From Smart Toilets to Bidets… Toilet Technology Has Come A Long Way.
Toilet advancements to improve comfort and quality of everyday life.
Toilets; they may not be the most popular topic at the holiday dinner table, but no one can argue that toilets aren’t an important part of our daily lives. After all, studies show that people spend an average of 300 days on the toilet during their lifetime. When you realize just how much time that actually is, you will start to look at the porcelain throne in your bathroom in a new way and maybe even consider a few upgrades to make life, and your bum, more comfortable.
In this article, we’ll give you the scoop (no pun intended) on toilet features and enhancements that will help make cleaning, saving, and improved comfort a reality for today’s homeowners.
Water-saving toilets with money-saving benefits.
As people become more intentional about taking care of planet earth, they are also looking for ways to not only save resources, but to also save money. One way homeowners are doing that is through efficient plumbing fixtures that reduce the volume of water needed for each use, like water-saving toilets. These toilets primarily work by using less water to flush the goods down. Some water-saving toilets have a single flush option, while others have a dual flush option that gives people a choice between a low volume or high volume flush. Some toilets even have built-in sensors that can detect the exact volume of water needed.
Before purchasing one of these toilets, many people question whether it is really worth the investment. It is estimated that toilet flushing accounts for 24% of a home’s water usage and on average, people save around $140 per year after installing a water-saving toilet. Depending on your usage, it may or may not be worth the investment. If you have more than a few people living in your home and there is a high activity of toilet flushing, you may benefit from the cost savings.
Comfort height toilets for ADA and beyond.
If you have ever used an ADA toilet in a public bathroom, you immediately notice the difference in height. And if you are over 5’ tall, you also notice the ease in getting up from said toilet. ADA toilets are between 17-19” tall and have been around for decades in public restrooms. Standard, non-ADA toilets are around 14-15” tall and for people with mobility issues, it can be quite difficult to get on and off a standard toilet. Enter comfort height toilets. These toilets are 1-2” taller than standard toilets and are becoming more popular for non-ADA purposes. They can also be beneficial for older adults and taller people since the seat is higher. However, they are often too high for children or shorter adults, so consideration must be given to your household requirements before installing a comfort height toilet.
Must have features and designs for easier cleaning.
Toilet seat technology continues to evolve with enhanced features that make life a little easier. In recent years, we have seen toilet seats with soft closing hinges that don’t slam shut and scare the pants off of you, especially in the middle of the night. In addition to more graceful features like this, we are also seeing features that make cleaning much easier.
Quick Release Toilet Seats: No one really enjoys cleaning the bathroom, especially the toilet. But it’s a necessary part of life and one that most people cannot avoid. Homeowners can now purchase a quick-release toilet seat (aka a quick-disconnect seat). This type of toilet seat does exactly what the name implies- it releases quickly and easily to allow for cleaning those hard-to-reach places around the hinges. In addition to ease of cleaning, these toilet seats also offer the following benefits:
- Ease of Use: quick-release seats have a mechanism for detaching and reattaching the seat with a twist or the push of a button.
- Sturdy Design: since the seats are meant to be detached and reattached often, the seats are typically made to be extra durable and from high-quality materials.
- Universal: most quick-release toilet seats are designed to be compatible with many brands and models of toilets.
One-Piece Toilets: another beneficial design to make toilet cleaning easier is a one-piece toilet. The seamless design of a one-piece toilet makes cleaning easier since there are no gaps or seals that can attract dirt, grime and bacteria. One-piece toilets are entirely connected, unlike standard two-piece toilets that have a base and separate tank. The design of a one-piece toilet has a sleek appearance for homeowners that want a stylish, modern look in the bathroom.
Last but certainly not least, the bidet.
If you asked the average person 30 years ago about a bidet, they would immediately think of a toilet attachment or accessory used in France and much of Europe, for spraying water on the bum of a person on the toilet. Fast forward to 2025, bidets has significantly grown in popularity in the U.S. and are no longer just a European luxury. Bidets not only offer an eco-friendly advantage by reducing toilet paper usage, but they also provide additional comfort and improve hygiene. With so many variations on the market, it is hard to know which option is best. Here are the typical bidets available for homeowners today:
- Toilet Seats: featuring a built-in bidet, these specially designed toilet seats have features like temperature control, spray settings, and adjustable water pressure.
- Attachments: easily attachable bidets that can be installed under an existing toilet seat.
- Integrated Bidet Toilets: if you want the most advanced bidet available, toilets with an integrated bidet include features like air dryers, deodorizer spray, heated seats, and remote controls.
- Portable Bidets: for on-the-go cleaning, portable bidet devices offer flexibility and portability for use anywhere at any time.
- Smart Bidet Toilets: intelligent bidet toilets have built-in technology that adds an extra layer of comfort and convenience in toilet design. Smart bidet toilets have features like personalized user profiles, lid and flush sensors, self-cleaning, and remote-control technology for adjusting settings.
While some of these features and toilet designs may not be the right fit for everyone, understanding the variety of options available will help you make the best choice for your home. Whether you are concerned about the environment and looking for eco-friendly products, or you want improved comfort and a more luxurious experience, it is safe to say that homeowners have more options available today than ever before.
If you would like more information on choosing the best toilet for your home, contact one of our plumbing specialists here or give us a call today at (513) 999-6820 to get a free quote.
