Forbes writers and editors independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more
Forbes Vetted
ByJane Sung, Deputy Editor
I oversee beauty and grooming, and have covered lifestyle for decades.
If you’re looking to brighten your smile, using the right teeth whitening product is more affordable and convenient than going into the dentist’s office. Products for home use come in various forms, including strips, trays and LED mouthpieces, so you can choose an option that fits your oral care routine and preferences. As the deputy editor who oversees Forbes Vetted’s beauty vertical, I rounded up the best teeth whitening kits based on recommendations from dentists and insights from five staff testers. My top pick is the Opalescence Go, which is beginner friendly and comes in two strength options. If you prefer teeth whitening strips, I recommend the Crest 3D Whitestrips, thanks to their no-slip grip.
When shopping for the right treatment, look for active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are effective in diminishing stains, according to dentists. “Hydrogen peroxide works by breaking down into water and oxygen, which oxidizes stains and bleaches teeth,” says cosmetic dentist Dr. James Heaton. “Carbamide peroxide is a combination of hydrogen peroxide and urea, which acts similarly but at a slower rate.” (We’ve also rounded up the top peroxide-free formulas for those who looking for a whitening product for sensitive teeth.) Read on for the best teeth whitening kits that are safe and effective, plus expert tips on how to use them.
Best Teeth Whitening Kit Overall: Opalescence Go
Best Teeth Whitening Strips: Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects
Best For Sensitive Teeth: Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
Best For Fast Results: Laughland Whitening Kit
Best Custom Teeth Whitening Kit: Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Trays
Best LED Teeth Whitening Kit: Glo Science Classic Brilliant Kit
Best Wireless LED Teeth Whitening Kit: Ollm LED Teeth Whitening Kit
Best Peroxide-Free Teeth Whitening Kit: Boka Rapid Radiance Teeth Whitening Kit
Best Teeth Whitening Pen: Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen
Best Teeth Whitening Kit Overall
Pre-Filled Trays Recommended By A Dentist
Opalescence Go
Type: Tray | Active ingredient: 10% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 15 to 30 minutes daily
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Option of two different strengths
- Contains xylitol to protect against decay
Cons:
- Some find the single line of gel doesn’t adequately coat all teeth
The Opalescence Go is available in two strengths—10% hydrogen peroxide and 15% hydrogen peroxide—and is easy to use thanks to pre-filled trays. NYC-based dentist Dr. Sharon Huang finds it ideal for at-home use. “It’s strong enough to be effective, but not too strong that it will make teeth sensitive or cause harm when used as instructed,” she says. It also contains xylitol, which helps reduce the risk of decay, as well as potassium nitrate, which works to desensitize teeth during the whitening process, according to Heaton. For best results, the trays should be worn for 15 to 30 minutes daily over the course of five to seven days.
Best Teeth Whitening Strips
Tried-And-True Option
Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects
Type: Strips | Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 30 to 60 minutes daily
Pros:
- Fast results
- Affordable
- Convenient strips
Cons:
- Not ideal for those with sensitive teeth
A good teeth whitening kit doesn’t have to be tricky to use or expensive. Heaton recommends Crest’s 3D Whitestrips, which are affordable, portable and provide noticeable results. A single 60-minute session will brighten teeth, and according to the brand they can get up to 18 shades whiter in 20 days. “Crest Whitestrips produce noticeable results, and quickly," says one of our testers, who has used the product on several occasions. "I’d say within 10 to 12 days, I tend to already see a slight difference in terms of the shade of my teeth. The set includes 20 mess-free whitening strips infused with hydrogen peroxide. The best part is that they cling to your teeth and stay put, so you can go about your day as usual.
If you have sensitive teeth, I recommend the sensitive version of the Whitestrips. “Once I switched to these, I noticed my teeth were significantly less sensitive compared to when I used the regular strips,” another member of our testing panel says.
Best For Sensitive Teeth
Gentle, Plant-Based Alternative
Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
Type: Strips |Active ingredients:Coconut oil, sage oil, citrus lemon peel oil, Dead Sea salt |Usage directions:30 minutes daily for one week
Pros:
- Plant-based ingredients
- Less chance of causing sensitivity
- Enamel safe
Cons:
- Some found the strips hard to use
Whitening your smile can cause discomfort regardless of whether you have sensitive teeth or not; treatments can leave your mouth feeling tender or sore. Peroxide—a key ingredient in many whitening products—is often the culprit for that aching sensation. Lumineux’s strips are free of this and instead feature plant-based ingredients and including essential oils like sage, lemon and coconut, as well as Dead Sea salts.
Best For Fast Results
Professional-Quality And Fun To Use
Type: LED whitening tray |Active ingredient:8% hydrogen peroxide |Usage directions:5 to 30 minutes daily
Pros:
- Fast results
- Features glycerin for hydration and enamel protection
- LED mouthpiece is powered by plugging it into your phone
Cons:
- Gel can taste bitter to some
Laughland’s whitening kit combines professional-grade results with the convenience and ease of home use. It comes with an LED mouthpiece that’s powered by plugging it into your phone. It’s recommended that you use it for a minimum of five minutes (and up to 30 minutes, for teeth that are not sensitive), for a duration of six days.
“Unlike other teeth whiteners I’ve used, this one gave me no tooth sensitivity during or after treatments, which I really appreciate,” says one of our testers, who has used it for several days at a time. “It’s also fun to use—just plug the mouthguard into your phone and watch it glow. It’s brightened my teeth after just a few uses." According to clinical trials by the brand, 100% of participants had results without any increase in sensitivity. Our tester’s biggest criticism is that "the gel tastes incredibly bitter if you get it on your tongue, but if you’re careful you can avoid it.”
Best Custom Teeth Whitening Kit
Customized System That Fits Your Needs
Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Trays
Type: Tray | Active ingredient: 22% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 45 minutes daily
Pros:
- Sensitive and non-sensitive options
- Packages available at different prices
- Customizable
Cons:
- Suggested usage time can be longer than other kits
This kit from Smile Brilliant takes the guesswork out of whitening your teeth. The process includes taking molds of your upper and lowerteeth, which allows the company to creates custom-fitting trays. Huang considers this as close as it gets to having your teeth professionally whitened. It comes witha whitening gel made from 22% carbamide peroxide and a syringe for applying the solution to the trays. If you choose the sensitive option, the kit also includes desensitizing gel to make the process more comfortable.
Best LED Teeth Whitening Kit
High-Tech Option With Helpful Extras
MOST POPULAR
Glo Science Classic Brilliant Kit
Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 6% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 8 minutes (4 times per day for 5 days)
Pros:
- Shorter use time (under 10 minutes)
- User-friendly
- Includes sleek travel case
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other options
New York-based dentist Dr. Angelique Freking recommends Glo Science’s whitening device for its use of light technology. “This kit uses hydrogen peroxide and a tray with LED light built in to brighten your teeth,” she says. An added bonus is how quickly you’ll start seeing results. The brand claims to whiten teeth up to five shades brighter in as little as one week. Plus, it includes a lip balm to prevent dry, cracked lips as well as a hardshell travel case for easy portability.
Best Wireless LED Teeth Whitening Kit
Powerful Option With Two LED Modes
Ollm LED Teeth Whitening Kit
Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 35% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 15 minutes daily
Pros:
- Wireless design
- Fast results
- High concentration of peroxide
Cons:
- Timer button can be sensitive
- Formula may be too strong for sensitive teeth
Ollm’s rechargeable LED mouthpiece can be used just about anywhere thanks to its wireless design, which is particularly useful if you’re traveling. The kit comes with three tubes of highly concentrated gel featuring 35% carbamide peroxide, as well as two interchangeable trays. To use, coat your teeth with the gel, insert the mouthpiece and turn on the blue LED light for 15 minutes. For more sensitive teeth, the brand recommends the red light setting, as the session only lasts 10 minutes. The device will automatically beep when the timer is up, after which you rinse your mouth to remove the remaining formula.
With daily use, results can be noticed in as little as one week. “Even after a single session, I noticed my teeth looked a hint whiter—with regular use, they’ve become noticeably brighter," says one of our testers. However, she notes that the timer button can be very sensitive (she has accidentally reset it with her lip), and that you have to remain still while using the device.
Best Peroxide-Free Teeth Whitening Kit
Non-Irritating Treatment With A Wireless Tray
Boka Rapid Radiance Teeth Whitening Kit
Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredients: Phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid (PAP), nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HP) | Usage directions: 15 minutes a day
Pros:
- Wireless design
- Strengthens enamel
- Ideal for sensitive teeth
Cons:
- PAP-based formulas haven’t been tested as much as peroxide-based formulas
Looking to avoid peroxide? The serum formula in this Boka kit contains clinically studied ingredient phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid (or PAP) to break down compounds that cause discoloration. And the addition of nano-hydroxyapatite helps minimize tooth sensitivity while rebuilding enamel.“Using the Boka mouthpiece was uncomplicated, and the whitening pens proved to be sufficient for the entire duration of my treatment,” says one of our testers. “Given my heightened teeth sensitivity, I’m particularly grateful for the peroxide-free whitening ingredients in this gel, as they were gentle and caused no discomfort.”
According to the brand, patients in a clinical trial noticed significantly whiter teeth after one week of daily use. And since the rechargeable device doesn’t need to be plugged in while you’re using it, you have the freedom to move about as you please.
Best Teeth Whitening Pen
Compact Pen That's Sleek And Portable
Type: Pen | Active ingredient: 35% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 60 seconds, twice daily
Pros:
- Fast results
- Great for touch-ups
- Portable
Cons:
- Not ideal for sensitive teeth
Auraglow’s teeth whitening pen features a high concentration of carbamide peroxide, making it a solid option for those who want quick results. Application is easy: Use the brush tip to coat your teeth with the gel and let it sit for about a minute. Avoid eating or drinking for the next hour, as the gel dissolves on its own. This pen is great for touch-ups, as you can choose to only coat certain spots instead of your whole mouth. Plus, its compact size makes it easy to maintain your teeth whitening efforts while traveling.
RECOMMENDED BYFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted beauty team has plenty of experience on the topic of oral care and personal products (as well as all other beauty and grooming categories).
- The author of this piece, deputy editor Jane Sung, oversees the beauty and grooming vertical and has two decades of experience covering beauty, wellness and style.
- Several dental professionals were consulted to share expert insights: NYC-based dentist Dr. Sharon Huang, cosmetic dentist Dr. James Heaton, Park Slope Dentistry Seventh Avenue director Dr. Angelique Freking and dentist Dr. Kami Hoss.
- This story is regularly updated to ensure that all product information is accurate and that our recommendations continue to meet the criteria for their respective superlatives. It was last refreshed in February 2025 by beauty writer Claire Epting.
How We Chose The Best Teeth Whitening Kits
When selecting the top teeth whitening kits, we first checked with oral care experts to get their firsthand insights; we also pored through customer reviews to make sure feedback was mostly positive.
- Three of the products on this list—the Opalescence Go, the Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Trays and the Glo Science Brilliance Kit—were specifically recommended by the dentists interviewed by Sung.
- Sung tapped five Forbes Vetted staffers to glean their firsthand experience using four of the products featured on this list including the Laughland At-Home Whitening Kit and Crest 3D Whitestrips.
- We made sure that only formulas with safe, dentist-approved active ingredients—such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide—were included. We also vetted alternatives to peroxide.
- We made sure the selected products accommodate various types of teeth, preferences and budgets.
What To Consider In The Best Teeth Whitening Kits
At-home teeth whitening kits come in many forms, so it’s a good idea to research the different types before finding the right one for you. Dentists recommend paying close attention to the following details.
Ingredients
Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are two of the most common ingredients recommended by dentists for whitening teeth. “Hydrogen peroxide is the main ingredient in most tooth whitening products; this or carbamide peroxide act as bleaching agents to change the color of teeth,” says dentist Dr. Kami Hoss. “Peroxide can partially penetrate the layers of teeth, removing compounds that cause discoloration.” However, those with very sensitive teeth might feel more comfortable taking a peroxide-free approach, with products like the Lumineux or Boka teeth whitening kits.
Concentration
The stronger the peroxide concentration in a formula, the more effective the product can be in removing discoloration from teeth. According to Heaton, most over-the-counter products feature a range in concentration from 3% to 10% of hydrogen peroxide and 10% to 35% of carbamide peroxide, while dental professionals typically offer treatments with concentrations up to 43%. You may need to be more patient with at-home treatments, as they can require more frequent usage before you see noticeable results.
Application Type
There are a few different options when it comes to application types: molded trays that are designed to sit over your teeth and keep them covered in a gel formula, mouthpieces with built-in LED lights, strips that adhere to your teeth, and pens filled with gels that coat your teeth. “Whitening strips are easy to use and effective, while gels provide more precise application,” says Heaton. “And LED devices can enhance the results when used with whitening gels because the light activates the ingredients.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits Safe?
The dentists that were consulted for this piece with all agree that teeth whitening kits are safe for at-home use, provided you pick one that’s made with recognizable, tested ingredients like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. “They can be quite effective and safe when used in the right way,” says Huang. With any teeth whitening kit you go with, make sure to follow the instructions closely and only apply the formula for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. Heaton says, “Improper application or overuse can lead to sensitivity or enamel damage, so it’s important to follow the instructions carefully.”
Is It Better To Whiten Teeth At The Dentist Or At Home?
Between the two options, whitening your teeth at home is typically the more cost-effective method. While teeth whitening procedures at the dentist can cost hundreds of dollars, at-home kits cost as little as $25. That being said, at-home methods often take longer to see results. If you prioritize effectiveness and don’t mind spending the money, an in-office whitening treatment may be worth it.
What Is The Most Effective At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit?
Teeth whitening kits with a higher peroxide concentration deliver the fastest, most noticeable results. The Ollm Teeth Whitening Kit features a 35% carbamide peroxide gel formula, which is designed to whiten your teeth up to nine shades in as little as a week. Similarly, the 35% carbamide peroxide formula found in the Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen brightens teeth up to 10 shades in one week, and it only requires around 60 seconds to apply. If you have sensitive teeth, however, you can still get quick results: Glo Science’s gentle 6% hydrogen peroxide formula lightens teeth by up to five shades in one week, thanks to the brand’s patented heat technology.
Send me a securetip.
Jane Sung
- Editorial Standards
- Forbes Accolades
