The 13 best travel toothbrushes (electric, manual and sustainable)

The best travel toothbrushes are portable, durable and efficient. But the form and shape – well, that’s up to you.

I can go on about how electric toothbrushes clean more thoroughly, help keep teeth white and gums healthy, and prevent cavities. But if you’re more comfortable with a manual or sustainable toothbrush, you should go with that. 

In this post, I’ve handpicked the best electric, manual, and sustainable toothbrushes out there. I’ve also included some accessories for keeping your teeth healthy on the go (as well as at home).

So, let’s explore the best travel toothbrushes and what exactly makes each one the top toothbrush for travel, as well as how to choose one that’s right for you.

Read next: The ultimate packing list (to anywhere)

How to choose the best travel toothbrushes

Electric or manual toothbrush?

This is totally up to you. But if you ask me (or the dentist), the best travel toothbrushes are electric toothbrushes.

That being said, the manual has its place. I often carry a backup manual toothbrush for the odd time when my electric toothbrush needs a battery change.

And that’s the manual’s big pro: it never needs charging. A con is that they don’t last as long, so you often need to buy a new one.

But that’s easy since they’re so much cheaper. But when it comes to actually cleaning your teeth properly, you cannot compete with an electric toothbrush.

Battery or rechargeable

For travel, battery-operated toothbrushes have a big upside: they usually last longer. So, you can just pack one extra battery and you’re good to go.

No need to pack a charger. So, for travel, a battery-operated toothbrush has a real upside.

The big pro for rechargeable toothbrushes is that you never need to buy new batteries; you simply take a few hours to charge them. Thus, you save a lot of money on batteries in the long run.

Design – This is partly down to your personal preferences as well as your travel preferences. A thin, light, foldable toothbrush is preferable when it comes to considering space and weight in your suitcase or hand luggage.

But perhaps a thicker or longer toothbrush is more comfortable for your hand. That’s all down to you. 

Find the right toothbrush head

Consider the toothbrush’s head shape when selecting your tool of choice. Do you prefer a rectangular or a round shape?

Go for soft bristles

A toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles is the best. Go gently, too. Scrubbing your teeth with a stiff-bristle toothbrush can be tough on teeth and gums.

Portability

As I mentioned, portability for a toothbrush is already pretty simple. But toothbrushes are best kept clean, so getting one with a carry case is definitely a consideration. It’s an easy way to keep it separate and clean when you’re packing.

Also, if it’s foldable then it will definitely be easier to fit into your toiletries bag.

I’ve had electric toothbrushes in the past that were a little too long and I had to pack them separately. So, a foldable toothbrush is definitely the best toothbrush in that respect.

Material

Almost all toothbrushes – electric or manual – have been made from plastic for years. But that’s changed recently, with the introduction of bamboo toothbrushes.

They’re eco-friendly, sustainable, cheap, and have no downsides to them at all except that we can’t yet get electric bamboo toothbrushes.

But if you want to be as eco-friendly as possible, a bamboo toothbrush is a great idea given how disposable manual toothbrushes can be.

Perhaps consider getting an electric toothbrush that you’ll have for years and a backup bamboo manual toothbrush. That’s what I do.

Electric toothbrushes 

Electric toothbrushes are certainly my preferred toothbrush. Simply because they keep your teeth clean, healthy, and strong better than any other kind of toothbrush.

You can choose between a battery-operated toothbrush and a rechargeable toothbrush. Both are suitable for travel, although a rechargeable toothbrush most likely requires a travel adapter.

Manual toothbrushes

Manual toothbrushes never run out of battery or charge.

This makes them the most simple, practical toothbrush for travel, but certainly not the best for keeping your teeth clean and healthy. A good compromise is to have a manual toothbrush as an emergency backup.

Sustainable toothbrushes

If you want to do your part in keeping the world happy and healthy, then consider a sustainable bamboo or plant-based toothbrush over a plastic manual toothbrush.

Nothing is sacrificed when you end up replacing it, and it works just as well as most other manual toothbrushes.

Must-have accessories for healthy teeth

If you’re spending time and money on the best travel toothbrushes, then you also need to consider what accessories you’re getting with them.

This includes brush heads for an electric toothbrush, as well as a carry case and the best toothpaste for your needs.

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