10 Teeth Whitening Kits for a Brighter Smile (2025)

A smile is a universal peace offering of sorts. The single movement instantly conveys a warm, kind sentiment—no words necessary. Because of that, you could say it’s undoubtedly one of your best, most valuable assets. Unfortunately, many of the things we enjoy regularly—coffee, tea, wine, and more—can all stain teeth over time, turning them from pearly white to varying shades of a much more unsightly yellow. While dentists say the most effective teeth whitening treatments are in-office procedures or custom-made trays that only professionals can outfit you with, those teeth-whitening or bleaching treatments typically cost upwards of $450, says Joseph Salim, DMD, owner and founder of Sutton Place Dental Associates in New York City.

The good news: There are much cheaper at-home alternatives that, when used properly, can make your teeth one to two shades lighter (as opposed to eight shades from professional treatments), says Rob Raimondi, a dentist at One Manhattan Dental.

What to Consider When Choosing a Teeth Whitening Kit

Keep in mind that you may not get as dramatic results from at-home whitening kits. "Over-the-counter products have a much lower concentration of active whitening ingredient, which means that it will take significantly longer for your teeth to whiten and they may have minimal or decreased efficacy against deep stains," says Erin Fraundorf DMD, MSD, and founder of BOCA Orthodontic + Whitening Studio. That said, they’re friendlier to those with more sensitive teeth since the percentage of whitening agents like peroxide is generally lower. In general, here's what to consider when choosing an at-home kit:

Active Ingredients

Look for products containing proven whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, says Fraundorf. "These are responsible for the chemical reaction that breaks down stains.

Sensitivity

If you have sensitive teeth, make sure to look at the concentration of the active ingredients. Fraundorf explains that kits that have lower concentrations are gentler on the teeth but have a longer wear time, such as you need to wear it overnight while higher concentrations work in as little as 30 minutes. She also recommends looking for a kit specifically made for sensitive users or containing potassium nitrate, which is a desensitizing agent.

Method

There are a variety of options when it comes to whitening and some work faster than others. "Choose a style that fits your lifestyle, whether it's strips, trays, or pens," says Fraundorf. Ready to give these whitening treatments a try? We found dentist-recommended solutions that offer the best value.

There’s a reason these strips have been so popular for so long. They’re easy to adhere, effective, cost-efficient, and easily found at the drugstore, says Emanuel Layliev, DDS, a dentist at the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. You won't feel like you're incapable of talking or drinking water. They’re also great in a pinch, since—with daily use—they can lighten your teeth up to two shades in just a few weeks.

If you have sensitive teeth that ache with traditional whitening treatments, Bendayan suggests this over-the-counter system, since the hydrogen peroxide is less concentrated. And don't worry: It’s still plenty effective. It comes with an LED whitening device that does all the work for you. Simply apply the included serum on brushed teeth and then place the mouthpiece to whiten. It also comes with a UV self-sanitizing case to keep everything clean.

For the ultimate convenience, these disposable teeth whitening trays come pre-loaded with the right amount of whitening gel, says Salim. For maximum results, he suggests using all 10 sets of trays within a short time frame. You can also keep them refrigerated to increase their shelf life to about a year, he says. It comes in two flavors: mint and melon, and you can choose between 10% or 15% hydrogen peroxide, depending on your sensitivity.

Gel is another great option for sensitive teeth. This formula is painted on, gradually whitening teeth over time, says Seema Desai, DDS. You can control how much—or how little—you apply and how often you apply it, avoiding teeth sensitivity altogether. Application is super simple and fast. First, you dry your teeth and paint on a generous layer on each tooth. You want to keep your lips from touching so you'll want to smile for two minutes as it begins to bubble up. For the best results, repeat twice daily.

This teeth whitening system comes with a compact light that has five LED bulbs to rapidly speed up the whitening process, says Lana Rozenberg, a cosmetic dentist in New York. “Just apply the dental-grade whitening gel, powered by carbamide peroxide—a combination of urea and hydrogen peroxide—directly to the mouth tray and turn on the LED light,” she explains. An automated timer turns off the light every 10 minutes, so you can keep track of your treatment’s progression and ensure you only use the kit for the recommended 30 minutes at a time. In just seven days with consistent use, you'll notice your teeth are noticeably lighter.

Zimba whitening strips come in a variety of all-natural flavors to make the 30-minute treatment just a bit more enjoyable. The premium-grip white strips are boosted with either coconut oil or mint fragrance (you choose the flavor) for a great-tasting treatment without artificial sweeteners. “Each box comes with 28 strips—enough for the recommended 14-day treatment—making this a super affordable, easy-to-use treatment that’s also gentle enough for sensitive teeth,” says Rozenberg.

For a 100 percent vegan teeth whitening experience, try this kit, which comes with an LED light that connects to a universally fitting teeth tray, as well as syringes with a whitening gel that uses urea peroxide to lighten teeth. “It’s easy to use,” says Huang. “You simply squeeze the gel from the syringe onto the tray and insert it into the mouth for 10 to 30 minutes. After seven days you should see noticeable results.”

This drugstore buy utilizes a nine percent hydrogen peroxide solution and an LED light to achieve the desired tooth whitening. “This ingredient, at this particular concentration, produces noticeable results without running the risk of tooth sensitivity,” says Marina Gonchar, DMD, owner of Skin to Smile. It's recommended to use 10 minutes daily for the best results, but some reviewers have noticed a difference in just three days. We also love the compact design of the LED light, which makes it easy to store.

This customizable whitening kit includes three personalized whitening gels that are sufficient for six days of use and a whitening light that’s powered by 16 dentist-office equivalent LEDs to speed up the whitening process by as much as 50 percent. As an added bonus, the formulas are crafted with natural ingredients like pomegranate, chamomile flower, aloe vera, and menthol, plus they’re cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free.

If you need a quick whitening boost for a special event, Michelle Lee Mirza, DDS, a dentist in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, says this is a great at-home kit to try. “It is very user-friendly, and it comes with a comfortable tray that allows for full coverage of the whitening gel on your teeth, along with a rinse to combat stains in the future.” Plus, you can’t beat the value.

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with dentists to learn about what to look for in a teeth whitening kit and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new options that hit the market to help you find the best products out there.