On paper, the Waterpik Ultra and Aquarius are hard to tell apart. That’s because they’re similar across the board, from pressure levels to flow rate, which means they perform about the same.
However, they’re still different water flossers. For one thing, the Ultra is cheaper, but the Aquarius is more feature-packed and comes with more tips. At that, we compare the two to help you make an informed buying decision.
Waterpik Ultra vs Aquarius Comparison Chart
| Model | Waterpik Ultra | Waterpik Aquarius |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Placement | Countertop | Countertop |
| Pressure | 10 to 100 PSI | 10 to 100 PSI |
| Pressure Settings | 10 | 10 |
| Flow Rate | 13 ounces per minute | 13 ounces per minute |
| Pulse | 1,400 per minute | 1,400 per minute |
| Tip Rotation | 360 degrees | 360 degrees |
| Switch Type | Slider | Slider |
| Massage Mode | No | Yes |
| LED Indicator | No | Yes |
| Timer and Pacer | No | Yes |
| Capacity | 22 ounces, 90 seconds | 22 ounces, 90 seconds |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 5.6″ x 9.9″ x 5.3 | 4.7″ x 10.35″ x 3.8″ |
| Weight | 1.48 lbs | 1.46 lbs |
| Colors | Black, Classic Blue, Modern Gray, Mint Green, White | Black, Classic Blue, Modern Gray, Radiant Orchid, White |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Design
Arguably, the Waterpik Aquarius is the better looker compared to the Ultra.
At first glance, you’d know right away that the Waterpik Aquarius looks more modern. It’s sleeker and a bit lighter, and has a smaller form factor than the Ultra, after all. Regardless of that, they have the same capacity of 22 ounces, translating to 90 seconds of use.
For the record, both are countertop water flossers. They also have a sliding on and off switch, moving away from the push button in older designs.
As for color options, the Ultra is available in black, white, Classic Blue, Modern Gray, and Mint Green. The Aquarius also comes in those colors except Mint Green, but it does come in Radiant Orchid as well.
It’s also worth mentioning that there’s an Aquarius Professional, but it’s the same as the standard variant, save for a few chrome accents here and there for aesthetic purposes.
Performance
The Waterpik Ultra and Aquarius are pretty much the same in terms of efficacy.
As noted, the Waterpik Ultra and Aquarius deliver the same performance. They have 10 pressure settings and pressure levels that range from 10 to 100 PSI. In the same vein, they have a flow rate of 13 ounces per minute and a pulse rate of 1,400 per minute.
The main thing that sets these two apart here is the Aquarius is quieter than the Ultra. This might not be that big of a deal for some people, but it’s a nice touch.
Again, the takeaway here is you won’t notice much of a difference on how effective they are in cleaning your teeth. However, it’s another story when it comes to their features and ease of use.
Features
The Waterpik Aquarius has more features than the Ultra.
Right off the bat, only the Waterpik Aquarius has a massage mode and a timer and pacer. To begin with, the massage mode helps stimulate gums and promote healthy circulation, while the timer and pacer come in handy to make sure you’re cleaning your teeth evenly.
In the Ultra’s defense, it can store up to four tips as opposed to only two. However, the Aquarius is bundled with more tips—three Classic Jet Tips instead of two, to be exact. Besides that, both are packaged with one Orthodontic Tip for cleaning braces, one Pik Pocket for periodontal pockets and furcations, one Plaque Seeker for implants and other restorations, and one Toothbrush Tip for brushing and flossing simultaneously.
Price
The Waterpik Aquarius provides more value for the money than the Ultra.
Even though the Waterpik Ultra is more affordable, it doesn’t automatically mean it gives the better bang for the buck than the Aquarius. For starters, the price gap isn’t that big, and for that small difference, you’d get one extra Classic Jet Tip and more features to work with.
Verdict
The Waterpik Aquarius simply offers more than the Ultra.
Our recommendation is the Waterpik Aquarius hands down. It’s quieter and has a massage mode, a timer and pacer, and an extra tip. And while this is subjective, it looks better to boot. Meanwhile, the Ultra is still a decent buy in itself, but there really isn’t any reason to get it over the Aquarius. Sure, it can store more tips, but that’s about it.
FAQs
The Waterpik Aquarius has a massage mode and a timer and pacer, all of which the Ultra doesn’t have. It also comes with seven tips instead of six.
Even though they’re similar, the Waterpik Aquarius is better than the Ultra. It has more features and a sleeker form factor, and it works more quietly too.
According to Waterpik, the Classic Jet Tip, Implant Denture Tip, and Tongue Cleaner should be replaced every six months. Meanwhile, the Plaque Seeker Tip, Orthodontic Tip, Pik Pocket Tip, and Toothbrush Tip should be replaced every three months.
Yes, it’s safe to use tap water in your Waterpik.
Last update on 2021-06-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API