With so many options—custom retainers, mail-order brands, and in-office choices—how do you choose the best clear retainers of 2025? We reviewed the top brands based on comfort, durability, price, and customer reviews to help you make the right choice.
How We Selected the Best Clear Retainers
We chose the best clear retainers based on these key factors to ensure you get a product that lasts and protects your smile.
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Orthodontist-approved materials: We focused on retainers made with BPA-free, medical-grade plastics.
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Durability: We looked for retainers that resist cracking or warping for long-term use.
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Customer feedback: We analyzed real-user reviews on comfort and how easy the retainers were to use in daily life.
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Value: We considered the balance of price, quality, and long-term results to find the smartest investments.
Top 5 Clear Retainers of 2025
🥇 1. Best Overall: NewSmile Clear Retainers
Type: Custom-fit, BPA-free plastic
Price: $149 per set
Why It Wins:
NewSmile takes our top spot for its balance of professional quality and affordability. They provide a custom-fit retainer made from precise dental impressions at a fraction of the cost of in-office options. The slim design is comfortable for nightly wear, and with proper care, it lasts for years, making it an excellent long-term investment.
- Made from precise dental impressions
- Slim design for comfortable nightly wear
- Long-lasting with proper care
- Affordable compared to in-office retainers
Best For: Anyone finishing aligner treatment or braces who wants a cost-effective, custom retainer
👉 Order Your Set Here
🥈 2. Most Durable: Invisalign Vivera Retainers
Type: Dentist-provided retainers
Price: $400–$600 (set of 4)
Highlights:
Vivera retainers are made from a proprietary multilayer material that is exceptionally strong and durable. While they come at a higher price, they have a longer lifespan and are a top choice for those who want premium durability and are working with an orthodontist.
- Made with strong, multilayer material
- Long lifespan with consistent wear
- Delivered through orthodontists or dentists
Best For: Patients who want premium durability and don’t mind higher costs
🥉 3. Best Budget: Sporting Smiles Retainers
Type: Custom mail-order retainers
Price: $135 per set
Highlights:
Sporting Smiles offers a reliable, custom-fit retainer at a very competitive price. Their at-home impression kit makes the process simple, providing a great budget-friendly alternative to in-office retainers without sacrificing the custom fit. They also offer multiple thickness options to suit your needs.
- At-home impression kit included
- Budget-friendly alternative to in-office retainers
- Multiple thickness options
Best For: Budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable solution
4. Best for Backup Retainers: Remi Retainers
Type: At-home retainer kit
Price: $99 per set
Highlights:
Remi is an excellent choice for those who want to keep a backup set of retainers on hand. Their thin, flexible design prioritizes comfort, and their low price makes it easy to have an extra set for travel or in case your primary retainers are lost or damaged.
- Affordable enough to keep extras on hand
- Thinner, flexible design for comfort
- Delivered to your door after impressions
Best For: Travelers or anyone who wants an extra set as backup
5. Best Hybrid Option: Candid Retainers
Type: Hybrid dentist + at-home system
Price: $300–$400
Highlights:
Candid provides a unique option that blends at-home convenience with professional oversight. After an initial scan, their remote care system allows orthodontists to monitor your progress and ensure your new retainer fits perfectly, offering a great balance of quality and convenience.
- Professional oversight with remote care
- Quality build similar to in-office retainers
- Convenient delivery after treatment
Best For: Patients who like having orthodontist involvement without regular visits
Comparison Table
| Brand |
Type |
Price |
Durability |
Best For |
| NewSmile |
Custom-fit |
$149 |
2–3 years |
Affordable custom option |
| Invisalign Vivera |
In-office |
$400–600 |
3–5 years |
Premium durability |
| Sporting Smiles |
Mail-order |
$135 |
2 years |
Budget solution |
| Remi |
Mail-order |
$99 |
1–2 years |
Backup retainers |
| Candid |
Hybrid |
$300–400 |
2–3 years |
Remote pro oversight |
Key Buying Tips
-
Wear nightly: To prevent teeth from shifting back, wear your retainers every night as directed by your dental professional.
-
Get a backup: Retainers are easy to lose or damage. Having an extra set on hand can save you time and money.
-
Clean correctly: Use cool water and a gentle soap or a retainer cleaning tablet. Never use hot water, as it can warp the plastic.
-
Use a case: Always store your retainers in a ventilated case to prevent bacteria buildup.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
🚫 Skipping retainers after treatment: Your teeth can start to shift back within weeks, undoing your progress.
🚫 Leaving retainers in heat: Keep them away from direct sunlight, hot cars, and other heat sources to prevent warping.
🚫 Choosing only on price: A cheaper retainer that cracks or warps quickly may cost more in the long run than a durable, custom-fit option.
Final Verdict
For long-term smile maintenance in 2025, the NewSmile Clear Retainers stand out for their balance of affordability, comfort, and professional quality. They offer the custom fit and durability you need without the high price tag of in-office options.
If you’d like to explore more about how clear retainers fit into the bigger smile journey, you can check out this review of NewSmile aligners to see how the brand supports smile care from start to finish.
FAQ
Q: How often should I replace clear retainers?
A: Typically every 1–3 years, depending on wear and care. Check for signs of thinning, cracking, or warping.
Q: Can I wear my aligners as retainers?
A: It's not recommended. Aligners are designed to move teeth, while retainers are designed to hold them in place. Aligners are also not as durable for long-term retention.
Q: What’s the difference between Essix retainers and Vivera retainers?
A: Both are types of clear plastic retainers. However, Vivera is made from a stronger, proprietary multilayer material and is often sold in sets of four to provide longer-lasting use.
Best Clear Retainers 2025: Affordable, Durable & Dentist-Approved Options
Table of Contents
Best Clear Retainers of 2025: Long-Term Smile Protection
You’ve invested in straightening your teeth—now it’s time to protect your new smile. Clear retainers are the key to keeping teeth from shifting back, but not all retainers are created equal.
With so many options—custom retainers, mail-order brands, and in-office choices—how do you choose the best clear retainers of 2025? We reviewed the top brands based on comfort, durability, price, and customer reviews to help you make the right choice.
How We Selected the Best Clear Retainers
We chose the best clear retainers based on these key factors to ensure you get a product that lasts and protects your smile.
Top 5 Clear Retainers of 2025
🥇 1. Best Overall: NewSmile Clear Retainers
Type: Custom-fit, BPA-free plastic
Price: $149 per set
Why It Wins:
NewSmile takes our top spot for its balance of professional quality and affordability. They provide a custom-fit retainer made from precise dental impressions at a fraction of the cost of in-office options. The slim design is comfortable for nightly wear, and with proper care, it lasts for years, making it an excellent long-term investment.
Best For: Anyone finishing aligner treatment or braces who wants a cost-effective, custom retainer
👉 Order Your Set Here
🥈 2. Most Durable: Invisalign Vivera Retainers
Type: Dentist-provided retainers
Price: $400–$600 (set of 4)
Highlights:
Vivera retainers are made from a proprietary multilayer material that is exceptionally strong and durable. While they come at a higher price, they have a longer lifespan and are a top choice for those who want premium durability and are working with an orthodontist.
Best For: Patients who want premium durability and don’t mind higher costs
🥉 3. Best Budget: Sporting Smiles Retainers
Type: Custom mail-order retainers
Price: $135 per set
Highlights:
Sporting Smiles offers a reliable, custom-fit retainer at a very competitive price. Their at-home impression kit makes the process simple, providing a great budget-friendly alternative to in-office retainers without sacrificing the custom fit. They also offer multiple thickness options to suit your needs.
Best For: Budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable solution
4. Best for Backup Retainers: Remi Retainers
Type: At-home retainer kit
Price: $99 per set
Highlights:
Remi is an excellent choice for those who want to keep a backup set of retainers on hand. Their thin, flexible design prioritizes comfort, and their low price makes it easy to have an extra set for travel or in case your primary retainers are lost or damaged.
Best For: Travelers or anyone who wants an extra set as backup
5. Best Hybrid Option: Candid Retainers
Type: Hybrid dentist + at-home system
Price: $300–$400
Highlights:
Candid provides a unique option that blends at-home convenience with professional oversight. After an initial scan, their remote care system allows orthodontists to monitor your progress and ensure your new retainer fits perfectly, offering a great balance of quality and convenience.
Best For: Patients who like having orthodontist involvement without regular visits
Comparison Table
Key Buying Tips
Avoid These Common Mistakes
🚫 Skipping retainers after treatment: Your teeth can start to shift back within weeks, undoing your progress.
🚫 Leaving retainers in heat: Keep them away from direct sunlight, hot cars, and other heat sources to prevent warping.
🚫 Choosing only on price: A cheaper retainer that cracks or warps quickly may cost more in the long run than a durable, custom-fit option.
Final Verdict
For long-term smile maintenance in 2025, the NewSmile Clear Retainers stand out for their balance of affordability, comfort, and professional quality. They offer the custom fit and durability you need without the high price tag of in-office options.
If you’d like to explore more about how clear retainers fit into the bigger smile journey, you can check out this review of NewSmile aligners to see how the brand supports smile care from start to finish.
FAQ
Q: How often should I replace clear retainers?
A: Typically every 1–3 years, depending on wear and care. Check for signs of thinning, cracking, or warping.
Q: Can I wear my aligners as retainers?
A: It's not recommended. Aligners are designed to move teeth, while retainers are designed to hold them in place. Aligners are also not as durable for long-term retention.
Q: What’s the difference between Essix retainers and Vivera retainers?
A: Both are types of clear plastic retainers. However, Vivera is made from a stronger, proprietary multilayer material and is often sold in sets of four to provide longer-lasting use.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Best Clear Retainers of 2025: Long-Term Smile Protection
You’ve invested in straightening your teeth—now it’s time to protect your new smile. Clear retainers are the key to keeping teeth from shifting back, but not all retainers are created equal.
With so many options—custom retainers, mail-order brands, and in-office choices—how do you choose the best clear retainers of 2025? We reviewed the top brands based on comfort, durability, price, and customer reviews to help you make the right choice.
How We Selected the Best Clear Retainers
We chose the best clear retainers based on these key factors to ensure you get a product that lasts and protects your smile.
Top 5 Clear Retainers of 2025
🥇 1. Best Overall: NewSmile Clear Retainers
Type: Custom-fit, BPA-free plastic
Price: $149 per set
Why It Wins:
NewSmile takes our top spot for its balance of professional quality and affordability. They provide a custom-fit retainer made from precise dental impressions at a fraction of the cost of in-office options. The slim design is comfortable for nightly wear, and with proper care, it lasts for years, making it an excellent long-term investment.
Best For: Anyone finishing aligner treatment or braces who wants a cost-effective, custom retainer
👉 Order Your Set Here
🥈 2. Most Durable: Invisalign Vivera Retainers
Type: Dentist-provided retainers
Price: $400–$600 (set of 4)
Highlights:
Vivera retainers are made from a proprietary multilayer material that is exceptionally strong and durable. While they come at a higher price, they have a longer lifespan and are a top choice for those who want premium durability and are working with an orthodontist.
Best For: Patients who want premium durability and don’t mind higher costs
🥉 3. Best Budget: Sporting Smiles Retainers
Type: Custom mail-order retainers
Price: $135 per set
Highlights:
Sporting Smiles offers a reliable, custom-fit retainer at a very competitive price. Their at-home impression kit makes the process simple, providing a great budget-friendly alternative to in-office retainers without sacrificing the custom fit. They also offer multiple thickness options to suit your needs.
Best For: Budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable solution
4. Best for Backup Retainers: Remi Retainers
Type: At-home retainer kit
Price: $99 per set
Highlights:
Remi is an excellent choice for those who want to keep a backup set of retainers on hand. Their thin, flexible design prioritizes comfort, and their low price makes it easy to have an extra set for travel or in case your primary retainers are lost or damaged.
Best For: Travelers or anyone who wants an extra set as backup
5. Best Hybrid Option: Candid Retainers
Type: Hybrid dentist + at-home system
Price: $300–$400
Highlights:
Candid provides a unique option that blends at-home convenience with professional oversight. After an initial scan, their remote care system allows orthodontists to monitor your progress and ensure your new retainer fits perfectly, offering a great balance of quality and convenience.
Best For: Patients who like having orthodontist involvement without regular visits
Comparison Table
Key Buying Tips
Avoid These Common Mistakes
🚫 Skipping retainers after treatment: Your teeth can start to shift back within weeks, undoing your progress.
🚫 Leaving retainers in heat: Keep them away from direct sunlight, hot cars, and other heat sources to prevent warping.
🚫 Choosing only on price: A cheaper retainer that cracks or warps quickly may cost more in the long run than a durable, custom-fit option.
Final Verdict
For long-term smile maintenance in 2025, the NewSmile Clear Retainers stand out for their balance of affordability, comfort, and professional quality. They offer the custom fit and durability you need without the high price tag of in-office options.
If you’d like to explore more about how clear retainers fit into the bigger smile journey, you can check out this review of NewSmile aligners to see how the brand supports smile care from start to finish.
FAQ
Q: How often should I replace clear retainers?
A: Typically every 1–3 years, depending on wear and care. Check for signs of thinning, cracking, or warping.
Q: Can I wear my aligners as retainers?
A: It's not recommended. Aligners are designed to move teeth, while retainers are designed to hold them in place. Aligners are also not as durable for long-term retention.
Q: What’s the difference between Essix retainers and Vivera retainers?
A: Both are types of clear plastic retainers. However, Vivera is made from a stronger, proprietary multilayer material and is often sold in sets of four to provide longer-lasting use.
Table of Contents