Menu
Brands
Categories
Features
Top Rated
Brands
Categories
Features
Top Rated
Menu
NOTE: The TOTO S550e has been discontinued. If you’re in search of the perfect replacement, tailored specifically to your needs and preferences, we’re here to assist! Contact us to discover your ideal bathroom solution with personalized guidance from our dedicated experts.
The Eco NOVA and the TOTO S550e are two of our best selling bidet seats thanks to their quality design and top shelf features. While both offer a great bidet cleanse, there are some key differences that set these units apart. We’ll explain the similarities and differences so you can choose the best seat for your needs!
| | Eco NOVA | TOTO S550e |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Polypropylene plastic shell, stainless steel 2-in-1 nozzle | Plastic 3-in-1 nozzle |
| Design |  |  |
| Nozzle Sterilization | Silver nano coating on internals & a UV sterilizing lamp | Sterile eWATER+ (electrolyzed water) mists bowl & cleans nozzles |
| Warm Water | Yes – unlimited (instant heater) | Yes – unlimited (instant heater) |
| Pulse Wash | Yes – quickly alternates warm/cool | Yes – quickly alternates pressure |
| Nozzle Oscillation | Yes | Yes |
| Turbo Wash | Yes | No |
| Wide Wash | No | Yes |
| Soft Wash | No | Yes |
| Deodorizer | No | Yes |
| Night Light | Yes | Yes |
| Premist | No | Yes |
| Auto Wash | Yes | No |
| User Presets | No | Yes |
| Auto Open/Close Lid | No | Yes |
| Sittable Lid | Yes | No |
| Weight Limit | Seat: 400 lbs Lid: 400 lbs | Seat: 320 lbs Lid: n/a |
| Seat Thickness | Very thin / lowest profile | Thin / low profile |
| Color Options | White | White, beige |
| Remote Option | Radio frequency signal, slim | Infrared signal, slim |
| Risk Free Trial | 60 Days | Not Eligible |
Both the Eco NOVA and the TOTO S550e feature a slim profile and an elegant design. In fact, the Eco NOVA is the thinnest bidet seat we’ve reviewed to date, so it looks even more like a regular toilet seat than the S550e. Most bidets (including the Eco NOVA) only come in white, but the TOTO S550e is available in both white and beige, making it a great choice if you want to match an off-white toilet.
The TOTO S550e also offers a unique design perk: 2 trim options. “Trim,” in TOTO speak, refers to the design of the lid. The classic trim lid has a beveled edge, whereas the contemporary trim lid has a crisp, angular edge.
Between the nozzle and the shell, the Eco NOVA meets the highest industry standards for design quality. For starters, the body of the seat is constructed from strong and durable polypropylene plastic rather than cheaper ABS plastic. Additionally, the Eco NOVA’s nozzles are made out of stainless steel. Stainless steel is the most durable and hygienic nozzle material because it’s stronger and less porous than plastic or aluminum.
The TOTO S550e features a plastic nozzle, which may seem like an odd choice for a high-end, luxury unit. However, TOTO says that their plastic nozzles have an antibacterial liner that makes it as resistant to bacteria as a stainless steel nozzle. While we’ve not tested this, TOTO has always been up front and honest with us about their products, so we take them at their word.
The good news is that both the Eco NOVA and the TOTO S550e have very comfortable seats with a good amount of sittable space. Which seat is most comfortable? That’s largely a matter of individual preference. For reference, the Eco Nova’s seat tapers a bit more narrowly in front compared to the S550e, and both are more tapered than bidet seats like the Cascade 3000 or Bio Bidet BB-2000.
The bad news is that the Eco NOVA and TOTO S550e only come in an elongated seat size, so neither will fit on a round toilet. If you love the Eco Nova but need to fit a round toilet, we recommend checking out the Cascade 3000 or the Blooming R1063. If you want a round replacement for the TOTO S550e, we recommend the TOTO S350e – it has all the same features as the S550e but is specifically designed to fit on round toilets.
The Eco NOVA comes with standard front and rear washing as well as a stronger “turbo wash” setting. The nozzle oscillation option moves the wand forward and backward, which increases the wash coverage and feels gentler than a static wash stream. The Eco NOVA also offers a unique pulse wash that quickly varies the water temperature between warm and cool. This refreshing setting is different from most pulse washes, which alter the water pressure and not the temperature.
The TOTO S550e is packed with wash options! Wash modes include front, rear, wide and soft, so there’s something for just about every situation. It also offers nozzle oscillation and a traditional pulse wash that quickly alternates the water pressure between firm and soft for a massaging sensation. Unlike the Eco NOVA, the TOTO S550e doesn’t have a turbo wash or equivalent.
In terms of water pressure, the Eco NOVA and TOTO S550e are quite evenly matched. The TOTO S550e has a bit more range when it comes to the rear wash, especially in offering softer rear pressure settings than the Eco NOVA, but the front washes are almost identical.
Air dryers are a great feature if you want to reduce or eliminate reliance on toilet paper. The main downside is that it can take several minutes to get dry – the more powerful the dryer, the quicker the dry time. The good news is that both the Eco NOVA and the TOTO S550e have powerful air dryers, with the Eco NOVA’s having a bit of an edge. As a result, either one should deliver a faster dry time than the average bidet.
The TOTO S550e comes with a deodorizer that pulls air from the bowl through a carbon filter to remove odor. It’s an easy way to keep your bathroom smelling fresh without adding scents or chemicals. The Eco NOVA doesn’t come with a deodorizer. However, both the TOTO S550e and the Eco NOVA have built-in nightlights that gently illuminate the bowl, making it easier to see where you’re going in low light.
Both the Eco NOVA and the TOTO S550e offer nozzle sterilization, but the methods they use are different. The Eco NOVA has two defenses against microbial growth: an antibacterial, silver nano coating on the bidet’s internals and a UV sterilizing lamp that sanitizes the exterior of the wand and nozzles. In comparison, the TOTO S550e generates sterile, electrolyzed water (eWater+) that it uses to mist the bowl and clean the nozzles. The S550e does not have a UV sterilizing lamp.
The TOTO S550e comes with a “premist” feature that’s unique to TOTO units. The premist function automatically coats the bowl with a thin layer of water whenever someone sits down to use the bathroom. The result is a slippery surface that stops waste from sticking to the bowl, so your toilet stays clean through repeated uses.
At the start of a new wash cycle, most bidets either default to the last used water pressure, water temperature and nozzle settings or employ factory presets. This can mean re-selecting your preferred settings every time you use the bidet. That’s where user presets come in!
User presets are a nifty feature that let bidet owners program their favorite wash settings into the remote. When you’re ready to get clean, simply press your preset button and enjoy a customized wash! User presets generally only come on luxury bidets, so it’s no surprise that they are available on the TOTO S550e.
The Eco Nova doesn’t have user presets but it does offer a related feature called auto wash. Auto washing initiates a wash and dry at the touch of a button. The Eco NOVA’s auto wash is one of the longest on the market, with a 90 second wash followed by a 4 minute dry – plenty long to get you clean and on your way!
What makes auto wash different from user presets? For starters, user presets only apply to the wash, whereas auto washing provides a wash-and-dry in one. Second, user presets let you choose your specific wash settings ahead of time, whereas auto washing uses either factory presets or the last-used settings. In short, user presets provide a personalized wash at the touch of a button, whereas auto washing offers the convenience of a wash-and-dry in one.
The Eco NOVA and TOTO S550e are both controlled with a thin, sleek wireless remote. Crafted from brushed stainless steel with a contemporary rose gold finish, the Eco NOVA’s remote feels as luxurious as it looks. The black, raised buttons are easy to use and are intuitively laid out, so controlling the bidet is a snap.
A unique aspect to the Eco NOVA’s remote is that it uses a radio frequency to operate, whereas most bidet remotes use an infrared frequency. Radio frequency signals are much more difficult to disrupt than infrared signals, so the Eco NOVA’s remote functions well even in bathrooms that are small, dark in color or have partitions.
The TOTO S550e has a dual sided remote with flat, touch-sensitive controls on the front and a display screen on the back. Raised buttons below the display screen allow users to navigate a menu tree in order to configure detailed settings. On the one hand, it’s nice to have so much control over the settings. On the other hand, navigating the menu tree is cumbersome and a bit complicated. As a result, many users stick to the simpler controls on the front and don’t take advantage of the full range of features the S550e offers.
Most bidet seat lids are for decoration only, and sitting on the lid can break it or damage the electronics contained in the back of the seat. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule and the Eco NOVA is one of them! The Eco NOVA’s lid is strong enough to function as a seat, supporting up to 400 pounds. This is a terrific feature to have if you want to use your toilet as a seat while you trim toenails or help someone bathe.
The TOTO S550e’s lid cannot be used as a seat, and putting extra weight on it runs the risk of damaging the unit. However, the S550e’s lid is equipped with a sensor that automatically raises and lowers it when someone walks towards or away from the unit. This means you never have to worry about someone accidentally sitting on the lid and breaking it. Plus, it’s just convenient!
There is a downside to the S550e’s auto open/close lid; in small bathrooms, the motion sensor may get triggered even when you’re not actually walking towards the toilet to use it. This can cause the lid to open and close unnecessarily. The good news is that you can always turn off the auto open/close feature if you decide it isn’t your cup of tea.
Because bidets are personal care products, most cannot be returned if they’ve been installed nor used. However, Many Bidets offers a Risk Free Trial program on select bidet seats, including the Eco NOVA. Our risk-free trial lets you install and use the Eco NOVA for 60 days to try it out. If you decide it isn’t for you, you can return it any time within that 60-day window for a full refund. The TOTO S550e isn’t eligible for our risk-free trial program, so once you install it, it’s yours to keep!
The Eco NOVA and the TOTO S550e are built to impress, and it’s hard to go wrong with either. If you are looking for the best quality and features money can buy, we’d recommend the TOTO S550e hands down. It’s also a great choice if you want a beige unit, lots of wash options, a deodorizer, an auto open/close lid, eWater+ sterilization and premisting.
The Eco NOVA doesn’t have quite as many features as the S550e but it does offer fantastic value for the price, so it’s a good option if you’re working on a tighter budget. Notable perks include the powerful air dryer, a high weight limit, strong sittable lid, radio frequency remote and UV nozzle sterilization system.
Do you have a question we didn’t address in this review? Feel free to reach out to us. Here are a few of the quickest ways to reach our team of bidet experts:
Live Chat on our website
Phone: 248-974-4030
Email: [email protected]
Or via WhatsApp and Marco Polo
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!
We’ll help you choose the best fitting bidet with our Bidet Assessment. Experts in bidet toilet seats & bidet toilets.
Get your recommendation now!
Many Bidets’ Privacy Notice
This privacy notice discloses the privacy practices for ManyBidets.com. This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by this website.
We will use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you contacted us. We will not share your information with any third party outside of our organization, other than as necessary to fulfill your request, e.g. to ship an order.
Unless you ask us not to, we may contact you via email in the future to tell you about specials, new products or services, or changes to this privacy policy.
Your Access to and Control Over Information
You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. You can do the following at any time by contacting us via the email address or phone number given on our website.
Security
We take precautions to protect your information. When you submit sensitive information via the website, your information is protected both online and offline.
Wherever we collect sensitive information (such as credit card data), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a lock icon in the address bar and looking for “https” at the beginning of the address of the Web page.