I Said It Once, I'll Say It Again: Every Home Should Have a Bidet
Get that shower-fresh feeling — all day long!
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Through a quarter-century of product testing, I’ve never been one to use the word "life-changing" lightly. But I truly believe it applies to bidet seats, which replace your existing toilet seat to deliver an infinitely better fresh-water cleansing experience than plain toilet paper. I say this knowing a bidet seat is an expensive upgrade, though there are more affordable models on today's market that do an excellent job.
Our team in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing bidet seats for the last four years. As with other bathroom fixtures, like toilets and showerheads, evaluations start in the Lab, where we assess factors like quality of construction and durability. Then we send the bidet seats into the homes of consumer testers, who provide long-term feedback on cleansing performance, convenience and more.
Of the 20 models we’ve tested so far, the following five stand out as the best bidet seats for every bathroom and budget. Find the one that’s right for you — and let the transformation begin.
TOTO Washlet
Pros
- Adjustable water temperature
- Sleek profile
- Self-cleaning features
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Harder to clean than a standard toilet seat
Why we love it: Toto invented the bidet toilet seat in 1980 and remains the market leader. In recent years, our experts have tested several iterations of the brand’s flagship model, the Washlet. Its easy installation and feature-rich performance make it our hands-down favorite.
Performance: I installed the Washlet on my Toto Drake toilet about two years ago. The process took less than 30 minutes, and the seat is as stable and secure as the day I put it in. Another tester retrofitted the Washlet to a non-Toto brand toilet (Swiss Madison) and said it fits perfectly, proof that the Washlet can work with any toilet.
Cleansing performance was exceptional, with the ability to adjust the angle of the spray, as well as the temperature and intensity of the water.
Comfort: The Washlet has a streamlined profile compared with other bidets we’ve tested. Besides looking better, we found it easier to sit on since your body isn't pitched forward, the way it is with bulkier bidet seats. Testers also praised the Washlet's heated seat and night-light, though one said there was a learning curve with working the remote control.
Maintenance: We liked that the Washlet’s seamless seat design minimizes gaps and crevices for dirt and grime to collect. The pre-mist feature also helped keep waste from sticking to the bowl. Though the underside of the Washlet catches a lot of splash and spray, so the unit is harder to keep clean compared with a standard toilet seat.
Tester notes: Installing the Washlet has been nothing short of life-changing (my 12-year-old son won’t use any other toilet, at least if he can help it). Besides the superior cleansing experience, the Washlet has reduced our toilet paper needs, which is better for the planet and has translated into real money savings over time.
Another GH tester has been equally pleased, noting that "the seat always stays at a comfortable temperature — warm but never too hot. All in all, it’s been a fantastic upgrade that’s made our bathroom experience noticeably nicer."
Pros
- Good value
- Built-in night light
- Self-cleansing nozzle
Cons
- Not as comfortable as lower-profile models
Why we love it: While bidet seats used to be strictly for luxury bathrooms, their prices have come down dramatically in recent years. Case in point is the BioBidet Electric Bidet Seat, which comes with a lot of bells and whistles of a fully-featured premium bidet seat.
Performance: Our experts like the fact that you can adjust the temperature of the water and seat, and the BioBidet even features an automatic LED light, helpful for finding your way in the dark.
Comfort: Compared with the top-of-line Toto, you'll give up a few creature comforts with the BioBidet, including a lid that automatically opens and closes. Plus, it's a bit bulkier at the back of the seat, which might affect overall comfort, though most users say they got used to it in time.
Maintenance: The self-cleaning nozzle is a nice touch. Before and after each use, the nozzles run through a sterilization process inside their housing located at the back of the seat, so you don't have to worry about compromised hygiene.
Tester notes: Some said the side-mounted control panel is not as convenient as a handheld remote control, and it takes up a few more inches of space, which might be an issue in a tight bathroom.
TUSHY Classic 3.0 Bidet Toilet Seat Attachment
Pros
- Affordable
- Knob is easy to use and washes itself after use
- Easy installation
Cons
- No warm settings or customizable controls
Why we love it: Bidet seat attachments, like the Tushy Classic 3.0, are another affordable way to experience the pleasure and performance of fresh-water cleansing. If you’re curious about bidets but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on the upgrade (not counting the potential added cost of adding an outlet), the non-electric Tushy is one to consider.
Performance: The Classic 3.0 took home a Good Housekeeping Home Reno Award in large part because of its super simple installation. While the overall experience was not the same as with an electric bidet, Tushy’s beefy knobs made it easy to go from a gentle spritz to a powerful wash.
Comfort: There may not be any warm settings or customizable controls, but the Tushy is an ideal budget-friendly pick to level up your bathroom experience. Testers liked being able to adjust the angle of the spray to their specific body type.
Maintenance: Our experts appreciated that the nozzle rinses itself for optimal bathroom hygiene. As an attachment, there's less surface area to clean, making overall maintenance easier compared with a full bidet seat.
Tester notes: Regarding ease of installation, "it lived up to the '10 minutes or less' promise," one tester told us. "Great for renters," added another.
Kohler Puretide Non-Electric Bidet Seat for Elongated Toilets
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy, cord-free installation
- Soft-close lid
Cons
- Must be operated manually
- Cleansing water isn't heated
Why we love it: If there's not an electric outlet near the toilet, you'll need to pay an electrician a few hundred bucks to put one in. Another way to go is to opt for a manual bidet, like this top-performing model from Kohler.
Performance: To operate, you simply twist the end of the lever to extend the nozzle out to the desired position, then pull up on the handle to manually pump water (which is not heated) out of the nozzle as many times as needed.
Comfort: Our experts said Kohler's affordable manual bidet is best thought of as a complement to toilet paper, unlike full-featured electric models that provide thorough cleansing and air drying, eliminating the need for toilet paper altogether. The soft-close lid is a nice add-on.
Tester notes: "Manual bidets are definitely a different animal from electric models, but not having to contend with a power source makes them a great option for some consumers, including renters," observed one tester.
Bio Bidet Discovery DLS
Pros
- Low-profile design
- Self-closing lid
- Heated seat
Cons
- Installation was not as easy as other models
Why we love it: A Good Housekeeping Home Reno Award winner, Bio Bidet's Discovery bidet earned positive reviews from the three expert testers who evaluated it over six months of in-home testing.
Performance: Testers found the seat relatively easy to install, though getting the mounting brackets just right took some doing, so be prepared for a little trial and error. Features of note include an adjustable nozzle spray connected to an unlimited supply of warm water, a heated seat, a night-light and a built-in air dryer.
Comfort: Once the bidet was secured, testers praised the Discovery DLS's low-profile design, especially compared with other bidets we've reviewed, some of which are so bulky at the back that users are actually pitched forward when they're in a seated position.
Maintenance: Testers quibbled over the fact that the nozzle is not self-cleaning, as with some other premium bidet seats. However, the nozzle does extend out for manual cleaning.
Tester notes: The remote control was deemed intuitive, and testers appreciated the wall-mounting hardware. "I love the self-closing lid," added one tester. "It solves a huge pet peeve in my house full of guys!"
How we test bidets
Our analysts start by surveying the current marketplace to identify the bidet seats you’re most likely to find at home centers, bath showrooms, plumbing supply stores and online. They also keep up with the latest trends by attending trade shows and industry events, including the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS).
Over the last four years, we've tested 20 bidet seats. We also brought our decades of toilet testing to bear by focusing on brands that have proven the most reliable and top-performing. We also included some newer brands that offer promising features or innovations.
Hands-on testing focused on the following factors:
✔️ Installation: All electric bidets require an outlet for power. Testers also consider the quality of the mounting hardware used to fasten the bidet seat or bidet attachment to the toilet.
✔️ Cleansing performance: Testers award extra points for bidets with adjustable water pressure and temperature, as well as air drying, though these features cost more.
✔️ Ease of use: Whether the bidet comes with a remote control or side-panel, testers assess the intuitiveness of the display, as well as any advanced settings, such as energy-saving mode or personal programming.
✔️ Maintenance: A self-cleansing nozzle delivers added sanitization and pre-mist feature helps prevent stains from forming on the toilet bowl.
What to look for in the best bidet
All the models included in our round-up are top performers, but to figure out which one is the best fit for your bathroom, consider these questions:
✔️ Bidet seat or bidet attachment? A bidet seat is designed to replace your existing toilet seat, while a bidet attachment works in conjunction with the seat. Full seats offer the most variety, including electric or manual operation and the full bevy of features. Bidet attachments tend to be the most affordable choice and they're almost always manual, so they're suited to toilets that don't have a nearby electrical outlet.
✔️ Automatic or manual? Most bidet seats are powered by electricity, which means they work with the press of a button. While that offers maximum convenience, it means you need a GFCI-rated outlet within a few feet of the toilet. If an outlet isn’t present, expect to pay an electrician several hundred dollars to put one in. Manual bidets come with a handle or paddle that you tilt down to spray water. They’re less expensive and eliminate the need for an outlet and a cord. But our testers say the overall experience is less luxurious.
Automatic bidets are the most fully featured, including heated seats, night-lights and air drying. They usually come with adjustable water temperature too, which most of our consumer testers say is worth the splurge. Cold water cleansing is plenty effective, but testers prefer the warm-water experience, especially when it's cold outside.
✔️ Round or elongated? These are the two main toilet bowl shapes. If you're going with a full bidet seat, make sure the model you choose corresponds to the shape of your toilet bowl. If you’re starting from scratch, our tests have found elongated bowls to be a bit more comfortable, while rounded bowls are more space-efficient.
Our engineers also point out that if you have a one-piece toilet, with little to no space between the toilet and tank, some bidet seats won’t fit. Measure the gap between the bowl and tank and check that it meets your bidet’s minimum requirements.
How do you install a bidet?
It depends on whether you’re putting in a full bidet seat or a bidet attachment. For a full bidet seat, step one is removing the existing seat by unscrewing the seat bolts that anchor it to the toilet.
Then shut off the water to the toilet by turning the valve on the supply line. Install the new connector valve that comes with the bidet seat to the supply line. Secure the bidet seat to the toilet using the provided seat bolts. Finally, connect the bidet to the water supply line and turn the water back on. If it’s an electric bidet seat, plug in the unit and you’re good to go.
To install a bidet attachment, remove the existing toilet seat, then secure the attachment to the toilet with the provided mounting plate. Put the toilet seat back on, as pictured. Most bidet attachments connect to the water supply line in the same manner as a bidet seat.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including bidet seats and other bathroom fixtures.
Dan DiClerico has tested and written about bathroom fixtures, including toilets and bidets, for more than 25 years. As Director of Home Improvement & Outdoor at the GH Institute, Dan oversaw the latest round of bidet testing in Lab, as well as the in-home, survey-based consumer testing that allows us to evaluate these devices under real-world conditions. He has also installed several top picks from this roundup in homes of his own.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
The Best Smart Toilets
The Best Toilets
Designers Can't Get Enough of This Home Trend
Joanna Gaines' Spring Decorating Secrets
