Countertop water flossers are a great asset in any oral hygiene routine. Two of the best in the business are the Waterpik Aquarius and the Waterpik Ultra. So how do you choose which one is right for you? You let us do the work for you! Read on to find out the similarities and differences between the Waterpik Aquarius and the Waterpik Ultra, and which one gets our vote for the best in the industry at this price point.
Aquarius and Ultra Side by Side
We wanted to help consumers narrow down their search for the best water flosser on the market, and chances are if you’ve landed on this page, you’ve reached the same conclusion — the Waterpik Aquarius and Waterpik Ultra Complete are two of the top contenders. Read on for our take on what makes each of these models unique, and which water flosser will reign supreme.
| Name | Score | Pressure Settings | Capacity | Tips Included | Modes | Timer | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST VALUE |  |
Waterpik Aquarius |  |
10 (10-100psi) | 22 oz (90 seconds) | 7 | 2 (floss & massage) |  |
 |
  |
Waterpik Ultra |  |
10 (10-100psi) | 22 oz (90 seconds) | 6 | 1 |  |
|
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
|  |
|---|---|
| PRESSURE SETTINGS | 10 (10-100psi) |
| CAPACITY | 22 oz (90 seconds) |
| TIPS INCLUDED | 7 |
| ROTATING TIP | Yes |
| MODES | 2 (floss and massage) |
| TIMER | Yes |
| PRICE | |
Pros
- Leaves your teeth and gums squeaky clean without the harsh effects traditional string flossing can have
- 10 different pressure settings makes it easy to find the perfect one for your dental needs
- Includes 7 different tips (3 classic jet, 1 plaque seeker, 1 orthodontic, 1 pik pocket, 1 toothbrush tip)
- American Dental Association Approved means it has undergone stringent testing
Cons
- It must be plugged in to a power outlet to work
- The size of the water flosser can feel bulky in smaller bathrooms
- May take time to figure out which pressure setting is right for you
- Not very travel friendly
Features & Benefits
Works with Braces & other Dental Work
The Aquarius model is safe for anyone with braces, implants, crowns, bridges, or periodontal pockets.
Equipped with 2 Modes & 10 Pressure Settings
The Waterpik Aquarius has two modes, and utilizes a LED display that makes it easy to identify which mode you are using. The first option is Floss mode. This mode is great for daily use, and provides a continuous stream of water. It pulsates at approximately 1,400 pulses a minute, making it an incredibly powerful and efficient water flosser. The second mode option is Massage mode. This mode helps stimulate blood flow to the gums and heal and strengthen the gum line. Those who struggle with gingivitis should consider using this mode.
It is also equipped with 10 water pressure settings, ranging from gentle to a deep clean. This allows users to select a personalized water flossing level that is the best for their specific needs. The varying settings range between 10 to 95 PSI with 1,400 pulses per minute in order to give you cleaner and healthier teeth and gums.
Color Option
The Waterpik Aquarius comes in a variety of color options. This might seem trivial, but if you’re going to have this sitting on your bathroom counter, it is fun to have the option of what color you want.
Large Reservoir
The reservoir holds enough water for 90 seconds (this is the recommended length of flossing by dentists). This ensures you get the required amount of flossing time without having to refill the reservoir (which can be an issue with some of the cordless/portable water flossers).
Built in Timer
It also comes with a 1 minute built in timer, with a 30 second pacer. Its water reservoir holds 22 ounces of water, which is typically enough for 90 seconds of flossing at full pressure. Your purchase of the Waterpik Aquarius includes 7 tips for a variety of uses and users!
Quick Recap of Features
Overall, the Waterpik Aquarius is easily one of the best water flossers on the market. Its key features include:
Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser
| |
|---|---|
| PRESSURE SETTINGS | 10 (10-100psi) |
| CAPACITY | 22 oz (90 seconds) |
| TIPS INCLUDED | 6 |
| ROTATING TIP | Yes |
| MODES | 1 |
| TIMER | No |
| PRICE | |
Pros
- Large water tank provides up to 90 seconds of uninterrupted water flossing
- 10 pressure settings make it easy to find the perfect one for you
- 6 water tips included with purchase
- The lid also serves as a tip storage unit
- American Dental Association approved
Cons
- Has a larger footprint than other models in the marketplace
- It must be plugged in to a power outlet to work
- Can take some time to get the hang of using without making a mess
- Only 1 mode
- Not travel friendly
Features & Benefits
Great for Braces and Dental Work
Like most other water flossers, the Waterpik Ultra is great for those with braces, implants, crowns, bridges, or periodontal pockets. When used for one minute per day, the Waterpik Ultra removes up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas, while massaging the gums.
10 Pressure Settings
The Waterpik Ultra comes 10 adjustable water pressure settings, giving you a personalized user experience (great for first time users). These settings range anywhere from 10 to 90 PSI with 1,400 pulses per minute. It helps clean between teeth and below the gumline, without the harshness of string floss. It also massages and stimulates the gums in the process, improving their health.
Large Reservoir
The Ultra’s design features a high-volume water reservoir with an in-lid tip storage compartment. The water reservoir holds 650ml of water, equating to 90 seconds of usage (the recommended flossing time by Dentists).
Equipped with Multiple Tips
The Waterpik Ultra includes six 360 degree rotating tips with purchase:
Healthier Gums in 14 Days
Waterpik claims that when used daily, people can experience healthier gums within 14 days of using the Waterpik Ultra Complete Water Flosser. They are so certain of this that they offer a money back guarantee. Waterpik features many clinical trials and their results on their website backing up the effectiveness of their products.
Quick Recap of Features
Similarities
Both the Waterpik Aquarius and Waterpik Ultra Complete are top of the line, countertop water flossers. They have many similarities which we will outline below.
Pressure Settings
Each unit has 10 pressure settings, making it easy to achieve a personalized flossing experience. You can choose how strong or weak the water flow is (ideal for your personal flossing journey). Take into account the condition of your teeth and gums, especially if you have gingivitis. Too much pressure can cause gum sensitivity and pain, while not enough pressure can leave plaque behind.
Reservoir Capacity
Both the Waterpik Aquarius and the Waterpik Ultra Complete hold enough water for 90 seconds of water floss time. This meets the dentist recommendation of flossing for 90 seconds, and helps remove plaque and bacteria from even the most difficult to reach areas of the mouth. This is important because it helps reduce the risk of developing cavities or gum issues.
Covered Reservoir
While it may seem like a no brainer to keep a water reservoir covered, you’d be surprised how common sense can often escape people. A covered water reservoir helps keep the water supply clean and sanitary. Don’t purchase any water flosser without this feature.
Handle Controls
The Ultra Complete and the Aquarius both have controls placed on the handle, making them very convenient. The Waterpik Aquarius has an on/off slider on the handle, and the Waterpik Ultra Complete has a push button.
Long Cord
The Aquarius has a 53 inch cord, while the Ultra has a 54 inch cord. Each one gives you plenty of freedom to place the countertop flosser in the most convenient area of your bathroom.
360-Degree Rotating Tip
Both the Waterpik Aquarius and the Waterpik Ultra Complete have a rotating tip, which makes it easy to reach even the most difficult to reach areas of the mouth, teeth, and gumline.
Voltage
The countertop water flossers can only work with North American voltage, which is 110V. This isn’t a big deal to us since most people do not travel internationally with their water flosser, but keep this in mind in case you are a world traveler.
Summary of Similarities
Key Differences
While the Waterpik Aquarius and the Waterpik Ultra Complete share many similarities, they are still different in subtle ways. These little differences are what helped us decide our overall winner.
Tips
Both models come with the same types of tips, but the Aquarius comes with 7 total tips, while the Ultra Complete comes with only 6. The Aquarius includes an additional Classic Jet tip. This is nice to save money on replacement tips down the road.
LED Display
The Waterpik Aquarius has a LED mode display to help users keep track of the mode they are using, while the Ultra lacks an LED display. This makes sense because the Aquarius features a Floss and Massage mode, while the Ultra Complete only has one mode.
Color Choices
The Waterpik Aquarius comes in 6 different color options: white, black, blue, purple, pink, and teal. The Waterpik Ultra Complete comes in four color options: white, orchid blue, blue, and black.
Timer
The Aquarius has a 60 second timer with a 30 second pacer built in to help you achieve an equal clean throughout your mouth. The Ultra does not have a timer feature.
Size
The Aquarius is smaller in both its depth and width. It is also lighter than the Ultra Complete. If you have limited countertop space in your bathroom, this could be a deciding factor. The Ultra is larger in both depth and width by a few inches.
Modes
The Waterpik Ultra Complete only has one mode, while the Waterpik Aquarius has a Floss mode and a Massage mode. The Aquarius’s Hydro-Pulse Massage option uses a water pulsation pattern to stimulate the gums, therefore strengthening gum tissues and increasing blood flow to the area. These steps lead to healthier gums overall.
Summary of Differences
The Waterpik Aquarius and the Waterpik Ultra Complete are both amazing water flossers that will leave your mouth equally clean. So what sets them apart from one another? Here are a few of the key differences.
Final Thoughts
While both the Waterpik Ultra Complete and the Waterpik Aquarius are great choices for a countertop water flosser, in our opinion, the Waterpik Aquarius is the better choice. While it is generally more expensive, we believe its added features are worth the small price increase.
The fact that the Waterpik Aquarius has two modes (Floss and Massage) sets it apart from the Ultra Complete. We also like that it includes 7 tips, while the Ultra Complete only includes 6. The LED Indicator, as well as 60 second timer with 30 second pacer also set the Waterpik Aquarius above the Waterpik Ultra Complete. It also is going to take up less space on your bathroom counter, which is great.
How to choose a Water Flosser
If you’re new to the idea of a water flosser, choosing the right model can be overwhelming. In fact, those who have used water flossers for years can find themselves overwhelmed with all of the new options on the market today. Because of this, we wanted to make it easy for our readers to choose the best water flosser for their individual needs. Here are what we think you should consider when choosing the best water flosser for your oral hygiene routine:
Features
Decide what features and settings matter to you.
Water Reservoir Capacity
Footprint
Water Pressure Settings
Not all water flossers are created equally. In fact, some of the models out there are just a waste of your hard-earned money. Make sure to take the above factors into consideration when considering the best water flosser for you. Your mouth and health deserve the best there is!
Benefits of Using a Water Flosser
Using a water flosser has incredible benefits for the health of your mouth! Here are a few of the great benefits of using a water flosser:
Reduces the Risk of Periodontal Infection
One of the main advantages of using a water flosser is its ability to rid the mouth of bacteria. Water flossers are clinically proven to remove more bacteria in the mouth than simply brushing your teeth. In fact, an article published by the American Academy of Periodontology states that using a water flosser, “permits patients to participate in maintaining the bacterial reduction that was attained during root planting.
Reduces inflammation
Countless research studies show that those who use a water flosser as part of their oral hygiene routine reduce the risk of bleeding gums and gingivitis compared to those who do not use a water flosser.
Helps with Diabetes
While this may seem like a random benefit, people with diabetes are at a greater risk for periodontal disease, and typically have more severe gingival inflammation. One study conducted on those with diabetes found that when patients used a water flosser for 3+ months, they had a 44 percent reduction in bleeding, and a 41 percent reduction in gingivitis.
Safe to use on Dental Implants
Water flossers offer a safe and effective way to remove plaque and bacteria around delicate dental implants and orthodontic gear. It also helps reduce the incidence of bleeding around these sensitive areas!
Better Cleaning than String Floss
Water flossers are able to penetrate deeper into the pocket of teeth and gums that traditional string floss can. It can provide a deeper clean, while also being incredibly gentle.
Removes Plaque
The University of Southern California Center for Biofilms conducted a study and found that a three-second application of water flossing using a premium product was able to remove 99.9% of plaque biofilm from the treated area!
Easy to Use
Using a water flosser is very simple. Children of all ages are able to use them effectively! It is actually much easier than string flossing because the machine does the work for you in about a minute’s time.
Evidence based: Water flossers have been the subjects of many, many research studies. In fact, since its introduction in 1962, water flossers have been evaluated more than 50 times. These findings show a reduction in bleeding and gingivitis supported by positive outcomes of more than 20 clinical trials.
