I became a bidet enthusiast when I traveled to Japan and realized just how game-changing they can be. I used self-cleaning models with heated seats, warm water (so good), deodorizers, and even music you can play to mask sounds. After discovering what I was missing—what we’re all missing—I prayed this bathroom upgrade would start to catch on in the US. Thankfully, over the last few years, that seems to have started happening. If you’re ready to bring a bum-washer into your home, here’s everything you need to know, as well as recommendations for the very best ones.
First, what are the types of bidets?
Bidets are plumbing fixtures designed to clean your butt and backside area with a stream of water. Some look a bit like free-standing drinking fountains or urinals, while others are more like addendums to your toilet.
A bidet attachment is a device that hooks to your toilet’s water line, fits beneath your toilet seat, and usually doesn’t need any electricity to run—making it one of the most affordable types. Examples include the SELF Certified Tushy Classic, the Luxe Bidet Neo 120, and the Bio Bidet SlimEdge.
A bidet toilet seat, on the other hand, totally replaces your seat with a new one and typically has fancier built-in components (like a heated seat, dryer, deodorizer, and user presets so you can save your preferences). This kind almost always requires electricity, so before investing, be sure your toilet is within reach of an outlet (or add a grounded appliance extension cord to your cart). Some popular electric bidet models include the Toto Washlet and the SELF Certified Tushy Ace.
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Lastly, there’s the travel bidet, which is a portable device you can fill with water and aim at your booty for an on-the-go rinse. Tushy and Toto both make excellent versions.
What are the benefits of using a bidet?
Rinsing with water is gentler on your butt, Alan Kamrava, MD, a California-based colorectal and general surgeon, previously told SELF. That’s because soft, scented toilet paper and wet wipes can scrub away oils that are essential to your anal area—potentially leading to rashes and irritation.
Scratchy, dry toilet paper can end up leaving behind poop residue, Phillip J. Buffington, MD, chief medical officer of the Urology Group in Cincinnati, previously told SELF. “If we were going to take bacteria cultures around someone’s rectum after a bowel movement using a bidet versus toilet paper, it would make sense it would be cleaner with a bidet,” he says. And using less TP is a win for paper and water conservation.
What’s the best bidet?
Before you start shopping, we recommend figuring out your toilet bowl shape (round or elongated). Then consider your needs. Is this your first-ever bidet? A basic attachment could be a smart starting point. If you’re ready for a spa experience, opt for a higher-end bidet toilet seat. I can confidently say that you will not regret buying one—and will soon convince your friends to get one, too. Below, I’ve rounded up the best bidets, including unfussy, non-electric attachments and top-of-the-line toilet toppers.
