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Best Teeth-Whitening Strips of 2023

Whiten your teeth at home with these professional-level teeth-whitening strips.

Updated Oct. 18, 2023 5:00 a.m. PT

Written by  Amanda Capritto Caroline Igo
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Caroline Igo Editor
Caroline Igo (she/her/hers) is a wellness editor and holds Sleep Science Coach and Stress Management certificates from the Spencer Institute. She received her bachelor's degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to further her craft in her free time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for past CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan.
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$50 at Amazon
Crest 3D Whitestrips
Best overall whitening strips
Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects
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$26 at Amazon
moon-strips.png
Best dissolving whitening strips
Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips
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$30 at Amazon
Lumineux Whitening Kit
Best whitening strips for sensitive teeth
Lumineux Oral Essentials Whitening Strips
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$20 at Amazon
Zimba teeth whitening strips
Best affordable whitening strips
Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips
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A trip to the dentist's office isn't the only way to get visibly whiter teeth. Brushing at least twice a day is critical to your health and hygiene, but if you really want your smile to sparkle, then you may want to grab a pack of teeth-whitening strips. And to help you find the best ones for your teeth, I've rounded up the best whitening strips on the market right now below. 

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While there's no shortage of teeth-whitening products available over the counter, I have sensitive gums, so for me, a good teeth-whitening product is one that's effective but doesn't sear my gum tissue. I know not everyone has tooth sensitivity; I white-knuckled through some intense hydrogen peroxide bleaching concentrations to find the best teeth-whitening products for 2023. Here is everything you need to know about teeth-whitening strips.

What are the best teeth-whitening strips?

Crest 3D Whitestrips are our pick as the best overall teeth-whitening strips, because our tests determined that they had the best results with the most effective active ingredients. If you have stains from years and years of tea, coffee, wine, etc., Crest 3D Whitestrips can effectively whiten your teeth by as much as 23 levels.  

Best teeth-whitening strips of 2023

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$50 at Amazon

Best overall whitening strips

Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

Crest 3D Whitestrips are truly a classic. They're easy to find and easy to use, and I've used them many times in the past. Each Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects box contains 48 strips for 24 treatments. Wear one strip a day for 30 minutes, and Crest claims that you can remove up to 14 years of stains by the end of your last treatment.  

One thing to keep in mind is the coverage is a little less than other brands on this list (such as the Rembrandt strips). I found that the cover was OK, I just wished the strips would reach over my canines more. Despite that, Crest 3D is still my No. 1 on this list, because time and time again they're effective.  

  • Price: $$
  • Number of pieces: 48
  • Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide
  • Cruelty-free: No
  • Results in: About 24 days
  • Level of whitening: About 23

Pros:

  • Up to 23 levels whiter teeth in about 24 days
  • Remove up to 14 years of stains
  • Active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide

Cons:

  • You might find the coverage to be less than you want
  • Most expensive on this list
Show expert take Show less
triclosan, parabens and artificial flavors. 

  • Price: $$
  • Number of pieces: 56
  • Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide
  • Cruelty-free: Yes
  • Results in: 14 days or less
  • Level of whitening: Up to 7 shades

Pros:

  • Dissolves within 15 minutes 
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • A refreshing mint flavor 

Cons:

  • On the expensive side
  • Must avoid eating and drinking for 30 minutes after application
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$26 at Amazon

Best dissolving whitening strips

Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips

If you don’t like the feeling of whitening strips sitting on your teeth for up to 30 minutes, you can try dissolving strips, instead. Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips are applied just like any other strips, but after 15 minutes, they completely dissolve. There’s no unnecessary waste nor mess and no need to rinse. The strips are also peppermint flavored.

Moon states that in two weeks or less, you can whiten your teeth up to seven shades lighter. In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, these dissolving whitening strips are free from SLS/SLES (which can irritate skin), triclosan, parabens and artificial flavors. 

  • Price: $$
  • Number of pieces: 56
  • Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide
  • Cruelty-free: Yes
  • Results in: 14 days or less
  • Level of whitening: Up to 7 shades

Pros:

  • Dissolves within 15 minutes 
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • A refreshing mint flavor 

Cons:

  • On the expensive side
  • Must avoid eating and drinking for 30 minutes after application
Show expert take Show less
clinical trial that concluded Crest 3D Whitestrips were no more effective than Lumineux natural whitening strips. (The study was funded in part by Lumineux, so keep that in mind.) Still, I think they're worth a shot for people with sensitive teeth and gums.

  • Price: $$
  • Number of pieces: 42
  • Active ingredient: Coconut oil
  • Cruelty-free: Yes
  • Results in: 3 weeks or less
  • Level of whitening: Up to 14 shades

Pros:

  • Natural alternative -- coconut oil is the active ingredient 
  • Contains 21 treatments in one box
  • Up to 14 shades lighter in a maximum of three weeks

Cons:

  • On the pricey side
  • May slip around
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$30 at Amazon

Best whitening strips for sensitive teeth

Lumineux Oral Essentials Whitening Strips

Anyone who has sensitive teeth should check out Lumineux Oral Essentials. Lumineux products don't include hydrogen peroxide and instead use a combination of dead sea salt, essential oils, coconut oil and aloe vera. The fit and coverage were great, although they did slip around a bit. Lumineux products are also cruelty-free.  

I tested these for three consecutive days, so I can't speak to the long-term efficacy compared with other brands, but Lumineux did conduct a clinical trial that concluded Crest 3D Whitestrips were no more effective than Lumineux natural whitening strips. (The study was funded in part by Lumineux, so keep that in mind.) Still, I think they're worth a shot for people with sensitive teeth and gums.

  • Price: $$
  • Number of pieces: 42
  • Active ingredient: Coconut oil
  • Cruelty-free: Yes
  • Results in: 3 weeks or less
  • Level of whitening: Up to 14 shades

Pros:

  • Natural alternative -- coconut oil is the active ingredient 
  • Contains 21 treatments in one box
  • Up to 14 shades lighter in a maximum of three weeks

Cons:

  • On the pricey side
  • May slip around
Show expert take Show less
$20 at Amazon

Best affordable whitening strips

Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips

Zimba whitening strips are both affordable and effective at lightening the shade of your teeth. One pack comes with 28 strips for results in 14 days or less. Wear one strip for 30 minutes a day. 

This cruelty-free brand has found a way to combat one of the negatives of whitening strips -- the strong, bitter taste. Zimba offers 10 different flavors to choose from, like watermelon or spearmint. On top of that, the strips have a nonslip design that grip the teeth during each treatment.   

  • Price: $
  • Number of pieces: 28
  • Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide
  • Cruelty-free: Yes
  • Results in: 14 days or less
  • Level of whitening: Not listed

Pros:

  • 10 flavors to choose from including mint, coconut, strawberry and wintergreen
  • Nonslip design 
  • Results in two weeks or less

Cons:

  • The brand doesn’t say how many levels of whitening is possible 
  • May not be suitable for sensitive teeth
Show expert take Show less

How we chose teeth-whitening strips

I began this list of whitening strips with products that could potentially make it into this roundup, looking at things like brand reputation, buyer reviews on Amazon and full reviews by other writers. After narrowing the lengthy list of teeth-whitening strips, I started testing.

Because it would be impossible to test the long-term efficacy of all of these whitening strips without annihilating my enamel and gum tissue (or working on this project for literal years, because I wouldn't be able to adequately judge how much whiter each of them made my teeth by using them back to back), I judged each product against a few criteria that I think will help you make a buying decision. 

Factors to consider when choosing teeth-whitening strips

Before buying your next box of teeth-whitening strips, consider these factors.

Fit

You want your strips to fully cover your teeth and not go up over your gums -- that can cause gum sensitivity. Additionally, their fit should be snug. While you go about your day, waiting for it to be time to take the strips off, they should not slip and slide around your mouth. 

Coverage

While whitening your molars is not necessary (since you hardly see them anyway), your whitening strips should still cover a good percentage of your teeth. After you apply the strip, smile and look in the mirror. Is the strip touching all of the teeth you can see in your normal smile? If not, time to try another brand. 

Ease of use

Whitening strips should be simple. Apply the product, wait a specified amount of time and take them off. If the teeth-whitening strips require other steps or seem difficult to use, try another brand. 

Sensations 

If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for products that will give you the least amount of sensitivity. Oftentimes, hydrogen peroxide is too strong for sensitive teeth, so try coconut oil, instead. Don’t suffer through a product if it burns your gums or hurts your teeth.  

Length of wear

Most strips require at least 30 minutes of wear in order to get the best results. If you have sensitive teeth or not enough time for whitening strips, look for products that don’t require much wear.   

Best teeth-whitening strip FAQs

Are teeth-whitening strips OK for your teeth?

Yes, the majority of teeth-whitening strips are safe for your teeth. However, whitening products are only meant to be used occasionally and in moderation. Additionally, steer clear of whitening strips that contain chlorine dioxide.

Do whitening strips work on really yellow teeth?

Over-the-counter whitening products may not be powerful enough for very stained teeth. If you are looking for exceptional results for yellow teeth, consult your dentist. 

What are the negatives of teeth-whitening strips?

The negatives of teeth-whitening strips include possible tooth and gum sensitivity. If you use whitening strips too often, it can damage your enamel, and some of the results might not be the exact shade you imagine.