11 Best Teeth Whitening Products That Lighten Teeth Up to Four Shades
The most effective whiteners that actually worked in our Lab testing.
Tested by Danusia WnekSenior Chemist
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We've all been there: A quick smile in the mirror (or look at a photo, like my husband just did!) shows teeth that have become dull, discolored, or worse—yellow. Womp, womp. The fastest, most cost-effective fix? An at-home teeth whitening product that helps erase stains and brighten teeth. These days, the options are plenty, including whitening strips (my personal favorite for their ease of use and results), gels, pens, toothpastes, mouthwashes, powders, and LED lights as accelerators, which can provide noticeable effects over time. "These products use chemical or abrasive agents to lighten or remove stains on your teeth to make them appear whiter," says Marina Gonchar, D.M.D., orthodontist and owner of Skin to Smile in Morristown, New Jersey.
Our top picks:
✔️ Best overall: Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Express White + Whitening Light Dental Whitening Kit
Powerful yet gentle, this whitening strip and LED light duo lightened teeth almost three shades and erased stains in our Lab testing.
✔️ Best value: Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips
These bargain whitening strips lightened teeth nearly three shades for a fraction of the price of other products.
✔️ Best for sensitive teeth: Rembrandt 1 Week Whitening Kit
No pain but lots of gain with these whitening strips, which lightened teeth 1.6 shades in just one week yet caused zero irritation.
✔️ Best for stains: Up&Up 20-Day Ultra Vibrant Whitening Strips
The best in the Lab’s test at getting rid of stubborn tooth stains, these strips also lightened teeth by three shades.
✔️ Best non-messy: Equate 8-Day Professional Teeth Whitening Strips
Get effective teeth whitening (2.3 shades) without the goopy mess.
But I can personally attest that results can vary widely, from barely there to seriously sparkling. To find the most effective OTC teeth whiteners, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab scientists evaluate them on consumer testers for factors such as ease of use, sensitivity, and how many shades they lighten tooth color. In the Beauty Lab's most recent test, 150 testers assessed multiple categories of teeth whitening products and scientists tallied 2,250 consumer response data points to identify the best teeth whitening products. Read about what makes them shine, plus what dentists recommend to whiten teeth, below.
Best Deal
Pros
- Whitened teeth 2.6 shades in 19 days
- Effectively removes surface tooth stains
- Doesn't cause sensitivity
- Not messy
Cons
- Requires more time than other products
Why it stands out
Up your whitening game with Crest’s kit of hydrogen peroxide strips and a wireless LED-light device—inspired by pro treatments—to boost the effects. Almost all GH Beauty Lab testers agreed that it was gentle, yet erased stains and whitened teeth well.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
The product whitened teeth an average of 2.6 shades in 19 days of use. It received the highest score for removing surface stains from teeth, and 100% of testers agreed that it didn’t cause tooth sensitivity or irritate gums.
What our testers said
Testers apraised it for not being messy and that the device sat securely on teeth, although some found the time commitment of more than one hour per day inconvenient. They enthused that the set “truly worked and clearly whitened teeth,” even ones stained by tea and red wine. "I can see the whitening effect after just one use," another marveled.
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 2.6 shades |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 1 hour with strips only, plus 5 minutes with strips and light |
| Results in | 19 days |
Pros
- Whitened teeth 2.7 shades in 2 weeks
- Easy to use
- Adheres to teeth well
- Pleasant flavor
Cons
- May leave residue on teeth
Why it stands out
Zimba's whitening strips were the best in the strips category in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent test. Offered in six flavors ranging from spearmint to watermelon, they put a great-tasting spin on classic whitening strips and earned top scores for ease of use and noticeably lightening teeth.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
An impressive 100% of testers found that the strips made teeth visibly whiter, by an average of 2.7 shades in two weeks. Users gave them high marks for being effortless to apply, staying in place, and having an enjoyable flavor (particularly the coconut variant).
Note, though, that teeth must be dry before application so the strips adhere and they can leave residue that requires rinsing.
What our testers said
They “didn’t taste gross” and “took care of yellow staining I had,” two fans commented. Another echoed: "I did see a noticeable difference in my teeth."
RELATED: Best Teeth Whitening Strips
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 2.7 shades |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 30 minutes |
| Results in | 2 weeks |
Pros
- Whitened teeth 1.6 shades in 1 week
- Doesn't cause sensitivity
- Minimal residue left on teeth after use
Cons
- The strips didn't fit as well or sit as securely on teeth
Why it stands out
Look no further than these Rembrandt whitening strips if your teeth tend to be sensitive: They were gentle on teeth in GH Beauty Lab testing but delivered noticeable brightening results quickly.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
They effectively whitened teeth, by 1.6 shades in one week, yet 100% of testers agreed that they didn't cause sensitivity. The strips also rated highly for not leaving excessive residue on teeth.
They didn't perform as well for ease of use, though: Testers reported that they didn't like the fit of the strips, plus they didn't sit securely in place and weren't as comfortable to keep in the mouth during the treatment time.
What our testers said
Users appreciated the fast results, however, commenting how they "visibly lightened teeth quickly" and "did show improvement in seven days."
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 1.6 shades |
| Recommended usage | Twice per day for 30 minutes |
| Results in | 1 week |
Pros
- Whitened teeth 2.9 shades in 20 days
- Effectively removed surface stains
- Didn't leave excessive residue on teeth
Cons
- Strips may not sit securely on teeth
Why it stands out
Tooth stains don't stand a chance against these Up&Up whitening strips, which lightened teeth multiple shades and were a GH Beauty Lab tester favorite.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
The treatment whitened teeth by 2.9 shades on average in 20 days and received the highest score for removing surface stains.
Testers also rated them high for having easy-to-understand instructions, not leaving behind excessive residue, and making teeth visibly whiter. They didn't sit securely on teeth, however, especially the bottom strips, users noted.
What our testers said
"The product was extremely easy to use," a tester commented. "I was very surprised how well it worked."
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 2.9 shades |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 30 minutes |
| Results in | 20 days |
Pros
- Whitened teeth 2.3 shades in 20 days
- Easy to use and not messy
- Effectively removed surface stains
- No unpleasant taste
Cons
- Can cause tooth sensitivity
- Some testers found they didn't stay attached to teeth well
Why it stands out
Teeth whitening strips can sometimes be messy and leave behind a gooey residue, but not this effective option from Equate.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
The strips whitened teeth 2.3 shades on average after 20 days of use. A full 100% of testers agreed they were easy to incorporate into their routines and not messy to use. They also scored well for having simple instructions, feeling comfortable to keep in the mouth, no unpleasant taste, and removing surface stains from teeth.
Two caveats: The strips can cause tooth sensitivity and half of testers found it difficult to keep them attached to teeth.
What testers said
Several remarked on how "easy to use" these were and liked that they "could do other things while wearing the strips." One raved: "They visibly whitened teeth—I could clearly see a difference."
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 2.3 shades |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 30 minutes |
| Results in | 20 days |
Pros
- Whitened teeth 2 shades in 1 week
- Didn't cause gum or tooth sensitivity
- Comfortable and easy to use
- Only requires 15 minutes of wear per day
Cons
- Can leave excess residue on teeth
- Didn't remove surface stains well
Why it stands out
If you suffer from gum sensitivity, no worries about irritation with these Burst whitening strips, which were also fast-acting in our Lab’s testing.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
They whitened teeth two shades in only one week of application and scored highest for not inflaming gums. A full 100% of testers also found the strips felt comfortable in the mouth, and they ranked near the top at being easy to use, non-messy, adhering well on teeth, and not causing tooth pain. Note that they did leave excessive residue on teeth and scored on the lower side for removing surface stains.
What testers said
Multiple users liked that "you only had to wear them for 15 minutes" per day. (See one tester's before-and-after photos, below.)
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 2 shades |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 15 minutes |
| Results in | 1 week |
Pros
- Contains high levels of hydrogen peroxide for a toothpaste
- Effectively removes stains
- Affordably priced
- Doesn't cause irritation
Cons
- May take more time for visible effects
Why it stands out
Get noticeably whiter teeth at a bargain price by just brushing with Colgate’s groundbreaking whitening toothpaste, a GH Beauty Award winner, which contains high levels of the bleaching active hydrogen peroxide.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
Data shows that this formula, with 3% hydrogen peroxide, can remove up to 10 years of yellow stains on teeth in four weeks of twice-daily use, GH Beauty Lab analysis confirmed.
What our expert said
Though it may take longer to see results than stronger treatments, GH's Beauty Director found that it doesn't cause any sensitivity and her teeth are noticeably whiter when using this versus other toothpastes.
RELATED: Best Whitening Toothpastes
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide, silica |
| Level of whitening | Up to 10 years of stains |
| Recommended usage | Two times per day |
| Results in | 4 weeks |
Pros
- Whitened teeth up to 4 shades in 20 days
- Clear strips are discreet to wear and stick to teeth well
- Simple to use
- Recommended by dentists
Cons
- Some people felt sensitivity during use
Why it stands out
True to its claim of professional-level whitening, the Crest whitening strip kit is a GH Beauty Lab and dentist gold standard for smile brightening.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
Lab evaluations found that after 20 days of daily use, they lightened teeth a noticeable two to four shades. The strips simply stick on teeth and can be worn during daily activities for convenience. (Note that they must be applied for 45 minutes to achieve best results and some reviewers experienced discomfort during use.)
What our experts said
"These strips are one of the most effective at-home teeth whitening products," said Michael J. Wei, D.D.S., FIADFE, a cosmetic dentist in New York City. "They are designed to remove tough stains from coffee, tea, and smoking, and they’re easy to use, since they don’t require any special trays or gels." Ellen Katz, D.D.S., co-founder of Maison BE Dental Studio in New York City, also recommends this kit and Dr. Gonchar calls it "one of my personal favorite over-the-counter whitening products."
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 2 to 4 shades |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 45 minutes |
| Results in | 20 days |
Pros
- Whitened teeth 1 shade in 1 week
- Didn't cause irritation
- Wireless mouthpiece is simple to use
Cons
- The LED device could feel uncomfortable in the mouth for some
Why it stands out
No pesky cords are attached to this innovative Snow LED teeth whitening kit, which like professional dentist treatments, has a wireless LED mouthpiece to use with the included hydrogen peroxide gel.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
It received a perfect score for not sensitizing teeth or gums, was easy to use, and brightened teeth by one shade after one week of use for the recommended nine minutes per day.
What our testers said
Though one tester found the LED device uncomfortable in the beginning, another liked the "durable" silicone mouthpiece and that she could "walk around and do things while using it." It earned raves for being pain-free: "This is the easiest and most painless whitening kit I've used," a fan said.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Snow Teeth Whitening Kit
| Whitening ingredient | Carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 1 shade |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 9 minutes |
| Results in | 1 week |
Pros
- Whitened teeth 1.9 shades in 1 week
- Doesn't cause tooth sensitivity
- Works while you sleep, saving time
Cons
- Wand was difficult to clean
Why it stands out
Whiten your teeth while you sleep with Colgate's gentle, "convenient" wand, a top performer in the pen category in GH Beauty Lab testing. The built-in brush dispenses a 3% hydrogen peroxide-based liquid you can paint on teeth in seconds.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
Among brush-on teeth whiteners, it earned the highest score for not irritating teeth, plus ranked well at visibly whitening teeth, removing surface stains, and not leaving excessive residue on teeth. One drawback: Testers commented that it was difficult to clean the wand.
What our testers said
"Being able to apply and go to sleep with it on was so easy," a tester remarked. Another said: "I had absolutely no pain or sensitivity like I've had in the past with whitening strips."
RELATED: Best Teeth Whitening Pens
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 1.9 shades |
| Recommended usage | Once per night |
| Results in | 1 week |
Pros
- Whitened teeth 1.6 shades in 2 weeks
- Easy to apply and use in a routine
- Not messy
Cons
- Didn't remove surface stains as well as other products
Why it stands out
Simply swipe on Moon's handy whitening wand onto teeth for a more sparkling smile, no rinsing necessary.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
The formula lightened teeth 1.6 shades on average after two weeks and earned the highest score for easy application. The pen rated well across the board with testers for its effortlessness, including having straightforward instructions and being simple to work into their routines and not messy. It pen scored below average for helping to remove surface stains, however.
What our testers said
"I liked how easy it was to apply and go," a tester reported. Another praised that the formula could be brushed precisely near the gumline to fully cover teeth.
| Whitening ingredient | Urea peroxide |
| Level of whitening | 1.6 shades |
| Recommended usage | Twice per day |
| Results in | 2 weeks |
How we test teeth whitening products
For the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab's most recent teeth whitening product test, our scientists assessed 55 teeth whiteners in three categories: strips, brush-on pens and gels or serums, and LED light kits. As background research, our Lab experts began by surveying 1,968 people about their teeth whitening habits.
We then distributed the top products to 150 consumer testers, who evaluated the whiteners at home on factors such as ease of use, taste, irritation of teeth or gums, and tooth stain removal.
Testers gauged each product's whitening effects using a standard Teeth Whitening Shade Guide (pictured) to compare their tooth color before and after use of the product according to manufacturer instructions.
Finally, our Beauty Lab scientists analyzed 2,250 data points from the tester product evaluations to determine the winning teeth whitening products.
What to look for when shopping for teeth whitening products
✔️ Whitening active ingredients: Seek out the most effective teeth whitening agents, which are hydrogen and carbamide peroxide, advises Sharon Huang, D.D.S., MICOI, a cosmetic dentist and founder of Les Belles NYC in New York City. Note that although hydrogen peroxide produces excellent whitening effects, it can sometimes result in temporary tooth sensitivity, Dr. Gonchar says.
✔️ Form: As for the best teeth whitener form, "I recommend whitening strips and use them personally," Dr. Huang says. "Since the strip wraps around the teeth, the whitening solution has constant contact with teeth, and they’re the easiest to keep in the mouth for the prescribed amount of time." (See below for a list and description of teeth whitener forms.)
✔️ Potency level: The maximum percentage of active teeth lightening ingredients is 10% for over-the-counter products, Dr. Huang says (treatments that dentists use can include higher levels). "Higher concentrations will result in faster and better results, yet may cause tooth sensitivity," Dr. Gonchar explains. "Lower-concentration products will take longer to achieve the desired results, but may be more appropriate for those with sensitive teeth or other dental needs."
✔️ Sensitivity-friendly ingredients: If you have sensitive teeth, "carbamide peroxide is less sensitizing than hydrogen peroxide because it takes more time for the whitening action to occur," Dr. Huang explains. For extremely sensitive teeth, there are also products that don’t contain peroxide, and instead are made with ingredients like aloe vera and coconut oil, which have natural whitening effects that pull stains from the teeth, she says. "They're not as effective as peroxide, but are a good natural option that’s gentler on the teeth," Dr. Huang notes.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty and Personal Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 15 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and performance testing. The number one skincare rule she lives by: never go to bed with makeup on.
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