-based dentist Dr. Sharon Huang finds it ideal for at-home use. “It’s strong enough to be effective, but not too strong that it will make teeth sensitive or cause harm when used as instructed,” she says. It also contains xylitol, which helps reduce the risk of decay, as well as potassium nitrate, which works to desensitize teeth during the whitening process, according to Heaton. For best results, the trays should be worn for 15 to 30 minutes daily over the course of 5 to 7 days.
Best Teeth Whitening Strips
Convenient, Affordable And Effective
Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects
Type: Strips | Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 30 to 60 minutes daily
Pros:
- Fast results
- Affordable
- Convenient strips
Cons:
- Not ideal for those with sensitive teeth
A good teeth whitening kit doesn’t have to be tricky to use or expensive. Heaton recommends Crest’s 3D Whitestrips, which are affordable, portable and provide noticeable results. A single 60-minute session will brighten teeth, and according to the brand they can get up to 18 shades whiter in 20 days. The set includes 20 mess-free whitening strips infused with hydrogen peroxide. The best part is that they cling to your teeth and stay put, so you can go about your day as usual.
What our testers say: “Crest Whitestrips produce noticeable results, and quickly. I’d say within 10 to 12 days, I tend to already see a slight difference in terms of the shade of my teeth,” says managing editor Emmy Favilla who uses the product on several occasions. She does recommend taking it slow if you tend to experience tooth sensitivity.
Alternatively, the brand offers a sensitive version of the Whitestrips, which account manager Blaire Tiernan is a fan of. “Once I switched to these, I noticed my teeth were significantly less sensitive compared to when I used the regular strips,” she says.
Best For Sensitive Teeth
A Plant-Based Alternative That’s Gentle On Teeth
Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
Type: Strips |Active ingredients:Coconut oil, sage oil, citrus lemon peel oil, Dead Sea salt |Usage directions:30 minutes daily for one week
Pros:
- Plant-based ingredients
- Less chance of causing sensitivity
Cons:
- Some found the strips hard to use
Whitening your smile can be tricky regardless of whether you have sensitive teeth or not; treatments can leave your mouth feeling tender or sore. Peroxide—a key ingredient in many whitening products—is often the culprit for that aching sensation. Lumineux’s strips are free of this and instead feature plant-based ingredients and including essential oils like sage, lemon and coconut, as well as Dead Sea salts.
Best For Fast Results
A Professional-Quality Option
Type: LED whitening tray |Active ingredient:8% hydrogen peroxide |Usage directions:5 to 30 minutes daily
Pros:
- Fast results
- Features glycerin for hydration and enamel protection
Cons:
- Gel can taste bitter to some
Laughland’s whitening kit combines professional-grade results with the convenience and ease of using at home. It comes with an LED mouthpiece that you fill with gel before setting it in place and controlling via an app on your phone. It’s recommended that you use it for a minimum of 5 minutes (and up to 30 minutes, for teeth that are not sensitive), for a duration of 6 days. According to clinical trials by the brand, 100% of participants had results without any increase in sensitivity.
What our editors say: “Unlike other teeth whiteners I’ve used, this one gave me no tooth sensitivity during or after treatments, which I really appreciate,” says senior updates editor Karen Tietjen, who has used it for several days at a time. “It’s also fun to use—just plug the mouthguard into your phone and watch it glow. It’s brightened my teeth after just a few uses. My biggest criticism is that the gel tastes incredibly bitter if you get it on your tongue, but if you’re careful you can avoid it.”
Best Custom Teeth Whitening Kit
A Personalized System With Custom-Fitted Trays
Type: Tray | Active ingredient: 22% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 45 minutes daily
Pros:
- Sensitive and non-sensitive options
- Packages available at different price points
- Customizable
Cons:
- Suggested usage time can be longer than other kits
This kit from Smile Brilliant takes the guesswork out of whitening your teeth. The process includes taking molds of your upper and lowerteeth, which allows the company to creates custom-fitting trays. Huang considers it as close as it gets to having your teeth professionally whitened. It comes witha whitening gel made from 22% carbamide peroxide and a syringe for applying the solution to the trays. If you choose the sensitive option, the brand also include desensitizing gel to make the process more comfortable.
Best LED Teeth Whitening Kit
A High-Tech Option
Glo Science Classic Brilliant Kit
Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 6% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 8 minutes (4 times per day for 5 days)
Pros:
- Shorter use time (under 10 minutes)
- User-friendly
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other options
New York-based dentist Dr. Angelique Freking recommends Glo Science’s whitening device for its use of light technology. “This kit uses hydrogen peroxide and a tray with LED light built in to brighten your teeth,” she says. An added bonus is how quickly you’ll start seeing results. The brand claims to whiten teeth up to five shades brighter in as little as one week. Plus, it includes a handy lip balm to prevent dry, cracked lips.
Best Wireless LED Teeth Whitening Kit
A Powerful Option That's Also Portable
Ollm LED Teeth Whitening Kit
Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 35% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 15 minutes daily
Pros:
- Wireless design
- Fast results
- High concentration of peroxide
Cons:
- Timer button can be sensitive
- Formula may be too strong for sensitive teeth
Ollm’s rechargeable LED mouthpiece can be used just about anywhere thanks to its wireless design, which is particularly useful if you’re traveling. The kit comes with three tubes of highly concentrated gel featuring 35% carbamide peroxide, as well as two interchangeable trays. To use, coat your teeth with the gel, insert the mouthpiece and turn on the blue LED light for 15 minutes. For more sensitive teeth, the brand recommends the red light setting, as the session only lasts 10 minutes. The device will automatically beep when the timer is up, after which you rinse your mouth to remove the remaining formula. With daily use, results can be noticed in as little as one week.
What our writers say: “I’ve seen great results with this teeth whitening kit,” says updates writer Claire Epting. “Even after a single session, I noticed my teeth looked a hint whiter—with regular use, they’ve become noticeably brighter.” She notes that the timer button can be very sensitive (she has accidentally reset it with her lip), and that you have to remain still while using the device.
Best Peroxide-Free Teeth Whitening Kit
An Effective Treatment That Doesn't Cause Irritation
Boka Rapid Radiance Teeth Whitening Kit
Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredients: Phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid (PAP), nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HP) | Usage directions: 15 minutes a day
Pros:
- Wireless design
- Strengthens enamel
Cons:
- PAP-based formulas haven’t been tested as much as peroxide-based formulas
Looking to avoid peroxide? The serum formula in this Boka kit contains clinically studied ingredient phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid (or PAP) to break down compounds that cause discoloration. And the addition of nano-hydroxyapatite helps minimize tooth sensitivity while rebuilding enamel. According to the brand, patients in a clinical trial noticed significantly whiter teeth after one week of daily use. And since the rechargeable device doesn’t need to be plugged in while you’re using it, you have the freedom to move about as you please.
What our editors say: “Using the Boka mouthpiece was uncomplicated, and the whitening pens proved to be sufficient for the entire duration of my treatment,” says home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala. “Given my heightened teeth sensitivity, I’m particularly grateful for the peroxide-free whitening ingredients in this gel, as they were gentle and caused no discomfort.”
Best Teeth Whitening Pen
Concentrated Active Ingredients In A Sleek Pen
MOST POPULAR
Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen
Type: Pen | Active ingredient: 35% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 60 seconds, twice daily
Pros:
- Fast results
- Great for touch-ups
- Portable
Cons:
- Not ideal for sensitive teeth
Auraglow’s teeth whitening pen features a high concentration of carbamide peroxide, making it a solid option for those who want quick results. Application is easy: Use the brush tip to coat your teeth with the gel, and let it sit for about a minute. Avoid eating or drinking for the next hour, as the gel dissolves on its own. This pen is great for touch-ups, as you can choose to only coat certain spots instead of your whole mouth. Plus its compact size makes it easy to maintain your teeth whitening efforts while traveling.
RECOMMENDED BYFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted beauty team has plenty of experience on the topic of oral care and personal products (as well as all other beauty and grooming categories).
- To find the best teeth whitening kits, we evaluated top options on the market and interviewed experts while tapping into staffers’ hands-on experience with products.
- The author of this piece, deputy editor Jane Sung, oversees the beauty and grooming vertical and has two decades of experience covering beauty, wellness and style.
- We consulted with several dental professionals to gain expert insights: NYC-based dentist Dr. Sharon Huang, cosmetic dentist Dr. James Heaton, Park Slope Dentistry Seventh Avenue director Dr. Angelique Freking and dentist Dr. Kami Hoss.
How We Chose The Best Teeth Whitening Kits
When selecting the top teeth whitening kits, we first checked with oral care experts to get their firsthand insights and recommendations.
- Forbes Vetted staffers, too, chimed in with their personal favorites, including the Laughland At-Home Whitening Kit and Crest 3D Whitestrips.
- We ensured that we only included formulas with safe, dentist-approved active ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, as well as vetted alternatives to peroxide.
- In addition, we looked for highly rated products that are bolstered by hundreds of positive reviews.
- We made sure the selected products accommodate various types of teeth, lifestyle factors and preferences.
What To Consider In The Best Teeth Whitening Kits
At-home teeth whitening kits come in many forms, so it’s a good idea to research the different types before finding the right one for you. Dentists recommend paying close attention to the following details.
Ingredients
Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are two of the most common ingredients recommended by dentists for whitening teeth. “Hydrogen peroxide is the main ingredient in most tooth whitening products; this or carbamide peroxide act as bleaching agents to change the color of teeth,” says dentist Dr. Kami Hoss. “Peroxide can partially penetrate the layers of teeth, removing compounds that cause discoloration.” However, those with very sensitive teeth might feel more comfortable taking a peroxide-free approach, with products like the Lumineux or Boka teeth whitening kits.
Concentration
The stronger the peroxide concentration in a formula, the more effective the product can be in removing discoloration from teeth. According to Heaton, most over-the-counter products feature a range in concentration from 3% to 10% of hydrogen peroxide and 10% to 35% of carbamide peroxide, while dental professionals typically offer treatments with concentrations up to 43%. You may need to be more patient with at-home treatments, as they can require more frequent usage before you see noticeable results.
Type
There are a few different options when it comes to application types: molded trays that are designed to sit over your teeth and keep them covered in a gel formula, mouthpieces with built-in LED lights, strips that adhere to your teeth, and pens filled with gels that coat your teeth. “Whitening strips are easy to use and effective, while gels provide more precise application,” says Heaton. “And LED devices can enhance the results when used with whitening gels because the light activates the ingredients.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits Safe?
The dentists we consulted with all agree that teeth whitening kits are safe for at-home use, provided you pick one that’s made with recognizable, tested ingredients like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. “They can be quite effective and safe when used in the right way,” says Huang. With any teeth whitening kit you go with, make sure to follow the instructions closely and only apply the formula for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. Heaton says, “Improper application or overuse can lead to sensitivity or enamel damage, so it’s important to follow the instructions carefully.”
What Is The Best Kit For Whitening Teeth?
There were several top contenders when assembling this list of teeth whitening kits, but there was one that stood out to our team. The UltradentOpalescence Goearns our best overall spot since it has an effective formula that is suitable for most users, including those with sensitive teeth. It also comes highly recommended by dentists like Huang.
Which Teeth Whitening Kit Is Most Effective?
Teeth whitening kits with a higher peroxide concentration deliver the fastest, most noticeable results. The Ollm Teeth Whitening Kit features a 35% carbamide peroxide gel formula, which is designed to whiten your teeth up to nine shades in as little as a week. Similarly, the 35% carbamide peroxide formula found in the Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen brightens teeth up to 10 shades in one week, and it only requires around 60 seconds to apply. If you have sensitive teeth, however, you can still get quick results: Glo Science’s gentle 6% hydrogen peroxide formula lightens teeth by up to five shades in one week, thanks to the brand’s patented heat technology.
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