Whiter teeth are top of everyone’s beauty wish list. Whether you’re a coffee addict or need to remove the telltale signs of a few too many merlots, there’s a kit out there for you.
Although, of course, they won’t provide the same results as professional whitening, home kits are budget-friendly, quick, easy-to-use, and really do work - just ask our 318 testers who put the most popular kits through their paces to find the very best.
Ready for a brighter smile? Scroll down for the best DIY whitening kits and tools to add to your basket now.
Are whitening kits bad for your teeth?
Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits in the UK can only contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide – the number one whitening ingredient - while professional whitening, done by a dentist, can use up to 6%. Though this limits how much of a whitening effect DIY kits can have on teeth, it could be dangerous to handle a stronger solution untrained at home.
"Home teeth whitening kits have developed for the better in recent years," says Dr Hanna Kinsella, cosmetic dentist and founder of Icy Bear Dental. "Even so, it's important to consider your health and safety and only buy trusted kits from reputable sellers.
"Unfortunately, some treatments can do more harm than good by damaging the tooth enamel or irritating your gums, especially if you already suffer from dental sensitivity."
If you’re nervous to start a course of whitening treatments, always talk to your dentist first to see if it’s suitable for you.
"Make an appointment with your dentist" says Dr Kinsella. "In-clinic whitening will give you the best results every time, because we can legally use stronger products with higher concentrations of bleach. These DIY alternatives can still be effective, but they're usually much weaker and best used as a top-up."
How often should you whiten your teeth?
As with most things in life, everything in moderation. Never use an at-home kit more often than recommended in its instructions and they should only be used as a one-off treatment, rather than a form of daily maintenance.
"Always follow the treatment programme to the letter," says Dr Kinsella, who adds that "consistency is key".
How long the whitening effect lasts is down to your individual lifestyle and teeth (as some teeth have naturally darker shades of enamel). But, in general, expect to see results last for a few months.
How we test
Our panel of 318 testers tried 21 teeth whitening kits to find the ones that really deliver. They reviewed how easy each one was to use, treatment time, and how teeth looked and felt after use.
We also performed a lab test using a VISIA complexion analyser, and took pictures of testers' teeth before and after the trial to see any brightening effects using a whiteness scale.
1
Best teeth whitening kit
Billion Dollar Smile Cosmetics USB LED Teeth Whitening Kit
1
Best teeth whitening kit
Billion Dollar Smile Cosmetics USB LED Teeth Whitening Kit
Teeth whitening doesn’t get any easier than this LED mouthpiece, which can be plugged into either your phone or laptop for handy on-the-go use.
The treatment takes just 16 minutes, after which the LED light switches off so you know it’s done. Our testers saw results in as little as four days.
Key specifications
Treatment time: 16 minutes
Treatment duration: 6 days
Format: LED light and mouthpiece
2
Best whitening strips
Spotlight Teeth Whitening System
2
Best whitening strips
Spotlight Teeth Whitening System
Designed by dentists, these strips contain hydrogen peroxide to penetrate the top layer of enamel and brighten and eradicate tough stains.
The strips themselves didn’t make a mess and were simple to use. The average tester saw results within eight days of committed use, without causing any tooth or gum pain.
Key specifications
Treatment time: One hour
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format: Strips
3
Best for reducing stains
Billion Dollar Smile Teeth Whitening Strips
These minty-fresh strips help tackle stubborn stains caused by one too many cups of tea (or red wine). Though tough on stains, they were gentle on teeth, and didn't cause anysensitivity. Impressively, 77% of our panelreported a snowy-white smile, while 69% said prominent stains appeared reduced.
Key specifications
Treatment time: 15 minutes
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format: Strips
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4
Best whitening pen
Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Pen
4
Best whitening pen
Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Pen
This was a favourite among our panel for how compact and quick it was to use, leaving behind a “natural-looking whiteness”. It avoided any messiness and sensitivity but still left 69% of testerswith a whiter smile.
Key specifications
Treatment time: 5 minutes
Treatment duration: Instant
Format: Pen
5
Best for sensitive teeth
Millionaire Smile Teeth Whitening Kit
5
Best for sensitive teeth
Millionaire Smile Teeth Whitening Kit
Trust us, this set is a game changer for sensitive teeth. Peroxide-free, its gentle on teeth and sensitive gums, and couldn't have been easier to use. The sleek design of the LED light and mouth tray earned it extra points, while 75% of testers were left witha whiter smile.
Key specifications
Treatment time: 20-30 minutes
Treatment duration: 6 days
Format: LED light and mouth piece
6
Best vegan teeth whitening pen
Moon Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen 2.65ml
6
Best vegan teeth whitening pen
Moon Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen 2.65ml
Now 33% Off
Teeth whitening doesn’t have to taste chemically – case in point, this vegan formula has a pleasant mix of vanilla and mint.
It provided half our testers with whiter smiles in just a few clicks, without causing any sensitivity. You do need to keep your mouth open for 30 seconds whilst it dries – which some found to be a little tricky – however this didn’t bother the majority of our panel.
Key specifications
Treatment time: 10-30 minutes
Treatment duration: Instant
Format: Pen
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7
Best for comfort
Boots Expert Teeth Whitening Kit with Blue Light Activation
7
Best for comfort
Boots Expert Teeth Whitening Kit with Blue Light Activation
We'll admit, mouthpieces are typically not the most comfortable, which is why this set stood out from the crowd. It was commended for how comfortable it was to wear, with the majority of our panel noticing existing stains disappear.
Aiming to leave teeth 10 shades whiter in just a week, 67% of testers reported more dazzling pearly whites, which our lab test confirmed. It wasn’t the most mess-free method to use, but it was effective and gentle on teeth.
Key specifications
Treatment time: 15-20 minutes
Treatment duration: 7 days
Format: LED light and mouthpiece
8
Best 2-in-1 kit
Beverly Hills Professional 2-in-1 Whitening Kit
Offering excellent value for money, this budget-friendly kit comes with 28 whitening strips and a pen to target any troublesome areas. Itleft half our testers with whiter teeth.Not bad.Formulated with coconut oil, which issaid to reduce the pesky plaque-causing bacteria, our testers found it had a pleasant taste, too.
Key specifications
Treatment time: 30 minutes
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format: Strips
9
Best for travel
Mr. Blanc Teeth Whitening Strips
Described as“comfortable, quick and easy to use”, this kit comes with individually packaged strips, so you can pop one in your wash bag and go.
The peroxide-free formula had a pleasant taste and scent, which didn't cause any sensitivity for 75% of testers and left half our panel with a brighter smile.
Key specifications
Treatment time: 30 minutes
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format: Strips
