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Believe it or not, toilet seats are an integral part of our daily lives. An uncomfortable or ill-fitting toilet seat can turn a routine task into an unpleasant ordeal. That’s why it’s essential to choose the right one, not just for comfort but also for hygiene and aesthetics. But how do you navigate the myriad of options available on the market when it comes to choosing toilet seat? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will guide you through the process, ensuring you make an informed decision when selecting the best toilet seat for your needs.
Key Takeaways
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Toilet seats come in round and elongated shapes, with elongated seats being more comfortable due to a larger sitting area. It’s essential to measure your toilet bowl for a proper fit to ensure comfort and seat durability.
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Toilet seats are made from materials such as wood, which offers durability and warmth, and plastic, which is lightweight and hygienic. Eco-friendly options are also available, focusing on sustainability through the use of environmentally responsible materials and production processes.
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Additional features such as soft-close mechanisms, cushioning, bidet functionality, deodorizers, built-in nightlights, and quick-release for easy cleaning can significantly enhance the comfort and convenience of toilet seats.
Understanding Toilet Seat Shapes
Choosing the right shape for your toilet seat is integral to improving your bathroom comfort. Toilet seats are primarily available in two shapes: round and elongated. Choosing the correct shape ensures a snug fit that eliminates movement during use, elevates comfort, and prolongs the seat’s durability on the toilet bowl.
Round toilet seats are the most common and have been around for the longest time. However, elongated seats are gaining popularity due to their unique advantages. An elongated toilet seat, which is oval-shaped and slightly longer than a traditional round seat, is considered more comfortable by many users. The extra length provides a larger sitting area, making it a favorite among most people.
No matter the shape you opt for, matching it with your toilet bowl is vital. An ill-fitted seat can not only be uncomfortable and unstable but also wear out faster. Therefore, always measure your toilet bowl before purchasing a new seat to ensure the best fit.
Material Matters: Wood vs. Plastic Toilet Seats
In terms of toilet seats, the choice of material holds significant importance. The two main materials commonly used are wood and plastic. Each material offers unique advantages and can significantly impact your toilet seat experience.
Wooden toilet seats offer several advantages, and choosing a wood toilet seat can be a great decision for your bathroom. In fact, wood toilet seats are known for their sturdiness and heaviness, providing a more durable option. They also have a high-gloss finish that feels smoother on the skin. Additionally, wood toilet seats provide better temperature management, keeping you warmer on cold mornings. Lastly, they blend well with other wooden elements in your bathroom, adding a touch of nature.
It’s like having a cozy wooden bench in your bathroom.
On the other hand, plastic toilet seats have several advantages:
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Made of materials like polypropylene that provide antimicrobial properties, making them hygienic
- Perfect for households with young children or elderly members who require extra care in hygiene
Products like the Kohler Brevia and Toto Transitional SoftClose seats demonstrate the various advantages of plastic toilet seats over other toilet seats.
Enhancing Comfort: Soft-Close and Cushioned Options
Who would have thought a mere toilet seat could provide such immense comfort and luxury? Welcome to the world of soft-close and cushioned toilet seats. A soft close toilet seat is engineered to close gently and quietly when tapped, effectively preventing slamming, reducing noise, and minimizing the risk of damage to the seat or the toilet. This design also helps prevent fingers from getting pinched, making it safe for households with children.
The Toto Transitional SoftClose toilet seat and the American Standard Champion slow-close toilet seat are two excellent examples of these types of seats. The Toto Transitional SoftClose toilet seat is known for its ergonomic design, quiet-close mechanism, and availability in five color options. On the other hand, the American Standard Champion slow-close toilet seat is recognized for its user-friendly cleaning design, enabling more efficient wiping.
Now, imagine a toilet seat that feels like a comfy cushion. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it? Cushioned toilet seats are more comfortable to sit on and feel warmer upon first contact, making them especially appealing in colder climates or during winter months. A heated toilet seat can also provide similar benefits. These seats not only reduce noise but also increase comfort, enhancing the overall bathroom experience.
The Eco-Friendly Choice: Sustainable Toilet Seats
In our contemporary world, where sustainability is a paramount concern, opting for an eco-friendly toilet seat seems like a sensible choice. Sustainable toilet seats, like those from Bemis, offer durability, affordability, and environmentally responsible materials. These seats are produced using eco-friendly processes, such as recycling post-industrial plastic, and sustainable practices like using water-based paints and environmentally friendly colorants.
Bemis sustainable toilet seats come equipped with features such as simple installation, slow-close rings and covers, and durable finishes. Moreover, they are made using sustainable materials that contribute to environmental conservation. With these features, they are a top contender for the best toilet seat in terms of sustainability.
Other brands, such as Mayfair, also provide sustainable material toilet seats crafted from 100% post-industrial recycled plastic, adhering to eco-friendly principles. Besides contributing positively towards the environment, these seats also come with a matching toilet lid, enhancing your bathroom’s aesthetics.
Bidet Toilet Seats: A Modern Upgrade
Bidet toilet seats, a contemporary upgrade, offer superior hygiene advantages. They serve a dual purpose of a toilet seat and a personal hygiene system, offering a refreshing experience. The bidet experience is well-received by users, with most people being satisfied with even the basic models and not feeling the need to upgrade to a larger, warm-water electric model.
Types of Bidet Seats
Bidet seats come in various types, including electric and non-electric models. Electric models typically offer more features, providing an advanced bidet experience, while non-electric models such as the Bio Bidet SlimEdge Attachment provide a simpler, more introductory experience. This diversity allows you to choose a bidet seat that suits your needs and budget.
Electric bidet seats provide extra features like warm water and customizable settings, enhancing the bidet experience. In contrast, non-electric models lack these capabilities and don’t offer hot water. However, they are simpler to install and provide an introductory bidet experience, making them a good starting point for first-time users.
When choosing an electric bidet seat, consider features such as standard washing and drying abilities, various settings for water texture and pressure, and user presets for added convenience. Models like the BioBidet USPA 6800U and Brondell Swash LE99 are designed to offer a wide range of features to accommodate different preferences.
Key Features to Look For
While shopping for a bidet toilet seat, pay attention to key features that enhance the seat’s usability and allow for customization. Some important features to consider include:
- Adjustable stream settings for pressure and location
- Temperature control for the water
- Heated seat option
- Air dryer function
- Remote control for easy operation
These features play a crucial role in improving the usability and customization of the bidet toilet seat, contributing to a more comfortable and efficient user experience.
Temperature settings are another essential feature to consider. Advanced bidet seats like the Toto Washlet C5 can provide water temperatures up to 97 degrees Fahrenheit, with adjustable settings to accommodate various user preferences.
Other typical comfort features include warm water cleaning, a heated seat, and a blow dryer for added hygiene and comfort. Furthermore, user presets on bidet toilet seats remember personal settings for water pressure, temperature, and nozzle position. This eliminates the need for repetitive setup and ensures a consistent and desirable experience with each use.
Additional Features to Consider
Beyond the shape, material, and type of toilet seat, there exist other features that can further enrich your toilet seat experience. Deodorizing toilet seats, for instance, work by eliminating unpleasant odors, keeping your bathroom fresh and clean.
Another feature to consider is the inclusion of a built-in nightlight. A nightlight toilet seat provides illumination during nighttime bathroom visits, which can be especially useful in the dark, preventing stumbles and falls. This feature adds a touch of modernity and convenience to your bathroom.
Lastly, a quick-release toilet seat provides the convenience of easy removal for cleaning. The quick-release attachments simplify the cleaning process for the underside of the seat and between the hinges. A clean and well-maintained toilet seat not only looks better but also lasts longer.
Measuring and Compatibility: Ensuring the Perfect Fit
Guaranteeing a perfect fit of your new toilet seat on your toilet bowl is indispensable. This involves taking accurate measurements and understanding your toilet’s specific requirements. Compatibility is the critical factor to consider when purchasing a new toilet seat to ensure a perfect fit.
The first step to accurately measure your toilet seat is to measure the distance from the back bolts to the front of the bowl. Then, measure the distance between the bolts, and finally measure the widest part of the bowl. These measurements will guide you in choosing the right toilet seat shape and size.
Typical size categories for toilet seats are round, usually measuring 16-17 inches in length, and elongated, generally measuring 18-19 inches in length. Always remember that a well-fitted toilet seat not only enhances comfort but also extends its lifespan.
Installation and Maintenance Tips
Proper installation and maintenance of your toilet seat is key to its long-lasting use. Here are the steps to remove and install a toilet seat:
- To remove a toilet seat, open the bolt caps at the back of the seat to access the bolts.
- Hold the bolt with a screwdriver and loosen the nut with channel locks.
- When installing a new seat, position the new seat and align the bolts with the holes.
- Tighten the nuts while holding the bolts in place.
Bidet seats follow a similar installation process, but additional steps may be required for tankless toilets. The ease of installation is crucial as it guarantees a quick and uncomplicated installation process, particularly for seats with additional features or attachments.
To clean and maintain a toilet seat, follow these steps:
- Wear rubber gloves for protection.
- Ensure the room is well-ventilated.
- Use a bathroom cleaner to clean the toilet seat.
- Scrub the toilet seat with an abrasive sponge or brush.
- Rinse the toilet seat thoroughly.
- Dry the toilet seat after cleaning for proper maintenance.
A clean and well-maintained toilet seat not only ensures hygiene but also extends the life of the seat.
Top Picks for 2023: Best Toilet Seats in Different Categories
Having delved into the details of toilet seats, let’s now inspect some of the top contenders for 2023. According to consumer reviews, the BEMIS 1500EC 390 is regarded as the best overall toilet seat for 2023. It’s praised for its perfect blend of comfort, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
If you’re looking for the best cushioned toilet seat, consider the Vive Toilet Seat Cushion. It’s designed to provide extra comfort and support, making it the perfect choice for those with back problems or those who spend a significant amount of time on the toilet.
For those interested in bidet toilet seats, the Toto Washlet C5 is a top contender. Recognized as the top bidet toilet seat of 2023, it is known for its user-friendly design, convenient remote control layout, and the option to deactivate bothersome or unnecessary functions. It provides a refreshing and hygienic experience that is hard to match.
Summary
In conclusion, choosing the right toilet seat can significantly enhance your bathroom experience. From selecting the correct shape and material to considering additional features like soft-close, cushioned options, and even bidet attachments, there are numerous factors to consider. Additionally, sustainable options and user-friendly installation and maintenance tips can further improve your experience. With our top picks for 2023, you’re now equipped with all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision and choose the best toilet seat for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which toilet seat to buy?
To know which toilet seat to buy, measure from the middle of the holes in the toilet bowl to the front rim of the bowl. If the measurement is around 16-1/2 inches, you need a round seat. If it's around 18-1/2 inches, you need an elongated seat.
Do toilet seats fit all toilets?
No, not all toilet seats fit the same because toilets come in a variety of different shapes, so you'll need to check yours before buying.
What to look out for when buying a toilet seat?
When buying a toilet seat, it's essential to ensure the right size for comfort and a firm hold. Consider the material and cost as well, but prioritize finding a seat that fits your toilet well and feels comfortable to sit on.
Should a toilet seat overhang the toilet?
No, the toilet seat should cover the bowl completely without overhanging or leaving a gap around the edge.
Why is it important to select the correct shape for a toilet seat?
It's important to select the correct shape for a toilet seat to prevent movement while in use, enhance comfort, and extend the seat's lifespan on the toilet bowl.
