The Best Teeth Whitening Strips That Actually Work, According to Dentists (2024)

Earning a top spot for the best teeth whitening kit by the GH Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, these whitening strips lightened teeth by two to four shades after 20 days of use, according to our evaluations. Designed to be used once a day for 45 minutes, thanks to their no-slip grip, these strips stay in place, even while talking or drinking water.

Safe and easy to use, they boast the same whitening ingredient that dentists use: hydrogen peroxide. “The results were genuinely visible after a few uses,” one reviewer says. “Coffee stains that stubbornly squatted on my teeth started to fade, revealing a noticeably whiter smile.”

Professional teeth whitening treatments can be notoriously tough on your wallet. While at-home options are decidedly cheaper, they can still get pricey. The Persmax Teeth Whitening Strips ring in at a great price without sacrificing efficacy.

During their recommended 30 minutes of wear for at least 14 days, reviewers say they’ll stay put in comfort, sans sensitivity. An Amazon best-seller, you’ll see a noticeable difference, courtesy of 6% hydrogen peroxide. “Four uses in so far and the product has noticeably whitened my teeth,” one reviewer says. “The chart they include for tracking progress was a nice little addition!” However, some users feel the results weren't dramatic enough.

Yes, you can use whitening strips even if you’re on the sensitive side. "Crest Whitestrips work,” says Dr. Cu, who specifically recommends this sensitivity-friendly iteration. Formulated especially for teeth that are sensitive to whitening, these claim to be enamel-safe. Over the course of 13 days, each 30-minute treatment claims to help remove years of surface stains. Though many reviewers praise the results, some didn't see much of a difference.

Pro tip: “If you have extremely sensitive teeth, I recommend starting with half the time that the manufacturer recommends,” says Dr. Cu. “For example, [since] the package says to use for 30 minutes, try starting with 15 minutes."

Looking for whitening strips for on-the-go? These little guys are a great bet, since they completely dissolve in your mouth, meaning you won’t have to deal with messy removal. According to testers for our Beauty Lab, these are easy to use, didn’t irritate tissue and gums, didn’t sensitize teeth and felt refreshing, with one person seeing immediate improvement.

“I liked the flavor,” a tester says. “Other whiteners I've used taste really bad, but this minty flavor was great. I also liked how it did not sensitize my teeth or gums. I have had sensitivity issues with every other teeth whiteners I've tried and I like how this one was more gentle.” But, these results come at a cost, since these are on the pricier end.

One not-so-great factor about teeth whitening strips is the bad taste they can sometimes put in your mouth. But Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips do no such thing, courtesy of their “lunar peppermint” flavor that sounds out of this world. “These are such a great alternative to traditional strips,” shares a reviewer. “Not only do they taste better but they also FEEL better on your teeth!”

Another major perk is they dissolve, making them mess-free. The brand’s proprietary Elixir X blend boasts antioxidants along with hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth in two weeks. One drawback is you'll have to skip eating or drinking for 30 minutes after use to get the best results.

Rembrandt claims this kit can deliver 90% whiter teeth in just one week — and reviewers agree. After wearing the strips for 30 minutes twice a day for seven days, the results speak for themselves.

“I've used these for probably 10 years,” a reviewer says. “I try other teeth whitening strips and always come back to the Rembrandt. I'm a coffee drinker. Using for a week, my teeth lighten at least five shades, maybe more. I have sensitive gums and these don't irritate them. No complaints at all.” Plus, reviewers say they’re easy to use and stay in place, and don’t cause any discomfort. Just keep in mind that these have to be worn twice a day instead of the typical single daily session.

Tingling teeth, aching gums and strips sliding around your mouth are the culprits that can keep people away from whitening strips. You won’t have to worry about any of those woes with this comfy option. One reviewer says, “So easy to use and saw results after one use,” while another shares, “Great product, did not hurt my teeth!!”

Formulated with xylitol, aloe vera and coconut oil to soothe, they claim to be safe for sensitive teeth, despite being spiked with 6% hydrogen peroxide to tackle stains. The design grips teeth for maximum results, and each session of the seven-day course is just 15 minutes. They do remove stains, but the results are more subtle.

Whitening strips aren’t exactly known for having ingredient lists filled with natural ingredients. But iSmile Teeth Whitening Strips features natural oils, specifically mint and coconut, designed to help make the whitening process more gentle, so these are an outstanding option for sensitive smiles.

“I've tried other whitening strips in the past, and they usually bothered my teeth and didn't work for me,” one user shared. “This, on the other hand, works like a charm! After four treatments my teeth were dramatically whiter! To top it off, the mint flavor left me feeling so refreshed that it was great.” After wearing them for 30 minutes daily for seven consecutive days, they claim to lighten teeth up to several shades. Bonus: After you’ve finished the course, four additional sets of strips are included for touch-ups later on. One caveat though: The strips go heavy on the gel, which can make the removal process a bit messy.

If you’re looking for more than mint, Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips has options — exactly eight of them. We’re talking out-of-the-box flavors too, like blue raspberry, grape, peach and strawberry, alongside dental classics like spearmint and peppermint. “I'm pretty shocked at how well these worked,” says a reviewer. “I only used one for 30 minutes… and they lightened my teeth in one use. They do have a very light pleasant flavor (I got peach) and they definitely stick well to the teeth.”

To target your whitening needs, each daily session can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for 14 days, and a no-slip design keeps them right where you want them. But, a few users did complain of sensitivity.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab thoroughly tests all types of teeth whitening products, including toothpaste, mouthwash, strips and pens. In the Lab, scientists measure the shades of testers' teeth under standardized lighting before and after using a label-masked teeth whitening product as instructed over a specified time period to calculate changes in tooth color.

To select the best teeth whitening strips, we consulted two dentists, reviewed testing data from the GH Beauty Lab and considered the top reviewed options online.

✔️ Active ingredients. “Chemical tooth whitening is the most common form sold for at-home use," Dr. Rubinshtein says. "The majority of at-home whitening kits and strips contain different concentrations of either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, the active ingredients used for the removal of surface stains on teeth. At-home products often also utilize LED light to increase the potency of the active whitening ingredients. If the product you are using doesn’t contain those active ingredients, it won’t be as effective. The ones that have a stronger percentage of these ingredients tend to give the stronger results.”

✔️ Fit: “The strips that work better are the ones that hug the tooth and have the least amount of extra space are the better strip versions to use,” Dr. Rubinshtein says. “Avoid using strips that don’t contour to your teeth; they won’t get the job done properly.”

✔️ Usage: Consider how much time you're realistically willing to commit. Some strips need to be worn twice a day, plus the duration can vary anywhere from a week to a month. However, a longer treatment can mean more dramatic results.

✔️ Fresh formulas: “Check the package for the expiration date,” Dr. Cu advises. “Teeth whitening strips often still work past their expiration date, but they might not work as effectively.”

“I advise patients to avoid anything that could be staining (red wine, smoking, coffee, etc.) for 24 hours,” Dr. Rubinshtein says. Additionally, Dr. Cu recommends flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day with a remineralizing, gently whitening toothpaste to maintain results.

“Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) containing toothpastes will help relieve post-whitening tooth sensitivity, as well contribute to a lasting bright smile,” she says. “My favorite n-HA toothpaste is, of course, Cocoshine Whitening Toothpaste. It has one of the highest concentrations — and the most effective form — of n-HA on the market.”