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There are many things to think about when looking for the right toilet seat for your bathroom. Toilet Brains aims to help you piece together your requirements to find a great fit for your needs.
We've put together a bit of reasearch for the various shapes, styles, and materials. Bringing together the positives and negatives in one location.
Slow close options are designed to limit the impact and noise after use. Gone are the days where the slamming shut of the seat was an everyday occurence. Our top pick is listed below.
| Image | Product | Shape | Material | Rating? | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
KOHLER K-4636-0 Cachet | Elongated | Plastic | 88% | Here |
Some people underestimate just how much time we spend on the loo in our lifetime. It's because of this, we recommend looking into several cushioned variations for extra comfort. See which one received our highest rating below.
| Image | Product | Shape | Material | Rating? | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
Mayfair 13EC 000 | Round | Molded Wood | 85% | Here |
Bidet seats are a cleaner, convenient, and modern way to use the bathroom. They come with built in wands that shoot sprays of water out for a thorough clean that tissue just doesn't come close to.
| Image | Product | Shape | Material | Rating? | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
TOTO SW554-01 Washlet S300 | Elongated | Plastic | 86% | Here |
A low cost way to increase the height of your toilet bowl by a few inches. Works great together with a comfort toilet, as this will put it far above standard size bowls, and far more accessible.
| Image | Product | Material | Rating | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
HealthSmart Portable | Polyethylene | 85% | Here |
| KOHLER K-4636-0 Cachet | Mayfair 13EC 000 | TOTO SW554-01 Washlet S300 | |
| Shape | Elongated | Round | Elongated |
| Material | Plastic | Molded Wood | Plastic |
| Color | White | White | Cotton white |
| Dimensions | 14.2 x 18.6" | 17.2 x 15 x 3.4" | 23.8 x 21.6 x 7" |
| Weight | 5 lbs | 4.4 lbs | 18.5 lbs |
| Rating | 88% | 85% | 86% |
One thing is for sure, when picking a seat, there is plenty of choice available. Listed below are just a few of the popular types consumers tend to go with.
Bidet - A more convenient, and hygienic way to wash yourself after using the loo. Technological advances mean that bidets are becoming more and more common in the modern household. The more basic models offer a couple of simple spray settings, but others go further and offer smarter things such as heating, which is great for the winter months.
Soft - Usually filled with foam to ensure sitting down is far more comfortable than your average plastic options.
Slow close - These come with hinges the quietly close either the seat, lid or both. Designed to prevent it from slamming shut after use.
Shape you require - For most people, it will come down to one standard size between two differently shaped bowls. Knowing if you currently own an elongated or round bowl is the first step.
Mount - Decide what type of mount you want. You get the choice to secure your seat using either integral or conventional nut and bolt systems. Whilst integral may be more aesthetically pleasing, they can be a nightmare when it comes to removing them. That's why many households stick with the conventional style for less headaches.
Material - You will find plenty of products offering a large range of materials. Some will be wooden, some plastic, and others vinyl. Each serves a purpose, be it durability or design. So choose a material wisely.
Brand - The number of reputable brand names available can make picking just one from the competition difficult. Whilst we recommend sticking with the well known names like TOTO, Bemis, American Standard, Mayfair, and KOHLER, there is still plenty of hidden gems out there that hold their own.
Budget - The price in which you pay will vary depending on the type of product you choose. For example, you can expect to spend around fifty bucks for a bog standard seat with no additions. However, if you wanted to go the more technologically advanced route, and get yourself a bidet, this can set you back several hundred dollars.
Consumer reports - Always take time to look at what customers are saying about the product you're interested in buying. It doesn't take long, and can potentially save you a lot of trouble in the future, with a lesser chance of purchasing faulty goods.
A good toilet seat will fit well, be made of a durable material, and not come loose easily. Some may also say the ability to remove it again easily is a plus point, especially when it comes to maintenance. The points listed above will help you on your way to finding the right fit for your own bathroom.
Want to learn more? Check out the glossary, and F.A.Q page.