For teeth that look a little dirty no matter how hard you brush, there’s a convenient alternative to in-office whitening. The best teeth whitening strips can brighten dull teeth with professional-grade results and minimal discomfort or sensitivity. Our top pick, the Crest 3D Professional Effects White films, are enamel safe and easy to use. And if you’re looking for a peroxide-free solution, you can’t go wrong with gentle but effective Lumineux teeth whitening strips.
The best teeth whitening strips can brighten dull teeth from the comfort of your own home.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
“Teeth whitening strips work by absorbing stains from the outer surface of the teeth,” he says Dr. Joyce Kang, cosmetic and restorative dentist. When looking for the right ones for your needs, choose options with safe, effective ingredients and follow directions carefully, she says. After talking to several dentists, we’ve rounded up the best teeth whitening strips to get the brightest and whitest results.
Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide |Treatment time: 30 minutes | Duration of treatment: 22 days
What is notable: They visibly brighten teeth after just one treatment and whiten up to 20 shades in 22 days.
What could be better: The recommended cure time is long and these tapes do not dissolve.
These white Crest 3D tapes are designed for simplicity and visible results. The drugstore staple, which made our list of the best teeth whitening products, delivers noticeably brighter teeth after the first treatment and continuous whitening of up to 20 shades in 22 days, according to the brand. The kit includes 20 treatments with a 45-minute application method and two one-hour express treatments with a 60-minute application window. The strips have a non-slip grip so they stay securely on your teeth until it’s time to remove them. They’re also incredibly well-reviewed, with tens of thousands of 5-star reviews raving about their effectiveness and ease of use.
Ulta Beauty
Moon Midnight Enamel Care Dissolving Whitening Strips
Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyapatite |Treatment time: 15 minutes | Duration of treatment: 28 days
What is notable: These strips are designed to be applied before bed and dissolve in about 15 minutes with no rinsing required.
What could be better: The four-week treatment time is the longest on our list.
Along with whitening hydrogen peroxide, Moon Midnight Enamel Care Dissolving Whitening Strips are made with soothing essential oils and hydroxyapatite, a mineral that protects and restores enamel. Patches should be used at bedtime and dissolve within 15 minutes—no rinsing required. Unlike other options that need to be placed over dry teeth, these strips adhere to naturally wet teeth, which is best if you have sensitivity. The thinner height also helps keep the strips from the gums, minimizing irritation. During the four-week treatment, these strips are designed to whiten teeth up to seven shades.
Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide |Treatment time: 30 minutes | Duration of treatment: 18 days
What is notable: The reduced power makes them a good choice if sensitivity is an issue.
What could be better: Since the potency is lower, these strips may not be as effective as options with higher concentrations of whitening ingredients.
The Forbes Vetted team ranked these strips the best whitening product for sensitive teeth, thanks to their lower percentage of hydrogen peroxide, which makes them milder overall. Kahng says over-the-counter whitening strips typically range from 5.5% to 12% hydrogen peroxide, but these have closer to 5.25% of the base whitening ingredient. The reduced potency still does the trick—they work in 30 minutes to gently lift stains during the 18-day treatment window without aggravating sensitive teeth. In addition, they are accepted by the American Dental Association to whiten effectively. Reviewers confirm that they do a good job of brightening without causing the potential pain associated with regular power strips.
Amazon
Lumineux teeth whitening strips
Active ingredients: Coconut Oil, Sage Oil, Citrus Lemon Peel Oil, Dead Sea Salt |Treatment time: 30 minutes | Duration of treatment: 21 days
What is notable: These enamel-safe peroxide-free strips use only natural ingredients to whiten teeth.
What could be better: The results may not be as dramatic as what you get from peroxide-based strips.
If you want to avoid hydrogen peroxide altogether, these white strips from Lumineux offer a solid alternative. They’re made with Dead Sea salt, coconut oil, and citrus lemon peel oil to gently lift stains without causing tooth pain (while freshening breath). Not convinced? Clinical studies validate the effectiveness of these strips: One found that Lumineux whitening strips significantly improved shinewhile another confirmed whitening effects without adverse reactions.
Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide |Treatment time: 15 minutes | Duration of treatment: 7-14 days
What is notable: These dissolving strips are made with ten food grade ingredients and are safe for sensitive teeth.
What could be better: Since they begin to dissolve on contact, the thin, dry film can be a bit difficult to apply.
These doctor-designed whitening strips begin to dissolve when they touch your teeth and disappear completely in about 15 minutes. They have a mild mint flavor, so you don’t have to wash off an unpleasant aftertaste. According to the brand, they remove surface stains on teeth to make them up to seven shades whiter. We also love that the packaging contains around 33% less plastic and the food grade or higher ingredients make them completely safe to ingest as they dissolve. Reviewers say it’s a great product to use while on the go.
Amazon
Zimba teeth whitening strips
Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide |Treatment time: 30 minutes | Duration of treatment: 14 days
What is notable: These enamel-safe strips have a 30-minute treatment window and come in a variety of flavors.
What could be better: Whitening results are gradual over the course of the two-week treatment.
Although a pleasant taste is not usually a feature of teeth whitening strips, this is not the case with Zimba. This option comes in a variety of fruit flavors including strawberry, watermelon, coconut, peach and cherry and many traditional mint varieties. According to the brand, the 14-day care window helps remove stains from coffee, tea, wine, soda and tobacco. Like some on our list, Zimba’s teeth whitening strips don’t dissolve, so you’ll need to peel them off after each 30-minute session. Reviewers say they taste good, stay put, and whiten effectively.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
While leveraging our personal expertise as well as the knowledge of qualified professionals, the Forbes Vetted team has written and published a library of deeply researched personal care stories.
How we chose the best teeth whitening strips
To pick the best teeth whitening strips, we’ve carefully evaluated options from top retailers and brands, including Crest, Lumineux and more. We also consulted several industry experts for insight on what to look for.
We reviewed ingredients and directions for use to find teeth whitening strips designed for different needs and preferences, ranging from sensitive teeth to fun flavor options.
Our experts also made recommendations based on their experiences and provided advice on what ingredients to look for.
We carefully considered customer reviews and average star ratings, sticking to models that have garnered an average rating of at least 4 stars and only a negligible number of related reviews, if any.
The final products of this list reflect the in-depth research conducted by our author and the thorough review by the editorial team.
