Bidet seats are One of those luxuries you can live without until you realize what you’re missing. My first encounter occurred at a ramen place on the west coast of the US that had imported a high-end model Toto toilet from Japanwhere they have been around for decades. You may have been an early adopter, but bidets are becoming more common in the U.S. Toto’s U.S. sales doubled in the first quarter of 2020 and have Grew in double digits Since then, more and more people are realizing that Americans’ sanitary habits are… disgusting. Think about it: When you get something smelly and germy, do you want to wash it or wipe it with a paper towel?
Okay, I’ve convinced you. What should you buy? The WIRED team has swapped out a ton of toilet seats in search of the best bidets. We spent at least a week testing each model (some for much longer) and handled the installations ourselves without the help of a professional plumber. We have budget-friendly bidets, bidets with heated seats, and ones that open automatically and invite you to go. We’ve got you covered.
Updated August 2024: We’ve updated pricing and added Alpha UX Pearl to our Honorable Mentions section.
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What type of bidet should I buy?
Think about the shape. Most American household toilets come in one of two standard sizes: round or elongated. A round toilet is 16.5 inches long, while an elongated toilet is about 18.5. The bidets on this list fit one, but not the other. Measure twice, buy once. All of the bidets we reviewed are attachments that replace existing toilet seats, but there are also toilets with built-in bidet seats.
Electric seat or simple sprayer? The bidets on this list are seats that sit on top of the toilet and plug into the tank and an AC outlet, except for the Tushy, a sprayer that mounts under the existing seat and connects to the water lines. It must have an impact-locking system. GFCI protected outlet Just a few feet from the toilet to use safely. The Tushy doesn’t require electricity, but it also doesn’t heat the water, which will be at room temperature. The less expensive electric bidets we’ve used typically start with a quick spray of room-temperature water that quickly gives way to warm water. The best bidets, which are usually priced accordingly, start with a spray of warm water and will let you control the temperature to within a few degrees. Most electric bidets also have fans that will help you dry yourself off, but you’ll probably want to have a few squares of toilet paper on hand to dry yourself off.
What is your budget? You can get an attachment that fits over your current seat and connects to the cold water line that fills your toilet for about $100. Some high-end bidet attachments can cost $2,000. The sweet spot is usually in the $500 to $1,000 price range, where you get a sturdy seat with good features but no over-the-top extras like voice commands (yes, really) and a battery backup.
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