Buying guide for Best bidet seats
A bidet seat, sometimes called a washlet, is a replacement for a traditional toilet seat. It reroutes some of the water from the toilet’s supply line into a spraying wand that lies beneath you as you sit on the toilet. When you press a button, the wand sprays water that cleans your rear more thoroughly than toilet paper can.
Some bidet seats require electricity; others rely solely on water pressure from the toilet. Many models have a customizable spray that makes your experience as comfortable as possible. When choosing a bidet seat, you’ll want to get the size and shape right. You’ll need to decide whether you’d prefer an electric or non-electric model and determine if you want any other special features.
Key considerations
Size and shape
Before you start shopping for a bidet seat, it’s essential to consider the size and shape that will fit your toilet. The majority of toilets are round or elongated. Therefore, there are bidet seats to fit those common shapes. Measure your toilet, or determine whether it is round or elongated before you start looking at bidet seats.
Electric vs. non-electric
Bidet seats are available in manual and electric models.
Manual (non-electric) bidet seats use existing water pressure from the toilet to spray water from the bidet wand. They’re easy to install and relatively easy to use because they don’t have many special features. Non-electric bidet seats are more affordable than electric models.
Electric bidet seats use electricity to power the spray from the bidet wand. That means the seat must be plugged in, so you need an outlet within approximately 4 feet of the toilet. You could run an extension cord from the bidet seat to the outlet, but that may pose a tripping hazard. Some homeowners opt to have an electrician add an outlet near the toilet for convenience.
Electric bidet seats tend to cost more than non-electric bidet seats because they offer special features that manual seats don’t have. Some users feel that electric bidet seats do a more thorough cleaning job, too.
Installation
The installation of a bidet seat typically involves turning off the water supply to the toilet and replacing the existing valve with a two-pronged valve that is included with the bidet seat. Installation is usually fairly simple, but some manufacturers make it even easier by providing instructional videos that detail the process.
Bidet seats don’t require a hot water connection because they heat the water themselves.
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Features
Heated water
Cold water can feel pretty shocking on sensitive areas of the body. That’s why many bidet seats allow you to warm the water before you spray it. Some have a mini water tank that heats the water and keeps it stored until the spray button is pressed. Others heat the water on-demand, so you never have to worry about running out of warm water.
Some high-end electrical bidet seats allow you to adjust the water temperature to your personal preference. This feature drives up the price, so consider it carefully before buying.
Adjustable water pressure
Many electric bidet seats allow you to adjust the spray’s water pressure. This lets you choose how light or strong the spray is, so you can find the most comfortable setting or the option that helps you feel the cleanest.
Adjustable nozzle
Electric bidet seats often have an adjustable nozzle you position in exactly the right spot for the most efficient cleaning. Some models have dual nozzles: one for front cleaning and another for rear cleaning.
Oscillating spray
If you want the most thorough clean possible, choose a bidet seat with an oscillating spray feature. The nozzle actually moves back and forth, cleaning a wider area.
Heated seat
In addition to heated water, some bidet users like to have a heated seat. You’ll never sit on a cold toilet in winter weather again because the seat automatically warms itself. What’s more, most bidet seats allow you to turn the heated seat feature off if you don’t want to use it in warm weather.
Warm air dryer
Premium electric bidet seats may feature a warm air-dry setting, which effectively dries your rear after the spray has cleaned you. Depending on how effective the air-dry setting is, you may not need to use any toilet paper after using your bidet.
Night light
Some bidet seats have a night light so you don’t have to stumble into a dark bathroom in the middle of the night. Notably, however, most lights shine into the toilet rather than into the room, so the illumination is limited.
UV light
High-end bidet seats may be equipped with a UV (ultraviolet) light that helps keep your bathroom clean and sanitary. The light can kill many of the germs in and around the toilet to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, though it won’t kill 100% of the germs.
Air deodorizer
If you’re concerned about odors in your bathroom, consider a bidet seat with an internal fan that pulls air into a carbon filter to neutralize smells. Note that you’ll pay extra for this feature, and in many cases, the effect is similar to what you’d get from a plug-in deodorizer.
Remote
If you choose a feature-packed bidet seat, look for one with a user-friendly remote. Using a remote is usually easier than stretching or bending to press buttons on the seat itself.
User presets
Some bidet seats allow you to save your preferences for water pressure, temperature, and nozzle position so you only need to press one button rather than three. You can even find models that remember settings for multiple users, so everyone in the house can save their personalized settings.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most electric bidet seats require a GFCI-protected outlet. The best placement for the outlet is right behind your toilet.
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Bidet seat prices
Inexpensive
The most affordable bidet seats are manual, non-electric models. They have very few features, but they usually allow for adjustments to spray pressure and nozzle position. These seats generally cost between $70 and $200.
Mid-range
Mid-range bidet seats are usually basic electric models. They may have some special features, such as a heated seat, warm water spray with a built-in water tank, adjustable water pressure, oscillating spray, and nightlight. The price ranges from $200 to $659.
Expensive
The priciest bidet seats are high-end electric models. These bidet seats often have all the bells and whistles: a heated seat, warm water spray, adjustable water pressure oscillating spray, heated air dry, nightlight, UV light, air deodorizer. These models usually don’t have a water tank but instead heat the water instantly. They cost between $659 and $1,850.
Some high-end electric bidet seats feature a lid that opens automatically when you step in front of it.
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Tips
- Before you use a bidet seat for the first time, check nozzle placement and where the water sprays from. This knowledge will help you figure out the best way to sit on the seat for effective cleaning.
- If your bidet seat doesn’t come with a remote, familiarize yourself with the controls before using it for the first time. It can be tricky to read them while you’re sitting on the toilet, so it helps to know which buttons do what before you do your business.
- Carefully adjust your clothing, including your underwear and pants, to avoid getting them wet on the bidet seat. Move longer shirts out of the way as well.
FAQ
Q. Should I call a plumber to install a bidet seat?
A. In most cases, installing a bidet seat is a straightforward process that takes an hour or less. You can search for online videos that demonstrate the process, too, so you usually don’t need a plumber. If you’re not particularly good at DIY projects, however, you may want to ask a handy friend to help out.
Q. Do I need to clean a bidet seat?
A. Some bidet seats have a self-cleaning feature that rinses the nozzle and wand after you finish using it. However, you should still clean the rest of the seat with a mild cleanser at least once a week to keep it sanitary.
Q. Do I need to use toilet paper with a bidet seat?
A. You’ll probably still want to use at least a couple of squares of toilet paper to dry yourself off after using the bidet seat, but most homeowners find that bidet ownership cuts their toilet paper consumption by more than half.
