Can you use an electric toothbrush in the shower?

How handles are sealed

A rechargeable handle has its battery, motor and electronics sealed inside a plastic body, and it charges by induction, through the plastic, without exposed metal contacts. This design lets you rinse the handle under the tap and is why most handles cope with splashes and wet hands.

Water resistance is not the same as being waterproof in every situation. Makers test to a standard, and the manual says what is covered. Our article on how a sonic toothbrush works explains what is inside a typical handle.

What the manual usually says

Manuals for Oral-B and Philips Sonicare brushes explain how to clean the handle under running water and warn against submerging the charger. Some state whether the handle can be used in the shower. If yours does not mention the shower, treat that as a sign it was not designed for it, even if many people do it.

If water damage happens outside the uses the manual allows, it may not be covered by the warranty.

The charger stays out

The charger is a mains appliance. It must never go into the shower or be used with wet hands. Keep it on a dry surface, plugged into a suitable socket. Many UK chargers have a two-pin plug for a bathroom shaver socket, which is designed for this purpose. See charging from a UK shaver socket.

Note:Never take a charger, plug or extension lead into a shower or near a filled bath. UK wiring rules keep ordinary sockets away from baths and showers.

If you brush in the shower

If your manual allows it, a few habits help the handle last.

1. 1

   Keep the brush out of the direct spray when you are not using it.

2. 2

   Do not leave it lying in a puddle on a shower tray or shelf.

3. 3

   Rinse the head and handle at the end.

4. 4

   Dry the handle with a towel before it goes back on the charger.

5. 5

   Pop the head off weekly and rinse the shaft to stop residue building up.

Hot water and steam

Very hot water and steam are harder on seals than a quick rinse. If you brush in the shower, avoid pointing the hot spray straight at the base of the handle. Store the brush outside the shower between uses, so it is not sitting in steam every day.

Water flossers in the shower

Water flossers are a separate case: only cordless models that the maker says are suitable should ever be used in the shower, and mains countertop units never. See using a water flosser in the shower.

Choosing a brush that suits your routine

If you often brush away from the sink, a handle with a long battery life and a travel case is handy, as it spends less time on the charger. Our guide to toothbrushes with a charging travel case covers models with cases that charge, and our best electric toothbrush guide compares premium handles. Our battery-days check works out how long a charge lasts for your routine.

See charging travel case brushes →

Travel cases and wet bathrooms

If your bathroom is small and wet, or you share it with others, a travel case is a tidy place to keep the brush between uses. Cases that charge, found on higher Oral-B iO and Sonicare models, let the handle charge without sitting on a stand next to the basin. Some cases charge from a USB lead, which you can plug in outside the bathroom. Let the head and handle dry before closing the case, as a sealed, damp case can collect residue. Our Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 vs Prestige 9900 comparison covers two handles with charging travel cases.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Sonicare waterproof? Sonicare handles are sealed for rinsing and splashes. Check your manual for whether shower use is covered.

Is an Oral-B iO waterproof? iO handles are sealed and charge by induction. Follow the manual on shower use.

Can I charge my toothbrush in the bathroom? Yes, from a shaver socket if the charger has a two-pin plug, kept away from water.

What if water gets inside the handle? Stop using it, let it dry and contact the maker. Do not open the handle.