Best Teeth Whitening Kits 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Whitening your teeth using an at-home product is a convenient and affordable alternative to going to the dentist’s office. According to dentists, the best teeth whitening kits are user-friendly and offer fast, professional-quality results, like our top pick the Ultradent Opalescence Go. These versions for home use come in many forms, including LED mouthpieces, strips and trays, so you can find the teeth whitening product that works best with your dental care routine.

The best teeth whitening kits work quickly over time without causing sensitivity.

Dentists recommend shopping for treatments that include active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which help to diminish stains. “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 and If Your Mouth Could Talk author Dr. Kami Hoss. “Peroxide can partially penetrate the layers of teeth, removing compounds that cause discoloration.” (That said, we’ve also included peroxide-free formulas for those who need 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. When you’re done, see our stories on the top electric toothbrushes and water flossers—both based on rigorous testing—to round out your oral care routine.

Amazon

Type: Tray | Active ingredient: 10% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 15 to 30 minutes daily

The Opalescence Go is an easy-to-use system that’s available in two strengths—10% hydrogen peroxide and 15% hydrogen peroxide—to suit different needs. NYC-based dentist Dr. Sharon Huang finds it perfect 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.

Los Angeles-based dentist Dr. Lawrence Fung also prefers this system over other options. “I like the Opalescence Go versus some of the other brands, as its whitening gels not only include hydrogen peroxide but also potassium nitrate, which helps desensitize the teeth,” he says. For best results the trays should be worn for 15 to 30 minutes daily over the course of 5 to 7 days.

What the reviews say: “I used to have trays filled by my dentist years ago for a few hundred dollars. The Go kit works just as well for a much lower price,” writes one Amazon customer. “My teeth were noticeably whiter after the first two treatments.”

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Laughland

Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 8% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 5 to 30 minutes daily

Laughland’s whitening kit combines professional-grade results with the ease of use at home. It comes with an LED tray that you control via an app on your phone. Once you add some of the included gel formula to the mouthpiece and set it in place, 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. The best part? According to clinical trials by the brand, 100% of participants had results without any increase in sensitivity.

What our editors say: “I’ve enjoyed using the Laughland teeth whitening kit for several days at a time,” says senior updates editor Karen Tietjen. “Unlike other teeth whiteners I’ve used, this one gave me no tooth sensitivity during or after treatments, which I really appreciate. 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.”

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Smile Brilliant

Type: Tray | Active ingredient: 22% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 45 minutes daily

This system from Smile Brilliant takes the guesswork out of whitening your teeth. “You take molds of your upper and lower teeth, and the company creates trays that fit your teeth,” says Huang, who considers it as close as it gets to a customizable take-home whitening solution. It comes with a whitening gel made from 22% carbamide peroxide and a syringe for applying the solution to the trays. “If you choose the sensitive option, [Smile Brilliant] will also include desensitizing gel to make the process more pleasant,” she says.

What the reviews say: “I was referred to this from my dentist, who does not do the custom-fitted whitening trays at her office. The process was very simple,” says one Smile Brilliant customer. “I take good care of my teeth and did not realize they were so stained. I’m very happy with the results.”

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Amazon

Type: Strips | Active ingredients: Coconut oil, sage oil, citrus lemon peel oil, Dead Sea salt | Usage directions: 30 minutes daily for one week

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 peroxide-free, featuring plant-based ingredients including essential oils like sage, lemon, coconut and more.

What the reviews say: Reviewers have been impressed with their results. “I have seen so many people post about these teeth whitening strips, so I decided to give them a try myself. I have sensitive teeth and do not use whitening strips for that reason,” one Amazon customer says. “However, these whitening strips have not made my teeth sensitive, but they have made them white.”

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Amazon

Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 6% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 8 minutes (4 times per day for 5 days)

New York-based dentist and Park Slope Dentistry Seventh Avenue director Dr. Angelique Freking recommends Glo Science’s whitening device. “This chic kit uses hydrogen peroxide and a tray with LED light built in to brighten your teeth,” she says. Wondering how bright your teeth can go? This system claims to make them up to five shades brighter in as little as one week. Plus, it includes a lip balm to prevent dry, cracked lips.

What the reviews say: “I was skeptical about spending this much money on a teeth whitening kit, but it was worth it. I completed the 5-day suggested treatments and can tell a massive change in the color of my teeth,” says an Amazon reviewer. “My teeth are easily four shades more white than when I started. It’s easy to use and I haven’t had any sensitivity.”

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Amazon

Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 35% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 15 minutes daily

Thanks to its wireless design, Ollm’s rechargeable LED mouthpiece can be used just about anywhere, which is particularly useful if you’re traveling. The kit comes with three tubes of highly concentrated gel formulated with 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 out to remove the remaining formula. With daily use, results can be noticed in as little as one week.

What our editors say: “I’ve seen great results with this teeth whitening kit,” says Forbes Vetted 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. My only complaint is that the timer button is very sensitive, so sometimes I accidentally reset it with my lip. You have to remain pretty still while using this device, but it’s worth it for how effective the treatment is.”

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Boka

Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredients: Phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid (PAP), nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HP) | Usage directions: 15 minutes a day

Instead of peroxide, with can cause tooth sensitivity, the serum formula in this kit from Boka contains phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid to break down compounds that cause discoloration. The addition of nano-hydroxyapatite helps minimize tooth sensitivity while rebuilding enamel. According to the Boka website, 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: “Given my heightened teeth sensitivity, I’m particularly grateful for the peroxide-free whitening ingredients in the gel, as they were gentle and caused no discomfort,” says home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala. “Using the provided mouthpiece was uncomplicated, and I’m delighted to share that the whitening pens proved to be sufficient for the entire duration of the treatment.”

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Amazon

Type: Strips | Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 30 to 60 minutes daily

It doesn’t have to be inconvenient or expensive to whiten your teeth like a professional. Crest’s 3D White Strips are affordable and portable, making teeth look brighter after one 60-minute treatment and up to 18 shades whiter in 20 days. The kit includes 20 mess-free whitening strips coated in 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 editors say: “I’ve given them a go on a few separate occasions,” says managing editor Emmy Favilla. “They 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.” She does, however, suggest taking it slow if you tend to experience tooth sensitivity. “After just a few uses my teeth became sensitive to things like cold drinks. If you have sensitive teeth, tread lightly,” she says.

For similar fast results but with less irritation, account manager Blaire Tiernan recommends the sensitive version of the White Strips. “I recently switched to these, and I have noticed my teeth are significantly less sensitive compared to when I use the regular strips,” she says.

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Amazon

Type: Pen | Active ingredient: 35% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 60 seconds, twice daily

Auraglow’s teeth whitening pen contains a formula with a high concentration of carbamide peroxide, making it a great 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 teeth instead of your whole mouth. Plus its compact size makes it easy to maintain your teeth whitening efforts while traveling.

What the reviews say: “This incredible product has truly transformed my smile. Its convenient design makes application a breeze, and I’ve noticed a visible improvement in the whiteness of my teeth in just a short period of time,” says one Amazon customer. “Not only is it effective, but it’s also gentle on my teeth, which is a big plus.”

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At-home teeth whitening kits come in many forms, so it’s a good idea to research the different types before buying one. To find the product that’s right for you, dentists recommend paying close attention to a few key details.

Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are two of the most common ingredients recommended by dentists for whitening teeth. “They are made up of water, oxygen and radicals,” says Huang. “The reaction from these free radicals lift stains from teeth and make them appear whiter.” 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.

The stronger the peroxide concentration in a formula, the more effectively the product will remove discoloration from teeth. According to Hoss, most over-the-counter products feature a range in concentration from 3% to 10%, while dental professionals typically offer treatments with concentrations up to 40%. This means you may need to be more patient with at-home treatments, as they may require more frequent usage before you see noticeable results.

There are a few different options when it comes to application: molded trays that sit over your teeth, simple mouthpieces with built-in LED lights, strips that adhere to your teeth and pens filled with gels that coat your teeth. Whitening trays are user-friendly and not as likely to bother sensitive teeth, but if you’re opposed to the idea of having a large piece of plastic in your mouth for 30 or more minutes, strips or pens will be your best options.

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 pick, make sure to follow the instructions closely and only apply the formula for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.

There were several top contenders when assembling this list of teeth whitening kits, but there was one that stood out to our team. The Ultradent Opalescence Go earns 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 Huang and Fung. For those who prefer a customizable system, Huang recommends the tailor-made plan from Smile Brilliant, which takes a mold of your teeth and is also available in a sensitive option.

Teeth whitening kits with a higher peroxide concentration deliver the fastest, most noticeable results. The Ollm Teeth Whitening Kit includes 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.