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Published: December 29, 2023

Waterpik Cordless Advanced review

Author: Jon Love (10 Comments)
Waterpik Cordless Advanced review 1

An all-round performer: our most recommended cordless water flosser

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The Cordless Advanced isn’t the cheapest, but it’s comfortable to hold and easy to use. 

It comes with a stylish design, quick charging and has dentist-recommended features.

We rate it as the best overall cordless water flosser.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced 2.0
Waterpik Cordless Advanced 2.0
Waterpik Cordless Advanced review 2 Waterpik Cordless Advanced review 2 Waterpik Cordless Advanced review 2 Waterpik Cordless Advanced review 2 Waterpik Cordless Advanced review 2

Pros

Cons

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Easy to rotate the nozzle

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Expensive

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Grippy handle

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Magnetic charger is bulky

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Quick magnetic charger

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Travel pouch included

Just enough time to floss without a refill

45(ish) seconds is about the time it takes a proficient user to clean in between the teeth and along the gumline effectively.

The 207ml (7 ounce) tank should enable the majority of users to floss without having to refill. When the power is set to high you get 45 seconds of usage time. This increases to 65 on the low setting. If you do need to refill mid-floss, it isn’t that difficult. There’s an easy-to-use, hinged door on the back for quick refilling. Failing that, you can detach the tank completely. This makes it easier to clean, too.

Waterpik cordless Advanced cordless flosser disconnected from water tank
The water tank can be detached entirely for filling and cleaning

Unlike an electric toothbrush, there is no timer or pacer built in to help you ensure an even clean across your mouth. Like toothbrushing, though, there is a correct technique, notably holding the flosser at 90 degrees to the gumline. It takes practice, but the best results will be achieved if you take the time to learn.

I’ve been very impressed with Advanced and how well it has removed debris and plaque from between the teeth. On many occasions, I can feel the difference and the evidence in the sink confirms it’s doing a good job.

Whether you have all your own teeth or you have crowns, veneers, bridges or implants, you can use a water flosser. If you’ve had any dental work, you might be better served by specific tips to get the best results. The Pik-Poket tip is designed specifically for those with periodontal pockets for example.

The Advanced has been awarded the American Dental Association's Seal of 

Acceptance and approved by the Oral Health Foundation. This means it has undergone independent clinical testing and achieves the claims Waterpik makes. The company undertakes lots of clinical testing to verify the performance and suitability of its products.

Producing 70 decibels of sound when in use, the Advanced is far from silent, so this is something to bear in mind when considering this product. Most flossers operate in a similar audible range.

Blue Waterpik Cordless Advanced water flosser stood on countertop

Grippy and stylish

If you’ve not used a cordless water flosser before, you might be a bit surprised by the size. They are bigger than some anticipate. Smaller hands can struggle to hold and handle them comfortably. This is less of an issue with the Advanced.

The shape and expanse of the textured surface on the rear make for the best grip and in-hand comfort I have experienced.

Close up of textured grip on the back of the Cordless Advanced water flosser from Waterpik
Large textured surface helps with keeping a firm in hand grip

When in use with a full tank the device feels nicely balanced and I never feel that I am struggling to hold and move it.

The thumb falls naturally to the mode and power buttons. Their silicone surface is easy to pick out with a fingertip. They don’t require much pressure to activate and give a satisfactory amount of feedback.

It is all made from plastic, even the chrome-looking parts. But the curved shape and choice of colours, (white, black and blue) help make it stand out from what are mainly all white coloured alternatives.

The Advanced is water-resistant. It will get wet as water dribbles out your mouth as you floss, but it can be rinsed under a tap and it’s safe to use in the shower if you so choose.

It’s the easiest rotating nozzle I’ve ever used

The Cordless Advanced has the easiest nozzle rotation setup of any cordless water flosser.

You can move it a little or a lot extremely easily. You can do this whilst you floss, using a single finger from the same hand that holds the flosser.

The large fin and clicking design of the rotating mechanism is effortless to use.

Many other brands who claim easy-to-use nozzle rotation could learn a thing or two from Waterpik. Too many don’t rotate as easily.

Close up of rotating nozzle mechanism on Waterpik Cordless Advanced
Large fins give surface area for grip to rotate the nozzle with the fingertip

Choose the water pressure that is right for you

Pick between high, medium and low water pressure settings to get a flossing experience you enjoy.

Low is ideal for new users or if you have gum recession, sensitivity or bleeding gums. It operates at 45 PSI.

High is the most intense and better suited to more experienced users who have no active gum disease or sensitivity. This operates at 75 PSI.

The Cordless Advanced allows you to switch between modes at any time with a press of the mode button. LEDs on the unit confirm which mode is selected. It will remember and default to that mode until you change it.

More power doesn’t necessarily result in a better clean. Don’t think you need to progress quickly to high mode. You are better off perfecting your technique and using a low mode than using a power level you find too harsh.

Close up of power and mode buttons on the Waterpik Cordless Advanced
3 different pressure/mode settings are available - LEDs illuminate when mode is selected

Expensive, but justifiably so

£85 is the average price of the Advanced, about £10 less than its retail price.

It is most certainly more expensive than lesser known brands and one of the most expensive from Waterpik.

Factoring in replacement nozzles, over the space of 3 years you are looking at a cost of £101.

I believe it is justifiable for what’s on offer here.

The Sonicare cordless 3000 costs about the same as the Advanced. It is similarly featured and the closest competitor.

Waterpik’s Cordless Select is around £10 less. Cleaning results are comparable, but it is less comfortable in hand and doesn’t come with a travel case.

If considering the switch from string floss, then water flossers are far more expensive. But, for many, they are a worthwhile investment as they help you form a more consistent habit than with the very technique sensitive floss.

Angled view of the rear of the Waterpik Cordless Advanced in Blue

Recharge the battery with the bulky, but easy-to-use magnetic charger 

Sealed inside the handle is a rechargeable (Li-Ion) battery.

4 weeks is the claimed usage time. In my testing, using the high mode once a day, I achieved around 6 weeks. This puts the Advanced perfectly on par with the industry average.

An LED on the unit gives feedback when the battery is low, with about 30% power remaining.

Recharged in around 8 hours, the magnetic charger is convenient and effortless to attach. It just snaps into place on the front of the flosser. But, it is bulkier than a lot of other chargers for similar products.

Waterpik Cordless advanced with magnetic power supply connected
The USB type A power cable is hardwired into the magnetic charger that attaches to the front of the flosser - it takes around 8 hours to charge

The USB type A cable at the other end of the cable allows the Advanced to be charged from other USB power sources such as a computer or battery bank. No 2 or 3 pin to USB adapter is provided. You will need to source your own if you want to connect to a power outlet.

USB power cables are becoming more commonplace, with the type-c connector on the Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 being one of the best options today. This does mean having to deal with sometimes fiddly port covers, though.

Please note: In 2023 Waterpik launched the Cordless Advanced 2.0 to replace the original Advanced. The small differences are listed here and relate to the battery and charging.

The travel case is the most useful of all the accessories

A lot of extras are included in the box, some more useful than others.

It depends on your specific needs, but the Advanced comes with 4 tips (nozzles) in the box. They are:

  • 2 x JT-450E – Waterpik Classic High Pressure Jet Tips
  • 1 x OD-100E – Waterpik Orthodontic Tip
  • 1 x PS-100E – Waterpik Plaque Seeker Tip

It’s the jet tips that suit most users, with the other 2 designed for more specific user needs. Waterpik has even more tip styles available for those who need them. All of them can be used with the Advanced.

Nozle travel case for Waterpik
A travel case for the different nozzles/tips is included with the Advanced

It’s nice to have the options out of the box, but they are a bit wasteful if you don’t need them.

It’s recommended to replace jet tips every 6 months, whereas those with bristles like the orthodontic tip should be replaced every 3.

Also included is a plastic travel case to hold the aforementioned tips. Not essential, but certainly nice to have.

The most useful extra is the soft, drawstring pouch case. Basic but functional, it allows you to keep items together and gives a bit of protection when on the go. 

Another useful extra is the ‘plug’. This plastic piece fits into the top of the flosser when you take it with you and helps prevent water from leaking out of the opening.

Box contents of the Waterpik Cordless Advanced
Typical box contents of the Waterpik Advanced Original - Version 2.0 (not shown) has a USB connector on power cable rather than 2 pin adapter

Corless units are more travel-friendly than the countertop alternatives. It’s personal preference, but because of the size you’re probably not going to want to carry the Advanced with you when travelling light for a 1 or 2 night stay, for example. Regular travellers are better off considering the more compact collapsible designs featured in our best water flossers article.

An industry average 2 year warranty is included

The Waterpik Cordless Advanced comes with a 2 year warranty. This is the average, but it’s a shame Waterpik hasn’t opted for 3 years, like it does with some of its products. 

I’ve found the Advanced to be durable and well made overall. I have no reason to be overly concerned.

Feedback from users would suggest long term battery reliability is an issue. I’ve no figures to confirm either way. I don’t advise against the Advanced knowing this. 

Environmental impact

As it stands, there haven’t been any studies to specifically measure the environmental impact of water flossers. 

However, a 2020 study found that an electric toothbrush has around 11 times the environmental impact of a manual toothbrush. The equivalent is likely to be true of a water flosser compared to string floss or interdental brushes. 

If you can use string floss or interdental brushes, it will be better for the planet than opting for the Cordless Advanced. It is interdental brushes that are the most effective of all flossing tools. 

With regards to the Cordless Advanced specifically, the bulky magnetic charger is proprietary to the Advanced and can’t be repurposed like a USB type-c cable could. The inclusion of additional tips feels a bit wasteful as many will go unused. 

Petroleum-based plastics are used, rather than plant-based, thus using more of the planet's finite resources. 

Unfortunately, Waterpik doesn’t currently offer any recycling programme for their flossers or consumables.

Conclusion: a must-buy cordless flosser

The good sized tank and variable pressure settings give you time and greater control as you floss.

It is a bit expensive and the magnetic charger is a bit bulky, albeit convenient.

The design, ease of use and performance make it the best cordless flosser available.

Size guide

  • Water Flosser Height With Nozzle - 29.4cm / 11.6 inches
  • Width - 7.1cm / 2.8 inches
  • Depth/thickness - 10.2cm / 4 inches
  • Weight with nozzle (no water) - 363g / 12.8oz
  • Package weight - 599g / 21.2oz

Noise

  • 70dB

Country of manufacture

  • China

FAQ

What's the difference between Cordless Advanced (original/1.0) & Cordless Advanced 2.0?

In 2023 Waterpik launched a new version of the Advanced. The latest model replaces the original with a couple of subtle differences:

  • Version 2.0 has a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery rather than the Nickel Metah Hydride (NiMH) of the original Advanced. This gives approx 4 weeks rather than 1 weeks battery life.
  • The Advanced 2.0 has a USB Type-A connector on the end of the magnetic charging cable, rather than a 2 power adapter on the original Advanced.
    • No 2 pin USB plug adapter is included with the Advanced 2.0. To charge from a 2 pin or 3 pin socket you will need to source a 2 pin USB plug adapter.
  • A full charge takes up to 8 hours with the Advanced 2.0 compared to the 4 hours of the Advanced original.
Author: Jon Love

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H
Helen
February 10, 2024

Hi, I just wonder if you would be able to tell me what the PSI is on the medium setting please? This is the most comfortable one for me, however I have read somewhere, that water flossing needs to be between 60 and 75 PSI in order to be effective. I have crowns, bridges and implants. I do still have my own lower front teeth and my gums are sensitive, as is the rest of me. However they do not bleed as I use floss and brushes also. Thank you so much.

JL
Jon Love - Chief tester
February 12, 2024

Hi Helen. I don't know the exact pressure used on this setting. It is not something Waterpik have made publically available. If you were to contact them, then they might be able to tell you, but I am not sure. I've not ever seen any evidence to suggest 60 to 75 PSI is required to be effective. That would be interesting if that were the case as there are lots of products with pressures far below this.

H
Helen
February 12, 2024

Hello Jon Thank you for your reply. Very interesting on both counts. I think I will give Waterpik a ring to see what they are able to tell me. Interestingly, I have since tried it on full power, and I seem to be okay with that on the outside (lip side of the teeth) but still need the medium on the inside (tongue side). In fact doing the inside is much trickier all round for me, especially on the right, as I am right handed. Kind Regards and thanks Helen

AG
Alison G
January 19, 2023

Hello. I'm looking to buy a rechargeable Waterpik that would be suitable for the usual cleaning of my lower (real!) teeth and my top teeth which are an All on 4 full bridge and not removable. My main problem is cleaning the part which is against the roof of my mouth and collects food debris. I wondered if I need to look for one with the appropriate attachment tool? Thanks.

JL
Jon Love - Chief tester
January 19, 2023

The standard Jet Tip should be able to get in and clean away the majority of debris and bacteria. If you can see and access the impants, it could be worth trying the plaque seeker tips which have bristles on the end and can get in and around the implants attaching the denture. It doesn't hurt to speak to your dentist to get personalised advice too.

AG
Alison G
January 19, 2023

Thanks very much. I can't see the implants although I can use superfloss on them but I'm aware this isn't enough. I will seek advice from my dentist too. Very grateful for your advice.

S
Steph
January 12, 2023

Hi there, Many thanks for your helpful website. Regarding cordless waterflossers, please could you let me know which model, the Waterpik Cordless Advanced 560, or Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000, has the more compact tip please ? Space is very tight around my wisdom teeth. Regards Steph

JL
Jon Love - Chief tester
January 13, 2023

Hi Steph. Do you mean the circumference around the end of the nozzle tip, as opposed to the length of the nozzle itself? To be honest we don't have any highly accurate way of measuring between the 2. They are very comparable. But depending on the tip, I think (from memory) the Waterpik is the slimmer.

RF
Robert Firmin
September 27, 2022

I am buying a Waterpik WP-560 on your recommendation. I have just had implants and want to take care of them properly. Can you recommend another flosser that would be good for "travelling" ie: something small and compact. This would only be for a few weeks or so. Regards Robert Firmin

JL
Jon Love - Chief tester
September 28, 2022

Hi Robert. To be honest with you, there isn't a particular water flosser I would really recommend as ideal for travel. There are some more compact options but often they come with compromises. An example is the Panasonic EW-DJ10. I reviewed it here on our USA site. It is available in the UK and the conclusion still applies really. If you are able I would advise using this, it comes with a travel case. Or you might want to consider just using some good floss, like Oral-B SuperFloss to get in and around the implant for the few weeks you might be away.

B
Bella
September 19, 2021

I really wanna know how good the Oclean W10 Water Flosser. Can you please make a review about it?

JL
Jon Love - Chief tester
September 19, 2021

Hi Bella. This is on our list to do, but I can't yet say when that will be.

MK
M Kotas
August 24, 2021

Great site and great review. Thank you for the detailed review. You made choosing a water pick a lot easier. Following your link to eBay I found the Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-562 (the black version) for only £58.99. I quickly bought it and only then noticed that there were even cheaper ones. Still happy though :-)

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