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Jennifer specializes in kitchen, cleaning and home design, having written over 100 articles on these topics.
While expensive, it offers upgraded versions of several premium features, self-cleans, and covers all the bases of cleaning and drying during use.
While expensive, it offers upgraded versions of several premium features, self-cleans, and covers all the bases of cleaning and drying during use.
Offers one of the best user experiences with its remote control. Consumers appreciate its HydroFlush nozzle, which helps clean the bowl after use. Night light illuminates without being too bright or harsh. Built-in deodorizer makes a noticeable difference in the bathroom.
Instructions could be more user-friendly, as our tests found difficulties with installing the water hose. Water and seat temperature can be difficult to nail down.
The best option if you want some premium perks without shelling out big bucks—if you don't mind a large side control panel, that is.
The best option if you want some premium perks without shelling out big bucks—if you don't mind a large side control panel, that is.
Includes a whopping five nozzle positions, three temperatures, and five water pressure levels. The lid closes softly to make nighttime bathroom trips nearly noiseless. Well-liked for its eco-friendly features, including a skin sensor and energy-saving mode.
Some consumers complain that the power plug is too short, saying they had to buy an extension cord.
Takes post-use cleaning to the next level with a self-sanitizing UV light.
Takes post-use cleaning to the next level with a self-sanitizing UV light.
Includes all the premium perks: heated seat, warm air dryer, carbon filtering system, and a bright LED bowl light. Pulsing jets are a big hit, as they're effective without being too intense. Simple to set up and use.
The side control panel is a bit hard to see while sitting, and some users say the model needs a remote control.
Reduce smells and toilet paper waste and stay clean with this bidet that tested well during our trials thanks to its litany of features.
Reduce smells and toilet paper waste and stay clean with this bidet that tested well during our trials thanks to its litany of features.
Comes with a two-sided remote that has a ton of features that make customization a breeze. We really liked how it has a smell filter function to reduce less-than-ideal scents after use. The dual-nozzle design offers a good variety of spray options for various users.
We had quite a bit of trouble with the initial installation, so if you aren't into DIY, then this might not be the option for you.
Earns a spot on our shortlist due to its unique feature of post-cleanse air deodorization.
Earns a spot on our shortlist due to its unique feature of post-cleanse air deodorization.
Two user profiles allow for a fuss-free experience for multiple users. Heat settings include a heated seat, a warm air dryer, and a warm water stream. Lights up at night, so there's no need to turn on the main bathroom light fixtures.
Expensive, and some users would have liked a sensor lid. For the same price, you can buy a freestanding bidet.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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