If you’re looking to brighten your smile, a pricey trip to the dentist’s office isn’t your only option. Classic whitening strips that can be used at home are a great place to start, but teeth whitening kits that utilize the power of LED light might be even better. “While LED technology does not directly whiten your teeth, it helps to speed up the whitening process when using an at-home kit,” says Dr. Victoria Veytsman, a premier cosmetic dentist based in Los Angeles and New York City. “Most teeth whitening products are formulated with peroxide, whether in the form of hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, etc. This is the active ingredient that works to fizzle stains off the surface of the teeth, leaving behind brighter whiter teeth. When combined with an LED light, a chemical reaction occurs, and the light causes the peroxide to break down at a faster speed, allowing it to work more efficiently at lifting any staining and whitening the teeth.” To help you choose the best LED teeth whitening kit for you, we put nearly two dozen options to the test in our lab facility in NYC as well as at home over the course of eight weeks. We evaluated each one based on its ease of use, comfort, convenience, effectiveness, and value, and ahead, we’re sharing which ones impressed us the most. Our Top Picks Best for Quick Results: Best Convenient: Best with Strips: Crest 3DWhitestrips 1 Hour Express + LED Light at Walmart ($60) Best Multi-Purpose: In This Article Our Picks Final Verdict How We Tested What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Byrdie What We Like Very simple and easy to use Mess-free Non-sensitizing LED light doesn’t require charging Visibly whitens teeth after 14 treatments What We Don't Like A bit time-consuming to use each day Let’s be honest—most teeth whitening kits aren’t the most comfortable to use. This one was so easy and comfortable, our tester actually thought she must have been using it incorrectly in the beginning. All you have to do is dry your teeth, apply the whitening serum using the included applicator, let it sit for 30 minutes while you go about your day, and then press the LED light against your teeth for three minutes until it shuts off. We love that the accelerator light comes with batteries, so you won’t have to worry about charging it. The treatment is totally discreet, doesn’t make you talk funny, and causes no irritation—even when used up to four times per day which the brand recommends doing for an accelerated treatment. After the recommended 14 treatments, it worked to make the teeth two shades lighter. While using this treatment two to four times daily is a bit time-consuming, because it doesn’t prevent you from going about your everyday activities (except eating while you’re using it), it’s absolutely not a dealbreaker for us. It’s effective, simple, and easy to use, non-sensitizing on the teeth or gums, and it’s relatively affordable and totally accessible at drugstores. If you’re looking for an incredibly easy and mess-free teeth whitening option that you can use at home, this is the one we recommend most. Format: Serum | Recommended Use: 14 treatments, apply 2-4 times per day for 30 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide What We Like Simple and intuitive to use Non-sensitizing to gums Lightens teeth fast USB charger is magnetic What We Don't Like Not the most comfortable to keep the light in the mouth for an extended period A lot of at-home whitening kits come with trays that you apply gel to, bite down, and keep in your mouth to allow the active ingredients to work. This system works just like that, except that the trays are attached to an LED light to help speed up the process. You simply apply about one-sixth of a syringe full of gel into the trays, bite down, press the button to turn on the light, and wait 16 minutes until the light automatically shuts off. The brand recommends doing this 2-4 times per whitening session for the best results. While biting down and keeping the trays in your mouth for this period of time isn’t the most comfortable, the system is intuitive to use and it produces impressive results. We saw a serious improvement in teeth whiteness in just one week of consistent use—we’re talking three to four shades lighter. We also appreciate that the LED light charger is a magnetic USB cord and that the kit comes with a whitening toothpaste to use in conjunction with the whitening system. Format: Gel trays | Recommended Use: 16 minutes 2-4 times daily until desired results are achieved | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide gel What We Like Fast and easy to use Mess-free LED light fits in the mouth comfortably LED light plugs into phone to activate and charge What We Don't Like Results could be more dramatic Some teeth whitening kits are messy and take a lot of time to use, but this one is neither. It features a compact pen that you just click a few times to fill the brush tip with serum, apply to clean and dry teeth, and then insert the LED light into your mouth for 10 minutes. The pen is effortless to use and the LED light is not only small and totally comfortable in the mouth, but it’s also attached to a cord that you conveniently plug into your phone to activate and charge it. Unlike some whitening trays or other LED devices that feel like they’re stretching your lips or are causing discomfort in your mouth, this one is so well-designed that our tester almost forgot she had it in. The light beeps at the halfway mark, and then it beeps once more at the 10-minute mark to let you know your treatment is done. We absolutely love that the entire process takes just 10 minutes per day, and you can move around and get things done while you’re using the device. While we would have loved to see even brighter results, we were impressed that it helped to lighten the teeth a full shade. Format: Brush | Recommended Use: 10 minutes daily for 10 days | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide What We Like Non-sensitizing Visible results in just one week Lightens teeth multiple shades LED light is battery-powered What We Don't Like Time-consuming If you don’t mind having whitening strips on your teeth for an hour at a time (maybe you’re even looking for an excuse to have an hour of quiet time), this whitening system is a great option for you. Though it is time-consuming—the entire process takes an hour and five minutes per day for 19 days—it’s simple and easy to use and we were very impressed with the results. After drying your teeth, you just apply the strips to your top and bottom teeth, let them sit for one hour, and then hold the LED light against your teeth for five minutes before removing the strips and completing the treatment. In just one week, we saw a noticeable improvement in the whiteness of the teeth. After the 19 days were up, we were pleased that the system worked to lighten teeth almost five full shades. Plus, we also appreciate that the treatment was fairly mess-free and didn’t cause sensitivity. Format: Strips | Recommended Use: 1 hour daily for 19 days | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide What We Like Significantly whitens teeth Wireless during use Non-sensitizing Simple to use Utilizes red light for gum health What We Don't Like Charger is a bit finicky If you’re looking to whiten your teeth while also working to improve your oral health, this is a great option for you. The kit features whitening pens that deposit the carbamide peroxide solution onto your teeth as well as trays with an attached LED light. But what’s special about this one is that it has options to turn on a blue light, a red light, or a combination of both. According to the brand as well as Dr. Veytsman, red light technology can be helpful in supporting both soft tissue and gum health. Dr. Veytsman also adds that red light technology has also been shown to help with tooth sensitivity. “This is because the light prompts a chemical reaction that improves blood circulation in the area,” she explains. “With better blood circulation, inflammation levels within the mouth are reduced overall. Simultaneously, the light decreases the amount of bacteria in your mouth keeping your soft tissue and gums healthy.” In addition to the multitude of benefits that this kit provides, we love that it’s simple and easy to use, and it doesn’t take much time. We found that it helped visibly lighten teeth nearly 5 full shades after using it 15 minutes a day for 15 days. We absolutely recommend this one for anyone wanting to kill two birds with one stone—brighten your smile and help improve your gum health. Format: Pens | Recommended Use: 15 minutes daily for 10-15 days | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide What We Like Quick and easy to use Light automatically shuts off after 10 minutes Non-sensitizing Affordable What We Don't Like Tray is a bit big for the mouth Could produce more dramatic results If you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to whiten your teeth at home, this is the option we recommend for you. It costs less than $30 and while we saw more dramatic results with other options on this list, we were definitely impressed that this one lightened teeth one to two shades—especially considering how affordable it is and the fact that it’s quick to use. After applying the whitening gel into the trays, popping them into the mouth, turning on the LED light, and letting it sit for just 10 minutes daily for about 10 days, it did create subtle but noticeable results. The brand also states that the system can be used up to three times daily, which could potentially yield more extreme whitening benefits. We love that the system is intuitive to use, the trays come with a sanitary case, and the light is wireless while in use, but we did find that the tray was a bit big for the mouth, leading to some slight discomfort. But considering that the whitening formula didn’t cause irritation or sensitivity, it was quick to use, and it did work to lighten teeth (all at an affordable price), we still absolutely give this product the Byrdie stamp of approval. Format: Gel with trays | Recommended Use: 10-30 minutes daily for 7-10 days | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide Our favorite LED teeth whitening kit is the Crest Whitening Emulsions Leave-on Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light. It’s simple and quick to use, it’s mess-free and non-sensitizing, and it delivers impressive results in just 14 sessions. But if you’re looking for an even more affordable option, we recommend the Cali White Teeth Whitening Kit. In order to find the best options on the market, we put nearly two dozen to the test in our lab facility in NYC as well as at home over the course of eight weeks following the manufacturer's instructions for each kit. We evaluated each one based on its ease of use, comfort, convenience, effectiveness, and value. We tooth before and after photos at the beginning and end of the testing period to determine if the whitening systems made a visible improvement in the whiteness of the teeth. Those that impressed us the most appear on this list. Meet the Expert If you’re considering using an at-home teeth whitening kit, be sure that the one you choose is formulated with peroxide. Dr. Veytsman says that most whitening products contain peroxide in the form of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which is the active ingredient that works to lift stains off of the surface of the teeth. While all LED teeth whitening kits will contain an LED light to help speed up the whitening process, the actual format of the kits varies. For example, our best overall pick, the Crest Whitening Emulsions Leave-on Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light, is just a serum that you apply directly to the teeth with an applicator, making it simple, easy, and comfortable. There are also options that utilize trays or strips, like the Crest 3DWhitestrips 1 Hour Express + LED Light which are good options when you have some downtime and don’t need a super fast option for on-the-go. FAQ Do LED teeth whitening kits work? The simple answer is yes, they do work. “At-home LED whitening kits that are formulated with peroxide work when used correctly and consistently,” says Dr. Veytsman. “This is because of the chemical reaction that occurs when the LED light penetrates the whitening solution, allowing you to whiten your teeth at a faster pace. However, to get the best results, I recommend following the directions on the kit, in terms of use and frequency.” In terms of how LED kits specifically work versus options that don’t include LED light technology, Dr. Lior Tamir, a cosmetic and reconstructive dentist says, “LED technology in teeth bleaching uses light energy to activate the hydrogen peroxide and speeds up the bleaching process.” How do at-home LED whitening kits differ from whitening treatments someone can get at the dentist's office? If you’re toying between the idea of getting a professional whitening treatment done or using an at-home kit, you’ll want to understand how they differ. “If applied correctly [at-home kits] act the same way as in-office LED whitening kits,” says Dr. Tamir. “The difference tends to be the strength of the bleach—at-home kits are seven to 12 percent hydrogen peroxide whereas in-office [treatments] will be upwards of 35 percent. The results at home can be the same as in-office, they typically just require more sessions to get the same results because the bleach is not as strong.” Dr. Veytsman adds that she loves at-home kits for maintaining a white smile, but does prefer in-office treatments for faster, more long-lasting, and more dramatic results. Who is a candidate for an at-home LED whitening treatment? Everyone's dental health and hygiene needs are different, so it’s always best to check with your dentist to see if an at-home LED whitening kit is right for you. However, both Dr. Veytsman and Dr. Tamir say that pretty much anyone with a healthy smile who is looking to lift staining and generally brighten their smile is a candidate. “We don't recommend bleaching for people with very sensitive teeth, white spots, or if they have restorations in the front of their mouth,” says Dr. Tamir. “For example, composite bonding does not bleach, so if someone has composite fillings on their teeth, bleaching their teeth might make it more noticeable due to the different colors. White spots would also become more noticeable with bleaching.” Dr. Veytsman adds, “I wouldn’t advise using at-home LED whitening kits if you have any gum issues, gum recession, cavities that haven’t been treated, or extreme teeth sensitivity. If you experience any of these, I would recommend connecting with your dentist to find the best whitening solution for you.” Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.Best Overall
Crest Leave-on Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light
Best with Strips
Crest 3DWhitestrips 1 Hour Express + LED Light
Final Verdict
How We Tested
What to Look for When Buying an LED Teeth Whitening Kit
Active Ingredients
Format
Why Trust Byrdie
FAQs
What is the best LED teeth whitening kit for 2024? ›
Best Overall
Out of all the LED whitening kits we tested, the Crest Whitening Emulsion with LED Light impressed us the most. The Crest whitening kit might have a drugstore name, but the kit completely blew us away with how well it worked at whitening our teeth and how easy it was to use.
The Crest Whitening Emulsion with LED Light stands out as the best overall teeth whitening product due to its ease of use, effectiveness, and comfort.
Are there any teeth whitening products that actually work? ›Crest 3D Whitestrips are currently the only ADA-approved whitening strips — they also won an NBC Select Wellness Award. The Classic Vivid strips come in a pack of 24, which is enough for 12 treatments.
Do LED teeth whitening kits really work? ›At-home LED teeth-whitening kits may deliver results. But the whitening you see is a result of the gel, not the light. “There is not enough data to show definitively that the LED offers a significant improvement over just using a tray with the gel,” says cosmetic dentist Dr.
What teeth whitening do the Kardashians use? ›As global marketing campaigns go, getting Kim Kardashian to trigger a TikTok tidal wave of hype is probably about as good as it gets. Australian teeth whitening brand HiSmile, dubbed 'purple shampoo for teeth', posted a video to its own TikTok page featuring the US reality star earlier this year.
What is the most permanent teeth whitening? ›Dental veneers are a great way to permanently whiten your teeth, so no more white strips and no need for whitening treatments. A dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain material that is placed on top of natural teeth. They are bonded to the tooth with a cement-like material to ensure a stronghold.
Can yellow teeth become white again? ›What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.
What is the fastest most effective teeth whitening? ›Best for Fast Results
We recommend the Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips if you want whiter teeth fast. Although they do not contain peroxide (opting for a mix of natural ingredients), we found these strips to be a quick and easy way to whiten our teeth in just a couple of days.
Crest 3D White Professional Enamel Protect Toothpaste is our favorite whitening pick from the trusted brand. It has a gentle feeling and a mild mint flavor that isn't overpowering. This toothpaste features hydrated silica to remove stains and sodium fluoride to prevent cavities and strengthen enamel.
What do dentists recommend for teeth whitening? ›Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are commonly used in whitening interventions and can readily permeate dental hard tissues.
How to whiten teeth over 60? ›
If you want to whiten aging yellow teeth, you should make an appointment and head to your dentist's office. This option is a bit more expensive than purchasing tubes of toothpaste and packages of whitening trays from the store, but it is safer and more effective overall.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide to whiten my teeth? ›Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive household product you probably have on hand right now. When used carefully, it can be an effective way to whiten your teeth. But if used incorrectly — in concentrations that are too high or if used too often — it can cause serious and sometimes expensive tooth damage.
Is LED teeth whitening better than laser? ›Laser tooth whitening uses a powerful light to activate bleaching gel and accelerate the whitening process, while LED tooth whitenng uses an LED light to activate the bleaching gel and speed up the procedure.
Are LED lights better than UV for teeth whitening? ›Compared to UV light, LED light is safer but is still as effective. Ultimately, the best teeth whitening method for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are unsure of which method to choose, it is always best to consult with a qualified dentist or dental specialist.
Is LED whitening better than strips? ›Though some lights can add a temporary boost that fades within a day or so, none ultimately make your teeth whiter than trays of bleach or whitening strips alone. Nor can they shorten the amount of time you have to spend with a mouth full of whitening chemicals to achieve your desired tooth shade.
What is the latest technology in teeth whitening? ›LED Accelerated Whitening: This technology uses LED lights to accelerate the whitening process. The light activates the whitening agent, leading to quicker and more pronounced results. The latest LED systems are designed to minimize heat, offering a comfortable experience for the user.
What is the new technology for teeth whitening? ›Many modern teeth whitening procedures incorporate LED light technology. LED lights activate the whitening gel, accelerating the process and often reducing the time needed for treatment.
What do most dentists use for teeth whitening? ›Tooth whitening is most often done using peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the stronger the solution and the longer you keep it on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become.