While most dwellings in Europe have the right plumbing to accommodate stand-alone bidets, North American bathrooms simply aren’t designed to house them. Despite the many positive aspects that come with owning a bidet and the increasing recognition that bidets elevate the bathroom-going experience, bathrooms have lagged behind in our neck of the woods.

It’s true that full-size units take up coveted floor space. In addition, handheld spray units are less intuitive to use and more likely to leak or spray water all over your bathroom. And while toilet seat bidets are effective, they’re also pricey. How can you enjoy the positive aspects of bidet washing without sacrificing space and convenience? Bidet attachments are easy to install and are the perfect entry-level cleaning solution for anyone who wishes for a cleaner bathroom visit.

Our guide includes everything you need to know about why a bidet is worth purchasing. You’ll also find a series of suggestions to help you choose a unit with useful features.

A bidet attachment is connected to your toilet’s plumbing and attached to your toilet seat. The contraption features a control panel and a sprayer nozzle. Some bidet attachments have multiple knobs that control water temperature and nozzle angle in addition to water pressure. When the bidet’s knobs or dials are turned, the nozzle sprays water to clean the buttock (or genital) area.

Adding a bidet attachment to your toilet has plenty of benefits. The advantages of this relatively inexpensive add-on include:

• Improved bathroom hygiene that will leave you feeling ultra-clean
• Reduced dependence on toilet paper and wipes, which translates to money saved and a reduced environmental impact — a powerful jet of water provides a thorough cleaning, and bathroom tissue is simply used to dry the area after washing
• Fewer clogging incidents due to less toilet paper being used
• Gentler cleaning for those suffering from hemorrhoids or other conditions that lead to irritation and pain when visiting the bathroom
• Ease of use for the elderly and mobility impaired

Who uses your bathroom frequently? If both male and females use the washroom in your home, consider choosing a model that has multiple nozzles capable of shooting water at different angles. Do you have more than one bathroom? Consider investing in two or more bidet attachments so that every bathroom is equipped with the hygiene-enhancing hardware. Do you have kids? Are you sharing a home with an elderly friend or relative? Check that the controls are easy to use for all ages and abilities. A unit with a single knob may be easier to use than one with multiple settings.

Choose between a basic bidet attachment that shoots only cold water or one that also features a warm water stream. Those living in regions with cold winters benefit from having a warm water option. A strong jet of ice cold water aimed at your behind is, after all, an unpleasant way to start the day. Verify that your bathroom’s plumbing can accommodate a two-temperature unit. Warm water models are a little trickier to install because they require a link to hot water, and not all bathrooms are configured in a way that allows for easy installation.

Most units have a dial that adjusts the strength of the bidet’s water stream. Use the lowest setting at first while you get acquainted with your new bathroom accessory.

Bidet attachments with two nozzles often feature a dial setting to select a nozzle with a forward tilt angle, allowing for cleaning of the vaginal area. This setting is helpful for those who are pregnant or have just given birth. A feminine hygiene setting also helps with cleanup during menstruation or after sexual intercourse. Using a bidet to clean the vaginal area is also gentler and less wasteful than using feminine wipes.

A self-cleaning feature sprays water downward to clean the nozzle itself and wash away any water or debris that has splashed back onto the spray nozzles. Choose nozzles that self-retract as they are the most hygienic.

While the nozzles remain tucked away at the back of your toilet bowl and are typically hidden by a plastic cover to prevent splashback, the bidet attachment controls are within sight of everyone who walks into your bathroom. Choose from units with a functional design to models with a sleek, modern appearance.

Bidet attachments typically cost less than $50. The more features a bidet attachment has, the more you pay. Basic models with a single cold water spray function are usually the least expensive and cost between $25 and $30. Units that spray both cold and warm water and have multiple nozzle settings cost anywhere from $35 to $50, depending on the design and brand in question.

• Verify that the bidet attachment you’re eyeing is compatible with your toilet. Not all bidet units work with all toilet seat shapes. Most don’t fit one-piece toilets.
• Clean your bidet attachment’s nozzles each time you scrub your toilet. Make sure to clean behind the nozzle fixture as well.
• Once in a while, remove the bidet attachment completely to clean the covered area thoroughly. Grime and bacteria eventually build up there.
• If you live in a warm locale, don’t bother spending money on a unit with cold and warm water options.
• It may take time before you get used to using less toilet paper when using a bidet.
• Educate guests on the benefits of using a bidet and how to use the particular attachment found in your bathroom.

Do you need a few more bidet attachment options before you make your final selection? Here are a handful of high-rated bidets we want to recommend in addition to our top picks. The TUSHY Classic Bidet is an ultra sleek choice for those having trouble finding an attachment fit for their modern bathroom. Give your toilet seat a modern upgrade with this easy-to-install bidet. Another streamlined bidet attachment to consider is the Brondell Bidet. Its flat profile won’t move your toilet seat out of place, and the single knob allows for easy control over water pressure. The Bio Bidet SlimEdge is comparable to the Brondell but has a unique square-shaped knob and a feminine wash setting. Finally, the Luxe Bidet Neo 110 is a pared down version of one of the top picks we love for its ease of use and low price point.

Q. Is it easy to install a bidet attachment?
A. It depends on your bathroom’s configuration and whether you’re installing a bidet attachment with a warm water setting. Models with cold and warm water settings require two hose attachments. Read to find out about a particular model’s installation.

Q. Should I really consider paying more for a warm water option?
A. If you live in an area with cold winters, a warm water function is a welcome feature. Those with conditions like hemorrhoids may also appreciate having a choice between two water temperatures. Otherwise, a cold water stream cleans just as effectively as a warm one.

Q. Is it safe to use a bidet attachment?
A. Absolutely. Avoid discomfort (or injury in rare cases) by slowly increasing pressure. Scalding water may be an issue with freestanding bidets, but bidet attachments typically don’t offer a hot water option. Instead, users choose between cold or warm water, so there’s little risk involved.