A million dollar smile is great and all, but what about getting one as an adult?
No one past their teen years wants to deal with the “brace face” life (or relive it if the effects of their braces have worn off).
Thankfully, home teeth aligners make it possible to straighten your teeth from the convenience of your house. No braces, no wires, no office visits. These clear aligners have become a popular alternative to braces. Why? They’re much cheaper than braces and Invisalign. They’re also much more convenient.
There are a few popular home teeth aligner companies on the market today, including Byte and EZ Smile. In this comparison review, we’ll help you decide which of these two services is the better option for your unique circumstances
The rundown: How Byte and EZ Smile stack up
Byte | EZ Smile | |
|---|---|---|
| Claim to fame | Fastest treatment time in the industry | Easy start-up process and flexible financing plans |
| Safe | ✓ | ✓ |
| Discreet | ✓ | ✓ |
| No food restrictions | ✓ | ✓ |
| No office visits | ✓ | ✓ |
| Start-up process | Impression kit only | Impression kit or Smile Scan at a retail location |
| Treatment speed | Daytime treatment: 3-4 months Nighttime treatment: 5-6 months | 4 to 8 months |
| Personalized customer service | ✓ | |
| Price tag | Daytime treatment: $2,749 Nighttime treatment: $3,399 | $2,149 |
| Financing | Daytime: $40 account setup fee, $8 monthly account maintenance fee, plus 30 monthly payments of $118 Nighttime: $40 account setup fee, $8 monthly maintenance fee, plus 30 monthly payments of $143 | A huge variety of options, starting at weekly payments of $26 |
| Free retainers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nighttime treatment | ✓ |
Intrigued? That’s just the flyby! Let’s dig into the differences between EZ Smile and Byte in more detail.
Company Track Records
Home teeth alignment is a fairly new industry. Even so, it’s important to consider each company’s respective track record. Here’s how the two compare:
Byte | EZ Smile |
|---|---|
| Founded: 2018 (stateside start) | Founded: 2017 |
| Customers served: Thousands | Customers served: No published number, but enough customers to have a decent number of reviews |
| Company focus: Correcting smiles in record time (half the industry average) thanks to their HyperByte technology | Company focus: Make treatment accessible thanks to scan locations and flexible financing |
In the grand scheme of things, both Byte and EZ Smile are relatively new companies. EZ Smile has established a decent name for themselves internationally, but in our opinion, Byte has a more impressive reputation. That’s largely due to the fact that they have a lot of positive reviews for their stateside service, and it’s fair to assume the quality in Australia will rival that.
Treatment Speed
No two smiles are exactly alike. So, regardless of what company you choose for treatment, your treatment could be longer or shorter than someone else’s. Your treatment speed largely depends on the severity of your crowding or spacing.
That said, each company’s product affects your treatment speed as well. Here are the average treatment times for Byte and EZ Smile:
- Byte: 3-4 months for daytime treatment, 5-6 months for nighttime-only treatment
- EZ Smile: 6 months average, but ranges between 4 to 8 months
EZ Smile isn’t a slow treatment method, but to be honest, it’s hard to compete with Byte in the speed department. They blow the competition out of the water thanks to the HyperByte. This device uses tiny, rapid vibrations to gently move your teeth to their final destination. It’s an integral part of both Byte’s daytime and nighttime treatment regimens. By using the HyperByte, you can cut your treatment time nearly in half.
Pricing & Features
Let’s talk about bang for your buck. In this section, we’ll dig into the details about the pricing details for impression kits, treatment, and whitening from Byte and EZ Smile.
Kit Prices
With any home aligner company, you’ll kick off your treatment by taking impressions of your teeth. Most companies require you to use an at-home impression kit. However, a few companies, including EZ Smile, maintain retail locations that make the impression kit more convenient.
Here’s how the kit prices stack up:
- Byte, $95: Byte’s kit includes everything you need to take your impressions at home, including trays, putty, and, of course, a prepaid shipping label. If $95 gives you sticker shock, keep in mind that Byte sometimes runs sales on the kit. For example, as we’re writing this guide, Byte is running a sale for $47.50 off the kit.
- EZ Smile, $99: One of the biggest perks to EZ Smile is that they maintain retail locations where you can get a scan taken or you can order an impression kit. It’s your choice. A lot of customers find it’s much easier to get a scan, though. And with EZ Smile, if you buy aligners, you’ll get $100 off your treatment bundle. So in a way, this step is free.
It’s definitely easier to do a smile scan with EZ Smile, but if you opt for an impression kit from either company, you’ll have a guarantee on your impression kit. If you send in impressions and it turns out that you’re not a good candidate for treatment, they’ll refund the kit price (and any aligner payments you’ve made in the meantime). If you are a candidate, though, the kit price is not refundable.
Treatment Prices
Once you complete your impressions or scans, Byte or EZ Smile will create your personalized treatment plan. This includes all of the aligners you’ll need to shift your smile from meh to wow. Regardless of how many aligners you need, your price will be the same. Let’s start out by discussing the base prices for each service.
- Byte, $2,749 or $3,399 for Byte At-Night: Byte creates a nice blend of value and affordability with their kit. You’ll get everything you need to straighten your teeth and keep them that way, including the HyperByte device and post-treatment retainers. Bought separately, the HyperByte costs a whopping $999, so you get a lot of value for your money.
- EZ Smile, $2,149: EZ Smile is not the most affordable kit on the market, but they do give you a great value. You’ll get all the aligners you need to treat your smile and one set of free post-treatment retainers. These will cost you $99 after the first set.
Byte costs a fair bit more than EZ Smile, but in our opinion, it’s a fair extra cost. You do get a little more bang for your buck thanks to the included whitening, retainers, and HyperByte device.
Can’t pay all at once? Thankfully, both services offer financing. And as long as you pay the down payment, there’s a 100% approval rate.
- Byte, $3,828 or $4,298 for Byte At-Night: Bytepay automatically approves every customer for financing. When you select Bytepay at checkout, you’ll agree to a $40 account set-up fee and an $8 monthly account maintenance fee. Then, you’ll pay thirty monthly payments of $118. If you opt for Byte At-Night, that monthly payment jumps up to $143.
- EZ Smile, varies widely: EZ Smile has so many financing options that it would get tedious for us to list them all here. They have financing plans with and without credit checks, and there are payment plans to fit any timetable and budget. Their plans start as low as $26 per week.
Whitening Prices
EZ Smile doesn’t offer whitening treatments, but Byte does. The first bottle is free, but after that, you’ll need to shell out a little extra cash:
- Byte, $49: The first bottle is included in your aligner kit for free. It’s safe to use during your treatment; in fact, it doubles as a cleanser for your aligners and a breath freshener. If you run out, you can buy a replacement bottle for $49.
On the surface, it might seem like Byte is far more expensive than EZ Smile. But they throw in so many extras that we think they’re still a great value. That said, if you need a specific financing plan, EZ Smile will give you much greater flexibility.
Customer Support
No one anticipates having issues with their aligners, but stuff happens. That’s life. When it does, you’ll need to talk with customer support. We’ve tested them ourselves, and here’s how the two compare:
Byte | EZ Smile |
|---|---|
| Contact methods: Phone, email, & social media | Contact methods: Phone, email, & social media |
| Response times: usually pretty quick through phone, but email can take up to 24 hours | Response times: fastest during posted hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but phone is the quickest |
| Friendliness: Receptive, knowledgeable, individualized, & professional | Friendliness: Professional & helpful |
| Takeaway: Thanks to dedicated personal representatives, Byte truly shines in the customer service department. If you’re in a rush, call them. | Takeaway: EZ Smile also does a great job with customer service. You’ll get prompt support most days. But if you’re in a rush for answers, phone is the quickest route. |
While we honestly hope you don’t need much support throughout treatment (ideally, the whole process will be seamless), you’re in good hands if you need to contact either EZ Smile or Byte. We hope they keep up the good work.
Ease of Getting Started
Ease is the name of the game when it comes to at-home aligner treatment. But not all aligner companies use the same process. Some are a bit easier than others.
The same goes for Byte and EZ Smile, and EZ Smile takes the win here. Thanks to their Smile Scan Shops, it’s fairly easy to get started. And we love the fact that there’s a substantial number of locations across Australia. Customers appreciate the quick, easy start-up process. Plus, it’s a nice way to get quick answers to any questions you have before committing to treatment.
Byte doesn’t have retail locations. If you’d rather use Byte (or you can’t get to one of EZ Smile’s locations), you’ll need to order an impression kit and complete the process from home. Thankfully, Byte makes up for their lack of physical locations with video call “impression sessions,” where an assistant will help walk you through the process to guarantee success.
What if I get it wrong?
Impression kits are a tad tricky, so don’t panic if you mess them up. If the impressions are iffy—they could work, but you’re not sure—send them in. The orthodontists will let you know if you need to try again.
If you’re sure you’ve botched the impressions, contact customer support at Byte or EZ Smile and they’ll send another kit your way. Byte will only charge you the price of shipping. EZ Smile checks your impressions through photos before you send them back. So if there are issues, they’ll let you know and send another kit to you (meaning you won’t have to wait twice as long for shipping).
Customer Reviews
For many shoppers, customer reviews can make or break purchase decisions. If you’re one of those shoppers, we’ve got you covered. We’ve done the legwork for you to see what customers across the web are saying about Byte and EZ Smile.
Byte | EZ Smile |
|---|---|
| Top loves: excellent customer service; visible, quick results; fantastic lifetime guarantee | Top loves: Discreet; minimal discomfort; retail experience is excellent; cost-effective |
| Top complaints: mix-ups with reimbursements for private insurance; financing adds a significant amount to the cost | Top complaints: teeth feel odd during treatment; one arch doesn’t respond as well |
| Average score: 4.7/5 | Average score: 4.4/5 |
If you look at the sheer number of reviews, Byte comes out with a win in this category. But honestly, both of these companies have a great online reputation. Sure, teeth might feel different during treatment. But that will happen with any company; it’s part of treatment, really. And insurance mix-ups happen. In our opinion, the negatives for both are far, far outweighed by all their positives.
Refund Policies & Satisfaction Guarantees
As with any purchase, there’s always the nagging question: what if it doesn’t work out? Byte and EZ Smile both have very individualized approaches for refunds and satisfaction guarantees.
The “Byte-for-Life Guarantee”
Strictly speaking, Byte has only one refund policy: their impression kit. If you’re not a candidate for treatment, you’ll be refunded for the impression kit. However, Byte stands by their product with their “Byte for Life” guarantee.
This guarantee is essentially a lifetime warranty. If your teeth ever shift after treatment, even years down the road, Byte will send you new aligners to correct it. Similarly, if you reach the end of your treatment and you’re not satisfied, you can request a re-evaluation. As long as you follow your prescribed treatment plan, Byte will make adjustments to achieve the results you’re after.
EZ Smile’s Satisfaction Guarantee
EZ Smile has one of the best satisfaction guarantees in the industry. Here’s how it works: if at any time during your first 90 days of treatment you decide that EZ Smile isn’t for you, they’ll refund your money. Alternatively, if you reach the end of your treatment and your smile doesn’t look like what you were promised, EZ Smile will send you new aligners for free. That way, you’ll get back on track before you know it!
Which is the Best Home Aligner for You?
When it all comes down to it, Byte and EZ Smile are both good options. But at the end of the day, you can only pick one.
If you want our honest opinion, we prefer Byte. EZ Smile is a great service, but Byte just takes our overall top pick. We love their lifetime guarantee, their treatment efficiency, and their excellent customer service.
Choose Byte if:
You want to perfect your smile ASAP with top-quality customer service. Byte is twice as fast as all of the other companies on the market and offer personalized customer support.
Choose EZ Smile if:
You want the easiest start-up process in Australia, or you want the practicality of choosing a company that will give you the most flexible financing options possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does either home aligner kit offer discounts?
Technically, both services offer discounts. For example, while we’re writing this guide, Byte is running a sale for more than $100 of their aligners and impression kits, and EZ Smile is running a deal on their impression kit. But none of these deals last forever; if you see a good deal while looking at their website, you should jump on it.
The only year-round discount you’ll find is Byte’s discount for students, teachers, and military.
Are Byte and EZ Smile legit?
Your mom warned you about things that sound too good to be true, right? Thankfully home aligner companies like Byte and EZ Smile aren’t. These companies leverage a competitive product with competitive prices. But they don’t sacrifice quality to do it. How? They don’t have the overhead costs of a physical office like a traditional orthodontist’s office, so they can invest those savings in measures that ensure treatment quality.
Which home aligner is more customer-focused?
Byte is a bit more customer-centric than EZ Smile in a couple of different ways. They assign a personal care assistant to each customer. That said, EZ Smile does a really good job caring for their customers, so we have no real complaints.
How exactly do at-home clear aligners work?
They’re nearly invisible, but they’re not magical. Technically speaking, at-home clear aligners use roughly the same technology that Invisalign uses. This starts with your impressions or scans; a dental professional analyzes those impressions to design a series of clear trays that gently and gradually move your teeth to their final destination.
How do Byte and EZ Smile compare to Invisalign?
They’re distant cousins, really. Invisalign pioneered the clear aligner alternative to traditional braces. However, Invisalign adds one aspect to the aligners: devices affixed to your teeth to secure the aligners. Those devices have to be attached in-office by a qualified orthodontist. Home aligners don’t use those, allowing you to complete your entire treatment at home.
How do these home aligners compare to Smile Direct and SmilePath?
EZ Smile and Byte are pretty similar to both Smile Direct and SmilePath, although these competitors have their own perks. SmilePath is the most affordable option on the market. Smile Direct has a much bigger customer base (especially in the U.S.) than both Byte and EZ Smile.
Is there an age requirement for using either Byte or EZ Smile?
With both Byte and EZ Smile, you must have all permanent teeth present to begin treatment (you don’t want to dump thousands into teeth that will just fall out, anyway). Byte requires patients to be at least 12; EZ Smile starts treatment at ages 16 and up.
Does either service give free whitening treatment?
Byte includes one free bottle of their whitening treatment with your aligners, and you can use it simultaneously with the aligner treatment. A replacement bottle costs $49. EZ Smile doesn’t currently offer whitening.
Do Byte and EZ Smile have aggressive upsells?
Thankfully, no. Byte gives you a mild one by giving you one set of their whitening treatment for free. But since there’s no obligation to buy a replacement bottle once yours runs out, it’s not a true upsell.
How do I know if at-home aligners are right for me?
Many people are good candidates for at-home treatment. In general, the only people who should automatically steer clear of at-home aligners are people with significant bite issues. If a condition like overbite or underbite is the cause of your teeth’s misalignment, then clear aligners likely won’t be able to permanently correct your issue.
Individuals with implants may still be able to get treatment. To know for sure, you’ll need to take an impression kit with either service. They’ll let you know for sure if you are a candidate or not. If you are not a candidate, you’ll get a refund for the price of the impression kit.
Will either of these home aligners make me talk less funny?
Most people take a few days to adjust to the feeling of aligners—after all, there’s a foreign object in your mouth—but very few experience long-lasting issues. The average observer can’t detect that you’re wearing aligners, even while talking.
If I lose my aligners during or after treatment, do I have to pay for new ones?
Byte will send you a replacement aligner for $169, and EZ Smile will send you one for $99. With either, though, you should wear your previous aligner to keep your teeth from shifting too far back.
Can I drink coffee when using Byte or EZ Smile?
You can, but you shouldn’t. Aligners from Byte and EZ Smile are fairly stain-resistant, but you should generally avoid eating or drinking colored liquids and foods while wearing your aligners. Water is a safe bet, though.
Are there any hidden costs?
Byte and EZ Smile don’t really have any hidden costs. What you see is what you get. Both companies give you a set of post-treatment retainers for free. You will need to purchase additional ones occasionally, though, since they wear out over time.