On average, we spend about 92 days of our lives on the porcelain throne. That works out as an hour and a half a week. It might not seem like a lot, but we’ve all experienced the leg numbing pain of sitting on a cold, uncomfortable toilet seat for over a minute.
To make your time on the toilet as comfortable and ergonomic as possible, it is important to choose a good quality seat. You want something that is sturdy, durable, and matches your bathroom.
If you’ve got the cash and inclination, you can also look for toilet seats with a raft of additional features. These could include soft close lids, built-in bidets, and even ambient lighting!
Naturally, with so many choices and options the world of toilet seats can become incredibly overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this guide.
We’ve done all the leg work you can sit pretty and make your choice. We’re going to walk you through our top choices, and then we’ll tell you what to look for in a toilet seat. That way you can do your own research if you need to.
Best Toilet Seats Reviews
This seat is incredible. It does everything for you. Heck, if it could go to the toilet for you, it would!
Let’s start with the basics, this is a plastic toilet seat with a soft-close lid. It is durable, comfortable, and easy to wipe down and clean.
Like other toilet seats on our list, this one features a bidet system. Unlike all the other seats on our list, this one is heated and includes a dryer, deodorizer, and a pre-mist function!
Let’s start with the bidet. The wand is self-cleaning and adjustable. You can choose from three preset positions, or you can use the buttons on the control panel to extend and adjust.
The wand also has different spray patterns including a soft spray and an oscillating spray. We’re not sure what they’re for, but they’re definitely fancy.
Once you’re clean, the seat has a heated dryer that blow dries your butt and a deodorizer that neutralizes any odors.
For those chilly winter mornings, the seat and the water can be heated for ultimate comfort.
As you’d expect, this level of luxury is going to set you back quite a bit. You’re looking at a couple of hundred dollars. However, if you’ve got the cash, this is a phenomenal choice.
Pros:
- Pre-mist stops waste sticking to the bowl.
- Adjustable, self-cleaning wand.
- Adjustable water pressure and patterns.
- Air dryer.
- Deodorizer.
- Soft close.
- Heated seat, water, and air.
Cons:
- Incredibly expensive.
- Does require electricity.
For a bidet toilet seat on a more realistic budget, this Saniwise toilet seat is a great choice.
It is available in multiple different sizes to fit elongated, slim, and round toilets. Combined with the fact that it’s budget friendly, this is a toilet seat that fits all families and all households.
The bidet system has two nozzles, one for ‘rear’ washing and one for feminine washing. The feminine washing nozzle is slightly longer to get the right angle.
The great thing about these nozzles is that they are self-retracting and self-cleaning. When not in use, they retract into the compartment at the back of the seat. Before use, the nozzles are sprayed with clean water to keep them clean and sanitary.
The bidet system is surprisingly high quality considering the price tag. It is slim enough not to be massively noticeable, but powerful enough to be useful.
One of the best things about this bidet seat is that you can install it yourself. There is no electricity required and all you’ll need is a wrench and a screwdriver.
One of the few issues that customers seem to raise is that the seat can feel a bit loose. This could be an installation issue, or it could be that the bumpers don’t quite do their job right.
The other thing mentioned is that it takes some time to get used to the sensation of the cold-water spray! This is true of any non-heated bidet, however.
As for the overall construction, the seat is made from durable plastic while the bolts and hinges are made from metal. The individual parts appear to be great quality. There aren’t any reviews of breakages or faults.
A final boon for this seat, is the fact that it has a soft close function. This works on both the lid and the seat which is great to see.
Pros:
- Built in bidet.
- Easy to install.
- Soft close.
- No electricity needed.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Metal hardware.
- Adjustable water pressure.
- 12-month warranty.
Cons:
- Feminine nozzle can be slightly off in terms of aim.
- Seat can wiggle and squeak.
This enameled wood toilet seat is made here in the US and comes in a wide range of colors.
The wood makes these seats strong and sturdy, and the enameled coating makes them easier to clean than traditional wood toilet seats.
If you’re looking for a wooden seat that looks like wood, you’ll need to keep searching. Out of the vast array of colors available, none are natural wood.
The seat is supplied with metal bolts which are easy to install. You don’t need a wrench as it uses wing nuts to tighten. Most users seem to have installed the seat in under five minutes which is great to see!
Our major concern is the hinges. These are plastic quick release hinges. While the quick release function does make cleaning much easier, it also creates a weak spot. A few customers do mention some issues with these hinges.
On a more positive note, this is a domestic product at a great price. It does the job without pomp or circumstance.
Pros:
- Made in the USA.
- Can be removed for cleaning. Available in a range of colors.
- Low price.
- Sturdy wooden seat.
- Easy to clean.
Cons:
- Weaker plastic hinges.
- Some reports of slipping seats.
This toilet seat is available in a wide range of colors to fit round or elongated toilets. It is a simple but classy addition to your bathroom.
We love the fact that this seat is available in so many colors. Often you are stuck with white or black. These seats are perfect for those who have cream or off-white bathroom suites. It will match far better and look more complete.
The seat and the hinges are made from plastic, while the bolts are metal. The plastic hinges are a bit of a concern, especially as they are quick release hinges.
The premise behind quick release hinges is that you can easily remove the toilet seat without tools. This makes it easier to clean your toilet and the seat. However, this does mean that the hinges are designed to be weaker.
A few reviews do mention the fact that the hinges become loose over time, especially if you are frequently removing the toilet seat.
The other thing to be aware of is the fact that many customers find this seat has a distinct slope. They say that the seat slopes inward toward the hole. For some users, this doesn’t seem to be an issue. Other users, however, find the design incredibly uncomfortable.
On a more positive note, the seat has a soft close mechanism that really does seem to work. It also has large, tough grip bumpers that keep the seat in place. In this department, it does seem to perform a lot better than the competition.
Pros:
- Available in a wide range of colors.
- Can be easily removed for cleaning.
- Metal fixing bolts.
- Soft close lid.
- Extra grippy bumpers.
Cons:
- Weaker hinges.
- Can’t see price unless you place it in your basket.
- Some find the seat uncomfortable.
This product promises an awful lot just in the name, but the thousands of reviewers back up those claims.
Made from wood and finished with an enamel varnish, this seat is scratch, scrape and dent resistant. You do need to avoid bleach cleaners as they can damage the enamel, but otherwise it is easy to clean.
Most customers find this seat comfortable and durable. The thick wooden construction is responsible for the strength and durability of this product.
The soft close function is whisper quiet. Considering the lid is fairly heavy, the mechanism does really well at slowing and silencing the closing action.
In terms of installation, this seat claims to install from the top eliminating bending. You do, however, have to hold onto a nut underneath the toilet as you use a wrench to tighten from the top. It is super simple but doesn’t really eliminate the fiddly bit of installation.
Pros:
- Great price.
- Easy to install.
- Strong, sturdy, and durable.
- Comfortable.
- Soft-close.
Cons:
- Only available in white.
- Can’t be cleaned with bleach.
Buyer’s Guide
There are a few things you need to know before you buy a toilet seat. This is simply down to the fact that not all toilet seats are created equal.
To make sure you’re not caught short, remember to check the following when buying a seat.
Shape
Believe it or not there are two different toilet shapes. This means that there are also two different toilet seat shapes.
You need to choose between a round or an elongated seat, and it has to match your toilet. If you don’t know which your toilet is, you can measure the length of the bowl.
Elongated seats, as the name suggests, are longer than round seats. They should measure between 18 and 18.5 inches from the middle of the seat bolts to the front rim.
These toilets tend to be better for people with reduced mobility as they are easier to get up from. They are also generally more comfortable for adults.
The downside is that they tend to be slightly more expensive, and they take up more room. If you’re tight on space, you’ll probably want to go for a round toilet.
Speaking of round toilets, these are the traditional toilet shape. They are shorter across the bowl than elongated toilets. When you measure from the bolts to the front rim, you should get somewhere around 16.5 inches.
Round toilets are better for smaller people and children. They fit into smaller bathrooms, and they’re cheaper than elongated toilets. The downside is that they are less sturdy and can become loose or damaged easier.
Material
Toilets seat materials are typically made from plastic or wood.
Wood looks fancier but is less durable. It tends to absorb moisture and warp or crack over time. It is also heavier, which means that the hinges and bolts need to be stronger and sturdier.
Plastic is the most popular choice. It is versatile, waterproof, and easy to clean. It is also generally cheaper than wood though not as fancy looking.
As well as the seat, you need to think about the bolt and hinge materials. Both of these need to be strong and durable.
For hinges, you’ll want zinc or stainless steel. These have a lot of strength and durability which makes them better for primary bathrooms that see a lot of use.
Plastic hinges are also available. These can be a cheaper option, but they do tend to break more easily. If the seat is for a second or guest bathroom, plastic should suffice.
When it comes to the bolts, you can choose between metal or plastic. Metal bolts are stronger and not prone to flexing. However, they do tend to rust in the humid bathroom environment.
Plastic bolts don’t rust, and they are easier to clean. However, they are decidedly not as strong as their metal counterparts. This means that they can twist, flex and snap under duress.
Additional Features
Toilet seats aren’t just bits of wood with a hole in the middle anymore. Nowadays, if you can dream it, you can buy it. Well, most of the time at least.
The most common features to look out for are soft close lids and bumpers.
Soft close lids are great because they prevent the toilet seat from slamming. Ideal if you’re sick of being woken or startled by heavy handed users, soft close lids are fairly inexpensive now.
Bumpers are rubber stubs that sit underneath the toilet seat. They are helpful for providing grip and preventing the toilet seat from slipping.
If you’re feeling fancy and want to splash some cash, you can also find toilet seats with night lights, bidets, massagers, and even a heating function.
These features can really add to the cost of your toilet seat, but they are cool!
Color
The final thing to think about is the color of the toilet seat.
With plastic toilet seats, most people tend to choose white to match their toilet. However, a contrasting color like black or gray also looks great.
Wooden toilet seats tend to have a medium to dark color, again to provide contrast to the white porcelain.
If you want, you can buy toilet seats in lots of different colors and designs. These aren’t as popular as they were in the 70s and 80s, but they are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are toilet seat sizes standard?
Unfortunately, they are not. You will need to read the product description closely to make sure the seat fits your toilet.
You’ll also want to make sure that you measure your toilet bowl so that you know how wide and long the seat needs to be.
Unless you have a particularly odd-shaped toilet, you should be able to find a seat that fits with no issues.
Why has my toilet seat turned yellow?
This could be down to urine, sunlight, or cleaning products.
If you have men with poor aim in the house, or wriggly children, white seats can be stained by errant urine. To prevent this from happening you need to make sure you clean the seat frequently and meticulously. Don’t forget to do underneath as this is where urine tends to lurk.
If your toilet seat sees a lot of direct sunlight, then the yellow staining could be from UV light. In the same way that humans sunburn when in the sun, the plastic of your toilet seat also sunburns. The difference is that toilet seats turn yellow when they sunburn.
Finally, your toilet seat may be turning yellow as a result of the cleaning products you are using. Bleach is one of the main culprits. This is because it has a nasty habit of reacting with urine and causing staining.