The Novita Slimline BN-330

Kohler has teamed up with Novita to create an entry level bidet with some high-level features.

Pros	Cons
Instantaneous heated water	No pulsating/massage function
Slim profile	Weak dryer
Strong, sittable lid	Only supports up to 280 pounds
Stainless steel wand
Fits both one and two-piece toilets

First, the basics:

This is a bidet seat, so it will be replacing your old toilet seat.
It is electric, so you will need access to a power outlet (three pronged).
Available in elongated or round sizes.
It comes in white only.
You will need a phillips-head screwdriver (and possibly a flat-head screwdriver, depending on how your old toilet seat is mounted) for installation.
All other installation components are included.
A side panel (the attached remote) controls all functions.
The stainless steel nozzle self-cleans and retracts after each use.
Three-year manufacturer’s warranty with the option for a six-year extended warranty.

The features:

Expand

Stainless steel nozzle
- Dual nozzles for both posterior and feminine cleaning.
Tankless water heating
- Heats water instantly and on-demand so you don’t ever run out.
Oscillating
- The wand moves back and forth for a more thorough clean.
- Works with both the posterior and feminine cleansing options.
Turbo mode
- Cranks the pressure to maximum to annihilate any stubborn, sticky residue.
Nozzle self clean
- Douses the nozzle with water.
- Works automatically before and after each use, but can also be used manually.
Warm-air dryer
Adjustable nozzle position
- Can move the nozzle to desired position.
- Works for all wash modes.
Adjustable water pressure
- Three levels.
Adjustable water temperature
- Three levels.
Adjustable seat temperature
- Three levels.
Adjustable dryer temperature
- Three levels.
Supports up to 280 pounds (127 kg)
Eco-mode
- Normal and Super.
- Normal lowers the seat temperature and water temperature while the seat is unoccupied, adjusting it to your preferred setting once you sit down.
- Super will cut the voltage completely to the seat and water heater until you sit down.
Slow closing lid

The Pros:

Tankless water heating (this deserves its own bullet point, in my opinion)
- The water is heated instantly, not in a tank.
- This provides the user with instant, endless warm water and is a major value to households with multiple people lining up to use the bathroom in the mornings.
Other premium features
- The stainless steel wand with two nozzles is a wonderful addition.
- Novita has made the lid incredibly strong, so no worries about sitting on it.
- A very slim (five inches tall (12.7 cm)) profile does wonders for streamlining the Novita’s look.
Easy to install
- Not unique to the Slimline, but still worth noting.
Fits both one- and two-piece toilets (!)
- Not many other inexpensive bidets can boast this feature.
- Quite exciting for those with attractive one-piece toilets who have been looking for a bidet seat to no avail.
A three-year-long manufacturers warranty
- A very generous warranty compared to most other bidets in this price range.

The Cons:

No pulsating water option
- This is a feature I really love that helps with constipation, hemorrhoids and simply feels great. Sad to see it’s lacking here.
Only supports 280 pounds
- Many people with a heavier frame choose bidets for their ease of use compared to using toilet paper. It’s unfortunate that many who need a bidet won’t be able to choose this model.
The dryer
- As with many bidet dryers, it isn’t quite powerful enough to dry you if you’re in a hurry, usually taking up to five minutes.

Final Thoughts:

This bidet-seat packs a surprising amount of premium features into its slim body. The tankless water heating is an absolute wonder at this price, and the durable lid and wand are both indicators of a durable, long-lasting unit. If you aren’t heavier than the 280 pound weight limit, don’t require a pulsating spray for various reasons, and know what to expect with a typical bidet dryer, this is one of the best sub $300 bidets on the market.

Check out more photos and the current price.

Best Bidet-Seats Under $300

April 17, 2017 by @elioverbey

It’s surprisingly easy to find feature-packed, high-quality bidets for under $300. Picking which of those are the best though, isn’t so straightforward.

Here are the three best bidets for less than $300

These are the best and the brightest, the star pupils of the affordable luxury world! So, without further adieu….

Novita Slimline BN-330

The Novita Slimline is a cute little number that punches well above its weight.

Why is it special?

This bidet-seat completely blows many other, more expensive bidet-seats out of the water.

Made for Kohler by Novita in Korea, they’ve somehow managed to provide a tankless water heating system that provides unlimited, instantaneous warm water, a dryer, and a premium, stainless steel nozzle (great for keeping bacteria and viruses at bay, as they have trouble infiltrating the material as it is less porous than plastic) in a compact size and a budget-bidet price.

What about other features?

Feast your eyes on those smooth lines.

The Novita BN-330 also has all of the features you’d expect any quality bidet-seat to have (and a surprise or two for a sub $300 product). There are two nozzles on the stainless steel wand, one for posterior and one for feminine washing.

These are capable of changing positions as well as oscillating and also have adjustable pressure and water temperature settings. The last nozzle-related characteristic is a turbo function that can really blast you, should the Enterprise encounter some resilient Klingons.

The lid is slow-closing and designed to be strong enough to be sat on (bathroom make-up artists rejoice!). Not only is the lid strong, but its rear (which houses its electronic components) only rises five inches above the toilet rim – this is truly slim compared to units that heat water in a tank/reservoir system, many coming in at 7 or more inches tall.

Lastly, there is an eco-mode which will save you power/money by lowering the seat and water temps.

Anything lacking?

The Novita is missing a couple features I’d like to see in an updated model somewhere down the line. A massage/pulsating feature and an auto-wash option (read more about these below in the Aura A7 overview) would fill out the otherwise impressive suite of attributes.

Bottom line.

Go with the Novita if your primary concerns are a slim profile with a strong lid and having enough warm water, as the tankless system is incredible and tough to find for less than $400.

Also, have a gander at our review of the Novita here.

BioBidet Aura A7

BioBidet offers the Aura A7 as its flagship budget-bidet. This bidet is not only comparatively cheap, but also well thought-out and smartly engineered.

Why is it special?

The stainless steel wand. What a beaut’!

With the Aura A7, BioBidet has tried to differentiate itself from the competition by giving this bidet-seat some seriously smooth lines.

The lid is one single surface instead of being broken up by the electronics/reservoir housing like many other bidet-seats (see how the Novita Slimline’s seat differs above). It also sports a cool, blue LED side panel that pulses with the water for what is probably the coolest butt cleaning experience in the universe.

The side panel isn’t the only thing that lights up, either.

There is a night light feature that illuminates the bowl with a soothing blue light that acts like a lighthouse in the dark, guiding you towards its heated seat’s warm embrace.

The Aura A7 also boasts two user profile settings. These save the nozzle position and water pressure for a more streamlined experience.

What about other features?

While it lacks a dryer, it does have a stainless steel wand with two nozzles much like the Novita.

There is also a pulsating massage option that the Novita and SB-110 (below) lack. This pulsating is quite nice for those who suffer from constipation or hemorrhoids and feels pretty darn therapeutic even for those without any booty problems.

The option to use any wash feature while the nozzle is oscillating is also present in the Aura.

One last wash function that is sadly missing in the Novita is the auto-wash function. This gives you a grand tour of the bidet’s washing capabilities (and gives an incredibly thorough clean) by giving your first 20 seconds of regular washing, then 20 seconds of oscillating washing and finishes with 20 seconds of pulsating washing.

Eco-mode is also available and works just like that in the Novita.

Anything lacking?

Contoured lines make the A7 a sleek addition to your bathroom.

The Aura gets edged out in the heating category (compared to the Novita) and in durability.

The Aura A7 uses a tank-heating system, so it has a limited (although almost always sufficient!) amount of warm water for cleaning. This could potentially be a problem if someone uses the bidet directly after someone else.

The durability issue stems from the lid being quite flimsy – BioBidet provides warnings not to sit on it. While not a deal-breaker, this could affect some more than others.

Bottom line.

If you want a futuristic-looking toilet that lights up the night and impresses guests, the Aura A7 is your best bet.

The pulsating stream and user profiles are also worthwhile (especially if you have issues with constipation or hemorrhoids. Seriously, it is wonderful for both).

And finally, head over to our review of the Aura A7 for an even more in-depth look.

SmartBidet SB-110

SmartBidet has entered a new contender into the Battle of the Bidets.

An updated look and some new features make this a worthy heiny hose down device.

Why is it special?

The qualities that most sets the SB-110 apart is its removable/replaceable nozzle cap and its small profile.

The nozzle cap snaps on/off the stainless steel wand which makes for easier and more comprehensive cleaning as well as letting you replace it should you so desire.

A drain feature allows the user to release all the water in the bidet’s tank, which can be useful if you find yourself on an extended leave from home.

Additionally, this is one of the more stalwart posterior polishers – it can support up to 440 pounds!

There’s also a kids’ mode and a very nice air dryer all packed into a seat that’s only an inch taller than the impossibly slim Novita.

An updated and very attractive side-panel control (nice job, SmartBidet!) adorns this wonderful washlet.

What about other features?

A picture of the SB-110's replaceable nozzle cap.

With a replaceable cap, the SB-110 is easier to clean and maintain.

The SB-110 has all the standard features you’d expect on a fully-capable wazoo washer.

There’s a feminine and posterior clean, and a turbo mode (not quite an enema, but useful for those of us with some shag carpet decorating the basement) with an oscillate option for each.

The air dryer has five levels of intensity and the water pressure has five levels, too.

An eco-mode similar to that in the above models rounds off the list of features.

Anything lacking?

The tankless heating of the Novita is missing, as is the pulsating wash of the Aura. This shouldn’t shatter the relationship you made with the SB-110 in the previous sections, as every other capability of this washlet is stellar. Perhaps SmartBidet will add these somewhere down the line, as it seems they take customer feedback seriously.

Bottom line.

The SB-110 will appeal to those who want a slim, jack-of-all-trades bidet.

The new look SmartBidet is going for is great, and the drain feature is incredibly useful as well. Also, if you are a bit larger, the 440 pound limit is wonderful for the added peace of mind.

Finally, get your booty on over to our full review of the SmartBidet SB-110.

I hope you found this guide helpful! As always, questions and comments are more than welcome. Happy spraying!

BioBidet IB835 Review

April 13, 2017 by @elioverbey

The BioBidet IB835

BiobBidet’s most expensive offering is an elegant all-in-one unit. Is it better than their cheaper seat-only counterparts?

Check out more photos and the current price.

Pros	Cons
Amazing dryer	Not as many features as you'd think for the price
Streamlined appearance	Included toilet piece has no special features besides remote flush
Futuristic remote
Kids' mode

First, the basics:

This is is an integrated bidet, which means it comes with its own toilet (bowl, tank, etc.).
Weighs 90 pounds.
It is electric, so you will need access to a power outlet (three pronged).
It comes in white only.
You will need a phillips-head screwdriver, drill with 3/8″ bit, and an adjustable wrench for installation.
- You don’t need to be a plumber to install. Quite easy for those with any experience using tools.
A wireless remote controls all functions (including flush).
- There are buttons on the right side to take care of basic wash features (posterior clean, feminine clean, and STOP) if the remote runs out of batteries on you.
- Also, a manual flush button is located on the left side so you can flush without electricity.
The bidet can be separated from the toilet.
Three-year limited manufacturer’s warranty on bidet, two-year limited warranty on the toilet itself.

The features:

Expand

2 in 1 unique nozzle system
- Two nozzles on the same wand. The rear cleansing nozzle features three holes, and the front wash features eight smaller holes.
- It should be noted that the nozzle’s position can be adjusted with the remote to suit any user.
- The water for both washes is aerated (infused with air) to provide a gentler wash while also being more effective.
- Pressure can be adjusted to five different levels.
Oscillating
- The nozzle moves back and forth, giving a larger cleaning area.
Wide cleaning
- Once again, BioBidet likes to list features twice. This is the oscillating feature listed again.
Pulsating
- Pulses of water instead of a steady stream. This can alleviate constipation and can be quite soothing to sufferers of hemorrhoids.
Massage cleaning
- …..Pulsating option listed again under a different name. It’s beyond me why Biobidet does this.
Satisfying posterior cleaning
- Standard rear cleansing.
Soft feminine cleaning
- It is softer than the rear cleanse. The eight smaller holes do a good job of making it less intense on this more sensitive area.
Bubble infusion
- This is the aeration I mentioned in the nozzle feature.
Nozzle self-clean
- Before and after each use. The nozzle will douse itself in water after retracting to completely clean the unit.
User controlled continuous warm water
- No need to wait for hot water or to constantly have a tank heater running. This is a great system that quickly and effectively heats water for you on demand.
- Four levels to choose from: OFF, 91° F, 96° F, 102° F
Wireless remote with LCD window
- A very nice remote with responsive touch control.
- The screen is very cool, as it is a transparent LCD display that lights up with a blue light when being used.
Auto Flush
- The toilet will automatically flush when the user stands up.
Adjustable heated seat
- Four levels to choose from: OFF, 91° F, 96° F, 102° F
Powerful deodorizer
- An effective fan/activated carbon system that pulls the air in the bowl through an activated carbon filter. The freshened air is then vented out of a side port.
Intelligent body sensor
- Detects when someone is seated on the toilet, so the bidet won’t activate when curious children or guests decide to push the buttons while not covering the seat.
Adjustable warm air dry
- A strong air dyer with five levels of intensity.
Slow closing lid
Quick release for easy cleaning

The Pros:

Best dryer out there.
- This dryer is extremely powerful and will *gasp* actually dry your rear in a respectable amount of time.
Uniform appearance.
- The reservoir is integrated into the back of the toilet, rather than in a tank the sticks up from the rear.
  - Appears tankless.
- The bidet fits perfectly onto the toilet.
- Can finally make you feel like you’re taking care of business in a 21st century appliance instead of a visual update to technology that’s hundreds of years old (FYI, the flushing toilet was invented in 1596!).
The remote impresses with display and responsiveness.
- Quite futuristic with the transparent LCD display.
- Not finicky about button presses.
An unlisted “kids” feature.
- Goes through a whole cleansing process. An oscillating rear spray at lower pressure and then a drying cycle.
A three-year manufacturer’s warranty.
- Nice to know you’ll be protected should anything go FUBAR with your unit.

The Cons:

Missed feature opportunities.
- With a all-in-one design, you would think BioBidet would utilize the toilet section for more than just a remote-operated flush.
- A UV light in the bowl would be nice to kill lingering viruses and bacteria.
- A night-light also seems like a easily added feature that is on a few cheaper bidet-seat models.
- A bowl pre-mist would be nice, as offered by the TOTO C100.
This is a common complaint of mine with BioBidet, but they have a truly weird Amazon presence. I found their list of features misleading as some singular features were mentioned twice by two different names. This may or may not be intentional (I’d wager it was just along the lines of a typo), just a small gripe which might confuse your average consumer (it certainly confused me!).

Final Thoughts:

What truly sets this toilet-bidet combo apart from the more common bidet-seats, is its striking good looks. The low-profile, tankless appearance is guaranteed to garner some compliments. Further, the remote compliments the toilet very nicely and is quite user-friendly; perfect for those with lower mobility. The features list is pretty packed, and the dryer is one of the best, but other than that, there isn’t really anything you couldn’t find on a cheaper, premium bidet-seat. Also, it seems BioBidet missed a couple opportunities to capitalize on the integrated toilet, with features that some of their competitors. If you value appearance and convenience, this is a great buy. If you’re looking for any and every feature under the sun, you might want to explore some other options.

More photos and current price HERE.

Bidets and UTIs

April 9, 2017 by @elioverbey

Ahh, the dreaded UTI. A burning, need-to-pee feeling, lower back pain, strange-smelling urine nightmare that will affect 50% of women during their lifetimes.

What is a UTI?

For those that are lucky enough not to have gotten one, UTI stands for urinary tract infection. It is caused by bacteria entering the urethra (the tube your body uses to urinate) and creating an infection. These bacteria can then spread farther, reaching the bladder and sometimes even the kidneys.

What are the symptoms?

Burning sensation while urinating.
An achy lower back/abdomen caused by the infection reaching the bladder and kidneys.
Fatigue and possibly fever.
Strange-smelling urine that looks as strange as it smells (dark, cloudy, sometimes bloody).
Needing to pee, but unable to produce much to alleviate the feeling.

How can UTIs be caused?

UTIs are most commonly caused by the bacteria from one’s own bum (E. coli is the most common UTI causing bacteria). Traitors! Women are often taught from a young age to wipe from the front to back after using the toilet, and for good reason; if you wipe from the rear to the front, you can easily introduce those sneaky butt-teria to the urethra. With regards to the female genitals, this easy to remember rhyme can save you a lot of unnecessary woe, “Wipe away, shout hooray. Wipe toward, prepare for horrific UTI causing bacteria to board”.

UTIs can also be caused by sexual activity as some bacteria that haven’t been able to enter the area can be delivered right to their easily infect-able destination.

Another relevant tidbit of UTI info regards the recurrence of the infection. Most women will only have to deal with a UTI once. However, nearly 20% of women suffer from reoccurring UTIs.
Some are unlucky enough to be plagued by a guerrilla group of bacteria that have established colonies beyond the reach of both medication (antibiotics) and the immune system. These colonies can send out bacteria again and again, causing infections that blossom regardless of hygiene habits.

How are UTIs cured?

Most UTIs will be cured with antibiotics and taking extra care to maintain a thorough cleaning of the area after using the bathroom.

This is really the only truly effective method. There is a lot of talk about a tannin in cranberries that can shut-down E. coli, but a recent (2012) review of 24 different studies on the efficacy of cranberries on UTIs did not note any significant improvement in patient condition.

How do bidets have anything to do with this?

Prevention.

Bidets do a superior job of removing bacteria from the anal and genital areas. Imagine how clean you’d feel if you had poo all over your hands and were given a bunch of tissues to clean it with. Now, water alone won’t be as effective as soap and water, but an article by The Atlantic points out the benefits of water alone, which are hardly insignificant.

Even more relevant is a study The Gerontologist ran that involved senior females at a senior care center. Jiska Cohen-Mansfield, PhD and James R. Biddison, BA conducted the study, titled “The potential of wash-and-dry toilets to improve the toileting experience for nursing home residents.”

The results of their study were that the residents had a better bathroom experience (duh, bidets are pretty awesome) and “Bacterial content of urine decreased in the experimental group and increased in the comparison group during the trial.”

Treatment

Decreasing the bacteria content of urine (essentially how much bacteria is in the urethra) can do wonders for shortening a typical UTI when combined with a doctor prescribed antibiotic, as the bacteria on-the-loose will have fewer reinforcements to draw from to prolong the infection.

The Palm TP70 Travel Bidet Review

April 4, 2017 by @elioverbey

The Palm TP70 Travel Bidet

The TP70 does the job it’s designed for despite a couple design missteps.

Current price and more photos.

Pros	Cons
Extendable nozzle	Leaks a bit when being used
Recently enlarged (450ml) squeeze bottle	Dorky tote bag
Don't need high mobility to use effectively	Some might want higher pressure

First, the basics:

Many of these measurements may be different than what you see listed on some websites, that’s because this bidet has recently undergone some changes (most for the better).
This is a portable bidet.
About 7.5 inches (about 19cm) long when nozzle is retracted (how you will most likely be carrying it around).
Non-electric (uses only your hand pressure to operate).
Comes with a retractable nozzle, 15oz (450ml) squeeze bottle and a small carrying bag.
It comes only in blue/white as shown in the the attached picture.
Nozzle is split into two halves, one with five small holes on each side.
- This allows for a fairly wide area of cleaning (maybe about the size of a dime at normal cleaning distance).
Utilizes an “airlock” to determine pressure.
- This is a small hole on the bottom of the squeeze bottle that you can cover with your finger to prevent water from leaking out of the nozzle when you are about to use the unit.
- When you uncover the hole, you can squeeze the bidet while the hole acts as an air intake. This should allow for a nice, steady stream with easily controllable pressure and also allows the bidet to re-inflate itself so that it can be more easily squeezed again.
- Some water may (probably WILL) leak out of this if the bidet is right-side up (as it appears in the right-hand image).
Can be used with both warm and cold water (essentially whatever is available in the restroom!).
One-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Pros:

The cost.
- It’s hard to put a price on feeling clean, but I’d say $12.99 is a bargain for it.
Generous squeeze bottle.
- With the recent bump to 15 ounces (450ml), there is going to be enough water to get the job done. You won’t find yourself doing a walk-of-shame back to the faucet to refill the bottle.
Nozzle angle is just right.
- Very easy to insert this bidet in the front with a small (somewhere around 10-15 degree) angle and get good coverage. Doesn’t take much adjustment or mobility to make it work.
Longer nozzle than most.
- There is something to be said for keeping your hands as far from the area about to be cleaned as possible. The Palm does a very nice job of this with its longer-than-average nozzle.
Retractable nozzle.
- This is a very nice feature, given the length of the nozzle.
- Easy to retract and extend. Not much strength required.
- After it is retracted, expect what little water remains in the squeeze bottle to potentially find its way out.
  - In short, empty the bottle completely before retracting/storing!

The Cons:

Leaky.
- The airlock seems to always leak a bit when the Palm is upright.
  - This is on the magnitude of only a few drops. Small, but worth mentioning.
- Very annoying to nearly always come away with wet fingers.
Slightly low pressure.
- With the recent ‘upgraded’ nozzle, there just seems to be too much water and too little pressure.
  - Be warned, this is coming from someone who likes higher pressure bidets, so it might be just right for you.
Dorky carrying case.
- Large advertisement for BioBidet on the carrying baggie.
- Yes, this case is almost always going to be inside my bag, but sometimes I go rooting through my bag and things fall out. I don’t need the world to know I’m packing a BioBidet. Would be nice if it were unbranded! You can turn it inside out, but that affects the usability somewhat.
- And yes, this carrying case it needed. From potential splash contamination to the wet nature of the product after use, a bag is needed. I suppose we could just use sandwich bags, but…. come on!

Final Thoughts:

It’s hard to fault a product that does its job well and for such a small investment. It really works wonders on the go and can totally change your public restroom (or hiking) game forever. The leaks, pressure and carrying case may bother some more than others (and the leaks seem to vary from unit to unit), but overall, this is a very hearty recommend. Once you get used to using a bidet at home, the thought of a toilet paper only experience will send shivers down your spine. The BioBidet Palm TP70 brings a decent fraction of the home-bidet experience with you, wherever you may find yourself.

Check out more photos and the current price HERE.

Luxe Bidet Neo 120 Review

March 31, 2017 by @elioverbey

The Luxe Bidet Neo 120

Luxe Bidet’s most popular model. Does it do enough to stand apart from the competition?

More photos and the current price.

Pros	Cons
Extremely affordable	Plastic t-fitting (piece that connects unit to water supply) may leak
Easy to operate	No warm water option might be tough in colder climates
Ceramic and metal internal valve will outlast plastic
Nozzle protected by splash guard

If you aren’t going route of the electric bidet, the Luxe Bidet Neo 120 is a great entry point.

First, the basics:

This is a bidet attachment, not a full bidet seat.
It has a bidet feature and a nozzle cleaning feature.
Non-electric (uses only your home’s water pressure to operate).
It will fit virtually any toilet.
It comes with blue or white accents.
You will need a screwdriver and possibly a wrench to install.
- Luxe Bidet says that everything required for installation is included, including tools. This means a plastic wrench. You might want a beefier steel one, but the included plastic one serves its purpose for the most part.
All other installation components are included.
The water pressure is controlled by turning a dial.
The nozzle automatically retracts when the bidet isn’t being used.
There is a splash-guard of sorts that blocks the nozzle and its housing from coming into contact with bodily fluids.
Eighteen-month manufacturer’s warranty.

The Pros:

Very affordable.
- A fraction more expensive than the Astor Fresh Water Spray bidet, this falls into the extreme-value category of bidets.
- There are enough additional features to make the slight step up in price from the cheapest bidets worth it.
- The eighteen-month warranty makes this a sound investment.
The bidet function works very well.
- The water pressure is controlled by a dial that is clearly marked. The second dial, beneath, changes the function from bidet use to self cleaning.
- As with all bidet attachments, the nozzle doesn’t adjust its position, so it’s up to you to do that to achieve thorough cleansing.
Easy to install.
- Like most bidet attachments, it will take around ten minutes to install. Here is a video of the process provided by Luxe Bidet.
- Can be adjusted to fit nearly any toilet. Luxe Bidet uses adjustable plates with slots to ensure it will fit no matter the dimensions of your seat’s attachment (as long as it is a two-piece toilet).
The nozzle automatically extends and retracts and is protected by a splash-guard.
- When you activate the water, the nozzle will extend and begin to spray.
- When you stop the flow of water, the nozzle retracts, keeping it clean for the next use.
- The splash-guard blocks the nozzle and housing from the front and opens like a door so that you can easily access the nozzle itself.
Internal valve is made from ceramic and metal.
- This should provide durability that outlasts plastic.
An eighteen-month manufacturer’s warranty.
- Some models (a very small percentage) had issues with inner tubing after several months, resulting in leaks. Having a year-long warranty goes a long way towards taking this from a decent purchase to a great investment.

The Cons:

Plastic t-fitting can be very hit or miss.
- Many users report leaks with the included t-fitting and needed to go back to Amazon and purchase a replacement.
No warm water option.
- Budget bidets, oh how colder climates can make you severely less enjoyable. If you live in the frozen northlands, be warned: the water hitting your sensitive areas will be the same temperature as the ground that houses the pipes.
Raises the back of the toilet seat up, creating a slight forward angle.
- This can be slightly uncomfortable as well as a bit unattractive.
- This is inherent in bidet attachments, however. Any other bidet attachment review is going to mention the same problem.
- An easy fix is available, as most home-improvement stores offer toilet seat risers to increase the height of the front of the seat, so that it is level.

Final Thoughts:

For the price of an extravagant McDonald’s meal more than the cheapest bidet attachments, you can certainly afford to step up from the bottom rung of bidets to the Luxe Neo 120. It looks better than cheaper bidets, its internal components are of higher quality and you get a couple extra worthwhile features (nozzle cleaning and a nifty splash-guard). If you live in a temperate or warm climate (or just don’t mind occasionally chilly water), this is a very nice butt-cleaning companion.

Check out the Luxe Neo 120’s price HERE.

BioBidet Aura A7 Review

March 28, 2017 by @elioverbey

The BioBidet Aura A7

The least expensive electric bidet seat offering from BioBidet. How does it stack up?

Check out the Aura A7’s price and more photos.

Pros	Cons
Price to feature ratio is extremely high	Lid is flimsy and can't be sat on
Lots of attention to appearance	Might encounter rare issue with lid not fully opening on some toilets
Seat can support up to 400 pounds
Two savable user profiles

The Basics|The Features|The Pros|The Cons|Final Thoughts

First, the basics:

This is a bidet seat, so it will be replacing your old toilet seat.
It is electric, so you will need access to a power outlet (three pronged).
Only available in elongated size, with no round size available.
It comes in white only.
You will need a phillips-head screwdriver (and possibly a flat-head screwdriver, depending on how your old toilet seat is mounted) for installation.
All other installation components are included.
The Animated Response LED Side Panel (the attached remote) controls all functions.
The stainless steel nozzle self-cleans and retracts after each use.
One-year manufacturer’s warranty with the option for a six-year extended warranty.

The features:

Expand

Stainless steel nozzle (looks nice and gives the impression of something that will last)
Oscillating (the nozzle moves back and forth for a more thorough cleansing without having to shimmy your bum around. Available for both rear and front cleaning by pressing the respective button twice)
Wide cleaning (this is just referring to the oscillating feature. Not sure why BioBidet has listed these as separate…)
Pulsating (same as the massage cleaning. I’m not sure why BioBidet listed these as two separate features. There is only a ‘massage’ button, nothing on the control panel suggests a hidden pulsate feature. Maybe just trying to pad their list of features?)
Massage cleaning (a rhythmic pulsating stream of water which is actually quite nice. As mentioned above, this IS the pulsating feature that is listed)
Satisfying posterior cleaning (yes, it is indeed satisfying)
Soft feminine cleaning (a more gentle cleansing from the front-most nozzle on the cleansing wand)
Adjustable nozzle (five different positions)
Nozzle self-clean (before and after cleansing)
Auto wash (20 seconds each of standard, oscillating and finally massaging sprays)
User controlled warm water (three levels of heat as well as the ability to turn it completely off(!))
Animated Response LED Side Panel (admittedly cool. Pulsates as cleansing is engaged and gives the toilet a futuristic quality)
User presets (two seperate profiles that save the wand position and pressure, although not the seat or water temperature)
Adjustable heated seat (three levels of heat as well as the ability to turn it completely off(!))
Night Light (a very nice, blue light that illuminates the bowl so you can easily find your way to the toilet at night)
Intelligent body sensor (a sensor on the seat that recognizes if someone is on the toilet or not. The toilet won’t function if nobody is sitting on it. Great for deterring kids from playing with the sprays)
Splash guard (this is simply the retractable nozzle which keeps soiled water from coming into contact with it)
Slow closing seat/lid
Quick release for easy cleaning (small switch on the side off the bidet enables it to be painlessly removed and then reattached)
Eco mode (sets the water and seat temps to low)
Silent mode (this refers to the beeps that are made when using the control panel. You have the option to turn these off)
Hide away hose clips (clips the water and power cables together and close to the unit to give it a cleaner profile)

The Pros:

High price-performance ratio.
- The number of features for its price is impressive.
- Some features (like user profiles and the ability to turn the heating elements off) actually aren’t found in many higher-priced bidet seats.
Sleek look.
- What sets BioBidet products apart from many other brands is the attention spent on design.
  - The lid covers the whole unit and gives the appearance of one piece, instead of being broken up into the reservoir and the rest of the unit.
- The side control panel also has some curves to it, so it more seamlessly blends with the rest of the unit.
- The blue night light and lighted side control panel are nice touches and really modernize your toilet.
Very easy to install.
- As with most bidet seats, it isn’t hard to install this, but it is still worth mentioning.
The unit is very durable.
- BioBidet rates their seats as being able to accommodate up to 400 pounds for 20,000 uses.
- All the connections and components are made to last (that stainless steel wand really makes this unit seem tough)
A year-long manufacturers warranty.
- Again, most bidet seats have this but it is nice to know you’re protected for a year if something goes awry.

The Cons:

Depending on your toilet shape, the lid may not be able to open fully.
- The slick, one-piece look of the unit may have issues with some toilets. If your toilet tank curves outwards at all, or if you position the unit too far back, the seat might be blocked from fully opening.
- BioBidet have a good guide on their website as to which kinds of toilets are compatible. A and B are ok, but not C.
Somewhat weird Amazon presence. I found their list of features misleading as some singular features were mentioned twice by two different names. This may or may not be intentional (I’d wager it was just along the lines of a typo), just a small gripe which might confuse your average consumer (it certainly confused me!).

Final Thoughts:

If you aren’t concerned with a dryer or deodorizer, by all means, grab this bidet seat. It has all the essential functions such as hot water, an adjustable, self-cleaning nozzle and exceptional durability that you should look for. The bidet function itself works perfectly, the LED lighting on the control panel and the blue night light are nice touches, and it is one of the more stylish looking bidets (even outside this price range).

Take a peek at some nice, high res photos of the beautiful Aura A7 here.

TOTO C100 Washlet Review

March 26, 2017 by @elioverbey

The Toto C100 Washlet Review

The Basics|The Features|The Pros|The Cons|Final Thoughts

A mid-range bidet seat with high-end features.

The TOTO C100’s current price and more photos here.

Pros	Cons
Learns when to save power	Can't turn off heated seat/water
Unique bowl premisting function	Large tank reservoir
Price is right	Lid is too weak to sit on

First, the basics:

This is a bidet seat, so it will be replacing your old toilet seat.
It is electric, so you will need access to a power outlet (three pronged).
It comes in round and elongated fashions and should fit most toilets. See how these compare here.
Comes in white or beige.
You will need a phillips-head screwdriver (and possibly a flat-head screwdriver, depending on how your old toilet seat is mounted) for installation.
All other installation components are included.
The remote control on the side of the unit controls all functions.
The nozzle self-cleans and retracts after each use.
The water is heated in the seat’s back reservoir (the reason the back of the unit is so big), so doesn’t need to be connected to a hot water line.
One-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The features:

The TOTO C100 comes packing these features

Rear Cleanse
- Your typical bidet function.
Soft Rear Cleanse
- Lower pressure version of rear cleanse.
Front Cleanse
- For females.
Oscillating Cleanse
- The wand will move back and forth while spraying, so you don’t miss anything.
Five Settings for Water Pressure
Wand Position Adjustment
- So you don’t have to move on the seat as much to get a thorough cleanse.
SoftClose Seat and Lid
- The lid won’t slam shut, but rather slowly close.
Heated Seat with three temperature options (82°F to 97°F or about 28°C to 36°C (79°F or about 26°C when power saver is on))
Warm Air Dryer with five temperature options
- Works much like the hand driers in public restrooms, so you can expect to be posted on the toilet for a while if you plan on your rear being bone-dry.
Quick Release Seat for Ease of Cleaning
- Flip a switch on the rear and pull the unit off to clean it/underneath it.
Self-Cleaning Wand
- Cleaned before and after each use.
Auto Energy Saver
- Controls when the heated seat and water functions are turned on/off.
  - Note that you can’t manually turn these functions OFF, only the energy saving mode can do that.
Seat Sensor
- When you sit down, the toilet simultaneously mists the bowl with water to prevent unsightly cling-ons as well as activates the deodorizer.
  - The deodorizer is a charcoal based catalytic converter, according to Toto. In short, the charcoal (carbon) will absorb most nasty odors. It might need to be replaced in four or five years if you notice a dip in effectiveness.
Water Temperature Control with three options (86°F to 104°F or about 30°C to 40°C)
Wand Cleaning Mode

The Pros:

Packed with features.
- The heated seats and water work very well, as these features are always-on (but are sometimes adjusted by the power saver – look below for additional info on this), so you won’t need to wait or either to warm-up before use.
- You’re getting many of the same features found in much more expensive bidets.
  - If you don’t need a remote, remote controlled lid/flush or a couple more temperature options for the water and seat, this unit should have you covered.
“Learns” when to save power.
- The power saver will adjust/turn off the heated seat and water functions.
- Thanks to the brains in the C100, this bidet seat can gauge when the toilet is frequently, seldom, or never used.
  - During periods of infrequent use, (nighttime, early mornings, etc.), the C100 will lower the temperature of the seat and water in its reservoir.
  - During periods where the toilet is never used (think of the times you are typically at work), the C100 will turn off these features completely.
Easy installation.
- If you have a standard toilet, the installation is very simple and can be completed in about 20 minutes.

The Cons:

Some have had issues with there not being enough room to connect the t-fitting to their toilet tank.
- While only a small number of people experience this, it is worth noting that one of the products most frequently purchased with this bidet seat is an adapter that eliminates this
  problem.
- Check out the dimensions on your toilet tank and make sure it can accommodate the t-fitting.
Large reservoir tank.
- Some might not mind, but the reservoir tank is by far, the largest component of this model.
- It measures about 7.3 in. or 18.8 cm. high.
No pulsating/massage cleanse.
Can’t turn it off.
- While the power saver does a great job of reducing power, it is a little frustrating that there isn’t a way to totally turn off the water and seat heaters without unplugging the unit.

Final Thoughts:

This is a good bidet seat from the company that invented them. The fact that you can’t turn off the heating elements can be irksome in the summer months and the lack of a pulsating wash is disappointing. However, the C100 has a very nice bowl pre-mist function not found in many other bidets, as well as a robust list of other features including an effective deodorizer.

This is a solid bidet and I would recommend it for those who like the look, have a low-flow toilet and aren’t specifically looking for a massage function.

Poke around here for more photos of the TOTO C100 and its current price.

Astor Fresh Water Spray Review

March 23, 2017 by @elioverbey

The Astor Fresh Water Spray Bidet

Does the most popular bidet attachment on the market deserve all the praise? (short answer: yes, pretty much)

See the Astor Fresh Spray from more angles and its current price here.

____________________________________________________________________________

First, the basics:

This is a bidet attachment, not a full bidet seat.
It is only a bidet, no additional features besides water pressure control.
Non-electric (uses only your home’s water pressure to operate).
It will fit virtually any toilet.
It comes in white only.
You will need a screwdriver and possibly a wrench to install.
- Astor claims only a screwdriver is needed, however a wrench may also be required to tighten the fittings to avoid leaks (unless you have very dexterous and strong fingers!).
All other installation components are included.
The water pressure is controlled by turning a dial.
The nozzle automatically retracts when the bidet isn’t being used.
One-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Pros:

The price is right.
- The Astor Fresh Water Spray Bidet is extremely cost effective.
- It is as good as many other bidets slightly above this price range (more on why, later).
- Comes with a year long, no questions asked warranty.
The bidet function works very well.
- The pressure gauge works as expected, although your home’s water pressure is going to greatly affect this (if you have high water pressure, be careful about going above the “low” setting)
- You may have to adjust the position of your posterior for full cleaning, but this is expected in the price range and is very easy to do.
Very easy to install.
- It will take around ten minutes to install. Here is a fantastic video of the whole process.
- Can be adjusted to fit nearly any toilet. The adjustment rails slide easily and have a number of depth settings as well (these will determine how close to the back-rim the bidet will be)
The nozzle automatically extends and retracts.
- When you activate the water, the nozzle will extend and begin to spray.
- When you stop the flow of water, the nozzle retracts, keeping it clean for the next use.
The components are sturdy and feel higher quality than expected.
A year-long manufacturers warranty.
- Some models (a very small percentage) had issues with inner tubing after several months, resulting in leaks. Having a year-long warranty goes a long way towards taking this from a decent purchase to a great investment.

The Cons:

Not the most visually appealing bidet.
- At the price, not much else compares, but if you want something less utilitarian, consider spending a little more on a better-looking unit.
No warm water option.
- This is, again, unavoidable at this price range, however, some people are extra sensitive to cold water. The temperature of your cold water also varies depending on where you live. Those in colder climates could certainly justify paying more for the luxury of warmer water.
Raises the back of the toilet seat up, creating a slight forward angle.
- This can be slightly uncomfortable as well as a bit unattractive.
- This is inherent in bidet attachments, however. Any other bidet attachment review is going to mention the same problem.
- An easy fix is available, as most home-improvement stores offer some version of toilet seat risers to increase the height of the front of the seat, so that it is level.

Final Thoughts:

This is a very nice unit for the price. It doesn’t surprise or amaze, but it will clean your bum. The lack of warm water and the somewhat cantankerous water pressure turn-dial could be deal breakers for some, however, the Astor Fresh Water Bidet does an admirable job for what it is (and how much it costs).

More pictures of this stout washroom workhorse here, as well as its current price.

« Previous Page