Comparison of Top Teeth Whitening Providers & Products
By Richard "Rick" Callahan | Published: 2023-10-27 | Category: Teeth Whitening
About Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening services involve procedures or products designed to lighten the color of teeth, removing stains and discoloration for a brighter smile. Options range from professional in-office treatments to over-the-counter kits and products.
How We Evaluated
Providers and products were evaluated based on treatment effectiveness, variety of options offered, typical cost, convenience of use, level of professional oversight involved, and reported customer satisfaction.
Rating Criteria
- → Effectiveness
- → Variety of Options
- → Cost
- → Convenience
- → Professional Oversight
- → Customer Satisfaction
The Best Teeth Whitening
Colgate Optic White Overnight Pen
Visit Website →A pen applicator for applying a quick-drying hydrogen peroxide serum directly to teeth before sleep.
Target Audience
Users seeking maximum convenience, Individuals looking for touch-ups or minimal whitening, Budget-focused buyers
Service Offerings
Overnight Whitening Pen
Pen delivers a 3% hydrogen peroxide serum designed to form a film on teeth and whiten overnight.
- Apply and sleep; brush off in the morning
- Designed for nightly use
- Precision applicator for targeted treatment
Scorecard (Overall: 5.3 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Pen
$25.00 / One-time
Typical cost per pen, lasting approximately 35 nightly uses.
Pros
- + Extremely convenient and easy to use
- + Very affordable
- + No trays or strips required
- + Good for targeting specific spots or maintenance
Cons
- - Least effective whitening option overall
- - Results are very subtle
- - Serum film may feel slightly noticeable
- - Limited whitening power due to low peroxide concentration
Verdict
"Best suited for minor touch-ups or those prioritizing ultimate convenience over significant whitening results."
AuraGlow
Visit Website →Affordable at-home teeth whitening kits featuring LED light technology and carbamide peroxide gel.
Target Audience
Budget-conscious users wanting an LED kit, Individuals looking for a straightforward, complete kit, Users with mild to moderate staining
Service Offerings
Teeth Whitening Kit
Includes whitening gel syringes (35% carbamide peroxide), mouth tray, and an LED accelerator light.
- Recommended use: 30 minutes per day
- Kit typically provides enough gel for 20+ treatments
- Also offers whitening pens and strips
Scorecard (Overall: 6.0 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Kit
$60.00 / One-time
Approximate price for the standard LED light kit.
Pros
- + Affordable entry point for LED whitening kits
- + Simple to use
- + Kit includes ample gel supply
- + Offers noticeable results for many
Cons
- - LED light efficacy debated in OTC kits
- - Generic mouth tray may not fit perfectly
- - Potential for sensitivity due to higher peroxide concentration
Verdict
"A strong contender for affordable LED whitening kits, offering good value and convenience for at-home use."
GLO Science Brilliant
Visit Website →At-home teeth whitening device using patented G.L.O. (Guided Light Optics) technology with heat.
Target Audience
Users seeking premium at-home LED/heat technology, Individuals wanting faster results than strips, Those looking for a system developed by a dentist
Service Offerings
GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device
System includes a mouthpiece using gentle heat and blue LED light, combined with hydrogen peroxide whitening gel vials.
- Uses pre-timed 8-minute application sessions
- Recommended use: 3-4 sessions back-to-back daily for 5-7 days
- Gel applied directly from vials, minimizing mess
Scorecard (Overall: 5.8 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Kit
$199.00 / One-time
Cost for the main device kit; refill vials sold separately.
Pros
- + Combines heat and light for potentially faster activation
- + Easy-to-apply gel vials
- + Timed sessions simplify use
- + Generally positive user reviews for effectiveness and low sensitivity
Cons
- - Relatively expensive for an at-home kit
- - Requires multiple short sessions daily
- - Effectiveness still lower than professional treatments
Verdict
"A premium at-home system using unique heat and light technology, offering good results and convenience for those willing to invest."
Snow Teeth Whitening
Visit Website →At-home whitening system using a serum applied to teeth and activated by an LED mouthpiece.
Target Audience
Tech-savvy consumers, Individuals seeking an LED-based system without a dental visit, Users looking for sensitivity-focused formulas
Service Offerings
At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit
Combines whitening serum (regular and extra-strength options) with a wired or wireless LED activating mouthpiece.
- Typical use: 9-30 minutes per session
- Claims to be safe for enamel and suitable for sensitive teeth
- Requires consistent use for best results
Scorecard (Overall: 5.8 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Kit
$150.00 / One-time
Approximate cost for the basic wired kit; wireless and bundles cost more.
Pros
- + Convenient at-home use
- + LED technology enhances the process for some users
- + Formulas designed with sensitivity in mind
- + Modern branding and user experience
Cons
- - Effectiveness of LED light in OTC kits is debated
- - More expensive than strips or pens
- - Requires time commitment for sessions
- - No professional oversight
Verdict
"A popular, modern at-home LED kit offering good convenience and moderate effectiveness, particularly appealing for its focus on sensitivity."
Crest 3D Whitestrips
Visit Website →Widely available adhesive strips coated with hydrogen peroxide gel for at-home whitening.
Target Audience
Budget-conscious consumers, Individuals seeking convenient, accessible whitening, Users with mild to moderate staining
Service Offerings
Whitening Strips
Thin, flexible plastic strips with whitening gel applied directly to teeth.
- Multiple product variations (e.g., Professional Effects, Glamorous White)
- Typical wear time 30-60 minutes daily
- Treatment courses range from 7 to 20 days
Scorecard (Overall: 6.7 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Kit
$45.00 / One-time
Average price for a standard kit, varies by product line and retailer.
Pros
- + Affordable and widely accessible
- + Easy to use
- + Noticeable results for many users
- + Wide range of options available
Cons
- - Results less dramatic than professional options
- - Strips may not cover all tooth surfaces evenly
- - Can cause sensitivity
- - No professional supervision
Verdict
"The best value option for accessible, convenient at-home whitening with noticeable results for mild/moderate stains."
Opalescence PF Take-Home Kits
Visit Website →Customized tray-based whitening system with varying carbamide peroxide strengths, prescribed by a dentist.
Target Audience
Individuals wanting professional results with at-home convenience, Patients looking for a more gradual whitening process, Those with custom tray preferences
Service Offerings
Custom Tray Whitening
Uses custom-fitted trays created by a dentist, filled with Opalescence PF gel (available in 10%, 15%, 20%, 35% carbamide peroxide).
- Wear time varies from 30 minutes to overnight depending on strength
- Treatment duration typically 1-2 weeks
- Includes potassium nitrate and fluoride (PF) for comfort
Scorecard (Overall: 7.5 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Kit
$250.00 / One-time
Average cost for initial kit including tray fabrication and gel syringes, varies by dentist.
Pros
- + Very effective results over time
- + Custom trays provide even application and minimize gum irritation
- + Professional guidance on strength and usage
- + More affordable than in-office treatments
Cons
- - Requires initial dental visit for impressions
- - Results are gradual, not immediate
- - Requires consistent daily use
Verdict
"Excellent balance of effectiveness, professional guidance, and cost for those willing to whiten gradually at home."
Opalescence Boost
Visit Website →Chemically activated, professional in-office whitening gel that doesn't require a light.
Target Audience
Patients wanting significant whitening without light activation, Individuals seeking dentist-supervised treatment
Service Offerings
Opalescence Boost Treatment
A powerful, chemically activated 40% hydrogen peroxide gel applied by a dental professional.
- Procedure takes about 60-90 minutes
- Contains potassium nitrate and fluoride (PF) for sensitivity relief
- Does not require light activation
Scorecard (Overall: 6.7 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Per Treatment
$450.00 / One-time
Typical cost per session, varies by dental practice.
Pros
- + Highly effective results
- + No potentially uncomfortable light required
- + Professionally applied and monitored
- + Includes ingredients to reduce sensitivity
Cons
- - High cost
- - Requires dental visit
- - Potential for gum irritation or tooth sensitivity
Verdict
"A top choice for effective in-office whitening without light activation, offering strong results with professional oversight."
View Top Ranked Provider
Watch a short ad to unlock the details for the #1 ranked provider.
Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed
Visit Website →Professional, light-activated in-office whitening system delivering significant results in a single visit.
Target Audience
Individuals seeking rapid, dramatic whitening results, Those preferring professional supervision
Service Offerings
Zoom WhiteSpeed Treatment
A dentist-applied procedure using a hydrogen peroxide gel activated by a proprietary blue LED lamp.
- Typically takes 45-60 minutes (excluding prep/consult time)
- Can whiten teeth up to 8 shades lighter
- Includes sensitivity management protocols
Scorecard (Overall: 6.5 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Per Treatment
$500.00 / One-time
Average cost per session, can vary significantly by location and dentist.
Pros
- + Fastest whitening results
- + Professionally supervised for safety
- + Highly effective for significant discoloration
Cons
- - Most expensive option
- - Requires dental appointment
- - Potential for temporary tooth sensitivity
Verdict
"Best for those prioritizing speed and dramatic results under professional supervision, despite the high cost."
Final Recommendation
The teeth whitening market offers diverse options, from potent, dentist-supervised in-office treatments like Philips Zoom and Opalescence Boost, to effective dentist-prescribed take-home kits like Opalescence PF. Over-the-counter solutions range from widely popular Crest Whitestrips and affordable LED kits like AuraGlow, to highly convenient but less potent pens like Colgate Optic White. Selection depends on budget, desired speed and degree of whitening, tolerance for sensitivity, and preference for professional oversight versus at-home convenience.