Is a TOTO WASHLET+ Better than a TOTO WASHLET? Your Top 3 Questions Answered

 | Created December 6, 2020 | Updated May 14, 2025

If you’ve been exploring TOTO’s bidet seat offerings, you’ve probably come across the terms “WASHLET” and “WASHLET+”. Many customers wonder how they’re different and whether one is superior to the other. In this post, we’ll tackle the biggest WASHLET vs. WASHLET+ questions (and more) so you feel confident choosing the option that’s right for you!

Jump To:

Question 1: What are the Differences Between a WASHLET and a WASHLET+?

Question 2: Will a Regular WASHLET Fit on a WASHLET+ Toilet (and Vice Versa)?

Question 3: What are the Pros and Cons of a WASHLET vs. a WASHLET+?

What are the Differences Between a WASHLET and a WASHLET+?

First, let’s go over the differences between these two products. Purchase a TOTO WASHLET bidet seat and you’ll get an elegant, feature-packed bidet seat that you can install atop your existing toilet. TOTO sells WASHLETs that cover a wide range of price points and feature sets, so there’s something for everyone.

Opt for a TOTO WASHLET+ system and you’ll get a toilet and a bidet seat that fit seamlessly together, keeping the water and electrical connections out of sight. WASHLET+ systems offer all sorts of toilet and bidet seat pairings, so it’s easy to find one that meets both your aesthetic and performance preferences.

TOTO S7/S7A with remote
TOTO S7A WASHLET

 

Aquia IV Cube WASHLET+ S7A Two-Piece Toilet and Bidet MW4364736CEMFGNA
TOTO WASHLET+ System – Aquia IV Cube WASHLET+ Toilet and S7A WASHLET+ Bidet Seat

Will a Regular WASHLET Fit on a WASHLET+ Toilet?

TOTO WASHLET+ configuration
TOTO WASHLET+ System Configuration

You may notice that some of TOTO’s WASHLET bidet seats and WASHLET+ bidet seats share the same name. However, although they offer the same features, they are not interchangeable!

Here’s what we mean:

WASHLET and WASHLET+ bidet seats are configured a bit differently. A WASHLET’s cords and hoses come off the side of the bidet seat, whereas a WASHLET+’s cords and hoses come out the bottom.

This design difference allows a WASHLET+ bidet seat’s cords and hoses to fit through a special hole in the WASHLET+ toilet, keeping them hidden. While this creates an ultra-streamlined silhouette, it also means that a WASHLET+ bidet seat can only be installed on a compatible WASHLET+ toilet.

In comparison, a WASHLET will fit on most one- or two-piece toilets (excluding French curve toilets) as long as the bowl shape matches the bidet seat’s shape. In other words, an elongated WASHLET will fit on most elongated toilets, and a round WASHLET will fit on most round toilets. You can install a regular WASHLET on a WASHLET+ toilet, but the cords and hoses will remain visible.

Keep in Mind: You can always remove a WASHLET+ bidet seat from a WASHLET+ toilet and install a regular seat in its place. But you cannot transfer a WASHLET+ bidet to a toilet other than the one it came with, because there will be nowhere for the cords and hoses to go.

What are the Pros and Cons of a WASHLET vs. a WASHLET+?

Here are a few questions to consider when trying to decide between a TOTO WASHLET or a WASHLET+:

  • What’s my budget?
  • Am I content with my current toilet, or would I like to upgrade?
  • Is auto-flushing a must-have feature for me?
  • How important is a sleek silhouette?

Budget: The TOTO WASHLETs we sell range in price from around $400 to over $1400. WASHLET+ systems are pricier, coming in between $1200 and $5900. Of course, the price difference is due to the fact that WASHLET+ systems come with both a toilet and a bidet seat, so you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. However, if you’re working on a tight budget, you may find that price alone is the deciding factor in choosing a WASHLET or an entire WASHLET+ system.

TOTO WASHLET- Visible Cords & Hoses
TOTO WASHLET – cords & hoses visible

 

TOTO WASHLET+ - Hidden cords and hoses
TOTO WASHLET+ System – cords & hoses concealed by the toilet

 

Upgrade Your Toilet: TOTO toilets are stylish, efficient and powerful, so if you’re unhappy with your existing toilet, a WASHLET+ system is the perfect upgrade. There are tons of WASHLET+ systems to choose from, with a wide range of silhouettes, flush volumes, heights and rough-ins, so there’s something for everyone.

That said, once you install a WASHLET+ system, it will be a permanent fixture in your bathroom. If you want something that’s easier to move around, we recommend a WASHLET bidet seat. They’re easy to install and uninstall, which is perfect if you’re not ready to commit to something permanent.

Auto-Flush Capabilities: Automatic flushing requires specific toilet configurations, so if it’s something you must have, you’ll want to consider a WASHLET+ system or a bidet toilet. When it comes to WASHLET+ systems, toilets paired with the S7 and S7A WASHLET+ offer the auto-flush upgrade.

Style: All of TOTO’s bidet seats have a sophisticated look, but some customers want their bidet seat to look as much like a regular toilet seat as possible. Because WASHLET+ toilets conceal the bidet seat’s cords and hoses, WASHLET+ systems offer a sleek look that’s unblemished by unsightly cords and hoses protruding from the side of the seat.

Final Thoughts

If you want to add bidet cleansing to your existing toilet, you’re okay with visible cords and hoses and you don’t mind flushing the toilet yourself, a regular WASHLET may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you’re in the market for a new toilet, prefer a silhouette that’s unbroken by clunky cords or hoses and/or want a toilet that flushes on its own when you stand up, a WASHLET+ system is probably the better fit.

Our team of bidet experts is always happy to help answer questions and can even offer personalized recommendations! Reach out to us today:

 

Hannah Ramsey

Hannah Ramsey is a former writer at Many Bidets, where she spent seven years crafting and managing website content. With a background in psychotherapy and a lifelong passion for writing, Hannah enjoyed combining these interests to make a meaningful impact. Now retired from the bidet business, Hannah still enjoys sharing her knowledge about bidets with friends and family, proving that once a bidet enthusiast, always a bidet enthusiast!