Other Bidets We Like
We’ll continue to test more bidets as they find their way into our bathrooms, but not every one of them deserves a spot above. Given the current competition, this one doesn’t quite make the grade.
SmartBidet’s SB-3000 for $650: The SmartBidet’s SB-3000 is our former pick in the $600 range but it’s missing some key features found on the new Tushy Aura above. Namely, there’s no auto-lift seat. This is also the loudest bidet I’ve tested and, despite the noise, has the least effective fan. I love the design of the controller that hangs with the help of a magnetic block, and having quick controls on the side is always nice, but the controller’s prompts are not especially intuitive and something about a “turbo” mode for a bidet sprayer is disconcerting.
Toto C5 for $363: This is the successor to the C200, which is what I happily used for a decade. The C5 has a great reputation—other sites have named it the best bidet—with a strong record of reliability. But after testing the new class of bidet seats on the market, I was left underwhelmed. For $400 or more, you’re getting only the most basic features. The pre-mist function wasn’t effective, and my toilet required far more cleaning. Without a night light, I had to turn on my bathroom lights and blind myself to pee in the middle of the night. The C5 is a fine classic bidet, but you can do better these days.
Alpha UX Pearl for $399: This bidet will get you clean, but you might want to turn the pressure down. The default spray on the Alpha UX Pearl was so intense that WIRED reviewer Parker Hall thought it might actually be a colonic machine. Turned down, though, this high-end bidet seat works fantastically. It features multiple heat settings, front and rear wash, and adjustable nozzle position. It has a light that helps you find the target at night, and it comes with a wireless remote and wall mount rather than a side-mounted controller, for a sleeker install.
Bidets to Avoid
Not every bidet is a winner. Stick with our recommendations above.
Brondell Swash BL97 for $294: WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell swapped her personal bidet out for this entry-level electric model from Brondell, and she was not a fan. The seat is tiny, and the water is weak and slow-reacting compared to bidets like the Tushy. The BL97 hose also fit poorly on her toilet and caused a leak. It does, however, have a warm seat, and the controls work well, albeit slowly.
Brondell Thinline T44 for $700: Nena also tried this bidet, and while she originally liked it and recommended it for its thin profile and easy installation, the hardware is also thin and snapped after only a few months of use. You can get our top pick from Kohler for the same price, or the Tushy for something nearly as discreet and easy to install.
