The Best Teeth Whitening Kits for a Brighter Smile

You’ve probably already tried the OG Crest Whitestrips, and you probably already know that, yes, they do work, but ugh—how does anyone remember to do them every single damn day? Cue: the next best thing. These white strips (which have been redesigned to really adhere to your teeth without any slipping) also come with a handheld blue light that helps the gel penetrate your enamel, making the whitening powers way more effective (fact: I noticed significantly brighter teeth after one session).

Just apply the white strips for 60 mins—I know; there’s the annoying part—and then hold the light up to your teeth for a few minutes until it beeps. Peel the strips off, rinse your mouth out, and boom—you’re good.

There's a high level of effort involved here—okay, so by “high” level of effort, I really just mean “more annoying than the other methods.” But this little kit is pretty much the best at-home whitener I’ve ever tested, so you weigh the pros with the cons. Just squirt the pre-loaded syringe of gel into the silicone mouth guard, insert it the guard (that has a light attached to it) into your mouth for 30 mins, and you’re done! Hella, bright, hella fast. The only downside is the fact that you’re biting down on oozy mouth guard for 30 straight minutes. But still, if you can handle the annoyance and discomfort, this kit will take you to tooth heaven. 

For those who can't be bothered with a daytime treatment, brush on this comfortable serum and let it do the work overnight. 

Try pairing this Kendall Jenner-approved powder with your go-to toothpaste for a low-lift way to ensure your teeth are taken care of. It's a vegan formula made of kaolin and bentonite clay that acts as a polisher to brush away discoloration and boost brightness. Two times a week, simply coat your toothbrush with paste then dip the bristles into this powder, which has a minty (not gross) flavor for optimal results. 

I'm sure you won't mind carving just 10 minutes out of your day for teeth that are professionally proven to look six shades whiter in 10 days, right? Thought so. This simple kit features a comfortable mouthpiece equipped with LED Blue Light technology, which erases stains using the power of hydrogen peroxide. Colgate claims that it can even lift stains from your teeth that are 10 years old. And if you're on the sensitive side, you'll appreciate its enamel-safe benefits. 

Meet teeth whitening 2.0. This forward-thinking, Bluetooth-enabled device is what you call whitening of the future. First, you download and sync the app with the device, which allows you to track results, preview your pearly whites after future usage, and customize your experience. Then, apply the gel and pop in the mouthpiece, which uses LED lightening and heat to grand you "lit results," as the brand says. 

Think of this pen as a Tide To Go stain remover...but for your teeth! This portable pen is free of icky ingredients and instead uses a patented vegan calcium in a gel form that washes away yellow marks. Here's the deal: twist up the pen and brush onto your teeth and smile for 30 seconds before closing your mouth. Avoid eating or drinking for 15 minutes to allow your teeth to fully absorb the product. Do this four times a day to see a noticeable difference. 

Tooth...gloss? Hear us out: it's not the same kind of gloss you're layering on your lips, though it will give you a sparkly smile. The formula helps lift yellow stains while peppermint oil zaps bad breath and jojoba seed oil reduces inflammation in the gums. 

The claim on the box is that it whitens "six shades in only three days." The claim made by this beauty editor: not really, but close. This two-step system includes a pre-treat mouth rinse and a clear whitening gel that you paint over your teeth after you finish brushing with your usual toothpaste. The result: crazy-bright teeth in under a week, with zero sensitivity.

If you're always on the go or are just looking for a teeth whitening option to take with you when you're traveling, this teeth whitening pen from Blitzby does wonders. Just twist the bottom of the pen, apply the brush to your teeth, wait two minutes before rinsing out with water, and you're all set. Cheers to whiter teeth under five minutes!

Look, I know a toothpaste is a toothpaste is a toothpaste, but trust me, this one really, truly works in just a few days of twice-daily (i.e. usual) brushing, thanks to its hefty dose of stain-dissolving calcium peroxide. Simply apply a pea-size dollop to your dry—yes, dry—toothbrush, and let the tangy-sweet paste work its magic.

If you're like me, you can get flagged for wine teeth from across a crowded restaurant. I'm not sure why the berry-hue sticks to my teeth and lips so easily, but thankfully, the problem can now be easily rectified. These little wipes fit right in your purse for when you need a mid-meal refresh.