Bidet Wonderland: What are the Different Types of Bidets?

You've decided you'd like to take that leap into the world of bidets and ban the bog roll. You've made a great choice, my friend, but how do you know which one is for you? How do you know whether you're a handheld sprayer or a toilet bidet combo type? This handy guide will give you the basic low down on each type of bidet to know which one will suit your bottom-level needs. This article will discuss each of the different styles of bidets, with their pros and cons. And which one ultimately will clean your bottom-most effectively?

Handheld Bidet Sprayer

Handheld bidet sprayers (also known as a shattaf or a bidet sprayer) are handheld spray and hose combos that you aim and spray at your bum. Designed and distributed by companies like Bumwash, it works like a kitchen or a small garden hose; these handheld bidet sprayers attach to your toilet's water supply. Being extremely flexible, you direct the nozzle and squeeze the lever to unleash the water on your butt or lady parts. The force with which you press determines the intensity of the water flow. Simple. 

These handheld bidets are perfect for those of you post-op with limited mobility or those of you who have reached an age where toilet duties and traditional wiping have become a struggle. These bidet sprayers are easy to install, fully flexible, super-effective, and a low-budget bidet solution. 

Toilet Seat Bidet

Toilet seat bidets are a fixed-to-your-toilet-seat option controlled with either water pressure or by magic (electronically). These bidets for toilet seats arrive in various options. It can be an attachment that you retrofit to your toilet seat, an electric toilet seat combo, or a non-electric toilet seat combo. One of the drawbacks of the toilet seat bidet, whatever the variety, is that they have a fixed directional spray. And as we all come in various shapes and sizes only works for some. 

Bidet Attachment

A bidet attachment is a low-cost version of the combined toilet seat bidet. The attachment-style bidets are universal and can be installed directly onto your existing toilet and toilet seat, so you don't have to change the color or style of your bathroom furniture. They're usually electric and have a push-button panel to control the butt spray. You need to think about how you will power it and where your electrical supply comes from.

Electric Bidet Seat

An electric toilet seat replaces your entire toilet seat and has built-in controls. This particular bidet design became popular in Japan in the 80s and has many bum-spraying options, including warm water mode, feminine wash mode, heated seats, lights (For landing your bottom), and sometimes, they have an undercarriage drying option. Bliss. However, all this comes with a price. The bidet toilet combos are expensive, costing thousands of dollars. And, of course, you need a power supply in your bathroom to make them work. 

Non-Electric Bidet Seat

This is the non-electric version of the bidet seat combo. Like the handheld bidet sprayer, it uses pressure to spray your under-area with water. The non-electric toilet seat bidets are much more budget-friendly and can be relatively easily installed. The downside is that they need to have the flexibility of the handheld bidet sprayer. 

Toilet Bidet Combo

The king of bidets. The throne of the bathroom. Toliet bidet combos are the ultimate in bidet luxury. A wizardry of mind-boggling bidet design, the all-in-one toilet bidets are an all-singing, all-dancing, bum-polishing, Rolls Royce bum washer of the bidet world. They'll wash, dry, wash again, dry again, and deodorize your bottom beyond its natural, normal clean state. Toilet bidet combos also have many other features, such as auto-flushing, seat warming, mood lighting, and more. 

This is the only bidet where you won't need any toilet roll to dry yourself after due to its drying capabilities. Wow! I hear you say. Yeah, the downside? These toilet bidet combos are incredibly expensive and can cost thousands and thousands of your hard-earned dollars. 

The Standalone Bidet

Picture this: It's 1986, and you're at your friend's parents' house. Or your friend's house. You walk into the bathroom to do what every species in the animal kingdom does, to go and poo. (Or wee). You are then presented with a choice. A toilet, and then what's that next to the toilet? Is it a foot sink? Or a sink for children. Is it another toilet? (please, no!). Perhaps it's a dog bath? 

The standalone bidet is the oldest style of bidet. Invented by the French around 400 years ago, you squat over this one and use the bidet faucet to clean yourself. The standalone bidet can be a tricky one to use, as you have to move from the toilet to the bidet to, er operate it. Suppose you want one of these traditional-style bidets. In that case, you must consider whether you have enough space in your bathroom and whether plumbing resources are available under your bathroom floor. Otherwise, it starts getting expensive. Also, standalone bidets just don't match the cleaning talents and flexibility of a handheld bidet or toilet seat bidet.

Other Bidets Options

Other bidets include portable electric bidets and non-electric portable bidets. These are great for camping. And also in situations where you're out and about and need extra support when heading to the bathroom. There are even low-budget bottle screw-top bidets that attach to a bottle of water. Yup. Although less effective than any other bidet, it can get you out of a bind if you're camping or hiking in the bush.

Which Bidet is for You?

Whether you need a super-deluxe full-on bidet throne or the flexibility and low cost of a handheld bidet sprayer like the ones from Bumwash, they'll be a bidet that works for you and your bottom. With money being a huge factor in deciding which bidet you might go for, consider all the options available to you and how each bidet version would fit into your lifestyle and budget.