Many people wish for whiter teeth, but the big bills that can come with them are less popular. Getting a brighter smile from your dentist can be expensive, and with less money to go around, you could consider going a different route. A recent CNET survey found that 93% of Americans are concerned about the rising costs of living, but that doesn't mean you necessarily have to forgo the teeth you've always wanted. At-home whitening strips can help remove surface stains and give your teeth a brighter appearance, all while costing a lot less than going the professional route.
Health comes before vanity so check with your dentist first -- especially if you have a history of enamel erosion or need dental work such as filling a cavity. You should also take precautions when using whitening strips if you have crowns, veneers or fillings, as whitening products may affect these differently.
Our Picks
What is the best teeth whitening strip overall?
Crest 3D Whitestrips are our pick as the best teeth whitening strips overall because our tests determined that they had the best results with the most effective active ingredients. If you have surface stains from years of tea, coffee and wine consumption, the whitening agent in Crest 3D Whitestrips can effectively whiten teeth by as much as 23 levels.
Best teeth whitening strips of 2025
- Up to 23 levels whiter teeth in about 24 days
- Remove up to 14 years of stains
- Active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide
- You might find the coverage to be less than you want
- Most expensive on this list
Crest 3D Whitestrips are truly a classic. They're easy to find and easy to use and I've used them many times. Each Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects box contains 48 strips for 24 treatments. Wear one strip a day for 30 minutes and Crest claims that you can remove up to 14 years of stains by the end of your last treatment.
One thing to keep in mind is that the coverage is a little less than other brands on this list. I found that the cover was OK, I just wished the strips would reach over my canines more. Despite that, Crest 3D is still my No. 1 on this list, because they're effective time and time again.
- Dissolves within 15 minutes
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- A refreshing mint flavor
- On the expensive side
- Must avoid eating and drinking for 30 minutes after application
If you don’t like the feeling of whitening strips sitting on your teeth for up to 30 minutes, you can try dissolving strips, instead. Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips are applied just like any other strips but after 15 minutes, they dissolve. There’s no unnecessary waste or mess and no need to rinse. The strips are also peppermint flavored.
Moon states that in two weeks or less you can whiten your teeth up to seven shades lighter. In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, these dissolving whitening strips are free of SLS/SLES (which can irritate skin), triclosan, parabens and artificial flavors.
- Natural alternative -- coconut oil is the active ingredient
- Contains 21 treatments in one box
- Up to 14 shades lighter in a maximum of three weeks
- On the pricey side
- May slip around
Anyone who has sensitive teeth should check out Lumineux Oral Essentials. Lumineux products don't include hydrogen peroxide and instead use a combination of dead sea salt, essential oils, coconut oil and aloe vera. The fit and coverage were great, although they did slip around a bit. Lumineux products are also cruelty-free.
I tested these for three consecutive days so I can't speak to the long-term efficacy compared with other brands but Lumineux did conduct a clinical trial that concluded Crest 3D Whitestrips were no more effective than Lumineux natural whitening strips. (The study was funded in part by Lumineux, however.) Still, I think they're worth a shot for people with sensitive teeth and gums.
- Price: $$
- Number of pieces: 42
- Active ingredient: Coconut oil
- Cruelty-free: Yes
- Results in: 3 weeks or less
- Level of whitening: Up to 14 shades
- 10 flavors to choose from including mint, coconut, strawberry and wintergreen
- Nonslip design
- Results in two weeks or less
- The brand doesn’t say how many levels of whitening is possible
- May not be suitable for sensitive teeth
Zimba whitening strips are affordable and effective at lightening the shade of your teeth. One pack comes with 28 strips for results in 14 days or less. Wear one strip for 30 minutes a day.
This cruelty-free brand has found a way to combat one of the negatives of whitening strips -- the strong, bitter taste. Zimba offers 10 flavors to choose from, including watermelon and spearmint. On top of that, the strips have a nonslip design that grip the teeth during each treatment.
Best Teeth Whitening Strips of 2025
| Teeth Whitening Strips | Number of Strips | Results in... | Level of whitening | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crest 3D Whitestrips | 48 | About 24 days | 23 shades | $30 |
| Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips | 56 | 14 days or less | 7 shades | $32 |
| Lumineux Oral Essentials Whitening Strips | 42 | 3 weeks or less | 14 shades | $30 |
| Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips | 28 | 14 days or less | Not listed | $19 |
How we chose teeth whitening strips
I began this list of teeth whitening strips with teeth whitening products that could potentially make it into this roundup, looking at things like brand reputation, buyer reviews on Amazon and full reviews by other writers. After narrowing the lengthy list of teeth whitening strips, I started testing.
It would be impossible to test the long-term efficacy of all of these whitening strips without annihilating my enamel and gum tissue or distinguishing results with back-to-back testing on my own teeth, so I judged each product against a few criteria that I think will help you make a buying decision.
Factors to consider when choosing teeth whitening strips
Before buying your next box of teeth whitening strips, consider these factors.
Fit
You want your strips to fully cover your teeth and not go up over your gums, which can cause gum sensitivity. Additionally, their fit should be snug. While you go about your day, waiting for it to be time to take the strips off, they should not slip and slide around your mouth.
Coverage
While whitening your molars is not necessary (since you hardly see them anyway), your teeth whitening strips should still cover a good percentage of your teeth. After you apply the strip, smile and look in the mirror. Is the strip touching all of the teeth you can see in your normal smile? If not, time to try another brand.
Ease of use
Whitening strips should be simple. Apply the product, wait a specified amount of time and take them off. If the teeth whitening strips require other steps or seem difficult to use, try another brand.
Sensations
If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for products that will give you the least amount of sensitivity. Oftentimes, hydrogen peroxide is too strong for sensitive teeth, so try coconut oil, instead. Don’t suffer through a product if it burns your gums or hurts your teeth.
Length of wear
Most strips require at least 30 minutes of wear in order to get the best results. If you have sensitive teeth or not enough time for teeth whitening strips, look for products that don’t require much wear.