Bidet Collage
As Americans seek more environmentally-friendly approaches to their homes and hygiene, bidets have grown in popularity. Recent toilet paper shortages have also convinced more users to opt for a different approach. Looking to make your bathroom more sustainable? Our guide will show you everything you need to know about bidet attachments and seats for your home.
Even if you've never actually used a bidet, you probably know what they are; and if you've ever traveled to Europe or Japan, you may have encountered one. But for those who don't know, a bidet is essentially a device that uses a stream of water to help you clean instead of toilet paper. Bidets can sometimes be stand-alone devices, but in other instances they are attachments to existing toilet seats.
If you're interested in getting a bidet in your home, there are a number of standout bidet seats and attachments on the market today. We'll walk you through just a few of the most popular options, highlighting some of the best buys in the bidet space.
Our Picks for the Best Bidets of 2021
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
- Best Bidet Seat - Toto C200 Electronic Bidet
- Best Bidet Attachment - TUSHY Classic 3.0 Bidet Attachment
- Best Smart Bidet Seat - BioBidet Bliss BB-2000 Bidet Seat
- Most Customizable Seat - Omigo Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat
- Most Affordable - LUXE Bidet Neo 120 Attachment
- Best for Comfort - Brondell Swash 1400 Bidet Seat
- Best Non-Electric Bidet Seat - Kohler Puretide Manual Bidet Toilet Seat
- Best for Accessibility - Coway Bidetmega 400E Bidet Seat
How We Reviewed Bidet Seats and Attachments
To create our list of the best bidet seats and bidet attachments, we considered a few key categories for each product. For bidet seats we looked for options that included heated seats, warm water reservoirs, self-cleaning wands, multiple nozzles, customization and adjustment options, ease-of-installation, and whether they offered an eco-mode or energy saving setting. For bidet attachments we looked for options with an affordable price, self-cleaning wands, easy installation, and whether they allow users to control or adjust water pressure and nozzle settings. Additionally, we compared brand reputation and the information they offered on how much the product could help reduce toilet paper waste in the environment. You can also read our individual reviews of Tushy, Omigo, and Toto bidets.
Here are the best bidet options for you to consider.
Toto WASHLETT C200 Electronic Bidet
Toto USA
Toto is a company that's well-established for its quality bidet products. The Toto C200 electric bidet seat comes with a number of advantages, and you can even create unique user profiles, ensuring the bidet remembers your preferences.
- Adjustable oscillating water options
- A built-in air dryer to assist you in personal hygiene.
- A self-cleaning wand automatically cleans up after each use.
Why buy: The Toto WASHLET C200 electric bidet features a deodorizer, heated seat, instant warm water reservoir, and a pre-mist cleaning function for added hygiene.
TUSHY Classic 3.0 Bidet Attachment
hellotushy
If you're looking for an attachment rather than a full toilet seat, we recommend this model from TUSHY. The TUSHY Classic 3.0 is an especially great option for bidet shoppers on a budget from an eco-conscious brand.
- It's made for easy installation, usually taking no more than 10 minutes.
- This is one of the very best bidet attachments for under $100.
- Controls let you customize nozzle placement and water pressure.
Why buy: Tushy claims their non-electric bidet attachment can reduce your toilet paper usage by 80%, saving trees and money.
BioBidet Bliss BB-2000 Bidet Seat
BioBidet
The BioBidet Bliss seat offers a number of advanced features including a comfort-adjustable heated seat with a remote control, adjustable warm air drying, and a patented vortex wash.
- Adjustable water temperature, water pressure, and heated seat.
- Three-in-one stainless steel nozzle design for a complete clean and feminine wash.
- Hybrid heating technology so you always have warm water.
Why buy: This electric bidet seat from BioBidet features an Energy Save Mode to reduce electricity usage as well as toilet paper usage.
Omigo Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat
Omigo
For years, Omigo has been a leading name in luxury bidets and accessories. Their flagship product boasts hundreds of rave reviews, and a long list of exciting features. Some of the perks of choosing Omigo include:
- They offer various shapes, allowing you to pick the bidet that best matches your existing toilet bowl.
- Omigo offers a heated seat with adjustable temperature.
- An LED night light makes it easy for you to use your bidet even at night.
Why buy: You can customize your bidet experience by choosing from a range of nozzle positions and adjustable spray pressure settings, and separate rear and front nozzles are available.
LUXE Bidet Neo 120 Attachment
Luxe Bidet
LUXE offers affordable bidet options with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're looking to try out a basic bidet to see what it's like, the LUXE Neo 120 attachment may be the perfect option. One thing to note, however, is that this model is non-electric and uses cold water.
- A self-cleaning, sanitary nozzle with guard helps promote cleanliness and hygiene.
- The LUXE bidet attachment installs easily and in minutes.
- 18-month warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Why buy: This is one of the most affordable bidet options out there, and is a great way to make your bathroom more sustainable.
Brondell Swash 1400 Bidet Toilet Seat
Brondell
Brondell is another company that offers top-of-the-line bidet toilet seats. The Swash 1400 features a heated seat, air dryer, replaceable deodorizer, and programmable user settings. Brondell also offers a non-electric Ecoseat series and a travel bidet.
- Seven different nozzle positions, and an ambient night light.
- The unit can be installed in under an hour, without any need to call a plumber.
- Front and rear nozzles allow for a complete cleaning experience.
Why buy: Brondell notes that 37 gallons of water are used to make one roll of toilet paper; that same amount of water is equivalent to 150 washes with their bidet seat.
Kohler Puretide Manual Bidet Toilet Seat
Kohler
The Kohler Puretide manual bidet seat is a simple, straightforward, and affordable product. It features a self-cleaning wand with adjustable water pressure and position.
- Sleek, low-profile design that doesn't stand out.
- Manual-operated handle allows you to control water pressure without electricity.
- Quick-Attach hardware makes it easy to install in minutes.
Why buy: The Kohler Puretide is an affordable, non-electric bidet seat that makes it easy to reduce your environmental impact. It also features a very unobtrusive design.
Coway Bidetmega 400E Bidet Seat
Cowaymega
This electronic bidet seat from Coway includes a ton of features that make it an accessible option for every member of the family. The company's unique i-wave Cleaning Technology is designed to provide a comfortable cleaning experience for every person.
- Wireless remote control with child-friendly controls and braille for visually-impaired users.
- Three-stage cleansing care system keeps the system hygienic.
- Adjustable water temperature, water pressure, direction, flow, and warm air dryer.
Why buy: Coway includes a lot of accessibility features in their bidet seats, as well as an eco-mode to reduce the energy consumption of the unit.
The Benefits of Using a Bidet
What are the top reasons for using a bidet? There are actually many benefits to consider.
Better Cleanliness
One reason why people love bidets is that water bidets help you get clean in ways that toilet paper just won't. That's because we all understand that a stream of water has greater cleaning power than paper or tissue. Additionally, some bidets have air drying and self-cleaning features to make them a more sanitary option.
Better for the Environment
Another reason to use a bidet is that it's better for the environment than using toilet paper.
The U.S. accounts for a disproportionately high percentage of the world's toilet paper use. A big reason for that? We don't use bidets. But by making the switch, you can massively cut back on your own contributions to paper waste.
And while using a bidet does require you to use some water, but it's actually quite a bit less water than what's required to manufacture a single roll of toilet tissue.
Better for Your Wallet
Using a bidet can actually help you save quite a bit of money. The average bidet user reduces their annual toilet paper use by more than 75 percent, which for some families is quite a bit of money!
Plus, any time a major storm or a big snow is coming, folks head to the store to stock up on toilet paper. If you've got a bidet in your bathroom, you can skip the last-minute run to the store.
Additional Perks of a Bidet
The list of bidet benefits just goes on from there. Some additional advantages that bidet users can anticipate include:
- Bidets are comfortable and non-irritating to your skin
- Using a bidet can have particular benefits for women and expecting mothers, minimizing the risk of UTIs
- Bidets are very easy to use, including for those who have mobility issues
- By using a bidet, you will have a lower likelihood of clogged toilets and other expensive plumbing problems
- Bidets can be great for showing your kids how to use proper hygiene
Really, the list could go on and on. So with all of that said, let's move on to the next question: What should you look for in a bidet?
What to Consider When Shopping for the Best bidet
In seeking a bidet seat or attachment, keep these shopping considerations in mind.
Electric Bidet vs. Non-Electric
An electric bidet seat is generally going to offer the most consistent and comfortable performance. By contrast, a mechanical bidet simply uses your home's water pressure, which can be less reliable. With that said, a mechanical bidet will likely cost you less. If you're hoping to spend under $300 on a bidet, a mechanical one is probably your only bet.
Heated Bidet vs. Non-Heated
Concerned about the shock of cold water from a bidet? You can invest in a bidet that uses warm water with temperature control instead. Keep in mind, though, that if it takes your hot water supply a few seconds to reach the bathroom sink, it will take just as long to reach the bidet.
Find a Self-Cleaning Bidet
Some bidets include a self-cleaning nozzle that can clean themselves between each use. Others will require you to manually clean the nozzle yourself. As you might imagine, self-cleaning bidets are a little more expensive, but much more convenient and hygienic.
Attachment vs. Seat
One of the biggest decisions to make is whether you'll get a bidet attachment, or a full bidet seat. What's the difference?
- A bidet attachment simply attaches to your current toilet seat. These often work just fine, but may not look as streamlined.
- A full bidet seat will be a bit more expensive, and potentially harder to install, but ultimately it's a more compact approach.
Consider Multiple Nozzles
Many bidets will offer you a single nozzle, but some offer dual nozzles for more cleaning options. You'll pay a little bit more for the twin nozzles, but for many bidet users, that will be money well spent.
Additional Features
High-end electric bidets come with a range of other features. Some of these extras might include:
- Pulsating water spray and oscillation options
- Warm air dryers
- Deodorizers
- "Smart" settings and user profiles with a control panel
Buying a Bidet FAQs
Q. Are bidets messy?
No, it's actually very easy to adjust the pressure and positioning of a bidet nozzle, ensuring clean, precise use. Plus, many bidets include a self-cleaning function.
Q. What if I don't have any room in my bathroom for a bidet?
One of the great things about bidet seats and attachments is that you don't need any extra space. You can simply install one of these units onto your existing toilet.
Q. Are bidets primarily for women?
While bidets do offer special feminine hygiene benefits, they also help men remain clean and sanitary, without the need to use a bunch of toilet paper. Bidets are great for women, but they certainly aren't just for women.
Q. Should I use soap with my bidet?
No! Regularly using soap in sensitive areas can actually cause irritation. Warm water is all that's required for your bidet to offer its full, sanitary effects.
Q. Will I need a plumber to install my bidet?
All of the seats and attachments listed here are very easy to self-install and should not require you to call a plumber.
Choose the Bidet that's Right for You and the Environment
Bidets are surging in popularity as more and more people discover the hygienic and environmental benefits. There's never been a better time to try one out and enjoy the unique benefits for yourself. Use this guide to find the bidet that's right for your comfort preferences and your budget to reduce your impact on the planet.
Josh Hurst is a journalist, critic, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. He covers natural health, nutrition, supplements, and clean energy. His writing has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.
Though made in large part of plastic, glass, ceramics, gold and copper, they also contain critical resources. The gallium used for LEDs and the camera flash, the tantalum in capacitors and indium that powers the display were all pulled from the ground — at a price for nature and people.
"Mining raw materials is always problematic, both with regard to human rights and ecology," said Melanie Müller, raw materials expert of the German think tank SWP. "Their production process is pretty toxic."
The gallium and indium in many phones comes from China or South Korea, the tantalum from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Rwanda. All in, such materials comprise less than ten grams of a phone's weight. But these grams finance an international mining industry that causes radioactive earth dumps, poisoned groundwater and Indigenous population displacement.
Environmental Damage: 'Nature Has Been Overexploited'
The problem is that modern technologies don't work without what are known as critical raw materials. Collectively, solar panels, drones, 3D printers and smartphone contain as many as 30 of these different elements sourced from around the globe. A prime example is lithium from Chile, which is essential in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles.
"No one, not even within the industry, would deny that mining lithium causes enormous environmental damage," Müller explained, in reference to the artificial lakes companies create when flushing the metal out of underground brine reservoirs. "The process uses vast amounts of water, so you end up with these huge flooded areas where the lithium settles."
This means of extraction results in the destruction and contamination of the natural water system. Unique plants and animals lose access to groundwater and watering holes. There have also been reports of freshwater becoming salinated due to extensive acidic waste water during lithium mining.
But lithium is not the only raw material that causes damage. Securing just one ton of rare earth elements produces 2,000 tons of toxic waste, and has devastated large regions of China, said Günther Hilpert, head of the Asia Research Division of the German think tank SWP.
He says companies there have adopted a process of spraying acid over the mining areas in order to separate the rare earths from other ores, and that mined areas are often abandoned after excavation.
"They are no longer viable for agricultural use," Hilpert said. "Nature has been overexploited."
China is not the only country with low environmental mining standards and poor resource governance. In Madagascar, for example, a thriving illegal gem and metal mining sector has been linked to rainforest depletion and destruction of natural lemur habitats.
States like Madagascar, Rwanda and the DRC score poorly on the Environmental Performance Index that ranks 180 countries for their effort on factors including conservation, air quality, waste management and emissions. Environmentalists are therefore particularly concerned that these countries are mining highly toxic materials like beryllium, tantalum and cobalt.
But it is not only nature that suffers from the extraction of high-demand critical raw materials.
"It is a dirty, toxic, partly radioactive industry," Hilpert said. "China, for example, has never really cared about human rights when it comes to achieving production targets."
Dirty, Toxic, Radioactive: Working in the Mining Sector
One of the most extreme examples is Baotou, a Chinese city in Inner Mongolia, where rare earth mining poisoned surrounding farms and nearby villages, causing thousands of people to leave the area.
In 2012, The Guardian described a toxic lake created in conjunction with rare earth mining as "a murky expanse of water, in which no fish or algae can survive. The shore is coated with a black crust, so thick you can walk on it. Into this huge, 10 sq km tailings pond nearby factories discharge water loaded with chemicals used to process the 17 most sought after minerals in the world."
Local residents reported health issues including aching legs, diabetes, osteoporosis and chest problems, The Guardian wrote.
South Africa has also been held up for turning a blind eye to the health impacts of mining.
"The platinum sector in South Africa has been criticized for performing very poorly on human rights — even within the raw materials sector," Müller said.
In 2012, security forces killed 34 miners who had been protesting poor working conditions and low wages at a mine owned by the British company Lonmin. What became known as the "Marikana massacre" triggered several spontaneous strikes across the country's mining sector.
Müller says miners can still face exposure to acid drainage — a frequent byproduct of platinum mining — that can cause chemical burns and severe lung damage. Though this can be prevented by a careful waste system.
Some progress was made in 2016 when the South African government announced plans to make mining companies pay $800 million (€679 million) for recycling acid mine water. But they didn't all comply. In 2020, activists sued Australian-owned mining company Mintails and the government to cover the cost of environmental cleanup.
Another massive issue around mining is water consumption. Since the extraction of critical raw materials is very water intensive, drought prone countries such as South Africa, have witnessed an increase in conflicts over supply.
For years, industry, government and the South African public debated – without a clear agreement – whether companies should get privileged access to water and how much the population may suffer from shortages.
Mining in Brazil: Replacing Nature, People, Land Rights
Beyond the direct health and environmental impact of mining toxic substances, quarrying critical raw materials destroys livelihoods, as developments in Brazil demonstrate.
"Brazil is the major worldwide niobium producer and reserves in [the state of] Minas Gerais would last more than 200 years [at the current rate of demand]," said Juliana Siqueira-Gay, environmental engineer and Ph.D. student at the University of São Paulo.
While the overall number of niobium mining requests is stagnating, the share of claims for Indigenous land has skyrocketed from 3 to 36 percent within one year. If granted, 23 percent of the Amazon forest and the homeland of 222 Indigenous groups could fall victim to deforestation in the name of mining, a study by Siqueira-Gay finds.
In early 2020, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro signed a bill which would allow corporations to develop areas populated by Indigenous communities in the future. The law has not yet entered into force, but "this policy could have long-lasting negative effects on Brazil's socio-biodiversity," said Siqueira-Gay.
One example are the niobium reserves in Seis Lagos, in Brazil's northeast, which could be quarried to build electrolytic capacitors for smartphones.
"They overlap the Balaio Indigenous land and it would cause major impacts in Indigenous communities by clearing forests responsible for providing food, raw materials and regulating the local climate," Siqueira-Gay explained.
She says scientific good practice guidelines offer a blueprint for sustainable mining that adheres to human rights and protects forests. Quarries in South America — and especially Brazil — funded by multilaterial banks like the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group have to follow these guidelines, Siqueira-Gay said.
They force companies to develop sustainable water supply, minimize acid exposure and re-vegetate mined surfaces. "First, negative impacts must be avoided, then minimized and at last compensated — not the other way around."
Reposted with permission from DW.