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Everything We Recommend
The Best Invisible Aligners:
Other Brands:
If you want straighter teeth and a more confident smile, traditional metal braces and in-office aligners like Invisalign are just some of your options.
Teeth straightening kits, also called clear aligners or invisible braces, are more convenient alternatives you can look into.
They straighten your teeth from home and don’t require frequent adjustments or visits to the dentist—saving you both time and money.
As part of your treatment, you’ll receive a set of removable dental trays that gradually straighten your teeth with every new aligner you wear.
At-home teeth straighteners are usually effective on mild to moderately crooked teeth. You may want to consider them if you have:
Most clear aligner companies will qualify you before you can begin treatment. However, you should consult a dental professional.
A licensed dentist or orthodontist can help you determine if at-home teeth straightening is the right option.
We reviewed and compared clear aligners from the most trusted companies and narrowed them down to our top recommendations.
Below, we’ll cover why we recommend each brand and when to consider other teeth straightening kits.
| Byte | SmileDirectClub | ALIGNERCO | NewSmile | Candid | Strayt | |
| Best for | Value for Money | In-Person Scan | Affordable Aligners | Affordable Plans | Discreet Teeth Straightening | Mobile Care |
| Our rating | 4.2 out of 5 | 3.7 out of 5 | 3.7 out of 5 | 3.9 out of 5 | 3.7 out of 5 | 3.7 out of 5 |
| Average treatment time | 3 to 6 months | 4 to 10 months | 4 to 8 months | 4 to 10 months | 6 to 12 months | 4 to 8 months |
| Cost | $1,999 to $2,399 | $2,250 | $995 to $1,120 | $1,595 to $1,695 | Starts at $3,500 | $1,596 to $2,096 |
| Monthly payments | $70 to $84 | $89 | $77 to $94 | $55 to $64 | Depends on the provider | $77 to $133 |
| Installment terms | Up to 36 months | Up to 28 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 36 months | Depends on the provider | Up to 24 months |
| Downpayment costs | $0 or $249 to $399 | $250 | $0 or $335 to $445 | $0 or $180 to $190 | Depends on the provider | $199 to $248 |
| Accepts insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Depends on the provider | Yes |
| Accepts HSA/FSA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Depends on the provider | Yes |
Byte® is a popular at-home aligner brand that works with licensed dental professionals to monitor your teeth straightening progress at home.
Byte is best known for its fast average treatment time, made possible by the HyperByte—a device exclusive to the brand.
HyperByte emits high-frequency vibrations (HFV) to stimulate your teeth and surrounding bone tissue. This may shorten your treatment time.
Byte's All-Day Aligners are worn for 22+ hours daily, while its At-Night Aligners are worn for at least 10 hours to straighten teeth while you sleep.
Black Friday Sale: Impression Kit for only $14.95 with $600 off retail pricing.
SmileDirectClub makes it easy to start your treatment. You can buy an impression kit online or visit a SmileShop for a free consultation.
The 9-year-old company lets you book an appointment at a SmileShop near you, making it more accessible than other brands.
They usually have knowledgeable staff who can answer questions and explain the treatment process clearly.
Notice: SmileDirectClub filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 29, 2023. The company plans to "maintain normal operations" as it restructures debts and seeks a buyer or funding. The founders invested $20 million and committed more to ensure SmileDirectClub can meet commitments without disruption. However, successful reorganization is not guaranteed.
SmileDirectClub is the largest and longest-standing clear aligner manufacturer with over 300+ physical locations you can visit across the US for a free consultation.
Early Black Friday: $12 impression kit - Free After Return
ALIGNERCO has the cheapest teeth aligner kits and one of the most affordable at-home impression kits for under $100.
Its $75 impression kits are available online. You can use them to take dental impressions at home, mail them back, and wait for your aligners to arrive.
But if you live in New York or a nearby state, you can also book an appointment with the company’s clinic for a free in-person assessment.
ALIGNERCO works with dentists who will evaluate your condition and create your custom treatment plan if you qualify.
Black Friday Sale: $875 for aligners with free aligner cleaner.
NewSmile lets you straighten your teeth as discretely and comfortably as possible with its truly invisible aligners.
Unlike other brands, its teeth straighteners are trimmed along your gum line in a ‘scalloped fashion’ so they don’t touch your gums.
Because of this, NewSmile aligners are barely visible and are less likely to cause gum irritation when worn for extended periods.
NewSmile aligners are more affordable than other brands. But like most at-home kits, the process of teeth straightening is more hands-off compared to in-office treatments.
Use code NewMouthDeal for $100 off Aligners and code NewMouthKit for $20 off impression kit.
Candid is an excellent choice if you want the convenience of at-home teeth straightening but don’t want to sacrifice the quality of care.
To begin your Candid treatment, you must visit a qualified CandidPro provider (a dentist or orthodontist) in your area for an initial consultation.
You’ll receive your clear aligners when they’re ready so you can continue treatment at home.
Candid offers the convenience of teeth straightening at home with a higher level of care typical of in-office options like Invisalign treatment.Its locations are growing across the US, making it more accessible.
Strayt is the only aligner brand to offer mobile teeth scans in select US locations. You can book an appointment with a provider near you.
If there’s a Strayt professional in your area, they will drive to where you are to evaluate you and take teeth scans for free.
Customers who opt for a mobile assessment may get discount offers. Strayt can match the price of any lower-priced competitor you’re considering.6
Strayt makes it easy to start clear aligner treatment with its mobile services. It also offers deals that can help you save on treatment costs.
In addition to our top recommendations, here are more at-home teeth straightening kits you can try:
We like Smileie because it lets you choose a treatment that suits your needs. You can straighten your top and bottom teeth or just one of them.
It also has some of the cheapest clear aligners. You can buy them upfront for $999 to $1,399 or pay $63.99 to $76.99 per month.
Smileie is a new brand, however. It launched in 2022 and isn’t as well-established as the other clear aligner companies.
SnapCorrect is known by customers for its “barely there” aligners that are discreet and comfortable to wear.
It’s also one of the more affordable aligners that can be covered by your flexible spending account (FSA), costing only $1,749 upfront.
However, you may spend more if you opt for a monthly payment since SnapCorrect doesn’t offer zero-interest installments.
2Usmiles is the cheapest way to get started thanks to its impression kits, which only cost $9.95.
It also has affordable pricing and costs $1,495 to $1,645 upfront or $104 to $118 monthly. Although it does require a hefty downpayment of $399.
2Usmiles is still a new brand and doesn’t have many reviews. So we can’t blame you if you’d rather spend money on a more trustworthy company.
To find the best at-home teeth straighteners, we:
At-home clear aligners aren’t for everyone. They’re only suitable for mild to moderate cases of teeth misalignment, including:
You may not be eligible for this treatment if you have:
Teens and adults with minor to moderate misalignment are typically the best candidates for invisible teeth aligners.
It’s best that you talk to a dental professional who can determine if at-home aligners are a good fit or if you need other orthodontic devices.
At-home aligner brands like Byte and SmileDirectClub allow you to straighten your teeth from the comfort of your home.
You can order an impression kit online, and when your clear aligners are ready, the whole set will be delivered to your doorstep.
Aligners are designed to gradually shift your teeth. Before switching to the next tray, you must wear each one for a few weeks.
This orthodontic treatment is more convenient and affordable. They can straighten teeth in months but only treat mild to moderate cases.
If you opt for in-office treatments, you have several options including:
In-office aligners are removable while braces are semi-permanent dental fixtures that you have to wear throughout the entire treatment process.
Both orthodontic treatments cost more than at-home options and require dental visits, so they can change your aligners or adjust your braces.
Even though they have longer treatment times, they can correct a wider range of dental issues, including bite problems and severe misalignment.
Here are the key differences between these teeth straightening options:
| At-Home Aligners | In-Office Aligners | Metal Braces | |
| Treatment costs | $1,000 to $2,500 | $3,000 to $8,000 | $2,750 to $11,500 |
| Average treatment time | 3 to 12 months | 6 to 24 months | 24 to 36 months |
| Removable | Yes | Yes | No |
| Daily wear time | 20 to 22 hours (day aligners) or 8 to 10 hours (night aligners) | 20 to 22 hours | 24 hours (kept on until you finish the entire treatment) |
| What it treats | Mild to moderate teeth misalignment | Mild to moderate teeth misalignment and some bite issues | Mild to severe teeth misalignment and most bite issues |
| In-person assessment | Offered by some brands | Yes | Yes |
| Regular visits to the dental office | No | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency of monitoring | Every 1 to 2 weeks via an app depending on the brand | Every 6 to 8 weeks | Every 4 to 8 weeks |
The success of at-home aligners largely depends on the wearer. If you don’t wear them as prescribed, they may not give you the smile transformation you’re after.
In-office orthodontic treatments produce better and more reliable results in giving you a straighter smile.
Choosing the best teeth aligner isn’t easy if you don’t know what to look for. Here are four things to consider to narrow it down:
Different brands provide alternative ways to get started. Most aligner companies have impression kits, which you can order online.
Others like Strayt and SmileDirectClub offer mobile teeth scans or have several US clinics open for consultations.
Pick a brand that offers options that are most accessible to you.
Choose a brand depending on whether you want to wear nighttime or daytime aligners, or whichever is most convenient for you.
For example, if you want a completely at-home treatment, you can look into companies like Byte and NewSmile.
Keep in mind that night aligners are potentially unsafe and ineffective. It’s best to talk to a dentist before using them.
Many people just look at the price tag of clear aligners. But this only covers initial treatment costs. You should also consider other expenses, like:
If it takes longer to straighten your teeth or if your teeth shift back into place after the treatment, you may need more aligners to correct them.
While some companies have guarantees to help cover the cost of additional aligners, others don’t. You’ll have to pay for them yourself.
Compare costs across different brands to see which ones are within your budget.
Clear aligner brands have varying average treatment times, ranging between 3 and 18 months.
Go for a brand that can give you results within an acceptable time frame.
Remember that the time it takes to get straight teeth will depend on how crooked they are and if you wear clear aligners as prescribed.
Some companies like Byte and Strayt also offer devices that can potentially speed up tooth acceleration and shorten treatment time.
Teeth straightening kits may be a good option if you have mild to moderately crooked teeth and don’t have bite issues.
If you’re unsure, you can always get a free consultation from companies with on-site clinics and mobile services.
Alternatively, you can order an impression kit online. Trusted brands like Byte offer refunds for impression kits if you’re not qualified for treatment.
To help you decide, here’s a summary of their advantages and disadvantages:
Teeth straightening kits give you straighter teeth from home. They’re more convenient, affordable, and accessible than in-office aligners and braces.
These kits work on mild to moderate cases but not severe teeth misalignment or bite problems. You can remove them when eating, brushing, or anytime you like.
Remember that your treatment's success will depend on your compliance. For the best results, you must wear the teeth aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily.
To help you choose the best teeth straighteners for your needs, we spent 200+ hours researching the top brands based on the following criteria:
We ordered the best kits that met our criteria and had in-house writers test them out throughout their prescribed treatment.
While testing the clear aligners, our team assessed and scored them based on five traits. Each trait was assigned a “weight” so we could calculate their individual rating and weighted average scores on a scale of five.
Here is how we rated the best clear aligners on our list:
Using artificial intelligence, we gathered and analyzed feedback from hundreds of people who tried our list of clear aligners.
This helped us determine the users’ experiences with a brand, including:
We compared the brands’ average treatment times and effectiveness for correcting mild and moderate teeth misalignment.
Our team also examined them for any products or services they provided that would help customers during and after their treatment, such as:
We explored the total treatment cost of invisible braces, including their upfront prices, flexibility of payment options, eligibility for insurance, and maintenance costs for additional retainers.
Our team performed an in-depth investigation of each brand’s customer support when answering queries and resolving issues. We assessed their:
We also checked companies to see if they offered guarantees for clear aligner adjustments, refinements, replacements, or refunds if you’re not qualified or if the treatment doesn’t work for you.
With the help of advanced AI algorithms, we were able to sort through hundreds of customer reviews that would indicate the level of trust they had in a clear aligner brand.
Teeth straightening kits (invisible aligners, clear aligners, or clear braces) are plastic trays you wear over your teeth for several hours a day. They gradually shift your teeth and move them into alignment.
Clear aligners are made of transparent, medical-grade, and BPA-free plastic. They don’t contain Bisphenol A (BPA), making them safe and non-toxic.
At-home teeth aligners cost around $1,000 to $2,500 for the full treatment.
The treatment cost usually includes a free impression kit, teeth whiteners, your first set of retainers, and devices that accelerate teeth movement (if available).
However, this doesn’t include the cost of additional retainers you may need to maintain straight teeth.
Most brands accept monthly payments and other financing options.
Depending on your credit status, you can choose from plans with zero down payment or low down payments ranging from $180 to $400. Payment terms may last for 6 to 36 months.
Check with the clear aligner company of your choice to determine the best financing option for your needs.
Some dental and health insurance policies may partially cover the cost of your at-home aligner treatment. However, it still depends on your insurer.
Ask the aligner brand you’re considering which types of insurance they accept and discuss them with your provider to see how much they’re willing to cover.
The cheapest invisible aligners are ALIGNERCO ($995 to $1,120) and Smileie ($999 to $1,399), compared to Invisalign which may cost you up to $8,000.
The process of starting treatment may vary depending on your chosen brand. In most cases, you need to take a candidacy quiz online.
If you're eligible, the next step is to order an impression kit and wait for it to arrive. You can use it to take teeth impressions and send them back.
Alternatively, you can schedule a visit with a brand’s on-site clinic or request mobile services if they offer these options. A qualified professional will evaluate you and take digital scans of your teeth.
A dentist or orthodontist will then develop your personalized treatment plan. They’ll show you a 3D model that projects your teeth straightening progress from start to finish.
From here, you can decide if you’d like to continue with the treatment or not.
When you receive your teeth aligners, you have to wear them in the order they’re prescribed. The number of trays you’ll receive depends on how misaligned your teeth are and the length of your treatment.
Aligners are designed to slowly shift crooked teeth into alignment. Each one should be worn for the prescribed number of weeks before switching to the next tray.
Some brands may require remote check-ins every one to two weeks (via an app) to ensure your teeth are moving correctly.
Most clear aligner companies are partnered with dental professionals who can monitor your progress remotely through an accompanying app.
Byte and NewSmile work with board-certified dentists and orthodontists, while Candid works exclusively with orthodontists.
Other brands do not work solely with dental professionals. SmileDirectClub works with state-licensed doctors. ALIGNERCO and Strayt are only partnered with trained specialists for virtual monitoring.
You have to wear the teeth aligners throughout the entire treatment.
Daytime aligners have to be worn daily for at least 20 to 22 hours. Night aligners only need to be worn for about 9 to 10 hours a day.
At-home aligner treatment takes about 6 months (on average) to complete, though it can take anywhere from 3 to 10 months.
The actual treatment time will depend on your condition and compliance. It may take longer if you don't wear your aligners as directed.
After treatment is complete, you need to wear custom retainers to keep your teeth straight. The first set of retainers is usually free with your plan.
You'll receive instructions on the use of these retainers, including how long you need to wear them so your teeth don’t shift back.
To help ensure your oral hygiene, you need to replace your retainers every 6 to 12 months.
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The most popular at-home clear aligner kits can be found right here:
