Buying guide for best bidets
A bidet can be a great way to cut down on paper waste and clean your personal areas thoroughly. There are several types of bidets, some of which may require some handiwork to install, so it’s important to understand your options and preferences before purchasing a bidet.
Freestanding bidets look similar to a toilet and take up a significant amount of space in your bathroom. If space is an issue and you’re comfortable with the higher price, all-in-one units work as toilets and bidets. Bidet toilet seats can be affixed to regular toilets, and bidet attachments work similarly and are even more affordable. There are a few other varieties that we will explore further, but you should have an idea of your price range and style preference when choosing a model for your bathroom. Additional features like warm water, drying, and control methods, should also be considered.
A bidet can be a helpful addition to your bathroom for those who are elderly, have health conditions, or simply want a different way to clean themselves.
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
Did you know?
At least half of adults will suffer with the discomfort of hemorrhoids by middle age. A bidet is far preferable for this common condition than toilet paper is.
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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.
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.
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 and non-electric.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
We research a variety of bidets, including simple mechanical models, analog options that use hot water, and electronic toilet seat bidets with advanced features.
We pay close attention to how easy each bidet is to install and what kind of toilet(s) it’s compatible with while uncovering the best for your needs.
When looking for the best bidets, we consider models that affix to the toilet bowl, models that are integrated into their own seat, and traditional wands that are easy to use.
We look for the best bidets with various premium features, such as heated seats, adjustable nozzles, and self-raising lids.
Two of the most basic functions we consider while researching the best bidets are adjustable water pressure and temperature.
Our research for the best bidets involves a detailed search for the most reliable and effective bidets over the long-term.
While researching the top bidets, we give bonus points to models with high-end features such as automatic bowl misting and ambient sound playback, like birds or a forest stream.
An important criterion we employ when looking for the best bidets is how comprehensive and easy-to-use the control panel is.
We conduct in-depth research to find bidets with the best flow, safest design, and longest-lasting construction.
When recommending the best bidets on the market, we note the length of each model’s inlet hose and whether it requires electricity.
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.
