Bidets are gaining popularity in North America for their hygiene, comfort, and eco-friendly benefits. Finding the right one depends on your bathroom setup, lifestyle, and preferences.
- Electronic bidet toilet seats offer premium features like warm water, heated seats, and air dryers—but require a nearby GFCI outlet.
- Non-electric options like bidet attachments and sprayers are ideal for bathrooms without outlets and still provide effective cleaning.
- Smart bidet toilets suit homeowners seeking a full upgrade, while travel bidets are perfect for dorms or shared spaces.
No matter your living situation, there’s a bidet designed to fit your needs and improve your bathroom experience.
Are you thinking about getting your first bidet? You’re in good company. Bidets are more popular in North America than ever—and that trend seems to be growing every year. The benefits of washing with a bidet include feeling fresh, boosting hygiene, and helping the environment by reducing the amount of toilet paper that you use.
With all the different types of bidets out there, you may be overwhelmed trying to find the right one for you. Getting to the bottom of it depends on the features you want, the setup of your bathroom, and whether you rent or own a home.
Here are some questions to consider while shopping for your first bidet.
Is there an electrical outlet near your toilet?
If the answer to that is yes, then the sky is the limit as far as bidets go. You can get an electronic bidet toilet seat for your first bidet.
People like electronic bidet toilet seats because they come with luxury features to make your bathroom more comfortable and hygienic, like endless warm water washes, heated seats for added warmth during cold seasons, and warm air dryers to dry off after washing. Many models also include an LED nightlight to keep the bathroom safely lit at night and a deodorizer for obvious reasons.
Electronic bidet toilet seats are easy to install, simply replacing your original seat. Like all the bidets in this list, they include components to hook up to your toilet’s clean water supply. (That’s where the wash comes from).
Electronic bidets require access to an electrical outlet that’s safe for bathrooms, known as ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. GFCI outlets are designed to automatically shut off the power if needed to help prevent electric shock. These types of outlets are standard in most bathrooms, and can be identified easily because they carry buttons between the slots that say “ground” and “reset.”
What if I don't have an electrical outlet in my bathroom?
Not everyone has a GFCI outlet in their bathroom or is interested in luxury features. If you fall in that category, there are plenty of non-electric options to choose from, including:
- Non-electric bidet toilet seats
- Bidet attachments that attach under your toilet seat
- Handheld bidet sprayers that you operate manually.
What is the best bidet for renters?
Whether you own or rent your home, most bidets will be available to you.
Still, there are some questions to consider if you’re a renter. For example, will a bidet permanently change your bathroom? The answer is no—most bidets are easy to install without a plumber and can be removed easily when you’re ready to move. You can even take the bidet with you to your next rental.
If you have roommates, you may be wondering if sharing a bidet is a good idea or not for hygienic reasons. Most bidets come with self-cleaning and retractable nozzles to help keep them clean for multiple users. For easy cleaning, look for a bidet with a quick-release button. This feature offers easy seat removal when it's time for a deep clean.
What is the best bidet for homeowners?
If you’re a homeowner, there’s one type of bidet you can get that renters probably can’t—an integrated smart bidet toilet. These modern toilets come with a built-in bidet and other luxury features. But you’ll need to completely remove your old toilet to install a smart bidet toilet in your bathroom.
If you decide to get a smart bidet toilet, you’ll be treated to an ultra-modern bathroom experience that takes comfort and hygiene to a new level. Many models provide a near-hands-free operation with an auto-opening and closing lid, automatic pre-rinse and flushing, and more.
What if I’m a student in a dorm?
If you’re a student in a dorm, you may not have the option to install anything at all. In this case, travel bidets are great since you can carry them in and out of the bathroom. Travel bidets are ergonomically designed bottles with a bidet nozzle. They’re hygienic, portable, and easy to use—just fill it up with water from the sink, aim, and squeeze when you’re ready to wash.
A bidet for every situation and lifestyle.
Taking the leap to buy your first bidet is exciting. No matter your living situation, there’s a bidet out there to make sure your bathroom visits are more hygienic and planet-friendly—and there’s no better time to get started.