(BPT) - When it comes to buying a personal care item like a bidet seat, you should be choosy. Maybe you like the idea of using water for better cleanliness, or using an appliance that lets you be gentler on the environment, or you want to bring a luxurious element to your bathroom retreat.
With the variety of brands, price points and features, it's important to understand that bidet seats vary just as greatly in quality and craftsmanship. Before you buy, do your research, because there are plenty of imitators that masquerade as affordable luxury, but they may not provide the experience you're looking for.
Some are devoid of necessary comfort features people have come to expect of modern bidet seats, like warm water and heated seats. Others take shortcuts by using cheap materials and components, which can lead to early failure of your device.
First, it can be helpful to look at the evolution of the bidet. Take a look back in recent history, and it was little more than a standalone appliance common to Europe that washed you with a jet of cold water. But it was the innovation and inventiveness of a Japanese company, TOTO, that propelled the device into new realms of the ultimate personal care experience. Their flagship WASHLET set new standards for what a bidet seat could be.
In your search for a bidet seat, use this guide to help you.
Designed with comfort in mind: The core function of the bidet seat is to help you get clean. But that's no reason to skimp on comfort. A high-quality unit provides a constant stream of heated water, calibrated to your preference. Low-entry brands may heat a small amount of water in a reservoir (which inevitably runs out before you need it to) or sticks with the classic icy cold water spray.
Ease in cleaning: When it comes to design, technology shouldn't be a cheap novelty. It should make your life better. How does the brand support this? Look for a bidet seat that makes cleanup easier. EWATER+ by TOTO makes the wand and bowl virtually self-cleaning, eliminating the need to spend your free time scrubbing and using harsh chemicals.
Self-care elevated: As you shop, take a deep dive into the features, and how these will give you daily access to a luxury experience. Adjustable and oscillating wands, heated seats and warm air to dry will bring new meaning to spa elegance in your master bath. Remember, there are hundreds of hidden innovations behind even the most basic features of a high-quality bidet seat, so choose a brand known for its technological ingenuity.
Ecological benefits: Some turn to bidet seats because they care about doing their part to conserve the Earth's resources. Look for a brand with a devotion to using innovation to conserve. WASHLET by TOTO offers AIR-IN WONDER WAVE, a unique technology that injects air into water droplets, enlarging them by 30%, allowing you to get clean with less water.
Commitment to top quality: Given that your bidet seat will become an essential bathroom appliance, high performance, quality, and after-sales service are a must. Examining the bidet seat brand, and its history, can reveal much about what they care about and what they stand for. Good brands understand the power of backing up their claims of best-in-class product, so look for a warranty and customer support available by both phone and digital means.
TOTO is a century-old global brand and the creators of WASHLET innovation that improved personal care with high-performing technology. Learn more by visiting WASHLET.com.