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Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560 Review

The best cordless water flosser available

5 Star Rating

It isn’t the cheapest, but the Cordless Advanced is made by a leading brand that invests in clinical research.

The 207ml tank is just large enough to offer a thorough flossing session.  There are 3 different pressure settings to choose from. I am very pleased with the cleaning results.

It is stylish, comfortable to hold in hand and really easy to use.

Pros

  • Easy to rotate the nozzle for easier control
  • Grippy handle
  • Easy to attach magnetic charger
  • Travel pouch included in the box

Cons

  • Expensive

Preview Product Rating Price
Waterpik Cordless Advanced Waterpik Cordless Advanced 4,812 Reviews £94.99 £92.46

Consider this other water flosser

If I were to pick a cordless water flosser today, this Cordless Advanced model would be my choice.

It looks good. It cleans well. It has various pressure settings.  The nozzle is easy to rotate. And it is comfortable to hold in hand.

It is our number 1 choice for best cordless water flosser.

The Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 is also a very good option.  Similar to the Advanced, it offers a X shaped water stream and has a built-in timer as well as a larger water tank for longer flossing times.

Preview Product Rating Price
Cordless Power Flosser Cordless Power Flosser 346 Reviews £119.99 £98.98

Design, usability, clean & general use

When you first get the Cordless Advanced water flosser out of the box, the first thing you notice is the size.

If you are not used to a cordless water flosser they are quite bulky.

Cordless Advanced Water Flosser From Waterpik

They have to be to some extent due to the very nature of what they are.  There is a water tank, battery and pump all built into the unit.

It measures in at:

  • Height (with nozzle) – 29.4cm / 11.60 inches
  • Width – 7.1cm / 2.80 inces
  • Thickness/depth – 10.2cm / 4.0 inches
  • Weight (with nozzle) – 360g / 0.80Lbs

Most water flossers tend to have a curved design to the body.  Having handled many, this immediately feels more comfortable and grippy in hand.

This is down to the position of the water tank on this model. It is located towards the base of the unit. It doesn’t extend up the rear of the flosser quite as much as other products of this type.

This means is there is a larger surface area to grip onto. Covered with raised dots that really gives the fingertips something to hold onto.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced
Large textured surface helps with keeping a firm in hand grip

Refer to the hands-on images to see what I mean.

A concern I have is the size. The anticipation might be that this will fit nicely in a bag when I go away for business or pleasure.

It will fit. But, if you are travelling light, say for a weekend break; this is a bulky unit to have in the bag.

It does come with a travel pouch.  And even a plug to put into the nozzle hole to stop and water leaking out. These are nice touches.

Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser

The benefits of being cordless are great. I would suggest you consider your lifestyle though. Assess whether a countertop flosser might be a better investment of your money.

Both cordless and countertop flossers have their place. What is right for one, may not be right for another.  You often get a few more features and longer usage time from the countertop options.  The Waterpik Ultra Professional (WP-660 and WP-662) is a great example.

Corded or cordless you need to be in a position to expel the water when you are using it.

The Cordless Advanced comes in 3 different colour options within the UK.

They are:

  • White – WP-560UK
  • Black – WP-562UK
  • Blue – WP-563UK

I like the variety, rather than the basic, clinical, and inoffensive white.

The more standard white and black are most popular and sold in more places than the other options.

When you look at the unit head-on, it is the main button/control panel that stands out at you.

These buttons and notification lights are within a chrome silver teardrop shaped frame.  It looks smart.

A power button sits at the top, with a pressure/mode control button below.

The power button is a grey colour, made from a silicon material, and has a power icon debossed on it.  Circular in shape it is very easy to tell that this is the on/off switch.

Underneath these are the words High, Medium, and Low. They are stacked on top of each other with an LED between them.

The LED below each mode lights up once selected.

Waterpik labels these as modes, but you like me might prefer to call them pressure settings.

Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser
3 different pressure/mode settings available

Each mode/pressure setting is slightly different. They offer more or less intense cleaning actions from the water flosser.

Press the pressure control button to change the pressure before powering the flosser on.

The mode button has a slightly concave design.  It is made from a silicone material and provides a good level of feedback to the fingertip when pressed.

Below this is a battery icon come charging LED that gives feedback on the battery power.

Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser

The remaining body of the unit is a smooth touch plastic.

At the front, just before the base of the unit is the Waterpik logo.

The rear of the unit is primarily made up of the water tank. It is a clear plastic.  There is a hinged cover over the opening to the tank.

The tank holds 207ml (7 ounces) of water and will give up to 65 seconds of usage time.

On the rear, towards the top of the flosser  are a series of raised dots. I mentioned these previously. They act as a grip for the fingers to keep the unit firmly in hand.

On the top of the unit is the detachable nozzle.

4 nozzles come provided in the box.

These can easily be removed and replaced by releasing the catch that holds them in place.  To do this you need to press the grey coloured eject/release button on the back of the unit, right at the top.

All the nozzles can be rotated a full 360 degrees. This allows you to gain maximum benefit from the flosser, and position the tip in the mouth at the ideal angle.

The dial that controls this rotation is super simple to use.  The best of any water flosser.  

Rotating nozzle of Cordless Advanced
Easy to rotate nozzle

Large ridges around the dial fitting make it easy for the finger to align and grip.  You can achieve quite finite control, with 1 or 2 clicks of the wheel. Or you can make a much larger sweep of the fingertip to move it up to 180 degrees at a time.  With as little as 2 passes of the finger, you can rotate the nozzle a full 360 degrees.

Such a feature should not be underestimated.  You have finite control, more so than when you are all fingers and thumbs with regular floss.

It will take a bit of practice to actually do when in use.  But you can use your index finger to twist the nozzle into the perfect angle to reach all areas of the mouth.

The 4 nozzles provided with this cordless option are:

  • 2 x JT-450E – Waterpik Classic Water Flosser Tips
  • 1 x OD-100E – Waterpik Orthodontic Tip
  • 1 x PS-100E – Waterpik Plaque Seeker Tip

Coming in a little storage box, it is a neat way to stow the nozzles when not in use and when travelling.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560 Review 1

For the vast majority, the classic tips are the best option to use.

If you wear braces, then the Orthodontic tip is useful.  Those with dental implants will find the Plaque Seeker tip most useful.

There are 3 additional styles of nozzle.  Each is designed for different use cases.

  • PP-100E – Waterpik Pik Pocket Tips
  • TB-100E – Waterpik Water Flosser Toothbrush Tips
  • TC-100E – Waterpik Water Flosser Tongue Cleaner

The Pik Pocket tips are designed for those with Periodontal Pockets.

Any of these styles can be purchased and used with the Cordless Advanced.

You can find more information on each of the different tips here.

If you use the Classic tip, you should change this every 6 months on average.

The other tips should be replaced every 3 months.  

Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560 Review 2

Countertop units offer up to 10 pressure settings.  These range from 10 to 100 PSI.

This has 3, low medium and high. They range between 45 and 75 PSI or 3.1 to 5.1 bar. 

For a gentle floss, use the low power.

For a more invigorating clean use high.

The 207ml tank offers up to 65 seconds of run-time, based on the lower gentle mode.

When on the high mode you get 45 seconds of usage time from the Cordless Advanced.

During use it produces up to 70 decibels and is quieter than some other models I have used.

The flosser continues to function, even if the tank is drained of all the water.  Although it will turn itself off after 2 minutes.  By which time the tank has long been drained. You will hear the sound change and you will notice the lack of water being pushed against your teeth and gums.

If you have perfected your flossing technique you should manage it in this time. But, for some, the high powered mode might not offer quite enough using time and a refill may well be necessary.

I  wouldn’t want a smaller water tank. It makes it tricky to complete a thorough clean on 1 fill of the tank.  You have to refill.

Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser

You can fill the tank via the hinged door on the outside. Or you can detach the water tank completely from the flosser.  To do so, you need to slide the switch on the bottom of the flosser to unlock it.  You then pull the tank away from the main body.

At the top of the unit is a hole into which you can pour any water or mouthwash you might want to use.

There is actually an ml/ounce measuring guide visible when you remove the reservoir.  

To refit, slide it on and lock it into place.

If you have not used a water flosser before, expect to take a few days to get used to it.  You may well make a mess in the process.

You need to be lent over a sink to floss.

When you fill the tank, the idea is you fill it with water, this can be cold or lukewarm if you prefer.  The advice is warm water. You could add a dash of mouthwash too if you wanted an extra burst of freshness.

Once powered on the pump inside the flosser will draw the liquid from the tank up and out through the nozzle on the top.  

The suggested technique is:

  • Choose the pressure setting you want.
  • Lean low over the sink and place the tip in the mouth.
  • Aim the tip toward teeth, and turn the unit on.
  • For best results, start with the back teeth and work toward the front teeth. Glide tip along gumline and pause briefly between teeth. Continue until you have cleaned the inside and outside of both the upper and lower teeth.
  • Direct the jet stream at a 90-degree angle to your gumline. Slightly close lips to avoid splashing but allow water to flow freely from the mouth into the sink. Keep unit upright during use for best results.

Purse your lips around the nozzle to retain what liquid you can in your mouth.  The amount and pressure, will force you to expel this.

Unlike an electric toothbrush, there is no timer/pacer built in to help you ensure an even clean.  It will take a bit of trial and error to perfect the technique.

Once you have perfected the technique not only does it become easier, it’s less messy too.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560 Review 3

Children from the age of 6 can use this, but their smaller mouths would struggle with the amount of liquid.  The flow is quite quick and it is only a matter of seconds before your mouth is full as an adult.

For those who prefer, you can actually use this in the shower, the unit is water-resistant.

You might be wondering how effective the Waterpik flosser is. This is a very valid query to have.

There has been lots of research by Waterpik to show the effectiveness of their flossers. Impressive stats are available on the clinical research pages of the Waterpik website.

A 2016 study found the water flosser to be 18% more effective than interdental brushes.

Failing to clean between the teeth and gums can lead to a buildup of bacteria and plaque. Unremoved this can turn can result in gum disease.

Whether you use interdental brushes, floss or an oral irrigator, the choice is yours.

The flow and pressure of the water from a water flosser reach bacteria deep between teeth and below the gumline. Brushing and traditional flossing can’t always reach this.

The flow of water will massage and stimulate the gums. This improves circulation and keeps your gums strong and healthy.

Although using a water flosser can be a little bit messy, I actually find it easier than other options.

It still requires a technique. But it feels a little easier to master, particularly in comparison to floss.

And I know I am not alone.  I have learnt of many people who use a water flosser. They would otherwise not stick to an interdental cleaning regime otherwise.

Dental professionals typically see the brushes as the ‘best’ option. They will advise a water flosser to be used in addition to these.

I found that I preferred the more powerful setting of the 3 offered. Those with sensitive gums may find the lower power setting to be better. 

Of course, you need to find the setting that is right for you.  Most important is to do some form of interdental cleaning, rather than skipping it.

I use the water flosser before brushing and it is amazing how much debris it removes. And that is the stuff I can see!

Using the flosser in this way feels like a clean of the mouth, even before you complete the brushing.

Magnetic charger on Waterpik Cordless Advanced

I talk more about it in the battery life section below.  But, the Cordless Advanced is easily recharged via the magnetic charging cable.  I like this a lot.  It takes up to 4 hours to fully recharge.

It will give approximately a weeks use between charges, according to Waterpik. But my hands-on testing resulted in much more positive results.

It can be recharged in just 4 hours, using the magnetic charging cable.  Read more about this in the ‘Battery Life’ section of this review.

Summary of design, usability, clean & general use

  • Cordless so you are not bound by wires
  • Larger than some might expect
  • Grippy and comfortable in the hand
  • Comes with a travel pouch
  • 4 different nozzles included
  • Storage case for nozzles included
  • Holds 207ml/7 ounces in the reservoir
  • 65 seconds of usage time on the low mode
  • 45 seconds of usage time on the high mode
  • 3 pressure/mode settings
  • Super easy to rotate the nozzle up to 360 degrees
  • Not the most glamorous tool to use – takes practice
  • Although cordless you still need to expel the water during use
  • Impressive clinical results
  • Water resistant – can be used in the shower
  • Built-in rechargeable battery
  • Magnetic charging solution

Battery life

Waterpik’s battery powered water flossers unit have surprised me. They have impressive usage time.

Whilst price should not be the key deciding factor; you would expect a premium unit to offer at least an equivalent battery life.

According to the instruction manual, you can expect around a weeks use from this flosser.  This is based on 1 use per day.

Imagine my surprise then when it lasted considerably longer than this.

On a full charge, I achieved around 48 sessions.  This is using the high power (45 second) mode.

That is equivalent to around 6+ weeks on a single charge based on 1 use per day.

It lasts a little less if using the longer, lower powered mode.

This experience isn’t quite as good as some of the alternatives, but still fairly good.  Certainly a few weeks longer than the ‘claimed’ usage time.

I am not sure why Waterpik suggests life to be so much less?

Other users do suggest the battery life to be poor. Although they are not always as explicit in what they mean by poor.  Perhaps not all batteries are made equal?

Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560 Review 4

It is a NiMH battery sealed inside the Cordless Advanced.

Lithium-Ion batteries (Li-Ion) do tend to be more popular. They are seen as more reliable and often offer better battery life.

It is a shame that Li-Ion has not been used here, given the price of the unit. That said, given the battery life experienced, I can’t complain.

When the unit is low on power, the battery/charge icon on the front of the unit will blink rapidly 8 times. This shows the power remaining is at 30% or less.  

In the box is a charger, which is a little more novel than most.

At one end is a 2 pin plug suitable for the shaver sockets found in UK bathrooms.

At the other is a magnetic adapter that attaches to the front of the flosser. 

The cable in between is about 135cm.

When connected it will charge the unit in just 4 hours.

It’s a clever solution and is a little less fiddly than some options.

The charger just clips on and easily pulls off as and when it needs charging.

There is no need to remove a port cover, align and insert the cable. You can have this on charge within seconds.

You don’t even have to align it correctly, the magnets do that.

When fitted it sits over the top of the Waterpik logo on the front of the unit.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560 Review 5

The magnetic module is about 3.5cm deep and 4cm tall. It is actually quite wide at 7.5cm. But, this accounts for the cable that sticks out the side of it.

The magnetic module is colour matched to the main unit. But, one gripe I have is that the blue unit has a white cable that attaches to this piece.  It really contrasts. Why not make the cable blue or at least black. What’s the point of colour matching the magnetic charger if the cable (which is required) is white?!

It can’t be used when charging. You need to disconnect the charger and then use it. And you don’t need to fully charge it to use it each time.  If it has only been on charge for a few minutes, you can take it off charge and use it, no problem.

If you want to connect the unit to a 3 pin socket found in the UK you will need to purchase an adapter.

The Cordless Advanced does the job. For a premium product like this, it would have been nice if the battery lasted longer, a week feels a bit on the short side.

If you are travelling for longer than a week, you will have to take the charger with you.

I have not suffered from any reliability issues with the unit. Some users have reported poor performance and reliability issues with the battery. Don’t be too concerned about this. I think the cases have been relatively isolated. Most should be covered under the 2 year warranty. 

Summary of battery life

  • Built-in NiMH rechargeable battery
  • Claimed approx 1 week of battery life
  • Achieved around 6+ weeks in my hands-on testing
  • Battery/charge indicator will flash when power is 30% or less
  • 2 pin plug for UK bathrooms
  • Magnetic attachment
  • 4 hours to charge unit

Price & where to buy

I have included links to buying options here at the start of the review.

In the section below, I discuss the price more generally and in relation to similar products.

When we first reviewed the Cordless Advanced, it had a retail price of £99.99.

This has since dropped by £15, to £84.99.  This is certainly favourable and welcomed.

Even with a price drop, for many this will not be an impulse buy.

Unlike many oral care products, this is not subject to massive discounts.  Most retailers stick to the recommended retail price, or thereabouts.

It is possible to save about £5 or so, if you shop around.

It is a saving, but not as great as some hope for.

There are more cost effective alternatives. But, there are some reasons why Waterpik commands the premium that they do.  This review has highlighted these.

Here at Electric Teeth we like to price a product over a 3 year period to give a bit of a benchmark to the ownership costs.

On top of the initial purchase price of £80-85 you need to factor in replacement nozzles (jet tips).

Using the classic jet tips for this example, a pack of 2 retails at £8.99.  That makes each jet tip £4.50.

Prices of course do vary, but without much shopping around you can pick up a pack for £8, making each nozzle £4.  

It is fair to say these are not ‘cheap’. The recommendation is to replace them every 6 months. So it is not like they need replacing all that regularly.

Based on 1 user, over 3 years, you will need to purchase a further 4 tips.  With each pack of 2, costing on average £8 you are adding £16 on top of the purchase price.

Assuming you can buy the Cordless Advanced for £82.50, add £16 and the total cost is £98.50 or £0.09 per day.

Compare this to traditional string floss that works out at about 1-2p per day and it’s quite a bit more expensive.

There is a price to be paid for the convenience and effectiveness, for sure, but is it worth this much more?

The WP-560 does offer some benefits over and above other cordless water flossers.  Justifying the price is a little difficult. Particularly when Waterpik themselves have models selling for less than £50.

Please note that all prices quoted are approximates and will vary based on location, supplier and time of purchase.  These figures were correct at the time of writing and should not be relied upon as hard fact, but used as a guide during your decision process.

Summary of price & where to buy

  • Recommended retail price of £84.99
  • An average price of around £82.50
  • Limited discounts available
  • Replacement nozzles retail for £8.99 for a pack of 2
  • Costs £98.50 or £0.09 per day over 3 years
  • Expensive in comparison to alternatives

Reliability & long term use

Over the few years, I have been using and testing Waterpik products I have not had one fail on me.

The quality of the products has differed slightly, with some being better than others.

Overall I would have no real concerns with the reliability of their products.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560 Review 6

The WP-560/562 and 563 variants on offer here are no exception to that rule that I have witnessed.

A select few users have made comments to suggest that the battery is a little unreliable.

I would agree, it would be nice to have a better battery I can’t personally say it’s bad or has issues.

For peace of mind, it comes with a 2 year warranty.

Conclusion

As cordless water flossers go, I believe that this is the best.

It has a good sized tank, variable pressure settings, a nice design and charges quickly.

The box contents is good too.

The battery life is also better than claimed.

It is a touch bulky, but all cordless options are.

It is one of the most expensive options, which is a negative.

But, this is my ultimate pick when it comes to water flossers today.

Size Guide

  • Height (with nozzle) – 29.4cm / 11.60 inches
  • Width – 7.1cm / 2.80 inces
  • Thickness/depth – 10.2cm / 4.0 inches
  • Weight (with nozzle) – 360g / 0.80Lbs

All are approximates

Noise

  • 70dB

About Jon Love

Jon is a leading voice on electric toothbrushes and has been quoted by mainstream media publications for his opinions and expertise.

Having handled & tested hundreds of products there really is very little he does not know about them.

Passionate about business and helping others, Jon has been involved in various online enterprises since the early 2000s.

After spending 12 years in consumer technology, it was in 2014 that he focused his attention on dental health, having experienced first-hand the challenge of choosing a new toothbrush.

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10 thoughts on “Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560 Review”

  1. 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.

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
      • 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.

        Reply
  2. 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

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  3. 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

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  4. 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 🙂

    Reply
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