5 Best Heated Toilet Seats (Keep Your Booty Warm)

Heated toilet seats are amazing. If you’ve never sat on one you’re missing out! Interestingly, most people aren’t aware that heated toilet seats exist however they’ve been around a long time.

Heated toilet seats are most common in cold regions of the world and if you’ve ever sat on a cold toilet seat in winter then you know it can be a big surprise (most people have experienced a heated car seat – it’s a similar experience). The initial feeling is shock but after a few minutes your body naturally warms up the seat.

Toilet seats come in different styles and options. You can buy padded, self-closing, colored, and designer toilet seats. The best feature, in my opinion, is the heated toilet seat because it makes a simple seat much more comfortable.

In this article I discuss the best heated toilet seat and I’ll share my experience using one. You might be curious about how heated seats get their energy. Is it from batteries, from an outlet, or from a rechargeable USB? I’ll share information on how they are powered.

I’ll also cover the best brands and how to size your toilet for a heated toilet seat (round vs elongated option).

My First Experience Using A Heated Toilet Seat

Growing up in California I hadn’t experienced many things that are common in cold parts of the country. My family rarely used the heater in the winter. We didn’t have heated floors, nor did we have heated toilet seats. I was ignorant of life in colder climates.

That all changed on a fall trip to the mountains to visit my aunt and uncle. I remember noticing a padded toilet seat and I thought it was a great idea. Little did I know it would heat up once I sat on it.

Since we using the toilet alone I wasn’t able to share my experience with others, but I remembered thinking “every home should have one of these”. It doesn’t matter what climate you live in, a warm toilet seat always feels better than a cold seat.

After using the toilet I went out to the family room and shared what I had just experienced. My family laughed. To them, I was a kid who had a lot to learn about life, and toilets.

How Do Heated Toilet Seats Work

Don’t worry, a heated toilet seat doesn’t look strange. It actually resembles your standard toilet seat and few people can recognize a heated seat before they sit on one. Their features usually include:

  • Normal attachment to the toilet
  • Ability to move to the up and down positions on the toilet
  • Include a lid for covering
  • Common color of white to match your existing toilet
  • Outlet power to heat the seat

Attaching a heated toilet seat is simple. Remove the existing seat and utilize the same bolts to reattach the new toilet heat. You should be aware whether your heated toilet seat requires an outlet.

If so, you’ll want to make sure there is an available outlet in your bathroom before purchasing.

Can I Plug In A Heated Toilet Seat

As we mentioned above you’ll want to assess your bathroom before deciding on a heated toilet seat. A simple look in your bathroom will tell you if you have an outlet available and if there’s an outlet close to the toilet.

Many bathrooms don’t have an outlet behind the toilet. If not, you probably have one near the sink. Ask yourself:

  • Will the cord look acceptable going from the back of the toilet to the outlet?
  • What is the measurement from the toilet to the outlet (you may need an extension cord)?

If you can’t attach a cord from the toilet to the outlet you’ll want to consider other options. Although many people mention battery powered toilet seats they don’t exist.

We’re sorry if that’s what you wanted – I’ve thought about a battery powered heated toilet seat and was also disappointed to learn they aren’t being made. Sometimes finding an outlet or using a cord is a hassle.

Types Of Toilet Seats: Do I Need A Round or Elongated Heated Toilet Seat

There are two types of toilet seats you need to be aware of when making a purchase. The first is the elongated toilet seat and the second is the round toilet seat. Elongated toilets are great for adults and tall individuals while round toilet seats are better for smaller spaces and children.

  1. Elongated

  2. Round

Most people don’t know which type they have. To determine which type you have go to your toilet and look at it. Is it round or more oval shape? You’ll want to measure to make sure.

Elongated toilets measure approximately 18 inches and above (from toilet seat screws to front of toilet.

Round toilet seats measure approximately 16 inches (from toilet seat screws to front of toilet).

Do your observations match your measurements? If so, you’ve confirmed which toilet seat you need.

Notable Brands For Heated Toilet Seats

In my review we’ll cover a few different brands of heated toilet seats. The well-known brands are a little more expensive because of their superior reputation and quality.

I also mention a few generic brands that might be great heated toilet seats but they don’t have the same reputation. I really like Brondell and Kholer because I’m familiar with their products and trust the companies.

Brondell

Brondell doesn’t have a long history like many other toilet companies in the U.S. but they certainly have a great story. Their founders, Dave Samuel and Scott, were inspired by a trip to Japan where they experienced toilet seats that had buttons and were connected to electricity.

The ability to wash their bottom made them wonder why it hadn’t caught on in the U.S. A few years later Dave graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and pitched his idea to notorious investor Mark Cuban. The rest is history.

Brondell makes high-end and high-quality toilet seats (including bidets) for the U.S. market. They’ve come a long way in a short amount of time by having great customer service and a solid warranty on their products.

Kohler

Everyone knows the Kohler brand. Chances are they made something in your home. Maybe a faucet, toilet, or shower nozzle? They specialize in the bathroom and kitchen and are quite good at it.

The company was founded in 1873 and they’ve grown ever since, even branching out to construction and power plants. The Kohler brand is dependable and offers a good warranty on home products.

Familiarity is always something that’s nice when buying a new product. Kohler products in my home are reliable and I bet they work great in your home too.

5 Best Heated Toilet Seats (Keep Your Booty Warm)

#1 Brondell LumaWarm – Heated – Nightlight

Brondell is known for their toilet seat bidets, but this model is specifically a heated toilet seat and nightlight. Other brands don’t offer the heated seat without the bidet so I appreciate that they went out of the way to satisfy one need without pushing another on their customers.

In addition to the headed toilet seat it comes with an LED nightlight (blue in color), a slow-close seat and fitting options for both elongated and round toilets. Brondell offers two color choices as well (white, off-white)

Highlights:

  • Heated seat (3 temperature settings)
  • LED nightlight (blue color on/off switch)
  • Slow-close lid
  • Uses outlet
  • 5 x 14 x 3 inches (different depending on elongated or round)
  • Elongated or round options
  • Two colors
  • 6 lbs
  • 45” cord

Users mention the cord is on the left side of the toilet (if facing toilet) and it takes about 1 minute to warm up (has a sensor on the seat).   The maximum weight for this toilet seat is 320 lbs and people can sit on the lid as well if needed.

The last considerations for this toilet seat are the price and warranty. I like the price because it comes at a discount to other toilet seats (especially bidets) and you’re getting a quality brand.

The warranty is 1 year which is sufficient – I wouldn’t worry about buying from this company because they make quality products.

#2 Kohler Elongated Bidet Toilet Seat – Heated

Kohler is a brand we had to include on our list.  Please note it comes with a bidet as well. You’ll find that most bidet toilet seats come with a heated seat so feel free to check out my article on the best bidet toilet seat for more options. If a bidet is a problem for you then skip to the other 4 other heated options on my list.

This Kohler model is made to easily hook up to your existing toilet and requires an outlet for the heated seat. If you don’t want the bidet part of the seat, just don’t hook the water up to the seat.

It comes in white and biscuit colors and offeres the handy LED nightlight. I also like the energy-saving mode that switches off after 24 hours of no use (and switches the seat off after 48 hours).

Highlights:

  • Heater
  • LED light
  • Water heat for bidet
  • Plastic material
  • Multiple nozzles for cleaning
  • 9 x 16.4 x 6.3 inches
  • 16 lbs
  • 24” cord (approximate)
  • 1 year warranty

Obviously you’re getting more than just a heated toilet seat with this option so it’s more expensive than the other options on our list. The warranty is solid and it’s backed by a company that has been around for over a century.

Customers like that it’s simple to install and people love the seat warmer for the winter.

#3 Bemis Heated Toilet Seat

Most people aren’t familiar with Bemis but they’re a large manufacturing company based in Wisconsin. They’re more known for their toilet seats and offer many options ranging from plastic, to wood, to electric. They also sell under the brand name “Church” toilet seats.

This heated toilet seat is specialized to keep you warm and it’s one of the best sellers on Amazon. It doesn’t come with a lot of extras like the first 2 options on my list but you’ll be pleased to know it has the nightlight as well as the slow-close seat.

Highlights:

  • Heated seat (3 temperature settings)
  • Slow-close lid
  • Nightlight
  • Wall outlet required
  • 6 lbs
  • 5 x 14.3 x 2.8 inches (check elongated or round options)
  • No motion sensor – button that turns on/off
  • 4 foot cord
  • 1 year warranty

This heated toilet seat is a great option for someone needing to heat up their toilet experience. Remember, there’s no sensor with this seat (a button) but I really like the extra long cord, the nightlight, and the slow-close lid.

A 1 year warranty puts my mind at ease for any issues that may arise down the road.

#4 UltraTouch Heated Toilet Seat

The UltraTouch heated toilet seat is a simple design at an affordable price and uses less electricity than a 50 watt light bulb. You won’t get the extras that you see on my other options but if all you want is a simple toilet seat heat then this is perfect.

The UltraTouch plugs into the back right side of the seat (if looking at the toilet). It uses a 12 volt design and a transformer ensures it is safe.

Highlights:

  • 9 lbs
  • 20 x 15 x 2.2 inches (check elongated or round)
  • One color, white
  • Approximately 30” cord (includes 6’ extension cord)
  • Simple design and likely less problems
  • Easy installation (no plumbing work)

Customers like this seat and design mostly because it is simple. There are more expensive options on the market but UltraTouch will heat your toilet seat for less (and less electricity)

#5 Toasty Tush Heated Toilet Seat

The Toasty Tush is the most unique heated seat on our list. They’ve approached the concept from another angle and done quite well.

Most toilet seat heaters focus on the actual seat, but this heater uses a warming pad on the bottom of the lid (which comes into contact with the seat when in the down position).

The only problem I foresee with this heater is if someone doesn’t put the lid down – then it’s pointless.

Highlights:

  • 3 warmth settings
  • Plug plus 8’ cord
  • Easy to clean – vinyl
  • Heats the bottom of lid, not the seat
  • MAKE SURE YOU PUT THE LID DOWN

Customers like that it’s simple and easy to install. Others say that the high setting is quite hot!

There are additional comments on the quality of the product (some say cheap looking) but overall people like how it works and they like the price.

DIY Heated Toilet Seat

You might be wondering “how”, “why”. Well, I think the same thing. I’ve researched making a DIY heated toilet seat and I’m conflicted on whether it’s worth the hassle.

A heated toilet seat can be an investment but it’s well worth it in the winter months. Making your own requires quite a bit of work and requires the purchase of heaters and wiring (unless you remove them from an old heating pad).

Another consideration is the potential fire hazard your homemade toilet seat heater. Is it safe? Could my house go up in flames? These are serious questions to ask yourself.

In short, a DIY heated toilet seat can be made. Here is a link to a man who made a DIY heated toilet seat with photos.

I believe the opportunity cost outweighs the higher price of buying an already made toilet seat. Let us know in the comments if you’ve made your own (or if you have tips).

Conclusion

A heated toilet seat will be your best friend in winter. After sitting on one you’ll never want to go back to a cold seat.

It’s strange to think about, but I still remember the first time I sat on one – almost 30 years ago!

In this article I shared the basics of heated toilet seats and what you should look for when making a purchase. Unfortunately there aren’t rechargeable heaters or battery heated toilet seats. You’ll need to find an outlet nearby.

Once you’ve assessed your bathroom you’ll need to decide on a toilet seat. I’ve mentioned a few options that work well. I really like the Brondell company for their stylish options and I also like the UltraTouch company for their simplicity. Both will do the job and provide year-round warmth.

Let us know if this article helped you. I appreciate you stopping by to read another Toilet Travels article. Visit our homepage for the latest blog posts and discussion about toilets.