The Top 7 Teeth Whitening Kits of 2024: Tested and Reviewed

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Bright, pearly whites are so coveted that teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the U.S., according to the Cleveland Clinic. While your dentist can professionally whiten your teeth in-office, those treatments can be incredibly pricey (up to $1,200 bucks a pop). The good news is that at-home teeth whitening kits have gotten really good, says Jessica Lee, D.D.S., president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Many of the best teeth whitening kits are affordable, easy to use, effective, and convenient to boot.

If you're ready to try your hand at a brighter smile at home, you're in luck — Shape tested 19 different teeth whitening kits for six weeks, relying on Dr. Lena Varone, D.M.D., FIADFE, on-site during testing for expert guidance. During this period, testers rated each kit based on ease of use, comfort, efficacy, convenience, and value. Discover which teeth whitening kits performed the best to make the best investment for your smile — even for the folks with sensitive teeth.

Read on below for the best teeth whitening kits you can use at home.

Treatments per Kit: 14 | Suggested Duration: 33 minutes

The Crest Whitening Emulsions With LED Light is super easy and comfortable to use and results in quick and impressive whitening. Shape's team of testers appreciated that the instructions were easy to follow and left them without any immediate discomfort when applying the whitening solution. Testers especially loved how lightweight the product felt on their teeth. Unlike teeth whitening strips, these didn't shift around on their teeth or create a foam-like mess that started bubbling up. Instead, this teeth whitening kit boasts a 'barely there' feel and not one bit of goopiness.

Treatments per Kit: One | Suggested Duration: 10 days

This budget-friendly teeth whitening kit brightens your teeth with 35% carbamide peroxide gel, the same active ingredient concentration as other, more expensive options on this list. The Cali White kit comes with a medical-grade silicone mouth tray that you'll use in conjunction with a minty-fresh whitening gel that tastes pretty good. Testers found the whole whitening process quick and straightforward: add the gel to the tray, put the tray in your mouth, turn on the light, and the light will turn off automatically in 10 minutes. The automatic timer made the whole process even more seamless, and the product didn't irritate testers' gums. If anything, they felt a slight warmth from the LED light but zero pain or discomfort.

Treatments per Kit: 3 to 4 | Suggested Duration: 16 to 64 minutes

The Linhart Whitening Kit is easy to use, and testers were excited to achieve whiter teeth in weeks. This kit includes the LED teeth-whitening tray (which is rechargeable), a whitening gel (that you can use with your whitening toothpaste), and four syringes. The whitening solution didn't irritate our gums or lead to any sensitivity, but it did cause a little drooling, so you might not want to necessarily take a meeting with it on. Overall, testers found it to be of very good value considering the results.

Treatments per Kit: One | Suggested Duration: 10 minutes

If you've used whitening strips before and hate how messy they are (and how much gel you accidentally swallow throughout the whole process), this is likely the best teeth whitening kit for you. Testers could hardly feel they had gel on their teeth while using it and loved that the kit was hassle-free. The LED device fits comfortably thanks to the flexible tray that molds to your mouth. Unlike other trays that are bulky and can even cut your lips, this product didn't make testers feel like their lips were being stretched to hold the device in place. They achieved a color two shades lighter.

Treatments per Kit: One | Suggested Duration: 16 minutes for at least 3 days

Byte BrightByte Pro's on-the-go kit lets you whiten your teeth in the car, on a plane, or on a train in just 16 minutes. The process is quick and simple: You apply the gel and the LED device while they're connected to your phone to power them up — there's no need to ever charge the device — and then let them work their magic. Plus, this kit comes with a handy travel bag that makes it easy to take with you anywhere.

Treatments per Kit: One | Suggested Duration: 65 minutes for 19 days

These tried-and-true Crest 3DWhitestrips get a whitening boost thanks to the LED light that fast-tracks you to Pearly White Town. While testing, the team touted how easy-to-use these strips were and that the LED device fit perfectly in their mouths for an entirely comfortable experience. Testers also loved that the strips stick well without sliding around or off.

The brand recommends using the entire kit, so you'll apply it every day for 19 consecutive days (and you can use up to two kits per year). This is a bit of a time commitment, but the results are noticeably impressive after just a week, making it worth the extra effort. Plus, Shape's testers achieved a whopping seven shades lighter after the full treatment course. 

Treatments per Kit: 12 to 15 | Suggested Duration: 15 minutes for 10-15 days

If you want a gentle, seriously effective system that doesn't feel overwhelming, get your hands on the Periosciences LED Whitening Kit. With a simple-to-use tray that fits snugly against the gums thanks to the silicone inner ring, easy instructions, and teeth a whopping 16 shades lighter post-use, it's safe to say that testers were dazzled by this kit. In fact, not a single thing about this process felt complex or annoying.

The tray can hold a lot of saliva, so pulling it out can get a little gross. Plus, while testers didn't feel any initial discomfort, tingling, or burning, they noticed a minor increase in sensitivity after using this kit for a few days. However, reducing use to three to five times a week did the trick.

April Benshosan is a health journalist and editor who graduated with a Master's in Publishing. She's interviewed countless doctors and other medical professionals throughout her career, and her work highlights her passion for arming people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health and purchases. 

When testing these teeth whitening kits, we consulted Dr. Lena Varone, D.M.D., FIADFE, an NYC-based cosmetic dentist, for expert guidance.

We also interviewed two other dentists for this story: