Bidet toilet seats offer enhanced comfort and convenience when using the bathroom. This is achievable due to the various options and setups available. If you're in need of one, you'll certainly be able to find an appropriate model for your toilet. However, this also implies that selecting the right one can be difficult.
To make shopping easier, you must know what you're looking for. That’s why here’s a quick guide on how to choose the best toilet seat bidet for your bathroom. In particular, find out the factors and tips you should focus on in order to make a well-informed decision when purchasing the perfect bidet seat for you.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Toilet Seat Bidet
A bidet seat can be a good addition to the bathroom if you’re looking for ways to make your experience more comfortable and convenient. The first step in buying a bidet seat is knowing how to choose the best one. To do that, you need to follow and consider these factors and tips:
Size and Shape
On the market, bidet seats primarily come in two shapes: round and elongated. They are created to perfectly fit the dimensions and shapes of the majority of home toilets. Therefore, the first thing to check when evaluating bidet seat choices is their dimensions and design. You must ensure that it aligns with and suits the dimensions and form of your toilet.
But take note that bidet seats are usually shorter than regular seats. So, to get the right bidet seat size, measure your toilet. Check the dimensions and use that as a basis when choosing. Remember, you don’t want an incorrectly sized seat—it will be extremely uncomfortable.
Electric or Non-Electric
Aside from considering varying shapes and sizes, bidet seats are also available in two types: electric and non-electric. In essence, electric bidet seats operate using electricity. These bidets have features that provide enhanced comfort and convenience but require access to a power source.
Whereas non-electric types do not. They are generally easier to install and maintain and are a more cost-effective option. Ultimately, you simply need to take into account your personal choice when deciding between the two options.
Electric bidet seats are more expensive than non-electric ones. But, they usually have more advanced features. On the other hand, non-electric types are considered safer as there’s no risk if they’re not installed or plugged in properly when used. They can also pretty much do the necessary job properly.
Power Source
To make it easier to choose what type of bidet seat to get, consider if there’s a power source near your toilet. Remember, electric seats need power to work, especially for the heating and other features. It's best if you have a regular electrical outlet close to the toilet. If you don't, you can either choose a non-electric bidet seat or get a special outlet installed just for the electric bidet seat.
Wash Modes
Bidet toilet seats use a nozzle to wash your intimate areas after using the toilet. A standard wash mode is the posterior or rear wash. This cleans your posterior region or “back” area after using the bathroom. Some bidet seats also have feminine wash modes. This is an anterior or front wash option, which is ideally designed for women's use. To ensure the overall hygiene and comfort of all users, it’s best to look for these two wash modes in a bidet seat.
Adjustability
Most bidet toilet seats have many adjustable features or functions. For more convenience and ease of use, you want your bidet seat to be adjustable based on your liking and needs. Here are some key adjustable features to look for:
- Nozzle Position
An adjustable nozzle position function will allow you to customize its position in the seat. This means that you can choose the direction you want to nozzle to spray water. This way, the water can effectively reach the desired areas and make it easier to clean after using the toilet. It also allows the bidet seat to accommodate different body types.
- Water Pressure
Different people may prefer different water pressures or different intensities of water sprays from the nozzle. For example, people dealing with hemorrhoids may prefer less water pressure compared to those without the condition. By utilizing the adjustable water pressure feature, any user will be able to control the intensity of the water for washing and cleansing.
- Water Temperature
Some people can’t handle using cold water to clean and wash after they use the toilet. So, it’s best to get a bidet seat with an adjustable water temperature. This way, you can personalize your bathroom experience and accommodate the individual preferences of other users.
Durability
Bidet seats are considered long-term investments. That’s why you have to ensure that you can use yours for a long time. Ensure the quality of your options, especially their durability. You can check the materials used for this, which can usually either be plastic or laminated wood.
Plastic, especially high-grade ones, is more durable than laminated wood. This is because plastic performs better when exposed to moisture, which is expected in a toilet. Still, this doesn’t mean that all plastic bidet seats are durable. It’s still best to do your research before buying.
Control Options
Different bidet seat models have different control options. Some come with a remote control, while some have a control panel attached to the side of the seat. Consider which you prefer to use. Keep in mind that a remote control may offer more flexibility and convenience.
For example, if an elderly uses the toilet and struggles to move and reach the attached panel, they can use the remote control easily instead. Or, another person can also use the remote control to make the bidet seat work for them.
But this doesn’t mean that attached control panels aren’t easy to use. Some great and popular bidet seats don’t come with remote controls, but they’re still convenient and easy to use. If you think having to secure a remote control would be a hassle for you and your family, an attached panel might be a more suitable option.
Extra Features
Aside from the usual water temperature and pressure control, you should also consider looking for extra features. Not only will they make the purchase more worthwhile, but they can also enhance the user-friendliness and benefits offered by the bidet seat. Here are some good features to check and consider:
- Heated Seat
Cold toilet seats are often disliked by many people because they can be uncomfortable to sit on. However, a heated toilet seat can help you avoid getting surprised by the coldness, especially on chilly mornings. So, search for a bidet seat that includes a heated seat function to enhance your bathroom experience with a cozy element.
- Slow Closing Lid
The noise of the toilet seat banging can be really annoying. You can stop this by using a soft-closing lid. Many bidet seats come with a slow closing feature that stops the seat and lid from slamming down. Some even have automatic slow-closing lids, making things even more convenient for you.
- Warm Air Dryer
After cleaning yourself using the water spray, some people reach for some toilet paper to dry off. This isn’t an eco-friendly and hygienic idea and the costs of the toilet paper can even accumulate in the end. For a hands-free and more eco-friendly use of the toilet, look for a bidet seat with a warm air dryer function. It reduces waste and promotes hygiene.
- Night Light
Using the bathroom during the night or with lights out can be difficult and dangerous. Experience convenience with a bidet seat equipped with a night light. This can illuminate the toilet area during the night, so you don’t need to turn on any lights. This helps save on electricity bills and even makes your trip to the toilet easier.
- Self-Cleaning Nozzle
The nozzles of bidet seats can get dirty. However, not many people can and like to manually clean them. You can opt for a bidet seat with a self-cleaning function—it automatically cleans the nozzle. This results in a hands-free operation, which is extremely beneficial for people with limited mobility or dexterity.
- Air Deodorizer
Most of the time, this is an automatic function in bidet seats. This means that you don’t need to click any button just to trigger it. Take note that the deodorizer helps control odors in the bathroom.
It can help make the air more pleasant, especially in and around the toilet area. It usually works by using a fan unit to move air through a carbon filter that eliminates the odors. If your bathroom doesn’t have ventilation, this would be an ideal feature to look for as well.
- Nozzle Oscillation
This is a function where the nozzle automatically moves the spray back and forth. This gives the nozzle a wider coverage area when cleansing. It also makes it easier to properly and fully clean where you need it most.
User Presets
It’s wise to consider this if multiple people use the same bathroom and toilet, like for a family. Presets is a feature that will allow each user to program and save the bidet seat settings they prefer when they use the toilet. It can be about the water pressure, temperature, nozzle position, and more. This will help save time and effort when using the bidet seat—no need to adjust with every use.
Budget
Buying and installing a bidet seat can be costly, especially if you need to make a lot of adjustments in your bathroom just to set it up. There are many affordable bidet seats you can find, many of them being high-quality. But, this doesn’t mean you should overlook their price when choosing—it can make it harder to choose.
It’s best to decide on a budget before buying a bidet seat. Then, consider this amount or range when choosing. With a budget in mind, it will be easier to narrow down your options. Remember, not all expensive seats are high-quality and will offer satisfying results. Some cheaper models can give you great bathroom experiences.
So, consider your budget, and then carefully check if it’s worth it for the features it offers. You want something that you can afford and can still make the toilet more comfortable and convenient to use.
Reviews
Lastly, don’t forget to check reviews from other buyers and users of the bidet seats you’re considering. Product descriptions can often be deceiving and to avoid that, you need to check if the bidet seat actually makes bathroom use more convenient. So, always check the reviews about the specific seat you’re looking at.
Do other people find it easy to use? Does it work the way it’s supposed to? Do others find it worth it? You can easily find the answers to these questions from reviews. Many people actually love sharing their experiences with various products they buy, especially online.
At the same time, make sure to check the good and bad reviews. Do the bad reviews talk about issues that will affect the effectiveness of the seat or can they be avoided? Also, remember that having bad reviews doesn’t always mean that the product is bad. Sometimes, there are more good reviews about them, so weigh all reviews when checking.
Conclusion
A good toilet seat bidet is one that offers a wide range of convenient features. It should fit your toilet, accommodate every user’s needs and preferences, and fit within your budget. However, take note that if you opt to get a non-electric type of seat, you might not find some extra features. These include automatic functions, heated seats, user presets, night lights, and more.
But, don’t worry. As long as you know what you want and need, it will be easy to find the right type and model to buy. Get a headstart in your shopping journey with our bidet seat collection. We offer high-quality bidet toilet seat options from reliable brands and competitive prices. Choose one that you think would work best for you and your bathroom!
