Electric bidet seats are controlled by either a remote control or by a control panel attached to the side of the seat. Seats with side arm controls tend to be less expensive than comparable remote-controlled models, and you need never worry about misplacing the controls since they’re physically connected to the seat itself.

It’s worth noting that seats with side arm controls typically fall in the budget to mid-range categories, so if you’re looking for a luxury seat with all the bells and whistles, you’ll want to check out seats with wireless remotes. Additionally, we generally recommend against buying a seat with a side arm control if you have vision or mobility limitations that make looking down and to the side difficult, or if you need to operate the seat’s controls with your feet. If none of these are concerns, then a seat with a side arm control panel is a great option! Read on for a list of some of our favorite seats with side arm controls.

Bio Bidet BB-1700, $649

In addition to carrying the respected Bio Bidet name, the BB-1700 is packed with top features, making it one of the most luxurious side arm control seats available. It features front, rear, enema, and child wash modes, along with a strong water flow rate of 0.32 gallons per minute. It also offers oscillating and pulsating spray options for enhanced comfort and cleansing coverage. In addition, its high-quality, stainless steel nozzles self-rinse before and after each use, and they can be easily replaced at home versus requiring professional repair. The BB-1700 comes with a hybrid water heater that utilizes both a warm water tank and a small instant water heater to generate about 60-90 seconds of warm water. If you run the wash cycle beyond that, the seat will gradually switch over to cool water until the warm water tank can refill and reheat, a process that takes several minutes to complete. Additional comfort and convenience features include a heated seat, warm air dryer with adjustable temperature controls, deodorizer, and one-button wash and dry feature. The seat’s settings are all fully adjustable so you can tailor the seat temperature, air dryer temperature, water temperature and pressure, and nozzle position for max personal comfort. The BB-1700 also features heavy duty construction that can safely support up to 400 lbs (more than most seats), and it comes with a generous 3-year warranty that can be upgraded to 6 years if you want additional protection. Though it only comes in white and in an elongated seat size, it’s a great choice for anyone wanting high-end amenities and a side arm control panel.

Best Budget Alternative: Kohler Novita BG-90/93, $379

The Kohler Novita BG-90/93 has many of the same features as the BB-1700 plus a highly competitive price tag, making it easy to love. The aesthetically appealing BG-90/93 comes in white and features a sleek silhouette with silver accents and a silver side arm control panel. It can safely support up to 350 lbs, putting it in close competition with the BB-1700 for weight capacity, and its stainless-steel nozzles can be similarly replaced at home. In terms of cleansing features, the BG-90/93 offers front, rear and child wash modes, oscillating and pulsating spray options, adjustable water temperature and pressure, and adjustable nozzle position. Like the BB-1700, the Kohler Novita BG-90/93 has a hybrid water heater with limited warm water, as well as an adjustable heated seat, adjustable warm air dryer, deodorizer, and one button wash and dry option. For all their similarities, there are a few key differences between the BG-90/93 and the BB-1700: the BG-90/93 has a substantially lower water flow rate, no enema wash option, and only a 1 year warranty that can be upgraded to 3 years. That said, the BG-90/93 is available in both round and elongated seat sizes and comes with a silver nano nozzle sterilization system whereas the BB-1700 is available in elongated only and has no nozzle sterilization. If paying less is worth a few less features, then the Kohler Novita BG-90/93 is a great seat to consider!

Kohler Novita BN-330/330S, $499

The Kohler Novita BN-330/330S is a mid-range bidet seat with a side arm control panel and a host of other fantastic features. So what lands this seat on our list of top picks? For starters, the BN-330/330S features durable, self-rinsing stainless-steel nozzles along with a silver-nano nozzle sterilization system for ultra-hygienic cleansing start to finish. It offers standard front and rear wash modes along with a turbo setting that varies the water pressure for a gentle massage sensation. Nozzle oscillation moves the wash wand back and forth for increased comfort and cleansing coverage, and the seat’s hybrid water heater uses both a tank and a small instant heater to generate 60-90 seconds of warm water. Additional perks include a carbon-filter deodorizer that quickly eliminates odors, a strong sittable lid, a warm air dryer with adjustable temperature controls, and round and elongated size options. While not as fancy as some other electric seats on the market, the Kohler Novita BN-330/330S nevertheless offers consumers quality construction and great features at a reasonable price point.

Best Budget Friendly Alternative: Bio Bidet A7, $349

If you like the look of the Kohler Novita BN-330/330S but don’t like the price, we’ve got a great alternative for you! The Bio Bidet A7 offers a similar look and feel, including the side arm control panel, along with a cheaper price tag. Since there is a lot of overlap between these two seats, we’ll focus mostly on the differences so you can get a sense for which meets your needs best. First, the Bio Bidet A7’s 400 lb weight limit exceeds the Kohler Novita BN-330’s weight limit by 50 lbs, making it the better choice for larger individuals. It also comes with a few features not offered by the BG-90/93 including wide spray mode, an auto-wash feature, and an LED nightlight that provides enough light to safely navigate the restroom in the dark. Finally, the A7 offers two user presets, which allow you to pre-program your favorite settings into the remote for a fully customized wash at the touch of a button. In terms of differences, the Bio Bidet A7 doesn’t come with a deodorizer, warm air dryer, or nozzle sterilization, and it’s only available in an elongated seat size. Additionally, you can’t sit on the A7’s lid as doing so could damage the seat and impair its performance. At the end of the day, deciding between the Bio Bidet A7 and the Kohler Novita BN-330/330S really depends on which features are most important to you. Either way, you’ll be getting a high-performing seat with a solid lifespan (on average, 4+ years for the Kohler Novita, and 5+ years for the Bio Bidet), along with all the health and hygiene benefits of bidet cleansing.

Brondell Swash SE400, $279

You may notice that we don’t have a “budget friendly alternative” listed for the Swash SE400, and that’s because there isn’t one; the SE400 comes with great features and a rock-bottom pricetag, making it nearly impossible to find a comparable seat at a better price! To start with, the SE400 features a quality stainless steel wand and self-cleaning nozzles that can be adjusted five different ways for comprehensive cleansing. Front and rear wash modes, a pulsating spray option, a heated seat, and a warm air dryer all maximize comfort while getting you clean, dry and on your way. The SE400 has a tank water heater that provides about 30 seconds of warm wash water, which is plenty for a standard wash cycle. After the tank runs out, the seat uses cool water until it can refill the warm water tank, a process that takes around 5 minutes. For added convenience and safety, the seat comes with a built-in nightlight that bathes the toilet bowl and surrounding area in a soft glow so that you can see where you’re going in low light. The seat’s sittable lid has a weight capacity of 270 lbs, and the seat itself comes in round and elongated seat sizes, making it compatible with a wide range of toilets. All in all, the SE400 offers great value in a sleek, attractive seat.

Washlet+ bidet toilets with side control