Menu
Brands
Categories
Features
Top Rated
Brands
Categories
Features
Top Rated
Menu
Bidet design has seen a number of innovations over the past decade. Today’s bidets offer options for just about every budget and bathroom setup.
So which one is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at the types of bidets!
Classic (or standalone) bidets in bathrooms have been around since the early 1900s. They’re most frequently seen outside the United States and look like a hybrid between a toilet and a sink. The elegant look of a classic porcelain bidet will give any bathroom a touch of class that will never fade.
However, since these bidets are completely separate fixtures from your toilet, they require a lot of real estate! Lack of space is the main reason ceramic bidets have not become more popular. Unfortunately, most people’s bathrooms simply aren’t big enough to accommodate two toilet-sized units. You really need a very large bathroom for a full-sized bidet to be practical.
Classic bidets are also less user-friendly than modern options. After using the toilet, you fill the bowl with water, straddle the bidet and splash yourself to get clean. (Some of them have hose attachments to streamline the process). They’re not an ideal option if you have mobility issues or don’t want to get your hands dirty.
Thankfully, for those of us who don’t live in palaces or just prefer a hands-off approach, advances in bidet technology have led to the development of more compact, convenient options.
Also known as integrated units or “smart toilets,” bidet toilets offer a streamlined, luxurious solution for getting clean. They replace your existing toilet completely and have all the bidet functions built right in. With their modern, tankless design, bidet toilets are a seamless addition to modern bathrooms.
Bidet toilets come with the highest price tag of all the modern bidet options, but they also tend to be packed with the most premium features. In addition to providing a perfectly tailored wash, many have premium perks like automatic flushing. Some of them even clean themselves! And if space is at a premium, there are a variety of wall-mounted options that upgrade your space while maintaining a super-compact footprint.
Keep in mind that bidet toilets require some extra installation work, especially if you opt for a wall-mounted unit. Unless you’re an experienced DIYer with good plumbing know-how, your best bet is to hire a professional!
In recent years, sales of toilet seat bidets have risen significantly, even in North America. They are compact, convenient, and more affordable and easier to install than bidet toilets. And the health benefits of bidets are unquestionable. Bidet toilet seats come in a wide range of prices depending on type and features, so there’s a bidet for every budget.
Electric bidet seats have countless features. Not only can you have warm water, you can also decide how warm you want it. And, speaking of warmth, how about a toilet seat warmer? That’s another great option. From spray pressure, to spray angle, to air dryer, to deodorizer, these bidets have every option imaginable. And, as you’ve probably guessed, the price goes up with the number of options.
Bidet toilet seats come in an array of styles and colors and are a quick DIY install on just about any toilet. They’re the easiest way to enjoy a fully featured bidet cleanse.
Non-electric bidets are very reasonably priced, so they’re a solid option if you’re just dipping a toe into the bidet world and aren’t ready to commit to a pricier option. The most basic units come with one option – a cold water wash. A select few have warm water options, but these require you to run a hose to your sink’s hot water line. Plus, you’ll have to run the sink and wait for the water to warm up before you can get a warm wash.
Non-electric bidets were designed to provide an affordable, alternative, eco-friendly method of toilet hygiene – they may not be fancy, but they do work! However, they simply can’t match the experience and feature set of their electric counterparts. In almost every case, we highly recommend going with an electric option if you can make it work with your budget.
One of the lesser known bidets is the hand-held bidet, also called a Shattaf (washer) because of its Middle Eastern origins. The Shattaf is popular in Muslim communities all over the world and is gaining popularity with many non-Muslims too. A hand held bidet is simply a hose with a spray at one end connected to your toilet’s water supply. Shattafs are inexpensive, convenient, and very, very easy to install.
The advantage of a Shattaf is that, unlike with other non-electric bidets, you have much more control over the spray. The disadvantage, however, is that these bidet sprays are sometimes difficult to position with precision. They also have a tendency to leak, which can have costly consequences for your bathroom. Although these hand-held bidets may lack the luxury features you get with an electronic bidet, they are no less hygienic.
Last but not least, the portable bidet. The portable bidet is simply a small water bottle-type device with a spout designed for “paper-free” toilet hygiene – often carried by bidet users when travelling abroad, but equally popular for domestic use. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology there’s also the option of a portable electronic bidet with a battery-powered, no-need-to-squeeze, automatic spray. These devices are the ideal solution when there is no regular bidet available, but they’re not very practical for regular use. Most people find the water runs out too quickly, and there’s not enough spray pressure for effective cleaning.
If you’re thinking of investing in a bidet, the first thing you should decide is the type of bidet that will suit your needs and your budget best. And, if you’re going for an electric bidet, which options would you prefer? To find out more about the available features, check out our Bidet Buyers Guide.
If you have any questions about choosing the right bidet for you and your family, reach out to one of our bidet experts:
Meghan Oliver is a writer and content manager with Many Bidets. Her work has appeared in Nonprofit World magazine and on Psych Central, but she specializes in behind-the-scenes content for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Meghan is passionate about conservation, creatures of all kinds and the Oxford comma. When she's not writing, she's probably at the barn, on a hiking trail, in her native garden bothering the pollinators(,) or curled up with a book and a cat.
Kyle Bazylo is a lifelong entrepreneur and founder of bidet.org (now owned by Many Bidets). He transitioned to the real estate world in 2013 and now represents buyers and sellers as a REALTOR© through Selling South Winnipeg. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kevin leverages his hometown connection and passion for real estate to assist those new to or considering moving to Winnipeg through his non-profit website, www.sellingsouthwinnipeg.ca
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.
