Bidet Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Bidet

Bidets are revolutionising how homeowners use their toilets. Bidets were invented to replace toilet paper in modern bathrooms.
The reasons for this are simple. While bidets outperform toilet paper in terms of sanitation, they also help save money by cutting expenses on toilet paper. Plus, some homeowners are more interested in the gentler, more pleasant experience that bidets offer. Of course, the softest of paper cannot compete with the softness of water.
However, when choosing a bidet, many people run into challenges with knowing the right one to go for, and this is not uncommon. Since bidets are not cheap, it makes sense to choose the right one.
This bidet buying guide discusses the essential factors to consider when picking the right bidet for your toilet.

white floor-mounted toilet with handheld bidet sprayer beside wooden vanity in tiled bathroom

Factors to Consider When Buying a Toilet Bidet

Understand the Available Types of Bidets

Your first task when buying a bidet that works for you and your toilet is to understand the available types. Bidets are available in different types, and it is important that you choose the one that matches your lifestyle.

Standalone Bidets

A traditional bidet is a bidet invented to be installed separately from the toilet but offer optimal functionality. They take the look of the toilet but are equipped with faucets and drains, instead of tanks and bowls.
The downside of these bidets is that they are expensive to get and complicated to install. Plus, a traditional bidet takes more bathroom space.
When installing a traditional, standalone bidet, note that you can go for a floor- or wall-mounting model.

Date: Apr 4, 2020 Title: How to Install a Handheld Bidet Sprayer | Quick & Easy Description: A step-by-step tutorial showing how to install a handheld bidet sprayer on a toilet using a simple T-valve connection. The video demonstrates a quick, beginner-friendly setup that requires minimal tools and plumbing experience. Video Credit: Jaymie and Josh

Bidet Add-Ons

If you own a compact bathroom space, you will find more value in a bidet add-on, such as a bidet spray or bidet toilet seat. These bidets come with the toilet, which means the two designs come as one unit, ultimately eliminating the need for separate installations.
When shopping for a bidet add-on for your toilet, you have three options: handheld bidets (bidet jet sprays), bidet toilet seats, and bidet attachments.

Set a Realistic Bidet Budget

Now that you understand the available bidet types, it’s time to set a budget for your bidet.
How much you are willing to part with when picking a bidet influences your choice of bidet. Except you have an endless amount of money to spend, it makes sense to set limits on how much you are willing to spend.
If you are on a tight budget, the low costs of bidet jet sprays and bidet attachments ($30-$150) will appeal to your interest. While these bidets are affordable, they also don’t require special installation skills.
If you are willing to raise your budget a bit, adding a bidet toilet seat to your toilet will give you more features while meeting your budget ($50-$200 for non-electric and $300-$2000 for electric models). Although they are a bit pricier than bidet sprays and bidet toilet seats, they don’t require professional installation, meaning reduced installation costs.
When going for a traditional bidet, expect to spend between $300 and $1,500, excluding installation.

Consider Water Pressure and Temperature Adjustments

The satisfaction you get from your bidet depends on the water pressure from the bidet. The good news is that some models of bidets offer adjustable water pressure. This means that you can adjust the water pressure to your desired level.
For example, a traditional bidet comes with a faucet that lets you turn the pressure up or down. Some bidet toilet seats and attachments also come with this feature.
Additionally, for the best experience, go for a bidet with an adjustable water temperature feature.

chrome handheld bidet sprayer with wall-mounted mixer valve on white tiled bathroom wall

Ease of Use Matters

Bidets differ in terms of ease of use. While you need time to get familiar with your choice of toilet bidet, some are easier to use than others.
The best bidet option for ease of use is a simple bidet attachment. With this option, you can stay where you are on your toilet or only change your position a little bit to use your bidet. Bidets with adjustable nozzles enhance this by making it possible to point the water stream in the direction you want.
Unfortunately, this cannot be said for traditional bidets, as they require you to leave the toilet and bend down to the right position to do the washing. This poses accessibility challenges that are difficult to navigate.
It would be unfair not to acknowledge the remote feature in bidet toilet seats. The remote control is mounted to the seat or a nearby wall and lets you make adjustments without standing from your position.

Choose Between Non-Electric and Electric Bidets

Choosing between an electric and a non-electric bidet is specifically for bidet toilet seats and attachments.
Although most toilet bidets are non-electrical, you will be missing out on a few extra features if you go non-electric, as most of the great features in electric bidets are found missing in non-electric counterparts.
For example, an electric bidet gives you features like drying, a heated seat, and customisation settings, all for optimal comfort.

person installing chrome bidet sprayer hose connection under bathroom sink with wrench

Don’t Forget the Ease of Installation

Are you planning to install your bidet yourself, or do you not mind paying a professional plumber for the installation? Your choice here helps zoom in on your list of bidets.
Unless you are a certified plumber, a traditional bidet is not what you can install on your own and should be left for a professional installer.
However, if you’re a DIY enthusiast looking for something you can install on your own in a couple of hours, bidet attachments (bidet sprays and bidet toilet seats) are a better DIY option. With the installation instructions and the help of people around, you can complete your bidet installation without breaking a sweat.
Regardless, you want to check the installation process required for your choice of bidet before making the final decision.

Choose Durability

The worst experience you will have with your bidet is to watch it break down after a few days or weeks of use. This is why you must go for a durable bidet that promises to serve you for several years.
One way to pick cues of your product’s durability is to check the warranty offered. A strong warranty is the brand’s way of telling you that they trust the product to last for a long time without compromising on functionality.

electronic bidet toilet seat with side control panel showing wash, dry, and stop buttons

FAQs

Does bidet water come from the toilet tank?

No, your bidet doesn’t rely on water from the toilet tank. It rather taps water from your home’s water supply.

How much does a bidet cost?

How much to spend on a bidet depends on your choice of product. Regardless, traditional bidets are more expensive, costing between $300 and $1,500. Bidet add-ons like bidet sprays are for shoppers on lower budgets, with costs ranging from $50 to $200 for a non-electric model.

Can I install my bidet myself?

Whether you can install your bidet yourself depends, again, on the bidet you go for. Traditional bidets are generally not what you can install on your own. However, bidet toilet seats and attachments don’t require special plumbing skills, and you can fit them yourself.