Best Bidet Toilet Seats
The bidet is a personal hygiene tool commonly seen in Asia and Europe. It’s essentially a mini “shower” for your most personal areas. Bidet usage helps cut down on paper waste. People with hemorrhoids, bowel disease, and post-childbirth conditions find them particularly soothing. Furthermore, a quick rinse with a bidet on a busy morning may be all you need to face the day – no need to waste water on a full shower.
Many Americans are unfamiliar with bidets, and as such, it can be especially confusing to buy one. Unlike Japan, where just about every home has a bidet/toilet combo unit, it’s far more common in the U.S. to find bidet seats that attach to your existing toilet. But how do you know which type is best? It’s not a topic that’s often discussed, after all, and there are quite a few different types available. That’s where we come in. The research staff at BestReviews delved deep into the bidet product space, learning all that we could about these hygienic bathroom additions and talking to owners of bidets.
We combined our information to create the product matrix above and the bidet shopping guide below. If you’re ready to purchase a bidet, please see the five bidet products we recommend in the chart above. For more general information about bidets, read on.
Best Bidet Toilet Seats Under $300
Brondell Swash 1400 Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat
If you are looking for a bidet with all the bells and whistles, the Brondell Swash 1400 won’t disappoint. With numerous settings, nightlights, deodorizers, and more, you’ll find it’s a worthwhile investment and useful addition to your bathroom fixtures.
Features
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR WASH: programmable user settings and one-touch auto mode deliver the most hygienic bathroom experience at the touch of a button
- LOADED WITH FEATURES: cool blue illuminating nightlight, replaceable deodorizer, endless warm water heating system, aerated wash with spray Width adjustment, and nozzle oscillation
- EASY INSTALLATION: the swash installs on your existing toilet, simply remove your toilet seat and replace it with the swash, no plumber or tools required
- SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR NORTH AMERICAN TOILETS: sleek shape for the best toilet fit and a hidden pocket to ensure that the electrical cord and water hose stay tucked out of sight
- THE HIGHEST QUALITY CLEAN: built with dual stainless-steel nozzles with on-demand nozzle sterilization using nanotechnology to remain germ-free. Aerated wash spray with three spray width and three water pressure settings
- Has numerous capabilities to suit almost any user, including programmable settings, dry, and eco mode.
- Comes in elongated or round.
- Features a sterilizing function and deodorizer compartment for optimal cleanliness.
- Blue nightlight, soft-close lid, oscillating nozzle, and heated seat are some of its other impressive features.
- It comes with a remote, but setting it up can be challenging.
- Has some issues with water pressure being too low, but professional installation may correct this issue if it occurs.
SmartBidet SB-1000 Electric Bidet Seat
With a customer-pleasing combination of more advanced features than budget-priced mechanical models and a more affordable price than top-end bidets, the SmartBidet tops our list for being the one with the most to offer for the best value.
Features
- Control with remote control
- Adjustable water pressure (5 levels), water temperature (3 levels) & nozzle positions (5 levels)
- Warm air dryer, adjustable to 5 levels, which eliminates the need for toilet paper
- Energy-saving mode, soft closing lid and seat, easy to install
- An affordable electric-powered model that offers many user-friendly features similar to pricier models, including handy remote-control operation, adjustable nozzle, warm air dry system, and soft-close lid.
- Fairly easy to install.
- It’s also versatile, with models available for both round and oblong toilet seats.
- Water pressure is somewhat lacking compared to higher-priced models.
- Doesn’t have an odor-eliminating filter system, which some users miss.
ALPHA JX Elongated Bidet Toilet Seat
An easy to use a model that also offers rear wash as part of its comprehensive feature package. Though electrical, the installation isn’t too difficult. The water pressure is also sufficient, and the mid-level price is an attractive alternative to higher-end models.
Features
- WARM AND SOOTHING – Tankless on-demand water heating for endless warm water
- DISCREET – Slim, low profile design with whisper-quiet operation
- HYGIENIC AND SANITARY – Self-cleaning, anti-microbial, aluminum wash nozzle
- ILLUMINATES THE DARK – White LED nightlight w/ ambient light sensor
- EASY TO USE – Clear and simple remote control w/ special shortcut buttons
- Does an excellent job keeping the unit clean, thanks to its powerful self-cleaning nozzle.
- Other features including its remote operation, sleek design, and nightlight make it worth considering.
- It also delivers impressive spray power, which is often lacking in lower-end options.
- No deodorizer.
- Easy to install, but requires an electrical outlet within reach of the toilet.
All About Bidets
What is a bidet, and why would you want one?
A bidet is a plumbing fixture or accessory that streams water to cleanse your most personal parts in the bathroom. The benefits of a bidet, whether you use a freestanding model or an attachment on your regular toilet, are many.
- Greatly reduced need for toilet paper, which helps both your wallet and the environment
- Lowered risk of toilet clogs and overflows
- Quick and easy freshening up; a great shower alternative
- Relief for embarrassing but common problems like anal itching, hemorrhoids, skin irritation due to diarrhea, and pain and swelling after giving birth
- Enhanced cleanliness after using the toilet
- Independence for elderly or physically challenged people who struggle to use the toilet on their own
Bidet types
There are several types of bidets to consider. While you might picture the classic fixture – it looks something like a toilet that has no seat but does have a bathroom faucet affixed to the front – other types of bidets are actually far more common in the U.S.
Freestanding/traditional bidets
Freestanding or traditional bidets are the classic fixture. There are both floor-mounted and wall-mounted versions. These take up a lot of space in your bathroom – they are around the same size as your toilet – and generally require a plumber for installation.
- Cost: Expect to pay $300 to $700 for a traditional bidet.
All-in-one fixtures
All-in-one fixtures are basically regular toilets with a bidet function already installed. These save on space in your bathroom and are common in many parts of the world. They are not so common in the U.S., however, which may be due to their high price.
- Cost: Expect to pay $1,500 to $4,000 for an all-in-one toilet bidet.
Bidet toilet seats
Bidet toilet seats are the most popular option in the U.S. These replace the regular toilet seat, and there are a wide range of models and configurations to fit both standard and elongated toilets. Most hook into your toilet’s water supply and have a small arm that swings into position at the touch of a button to spray water for personal cleaning. When you’re finished, the arm folds back under the toilet rim. Almost all of these devices have some sort of automatic rinsing of the spray arm, as well.
There are two types of bidet toilet seats:
- electric
- non-electric.
1-Electric bidet toilet seats plug into a nearby electrical outlet and attach to your toilet’s water supply. These seats offer a wide range of features: the heated seat, heated water, a wide range of spray settings, adjustable water pressure, adjustable nozzle position, and even air deodorizer.
- Cost: The cheapest electric bidet seats cost around $200, but those with the desirable features most people want are more expensive than that. Generally, you’ll pay $300 to $500 for an electric bidet seat with the majority of desirable features, and you’ll pay close to $1,000 for an electric bidet seat with all the bells and whistles you could possibly desire.
2- Non-electric bidet seats don’t require any nearby electrical outlet and are therefore easier to install. While some do hook into both your hot-water and cold-water supply to provide a warm wash, most only hook into the cold-water supply, meaning you’ll get room-temperature or chilly water on your rear end. You won’t get as many features as you would with an electric bidet seat, but you’ll still find adjustable water pressure, various spray patterns, adjustable sprayer arms, and self-rinsing sprayer arms on most non-electric models.
- Cost: Generally, these units cost less than $100.
Bidet Attachments
Bidet attachments mount underneath your regular toilet seat but do not replace it. They have a small control panel to the side of the toilet and a nozzle that retracts under the rim when not in use. Most cannot be used with a one-piece toilet.
The majority of bidet attachments hook into your toilet’s water supply and have separate hoses for hot water and cool water. You can usually adjust the water pressure, and some bidet attachments even have adjustable sprayer positions. Normally, there is an automatic self-cleaning nozzle function.
Bidet attachments are an especially good option for renters or anyone who wants the benefits of a bidet without the complicated installation process.
- Cost: Most bidet attachments cost less than $50.
Handheld bidet sprayers
Handheld bidet sprayers are similar to handheld shower sprayers. Typically, they attach to your toilet’s water supply and have a clip or holder that keeps the device hanging on the side of your toilet tank until you are ready to use it. You spray yourself with the device, then replace it in its holder. Most allow you to adjust the water pressure to your liking. You can also use the device to rinse off reusable diapers, and if your tub is close to your toilet, you can use it to wash your dog or rinse items off in the bathtub.
- Cost: These simple bidet devices cost between $20 and $50.
Travel/portable bidets
A travel or portable bidet is basically a water bottle with a long nozzle. You gently squeeze the bottle while sitting on the toilet to provide a flow of water for cleaning yourself. These handy “bidets” are a good choice if you only want a bidet for a short time while recovering from surgery or childbirth.
- Cost: Most travel bidets cost less than $15.
Features to Consider
When it comes to buying a bidet, you’ll find lots of possible features to invest in. Here are some of the most popular features that you may wish to look for in a bidet.
- Warm water: There are two ways your bidet seat might provide this: a built-in warming tank or a hose that ties into your bathroom sink hot water line. Some upscale bidet seats let you tailor the water temperature to your liking; others simply provide a slightly warm spray.
- Feminine wash: This function basically positions the spray nozzle a little bit more forward to easily wash a woman’s genital area.
- Oscillating spray: This feature moves the spray slightly from side to side, providing effective cleaning to a larger area.
- Turbo/enema: With this feature, the water sprays a bit more forcefully with a massaging action to help relieve painful anal conditions.
- Pulse spray: This feature pulses the spray for more effective cleaning.
- Heated seat: No more sitting on a cold toilet seat with this optional feature.
- Air dry: Warm air dries your rear end after using the bidet.
- Deodorizer: This feature doesn’t actually perfume the air; instead, it pulls air through a filter to purify it of odors.
- Pre-mist: This features sprays a bit of water onto the toilet bowl’s inner walls before you use it. This makes waste less likely to stick to the porcelain, so one flush will be enough.
Tips for Choosing a Bidet Seat
- Look for a seat with an easy-close lid. These don’t slam shut. Instead, they close slowly.
- Stainless-steel or silver iodide nozzles are the best choice. They are durable, easy to clean and resist the buildup of bacteria.
- Before buying a bidet seat, be sure it fits your toilet base. While you’ll find standard and elongated models, some toilets are outside the standard measurements.
- If you’re considering an electric bidet seat, keep in mind that you’ll need an electrical outlet reasonably close to the toilet.
- If you just want a basic wash function, save yourself money by choosing a model without too many extra features you won’t use.
- Check the control panel for any bidet you are considering. It should be easy to reach, easy to read, and easy to use.
- Many bidet seats have a quick-release feature that lets you easily lift the seat off the toilet for cleaning.
FAQ
Q. Are bidet seats difficult to install?
A. Generally, you can have your bidet seat installed and ready to go within minutes. With most, you just remove the toilet’s regular seat, secure the bidet seat mounting bracket to the back edge of the toilet, then use the adapter that came with the bidet seat to attach the device’s water hose to your toilet’s water supply.
Q. Do bidets use a lot of water?
A. Most bidets don’t use a lot of water, although it depends on how long you run the device. On average, you’ll use around one-eighth of a gallon per cleaning session.
Q. Where are the controls for the bidet located?
A. Most commonly, bidet seats have a small control panel that sits at the level of the toilet, within easy reach of your hand. When choosing a bidet, be sure the controls are easy to see and work from a seated position. Some more expensive models have remote controls.
