The 10 Best Travel Toothbrushes

For a powered clean with nothing to plug in, the Philips One by Sonicare is the safe bet. A single AAA cell runs it for about three months, Philips says, and a slim hard case comes in the box. The handle gives a short buzz at each quarter of a two-minute session to keep you moving around your mouth. Its heads fit only this model, and the case is chunky for a tiny pouch.

Light packers tend to like the quip Sonic, a slim stick that slides into a toiletry kit without a bulky case. Its cover slips over the head for the bag, then sticks to a mirror or tile as a holder at the hotel. One AAA cell lasts about three months, quip says, and a spare head comes with it. The vibration is gentle, so it can feel weak next to a plug-in brush.

Packhacker called the GUM Folding Travel brush the most compact one in its roundup, and it's easy to see why. The clear handle folds in on itself so the soft head ends up tucked inside, with no cap to lose. A tongue scraper sits on the back of the head. The plastic feels flimsy, and the folded handle traps water, so let it dry open before packing. It comes in a two-pack.

Travelers who would rather charge than buy batteries should look at the Bitvae D2, which tops up from any USB port with its own cable. Bitvae claims about two months per charge, and the box holds eight heads, enough for a long stretch. A clear holder works as a stand at home and a cover on the road. The maker lists it as ADA Accepted. Some units stop holding a charge with age, and no wall adapter is included.

The Radius Tour works like a pocketknife: the handle swings around and snaps shut over the head, so the brush is its own case. When the bristles wear out, you swap the head and keep the handle. The handle is a wood-based plastic, and the brush is made in the U.S. Opening and closing it takes some getting used to. It's sold in a three-pack of mixed colors.

Meant for a quick freshen-up, the Colgate Max Fresh Wisp is a tiny single-use brush with a bead of mint in the bristles that breaks down as you brush. You don't need water or a sink, and a soft pick on the other end clears food from between teeth. It's handy on a long flight or between meetings. It doesn't replace brushing with paste, and a full box makes a lot of plastic waste.

Cheap battery brushes are easy to find, but the GUM Sonic comes from an established dental brand and adds a snap-on travel cap. One AAA cell powers it, so a dead battery is a corner-store fix, and two spare heads come in the box. The soft, tapered bristles sit on a small head that suits a crowded mouth. The buzz is mild, and it can feel like little more than brushing by hand.

Families who lose brushes on every trip can stock up with the Dr. Plotka's Mouthwatchers folding brush, sold four to a pack. The handle folds back to shield the head. Its long, very fine bristles are meant to reach between teeth, and the maker treats them with silver, which it claims keeps the brush cleaner. The thin hinge isn't built for rough handling, so it suits a toiletry bag more than a backpack.

Backpackers who hate buying tiny paste tubes can try the Aurelle Toob, which pairs a brush in a protective case with a small refillable toothpaste tube. You fill the tube from your regular paste at home, so there's no need to hunt for travel sizes. The cover keeps the soft, rounded bristles off everything else in the bag. The case runs long for some kits, and the plastic can feel thin.

For a spare in the car, a gym bag or a desk drawer, the GuruNanda Folding brush is the low-cost choice. The handle folds in half and covers the soft bristles, and a textured grip keeps it steady in a wet hand. The narrow head reaches back teeth without much stretching. It's a single brush, and the hinge and thin plastic won't stand up to years of trips.