10 best teeth whitening products for a brighter smile

Smile brighter with our pick of the best teeth whitening products on the market.

The best teeth whitening products for a brighter smile

by Lorna White |
Updated on

If you’re in search of a brighter, whiter smile, but don’t want to fork out on professional teeth whitening, then you’re in luck, as we’ve found the best teeth whitening products that you can use at home.

Yellowing teeth is a natural part of ageing and over periods of time, certain foods and drinks can cause teeth staining, which can dampen our confidence. Nowadays, there are so many at-home teeth whitening products — from strips to gels and even teeth whitening pens — it's why we’ve taken the time to find the best over-the-counter teeth whitening products, so you don't have to.

Best teeth whitening products at a glance:

Best overall teeth whitening kit: HiSmile Ultimate Whitening bundle – Buy now on Superdrug
Best teeth whitening strips: Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Strips – Buy now on Spotlight Oral Care
Best teeth whitening gel: Smile Science Harley Street Professional Teeth Whitening Refill Kit – Buy now on Amazon UK

The most popular type is at-home teeth whitening strips. These make direct contact with your teeth and are very easy to apply. Teeth whitening gels are also very popular as they’re very similar to an at-home whitening kit that a dentist would send you home with. While teeth whitening kits that use a mouthguard also boomed in popularity a few years back.

However, it is worth noting that while you can try to remove teeth stains at home, the only way you can really achieve a dramatically whiter smile is by visiting your dentist. The least effective of the bunch are toothpaste and whitening pens, although the ones we have featured have been highly acclaimed by reviewers.

Best teeth whitening products to buy now

TESTED

Best overall teeth whitening kit

Hismile Ultimate Whitening bundleHismile
Price: $22.92 (was £47.98)

www.superdrug.com

We've tested out plenty of products in our HiSmile reviews, but this is definitely our favourite teeth whitening kit. Formulated by the Hismile Research Centre it's been clinically trialled and tested by dentists. The worry-free 10-minute formula is peroxide-free, using phtalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) instead for no sensitivity and irritation, and contains ingredients to help strengthen, whiten, and protect your teeth by oxidising tooth stains without releasing free radicals. 

Designed to show results in as little as one treatment, 100 per cent of participants in the PAP+ clinical trial achieved instant results whilst 62 per cent said their teeth improved by three shades over the course of the trial. 

Want to know what we thought about some of HiSmile's most popular products? Check out our HiSmile reviews.

Pros

  • Uses the same violet light used by dentists
  • Promises no sensitivity or irritation
  • Includes bonus PAP+ Primer to boost whitening results

Cons

  • Not designed to be used if you have veneers, caps, implants, bonding or bridges

Best teeth whitening strips

Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening StripsSpotlight Oral Care
Price: $29.21 (was £44.95)

uk.spotlightoralcare.com

Spotlight Oral Care was created by dentist duo, Dr Lisa and Dr Vanessa — so you know they're products that you can trust. This kit includes a combination of whitening toothpaste and teeth whitening strips, so you can get the best results possible. They contain 0.01% hydrogen peroxide, are vegan, cruelty-free and don't create sensitivity. The only slight downfall is that you do have to wear them for an hour a day, however, this also gives us more hope that they work, as cheaper ones usually just require a few minutes.

Pros

  • Great value and also comes with whitening toothpaste
  • Doesn't lead to sensitivity
  • Vegan and cruelty-free

Cons

  • Have to wear for an hour a day for two weeks

Best teeth whitening gel

smile science harley streetsmile science

Whiten your teeth quickly in the comfort of your own home with the dentist-approved Smile Science Harley Street Professional Teeth Whitening Refill Kit. You just pop the gel in your mouth trays and you can sit back and relax or carry on with housework for 20 minutes while it works its magic. In addition to two teeth whitening gels, it also comes with a pre-stain remover to use first, which targets deep-set and surface stains while preparing your teeth for the next step.

Pros

  • Perfect for whitening on the go
  • Cruelty-free and vegan
  • Removes daily tea and coffee stains

Cons

  • Smaller tubes doesn't provide a lot of product

Best teeth whitening pen

Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening PenSpotlight Oral Care
Price: $8.99 (was £14.99)

uk.spotlightoralcare.com

Another product from Spotlight Oral Care that we love is their whitening pen, which is designed to work in as little as 20 minutes. Formulated with the ingredient hydrogen peroxide, the easy-apply formula actively dissolves stains for long-lasting results without causing sensitivity or harm to tooth health. Use daily, on the go, or as a top-up after other whitening treatments.

Pros

  • Perfect for whitening on the go
  • Cruelty-free and vegan
  • Removes daily tea and coffee stains

Cons

  • Small product for the money

Best teeth whitening toothpaste

Pearl Drops Pro White 4DPearl Drops
Price: $9.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$12.70View offer

Whitening toothpastes are the easiest and cheapest teeth whitening methods to use at home and there's no doubt you've probably already heard about Pearl Drops. The brand has a number of different whitening toothpastes on the market, but this one promises to make teeth up to four shades whiter in just three weeks using a buffing technique. It contains perlite, used by dentists, and is very affordable, so it's a great investment if you're on a bit of a tighter budget.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Contains perlite, as used by dentists
  • Quick and easy to use

Cons

  • Do have to use it consistently for a few months before you start seeing results

Best alternative teeth whitening strips

Crest Professional Effects 3D LUXE Whitening StripsCrest
Price: $12.95 — £59.95

thewhitesmiles.com

Another cult product in the world of teeth whitening strips are these ones from Crest. They are very similar to the Oral-B strips and claim to deliver brighter teeth in as little as three days, and a whiter smile in 20 days. The strips have FlexFit technology so that they can adapt to fit your teeth correctly. There are a variety of options to choose from when purchasing to allow you to try a few strips out before you buy in bulk.

Pros

  • Thin, flexible strips with FlexFit technology to stretch to your teeth
  • Easy to use
  • Claims that results last 12 months and beyond

Cons

  • This product may increase teeth sensitivity

Best teeth whitening kit for sensitive teeth

Smile time teeth whitening kitSmile time

If you're keen for a teeth whitening kit, but have sensitive teeth, then Smile Time could be ideal for you. With over 3000 five star reviews, the brand claims it can turn your whiter teeth up to eight shades whiter in just six 15 minute treatments per day. Like other teeth whitening kits, it's very easy to use and you get six gel treatments in the box. Refill kits afterwards cost £19.99.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • No sensitivity
  • Vegan friendly

Cons

  • Only get six gel treatments in the box

TESTED

Best overnight teeth whitening pen

Colgate Max White Teeth Whitening Overnight WandColgate

Don’t want the hassle of waiting for a solution to work before heading out? The Colgate Max White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen is designed for overnight use and claims to reverse 15 years of stains from food and drink in just three weeks. The pen has a precise applicator brush and provides 35 nightly treatments. The active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide.

Our tester has sensitive teeth, and some types of toothpaste can even cause mild pain. As such, they are very careful about the dental products they use. Our tester said: "I didn’t feel any discomfort while using this pen, and I love how it works overnight, so you don’t even notice that you’ve got it on." In addition, they found it easy to apply by clicking the pen to dispense the product onto the brush and covering teeth in a thin layer. Our tester used it for over a month and could see improvements, namely a reduced discolouration on their teeth. In conclusion, our tester said: "If you're looking for a product that is going to subtly whiten your teeth over time, this is a great option.”

Pros

  • Works overnight, allowing you to eat and drink as usual during the day
  • Reduces 15 years of discolouration in just three weeks
  • Includes 35 nightly treatments with a precise applicator brush
  • Gentle on sensitive teeth; no discomfort reported
  • Easy to apply with a simple click-and-brush mechanism
  • Visible improvement in discolouration after consistent use

Cons

  • The brush can become sticky with product build-up if not wiped with a tissue after each use

Best teeth whitening pen for quick results

Wisdom Intense White Instant Whitening PenWisdom

The Wisdom Intense White Instant Whitening Pen offers a quick and convenient way to whiten teeth. Clinically proven to whiten teeth by up to two shades in just one use, it is a fast and easy way to brighten your smile. The gel, formulated with sodium chlorite, effectively removes stains and is applied with a unique silicone applicator. Use it once for a quick colour boost or daily for five days to achieve maximum whitening results.

Please note that this product is suitable for adults with natural, healthy teeth. It is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, or individuals with gum disease, gingivitis, bleeding, or receding gums.

Pros

  • Quick and convenient teeth whitening
  • Clinically proven to whiten up to two shades in one use
  • Offers both instant results and gradual whitening over five days

Cons

  • Limited to adults with natural, healthy teeth

Best non-peroxide teeth whitening strips

Billion Dollar Smile Teeth Whitening StripsBillion Dollar Smile
Price: $14.98 (was £22.49)

www.superdrug.com

Billion Dollar Smile Strips are ultra-thin, mint-flavoured strips designed for convenient and effective at-home teeth whitening. Coated with a non-peroxide whitening gel, they provide a safe, mess-free solution for tackling tough stains and brightening your smile. Simply apply the sturdy strips to your upper and lower teeth for 15–30 minutes daily, and in just 14 days, they’re clinically proven to whiten teeth by up to six shades. The fresh mint flavour ensures a pleasant experience while delivering noticeable results.

Pros

  • Non-peroxide whitening gel for safe and effective use
  • Clinically proven to whiten teeth by up to six shades in 14 days
  • Tackles tough stains and brightens smile
  • Convenient and mess-free at-home whitening
  • Pleasant mint flavour for a fresh experience

Cons

  • A minority of reviews say that results can be a bit patchy, and the strips can be challenging to keep in place

Best teeth whitening products FAQs

Do at-home teeth whitening products really work?

According to Dr Safa Al-Naher, Director and Principle dentist at Serene, it isn’t safe to whiten your teeth at home without seeking professional advice first. 
“I would always advise going to a professional for a number of reasons,” she says. “A dental professional will carry out a full examination before whitening your teeth to ensure you don’t have any wider issues, like gum disease. This is probably the most important reason — we need to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy to be able to receive the whitening before you embark on treatment. The only person who will know if you are ready for a tooth whitening treatment is a dental professional.
“Secondly, you don't know where the products that you're using are from as it is actually illegal for anyone other than a dental professional to prescribe tooth whitening products. You can't really be sure of what ingredients are in there and whether they're safe to use on your gums. Additionally, in the very small chance that you have an allergic reaction, dentists will know how to deal with any issues you might have. Once this has been verified, the dentist will provide you with tailor-made trays which fit your mouth perfectly ensuring no teeth whitening gel leaks out and damages your gums.”
Dr Ahmed Hussain is also of the same opinion and also adds that over-the-counter treatments will only contain a small amount of bleach, which isn’t effective for whitening teeth.
“Professional tooth whitening products contain six percent hydrogen peroxide to give us the whiter teeth we desire, but over the counter treatments only have 0.1 percent bleach, which is not effective,” he says.
“Peroxide products can burn the gums, make your teeth sensitive to hot and cold, leave them patchy in colour, or even damage the protective enamel permanently if they’re not administered properly.”

Can you whiten your teeth naturally?

There are a few natural teeth whitening methods you can try at home. However, there isn’t much scientific evidence surrounding whether these methods are effective. While they may work well for some people, they may not for others. If you particularly suffer from teeth sensitivity though, these could be a good alternative to try.

Lorna White is a digital writer at Yours.co.uk and MotherandBaby.co.uk. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team.

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