If you are buying a toilet seat for the first time, you might realize that it can be quite challenging. There are many things that should be considered to make the right choice according to your needs. Luckily, with this buying guide, we will make the process of buying much easier for you.
Table of Contents
Types of Toilet Seats – Suit Your Needs
Basically, there are two types of toilet seats: round and elongated. They are visually different, but also, both types of toilet seats have their pros and cons.
- Elongated toilet seats. As the name suggests, these toilet seats are slightly longer than traditional models, and people also find them more comfortable. However, if you want to buy an elongated seat, be ready to pay a bit more.
- Round toilet seats. These are the seats that you can find in most homes. They cost a bit less than elongated models, but also, they are 16.5 inches long and don’t provide such comfort. Like elongated seats, you can find them in many colors and materials.
Consider the Comfort
There are a few things that directly affect the comfort of the toilet seat. If you consider comfort to be an important factor, be sure to check them out before buying.
For example, as mentioned, the shape of the seat directly affects comfort. Additionally, you should also consider the material. If you buy a wooden seat, it won’t get as cold as a plastic model during the cold winter days.
You might also want to buy a soft, or a padded seat. A padded seat is also warmer and will make the overall experience better. Also, make sure that the toilet is properly secured to the bowl and that it doesn’t wiggle around when you seat.
Few Comparisons
Deciding on what type of mounting you need as the bolt-and-nut mount can be helpful at the beginning. However, this mounting type will be challenging to remove as you will need to drill out the bolts. Conventional bolt-and-nut mounting is much easier to remove, and most standard toilets still use them.
Lastly, you will need to decide on whether you want a wood, plastic, or even ceramic toilet seat. However, most toilet seats have durable and thick plastic or wooden seats covered in a layer of polyethylene. Plastic seats are available in many colors but will be the coldest in the winter. Also, they are more likely to scratch and scuff.
Wooden toilet seats will be warmer in the winter months. However, wooden toilet seats are more likely to crack and stain. Also, think about padding, especially if you have children or older adults in the household.
Toilet Seat Top 10 Reviews
1. Kohler White Plastic Seat
This seat is made polypropylene that is known to resist staining, scuffing and scratching plus it offers effortless cleaning.
Customers can choose from round and elongated models plus the hinges are color matched and very simple to install and remove.
Moreover, customers can choose from 5 different seat colors ensuring you get the best toilet seat that matches your bathroom décor.
2. Bath Royale Deluxe White Seat
All customers have to do is press the bottom and watch the seat quietly close hence this model will be great for small children and elderly people.
Moreover, the seat is easy to remove for cleaning plus the plastic material used does not stain or absorb any moisture hence it does not breed germs and bacteria.
Customers have reported loving this toilet seat plus it stays pretty warm in the colder months and customers could buy additional padding.
3. Kohler Color Matched Hinges Plastic Oval Seat
Customers can choose from round and elongated models plus the hinges are color matched and very simple to install and remove.
Moreover, customers can choose from 5 different seat colors ensuring you get the best toilet seat that matches your bathroom décor.
4. Mayfair Soft Round White Seat
Customers could easily remove the seat for cleaning plus the padding can be cleaned with a damp cloth soaked in a mild soap solution.
Moreover, the seat is made in the United States under strict quality control plus the manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty.
This model is available for round and elongated toilets and you can choose from four different colors.
The packaging box comes with a clear instruction booklet as well as all the screws and bolts you will need hence you could install the seat quickly with no hassle at all.
5. Mayfair Slow-Close Oval Seat
Customers can be sure that the seat will close slowly without making much noise plus if you have small children in the family you would not have to worry about their little fingers getting pinched.
Moreover, it is really simple to install as you would only need to snap it in place without using any screws, bolts and long instruction manuals.
Furthermore, this Mayfair seat is very durable as it is double-coated so as to resist scratching and scuffing.
6. Bemis White Plastic Elongated Seat
All customers have to do is press the bottom and watch the seat quietly close hence this model will be great for small children and elderly people.
Moreover, the seat is easy to remove for cleaning plus the plastic material used does not stain or absorb any moisture hence it does not breed germs and bacteria.
Customers have reported loving this toilet seat plus it stays pretty warm in the colder months and customers could buy additional padding.
7. American Standard Champion Slow Bone Seat for Round Toilets
American Standard
Moreover, it is made from a material that heats up very quickly under your skin thus you would not have to sit on a cold seat for a long period of time.
The manufacturer has ensured that customers will have a chance to pick the best toilet seat that will fit right in with their bathroom décor and this is why they have designed this toilet seat in six different colors.
Plus, American Standard round toilet seat comes with a 2-year old warranty and has been reported to be extremely sturdy and durable.
8. Genie Elongated White Plastic Seat
![GenieBidet Seat-Self Cleaning Dual Nozzles. Rear & Feminine Cleaning - No wiring required. Simple 20-45 minute installation or less. Hybrid T with ON/OFF Included! [Travel Bidet Included]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=Nzk1OjExNTM=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNTAwIDUwMCIgd2lkdGg9IjUwMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1MDAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+)
All customers have to do is press the bottom and watch the seat quietly close hence this model will be great for small children and elderly people.
Moreover, the seat is easy to remove for cleaning plus the plastic material used does not stain or absorb any moisture hence it does not breed germs and bacteria.
Customers have reported loving this bidet toilet seat plus it stays pretty warm in the colder months and customers could buy additional padding.
9. Bemis Grey Oval Lift-Off Seat
The seat is made from durable and commercial-grade plastic that does stain or absorb odors.
Moreover, customers have reported that the seat is very simple to install and remove whenever needed for cleaning purposes.
Also, the paint finish will resist any chips and wear signs such as scuffing.
The hinges are very easy to remove so you would not have to worry about how you are going to replace the seat once the time comes.
10. Bath Royale Premium White Oval Seat
All customers have to do is press the bottom and watch the seat quietly close hence this model will be great for small children and elderly people.
Moreover, the seat is easy to remove for cleaning plus the plastic material used does not stain or absorb any moisture hence it does not breed germs and bacteria.
Customers have reported loving this toilet seat plus it stays pretty warm in the colder months and customers could buy additional padding.
Choose According to Your Needs
Here we listed 4 main features to help you choosing to fit your needs.
1. The Right Material
Basically, most toilet seats are either plastic or wooden. Plastic seats are very affordable, easy to maintain, and you can find them in many different colors. Wooden seats are more comfortable, especially when the temperature drops, but they are also more expensive. Note that wooden seats usually last longer, since they are almost scratch-resistant and also difficult to break.
2. Durable
Nobody wants to be forced to buy a new toilet seat every now and then. Buying a durable seat might seem expensive, but it can save you a lot of money in the long term. As mentioned, wooden seats are very durable and will last for years. However, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t buy a plastic unit. Depending on the quality, a plastic toilet seat can be even more durable than any wooden counterpart. To be completely sure about the durability of the seat, it’s a good idea to check customer reviews before buying.
3. Appearance
Some people don’t care about the visual appeal when buying a toilet seat. If you do, you’ve got many variations to choose from. For example, white is the most common color, but you can find them in a wide range of colors. Some seats also come with bright lights that make them beautiful and also add to their overall functionality.
4. Ease of Installation and Maintenance
Most toilet seats are easy to install and won’t take you more than 30 minutes. Especially if you are buying a simple seat, the installation will only take two bolts and a bit of grease. However, if you buy a toilet with tons of extra features, the installation might get quite challenging.
When it comes to cleaning, it’s the necessary part of owning a toilet. However, there are a few things that you should consider. For example, plastic units are easier to clean than wooden ones. It’s not only because of the surface, but you can also apply more different chemicals on the plastic seat.
The maintenance will be even easier if you buy a Quick-Release seat. It features a specific design that allows you to pop it up when it needs to be cleaned.
7 Features You Should Consider
Here are some great features you may want to consider when choosing your next toilet seat.
1. Nightlight
Finding the toilet in the middle of the night can be tricky, especially if you are half asleep. Luckily for you, there are many models that come with a nightlight, which is not just helpful but also adds to the visual appeal of the toilet.
2. Bidet Seat
If you are the only person in your family who wants a bidet, you don’t actually have to buy it and force others to use it. You can simply buy a bidet seat and use it whenever you need to.
3. SoftClose
If you are tired of accidental slamming, buying a seat with a SoftClose feature is a nice investment. When you pull the seat downwards, it will slowly go down without slamming. That way, the seat will also last longer and won’t break.
Most toilet seats these days come with the slow close feature that closes the lid of the toilet seat slowly and quietly, and it also prevents those loud slamming noises. Furthermore, if you have light sleepers or kids in the house, slow close seats are vital to keeping the tiny fingers of children from getting injured, and the quiet closing of the seat won’t wake up anyone from their sleep either.
4. Deodorizing
Nobody likes to leave a smell behind when using a toilet. It’s even worse to discover the smell of the previous person who used it. However, if you buy a toilet with a deodorizing feature, you won’t have a problem with that.
5. Heated Seat
A heated seat is a great solution for those hold days and nights. When the feature is activated, it will constantly keep the seat heated at a certain temperature. It might consume a bit of electricity, but it’s a nice solution, especially for winter.
6. Self-closing
Another vital feature that the toilet seats include is the self-closing function that closes the toilet seat lid automatically as soon as you leave it. This feature saves you from touching the stinky and full of the bacteria toilet seat.
7. Universal Use
Toilet seats usually have standard size if you are living in the US or Canada, but their two major categories depend on the dimensions of the toilet seats. These two types of toilet seats are either round in shape for toilets with round bowls or slightly elongated for toilets with elongated bowls. Worry not, it is not that complicated to figure out which type of bowl does your toilet have and which kind of toilet seat do you need. You can use a ruler or a measuring tape to measure the crosswise and lengthwise dimensions of the rim. Additionally, make sure that you measure from left to right and from the far end to the rear end.
Buying a universal seat can be a fruitful investment because it will save you from spending on a new toilet seat when you upgrade your toilet. However, you must opt for the same type of toilet (elongated or round) as the one you had before; otherwise, the toilet seat won’t be of any use.
Cleaning Your Toilet Seat
Allowing your toilet seat to get dirty will lead your bathroom to smell filthy hence it is crucial for you to regularly clean your toilet despite the task being unpleasant.
Before you begin cleaning, put on sanitary gloves and wipe down the seat with a damp cloth or sponge. If you notice any stains then spray the seat with a cleaning solution or white vinegar and let it sit for a little while. Then repeat the process.
Once you get rid of the visible stains, apply an antibacterial cleaner that will kill bacteria, germs and remove any water rings around hinges. Moreover, you could use an old toothbrush to get into the hooks, crevices and any corners that your seat might have.
However, before you select an antibacterial cleaner make sure it is suitable for your seat and will not discolor or damage it. Once you make sure the cleaner is safe to use and at least 10 minutes have passed since you applied it, scrub the seat with a soft-bristled brush. Pay attention to any stains as well as water rings around the hinges.
Furthermore, many customers prefer to use more natural cleaning products such as a mix of white vinegar and baking soda. You can make such a cleaner at home by adding vinegar into the soda in a small amount until you are left with a thick paste.
However, remember when you will be adding the vinegar the baking soda will fizz hence it is important for you to mix it as soon as you add the vinegar.
Also, you could use citric acid instead of the vinegar plus citric acid has mild antibacterial properties too. If you will notice stubborn rust stains around the hinges you could apply this solution directly to the affected area, let it sit for a while and then scrub with an old toothbrush.
Raised vs. Platform Toilet Base
Toilet seats that are tall in height are a much better and safer option compared to lower toilet seats because they save you from the difficulty of bending down too much. Furthermore, getting up from higher toilet seats is a lot easier because of their height and the lower amount of movement required to transition from one position to another.
Even if you have a regular toilet seat, you can add a raised platform toilet base on your toilet seat to increase the height of the toilet seat and ensure the users’ convenience and safety.
Cushioned Toilet Seat
Sitting on a cold, hard toilet seat is no less than a nightmare, and to avoid this unpleasantness, people have started using cushioned toilet seats. Cushioned toilet seats have various benefits, including the comfort and safety of its users.
Furthermore, cushioned best toilet seats can relieve pressure on your muscles and make your toilet experience much more comfortable. Cushioned toilet seats also provide warmth and promote better balance while using the toilet to reduce the risk of falling and injures in the bathroom.
Bottom Line
Choosing a seat can be a little intimidating at first, however, all you need to do to ease the process is to note down the shape of your toilet bowl, diameter, and mounting type.
Most toilet brands also produce replacement seats you can buy separately with some even offering a large selection of different colors as well seats made from different materials such as wood, plastic or padded metal sits.
Moreover, if you are thinking of replacing your toilet then you could buy several seats upfront so you would not have to look for a matching seat later on. Also, pay close attention to the seat finish as some seats tend to easily scuff, scratch and stain plus look for seats that are made out of non-porous materials.
These seats will not absorb odors or stains and will be much easier to clean and maintain moreover non-porous seats tend to appear shinier. Also, read the product description that comes with the seat and check to see what weight it can handle without breaking or cracking. This applies to all plastic and polyethylene seats.
On the other hand, wood seats are known to be more durable than a plastic one and will be great for individuals that weight above 180 pounds. Padded seats could be a great option for households with small children or elderly individuals that will need additional padding for added comfort.
Lastly, look to buy the toilet seats with a warranty from the manufacturer because this will give you some peace of mind knowing that you could easily exchange the seat if something goes wrong with it during use in the first few months of installation.
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