We've tested 30 bidets and counting, and these are the 5 best for every need

For a reasonable price, the Coway Bidetmega 400 Electronic Bidet Seat offers all of the common high-end amenities, including a nightlight, warm air dryer, and an intuitive remote controller.

Pros: Strong water pressure, water heated up to 97 degrees in our tests, easy to use, heated seat, warm air dryer, adjustable nozzle positions for front and rear washes, easy to install

Cons: Remote doesn't pair with seat automatically, minimal one-year warranty

The Bidetmega 400 Electronic Bidet Seat is one of three Coway bidets I tested for this guide. This one came out on top because it received high marks in every category except warranty. It only has the industry-standard one-year warranty, while a few other units in our guide offer longer.

The Bidetmega 400 heated water up to a comfortable 97 degrees Fahrenheit in my tests and produced strong enough pressure for a thorough cleaning. Plus, there are four temperature options and three pressure strengths to set the water flow to your needs. The basic functions are intuitive to use with the handy remote control, though I was a little annoyed that the remote didn't automatically pair with the seat once I powered it up. I had to reference the user manual for that step.

The seat fits my toilet well and stays in place. It's wider than most, which I appreciated because I have a larger posterior. The lid of the seat was also supportive and comfortable for sitting. 

The Bidetmega 400 features most of the amenities you'd expect from a high-end bidet toilet seat. The blue night light illuminates the toilet bowl, which makes it easy to find in the dark. The dryer has four levels of heat and gets plenty hot. It does an excellent job of drying after washing, which minimizes the need for toilet paper. There are also four levels of seat heating — up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit — or you can keep it off to save energy.

Lastly, the 400 has three preprogrammed cleaning modes: basic, active, and soothing. Basic is designed for general use. The active mode moves the stream of water around for a more thorough cleaning, while the soothing mode offers more gentle care. The Bidetmega 400 is my main bidet, and I prefer active mode.

With the Omigo Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat, you can control the nozzle position, pressure, and spray width to customize the water flow to meet your needs.

Pros: Three-year warranty, three spray width options, seven nozzle positions for the front and rear, easy to use remote controller, strong pressure, simple installation

Cons: Lid is unpleasant to sit on, need to have an outlet near the toilet or an extension cord to operate (as is the case with any electric unit)

What sets the Omigo Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat apart from other bidets in our guide is the adjustable spray width. You can pick from three settings, ranging from a targeted cleaning to a broader wash. Additionally, as with all bidet seats, you can adjust the water pressure, which gets plenty strong. The Omigo Luxury offers seven nozzle positions in both the rear and front, which is more than most electric seats. Alternatively, you can choose to have the nozzle oscillate.

The easy-to-use remote, numerous features, and overall design remind me of my previous favorite bidet, the Brondell Swash 1400, which has been surpassed by a few worthy contenders, including other Brondell models. The Omigo Luxury is about $65 cheaper than the Swash 1400, and in my tests, it did a better job of heating water. I also found the heated seat and air dryer stayed plenty warm.

The Omigo Luxury has an outstanding three-year warranty so you can count on it lasting. Plus, the installation process was seamless, and the seat fit my bowl perfectly and stayed put. 

The biggest negative for me is the lid design. It has a 270-pound weight limit, and it's angled forward so much that it's unpleasant to sit on. The seat is nice and has a 330-pound capacity, but don't plan on sitting on the lid while clipping your toenails or performing other tasks.

If you have extra money to spend and are looking for a bidet that provides nonstop warm water, the Bio Bidet Bliss BB2000 Smart Toilet Seat is an attractive solution.

Pros: Strong water pressure, vortex wash, attractive appearance, continuous warm water, hot air drying, heated seat, five nozzle positions for each the front and rear, three-year warranty

Cons: Unintuitive remote control, the nightlight is positioned on the side rather than illuminating the bowl interior

In my testing, the Bio Bidet Bliss BB2000 Smart Toilet Seat performed in all categories. It has an attractive appearance with a stainless-steel look. The remote control with its large, easy-to-read screen is the fanciest I've seen. 

My favorite part was the intensity of the water pressure. There are five pressure levels, including a "vortex wash" that is designed to "stimulate bowel movements" with its enema-like pressure. Sensitive individuals will want to avoid this feature, and everyone else should proceed with caution, but testing showed that it works as advertised.

There are three water temperature levels, but even on its highest setting, the BB2000 only got up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This is warm enough for most, but at this price point I would have liked to have seen higher temperatures. Fortunately, the water stays consistently warm, even during longer cleans.

Installation was a breeze: It only took me about 10 minutes (not counting the time I needed to remove the old seat) and I appreciate that the mounting plate keeps the seat in place without wiggling. The Bio Bidet Bliss is covered by a three-year full coverage warranty. 

The biggest negatives I could find were the nightlight and confusing operation. Instead of a night light in the toilet bowl, the BB2000's night light is on the side illuminating the on-seat controls. This might be helpful when sitting on the toilet but it's less so when taking aim while standing up in the middle of the night. Also, I didn't find the remote control to be intuitive. I had to leaf through the user manual to figure out the symbols and how to access all of the functions. 

The Brondell LE89 Swash Electronic Bidet Seat has many high-end features, including warm water cleaning, hot air drying, and a heated seat, without a high-end price.

Pros: Water gets up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit, heated seat, warm air drying, five front and rear nozzle positions

Cons: Pressure could have been stronger, no remote, the lid isn't comfortable for sitting

I've tested half a dozen Brondell bidets over the years and the Swash 1400 was my main bidet for a long time, but during testing, the LE89 Swash Electronic Bidet Seat worked nearly as well for less than half the price. I was particularly impressed with how hot the water got in my tests — it reached 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

The heated seat and air dryer also achieved high temps. Plus, there are several comfort settings so you can go with lower temps or even choose Eco Mode, which provides a good balance of electricity use and comfort.

Installation should take you less than half an hour, and you can do it with nothing more than a flathead screwdriver, though you might also want a wrench. I liked how securely the seat fit my toilet bowl without any movement, and it looks nice on my toilet. However, the lid tilts forward and isn't the best for sitting on for long periods.

Aside from a few specialized settings, the controls are intuitive to use, but I don't like that they're installed on the seat so you have to turn to your right to see them. There's no remote controller. This might be a problem for individuals with mobility issues. 

The only other negative I found was I would have preferred more powerful water pressure, but I like it stronger. Most people will find that the LE89 is powerful enough for their needs. More sensitive individuals will appreciate the softer end of the five pressure settings.

If you don't have an electrical outlet near your toilet or just want to give a bidet a try before investing more money, the Tushy Spa Premium Warm Water Bidet Attachment is a stylish, versatile solution.

Pros: Doesn't require electricity, the water gets as hot as your water heater can supply, strong pressure, virtually limitless nozzle positions, nine color options

Cons: Easy for kids to squirt water all over; no high-end features like a heated seat, dryer, nightlight, etc.

For the most part, non-electric bidets aren't as good as electric varieties. However, the non-electric attachments do have their benefits. I think the Tushy Spa Premium Warm Water Bidet Attachment exhibits all of the superior features of the power-free units. 

The attachment has a hose that connects to the hot water inlet under your sink. After installing the hose, you may want to tape it to the floor to avoid a tripping hazard. Since you are relying on your home's hot water, the attachment can provide water as hot as your heater is capable of supplying. For me, it was 113 degrees Fahrenheit, which is too hot, but it's easy to adjust the bidet's flow to a more moderate temperature. 

If having a hot water hose running along your floor doesn't sound appealing, you can choose the Tushy Classic, which doesn't have warm water. Alternatively, you can skip installing the warm water hose of the Spa altogether.

The Tushy Spa also allows you to control the water pressure intensity and the nozzle position. Since both functions rely on levers, there are virtually infinite intensities and positions, and the pressure at its strongest is much more than you'll need. You'll want to be careful you don't turn it on too high.

Since there are so few functions, the Tushy Spa is easy to use and much less expensive than an electric seat. Plus, since it's just an attachment, you can use it with any toilet seat you want. Another great thing about Tushy is its nine color options. 

Read more about Tushy products

We tested more than two dozen bidet toilet seats and attachments while researching this guide. Here are some models that missed the cut for our guide but that you may still want to consider.

What else we recommend and why:

Bio Bidet USPA A8 Serenity: There's a lot to like about this bidet, and it's almost as good as our top pick. The A8 gets plenty warm and has enough pressure to thoroughly clean you. It features a heated seat and air dryer. And, it comes with a three-year warranty. However, the remote was a little confusing to use with unintuitive symbols, and we didn't like that the lid wasn't comfortable for sitting. Still, if our top pick isn't available, this is a worthy alternative.

Toto Washlet C5: The C5 is an update of the Toto Washlet C200, which we've recommended previously. The new model has a variety of self-cleaning features that most users will notice, such as pre-misting the toilet bowl to reduce the chance of material sticking. While it performed well, at this price point, we'd like to see a longer warranty than the standard one year. Also, the lid isn't comfortable for sitting. However, it might be worth considering if you find it on sale.

Toto Washlet C2: This is an update to the C100, which we also recommended in the past. The C2 is essentially the same as the C5. The difference is the C5 is controlled with a remote, while the C2 relies on controls attached to the right side of the seat.

Brondell GoSpa: This one is for the serious bidet fans who want a portable option. The GoSpa is a travel bidet that stays in my overnight bag and goes with me everywhere. It has a 13.5-ounce reservoir/bottle attached to a nozzle. You fill the bottle with tap water before you sit on the toilet. Once you're done, you aim the nozzle at the area you want to clean and squeeze the bottle for a makeshift bidet experience.  

What we don't recommend and why:

Whisper Bidet: This is a relatively new brand of bidets, and we didn't find anything that made it stand out. It's a basic non-electric bidet attachment. You can't adjust the water temp. You're stuck with the temp of the water feeding into your toilet. There's only one nozzle position, which make it easy to use, but it would be nice to make adjustments. We think the Tushy Spa or Classic with their nozzle adjustments are better attachments.

Brondell Swash S102 Non-Electric: The S102 features a warm water hookup that attaches to the hot water connection under your sink — like the Tushy Spa. The pressure is outstanding, and it has an attractive appearance. However, the knobs are hard to read, and as with other non-electric bidets, you're missing a lot of features that make a bidet a luxury experience. If you're going non-electric, we think you'd be better off with the more affordable Tushy Spa.

Kohler C3-430: The water consistently stayed at the temperature I wanted, the pressure was strong and adjustable, and the remote control was easy to use once I get the hang of it. But, at this price point, I'd expect the bidet to have a dryer. I also couldn't get this to stay securely in place.

Kohler C3-230: This has a dryer, but it didn't perform as well as the C3-430 in other categories. I couldn't get it to stay in place either.

American Standard Advanced Clean SpaLet 2.0: American Standard has been a trusted name in the bathroom fixture space for nearly a century. The SpaLet 2.0 is a quality unit with excellent warm water and pressure cleaning. Plus, it has plenty of options for a custom wash. However, I feel strongly that if you're going to be spending more than $300 on a bidet seat, it should be able to dry you, and this model doesn't have a dryer. 

I installed the bidets on a Mansfield Waverly Toilet and put them through several tests. The most important bidet factors to consider are performance, ease of use, and adjustment options.

Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:

Ease of use: There are three types of controls used on most bidet seats: on-seat buttons, on-seat dials, and remote controls. The easiest to use are the remote controls because you need to twist to your right to view the other two options, which may be a deal-breaker for individuals with mobility issues. Another way to make bidet seats easy to use is to have clear, simple-to-understand graphics or words that tell you what each button is for. I examined the controls myself and also questioned my wife about her experiences to see if she could figure out the functions without reading the user manual.

Pressure: Whether washing dishes or using a hose, anyone who has used water to clean knows that stronger pressure means an easier, more thorough cleaning. Well, the same is true using a bidet. Since I don't have a device for measuring PSI, this was a subjective test based on my personal experiences. I tend to like very strong pressure. If a unit was strong enough for me and featured at least three pressure adjustment options, including a gentle flow for sensitive people, then it received high marks.

Water temperature: Upping the temperature of the water you're cleaning with will also help. So, I looked for bidet toilet seats that can produce hot water, usually around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not so hot that it will scald you, but warm enough to get the job done. I tested the temperature by running the bidet on its highest water temperature, collecting the water in a container, and measuring it with a probe thermometer. I also looked for at least three temperature options in addition to ambient.

Seat fit and look: If the seat doesn't fit right on your toilet, it won't function properly and will look awful. I took notes on how easy it was to securely install the seat. I also assessed how good the seat felt on my posterior and whether the lid was supportive and comfortable to sit on. Lastly, I looked at how attractive it looks on the toilet. Were the cords and hoses sticking out everywhere? Did the controls look ugly or intimidating?

Nozzle positions: We're all made differently, and we all have different preferences. Bidets should have enough nozzle positions to deliver water right where you want it without making you move around a lot.

Extra features: The best bidets have several less-than-necessary features that just make bathroom trips more enjoyable. At the top of the list is drying. Next is a heated seat, especially on those cold winter mornings. And, if you have a youngster in the house, you'll want a bidet that only activates when significant pressure is applied to the seat, like when you're sitting on it. Otherwise, your young one can send water everywhere.

Warranty: All but four of the bidets we tested have one-year warranties. The four outliers have three-year warranties, and each cost more than $500. In my 5+ years of owning bidets, I've never experienced a malfunction, but if you are particularly risk-averse, you may want to choose a bidet with a longer warranty.

How do you install a bidet? 

To install a bidet, remove your toilet set. Then turn off your toilet's water supply. Install the supplied T-valve to your toilet's water supply line and mount the bidet to the toilet. Then connect the bidet to the water supply.

For more detailed instructions, check out your bidet's user manual or read our article on how to install a bidet toilet seat.

Will my bidet fit my toilet seat?

There are two types of toilets: round and elongated. To figure out what you have, measure from the toilet's front lip to where the seat attaches. If the distance is 16.5 inches, order a round bidet toilet seat. If 18.5 inches, get an elongated model.

How does a bidet work?

Bidets work by squirting a concentrated stream of water at your rear or front to clean off the debris left behind after going to the bathroom. You can adjust the water pressure to your comfort level. We recommend starting with gentle pressure.

How do I use a bidet? 

If you have an electric bidet, press the appropriate cleaning button. When done, press the stop button and pat yourself dry or use the bidet's dryer. If you have a non-electric bidet, turn the water pressure knob slowly to the pressure you want.

For more detailed instructions, check out our article about how to use a bidet.

Is a bidet better than toilet paper?

Using a bidet minimizes itching, infection, and pain that can come from wiping, according to Heidi Bahna, MD, a colon and rectal surgery specialist at Palm Beach Colorectal Surgery. The improved hygiene especially benefits people with bowel disorders.

Do you still need to use toilet paper after using a bidet?

Yes. Toilet paper is useful for ensuring you're clean down there. If your bidet doesn't have an air dryer, use toilet paper to dry off.

Are bidets hygienic?

Bidets are as hygienic as your toilet, said Evan Goldstein, MD, an anal surgeon at Bespoke Surgical and Future Method. Today's bidets have built-in mechanisms to clean the nozzle. "Using bidets helps foster happy and healthy behinds," he added.

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