What Is A Bidet? What Types Are There? Which One Is Best?

Maybe you are planning on taking a trip to another part of the world that you heard uses bidets. Maybe you are an environmentalist and heard that using a bidet is better for the environment. Maybe you are tired of constantly buying expensive toilet paper whenever you go to the store.

Maybe you got caught up in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis and have a hard time finding toilet paper and are looking for other options and you heard about bidets. Or maybe you just don’t feel clean after using the bathroom and are wondering what else you can do.

So what is a bidet anyway? No matter which of the above situations you are in, you probably want to learn more about bidets and figure out if they might be a good option for you and your family.

Here is what you need to know.

What is a Bidet?

A bidet is a plumbing fixture that helps people with personal hygiene by allowing them to use water to wash their privates after going to the bathroom.

The word bidet in French means “pony”, which as it relates to this bathroom fixture seems appropriate since a person “rides” or straddles a bidet in a way that is similar to what they would do if they were riding a pony.

Why Do People Use Bidets?

When first thinking about bidets you might think to yourself, “Why would I use a bidet? Why wouldn’t I just use toilet paper?”

Actually there are several reasons why people might choose to use, or own, a bidet.

If you are an environmentalist you might want to use a bidet in an effort to greatly reduce or eliminate toilet paper usage at your home. So how big of an environmental issue is toilet paper use? In 2009 Scientific American reported that “Americans use 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper every year, representing the pulping of some 15 million trees.” As you might imagine those numbers will only increase as the population continues to grow.

Other people might choose to use a bidet for health reasons. For example, people with hemorrhoids might find that cleaning themself up after using the bathroom can cause irritation. Using a bidet can help these people improve their hygiene without the irritation.

Still, other people prefer to use a bidet for religious or cultural reasons. Bidets are very common in the Arab States, West Africa, and southern Europe. In fact, there are certain places in the world that require bidets to be installed in newly constructed or renovated bathrooms.

Types of Bidets

Over time bidets have evolved and they don’t just refer to one specific type of fixture anymore. Depending on how much space you have, what features you want, and your budget there are several options to choose from.

Ceramic Bidets

If you hear someone talking about a ceramic bidet they are referring to a standalone unit in the bathroom. These are separate from the toilet, which means that they take up more space in the bathroom. Ceramic bidets are what most people envision when talking or thinking about bidets.

To install a ceramic bidet in an existing home means that you will need to have:

• The extra space to install this additional fixture.
• The willingness and ability to make changes to your plumbing to add the water lines and drain that the bidet will need.

Installing a ceramic bidet in a new home construction is much easier to do. It is much simpler and cost effective to run the necessary plumbing when the home is being built. That being said, you still need to have the necessary space available/allocated in your floor plan to place this additional fixture in your bathroom.

Ceramic bidets come in two types:

Floor Mounted

Floor mounted bidets are probably the most common type of ceramic bidet. They are mounted sturdily onto the floor similar to the way your toilet is.

Wall Mounted

Wall mounted bidets function just like their floor mount counterparts with the only difference being that they are mounted on the wall instead of the floor. Reasons why you might want a wall mounted bidet include being easier to clean. Another reason some people prefer a wall mounted unit is to save space in the bathroom by having the bidet against the wall as compared to the floor mounted models, which have a space between the bidet and the wall.

Toilets with Built-in Bidets

These bidet toilet combos are perfect for people who are building a home or remodeling their bathroom and would like a bidet, but don’t have the space to dedicate to a stand alone bidet.

These units don’t just save space, but they are a high quality and durable option as well. Since the bidet is built right into the toilet problems like the toilet seat or bidet coming loose are rare.

The advantages of these toilets don’t stop at their durability. They are very stylish when compared to some of the other options that are out there. Because it comes as one integrated unit you won’t have to worry about things like the toilet seat not matching the shape of your toilet or being a mismatched color.

Toilet Seat Bidets (Bidet Toilet Seat)

Toilet seat bidets are pretty much what you might think they are. They are a special toilet seat that replaces the seat that is already on your toilet and has the bidet built into the bottom of the seat. Much like toilets with built-in bidets a toilet seat bidet allows you to save space and add a bidet in your bathroom without having to buy a separate ceramic bidet. However, unlike toilets with built-in bidets, you can buy a toilet seat bidet for a fraction of the price.

In addition to being more affordable than buying a ceramic bidet or toilets with integrated bidet, toilet seat bidets are much easier to install. In fact, this is a project that most do it yourselfers would feel very comfortable doing.

Toilet seat bidets usually are operated by a control panel that is located off to the side of the seat while some models even come with a remote control. Speaking of features, some models are relatively basic while other models are loaded with features that you might not even expect. It all depends on how much money you want to spend.

When looking to buy a toilet seat bidet know that there are two types of models available, electric and non-electric.

Non-Electric Models

When you shop for toilet seat bidets you will immediately see that the non-electric models are the most affordable options. They come with options such as adjustable pressure, adjustable and retractable spray nozzles, rear cleaning, and feminine wash.

A few of the non-electric models will offer the option of warm water, which is a nice feature, but in order to do that you will need to be able to access a hot water line. In homes that are already finished the cost of getting access to a hot water line might not make sense.

If you want a bidet that uses warm water most people will look at choosing an electric model.

Electric Models

The electric toilet seat bidets represent a step up in price, but with this increased price you open up a whole new world of available features. In addition to warm water, you can get features such as a heated seat, remote control, nightlight, automatic deodorization, and a warm air dryer for when you are done.

These electric toilet seat bidets might be a little more complex compared to their non-electric counterparts. That being said, installing these models is still something most people will be able to easily do themselves.

Electric toilet seat bidets are a very popular option for most people. If you think that an electric toilet seat bidet is a good option for you check out our article on heated toilet seats (yes, they all have heated seats) where we review the top models and give you a buying guide to help you make your decision of which model to purchase easier.

Bidet Attachments

One of the problems that some people experience with toilet seat bidets is finding one that matches the color and or shape of the toilet they are going to add it onto.

Bidet attachments are different from toilet seat bidets in that instead of replacing your existing toilet seat you can install them securely underneath your current toilet seat.

Most bidet attachments are going to be cold water only and are non-electric. If you want to get a model with warm water you will need to be able to access the hot water line. If that isn’t easily done and you still want warm water you might want to consider stepping up to an electric toilet seat bidet.

Handheld Bidets

Handheld bidets, which you might also see referred to as bidet faucets, bidet sprayers, or shattaf, look a lot like a kitchen sink sprayer.

This type of bidet is very popular in many Middle Eastern homes. Plus it is definitely the most affordable bidet option that you can add to your bathroom.

The pros of this type of bidet is the affordability, ease of installation, and the ability to easily control the water pressure. The cons include the fact that they are more cumbersome to use and only have a cold water option unless you buy a model that can hook up to your hot water line.

Portable Bidets

While not ideal for everyday home use, portable bidets are fantastic for people who are on the go and away from home where a bidet isn’t available. They are essentially a water bottle with an angled nozzle for easy cleaning.

Portable bidets are very affordable, but if for just a few extra dollars you can upgrade to a battery powered model, which can provide a better spray. Investing in a battery powered model might be worth it if you expect to end up needing to use it frequently.

How to Use a Bidet

This is a great quick video that shows how to use a traditional ceramic bidet.

This video shows how to use a toilet that has a bidet attachment added to it. How you would use this type of bidet is similar to how you would use a toilet that has an integrated bidet or how you would use a toilet that has been fitted with a bidet toilet seat.

How Much Do Bidets Cost

There is always a great range in prices for each type of bidet option. That being said, if you are on a budget we have tried to break it down for you. Here is a breakdown of your bidet options from most to least expensive.

• toilets with built-in bidets – These toilets can start as low as $700 and go up to a few thousand dollars. While they sound expensive at first glance they can often be competitive with the price of a toilet that has a high quality toilet seat bidet added on.
• ceramic bidets – Most of these stand alone models will fall between $180 – $400.

• toilet seat bidets – Depending on if you get an electric or non-electric model and which features you choose toilet seat bidets can range from $125 to $700+. The majority of models are priced at $400 and below.

• bidet attachments – This super affordable option has most models ranging between $30 – $100 depending on the features.

• handheld bidets – While there are always exceptions the majority of these handheld bidets will fall in the $25 – $70 range.

• portable bidets – These travel companions can be less than $5 and go up to $50 or more if you decide you want an electric model.

Conclusion – Which One Is Best For You?

Regardless of your budget and the space you have available in your bathroom there is a bidet option that can work for you with the features you want.

One big thing to remember to think about first is whether or not you want a bidet that can spray warm. Once you have made that decision the rest of the buying process will become a lot easier.

Whatever option you choose you will be feeling fresh and clean as you save money on toilet paper.

Here are the Top 10 Bestselling Bidet Products on Amazon:

Last update on 2024-04-26 at 00:07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API