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A travel toothbrush is a travel gear essential for maintaining your oral hygiene on the go. It’s designed to be compact, easy to pack and just as effective as your regular toothbrush. With a travel toothbrush in your luggage, you can keep your teeth clean no matter where you are.
Thankfully, dozens of top-tier travel toothbrushes and toothbrush travel cases make maintaining dental care easier than ever. Before we dive into which are our favorites, let’s identify what you should look for in the ideal toothbrush for traveling.
What to look for in a travel toothbrush
Size
Portability and size should play a major role in deciding what toothbrush is right for you. If you tend to throw a full-size travel cosmetic bag into your checked luggage, you can opt for a full-size toothbrush. But, if you pride yourself on just bringing a carry-on backpack with you when you travel, it might be better to go petite.
Foldable design
Speaking of petite, the ever-popular folding travel toothbrush is a fan favorite for a reason. The hinged design takes up half the space of a regular-size toothbrush without sacrificing ease of use when fully extended.
Manual vs. electric
If you already have an electric toothbrush at home, you might feel like a manual toothbrush just for travel feels like a downgrade. While electric toothbrushes are scientifically proven to better prevent tooth decay, if you’re planning a long-haul adventure, it might be more reliable to go with something that doesn’t require batteries or regular charging.
That said, if you opt for an electric toothbrush, it might be worth looking into one that offers dual voltage. With this functionality, you won’t need to tie down a travel adapter or risk burning out your toothbrush when charging it abroad.
Antimicrobial
Shopping for a toothbrush with antimicrobial properties is key, especially if you tend to throw your toothbrush into the depths of your bag when commuting. Antimicrobial bristles hinder bacterial growth between uses, ensuring your mouth stays as healthy as possible.
Britsle type
Toothbrush bristles are available in soft, medium and hard varieties. Most people prefer a medium bristle variety, but if you tend to brush hard you might want to opt for a softer bristle to help protect your gums and enamel. Pay attention to the bristle type when picking out a new travel toothbrush.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite dentist-approved travel toothbrushes on the market right now that’ll make maintaining your oral hygiene on the go easy and stress-free.
The Tour Travel Brush by Radius is a well-loved manual option that is both made in the US and eco-conscious, thanks to the removable and replaceable brush head. The innovative brush also offers a sanitary “jackknife” design that allows you to stash the brush head directly into the handle, eliminating the need for a toothbrush travel holder altogether. The fan-bristled brush head is both wide-reaching and relatively soft, which will facilitate a whole-mouth clean without irritating gums or enamel.
Looking for an even more eco-friendly option? This set of bamboo and charcoal toothbrushes is made from sustainably sourced and biodegradable materials that are additive-, coloring- and BPA-free. The bamboo charcoal fiber bristles are soft and springy to use, and they actually work to polish and brighten your teeth. What’s more is that this set of full-size toothbrushes also comes with a bamboo travel toothbrush case for easy transport.
The Gum Travel Toothbrush looks like a regular drugstore-variety travel toothbrush on the surface, but at a closer glance, this antibacterial brush is one of the best compact travel options we’ve seen. The specially coated bristles help the brush stay clean and bacteria-free between brushes, while the built-in travel cap protects bristles from damage. And, at the low price point of $8 for six toothbrushes, this is the perfect option to stock up for all your future travels.
This extra-soft toothbrush set was crafted for sensitive teeth — and it also happens to be one of the cutest travel toothbrush options on this list. The extra-soft and fine bristles won’t harm enamel or cause gum irritation but still ensure a whole-mouth clean, while the 22-hole design allows the brush head to dry out much faster than the average toothbrush, helping to keep it clean. The brush set of four comes in a variety of cute pastel colorways, and each brush comes with its own travel case.
The Suri Sustainable Electric Toothbrush offers a dentist-approved clean with a slim aluminum body, plant-based brush heads, more than 40 days of battery life and a 100-day money-back guarantee, embodying sustainability without compromise.
We could all brush a little smarter — and the Colgate Hum Toothbrush is one of the easiest ways to learn to brush better. The innovative Bluetooth brush comes with a free mobile app that offers guidance and suggestions based on your existing brushing habits. The smart brush also comes with a compact — and quite stylish — toothbrush travel case so you can bring your team of virtual dentists on the road with you.
Looking for a toothbrush that combines both the effectiveness of an electric brush head and the convenience of being compact? The Quip Sonic Toothbrush is a winner in our books. This compact toothbrush offers a slim plastic handle and removable and replaceable brush head with a built-in tongue scraper for added effectiveness. It’s operated by replaceable AAA batteries, which means you won’t need to worry about carrying cords and power adapters with you. It also comes with a slim travel case that doubles as a mirror mount or stand.
Featuring an industry-leading motor that produces more than 40,000 vibrations per minute, the AquaSonic Vibe Series was made for those who want next-level cleaning abilities for a fraction of the price of bigger brand-name brushes. The AquaSonic comes with an ultra-sleek and waterproof travel case — and, most importantly, it can run for a full month on a single charge. This set comes with a whopping eight brush heads, meaning you’ll be well stocked on travel toothbrush essentials for years to come.
The Oral-B Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is an excellent choice for travel thanks to its compact design and rechargeable battery. It comes with a travel case, which protects the brush during transport and keeps it clean. The long battery life of Oral-B toothbrushes means you can often travel for several days without the need to recharge.
The Voom Sonic Go looks more like a sophisticated department store lipstick tube than a travel toothbrush — just look at the art deco-inspired turquoise blue and bright red colorways. The sleek design is only made better thanks to the dentist-recommended sonic cleaning technology and compact travel toothbrush case. It’s AAA battery-operated, so no need to pack extra cords and power adapters with you when you’re traveling internationally.
The most sanitary way to travel with a toothbrush involves several steps. Using a ventilated toothbrush holder that covers the brush head but allows air circulation to prevent bacterial growth is sometimes recommended by experts. Also, ensure your toothbrush is dry before packing it to reduce the risk of bacteria thriving in a moist environment.
You should try to protect your toothbrush bristles from contact with other items in your luggage by using a travel case or cover. While traveling, clean both the toothbrush and holder regularly by rinsing them thoroughly under hot water or soaking them briefly in antibacterial mouthwash.
When you reach your destination, allow the toothbrush to air dry completely outside of its holder. Some travelers prefer using a low-cost travel-specific toothbrush that they replace after each trip, which might be more hygienic.
Zip-close bags trap moisture and prevent proper air circulation. That makes for an environment conducive to bacterial growth and could potentially lead to mold or mildew growth on your toothbrush.
Instead, we recommend using a ventilated toothbrush holder that covers the brush head while allowing for air circulation. If you don’t have a proper case, wrapping your dry toothbrush in a clean paper towel can be a temporary solution.
Further, keeping your toothbrush in a separate compartment of your toiletry bag can also help avoid contact with other items. The key is to keep your toothbrush as dry as possible between uses to minimize bacterial growth. If you must use a zip-close bag, ensure your toothbrush is completely dry before storing it, and leave the bag slightly open to allow for some air circulation.
Yes, you can pack an electric toothbrush in your suitcase, but keep a few important considerations in mind.
Battery-powered electric toothbrushes are generally safe for both checked and carry-on luggage. However, if your toothbrush has a lithium-ion battery, airline regulations require you to pack it in your carry-on. Most electric toothbrushes come with travel cases to protect them during transport and prevent moisture buildup.
Don’t forget the charger for longer trips, and check if you need a voltage converter for international travel. While electric toothbrushes are convenient, some prefer manual toothbrushes to avoid battery or charging issues.
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