7 Best Teeth Whitening Pens for a High Wattage Smile (2024)

Time-saving and effective, Colgate's pen whitens teeth while you sleep with 3% of the stain lightening ingredient hydrogen peroxide. "The length of time that the gel stays on the teeth is important to provide a better result," says Dr. Max Blondman, D.D.S., a dentist in New York City. "Since the Colgate pen works overnight, the active ingredients have ample time to get the job done." Dr. Rubinshtein is also a fan of this pen, especially because it comes from a reputable brand and has a great price point.

One thing to look out for: While it didn't cause pain, a few reviewers noted that the gel may harden on the applicator brush or your teeth.

With over 35,000 ratings, this set is an Amazon best-seller for good reason: It's budget-friendly, gentle enough to use twice daily and can removal external stains of all types. Plus, multiple reviewers commented that there was no sensitivity or irritation even after many uses. While many users noted quick results, a few felt that it took a while to see noticeable changes.

"They have exceeded my expectations in every way," one Amazon reviewer says. "They are easy to use, provide noticeable results and are an exceptional value for the money."

Auraglow's pen works fast (under one minute!) and furiously to whiten teeth without causing any pain or sensitivity. The Walmart top-seller contains carbamide peroxide, which is proven to lifts stains from the teeth, according to the brand. The brush has a flexible tip, allowing it to access teeth of different shapes and sizes. While reviewers love the quick results and lack of irritation, a few had trouble using the pen and getting the gel out of the pen even after many clicks.

"This pen works very well, has caused no sensitivity for my teeth and I saw a difference in whitening after the first application," says one Walmart reviewer. "This will be my go-to because I find it works better than any strips or even the trays I got from my dentist."

Crest's teeth whitening pen has a unique spatula applicator that's flexible and easy to use. And it works quickly — you can see real lightening effects in just a single day. "It painlessly whitened my sensitive teeth about two shades over one day — the difference is noticeable," marveled GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. "It stayed put, and after a minute or two, I didn’t even feel it on."

The spatula tip isn't for everyone though; a few users commented that it didn't allow the gel to adhere to their teeth well.

Dr. Rubinshtein recommends Go Smile's pen as it "paints the whitening serum cleanly across the teeth and gives users visible results when used up to twice a day for a week." While it may not give extreme whitening results due to the low percentage of hydrogen peroxide, it can whiten teeth a few shades and is unlikely to irritate teeth. You also can use it alongside the complementary whitening kit, a GH Beauty Award winner, for maximum results.

Reviewers love the portability of the pen — it's ideal for on-the-go usage. "I love that I can carry it in my purse for touchups," says one Amazon reviewer.

Ideal before a big event, reviewers love Tarte's pen for its instant results. "I loved this product," says one Sephora reviewer. "It's so easy to use, has a minty aftertaste and you can literally see a difference in five minutes after applying this." It's also a great choice if you are looking for a vegan option.

Many reviewers love the minty flavor, although a few commented that it was a little strong and unappealing.

Butler loves Snow's multi-functional serum pen: It can be used as part of their whitening kit that includes an LED light or applied solo. "I liked that it was easy to apply and didn’t irritate my gums," she says. "You can leave it on your teeth for just nine minutes or for up to 30 minutes, so it’s easy to incorporate into your routine."

Online reviewers agree that it's gentle and super easy to use. Consistency is key here: One found that their results were minimal when not using multiple nights in a row.

The GH Institute's Beauty Lab rigorously tests all types of oral care, including water flossers, toothpastes, whitening strips and more.

While we haven't yet formally tested teeth whitening pens in the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, we have tested many other whitening products, in which our scientists measure the shade of testers' teeth under standardized lighting before and after using a label-masked teeth whitening product as directed over a specified time period to gauge changes in tooth color. So our experts have a solid understanding of which brands offer the best whitening products on the market, and which formulas are most effective.

The pens on this list are a combination of top picks chosen by top dentists we interviewed and our own Lab scientists, as well as highly rated products from our go-to beauty and health shopping destinations.

(Not so) fun fact: "Most people use the whitening pens the wrong way," says Dr. Rubinshtein. "They also don’t prep the teeth properly beforehand to get the best results." He advises to brush and floss teeth thoroughly first and make sure teeth are dry before using the pen.

"Try to be precise and avoid applying it to your gums, lips or other soft tissues," he says. "A thin, even layer does the trick." It's important to avoid eating, drinking or rinsing the mouth right after to get the best results. Every whitening pen is a little different and has different usage and timing guidelines so always read the instructions before using.

Dori Price researched and wrote this article, compiling all of the data and the list of top products. She has over 15 years of experience working as a beauty editor, including six years as the beauty and fashion director at Family Circle magazine. She works with the GH beauty team, GH Beauty Lab experts and industry pros on beauty product testing and reporting and lends her product knowledge and expertise across many beauty and health categories including skincare, makeup, nails, haircare and more.

Chiara Butler contributed her expertise about teeth whitening pens and top product picks to this story. She is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.