Updated July 16, 2023 11:00 p.m. PT
Written by Amanda Capritto
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Caroline Igo
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
Amanda Capritto
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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.
Expertise Sleep, mattress accessories, vitamins and supplements, nutrition & personal care Credentials
- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
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Best overall whitening kit
Colgate Optic White Advanced LED Whitening
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Best custom fitted whitening kit
SmileBrilliant Custom Teeth Whitening Trays
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Best whitening kit for sensitive teeth
Lumineux Whitening Kit
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Best gel and LED whitening kit
Auraglow Deluxe Home Teeth Whitening Kit
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Having good oral health is important. Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, using a good mouthwash and a tongue scraper are all important parts of an oral care routine. But sometimes, you may need a little help to keep your teeth pearly white. There's no shortage of products on the market to help with that. One of the easiest ways to achieve a whiter smile without visiting your dentist is by using a teeth whitening kit. These kits use highly concentrated whitening gels. Usually, these gels include hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, though you can find some with gentler ingredients. I know there are countless options available, but here are some of the best teeth whitening kits I've come across.
I tested several kits to bring you this list of the best teeth whitening kit options for 2023. Though I couldn't accurately judge these products on whitening power (I wish I could, but my teeth won't allow it), I did judge them against criteria like mouthpiece fit, type of whitening gel, kit contents, treatment length and refill options.
Best teeth whitening kits
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Number of Pieces 20 whitening vials and an LED whitening tray
Active Ingredient Hydrogen peroxide
Type LED whitening tray
Results In 10 days for maximum results
Level of Whitening Up to 6 shades; removes 10 years of stains
If you didn't like Colgate's Optic White Whitening Toothpaste, fear not. While some might find that the Optic White toothpaste has a harsh taste, the brand's Optic White LED whitening kit is a different story.
I tested the The LED light trays on fit, coverage, ease of use, sensations and length of wear.
The Colgate Optic White Advanced LED Whitening kit far surpassed the others I tested for this category. The instructions for this whitening method were easy to understand, the mouthpiece fit well (even for me and I have a tiny mouth), the gel covered all the teeth it was supposed to, I didn't experience too much sensitivity and you only have to wear it for 10 minutes.
Truly, the only downfall was that the device requires charging before your first use and in between uses, which is kind of a hassle. That's a small price to pay for a teeth-whitening kit with so many other great features, though.
I used the Colgate Optic White Advanced LED Whitening kit once a day for 10 minutes for three days and noticed an improvement in whiteness despite forgoing the full treatment (it's designed for 10 days of use, but again, I couldn't test all of these products for the full intended treatment without potential dental complications).
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Number of Pieces 1 custom tray and 9 to 27 applicators
Active Ingredient Carbamide Peroxide
Type Custom fitted whitening trays
Results In Varies by kit
Level of Whitening Varies by kit
Teeth whitening kits aren't exactly what most people would call riveting. But I must say I was blown away by the entire SmileBrilliant process and package. I wasn't aware you could get custom fitted whitening trays anywhere other than a dentist's office, but you can with SmileBrilliant.
Wearing these whitening trays is just like wearing a retainer. They fit perfectly to your teeth because they're designed using putty impressions you make of your teeth. The process works like this: You order a kit, SmileBrilliant sends you a putty impression kit, you return the impressions via prepaid packaging and then SmileBrilliant sends your custom fitted whitening trays within a matter of days.
If you mess up during the impression process (which I did -- my impressions were evidently a bit shallow), SmileBrilliant will either send you a new impression kit or go ahead with the trays if they think they can make it work. In the latter case, the company will still send an impression kit along with your whitening trays just in case.
To use the trays, simply squeeze the carbamide peroxide whitening gel into your upper and lower trays and slip them on. Be careful not to squeeze too much gel, or it may spill over the tops of your trays and get on your gums and tongue. I did this the first time I wore my SmileBrilliant trays and the gel felt pretty tingly. Other than that, I had no problems with these trays, despite my shallow impressions.
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The whitening kit from Lumineux is not a typical teeth-whitening kit. Instead of hydrogen peroxide gel and an LED mouthpiece, this whitening kit simply includes daily essentials for teeth whitening, which is why it's the best for sensitive teeth — most people with sensitive teeth can't handle something like hydrogen peroxide and LED lights.
This whitening kit includes Lumineux whitening strips, toothpaste and mouthwash, all of which use Lumineux's patented formula containing coconut oil, dead sea salt and citrus oil.
For extra white teeth, don't just use these products separately like you normally might. The instructions are explicit: Wear the strips for 30 minutes, brush immediately after for at least one minute and then rinse with the mouthwash for at least one minute.
I love this kit because I have sensitive teeth and struggle to get through whitening treatments that involve bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
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Number of Pieces 1 LED whitening tray
Active Ingredient Carbamide Peroxide
Type LED whitening tray
Results In:As soon as 1 treatment; 1 week for maximum results
Level of Whitening Up to 10 shades
This teeth-whitening kit is decent all around, but a few things prevented it from topping the list: The mouthpiece felt massive (although I have a small mouth) and the gel didn't seem to spread evenly over my teeth. I also got quite a few white chemical burns from the gel in this product.
However, if you're looking for a whitening kit that costs less than $100, it couldn't hurt to try this one, as long as you don't have sensitive gums or teeth.
The whitening gel is easy to dispense from the syringes -- a welcome feature after spending too much time and effort squeezing tiny tubes of whitening gel with other products. The mouthpiece, though too big for me, feels rather nice on the teeth. It's very squishy compared to the harder plastic in some other products.
Finally, the case that comes with it is nice to have. It makes it easy to travel with your whitening kit if you want to.
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Other teeth whitening kit tested
While this product below wasn't a favorite, it has some qualities worth mentioning. It may be a whitening kit for you.
Number of Pieces 1 LED whitening tray, 4 whitening pens
Active Ingredient Carbamide Peroxide
Type LED whitening tray
Results In As soon as 1 treatment
Previously, Shyn had an LED whitening kit that used Rembrandt whitening strips, which I loved. It was on my original list of the best overall teeth-whitening products. I liked the old kit because whitening strips are much less messy than whitening gel and, to my knowledge, that was the only whitening kit out there that used strips instead of gel.
Unfortunately, that product was discontinued, but Shyn now has a whitening kit that uses a carbamide peroxide whitening gel. The Shyn Brighter LED whitening kit is similar to other whitening kits on the market, especially the Colgate SuperNova. It comes with a silicone tray, an LED light device, and whitening pens to fill the mouth tray with gel.
This kit comes with three whitening pens, which is a nice touch because you won't have to order refills as soon as you would with other kits. When the time comes, you can buy a single maximum-strength refill pen or a pack of three. You can use the pens without the LED tray, too, if you don't want to walk around with a mouthpiece in.
The Shyn Brighter kit also comes with a travel case. The case makes for neat storage at home in addition to traveling.
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How to choose the best teeth whitening kit
There are many teeth whitening kits on the market, so it might be difficult to choose the best one for you. Here's what to consider before buying your next whitening kit.
- Key ingredients: The most effective whitening products will contain peroxide. The most common are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. While some products may contain only hydrogen peroxide and others carbamide peroxide, they have similar effects. Studies have shown that both peroxides have the same whitening effect on teeth .
- Whitening levels: If you are looking for a whitening kit to reverse years of stains, you will need one with high levels of whitening power. These may be a bit more expensive and may require longer wear or treatment. You can be less picky with whitening kits for simple upkeep or the occasional use.
- Types: There are four types of whitening kits out there -- gel, LED, pens and toothpastes. Depending on the kit, you may have a few options instead of one. If you don't know which type will work best, look for a kit that contains almost four types to try.
- Sensitivity: If you have especially sensitive teeth, it is important to look for products that cater to your needs. Whitening your teeth can be a bit uncomfortable, but if the pain is excruciating, stop using the product immediately.
- Cost: Teeth whitening kits can cost you anywhere from $50 to $500. However, professional whitening treatment can run as much as $1,800. At-home kits are the most cost effective.
Teeth whitening kit FAQs
Do any teeth whitening kits actually work?
Yes, teeth whitening kits with active ingredients such as peroxide can whiten yourteeth. These kits help to remove stains by penetrating the enamel. Some teeth whitening kits can lighten your teeth up to 10 levels.
Is it OK to whiten your teeth at home?
Yes, it is OK to whiten your teeth at home with safe products. However, talk to your dentist before trying any at-home teeth whitening kits if you have thin enamel, sensitive teeth, unfilled cavities or gum disease.
What do dentists recommend to whiten teeth?
According to the American Dental Association, dentists recommend both in-office bleaching procedures and over-the-counter whitening products to be used at home. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are both effective ingredients in these whitening products. However, the ADA encourages the public to consult a professional to first determine if whitening is appropriate.
