The Best Bidet Toilet Seat or Washlet

In researching this article, we spoke with a doctor in the wellness industry and a bidet salesperson, and we had extensive conversations with three bidet manufacturers. We also surveyed 200 Wirecutter readers on their attitudes toward bidets. And then we spoke with nearly a dozen bidet owners, most of whom can’t imagine living without one. We’ve spent dozens of hours completing research and interviews, as well as 10 weeks testing more than 30 bidets in a four-person apartment and at the home of a family of six. Since we started testing bidets, we’ve continued to monitor our recommendations through long-term use. And we continue to research and test new models that are suggested in our comments section and by our bidet-loving coworkers.

In related work, senior staff writer Doug Mahoney also wrote Wirecutter’s guide to pressure washers.

According to the people who are passionate about bidets, everyone could use one. The words “I’m converted” are repeated over and over throughout bidet customer reviews. “How has my booty survived this long without it???” is the title of an Amazon review for one bidet, and it’s fairly representative of others. Although reviewers cite negatives about installation and certain features on specific models, it’s rare to find someone who doesn’t like the actual bidet experience.

Bidets are great options for those with limited mobility. Using toilet paper requires some degree of agility and precision, and for those with mobility issues, a bidet offers the dignity of private toileting. A Wirecutter staffer told us of a family member who was partially immobile due to an accident. “He just about cried” when he got a bidet, the staffer said.

There are bidets for almost every budget. Models range from around $20 all the way up to over $1,000. Many people come to this product by purchasing an inexpensive model, and then at some point they upgrade to a better one with a wider set of features (and warm water). Yet we found that some people are perfectly happy with the most-basic models, and they feel no need to make the jump to a larger, warm-water electric model.

There are also some negatives to consider, however:

Full-featured electric bidets dramatically change your toilet. Because the mechanics of the bidet are at the back end of the seat, by the toilet tank, the lids angle (or swoop) up toward the rear (one could argue—as some of our testers did—that bidets are ugly). If you often use the closed toilet lid as a sitting perch in the bathroom, a bidet might cramp your style.

Bidets reduce the seat-hole size. We tested models that fit on elongated seats, and the holes are basically down to the size of a standard round seat. If you’re a larger person or just someone who is used to the wide-open spaces of the elongated toilet seat, this can make things uncomfortable.

Electric bidets make your toilet … complicated. Electric models also require an outlet near the toilet. So you may need an electrician, which could increase the total cost by a couple hundred dollars. Bidets also add plumbing connections and electronics, both of which have the potential to fail. Though this won’t happen to everyone, or even to most, we did read enough feedback about bidet seats leaking and breaking that we felt the need to mention it. One tester said, “It’s just another electronic gizmo in my house, and I honestly don’t think my toilet seat needs to be plugged in.”

We wanted to find bidets that both the newbie and the aficionado would appreciate, so we looked at the inexpensive cold-water models and the full-featured warm-water ones. We found that overall cleaning effectiveness varied little from bidet to bidet, but features and interface could make a big difference in how pleasant the process was.

We considered design and aesthetics. Though bidets can look bulky and a little odd, there are design features that lessen this impact. We looked for low-profile models with discrete water and cord connections—ideally, both exit the bidet in the same location toward the rear of the seat.

Controls are very important. One of the biggest differentiators among bidets is how easy it is to use the controls—whether they’re on a side panel or a remote control. The best controls are intuitive enough that a guest could figure them out.

A better bidet doesn’t necessarily have more features. Some models come overloaded with features, which can lead to confusing controls. We had to determine which features we thought were important, which ones seemed excessive, and what, overall, could add up to a good value for anyone ready to drop hundreds of dollars on a toilet seat. After considerable testing, we appreciated a basic suite of features, including variable stream option, warm water, a heated seat (everyone loves a heated seat), user presets, and a blow dryer. We were less enthusiastic about night-lights, deodorizers, and pre-misted bowls, but if they’re properly integrated into the controls, they can be nice.

To test the bidets, we simply installed them and used them—first in a Brooklyn apartment shared by four people, then in a six-person home, and also in a five-person home, with kids as young as 5 using the bidets. In all of the locations, we had guests use the bidets and offer their reactions and thoughts on the experience. The purpose of these firsthand, subjective trials was to look for the elements of success that the stats don’t show: seat comfort, ease of installation, simplicity of operation, the ability to be used by children, and, of course, how clean they got our butts.

Top pick

Toto Washlet C5

The best bidet seat

The C5 has all of the features you’d want in a bidet seat. And this model’s intuitive controls make it easier to dial in or disable those features, according to your preferences.

Buying Options

$410 $323 from Build.com

(deal on elongated configuration in white)

$399 from Amazon

$399 from Walmart

$492 from Wayfair

After all of our research and testing of nearly 30 bidet seats, the Toto Washlet C5 proved to be the best. It offers all of the options for customizing the bidet experience without many unnecessary extras. Where it really stands apart is its sleek, intuitive remote, which guests and children were able to use with ease. Unlike most bidets we looked at, the C5 lets you easily disable unwanted features (we’re looking at you, automatic pre-rinse) or turn them back on, based on your personal preferences. The C5 received the most positive feedback from our testers. (We tested an elongated style; there’s also a round model.)

The C5 features a fully customizable stream of water. The spray can be as gentle—or as strong, if that’s your preference—as that of pricier models, and it can easily be directed to hit the right area. And in terms of cleaning, this model was just as effective as every other bidet we tested. There are options for a pulsating or a back-and-forth stream (you can even do both at once), which further varies the feel of the water and can make the stream less intense than a direct one. You can dial in the stream, pressure, and location, among other customizable options, and if you find the perfect combination, you can program it as a one-button preset.

The water gets up to a comfortable 97 degrees Fahrenheit on the highest of its three settings. The water stream starts up a few seconds after you press the button; this is on a par with the startup time of most bidets, and it’s considerably shorter than on some models. However, the tank of hot water can run out if you use the bidet for much longer than a minute or multiple times within a period of 10 minutes. If this does happen, the temp fades to cool, so it’s not an abrupt or uncomfortable transition. In fact, for us, the temperature change often served as a “you’re probably done here” reminder.

Of the bidets we tested, the C5 clearly had the best remote, and it’s what really sets this model apart. The C5’s remote has controls on both the front and the back. The front has everything you need on a day-to-day basis—activate the wash, change the water pressure, move the nozzle, activate the pulsating or oscillating stream, and turn on the dryer. There are also buttons that activate the two user presets. The long-term settings are located on the back of the remote. Things like seat and water temp are controlled here with an intuitive graphic interface, and it’s here that you can also (thankfully) disable any features you find annoying. We disabled the pre-mist and the auto fan. We also muted the remote, which otherwise beeps when you press a button.

The pressure control and spray positioning are particularly nice. The best models, including the C5, are adjusted via a +/- scale, which simply goes up and down. This is far better than another common format: a single button that forces you to cycle through the entire range to get where you want to be. On those models, if you’re just trying to get a lower water pressure, you have to cycle through the full range, often (quickly) bypassing the highest pressure the bidet offers—usually a Waterpik-like beam. The simple up-and-down switch makes this a lot more pleasant.

Like most of the bidet attachments we tested, the C5 has default energy-saving features. If the toilet isn’t being used frequently, the bidet lowers the seat temperature. If the toilet is not being used at all for an extended period of time, it shuts off the seat heat and warm water. You can allow the seat to automate these energy-saving modes based on your usage, or you can set them on a timer.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The C5 has no onboard controls. Most bidets that use a remote control also have a very basic set of buttons on the side of the unit. So if something happens to the remote—it gets damaged, it gets dropped in the toilet, or the batteries run out—the bidet can still have some function. The Toto C5 lacks this feature, so the remote’s well-being is critical for the seat to operate. We recommend screwing the remote holder to the wall and not relying on the included double-sided tape (which failed on us after about a year of use).

The C5 lacks some features found on other bidets. The C5 keeps things basic, which is what leads to the uncluttered remote. But this means there are a number of other helpful-yet-not-essential features that are missing. Some models add additional variations to the water stream or have settings specifically for kids or even helpful auto cycles that run the wash and the dryer with the touch of a single button. The streamlined nature of the C5 is what allows for the success of the remote. But if you’d prefer a more-feature-rich model in a similar price range, we recommend the Brondell Swash LE99 or the Bio Bidet USPA 6800U.

The C5 suffers from the drawbacks of all bidet seats. This means reduced hole size, a reshaped toilet seat, a mostly ineffective dryer, and a fairly large and bulky appearance. These are just par for the course with bidets. If you’re particularly worried about the bulky aesthetics of the C5, we recommend the Brondell Swash Thinline T44.

Runner-up

Toto Washlet C2

Lower price, no remote

If you’re willing to give up the remote and programmable user settings, the C2 saves you a few bucks while retaining Toto’s other key features.

Buying Options

$357 from Amazon

$324 from Walmart

May be out of stock

$405 from Home Depot

If you want to save a few bucks, or our top pick is sold out, or you simply don’t want to deal with a remote, we recommend the slightly pared-down version of the C5, the Toto Washlet C2. This model offers the same functionality as the C5, except it has fewer temperature settings and lacks the user preset feature.

The C2 lacks a remote. Instead, everything is controlled from a panel at the side of the seat. For some, this is an advantage. “I didn’t want to deal with kids losing or playing with the remote. Just, no,” one bidet user told us. In the case of the C2, the lack of a remote means there are slightly fewer features—fewer heat settings for the water and no user presets. But otherwise, the controls are very similar to those of the C5.

The control panel has a nice layout. Although it’s more difficult to access than the C5’s remote, the side panel on the C2 is very self-explanatory, and we quickly got the hang of where the main buttons were, without having to do much twisting and looking. Like the C5, the C2 emphasizes the most-used controls, positioning them closer to the front. The less frequently used controls are located toward the back and are much smaller.

Also great

Brondell Swash LE99 Advanced Bidet Toilet Seat

More features, minor compromises

The Brondell Swash LE99 is another great option. It costs less than our top pick, but there is a slight delay to the water spray. The cord also sticks out the side.

Buying Options

$300 from Amazon

If you’re looking to spend just a little less and want more features (and you don’t mind a couple of drawbacks), there are two other models we recommend. First, the Brondell Swash LE99 Advanced Bidet Toilet Seat offers a wide range of functions and an intuitive remote. The downsides—cord placement and a slight delay to the spray—are minor enough that you may not even notice them.

The LE99 has all of the basic features and one particularly nice add-on. In addition to the standard front and rear wash and all of the directional and heat settings one could want, this bidet has two user presets and a useful gentle mode (which starts a full cycle of washing and drying, using a very low-pressure front wash). Although this spray is forward of the typical rear wash, it’s an ideal one-button option for kids who tend to sit a little more forward. During testing, one 6-year-old felt especially empowered by this button (and the similar one on the Bio Bidet USPA 6800U). Parent testers also liked that their children didn’t need to engage with the more-complicated elements of the remote, possibly ticking the pressure up too high. The LE99 also has a pulse setting, which gives the wash a rhythmic pressure.

The remote makes a lot of sense. There is nothing difficult about this remote, and everyone who tested it felt comfortable using it right away. The user preset buttons are a little hidden at the top edge, but since they might go unused, we don’t see that as an issue. There are a few features that are more difficult to access, and they require the manual. For example, you turn the night-light on and off by pushing the + button for 4 seconds. Though it’s not intuitive, it’s also not a feature that’s typically going to be toggled on and off a lot. So we prefer not having a dedicated—and rarely used—button on the remote.

The cord sticks straight out the side. The water inlet is rear-facing, which we like, but the cord exits the bidet straight out the left side (as you’re sitting on the bidet). It might be a minor detail, but it does draw attention to itself and seems unnecessary, especially considering that the cords on many models exit the rear of the bidet.

Also great

Bio Bidet USPA 6800U Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat

Great performance, some awkward details

The USPA 6800U is loaded with features at an excellent price. But the remote is very busy, and the water-supply line looks awkward.

Buying Options

$499 from Home Depot

The Bio Bidet USPA 6800U Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat is another excellent option in the $300 price range. There is a lot going on with this bidet, and in many ways, it’s similar to the Brondell Swash LE99, with a wide range of features at a decent price. This model is quieter than the LE99, and it doesn’t have as long of a delay, but the remote is a lot busier. We think choosing between the two is a matter of preference.

It has all of the important features. In addition to all of the standard washing and drying abilities, the USPA 6800U has two auto settings. One is designed for a child and one for an adult. These run a wash-and-dry cycle automatically. A pulse and an aerated mode change the texture of the water spray. Its general function is fairly consistent with that of the other heated bidets we recommend.

It comes with a laminated instruction sheet. This is a really interesting touch, and we appreciated the user-friendliness of it. The laminated sheet even comes with a small suction-cup hook to stick it to the wall, so this a great option for a rental or even just in a bathroom that a guest might be using.

The two-sided remote is a lot to deal with. The front side holds only the most basic features: front/rear wash, dry, the two user presets, and the toggle into eco mode. So it looks very nice, but the functional burden rests on the back of the remote. That’s where all of the adjustments are: water temperature, seat temperature, pressure and direction adjustments, as well as all of the other buttons, including the deodorizer, night-light, child wash, and auto setting. It’s a lot. There’s a digital display to help with the settings, but it can be confusing to use, compared with others we tested. Also, because the spray activation is separated from the spray adjustments, we had to flip the remote over a couple of times during each use.

User presets might make things simpler. You might be able to distance yourself from the complicated remote with some user presets. (Among committed bidet-loving Wirecutter colleagues: We’re split on relying on the presets versus routinely toggling position and pressure.) If you do use a preset configuration, you could regain one benefit we like with the single-sided remotes of some competitors we recommend: being able to leave the remote in the wall-mounting carriage and use it from there (with less risk of dropping it). You can also do this with the USPA 6800U, if you rely on the user presets for single-button operation.

The USPA 6800U is quick and quiet. With the press of a button, the USPA 6800U gets right down to business. There is minimal delay, and the movement of the spray arm is very quiet; that gives this model a slight advantage over some competitors (like the Brondell LE99).

Upgrade pick

Brondell Swash Thinline T44 Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat

A luxe bidet

The slimmest bidet we recommend looks great and supplies an endless amount of hot water. And its ample features are easy to use.

Buying Options

$700 $446 from BidetKing

Use promo code SUPER

$700 from Walmart

$700 from Home Depot

You don’t need to spend a ton to upgrade your life with a bidet. On the other hand, we regularly hear about people who got a bidet and found it so satisfying that they spent more to get an even better bidet for another toilet. We think the Brondell Swash Thinline T44 Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat is a strong value for those with the budget, because it really elevates the look and function above that of some competitors we also recommend. (And believe us, it’s hardly the priciest bidet out there.)

It’s an aesthetic upgrade. The Brondell Swash Thinline T44 is better-looking than most other bidets, and it offers a few distinct features that our other picks lack. First, the look: A shade under 4 inches, it’s the thinnest electric bidet available. It has a sleek design, with the cord and water-supply line nicely tucked away at the back of the bidet. Of all the electric models we tested, this one made the bathroom feel the least imposed upon. It’s not going to be mistaken for a regular toilet seat, but it lacks the chunkiness that defines the look of the others.

An instant water heater slims it down and helps adjust temperature. Most other bidets have a bulky water reservoir, but the T44 trades that for an instant, on-demand water heater. And that helps trim down its physical size. It also results in unlimited hot water and temperature adjustments that happen very quickly.

The remote is intuitive and attractive. It has all of the essential features and a few nice add-ons, like a gentle function for children and a night-light that can cycle through three colors. The remote also has pleasantly curved sides, and it was the nicest to hold.

And we thoughts about that night-light. We’ve passed on bidet night-lights in the past because they’ve illuminated the toilet bowl. We appreciate how this night-light shines to the side of the toilet and not directly in it.

But it’s not as fast to start as some others. The one minor downside to the Brondell T44 is that it has the same slight delay as the Brondell LE99. It’s not much, but there are other models that start washing a little more quickly. Without a direct comparison to another bidet, this may not even be noticed.

Budget pick

Brondell EcoSeat S101 Non-Electric Bidet Seat

Affordable, discreet, no heat

This discreet bidet is easy to install and control. It combines a toilet seat and a sprayer, and it has better aim than less-expensive cold-water models we tried.

Buying Options

$90 from Amazon

$90 from Walmart

$99 from Home Depot

The Brondell EcoSeat S101 Non-Electric Bidet Seat splits the difference between fully featured electric models and bare-bones cold-water attachments. This is a cold-water model that is integrated into a seat and operated by a discrete control knob. It’s good for those who like the idea of a bidet (but loathe the look of them) and wouldn’t mind spending less to go without heat.

Nice aim! Because the sprayer and seat are the same unit, the EcoSeat S101’s aim is much better than those of simpler cold-water attachments. With the small knob at the rear, it offers both front and rear wash (depending how you turn the dial).

Nice price, too. With the added features (though it lacks the advanced mojo of the electric models), the EcoSeat S101 is priced at around the $100 mark. So it’s twice the price of an attachment, but it’s still far less than even an entry-level electric bidet, around the $250 to $300 range.

Budget pick

Bio Bidet SlimEdge Attachment

Keep your seat, skip the heat

With basic pressure controls but no heated water (or seat), this low-cost cold-water option is easy to install, but the aim might be a bit off.

Buying Options

$31 from Amazon

$44 from Home Depot

$56 from Wayfair

If you’re still on the fence about bidets, but you want to try one—or if you’re just looking for a very basic model and don’t mind cool water—we like the Bio Bidet SlimEdge Bidet Attachment. The SlimEdge has none of the features of the electric models, and it lacks their finesse, but it does the cleaning work just fine. It’s also easier to install—you don’t need an outlet, and you can keep your toilet seat. What sets the SlimEdge apart from the rest of the basic cold-water attachments is that it actually has some aesthetic flair to it.

The SlimEdge looks nice. Most cold-water models look like they should be in a hospital. The SlimEdge adds a little pizzazz to the aesthetics with a nice rubber grip area around the dial and some interesting curves in the design. It’s not a lot, but it makes a big difference.

It’s simple to use. The attachment consists of a single outboard control, to the right of the bowl (as you’re sitting). A single dial controls the water flow—a counterclockwise turn activates the rear wash, and a clockwise turn activates the front wash. That’s all there is to it. No heated seat, no oscillating spray, no temp control, no exhaust fan, and no outlet needed.

Installation is easy. The SlimEdge is held in place with the same bolts that hold down your toilet seat. So installing is just a matter of taking off the seat, putting the SlimEdge in place, and then putting the seat back on. The plumbing connections are the same as with the other bidets—adding a piece under the tank and screwing the hose into place.

The water is not heated, and the aim can’t be altered. The most noticeable difference between the SlimEdge and our electric picks is the lack of hot water. As for the aim, it’s never perfect on these attachments, so some wriggling around might be necessary. We see that as just one of the minor concessions to make with an inexpensive cold-water model.

The SlimEdge is a good place for a newbie to start. Although it feels stripped-down and rudimentary compared with the luxury models, it’s also a fraction of the price, and it still executes its primary function: washing butts. We think the heated water, heated seat, and variable spray options of the more-deluxe models add quite a lot. But at the same time, many people are completely happy with a cold-water model as a long-term solution.

With most bidet seats, installation usually requires a wrench and maybe a screwdriver, and it should take about an hour. First, remove the old toilet seat and replace it with a thin plastic mounting bracket (it attaches through the same holes). Then slide the bidet seat onto the bracket until it clicks into place.

Each bidet comes with a T-connector that typically installs between the supply line hose and the inlet of the toilet tank. This provides water to the bidet via a flexible hose. To install this connector, you need to shut off the water where it comes out of the wall—there should be a valve there; then empty the tank with a flush, and disconnect the line where it attaches to the toilet. This is where the T-connector goes. In the installation process, a little water spills out of the line, but that can be captured in a small cup (we used an old yogurt container). Before you buy a bidet, make sure that your valves aren’t completely corroded and that you can access them.

On the electrical side, the bidet just plugs in. Most have a 4-foot cord length, so an extension cord or a new outlet may be necessary.

Bidets are designed to fit on the majority of toilets, but we can’t ensure 100% compatibility. There simply will be particular toilets that won’t fit with particular bidets. We recommend contacting the manufacturer, if you have questions.

If you have a “tankless” toilet, a plumber will be needed—we recommend consulting with one before you purchase a bidet. The type of “tankless” toilet most often found in homes is the wall-hung toilet: This means a tank is present, but it’s just concealed in the wall. You’ll have to install an extra connection to provide water to the bidet. If your toilet uses a flushometer, the plumber will have to make more-dramatic changes to the plumbing system; these are found only rarely in homes.

When it comes to cleaning, bidets are more complex than the average toilet seat, so it’s no surprise that they have more nooks and crannies where gunk can develop. What’s great is that bidet seats can be taken right off the mounting bracket for a thorough wipedown. The process is very easy and usually involves a release button to the side of the bidet. It’s a little like pulling a drawer off the slides.

The Brondell Swash 300 Advanced Electric Bidet Seat was a long-time budget pick, and for the price, it provides an excellent and uncomplicated entry into the world of warm-water bidets. This model lacks any directional control of the water spray, and it has no user presets. Some feature-rich models, including the Brondell LE99 and the Bio Bidet USPAU, aren’t that much more expensive, and we think they’re worth the upgrade.

We tested the SmartBidet SB1000WE and SB3000WE, and neither compared well to others in their price ranges. Both models are very tall, standing roughly 7 inches and 6½ inches, respectively, off the porcelain—so they are considerably taller than the other bidets we tested.

The Bio Bidet Bliss BB2000 has so many features that it veers toward being excessive. Because of this, the remote is extremely busy, filled with what look like bathroom hieroglyphics.

The Bio Bidet Discovery DLS is a premium bidet with a great feature set, including a lid that opens automatically as you approach. This model is thin, but it’s not as thin as the Brondell T44. The remote is horizontally oriented and has a clean look, but it has controls on the back, so you have to flip it around (unless you’re a dedicated preset user). The cord and supply line are on opposite sides, which is a little distracting for a Bidet in the $500-plus range.

We also once recommended the Tushy Classic 3.0 and the Brondell SimpleSpa Thinline Bidet Attachment. These are nice, but the Bio Bidet SlimEdge Attachment has a much more refined look for about the same cost. We like that the Tushy offers a variety of colors, but we prefer the sleek SlimEdge over the boxy Tushy.

The Brondell FreshSpa Thinline and Brondell SimpleSpa Eco are almost identical (the Eco is made with recycled plastics). They’re basic and they work fine, but we appreciated the Bio Bidet SlimEdge’s aesthetics more.

The American Standard AquaWash Slim is like the Brondell EcoSeat S101 in that it’s a cold-water sprayer integrated into a seat. We preferred the minimalist dial of the EcoSeat S101 over the AquaWash’s lever handle.

Toto’s A100 and A200 are slightly stripped-down versions of the C2 and C5, respectively. The difference is that they both lack the dryer and deodorizer. If you’re sure you’ll never use these features, the A100 and A200 should be just as good as our picks.

We also viewed the Toto S550E, which is typically sold for nearly $1,000. It has a streamlined look with a night-light and a lid that opens and closes automatically. It uses electrolyzed water, which has disinfectant qualities, on the bowl and wand. We don’t consider any of these added features to be essential, especially considering the added cost.

The Brondell Swash SE600 and Brondell Swash SE400 have nice features, but our main gripe is that the electrical cord sticks straight out the left side of the seat (as you’re sitting). We much prefer the cleaner look of having them both on one side of the seat, positioned to the rear.

The controls on the Brondell Swash 1400 are scrolled, rather than on a +/- scale. So if you shift to a temperature or pressure that’s higher than you like, you need to go through the entire cycle to get back to where you’re comfortable. Our picks have a simple +/- interface that eliminates this small but notable drawback.

The Coway Bidetmega 200E is in the same price range as our top pick, but it has a side control, and its cord sticks out the side. We liked that the buttons on the control panel have braille labeling.

The Kohler C3-230 K-4108-0 and the Kohler C3-455 K-8298-CR-0 were both very nice, but the remotes weren’t as intuitive as the Toto C5’s remote.

The Kohler C3-155 K-8298-0 is comparable to our runner-up pick, but we preferred the Toto C2’s control panel.

There are many other cold-water models available, like the Luxe Bidet Neo 120, but none of them offer any noticeable advantages over the nice-looking Bio Bidet SlimEdge Attachment.

The seat on the Kohler K-5724-0 Puretide Elongated Manual Bidet Toilet Seat felt cheap, and it flexed under almost any weight. It also made a loud creaking noise every time one of our testers sat down or shifted their weight.

We did not test any of the non-electric warm-water models that need to connect to the under-sink hot-water line, including the Luxe Bidet Neo 320. We think installation involves too many variables, including the proximity of the sink shut-offs to the toilet and the likelihood of cutting a hole through the side of a vanity. If warm water is an essential feature for you, we think you’ll also appreciate the other upgrades that the electric models have to offer.

We also left travel bidets out of our research and testing. Such devices are handheld and offer neither the luxury nor the physical assistance of a standard bidet. If you are absolutely a bidet fanatic and want to try one, you might want to check out the Toto Travel Washlet or the Brondell GoSpa. But even Bidet.org’s Kyle Bazylo, who sells travel bidets, said he doesn’t bother using one when he travels.

This article was edited by Harry Sawyers.