The Best Teeth Whitening Strips, According to Testing (2024)

If you're looking for flavors beyond mint, Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips has options — eight of them to be exact. We’re talking out-of-the-box flavors too, like cherry, peach, watermelon and strawberry, alongside dental classics like spearmint and peppermint.

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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. You’ll see a noticeable difference with these strips, 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.

Boasting the highest consumer score for overall satisfaction, these Up&Up strips also were a winner when it came to removing surface stains from teeth. Earning kudos for easy-to-understand instructions, they left teeth visibly whiter.

“The product was extremely easy to use,” one tester said. “I had no difficulty with it. I was very surprised how well it worked.” Another added, “This was easy to use and not a terrible taste.”

However, one tester noted, “I had some difficulty getting the bottom strip to stick to my lower teeth.” Others shared they were sometimes tough to apply.

No struggling is necessary to get these strips on your teeth — they were the least messy to use, according to our testers. They were also easy to incorporate into a routine. These strips have a pleasant taste, plus they came through on removing surface stains from teeth and were comfortable to wear.

“It was very easy to use and I could do other things while wearing the strips,” a tester said. “I cleaned the bathroom and kitchen, I watched TV, etc.” Another confirmed: “It was simple to use during my morning routine.”

But those with sensitive smiles should take caution, since some testers warned it can make it worse. “It made my teeth SO sensitive after the first few uses; much more sensitive than other whitening strips,” one tester warned, while another said, “It did make my teeth a bit sensitive, but, if I used the strips every day, it worked better.”

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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 tester said, “It actually stuck to my teeth and stayed in place for the entire 15 minutes of wear. The taste is pleasant and I could speak normally even while wearing them.”

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.

“I also like that they provided two bonus strips for touch-ups,” a tester said. “I liked that they marked the days on the packets so I could keep track of what day I was on.” They do remove stains, but the results are more subtle.

A tried-and-true OG favorite, this teeth whitening kit lightened teeth by two to four shades after 20 days of use, according to our Beauty Lab 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.”

Yes, you can use whitening strips (especially these) even if you’re on the sensitive side. 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."

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. A tester said, “It tasted good. Visibly lightened my teeth quickly — very impressed.” Just keep in mind that these have to be worn twice a day instead of the typical single daily session.

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The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab thoroughly tests all types of teeth whitening products, including toothpaste, mouthwash, strips and pens.

For this guide, we tested six different teeth whitening strips. Each product was tested by a panel of 10 people, at home, following the manufacturer’s instructions for maximum benefits. Testers tracked their progress with a shade guide throughout the testing period and provided their feedback on ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction.

We also 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,” 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.”

Good Housekeeping contributor Celia Shatzman has over 15 years of experience in beauty editorial. For this story, she interviewed Daniel Rubinshtein, a cosmetic dentist, and Chrystle Cu, a dentist and the cofounder of Cocofloss.

Danusia Wnek is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute and led teeth whitening strips testing. She has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.