Smart toilets become luxury item for homeowners seeking upgrade

Smart toilets have become a sought-after luxury item for homeowners looking to upgrade their bathroom experience. These high-tech toilets combine built-in bidets and air drying features, providing a more comfortable and hygienic cleansing experience compared to traditional toilet paper.

Our team of experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab has extensively tested over 20 smart toilets over the past five years, conducting lab assessments and prolonged testing in real homes. This thorough evaluation process helps identify top-performing models that meet consumer needs.

The Kohler Innate stands out as a top pick among our evaluated models, boasting an impressive combination of comfort, versatility, and overall performance. Its design allows for easy installation and seamless integration with existing bathroom fixtures.

For those on a tighter budget, the EPLO Smart Toilet offers many of the same convening features at a significantly lower price point. This model still delivers a range of benefits, making it an attractive option for homeowners who want to experience the advantages of smart toilets without breaking the bank.

The Kohler Innate's comfort-height design makes sitting down and standing up easier, addressing an important concern for older adults or those with mobility issues. Its water efficiency rating also qualifies it for the EPA's WaterSense certification, a significant eco-friendly feature.

Smart toilets are becoming increasingly affordable, with more models available under $1,000 according to market analysts.

This affordability is making smart toilets a more viable option for homeowners who want to upgrade their bathroom experience without breaking the bank.

The EPLO model stands out as one of the best options in this price range due to its impressive feature set.

Its expansive features include instant warm water on the cleansing wand and a built-in deodorizer that neutralizes odors before they escape into the room.

The inclusion of these high-end features without a hefty price tag makes the EPLO model an attractive option for consumers.

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has certified the EPLO, ensuring that it meets plumbing standards in the country.

This certification is crucial for toilets manufactured overseas to meet local regulations and safety standards.

The EPLO also boasts unique innovations such as foot sensor-activated flushing and an LED display that indicates air and water temperature.

These cutting-edge features demonstrate the manufacturer's commitment to providing a premium experience without compromising on functionality.

The American Standard SpaLet Bidet Toilet boasts a wide range of convenience features that cater to users' comfort needs. These include an automatic flush system, auto open and close functionality, claimed air purification capabilities, and a heated seat for added warmth.

Despite its space-efficient design, the toilet's integrated tank gives it a somewhat bulky appearance at the back, which may cause users to feel slightly off-balance when sitting down initially. However, as users become accustomed to this forward-pitched seating arrangement, they should adapt quickly.

The SpaLet Bidet Toilet is equipped with an advanced bidet system that offers multiple nozzles for customized cleaning experiences. Additionally, it features a heated seat with adjustable temperature control, allowing users to choose from five different heat settings.

Toto's S7A Washlet stands out as another top contender in the world of smart toilets. As the company behind the original bidet toilet seat invention, Toto has maintained its market lead since 1980 and continues to innovate within this space.

The American Standard SpaLet Bidet Toilet boasts a more traditional design with an elongated shape, providing users with extra inches for comfort and convenience. However, its 15-inch height may not be suitable for aging-in-place scenarios where accessibility is paramount.

The Washlet has undergone rigorous testing over the past three years as our experts evaluated its various iterations, including its flagship model.

Its standout features, such as DIY-friendly installation and impressive performance capabilities, have earned it a top spot in our bidet seat picks.

Lab Director Dan DiClerico installed the Washlet on his Toto Drake toilet two years ago, a process that took less than 30 minutes to complete. The seat has remained stable and secure ever since.

The device's cleansing performance was exceptional, offering adjustable spray angle, temperature, and intensity settings for optimal comfort.

Testers have praised the Washlet for its ability to reduce toilet paper usage, resulting in both environmental benefits and cost savings over time.

The Sensowash smart toilet has caught the attention of experts due to its impressive features, including a built-in odor extractor and an intuitive remote control that allows for seamless operation.

One notable feature of the Sensowash is its ability to be controlled remotely or through a smartphone app, enabling users to program their preferred settings. This level of customization enhances user experience and convenience.

Testers have praised the Sensowash for its sleek design, describing it as "spectacular to look at. The bidet function has also been commended for providing an exceptional cleaning experience, with one tester noting that it delivers a sense of cleanliness that may initially surprise but ultimately delights.

The Duravit SensoWash Classic was also put through its paces as part of a wall-hung toilet system from the brand's Darling New line. A professional contractor was involved in the installation and reported a positive experience with the brand's customer support, describing it as easily accessible" in case of any issues.

The Kohler Leap is another smart toilet that has garnered attention for its affordability compared to other models in its class, thanks to a more streamlined feature set. Its one-piece construction gives it a modern look, and extensive field tests have praised its performance in terms of flushing, clog resistance, and ease of cleaning.

The smart toilet market has continued to expand in recent years, with manufacturers incorporating innovative features into their designs.

Our team at Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab has been evaluating smart home devices for over two decades, including toilets that have become increasingly popular since the early 2010s. In light of the growing demand, we expanded our testing to include a broader range of smart toilet models during the pandemic.

The results of our comprehensive categorical tests and at-home reviews have consistently highlighted the benefits of these advanced toilets, with features such as programmable, touchless flushes and adjustable bidets providing comfort and cleanliness.