Best Bidets, According to Experts
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Bidets can be a fantastic way to support your health, cut down on toilet paper use, and even make your home more environmentally friendly. But since bidets are available in many styles and designs, it can be difficult to determine which option is best for your home. That’s why I interviewed two bidet experts to find out what to look for and how to choose the right product for your needs, preferences, and budget. Read on for my top picks of the best bidets, plus some advice to help you as you shop.
What to consider when buying a bidet
Just as you would carefully choose the best toilets or bathroom exhaust fans for your home, you need to carefully choose a bidet that includes the features most important to you. Not sure what you should look for? I interviewed experts about the must-haves of a quality bidet.
Heated water availability
A bidet that provides heated water can be an important feature, since heated water can be more comfortable to use. Many bidets feature a reservoir water tank heater, which keeps heated water in reserve for use. The amount of heated water is limited, and the tank makes for a bulkier unit. Alternatively, tankless or instant water heaters deliver unlimited warm water, since the water is heated by passing through a heating coil.
Water pressure control
Many bidets feature adjustable water pressure, and some feature a soft spray mode that lets you easily adjust the pressure. Some newer bidets also give you control over the spray width, which can help to reduce pressure and can work for different cleaning needs. Bidet Maestro explains that most bidets have a water pressure from 0.5 to 1.0 pounds per square inch (PSI). You can find models with higher pressure up to 1.5 or 2.0 PSI, but depending on your personal preferences, you might find these pressures uncomfortable, so look for the ability to control the water pressure.
Variable speed dryer
Brenton Clive, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at BidetMate, explains that a variable speed dryer is a major feature to consider. “Cheaper bidet seats will have weak blow dryers that will take a very long time to dry you completely,” he says. “Variable speed dryers can dry you 10 times faster when using the highest setting.”
Sanitation and hygiene
Consider sanitation and hygiene features, too. Some bidets offer UV sanitation features that work to destroy bacteria and viruses on bidet surfaces, like the nozzle. Self-cleaning nozzles can also be a low-maintenance yet hygienic addition to a bidet.
Convenience features
You can find bidets with various features designed to enhance their performance and convenience. You may want to consider features like heated seats, night lights, seats that automatically raise and lower, and user memory settings that allow you to customize and save settings like water temperature and spray pressure.
Price
Of course, it’s also important that a bidet fit within your budget. Those convenience features can drive up a bidet’s price, so you’ll need to consider what you can afford to spend.
Installation
Some bidets feature a DIY-friendly installation, while others can be more complicated. Additionally, you will need to choose a bidet that fits the space available in your bathroom. A plumber can help to advise you about which models may work, and they can also install the bidet.
Best bidet seat with deodorizer: Toto Washlet C5 Electronic Bidet Toilet Seat
This electronic bidet toilet seat is full of desirable features for enhanced and more enjoyable use. The water pressure and temperature are adjustable, and the heated seat is contoured for comfort. A pre-mist function helps to prevent materials from sticking to the toilet, while an automatic deodorizer helps reduce odors. The remote control makes it easy to adjust the settings, and two memory settings let you save your desired adjustments.
Specifications:
- Water pressure: Adjustable
- Warranty: One year
- Water temperature: Adjustable
- Hygiene: Premist, self-cleaning wand
- Features: Softclose seat and lid, remote, premist function, dryer, deodorizer, heated seat, auto energy saver, warm water reservoir
- Dimensions: 20.88 inches x 15.06 inches
- Type: Electric
- Style: Toilet seat
- Price on publish: $370.67
What we like:
- Two memory settings
- Contoured heated seat for comfort
- Premist function to reduce cleaning frequency and improve hygiene
- Temperature-adjustable warm air dryer
- Automatic air deodorizer for a more pleasant experience
What we don’t Like:
- Water reservoir means warm water is limited
- Only available in an elongated design
- No night light
The bottom line:
This bidet toilet seat includes many conveniences, like a premist function to reduce cleaning frequency, an automatic deodorizer, and a remote with the ability to save two memory settings.
Why consider a bidet?
Kevin Huffman, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, is a board-certified bariatric physician and the CEO and founder of AmBari Nutrition. He explains there are several advantages to using a bidet. “Bidets offer a gentle and effective cleansing experience, which is particularly advantageous for individuals with sensitive skin or hemorrhoids,” he says. “The water-based cleaning mitigates the irritation that traditional toilet paper can provoke. Moreover, preserving heightened hygiene and cleanliness via bidet use is essential in forestalling infections: It fosters optimal genital health.”
Clive explains that bidets are better for the environment than using toilet paper. “Toilet paper
production in the United States accounts for 15% of all deforestation with Americans using 36.5 billion rolls each year [according to Green is the New Black],” says Clive. “Moreover, it takes upwards of 37 gallons of water to produce one roll of toilet paper [according to data from Scientific American]. If all Americans used bidets instead of toilet paper it would save enough energy to power 1,854,460 homes per year, save enough water to fill more than one million US Olympic swimming pools, and save more than 23 million trees.”
He notes that bidets can also be a convenient and helpful choice for postpartum women, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and children learning how to use the bathroom on their own. He says they are also great for people with septic tanks, and they can help to reduce toilet clogs.
Installation and setup for a bidet
The installation and setup of a bidet varies depending on the product you choose. While a freestanding bidet unit will require the installation or use of dedicated plumbing lines, most bidet toilet seats and bidet sprayers can be easily installed on your existing toilet.
Installing a bidet toilet seat or sprayer involves turning off the water to the toilet, flushing the toilet until the tank is empty, mounting the bidet to your toilet, and attaching the bidet water line. If you’re installing a unit that requires electricity, you will need a GFCI outlet nearby.
Depending on the complexity of the installation, you may want to hire a plumber. If you don’t have an outlet available near your toilet, you may also need to hire an electrician to install one.
Once the bidet is installed, setting it up involves adjusting the water pressure and nozzle angle as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
How we selected the best bidets
In choosing the best bidets, I considered multiple factors. I looked for bidets that allow for water pressure adjustment, and I also considered the water heating method, temperature range, and temperature adjustability. I tried to include a variety of styles, such as bidet toilet seats and bidet attachments, as well as options for bathrooms with limited space.
I looked for bidets with extra features like heated seats and night lights, but also tried to include products available at various price points. Finally, I weighed installation requirements, including whether a product is likely to require a professional installation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the highest rated bidet?
The Alpha JX Bidet Toilet Seat topped my list as the best bidet. It ranked highest because of its combination of desirable features with a reasonable price point. This bidet features a tankless design for endless warm water, as well as a warm air dryer, heated seat, and self-cleaning nozzle.
Is there a downside to using a bidet?
Dr. Huffman explains that while there are many advantages to bidets, there are some potential downsides, too. “Improper or excessive use can disturb the natural flora in the genital area, raising the risk of infection,” he says. “One must meticulously adjust pressure and temperature to avoid discomfort or damage to delicate tissues.” He notes that while bidets also require a consistent source of clean water, which may not be readily available in all regions or during times of drought.
Clive notes that bidets which use electricity to heat the water won’t function without power. In the event of a power outage, you won’t be able to use the bidet, and will need toilet paper.
What are the benefits of using a bidet attachment?
Dr. Huffman says that since bidet attachments can be easily installed on existing toilets, they’re a convenient and cost-effective solution. “They deliver the cleanliness and comfort associated with traditional bidets while conserving bathroom space and eliminating the need for separate fixtures,” he says. “These attachable units allow users to adjust water pressure and temperature to their preference, ensuring both comfort and hygiene. They attract environmentally conscious individuals by diminishing toilet paper use, and consequently lessening deforestation impacts as well as waste management burdens.”
Is a bidet better than wiping with toilet paper?
According to Dr. Huffman, a bidet usually delivers more comprehensive cleansing than toilet paper, since it reduces direct contact with waste and can in turn, reduce bacterial transmission. “For those facing physical challenges, a bidet offers increased autonomy in hygiene,” he says. “Environmentally speaking, [a bidet] stands as the greener choice by lessening reliance on paper goods and diminishing their production’s ecological toll. Despite an initial adjustment phase, embracing a bidet corresponds directly with holistic health considerations.”
What is the difference between a bidet, bidet attachment, and a bidet toilet seat?
A bidet refers to an entire freestanding unit that would replace a traditional toilet. A bidet attachment, on the other hand, can be mounted to your toilet to make it function as a bidet. Bidet toilet seats feature a built-in sprayer and nozzle, and are designed to replace your current toilet seat.
