Best Teeth-Whitening Strips of 2024 – CNET [CNET]

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Caroline Igo Editor, Sleep

Caroline Igo (she/her/hers) is a wellness editor and holds Sleep Science Coach and Stress Management certificates from the Spencer Institute. She received her bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to further her craft in her free time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for past CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan.

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  • Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

$45 at Amazon

Crest 3D Whitestrips

Best overall whitening strips

Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

View details

$40 at Amazon

moon-strips.png

Best dissolving whitening strips

Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips

View details

$45 at Amazon

Lumineux Whitening Kit

Best whitening strips for sensitive teeth

Lumineux Oral Essentials Whitening Strips

View details

$20 at Amazon

Zimba teeth whitening strips

Best affordable whitening strips

Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips

View details

Brushing at least twice a day is critical to your health and hygiene, but if you really want your smile to sparkle, you may want to grab a pack of teeth-whitening strips.

While there’s no shortage of teeth-whitening products available over the counter, I have sensitive gums, so for me, a good teeth-whitening product is one that’s effective but doesn’t sear my gum tissue. I know not everyone has tooth sensitivity; to help you find the best ones for your teeth, I’ve rounded up the best whitening strips on the market right now below. 

A note before you get started: Wanting a brighter smile is valid, but maintaining healthy teeth is important. It’s a good idea to consult with your dentist before you try any at-home whitening kit. This may be especially important if your dentist has told you in the past that you have some enamel erosion (enamel is the protective layer on your teeth), or if you know you need dental work, like a cavity filled. Also, whitening strips won’t work on existing dental work like veneers, filings, crowns or caps.

What are the best teeth-whitening strips?

Crest 3D Whitestrips are our pick as the best overall teeth-whitening strips, because our tests determined that they had the best results with the most effective active ingredients. If you have stains from years and years of tea, coffee and wine, Crest 3D Whitestrips can effectively whiten your teeth by as much as 23 levels.  

Best teeth-whitening strips of 2024

Crest 3D Whitestrips

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triclosan, parabens and artificial flavors. 

  • Price: $$
  • Number of pieces: 56
  • Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide
  • Cruelty-free: Yes
  • Results in: 14 days or less
  • Level of whitening: Up to 7 shades

Pros:

  • Dissolves within 15 minutes 
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • A refreshing mint flavor 

Cons:

  • On the expensive side
  • Must avoid eating and drinking for 30 minutes after application

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If you don’t like the feeling of whitening strips sitting on your teeth for up to 30 minutes, you can try dissolving strips, instead. Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips are applied just like any other strips, but after 15 minutes, they completely dissolve. There’s no unnecessary waste nor mess and no need to rinse. The strips are also peppermint flavored.

Moon states that in two weeks or less, you can whiten your teeth up to seven shades lighter. In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, these dissolving whitening strips are free from SLS/SLES (which can irritate skin), triclosan, parabens and artificial flavors. 

  • Price: $$
  • Number of pieces: 56
  • Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide
  • Cruelty-free: Yes
  • Results in: 14 days or less
  • Level of whitening: Up to 7 shades

Pros:

  • Dissolves within 15 minutes 
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • A refreshing mint flavor 

Cons:

  • On the expensive side
  • Must avoid eating and drinking for 30 minutes after application
clinical trial that concluded Crest 3D Whitestrips were no more effective than Lumineux natural whitening strips. (The study was funded in part by Lumineux, so keep that in mind.) Still, I think they’re worth a shot for people with sensitive teeth and gums.

  • Price: $$
  • Number of pieces: 42
  • Active ingredient: Coconut oil
  • Cruelty-free: Yes
  • Results in: 3 weeks or less
  • Level of whitening: Up to 14 shades

Pros:

  • Natural alternative — coconut oil is the active ingredient 
  • Contains 21 treatments in one box
  • Up to 14 shades lighter in a maximum of three weeks

Cons:

  • On the pricey side
  • May slip around

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Anyone who has sensitive teeth should check out Lumineux Oral Essentials. Lumineux products don’t include hydrogen peroxide and instead use a combination of dead sea salt, essential oils, coconut oil and aloe vera. The fit and coverage were great, although they did slip around a bit. Lumineux products are also cruelty-free.  

I tested these for three consecutive days, so I can’t speak to the long-term efficacy compared with other brands, but Lumineux did conduct a clinical trial that concluded Crest 3D Whitestrips were no more effective than Lumineux natural whitening strips. (The study was funded in part by Lumineux, so keep that in mind.) Still, I think they’re worth a shot for people with sensitive teeth and gums.

  • Price: $$
  • Number of pieces: 42
  • Active ingredient: Coconut oil
  • Cruelty-free: Yes
  • Results in: 3 weeks or less
  • Level of whitening: Up to 14 shades

Pros:

  • Natural alternative — coconut oil is the active ingredient 
  • Contains 21 treatments in one box
  • Up to 14 shades lighter in a maximum of three weeks

Cons:

  • On the pricey side
  • May slip around

I began this list of whitening strips with products that could potentially make it into this roundup, looking at things like brand reputation, buyer reviews on Amazon and full reviews by other writers. After narrowing the lengthy list of teeth-whitening strips, I started testing.

Because it would be impossible to test the long-term efficacy of all of these whitening strips without annihilating my enamel and gum tissue (or working on this project for literal years, because I wouldn’t be able to adequately judge how much whiter each of them made my teeth by using them back to back), I judged each product against a few criteria that I think will help you make a buying decision. 

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Before buying your next box of teeth-whitening strips, consider these factors.

Fit

You want your strips to fully cover your teeth and not go up over your gums — that can cause gum sensitivity. Additionally, their fit should be snug. While you go about your day, waiting for it to be time to take the strips off, they should not slip and slide around your mouth. 

Coverage

While whitening your molars is not necessary (since you hardly see them anyway), your whitening strips should still cover a good percentage of your teeth. After you apply the strip, smile and look in the mirror. Is the strip touching all of the teeth you can see in your normal smile? If not, time to try another brand. 

Ease of use

Whitening strips should be simple. Apply the product, wait a specified amount of time and take them off. If the teeth-whitening strips require other steps or seem difficult to use, try another brand. 

Sensations 

If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for products that will give you the least amount of sensitivity. Oftentimes, hydrogen peroxide is too strong for sensitive teeth, so try coconut oil, instead. Don’t suffer through a product if it burns your gums or hurts your teeth.  

Length of wear

Most strips require at least 30 minutes of wear in order to get the best results. If you have sensitive teeth or not enough time for whitening strips, look for products that don’t require much wear.   

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Are teeth-whitening strips OK for your teeth?

If you have healthy teeth and good oral health, using a reputable whitening kit should be fine when used as directed. However, whitening products are only meant to be used occasionally and in moderation, and it’s always a better idea to speak with your dentist first about finding the best option for you. Additionally, steer clear of whitening strips that contain chlorine dioxide.

People who need dental work or have tooth pain should consult with their dentist to find out if teeth whitening is right for them.

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Do whitening strips work on really yellow teeth?

Over-the-counter whitening products may not be powerful enough for very stained teeth. If you’re looking for exceptional results for yellow teeth, consult your dentist. 

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What are the negatives of teeth-whitening strips?

The negatives of teeth-whitening strips include possible tooth and gum sensitivity. If you use whitening strips too often, it can damage your enamel, and some of the results might not be the exact shade you imagine.

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