Buying guide for Best training potties
Potty training is a rite of passage for all children, but the process takes time and can be frustrating for kids and parents alike. A training potty can help ease your child’s transition out of diapers and into the bathroom, but which one should you choose? Training potties come in various forms, from those that mimic full-size toilets to those that fold for travel. Some models come with lights and sounds. Some are bare-bones designs. If you’re not sure what kind of training potty you want for your child, you’ve come to the right place.
At BestReviews, we do the research, consult the experts, and read consumer reviews to find the best products on the market. In our search for the best training potties, we did not accept any free manufacturer samples. Our policy is always to decline these offers, as they might bias our opinions.
After hours of diligent research, we put together this shopping guide to help you decide what features might help your child successfully learn to use the toilet.
Types of training potties
Convertible training potties
Convertible training potties are made of plastic for cleaning ease and can be found in one of several configurations.
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Two-in-one potties: A two-in-one convertible potty can be used as a standalone potty or as a seat reducer on a regular toilet. The latter attaches to the toilet and serves as a potty seat ideally sized for a smaller bottom.
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Three-in-one potties: These training potties can be used as a standalone potty, seat reducer, or a step stool that leads up to a regular toilet.
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Four-in-one potties: These all-in-one designs can be used as a standalone potty, seat reducer, step stool, and storage area for toilet paper, books, and/or toys.
Because the above-mentioned training potties are usually made of plastic, they often feature fun colors and/or character designs.
"If you want a training potty that will last through several children, look for one with quality construction and durability. You might also want to consider one with a removable splash guard. A splash guard is a necessity for a boy, but it can make sitting down uncomfortable for a girl."
STAFF
BestReviews
Travel training potties
Travel training potties are made of plastic and offer extra convenience when you’re away from home. They vary in size, but all of them fold down in some way for easy portability. Though designs vary, a travel potty consists of a toilet seat, chamber, and foldable legs. Some travel training potties can also be used as seat reducers.
Wooden training potties
Wooden training potties are heavier and larger than most plastic models. These potties look more like a wooden chair that a training toilet. You’ll find them in different finishes, colors, and personalization options. Some wooden training potties have a storage area for books, toys, or bathroom supplies.
Expert Tip
Start potty training when your child shows signs of readiness.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
Important training potty features
Safety
When it comes to training potty safety, stability is a key factor.
The base should be wide and the legs stable. Travel training potties should have some kind of safety or locking mechanism to prevent the legs from folding while in use.
You also want to make sure your child cannot get pinched or scraped by the potty materials. The seam between the chamber and seat should be even so this doesn’t happen. A pinched leg may not be life-threatening, but it could hurt your child enough to deter him from wanting to use the potty in the future.
"Some training potties have a cushioned seat with a plastic cover. If the plastic cracks, it should be replaced, as the material could scrape or pinch your child’s leg or thigh."
STAFF
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Storage space
Some training potties are small and compact; others take up a significant amount of floor space. Be sure to measure your available space before purchasing a training potty. You probably don’t want one that’s too large for your bathroom.
Once potty training is done, you’ll want to move it out of the bathroom, but you’ll still need to store it somewhere. Consider how much space you have for long-term storage. If space is limited, look for a travel model or one that folds or collapses for easier storage.
Splash guards
If you’re potty training a little boy, a splash guard is a must. You’ll want to find one that’s high enough to keep urine in the chamber but low enough that your child can get on the potty by himself.
"You may be excited to get your child out of diapers, but forced potty training can sometimes backfire. If your child isn’t ready, he might resist, which can make the process take longer. Buying a standalone model that’s available when he’s ready can help get him thinking about potty training."
STAFF
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Fit and size
Training potties come in many different heights and sizes, as do the seats. Your child won’t be comfortable if she’s too big for the seat or if her feet dangle. Rather, her feet should comfortably reach the floor, and her bottom should not hang over the sides of the seat.
Cleaning/emptying ease
A training potty with a removable chamber is easier to clean than a one-piece model. Removable chambers are small enough that you can easily rinse and clean them with each use. A chamber made of plastic is the best choice, as it’s lightweight and easy to clean.
"When cleaning a training potty, be sure to check all the cracks and crevices around the chamber and seat for hidden “accidents.”"
STAFF
BestReviews
Extra features
Some training potties have extra features that provide an incentive or reward for your child when she successfully uses the potty.
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Sounds: Some training potties play songs. Others have handles that, when pulled, mimic the sound of a toilet flush.
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Lights: Flashing lights are exciting for kids. If you want a potty with toy-like appeal, consider one with lights and sounds.
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Flush handle: Some training potty models include a handle that can be pulled like are real toilet handle. And, as mentioned above, some handles play a realistic flushing sound or a song when pulled.
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Toilet paper/toy storage: Potty training sometimes involves long stretches sitting on the training potty. A few books and toys can make that time more enjoyable for your child. Some models even have a holder for wipes or toilet paper.
Expert tip
Travel training potties are great for day trips and vacations, and they provide a compact option for daily use if you have limited storage space.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
Training potty prices
Under $25
A training potty doesn’t have to be a huge investment. For less than $25, you can find one with a removable chamber.
Some travel models fit in this price range, too. You’ll also see a few inexpensive convertible training potties here, but you won’t likely find any four-in-one models for less than $25.
"Older siblings often provide a good example and incentive to use the toilet. Training potties allow your little one to use the bathroom at the same time as an older sibling so he can “see” how it’s done."
STAFF
BestReviews
$25 to $50
If you step up in price a bit, you’ll find lots of three-in-one and four-in-one convertible options. Some feature fun characters or customizable designs.
Over $50
If you want a four-in-one training potty or a wooden training potty with a removable chamber and storage space, be prepared to pay $50 or more.
For your safety
Spending prolonged periods of time on a full-size toilet can make a child’s legs go numb because there’s no support for their feet. A properly sized training potty can make toilet training much more comfortable for your child.
STAFF
BestReviews
Tips
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The seat of a convertible training potty can be used as a seat reducer. Seat reducers work well for children who are afraid of falling into the toilet or going down with the water. Once your child has gotten used to using the training potty, a seat reducer can help him transition to the full-size toilet.
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Some training potties come in the shape of a rocking horse or another ride-on toy. They work well for children who may be reluctant to start using the toilet. In this case, potty training feels more like play than work.
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Be sure to clean the training potty chamber after each use. This is important not only for sanitary reasons, but also because it can help prevent corrosion.
FAQ
Q. Is there a benefit to choosing a training potty over a seat reducer?
A. Both training potties and seat reducers work for potty training. It’s more a matter of finding what works best for your child. However, training potties do offer a few advantages.
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If your home has only one bathroom, a training potty gives your child a place to do business whether the bathroom is occupied or not. Because learning to use the potty can sometimes take a long period of time, a movable training potty can also help keep the bathroom free for other members of the household.
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You can start your child with a training potty, then transition to using the seat as a seat reducer. Eventually, you may be able to use the training potty base as a stool for hand-washing purposes.
On the downside, a training potty requires more storage space than a seat reducer. If you have a small bathroom, you might want to stick with a seat reducer.
Expert tip
When potty training a child, be prepared when you are out and about.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
Q. I want a training potty with a removable chamber. Does removal work the same way for all models?
A. The simple answer is no, removal does not work the same way for all models. Chamber removal may be a simple one-step process, or it may require disassembling the whole potty. It’s a good idea to check how the chamber is removed for cleaning before buying.
We advise potential buyers to look for a chamber that can be removed through a one- or two-step process. Then, you’ll only have to remove, empty, and sanitize the chamber; you won’t have to disassemble and reassemble the whole training potty.
Q. Does my child really need a training potty with lights and sounds?
A. Most of the time, no. However, if you have a child who shows signs of being ready for potty training but is afraid of the toilet, a training potty with a few bells and whistles can be an excellent fear-reducing incentive.
