The 9 Best LED Teeth Whitening Kits of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

If you want to brighten your smile, a pricey professional teeth whitening session isn’t your only option. Classic at-home whitening strips 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 bicoastal cosmetic dentist Dr. Victoria Veytsman. Teeth whitening products are typically formulated with a type of peroxide, which helps remove surface stains on 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,” explains Veytsman.

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 and at home over eight weeks. We evaluated each one based on its ease of use, comfort, convenience, effectiveness, and value, and ahead, we’re sharing the ones that yielded noticeable results.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Crest Leave-on Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light at Amazon $47

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Best Budget:

Cali White White Teeth Whitening Kit at Amazon $10

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Most Dramatic Results:

Linhart The Whitening Collection at Amazon $95

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Most Convenient:

Colgate ComfortFit LED Teeth Whitening Kit at Amazon $50

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Best With Whitening Strips:

Crest 3DWhitestrips 1 Hour Express + LED Light at Amazon $58

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Best Multipurpose:

Periosciences LED² Teeth Whitening Kit at Amazon $110

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Most User-Friendly Kit:

Snow Teeth Whitening Kit With LED Light at Amazon $79

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Best for Travel:

Whitebite Pro Teeth Whitening Kit at Amazon $45

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Best for Fast Results:

HeySmile Teeth Whitening Kit at Heysmileteeth.com

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Best Overall

Crest Leave-on Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light

PHOTO: Crest

$47 at Amazon$50 at Target$48 at Walmart

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 to Consider

• A bit time-consuming to use each day

Format: Serum | Recommended Use: 14 treatments, apply 2-4 times per day for 30 minutes | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

Most teeth whitening kits aren’t the most comfortable to use. This one, however, was so easy and comfortable that our tester thought she was using it incorrectly at first. 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 discreet, doesn’t make you talk funny, and does not cause tooth sensitivity—even when used up to four times per day which the brand recommends doing for an accelerated treatment. After the recommended 14 treatments, it made the teeth a full 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 not a dealbreaker for us. It’s effective, easy to use, non-sensitizing on the teeth or gums, and relatively affordable. If you’re looking for a mess-free teeth whitening option that you can use at home and see fast results, this is the one we recommend most. 

• Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
• Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Budget

Cali White White Teeth Whitening Kit

PHOTO: Amazon

$10 at Amazon$17 at Walmart

What We Like

• Quick and easy to use
• Light automatically shuts off after 10 minutes
• Non-sensitizing
• Affordable

What to Consider

• Tray is a bit big for the mouth
• Could produce more dramatic results

Format: Gel with trays | Recommended Use: 10-30 minutes daily for 7-10 days  | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide

This option costs less than $30 and while we saw more dramatic results with other kits on this list, we were impressed that this one lightened teeth one to two shades. After applying the whitening gel into the trays, popping them into the mouth, turning on the LED light, and letting it sit for 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. 

The system is super intuitive, 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 discomfort. But considering that the whitening formula didn’t cause irritation or sensitivity, it was quick to use, and it did lighten teeth (all at an affordable price), we still absolutely give this product the Byrdie stamp of approval. 

• Byrdie / Tamara Staples
• Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Most Dramatic Results

Linhart The Whitening Collection

PHOTO: Linhart

$95 at AmazonView on Linhart.nyc

What We Like

• Simple and intuitive to use
• Non-sensitizing to gums
• Lightens teeth fast
• USB charger is magnetic

What to Consider

• Not the most comfortable to keep the light in the mouth for an extended period

Format: Gel trays | Recommended Use: 16 minutes 2-4 times daily until desired results are achieved | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide gel

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 the trays are attached to an LED light to help speed up the process. You 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 two to four times per whitening session for the best results.

While biting down and keeping the trays in your mouth for this period isn’t the most comfortable, the system is intuitive to use and 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 has a magnetic USB cord and that the kit comes with a whitening toothpaste to use with the whitening system. 

• Byrdie / Tamara Staples
• Byrdie / Tamara Staples
• Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Most Convenient

Colgate ComfortFit LED Teeth Whitening Kit

PHOTO: Amazon

$47 at Amazon$53 at Target$45 at Walmart

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 to Consider

• Results could be more dramatic

Format: Brush | Recommended Use: 10 minutes daily for 10 days | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

Some teeth whitening kits are messy and time-consuming, but this one is neither. It features a compact whitening pen that you 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 small and comfortable in the mouth. It’s also attached to a cord that you conveniently plug into your phone to activate and charge.

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, then it beeps once more at the 10-minute mark to let you know your treatment is done. We love that the entire process takes just 10 minutes a day, and you can move around and get things done while using the device. We would have loved to see even brighter results, but it did help to lighten the teeth a full shade. 

• Byrdie/jhett thompson
• Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Best With Whitening Strips

Crest 3DWhitestrips 1 Hour Express + LED Light

PHOTO: Crest

$55 at Amazon$60 at WalmartView on Crest.com

What We Like

• Non-sensitizing
• Visible results in just one week
• Lightens teeth multiple shades
• LED light is battery-powered

What to Consider

• Time-consuming

Format: Strips | Recommended Use: 1 hour daily for 19 days | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

If you don’t mind having whitening strips on your teeth for an hour at a time (maybe you’re looking for an excuse to have an hour of quiet time), this whitening system is a great option. 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 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 them and completing the treatment. In just one week, we saw a noticeable improvement in the whiteness of our teeth. After 19 days, we were pleased that the system lightened the teeth almost five full shades. We also appreciate that the treatment was fairly mess-free and didn’t cause sensitivity. 

• Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
• Byrdie/jhett thompson

Best Multipurpose

Periosciences LED² Teeth Whitening Kit

PHOTO: Amazon

$110 at AmazonView on Periosciences.com

What We Like

• Significantly whitens teeth
• Wireless during use
• Non-sensitizing
• Simple to use
• Utilizes red light for gum health

What to Consider

• Charger is a bit finicky

Format: Pens | Recommended Use: 15 minutes daily for 10-15 days | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide

We love this kit for folks looking to whiten their teeth while improving their oral health. The kit features whitening pens that deposit the carbamide peroxide solution onto your teeth and trays with an attached LED light. What’s special about this one is that it has a blue light, a red light, or a combination of both. According to the brand and Dr. Veytsman, red light technology can help support soft tissue and gum health. Dr. Veytsman 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 five 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. 

• Byrdie / Tamara Staples
• Byrdie / Tamara Staples
• Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Most User-Friendly Kit

Snow Teeth Whitening Kit With LED Light

PHOTO: Amazon

$79 at Amazon$70 at Target$69 at Macy’s

What We Like

• Easy to use
• Comfortable mouthpiece
• Results after one use

What to Consider

• Some tooth sensitivity

Format: Gel with trays | Recommended Use: 9-30 minutes a day until desired whiteness is reached | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide

We love a good, well-rounded kit with accessories, and this one from Snow delivers. Our tester had never used a whitening kit at home before and found this one surprisingly easy to implement into her oral care routine. After brushing her teeth, she’d just fill the provided tray with gel (there’s enough for 75 treatments), plug the LED mouthpiece into her phone or computer (there are four adapter plugs included), and let the kit work its magic for nine minutes. While she did experience tooth sensitivity from the extra strength gel the regular strength didn’t bother her at all.

After just one use, she noticed her teeth were a shade whiter. Since the kit is so user-friendly, she could absolutely see using it periodically to brighten her smile.

• Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
• Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best for Travel

Whitebite Pro Teeth Whitening Kit

PHOTO: Amazon

$45 at Amazon

What We Like

• Compact and easy to use
• Noticeable results after one use
• Red and blue LED light for sanitizing and whitening

What to Consider

• Increased tooth sensitivity

Format: Gel with trays | Recommended Use: 16 minutes a day until desired whiteness is reached  | Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide

When you have to travel for a work event on short notice but want a quick teeth whitening before you present to colleagues, we recommend this kit from WhiteBrite. It’s small enough to fit in your carry-on and powerful enough to make a noticeable after just one use. Each session lasts 16 minutes, and the LED light automatically shuts off after that. We love that the mouthpiece is equipped with blue and red light technology (the blue light whitens while the red light sanitizes). It was surprisingly comfortable to wear during treatment sessions, too.

While our tester did experience some tooth sensitivity from the gel, it was a small price to pay for the incredible whitening power the kit provided: his teeth were one shade lighter after one use, and two shades lighter after four. Considering these results, we honestly can’t believe it’s under $30.

Best for Fast Results

HeySmile Teeth Whitening Kit

PHOTO: HeySmile

View on Heysmileteeth.com

What We Like

• Only need to use for 10 minutes at a time
• Results after first use
• Easy to use

What to Consider

• Mouthpiece can be somewhat uncomfortable

Format: Gel with trays | Recommended Use: 10 minutes a day until desired whiteness is reached  | Active Ingredients: Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP)

Since at-home teeth whitening products are typically not as powerful as in-office treatments, it’s not easy to find one that will whiten efficiently and quickly, but this one absolutely does. Our tester had tried strips in the past, but found them annoying to use—this LED kit was surprisingly easy by comparison. It took about two minutes to get it ready to go, and once she’d painted her teeth with the prefilled pens and inserted the mouthpiece, she could do chores around the house with ease while the gel processed for 10 minutes.

The LED component took some getting used to, and the mouthpiece was slightly uncomfortable at first (sizing can be off with these one-size-fits-all at-home devices), but she had no teeth or gum discomfort from the gel. After just one treatment, her teeth were noticeably whiter, and a shade or two whiter by the end of the testing period.

• Byrdie / Kimberly Souza
• Byrdie / Kimberly Souza

What to Look for When Buying an LED Teeth Whitening Kit

• Active Ingredients: 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. 
• Format: While all LED teeth whitening kits contain an LED light to help speed up the whitening process, the actual format of the kits varies. For example, our best overall pick is just a serum that you apply directly to the teeth with an applicator, making it simple, easy, and comfortable. Some options use trays or strips which are good for when you have some downtime and don’t need a super fast option for on-the-go.

FAQ

• Do LED teeth whitening kits 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 professional teeth whitening treatments?“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 7% to 12% hydrogen peroxide whereas in-office treatments will be upwards of 35%. 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 shouldn’t use an at-home LED whitening treatment?“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.”

Why Trust Byrdie

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. Alyssa interviewed to cosmetic dentists for this article.

Ally Hirschlag, a senior editor for Byrdie, updated this article. Aside from her beauty experience, she’s the daughter of an oral surgeon, so she knows her way around whitening products better than most people.

• Dr. Victoria Veytsman is a premier Cosmetic Dentist out of Los Angeles and New York City who has a passion for smile transformations where art and science come together.
• Dr. Lior Tamir is a cosmetic and reconstructive dentist based in Silicon Valley.