The 11 Best Toilet Seats – Comfortable, Sturdy & Durable

Last Updated on July 27, 2023 by toilethaven

What is the best toilet seat to buy? Whether you are looking for a toilet seat for your newly purchased toilet or replacing your broken one, you need to be meticulous in your choice.

A good toilet for me is one which:

• Is comfortable
• Does not shift
• It feels solid/good quality
• It doesn’t stain easily
• Complements bathroom décor/style.

Toilet seats are probably the most replaced among all parts of a toilet. The constant opening and closing of the seat expose them to wear and tear, especially the hinges. Wobbly/shifting toilet seats also break a lot due to uneven weight application during usage.

You can buy a toilet seat from the same manufacturer as the toilet itself or from a universal toilet seat manufacturer. Most toilet seats are universal if they are the same size/shape.

Before buying a toilet seat, it is important first to measure the toilet. You have to know if to buy an elongated or round seat. For more on measuring a toilet seat, check out this post.

11 Best and Most Comfortable Toilet Seats

The following are the 11 best toilet seats to buy for your home. All of these seats are comfortable, quality, and durable.

1. Kohler  K-4636-96 Cachet – Best Kohler Toilet Seat

Features

• Available for both elongated and round toilets
• Quiet and slow close
• Plastic material
• 4 pounds
• Color-matched installation hinges
• Quick-release mechanism
• Available in almond, biscuit, black, ice grey, dune, cashmere, sandbar, thunder grey, and white

This toilet seat is available for both elongated and round toilet bowls. You need to be sure of your toilet bowl type while making your purchase.

If you, like myself, are irritated by the slamming toilet seat sounds, this is the product for you. It comes with a quiet and slow closing functionality, thereby eliminating the slamming sound.

It is very easy and fast to clean the Kohler Cachet toilet seat. It has a quick-release mechanism that helps you remove it, clean everything and install it back.

The mounting hardware and the seat are installed independently such that after the mounting gear has been installed, all you need to do is slide into the seat. Two plastic covers are used to conceal the top of the seat bolts and hold the seat in place to prevent wobbling.

New buyers may experience two problems with this toilet seat when they buy it initially. First, if you don’t install it properly, it will not be as sturdy as it should be. As a result, the seat will shift from side to side, which is far from comfortable. Make sure that after the nuts are tight, you correctly push down the plastic overs to hold the seat in place.

The second thing users complain about is comfort. Some people even say it feels like sitting on a razor blade. The toilet seat is curved, unlike the normal flat seats. As a result, the top is narrower than most seats are. You will, however, come to like this seat after about a week of usage.

Kohler Cachet is one of the best toilet seats whether you have a Kohler toilet or any other toilet. If you want to be even bolder, try out their black toilet seat.

If you want to compare the Kohler Cachet with other Kohler toilet seats, check out this post.

2. Bath Royale BR620-00 Premium – Best Soft Close Toilet Seat

Features

• It fits all brands, including Kohler, Toto, and American Standard
• Available for round and elongated toilet bowls
• Soft closed toilet seat
• East to clean
• Quick-release mechanism
• Plastic material
• 4.7 pounds
• Stainless steel mounting hardware
• Colors available: almond, biscuit, and white

The Bath Royale BR620-00 is a one-fit-all toilet seat. If you have a Kohler, Toto, American Standard, or any other toilet brand, this toilet seat will be a perfect fit. It is available for round and elongated toilet bowls, so check that detail out while buying.

It incorporates a soft close system and a quick-release mechanism for your convenience. This means no more toilet seat slamming, and cleaning will be easy and fast. The installing bolts and nuts are made of stainless steel and will never corrode.

Your toilet seat is therefore going to last long while maintaining its sturdiness. It also has a beautiful high-gloss finish which enhances its beauty and durability. You can choose from a white, biscuit, or almond finish.

Hygiene-wise, the toilet lid protrudes further forward than the edge of the toilet bowl. If you want to lift the lid and use the toilet, you, therefore, don’t have to touch the actual toilet seat or bowl.

The Bath Royale Premium toilet seat is among the best universal toilet seats, if not the best, in the market today.

3. Bemis 1500EC 146 – Best Budget Toilet Seat

Features

• Available for elongated and round toilet bowls
• It fits all brands, including Kohler, Toto, and American Standard
• Quick-release mechanism for easy cleaning
• Made in the USA
• Molded wood.
• 7.38 pounds
• Non-corrosive bolts and wingnuts
• Plastic hinge
• Colors: Almond, bone, biscuit, Venetian pink, cotton white, Dresden blue, fawn beige, ice grey, and silver

You can trust America’s largest toilet seat manufacturer to make the best toilet seats. This specific model is made of molded enameled wood which leaves it smooth and shiny.

The installation process is quick and easy. Although the product does not come with the instructions manual, it takes not more than 15 minutes to install this toilet seat.

There is a wide color range to choose from. Don’t just go with white. The Venetian pink is a favorite with girls. Young and old girls alike.

Some people who have purchased this toilet seat have complained about the toilet seat staining easily or breaking after just a few months.

I can’t however confirm whether this is the general experience of every buyer, but I tend to think it highly depends on the user. Also, wood breaks more easily than plastic. The toilet seat, however, has a one-year limited warranty.

Perhaps the one downside of this toilet seat is that it does not have a soft close feature. As such, buyers must contend with the seat slamming on the toilet bowl, especially if they have kids.

The Bemis1500EC 146 toilet seat is, in our opinion, the best budget toilet seat to buy. In case you would be interested to check out other great toilet seats by Bemis, read this post.

4. Brondell LumaWarm – Best Heated Toilet Seat

Features

• Available for elongated and round toilet bowls
• Adjustable heated toilet seat (3 temperature settings)
• Slow close the toilet seat
• Easy installation
• LED nightlight (blue)
• 4 feet of the power cord
• Voltage: 120 volts
• 4.6 pounds
• Fits all toilet brands
• Contoured design
• Plastic material
• Seat temperatures: 97, 100, and 104 degrees Fahrenheit
• 320-pound maximum weight capacity
• Available in white and biscuit

With this toilet seat, a trip to the bathroom during winter or any other cold day will never be the same again. The Brondell LumaWarm heated toilet seat has 3 temperature settings for maximum comfort. 

If you need to go to the washroom at 2 in the morning, you are sorted. The cool blue nightlight will illuminate your bathroom such that there will be no need for bright bathroom lights.

A heated toilet seat with a nightlight on a cold night is not an offer most people will refuse. The Brondell LumaWarm is easily the best-heated toilet seat to buy.

If you are wondering whether you will have to call an electrician or a plumber, or even both to help during installation, then guess what? You can do it yourself in fifteen minutes tops. Installing a heated toilet is as easy as installing any other seat. You need to have a power outlet near the toilet.

I have reviewed the Brondell LumaWarm heated toilet seat in more detail here.

5. Bio Bidet BB 2000 – Best Bidet Toilet Seat

Features

• Electric
• Hot water cleansing
• Warm air dryer
• 3-in-1 stainless steel nozzle
• Feminine wash
• Posterior wash
• Oscillating wash
• Pulsating wash
• Enema wash
• Wireless remote control
• Deodorizer
• Heated seat
• Nightlight

Bidet toilet seats are the most luxurious toilet seats you can ever buy. Unlike ordinary toilet seats, they eliminate the need to use toilet paper and also offer other fantastic functions.

There are 2 types of bidet toilet seats. Electric bidet seats and non-electric bidet toilet seats. Electric bidet seats are the best, and although pricey, they are the ones I recommend.

Bio Bidet BB 2000 is, in my opinion, the best bidet toilet seat. One of the most distinguishing factors between it and other bidet seats is its water heating system.

Most bidet seats will either have a hot water reservoir at the back of the seat or use an instant water heating system. The problem with the bidet seats with a water tank is that the water will only last for about 30 seconds then cold water will start coming out.

The ones with an instant water heating system, on the other hand, do not always assure you of hot water at the start of the cleaning process. Enough people have received cold water shocks just before the hot water can start flowing out.

Bio Bidet BB 2000 uses a hybrid water heating system. It has a hot water tank at the back, and as soon as the reservoir runs dry, the instant water heating system kicks in, assuring you of a continuous supply of hot water.

It has a 3-in-1 stainless steel nozzle that offers both posterior and front cleansing options. The front/feminine wash function is gentler than the rear wash, which is ideal for its function.

This nozzle uses air bubbles-infused water (aeration) to provide a gentle but thorough wash. You can adjust the temperature and pressure of the water through the wireless remote control or auxiliary buttons on the side of the seat.

The oscillating wash function allows the nozzle to move back and forth so as to clean over a wide area. Pulsating wash function involves alternating strong and soft streams to create a massage sensation.

One wash function present in the Bio Bidet BB 2000 but absent in other bidet seats is the enema wash. This involves the use of a thin but strong and whirling water stream which is very effective in alleviating constipation.

After cleaning yourself with the Bio Bidet BB 2000, turn on the warm air dryer. The dryer, which also has adjustable air temperature levels, blows warm air all over you until you are completely dry. An air deodorizer then kicks in to deal with any lingering bad odor.

Two bidet seats that compete with the Bio Bidet BB 2000 are the Toto Washlet S550e and the Brondell Swash 1400 bidet toilet seat.

The Toto Washlet S550e is a fantastic bidet seat with an auto opening and closing lid but more expensive than the Bio Bidet. I have compared both Bio Bidet BB 2000 and Toto Washlet S550e in more detail in this post.

Brondell Swash 1400 is another great bidet seat. How does it compare with the Bio Bidet BB 2000, though? Find out in this review.

Due to its hybrid heating system, the Bio Bidet BB 2000 uses more power than instant heating systems. It also has no user presets in its remote control.

I have written a more detailed review of the 7 best bidet toilet seats. Read it here.

6. Topseat Bamboo Toilet Seat – Best Wooden Toilet Seat

Features

• Made from bamboo
• Available for round and elongated toilets
• Eco-friendly
• Smooth finish
• Non-slip bumpers
• 8.4 pounds
• Brushed-nickel hinge
• 3-year warranty

There are 2 types of wooden toilet seats. Solid wood toilet seats and molded wood toilet seats. Solid wood toilet seats are heavier and thicker than molded wood seats.

Another thing with solid wood toilet seats is that they retain their natural wood color, while molded wood toilet seats are usually finished in different colors, just like plastic toilet seats.

Topseat Native Impression bamboo toilet seat is one of the best wooden seats. I especially picked this seat since bamboo is very environmentally friendly compared to other types of wood.

Unlike other types of trees, which take decades to mature, you can almost watch bamboo grow. As a matter of fact, some bamboo species can grow at a rate of about 1.5 inches per hour.

This toilet seat retains the natural color of wood, which gives your bathroom that rustic/farmhouse look that helps to complement its décor. The beautiful bamboo grain finish is what makes the seat looks so stylish.

I often have people ask me if wooden toilet seats are sanitary. People imagine the wood is directly exposed to water and urine, which would make these seats a perfect habitat for germs.

The truth is that wooden seats like the Topseat bamboo toilet seats are finished off using a smooth varnish which, apart from being water impervious, resists cracking and warping. Wooden toilet seats only become unhygienic if, after years of usage, they start peeling off or cracking. This exposes the actual wood to urine and water, and it may even start rotting.

Topseat wooden toilet seats are fitted with stylish and secure brushed-nickel hinges. They help match the seat with other bathroom items. These hinges will also not corrode.

If you want to explore more wooden toilet seats, I have written a detailed review of 7 of the best. Read it here.

7. American Standard Telescoping El Luxury Seat – Best American Standard Toilet Seat.

Features

• Elongated toilet seat
• Compatible with most toilet brands
• Slow close the toilet seat and lid
• EVER-TITE stabilizing hinge
• EverClean Surface
• Plastic material
• 3.47 pounds
• Available in linen and white
• Limited lifetime guarantee

This is a great product from American Standard. It gives users the option of installing it from underneath the bowl or from the top if they don’t like bending too much.

Once installed, this seat does not shift around. Its stabilization hinges are designed to ensure there are no sideway movements. Removing the seat for cleaning is also so easy. You push two buttons and slide it out.

The telescoping design of this toilet seat has a seat extending slightly over the bowl, which makes the toilet look so sleek. American Standard’s EverClean surface antimicrobial additive prevents the growth of molds which makes the seat durable.

The slow-close feature of this toilet seat is exceptionally good. Both the seat and lid close slowly and in tandem. American Standard is very confident in this product such that they offer you a limited lifetime warranty after buying it.

This toilet seat is, however, a little pricier compared to other toilet seats. That notwithstanding, it is probably the best-elongated toilet seat you can buy.

8. Big John 6-W – Best Toilet Seat for Heavy Person

Features

• 800 pounds capacity
• Highly durable
• Made in USA
• Fits round and elongated toilet bowls
• High impact hinges
• Closed-front and open-front options
• Oversized stabilizing bumpers
• 7 pounds
• Plastic
• One-year warranty

The Big John toilet seat was designed with the best interest at the heart of a heavy person. It has a weight capacity of 800 pounds and is made from ABS plastic.

The synthetic rubber bumpers between it and the toilet bowl hold it in place and prevent it from shifting from side to side. It fits both round and elongated toilet bowls from most brands.

The Big John oversize toilet seat has 2 variables, one for commercial use and the other for residential use. The open-front one is especially recommended for hospitals and other public restrooms. This is in line with the legal requirement that all toilet seats in public restrooms must have a gap at the front.

The Big John is simply the best toilet seat for a heavy person. You get to do your business comfortably without the fear of falling off.

9. Toto SS154#12 Traditional – Best Toto Toilet Seat

Features

• Elongated toilet seat
• Soft close feature
• Plastic
• Chemical resistant
• 7 pounds
• Available in Sedona beige, cotton white, colonial white, ebony, and bone
• One-year warranty

This Toto toilet seat is one of the most comfortable toilet seats on the market. They also add a great deal of height to a standard toilet, making it feel almost like a comfortable height toilet.

The soft close feature means no more toilet slamming. And it works as well as advertised. It is made of high-impact plastic, meaning it can comfortably accommodate heavy users.

We all know that Toto makes some of the best bidet toilet seats, also known as Washlets; Toto Washlets are quite expensive. If you do not have the cash to buy a Toto Washlet then this is the best toto toilet seat you can buy.

The price of this toilet is also higher than most toilet seats, though, but it is worth it. It comes with a one-year limited warranty.

10. Mayfair 188SLOW 000 NextStep2 – Best Potty Training Seat

Features

• 2-in-1 seat
• Slow closing
• Removable potty seat
• Enameled wood
• Round/elongated seat
• High-gloss finish
• White, bone, or linen
• Chipping/scratch-resistant
• Sta-Tite fastening system
• Clutter-free
• 8 pounds

MAYFAIR 188SLOW 000 NextStep2 is a toilet seat with a built-in potty training seat. Instead of having a separate potty seat, you will need to install and remove it. These 2-in-1 toilet seats will serve both adults and help you with your potty training needs.

The smaller potty training seat is magnetically attached to the adult seat at all times unless when being used. This clutter-free design ensures that your bathroom look organized and that adults who have nothing to do with potty training do not touch the potty seat.

Mayfair 188SLOW 000 is a soft-close toilet seat. Apart from eliminating the very irritating seat slamming sound, it also ensures that your young one will not have their fingers pinched by the closing seat.

Since Mayfair was acquired by Bemis Manufacturing, their toilet seats have included features of the Sta-Tite fastening system. This toilet seat fastening system ensures that once the seat has been installed, it never loosens and will, therefore, never shift from side to side.

Since we all know how messy kids can be, the potty seat is made so that you can easily remove and reattach it back. This makes it easy and fast to clean it, separate from the adult seat. You can also replace it if broken.

Mayfair NextStep2 toilet seat is made of durable enameled wood with a superior high-gloss finish. It resists chipping and scratching and is, therefore, very sanitary and long-lasting.

If you would instead prefer a stand-alone potty training seat, I have written a detailed post reviewing the very best ones. Read it here.

11. Vive Toilet Seat Riser – Best Raised Toilet Seat

Features

• Raised toilet seat with arms
• 5 inches high
• 250 pounds weight limit
• 22 inches between arms
• Aluminum support
• Padded arms
• 7.05 pounds
• Available for round and elongated toilets

Toilet seat risers or raised toilet seats are installed on top of a toilet bowl to add height to a toilet. They make it easy to sit and stand on a toilet without putting much strain on the knees.

Some raised toilet seats will need the existing toilet seat removed, while others can be used together with the existing toilet seat. For anyone recovering from surgery, the elderly, and just anyone with limited mobility, a toilet seat riser will be very helpful.

The Vive toilet seat riser is the best-raised toilet seat. It is available for both elongated and round toilet bowls, where it will add an extra 5 inches in height.

Raised toilet seats with arms/handles like the Vive toilet seat riser are the best. They remove the responsibility of lifting your body from your legs and transfer it to the hands. With the hands in control, you can sit on the toilet as slowly as you like and stand just as slowly.

The grip handles are very soft and, therefore, easy on your hands since they are padded with soft foam. Apart from just being soft, they prevent slippage, especially if you have wet hands. The gap between the 2 handles is 22 inches which can comfortably fit almost everyone. These rip handles can also be removed if so desired.

To clean this seat, use regular household disinfectant or sanitizing wipes. The metallic parts of the seat are made of aluminum and, therefore, can’t corrode. Its maximum weight limit is 250 pounds.

I have also written a more detailed review of the best-raised toilet seats. Read it here.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Toilet Seat

Before you buy a toilet seat to go with your toilet, it is exceedingly important that you consider the following factors. Not every seat will be good for your toilet. Take your time to choose wisely.

Elongated vs. Round Toilet Seats

There are two main types of toilets in the United States. Elongated and round toilets. Toilet seats are also manufactured with these designs in mind. If you have an elongated toilet, you should always buy an elongated toilet seat. The same should also apply to the round toilets too.

So how do you know if you have a round or elongated toilet seat? By measuring. And how do you measure for a toilet seat?

Read this post to learn how to measure a toilet seat.

Closed-Front Toilet Seats vs. Open-Front Toilet Seats

Closed-front toilet seats are made for residential applications. They are the toilet seats you find in people’s homes.

Open-front toilet seats are found in public toilets and are a legal requirement. Their design is for hygienic purposes. They allow women to reach back and wipe their nether regions without touching the toilet seat. Also, men are less likely to stain the seat with urine.

Wood vs. Plastic Toilet Seats

Buying wooden or plastic toilet seats solely depends on the buyer’s preference. Plastic toilet seats are generally lighter than wooded toilet seats, while wooden toilets are warmer.

I have written a full article comparing the pros and cons of wooden vs. plastic toilet seats. Read it here.

Slow close toilet seats vs. Standard toilet seats

Slow/soft-close toilet seats are designed to stop the seat from slamming on the toilet bowl, which disgusts most people. Standard toilet seats always slam on the bowl unless you take it down yourself very gently. Slow-close toilet seats cost more than standard toilet seats, although not always.

I have detailed reviews of the 10 best soft-close toilet seats. Read it here.

Quick-Release and Non-quick Release Toilet Seats

A quick-release toilet seat allows the user to push a button(s) and slide it out or in. This helps to easily clean the toilet and seat and then slide it back without uninstalling the entire seat.

For non-quick-release toilet seats, you have to uninstall the entire toilet seat if you want to clean it. This takes time.

Color

Unlike toilets, toilet seats come in so many colors. A seat does not need to match the color of the toilet. Although most people like matching the toilet seat with the toilet, some prefer to mix up the colors of the toilet and the seat.

I especially like wooden, pink, and black toilet seats.

Heated Toilet Seats

A heated toilet seat keeps you warm and comfortable while using the toilet. They are quite handy in cold climates or just on a cold day.

Non-heated toilet users are always under the mercy of the prevailing weather conditions. Heated toilet seats are pricier than non-heated seats and will also increase your power bills.

Nightlight Toilet Seats

You don’t have to walk in the dark or unnecessarily turn on your bathroom lights while going to the bathroom in the dead of night. A nightlight toilet seat will illuminate the room, making it easy to navigate your way to the toilet.

Most toilet seats with a nightlight will also have a heated seat and sometimes will also double up as a bidet seat.

FAQs

1. Why are public toilets U-shaped/have a gap?

Public toilet seats are, by law, required to have a gap at the front. The main reason for this is to make sure that the toilet user’s genitals do not come into contact with the seat. It also prevents urine splash-back.

2. How do I measure for a toilet seat?

Using a tape measure, establish the length of the toilet bowl. Measure from the center of the two mounting holes to the front of the toilet bowl. Most elongated toilet bowls have a length of 18.5 inches, while round toilet bowls have a length of 16.5 inches.

3. Why do toilet seats crack?

Toilet seats crack for a variety of reasons. If you repeatedly slam the toilet seat on the bowl, it will develop stress lines and crack eventually. If the load on the seat exceeds the recommended one, it will also crack. If your toilet seat is not tight on the bolts, it will keep shifting, and when you sit on it when it is not aligned to the bowl, it will most crack.

4. How do you remove urine stains from a toilet seat?

• Mix a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with 2 glasses of cold water in a small bowl or bucket.
• Add one tablespoon of vinegar and stir
• Use a sponge or a cloth and scrub the stain off

5. Should I leave the toilet seat up or down?

Gentlemen, If you are using the toilet while standing, always lift the seat so as not to stain it while you are doing your business. When you are done, put the toilet seat down. If you have dropped a few urine drops on the bowl, wipe them off with toilet paper before they dry up.

6. How does a raised toilet seat work?

For people whose toilets are working perfectly well but are rather short, they can install a raised toilet seat. The raised toilet seat offers the same convenience as a comfortable-height toilet.