- As everything around us becomes smarter and more tech-focused, electronics have come to the bathroom in the form of multi-feature bidets.
The typical American response to seeing a bidet in a bathroom is to raise an eyebrow or snicker, but to the rest of the world, bidets are rather common. Bidets simply provide extra comfort and cleaning in the bathroom, better cleaning, in fact, than standard toilet paper. They can be especially useful for those with certain medical conditions, physical disabilities, and pregnant women, but even if you don’t fall into any of those categories, you can still enjoy the benefits of a bidet.
Bidets (pronounced ‘bih-days’) are primarily purchased for hygienic reasons. They provide a better cleaning than toilet paper and can save you money over time. In the “Proremodeler” article, “Bidets Finally Making Inroads in US Bathrooms,” Philip J. Buffington, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at The Urology Group, in Cincinnati stated, “If you took bacteria cultures after a bowel movement using a bidet versus toilet paper, you would see why it makes much better health sense to use a bidet.”
So why are bidets so weird to Americans? There are a handful of theories, but the most plausible one alludes much to an outdated stereotype about how bidets are used. The word bidet comes from the French word for small horse because centuries ago, to use an original bidet, you would have to sit and straddle it as you washed with the water in the basin and your hands.
This isn’t how they are used anymore, but because they were never introduced in the US, it’s generally thought that Americans, who are usually so picky about hygiene, prefer the paper shield between hand and bottom. Americans tend to be hush-hush about bathroom things, in general, considering the first toilet flushing didn’t show up in cinema until the 1960’s movie “Psycho” and we still call it “the bathroom” even though many personal or public bathrooms don’t actually have a bath in them.
Another misconception is that bidets are just for women. That’s simply not true. They can be useful to women during pregnancy but are also very hygienic for men to use with or without toilet paper. In fact, many who have converted over to bidets simply refuse to go back to regular toilets, which is where travel bidets can come in handy.
The bottom line is, although bidets are somewhat foreign to Americans, they provide massive improvements in hygiene and comfort. A bidet is one of the most practical products you can invest in because you'll use it multiple times a day. The only downside is the upfront cost - and bidets are not cheap - but it will pay for itself over time.
Types of Bidets
- Bidet seats, which are installed in your existing toilet, are the most common. They have a movable or fixed nozzle that is attached to an existing toilet on the back or side toilet rim. Alternatively, bidets are constructed as part of the toilet itself. Bidet seats are occasionally controlled mechanically, but usually, they're powered electrically and have special features.
- Shower bidets are handheld devices that resemble the nozzle on a kitchen sink sprayer. You use the nozzle to spray the area of yourself that needs to be cleaned. They're not as popular as bidet seats because you have to be pretty flexible and mobile to use them and also because they make it easier to accidentally get water on your clothing or all over the place.
- Travel bidets look like water bottles with a curved nozzle at the top rather than a flat top, straw insert, or suction area. To use them, you squeeze the bottle and aim the nozzle at the area that needs cleaning. They're good for those who have converted to bidets and can't use the restroom without one, or for those who want to try out what a bidet feels like, without investing hundreds upfront.
Bidet features and our picks
Some features to look for when shopping for a bidet are nozzle options, water flow patterns, washing modes, water temperature control, remote control or control panel access, air drying, and some deluxe features such as sanitation technology and deodorizing components. Almost all bidet seats will have some type of water temperature control that you determine using either a remote control or a control panel. Many bidet seats also have air drying features built in.
You can find deluxe features on affordable bidets seats, and tons of special features on premium ones. Expensive add-ons include hydraulic seat lids, interchangeable seat levels, deodorizing capabilities, night lights, programmable user settings, and other features that make them more luxurious.
The following are our top picks for bidets, which have been chosen based on expert online ratings and research.
Here are the best bidets:
- Best for newbies: Toto Washlet C100
- Best for travel: Brondell GS-70 GoSpa Travel Bidet
- Best for luxurious cleaning: BioBidet Bliss Electric Bidet Seat
- Best on a budget: BioBidet SlimGlow Toilet Attachment
The best overall
Hi-tech and extremely hygienic, the Toto Washlet S300e bidet seat is low maintenance, with an installation that's inexpensive and easy.
The Toto Washlet S300e may be the ultimate self-cleaning bidet seat with its special electrolyzed water sanitation feature. The bidet creates and sprays electrolyzed water into the bowl after every use and after eight hours of inactivity to maintain freshness. This same electrolyzed water is also used to automatically rinse the wand before and after every use ensuring hygiene is a top priority. We also love the wireless backlit remote control that very conveniently allows you to save two user settings.
Beyond the unique sanitation properties and savable user profiles, the Toto Washlet S300e has all the features we've come to expect out of a high-quality bidet, including various spray options - rear, soft rear, front - oscillating and pulsating options, a pre-mist, and five settings each for water, air dryer, and seat temperature. Water heats up instantly to ensure comfort, and the wand is fully adjustable to give you a personalized clean. It also has a soft close lid, air deodorizer, and automatic energy-saving settings.
Though it is quite pricey, the Toto Washlet S300e has an abundance of specialized features and will save you money in toilet paper in the long run.
Pros: Unique electrolyzed water sanitation system, programmable user settings, five settings each for water, seat, and fan dry temperatures, water heats up instantly
Cons: Expensive, water pressure may not be as strong as expected, questionable long-term use durability
The best for newbies
The Toto Washlet C100 is easy to use, relatively moderately priced, and a natural go-to for beginners.
For a simple and straightforward bidet cleaning experience, check out the Toto Washlet C100. The bidet features an adjustable wand that you can alter to work with your body, which means no sitting in an awkward position to get a proper clean.
Beyond the spray positioning, it also allows you to pick the precise temperature and the spray type you prefer. Plus, you can access all the controls on the convenient side arm control panel, so you can customize your cleaning experience without searching for a remote.
The bidet seat isn't cheap, but it's definitely on the lower end in the bidet category and comes with many features of luxury models. It has various cleanse settings, including rear, soft rear, and front. The Toto also has an oscillating spray option and five different settings for water pressure. The seat has a soft close lid, is heated, and has a quick-release function that allows for easy cleaning.
This bidet even has a smart seat sensor that shoots out a pre-mist when you sit on it. The water, heated seat, and air dryer each have three temperature settings to give you even more customization options, and it also comes with a built-in air deodorizer and a power-saving mode.
The Toto Washlet C100 is also featured as the number two pick for bidets by Wirecutter.
Of course, it's not perfect. The seat may be too small for some toilets, so be sure to measure yours before purchasing. While most buyers will find installation to be a breeze, some will have to buy the Toto THU9090R 6-Inch Wash Let Hose Extension Kit. It may depend on your current plumbing situation whether you need the extension or not.
Overall, it's a good value for the price, and beginners won't be intimidated by it.
Pros: Good value for the price, easy to use, adjustable wand, five different settings for water pressure, three different temperature settings for water, heated seat, and air dry
Cons: Installation may be troublesome, makes the size of your toilet seat smaller
The best for travel
The Brondell Travel Bidet is so discreet it looks like an oddly shaped water bottle, and it's easy to use and effective.
If you fall in love with bidets and just can't feel fresh and clean without one, the Brondell GS-70 GoSpa Travel Bidet may be just the thing you've been waiting for. The travel bidet fits easily into a purse or briefcase and comes with a discreet carrying bag. Simply fill it with cool or warm water, screw on the cap, point the ergonomic nozzle in the correct direction, and squeeze the soft bottle to get a cleansing bidet wash anywhere you want.
The angled spray design helps you get a perfect aim. The bottle itself is a full-size 400ml reservoir so as to provide a thorough cleaning and it has an ergonomic design that fits easily into your hand. As a travel bidet, the nozzle has a convenient and mess-free design so it packs up easily and can be taken anywhere you need.
While there are other travel bidets that have more advanced features, such as the Toto HW300-W Portable Travel Washlet, we find the discreet nature of the GoSpa to be very travel-friendly.
The bidet does make some noise as you squeeze it and water comes out, which may or may not be a deal breaker for some users, especially in public restroom settings. Though the stream is not as strong as a regular bidet, it's great for when there's no other option available.
Pros: Low price, compact and discreet design, holds a good amount of water, may be used as an alternative to expensive permanent bidets
Cons: Stream not as strong as on a regular bidet, makes some noise which isn't ideal in public restroom settings
The best for luxurious cleaning
The BioBibet Bliss Electric Bidet Seat is a feature-filled bidet seat with enough add-ons to justify the luxury of owning one.
If you're looking for a bidet seat with all the fancy bells and whistles, the BioBidet Bliss is well worth considering. It has a stainless steel nozzle with a patented 3-in-1 technology that provides a vortex water stream, excellent posterior wash, and softer feminine wash with bubble infusion technology.
The eco-friendly hybrid on-demand water heating technology ensures the water temperature is just the way you like it. The bidet provides a wider than average water stream with your choice of a pleasant oscillating or massaging pulsating clean.
Although the bidet has many features that make it look and feel high end, the nozzle is the real gamer changer here. The bidet features a patent-pending Hydro-Flush technology that cleans the nozzle from inside-out, ensuring maximum hygiene. The CleanSurge Rapid Self-Cleaning is an exclusive feature that uses a built-in motor that repeatedly extracts and retracts the nozzle while water flows over it at the push of a button.
Using the self-cleaning nozzle, you can flush out any water minerals and debris through a specially located drain at the nozzle tip. Because the model is motor-driven, it's more reliable, super accurate, and consistent - even during movement. The nozzle is made of pure stainless steel, too, which makes it more durable and easy to clean.
Other perks include a heated seat, night light, wireless remote control, warm air dry, slow-closing seat function, a built-in deodorizer, and a power-saving mode. The remote is sleek and modernized. The cool blue night light makes your bathroom more welcoming, and the touchscreen angled side panel adds even more luxury. The fact that it has a wider than average water stream with both oscillating and massaging pulsating clean options just adds another level of luxuriousness.
The only issue more than a few users have is with the fan function. Some say it either gets uncomfortably hot or doesn't do any good.
Pros: Self-cleaning, instant water heating, three separate wash options, heated seat, night light, built-in deodorizer
Cons: Price tag, fan function may not be perfect
The best on a budget
The BioBidet SlimGlow Toilet Attachment offers both posterior wash and feminine wash options and its glowing controls make it easy to use after dark.
The BioBidet SlimGlow Toilet Attachment provides a pleasant cleaning experience, without the need for expensive installation costs. In fact, it only takes about 30 to 45 minutes to install, and then you're good to go. Because the installation is so easy, it's also simple to remove if you have visitors who aren't familiar or comfortable with a bidet.
In addition to a low price, we like that it has some of the added perks you usually only find in more expensive models. The bidet features a nozzle that extends from under the seat to provide a refreshing ambient temperature water cleansing, though unfortunately no heated option. It also has both rear and feminine cleaning. It's suitable for an individual or families and can be used by children, adults, and seniors. The glowing controls make it great for use after dark so you don't have to blind yourself by turning the light on in the middle of the night to see what you're doing.
The Bio Bidet isn't a whole toilet seat like the rest of our recommendations, but that means it will fit on most toilets, you can use the seat you already have, and it's easy to install by placing underneath your existing seat. It's also great for beginners who don't want to commit to the full cost of a new bidet seat.
Pros: Easy to install, glowing controls, great value
Cons: May not fit on every toilet, no heated water option
How bidets benefit the environment and your wallet
Still on the fence? Here's more info.
Bidets are certainly not cheap but they can save you money in the long run. The average roll of toilet paper costs $3, and the average person will use 57 sheets a day. Now if the rolls being used have an average of 264 sheets, that means in a year, you'll be purchasing 81 rolls of toilet paper and spending $234. When you go through the calculations of the cost of a bidet, on average purchasing a bidet or bidet seat will easily cut your toilet paper spending by 75% or more over time.
Besides being more sanitary and cost-effective than toilet tissue, bidets are also much less stressful on the environment. In the "Scientific American" article, "Wipe or Wash? Do Bidets Save Forest and Water Resources," Justin Thomas, editor of the website "MetaEfficient," said that Americans use 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper every year, representing the downfall of some 15 million trees.
Beyond the trees that go into creating each square of toilet paper, more than 400 million gallons of water are used to make it, too. Then, 253,000 tons of chlorine are used to bleach it and 17.3 terawatts of electricity are used to manufacture it. Add to that shipping costs, and you have a very expensive product that has an impact on the environment.
Sure bidets use more water, but it's not as detrimental to the environment as flushing trees down the toilet. "The amount of water used by a typical bidet is about 1/8 of a gallon, with the average toilet using about four gallons per flush," the article points out.
Lloyd Alter of the website "Treehugger" went on to explain that making a single roll of toilet paper requires 37 gallons of water, 1.3 kilowatt/hours (KWh) of electricity and some 1.5 pounds of wood to create. Case in point, bidets are better for the environment, but they're also easier on your wallet in the long run.
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