The toilet that cleans you with water is called a bidet. The term covers a range of products, from simple attachments that clip onto your existing toilet to fully integrated “smart toilets” with heated seats, air dryers, and self-cleaning nozzles. In Japan and South Korea, where over 80% of households have one, the most common version is an electronic bidet seat (often called a “washlet,” a brand name from Toto that’s become nearly generic). In the U.S., the bidet market is growing at roughly 6% per year and is projected to reach $16 billion in North America by 2035.
Types of Bidets
There are three main categories, and the price range is enormous.
- Non-electric bidet attachments mount under your existing toilet seat and connect to your water supply line. They spray unheated water with a simple pressure dial. These start around $30 and go up to about $60 for models with better pressure control. They have no electrical parts, so installation is straightforward.
- Electric bidet seats replace your existing toilet seat entirely. They plug into a wall outlet and offer heated water, adjustable pressure, a warm air dryer, and sometimes a heated seat. A well-reviewed mid-range model runs about $350 to $500. Premium versions from brands like Toto add remote controls and user profiles for $50 to $100 more.
- Integrated smart toilets are complete toilet units with the bidet built in. These typically include automatic flushing, deodorizers, night lights, and a streamlined look with no visible tank or external parts. Prices range from around $1,000 to well over $5,000 depending on features.
How the Cleaning Mechanism Works
All bidets work on the same basic principle: a retractable nozzle extends from beneath the seat and sprays a targeted stream of water. On electric models, you can adjust the water temperature and pressure, and many have an oscillating spray mode that moves the nozzle back and forth for wider coverage. After washing, an air dryer blows warm air to reduce or eliminate the need for toilet paper.
The nozzle retracts into a housing when not in use. Most electric seats run an automatic self-rinse cycle before and after each use, flushing water over the nozzle to clean it. Premium models go a step further with a UV-C light inside the nozzle housing that activates when no one is seated, disinfecting the nozzle tip between uses. Some seats also pre-mist the toilet bowl with water before you sit down, which helps prevent waste from sticking to the porcelain.
Health Benefits and Risks
Using water instead of dry paper is gentler on sensitive skin, and research supports specific benefits for people with certain conditions. Low to medium water pressure at a warm temperature can reduce anal sphincter pressure, producing an effect similar to a warm sitz bath. That relaxation is particularly helpful for people dealing with hemorrhoids or anal fissures, and during recovery after anal surgery. Warm water use for about 10 minutes has also been shown to increase blood flow to the tissue around the anus, which may support wound healing.
There is a meaningful downside to overdoing it, though. In one study, about 26% of patients presenting with irritation around the anus had developed it from excessive bidet use. Washing too frequently, using too much pressure, or spraying for too long (one to five minutes at high pressure) can actually cause skin breakdown and even fissures. The general guidance is to keep sessions brief, use moderate pressure, and avoid treating the bidet like a substitute for medical treatment of itching or irritation.
Who Benefits Most
Bidets are especially valuable for people with limited mobility. Wiping with toilet paper requires reaching, twisting, grip strength, and fine motor coordination. For someone recovering from a hip replacement, living with arthritis, managing the effects of a stroke, or dealing with conditions like multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries, those movements can be painful, difficult, or impossible without a caregiver’s help.
Occupational therapists increasingly recommend bidet seats because they eliminate the need for all of that upper-body work. You press a button, the water does the cleaning, and the dryer handles the rest. This lets people maintain their hygiene independently, which has a real impact on dignity and quality of life. It also reduces fall risk, since there’s no need to twist or stand while cleaning.
Installation Requirements
Non-electric attachments need only a wrench and 15 minutes. You connect a T-adapter to the water supply valve behind your toilet, mount the attachment, and you’re done.
Electric bidet seats need a grounded, three-prong electrical outlet within about four feet of the toilet. For new bathroom construction, code requires a GFCI-protected outlet on a 20-amp circuit with at least a 15-amp receptacle. If your bathroom already has an outlet nearby without GFCI protection, the seat will still work, but GFCI protection is strongly recommended in any room with water. Most bidet seats share a bathroom circuit without problems because they draw significant power only during the few minutes of actual use each day.
Integrated smart toilets require both a water supply connection and an electrical outlet, plus removal of your old toilet. Most people hire a plumber for these, though the plumbing itself is no more complex than a standard toilet installation.
What to Look for When Choosing
If you just want to try water cleaning for the first time, a $50 to $60 non-electric attachment is a low-risk starting point. The cleaning itself works well, but cold water can be a shock, especially in winter months when your home’s water supply runs colder.
If comfort matters to you, an electric seat in the $350 to $500 range covers the three features that make the biggest practical difference: heated water, a heated seat, and a warm air dryer. Beyond that, you’re paying for convenience features like remote controls, user memory profiles, automatic lid opening, and deodorizers. These are nice but not essential for the core cleaning experience.
For a fully integrated smart toilet, you’re paying largely for aesthetics and automation. The actual cleaning performance of a good bidet seat is comparable to what’s built into a $3,000 smart toilet. The smart toilet just looks sleeker and handles flushing, lid movement, and deodorizing on its own.