Best Teeth Whitening Kits 2026: 9 Dentist-Approved Picks

Type: Tray | Active ingredient: 10% hydrogen peroxide  | Usage directions: 15 to 30 minutes daily | Number of treatments: 10

Best for:

• First-time users
• Noticeable, long-lasting results
• Protecting your teeth in the long term; this formula contains xylitol to protect against decay

Skip if:

• You have sensitive 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.

Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 6% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 10 to 30 minutes daily | Number of treatments: 30

Best for:

• First-time users thanks to clear, easy instructions
• Its built-in 10-minute timer
• Fast results

Skip if:

• You prefer a pre-filled tray option

If you’re new to at-home teeth whitening, the SmilePro Advanced Whitening Kit is a great option. “This was super easy and convenient to use, without a ton of wasteful items,” says our tester. “Everything was housed neatly, the instructions were very clear and simple to follow, and I feel the product actually worked.” Apply a layer of gel to your teeth using the click-activated pen, then place the tray in your mouth and press the power button. The wireless, rechargeable tray has three LED light modes (blue light, red light and a combination of the two) that automatically shuts off after 10 minutes, but you can repeat the cycle up to two more times if you want to go for the maximum treatment time of 30 minutes. According to the brand, results can be seen in as little as a week. 

The formula’s 6% hydrogen peroxide is a bit on the higher end in terms of concentration, but our tester only experienced mild sensitivity—and no pain—after 14 days of daily use. She also mentions that the instructions recommend avoiding stain-causing products like coffee and wine for 10 to 12 hours following each treatment, which makes planning treatment sessions a bit tricky if you’re a daily coffee drinker.

Type: Strips | Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 30 to 60 minutes daily | Number of treatments: 22

Best for:

• Fast results
• Budget-conscious shoppers
• Mess-free convenience

Skip if:

• You have a tight schedule; treatment time is on the longer side

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 can brighten teeth, and according to the brand they can get up to 18 shades whiter in 20 days. “I’d say within 10 to 12 days, I tend to already see a slight difference in terms of the shade of my teeth,” says one of our testers, who has used the product on several occasions. 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 your teeth are easily aggravated by peroxide, 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 of our testers says.

Type: Strips | Active ingredients: Coconut oil, sage oil, citrus lemon peel oil, Dead Sea salt | Usage directions: 30 minutes daily for one week | Number of treatments: 9

Best for:

• Those who want a plant-based formula
• Its tolerable taste
• Sensitive teeth

Skip if:

• You’re looking for fast results

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 peroxide and instead feature plant-based ingredients including essential oils like sage, lemon and coconut, as well as Dead Sea salts. For this reason, the formula is less bitter-tasting than peroxide-based formulas. Multiple reviewers mention that these whitening strips take longer to show results that the Crest 3D Whitestrips, but for some, it’s a fair tradeoff for a gentler product. 

Type: Pen | Active ingredient: 9% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 60 seconds, two times daily | Number of treatments: 40 and up

Best for:

• Those who are short on time
• Quick touch-ups
• Using on the go

Skip if:

• You’re looking for more noticeable, professional-level results

Auraglow’s teeth whitening pen features a high concentration of hydrogen 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.

Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 8% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 5 to 30 minutes daily | Number of treatments: 6

Best for:

• Those who are short on time
• Hydration and enamel protection
• Easy portability

Skip if:

• Taste is a dealbreaker; this gel tastes bitter, according to our tester

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.”

Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 6% hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 8 minutes (three times per day for five days) | Number of treatments: 20

Best for:

• Those who are short on time
• Fast results
• Extras like a sleek storage pouch and lip balm

Skip if:

• You’re on a tight budget

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 ten shades brighter in as little as five days. Plus, it includes a lip balm to prevent dry, cracked lips as well as a storage pouch for easy portability. 

Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: 35% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 10 to 15 minutes daily | Number of treatments: 21

Best for:

• Its cordless design
• Sensitive and non-sensitive teeth, thanks to two LED light modes
• Travel

Skip if:

• You’ll get frustrated with a sensitive timer button

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.

Type: Tray | Active ingredient: 22% carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 45 minutes daily | Number of treatments: 9 to 27, depending on package

Best for:

• Sensitive and non-sensitive teeth—there are different options for each
• Customizing the length of your treatment
• Custom-fitted trays

Skip if:

• You have a tight schedule—the suggested usage time is 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 lower teeth, which allows the company to create custom-fitting trays. Huang considers this as close as it gets to having your teeth professionally whitened. It comes with a 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.