Bathroom Tech Trends for 2025: Are Smart Toilets Worth It?

Smart toilets are emerging as the latest restroom craze for 2025 and Australian retailers have reported a rapid spike in interest over last year. But with price tags that begin around $2,500 and rise steeply beyond $10,000, the question on every renovator's mind is: are smart toilets worth it?
Bathroom technology is changing so quickly, says Greg von Einem, National Marketing Manager of Linkware Australia. "There is certainly a trend towards higher-end fixturing with sensor and touch on/off technology if available," he said. "These innovations are transforming bathrooms into smart personalised rooms of luxury which achieve a great balance between stylishness and functionality."

What Makes a Toilet “Smart”?

When it comes to baseline features, they automatically flush, provide heated seats and feature built-in bidets that offer varied streams of water pressure and temperatures. State-of-the-art versions have LED lighting, automatic deodorisers, are self-cleaning, and there's even models that connect to your phone via Bluetooth.
Mehdi Khachani, a professional plumber and the founder of JMK Plumbing, said the technology has come a long way. "Smart toilets have several benefits over traditional ones," he said. "They're often equipped with advanced flushing systems which save on the amount of water used while in operation to provide high efficiency and environmental friendliness. Dual-flush models are available, where the flow rate of water is chosen based on how much waste is being evacuated and to conserve water usage."

The Hygiene Factor

For many homeowners, it is hygiene that makes an upgrade most appealing. And with a built-in bidet feature that offers adjustable settings, you'll use less toilet paper—which is better for the environment and far more hygienic.
"Most smart toilets are hands-free, with automatic flushing and lid opening/closing features," Mehdi said. "This contactless feature also keeps germs and bacteria at bay. Beyond that, some models have a built-in bidet function, with settings that are adjustable for personalised comfort and cleanliness."

Cost Considerations

At the entry-level end, smart toilets in Australia are generally around $2,500, while at the middle of the range prices range from $4,000 to $7,000. Premium models can top $10,000 before the installation is added in.
Installation expenses are often overlooked. The vast majority of smart toilets require an electrical connection, and if your bathroom isn't already powered for it, the additional expense adds up. Trades costs for an electrician to add power points can come close in price to a basic smart toilet, so it's an essential consideration at planning stage.
"But it's important to put this in perspective with the positive, long-term impact from conservation of water resources and the power required to deliver them," Mehdi said. "You might think that you're spending more, but when everything in bill form is accounted for, they can be less expensive overall."

Maintenance Considerations

Upkeep is another thing to consider. "With the technological advancements featured in smart toilets, occasional maintenance or troubleshooting may be necessary," Mehdi said. "Homeowners should be prepared for the possibility of technical difficulties and should look into customer service or warranty options."
They are no longer just porcelain fixtures—they're high-tech contraptions that require occasional service and replacement parts. Which makes the warranty and local service support suddenly much more important than with a regular toilet.

Future-Proofing Your Home

Smart toilets represent a larger trend in bathroom tech. One day soon, what looks like science fiction today is likely to be standard in five years. For homeowners who intend to settle into their property and never leave it, or for those who are renovating a house in hopes of one day selling it—for both groups, adding a smart toilet can be strategic.

Who Might Want a Smart Toilet?

"Although they may have a higher upfront investment and potential maintenance costs, the long-term benefits make them a worthwhile inclusion in the contemporary home," Mehdi said.
The verdict is pretty unanimous: whether smart toilets are worth it or not is really up to you and your own lifestyle, and how much you're willing to spend. If you truly love all things smart and techie, or if you have mobility issues that would benefit from automatic features, or if you are already mulling a high-end bathroom remodel, then yes, they are worth looking into.
But if installing one now would have you stretching your renovation budget, or you're really not tech-savvy and the thought of troubleshooting toilet technology makes you crazy, then maybe hold out. A beautifully designed bathroom with high-quality traditional fixtures will always trump a smart toilet that doesn't suit your lifestyle or causes you endless frustration.

A Compromise Option

Testing the technology without making a major investment is now possible, thanks to smart toilet seats that can be retrofitted on existing toilets and offer many of the same features—heated seats, bidet functions, automatic opening and closing—for $800 to $2,000. It's a low-risk way to try the technology before you commit to replacing an entire toilet.

The Final Verdict

Smart toilets are reaching a watershed moment, transitioning from novelty item to must-have commodity more quickly than many industry watchers had predicted. The tech is mature, the prices are getting right, and there's actual utility that will genuinely improve most people's day-to-day lives.
They're worth considering as part of any major bathroom renovation—not just for potentially adding resale value, but even more critically, for how you live in and enjoy your bathroom every day.