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If you're deciding between Flaus and Slate, know this upfront: they're not on equal footing.
Flaus is the only clinically tested electric flosser on the market, proven to remove 7.7x more plaque than traditional string floss. Slate has no published clinical data.
Here's how the two compare on every other front.
What are the main differences between Flaus and Slate?
The main differences between the Flaus and Slate electric flossers lie in their vibration speed, head design, and additional features. Flaus offers a higher top vibration speed (18,000 vs. 14,000/min), focusing on maximum cleaning power, while Slate incorporates unique "Gum Sweeps" and a built-in tongue scraper on its floss head for an all-in-one approach.
Flaus and Slate are two of the leading brands in the innovative electric flosser category. Both were created to solve the same core problem: making daily flossing easier and more effective to improve oral health. However, they achieve this with slightly different design philosophies.
The Flaus electric flosser is engineered with a primary focus on power and efficiency, featuring a class-leading 18,000 sonic vibrations per minute and a two-month battery life, designed for a superior and convenient clean.
The Slate Electric Flosser, by contrast, is positioned as a multi-functional oral care tool, integrating its patent-pending Gum Sweeps™ for massaging gums and a tongue scraper directly onto the floss head.
Feature Comparison: Flaus vs. Slate
To help you make an informed decision, here is a direct, side-by-side comparison of the key technical specifications and features for each device, based on the manufacturers' information.
Feature | Flaus Electric Flosser | Slate Electric Flosser |
| Clinical Backing | Clinically tested. Proven to remove 7.7x more plaque than string floss and 10.5x more than brushing alone | No published clinical data |
Sonic Vibrations | 3 speeds, up to 18,000/min | 3 speeds: 8,000, 12,000, 14,000/min |
Refill Head Tech | High-performance PTFE glide floss, C-shape curve | Woven floss, patent-pending "Gum Sweeps," built-in tongue scraper |
Specialty Heads | In development for braces | Available for braces |
Battery Life | Up to 2 months | Up to 1 month |
Charging | USB cable with charging base | USB-C cable (power block not included) |
Waterproof Rating | IPX7 (fully submersible) | IPX7 (fully submersible) |
Warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
Return Policy | 30-day money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Price (Starter Kit) | ~$99 | ~$129 |
Pros and Cons: A Quick Breakdown
Flaus is the only clinically backed electric flosser in this comparison, a hard-to-ignore edge. It's also more powerful (18,000 vs. 14,000 vibrations/min), has double the battery life, and costs $30 less.
Slate's main draw is its all-in-one head with built-in gum sweeps and a tongue scraper, which is genuinely useful if you want to consolidate your routine. But it comes without any clinical data and at a premium price.
Which electric flosser is best for you?
For most people, Flaus is the stronger choice. It's the only electric flosser on the market with clinical trial data behind it, it's more powerful, has a longer battery, and costs less.
Slate makes sense for a specific type of buyer: someone who specifically wants a built-in tongue scraper and gum sweeps, and is happy to pay a $30 premium without clinical backing.
Your personal needs and priorities should guide your decision:
Best Overall / Clinically Backed: Flaus. The only electric flosser with published clinical trial results, removing 7.7x more plaque than string floss and 10.5x more than brushing alone. If effectiveness is your priority, Flaus wins — decisively.
Best for Power Users & Those with Tight Teeth: Flaus. The additional 4,000 vibrations per minute (18,000 vs. Slate's 14,000) provides a tangible advantage working the floss through tight contacts quickly and gently — a common reason people quit flossing altogether.
Best for Travelers: Flaus. With double the battery life of its competitor, Flaus is the far more convenient option for frequent travelers who prefer to leave their charging cables at home.
Best for All-in-One Oral Care: Slate (with caveats). Slate offers a tongue scraper and gum sweeps built into the floss head. Note, however, that neither feature has published clinical backing — if oral health outcomes are your priority, Flaus's clinical data is a more reliable guide than add-on features.
Best for Braces (Currently): Slate, though Flaus still cleans better. Slate has commercially available orthodontic specialty heads. Flaus specialty heads for braces are currently in development. If you have braces today and need a specialty head, Slate is the practical choice — but Flaus remains the only clinically validated option and performs exceptionally well for braces users with its standard heads in the meantime.
The bottom line: If you want the electric flosser that has been independently proven to outperform, Flaus is in a different category. No other electric flosser has published clinical trial data. That's not a small distinction — it's the whole ballgame.
Ready to invest in an electric flosser? Explore Flaus products today.
Electric Flosser Starter Kit
$119.00
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FAQs
Which device feels more powerful in your hand?
With a top speed of 18,000 sonic vibrations per minute, compared to Slate's 14,000, users may find the Flaus electric flosser provides a more intense, powerful cleaning sensation, especially on its highest setting.
What is the difference in the floss material?
Flaus uses a thin, shred-resistant PTFE "glide" floss designed to slide easily between the tightest teeth. Slate uses a 400-strand woven floss that is designed to grab onto plaque. The best choice may depend on your tooth spacing and personal preference.
Are the refill heads compatible with each other?
No, Flaus and Slate use proprietary head designs that are not interchangeable. You must purchase refill heads from the brand of your device.
