Best Electric Toothbrushes for Sensitive Teeth (UK) 2026
Medically reviewed by Dr Zaeem Jafri BDS on 28th January 2026
If brushing your teeth regularly leaves you wincing, you’re not alone. Tooth sensitivity affects millions of people in the UK, often caused by enamel wear, gum recession, or over-brushing. The good news? The right electric toothbrush can make a huge difference.
Modern electric toothbrushes now come with dedicated cleaning modes to tackle sensitivity, pressure sensors to encourage you to stop pressing so hard, ultra-soft brush heads and smart tech designed to protect delicate enamel and gums, while still delivering a thorough clean.
Below, we’ve rounded up the seven best electric toothbrushes for sensitive teeth, focusing on trusted brands Oral-B, Philips Sonicare and Suri, all of which offer clinically backed solutions for gentler brushing.
How have we tested these brushes?
The brushes featured on this page have all been tried and tested by Dr Zaeem Jafri, our founder and expert dentist. And are a result of personal opinion.
None of the brushes featured on this page are going to be bad for your teeth, but they will all have individual characteristics that suit certain people, and our goal is to help you understand what might be right for you.
Key features we have considered
Cost
Cleaning power
Two-minute timers
Pressure sensor
Brushing technique features and cleaning modes
Ease of use
Travel Features
Sensitive Teeth and Gums: What You Need to Know
Sensitive teeth and gums occur when enamel wears down or gums recede, exposing the nerves beneath the tooth surface. This can lead to sharp discomfort when brushing, or when eating and drinking hot, cold, sweet or acidic foods.
Common causes of tooth sensitivity include:
Enamel erosion caused by frequent exposure to acidic foods and drinks or long-term use of abrasive brushing techniques, which gradually wear away the protective outer layer of the tooth
Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with firm bristles, which can damage enamel and irritate the gumline over time
Gum recession, where the gums pull back from the teeth, exposing the sensitive tooth roots that are not protected by enamel
Tooth decay or damage, such as cavities, cracked teeth or worn fillings, which allow temperature and bacteria to reach the nerve more easily
Recent dental treatments, including teeth whitening, fillings or professional cleaning, which can temporarily increase tooth and gum sensitivity
Using an electric toothbrush designed for sensitive teeth, with a gentle cleaning mode, pressure sensor and soft brush head, can help protect enamel, reduce gum irritation and prevent sensitivity from getting worse. With all that said, which are actually the best?
The Best Electric Toothbrushes for Sensitive Teeth
Oral-B Genius X
Key Specs
2-min timer: Yes
Pressure sensor: Yes
Cleaning modes: 6 - Daily cleaning, Pro Clean, Sensitive, Whitening, Gum protection and Tongue cleaning
Battery life: 1 month
The Oral-B Genius X is one of the most well-rounded electric toothbrushes for anyone dealing with sensitivity. It combines Oral-B’s signature oscillating-rotating technology with a dedicated Sensitive mode and an intelligent pressure sensor that visibly alerts you if you’re brushing too hard.
Its round brush head is especially effective at cleaning along the gumline without scrubbing, making it ideal for those prone to gum irritation or enamel wear. Paired with Oral-B’s extra-soft sensitive brush heads, it delivers a controlled, gentle clean that still feels reassuringly thorough.
Why it’s great for sensitivity:
Gentle mode, excellent pressure control and proven plaque removal without harsh brushing.
Oral-B iO9
Key Specs
2-min timer: Yes
Pressure sensor: Yes
Cleaning modes: 7 - Daily Clean, Sensitive, Whiten, Gum Care, Intense, Super Sensitive, Tongue Clean
Battery life: 1 month
The iO Series 9 is one of Oral-B’s most refined brush to date, using a magnetic drive system that produces smoother, quieter and more controlled brushing than older models. It includes a Sensitive Clean mode that’s noticeably softer than standard settings, yet still highly effective.
Real-time feedback via the handle display and Ai-integrated app helps guide brushing habits, while the smart pressure sensor ensures you never overdo it and press too hard, which is a major cause of sensitivity.
Why it’s great for sensitivity:
Exceptionally smooth brushing action with outstanding pressure regulation.
Oral-B iO5
Key Specs
2-min timer: Yes
Pressure sensor: Yes
Cleaning modes: 5 - Daily Clean, Sensitive, Whiten, Gum Care, Super Sensitive
Battery life: 1 month
If you want reliable sensitivity care without a premium price tag, the Oral-B iO5 is a strong contender. It includes two dedicated modes for sensitivity (one that lowers the vibration intensity even further) and a pressure sensor that slows the brush when you press too hard. It’s also remarkably cost-effective, with some of the top-end specs like AI smartphone mapping, but it costs less than £100 on Amazon right now.
Why it’s great for sensitivity:
Affordable, dentist-recommended tech that prevents aggressive brushing.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100
Key specs
2-min timer: Yes
Pressure sensor: Yes
Cleaning modes: 4 - Clean, Sensitive, Gum Health and White at 3 intensities
Battery life: Two weeks
For those who prefer sonic technology, the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 is one of the best options for sensitivity. It delivers up to 31,000 brush vibrations per minute, but crucially allows you to dial down intensity with multiple settings — including a gentler, low-power option that still eliminates bacteria and plaque, but the ability to reduce the intensity of the clean makes it great for mid-brush customisation.
The pressure sensor provides a subtle pulsing alert rather than a harsh stop, which many users with sensitivity find less disruptive.
Why it’s great for sensitivity:
High cleaning efficiency with adjustable intensity and a softer brushing feel.
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9400 Smart
Key specs
2-min timer: Yes
Pressure sensor: Yes
Cleaning modes: 4 - Clean, White+, Deep Clean+ and Gum Health
Battery life: Two weeks
If budget isn’t a concern and you want maximum control, the DiamondClean Smart offers multiple brushing modes including Sensitive and Gum Care, alongside different intensity levels for fine-tuning your routine, as well as Philips’ high-quality sonic pulse tech to gently, but firmly, lift plaque from your teeth.
It’s particularly well suited to people managing long-term sensitivity or early gum recession, thanks to its ability to combine gentle brushing with extended gum care cycles.
Why it’s great for sensitivity:
Highly customisable brushing experience with ultra-soft brush head options.
Suri 2.0
Key specs
2-min timer: Yes
Pressure sensor: Yes
Cleaning modes: 2 - Clean, Daily
Battery life: One month
Suri has built its reputation around sustainability and gentle oral care, and the 2.0 edition of Suri’s premium toothbrush lives up to that promise. Designed with ultra-soft bristles and a noticeably lighter brushing feel, it’s ideal for those who find traditional electric toothbrushes too aggressive.
The minimalist design hides a well-tuned motor that prioritises comfort over power, making it a strong choice for people with enamel erosion or gum sensitivity.
Why it’s great for sensitivity:
Exceptionally soft brushing with an emphasis on comfort and control.
How to Choose an Electric Toothbrush for Sensitive Teeth
Once you’ve decided to go ahead and pick up an electric toothbrush to tackle sensitive teeth, there are a few things you need to look out for specifically to ensure you’re getting the best experience. A lot of brushes have plenty of marketing tactics to tempt you into buying them, and many won’t help with sensitivity issues, so below we’ve laid out the most important features to help narrow your search.
Look for a Sensitive or Gum Care Mode
Most brushes have at least one cleaning mode that sets the intensity of the vibration. A higher vibration can exacerbate the problem and make you feel more uncomfortable while brushing, so look for a brush that has dedicated modes that lower the speed or intensity and reduce the irritation without sacrificing on cleaning power.
Prioritise Pressure Sensors
Over-brushing is one of the biggest causes of sensitivity. A pressure sensor is non-negotiable if your teeth or gums are easily irritated. These sensors will notify you when you’re pressing too hard or brushing too vigorously, shining a red LED light to let you know when you’re going too hard.
Choose the Right Brush Head
Extra-soft or sensitive brush heads are just as important as the handle itself. Stiff brushes are great for removing plaque but can be more painful to use. Finding softer bristles and then replacing them every three months can instantly improve your sessions and comfort..
Two-minute timers
Almost all electric toothbrushes have two-minute timers
Once again, brushing too much can also have a negative effect on your dental care, so sticking to the dentist-recommended two minutes will help reduce irritation. Most electric brushes have a built-in timer that will turn the brush off when you’ve completed the two minutes. Sticking to the routine will help keep you on time and reduce any chance to make matters worse.
Final Verdict
Sensitive teeth don’t mean compromising on oral hygiene. Whether you prefer the precision of Oral-B, the gentle efficiency of Philips Sonicare, or the minimalist comfort of Suri, today’s electric toothbrushes offer excellent solutions for pain-free brushing.
Choose a model with a dedicated sensitive mode, a reliable pressure sensor and soft brush heads — your teeth (and gums) will thank you. Ultimately, the most important thing to focus on is maintaining a proper routine and technique
