Series 4: Trays vs. Strips

Trays and strips are the two most common ways to whiten at home, and neither is better for everyone. The right one is the one that fits your day, your teeth and your patience. Here is how they compare in practice.

The tray and light kit

A tray holds the gel evenly across the teeth and, in the ILUMI kit, works with an LED light that has 32 LEDs in two colors, red and blue. The directions are simple: a ten-minute session with the light, or fifteen minutes without it. Because the tray sits in your mouth the whole time, you need a little time at a mirror or a sink, but the session itself is short.

The red light has been studied for easing sensitivity, and results vary. Research reviews have not shown that light activation consistently changes final whitening outcomes, so the light is there for comfort and consistency rather than as a promise of faster color change.

A tray suits people who like a defined, short session, who want an even application across the front teeth, and who do not mind a small device on the counter.

Strips

Strips are thin, flexible bands coated with gel that you press onto the teeth. There is no light and no tray. The trade is time: strip sessions run longer, typically 30 to 45 minutes once you have built up. The box directions give the range.

If you are new to strips, do not start at the top. Start with shorter sessions, around 20 to 25 minutes, then move to 25 to 30 as your teeth allow, and only reach the longer end if you are comfortable. Building up is safer than starting high and backing off after a bad day.

The big advantage of strips is portability. The whole box fits in a purse, backpack or carry-on. They suit people who travel, who prefer to whiten while doing something else, or who do not want any equipment.

How to choose

• Pick the tray and light if you want a short session, even coverage and an at-home routine.
• Pick strips if you want something small and light that goes anywhere, and you are happy to give it more time.
• Pick both if you like a tray routine at home and strips for travel. Do not use them on the same day.

What both have in common

Neither changes crowns, veneers or fillings, so they will stay their original shade while the natural teeth around them change. Both work in the same way, with peroxide gel, and both come with the same rule: follow the directions, build up gradually, and never combine a stronger gel with more time. Stop if you feel pain. Results vary from person to person, and ILUMI backs every order with a 30-day guarantee and refund.

References

1. American Dental Association. Teeth Whitening. MouthHealthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-whitening
2. Allende JB, Campos-Bijit V, Morales-Gómez C, et al. Do laser and light activation improve in-office dental bleaching outcomes? An umbrella review. Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. 2026;38(9):1665-1690. https://doi.org/10.1111/jerd.70176 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42076873/