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Apr 04, 2024

The Best Toilet Seats in 2023: The 9 Seats for a Better Bathroom

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? To make every time you go more comfortable, these are the best toilet seats to buy in

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

To make every time you go more comfortable, these are the best toilet seats to buy in 2023.

Whether you live in an apartment or a mansion, the luxury of going to the bathroom comfortably is universal. While adding new bathroom storage or vanity lighting helps, you likely spend most of your bathroom time on the toilet—and not all toilets come with comfy or aesthetically pleasing seats. When nature calls, the right toilet seat makes you want to answer.

Choosing the right toilet seat for your own needs is a game-changer for your overall bathroom experience, not to mention a great way to add that customized feel to a recent renovation or remodel. Whether you're replacing a wiggly seat or looking to upgrade on comfort, the sheer variety of options may come as a surprise.

There are toilet seats for different levels of support, unique shapes that contour to your body type, bidet compatibility, and a slew of features that add style and functionality. Even though you might not think about your toilet seat much, you use the toilet every day (we hope), so why not find the best fit?

Regardless of the size or scope of your bathroom remodeling, we found toilet seat options that'll fit your toilet while providing better-than-average features and style.

Before deciding on the toilet seat for your bathroom, it is important to consider several factors including the type of seat, the material it's made out of, and any number of additional features.

The two standard toilet seat shapes are round and elongated, and the option you choose should match the toilet you're installing it on. It's possible to install the wrong shape, but that'll leave the bowl exposed and may lead to cracking.

Round toilet seats usually have a slightly wider design, so they may a better pick for big folks. Elongated seats offer a longer base to sit on, which may be more comfortable for small folks. That said, both options are suitable for all body types—just try one of each to find your preference.

While toilet seats come in a number of materials including stainless steel and synthetic resins, the two most popular options are wood and plastic. Wood is sturdier and doesn’t hold onto heat or cold for chilly mornings, but the porous material can hold onto moisture and bacteria over time, so if you’re a germaphobe who cleans a lot, this probably isn’t the best pick. That said, wood toilet seats are unlikely to break and they’re heavy, so they’re an excellent choice for cabins or outhouses.

Plastic is more waterproof and likely to hold up well to significant use over time. These seats are super easy to clean with whatever cleaning solutions make you happy, but they’re more prone to breaking than wooden toilet seats. Some options are made of porcelain, which is the most common material for toilets themselves as it’s easy to disinfect, but this material is generally loud, cold, and breakable. Porcelain toilet seats are fine to use, but we mostly recommend plastic and wood options for upgrading the seat that comes with your toilet.

Toilet seats come with many added features, including cushioned seats, bidet attachments, heated seats, quick release attachments, and quiet close hinges, among many others.

Alongside research across hundreds of customer reviews, we consulted the research done by many other trusted online publications including The Spruce, Wirecutter, and BestReviews. We made sure to include only durable, sturdy options that'll add to your bathroom's style and comfort. We used our knowledge and familiarity of home-renovation brands to make sure we only recommend long-lasting picks from brands we trust.

For an all-around quality toilet seat, the Kohler Brevia is a great option. Designed with a contoured seat for added comfort and grip-tight bumpers for secure attachment, the seat stays in place on your rear and on the toilet.

The toilet seat is made of polypropylene plastic, which is built to increase long-term durability and make it easier to clean. Furthermore, the Brevia comes in three neutral colors designed to match any bathroom theme, so this is an excellent pick if you're outfitting an entire house and want consistency.

For those looking for a non-plastic toilet seat, the American Standard wood toilet seat is a great choice. The high-gloss finish on the wood is both smoother on your skin and provides a clean, sleek layer of finish between the bacteria in your bathroom and the porous wood beneath.

The seat itself is also designed for easy installation, with simple hinges, nuts, and bolts for sturdiness. The seat is also designed to better manage temperatures so your cheeks stay warm on colder mornings.

The Bemis commercial open-front toilet seat is a quality seat at an affordable price point, and it's certainly built for durability. The toilet seat has an open-front design that reduces potential stains and urine spills (although this isn't the most luxe look, as it leaves part of the toilet bowl exposed).

The toilet seat is built with commercial-standard materials for long-term durability even when used heavily, making it a good pick for a guest space or powder room.

The seat also comes in both round and elongated designs so you can find the right fit for any toilet you own. The hinges and attachment bolts are designed to never loosen, so your seat stays secure.

What sets the Kohler Cachet toilet seat apart from other, similar options is the quiet-close design. The hinges on the toilet are built to bring the lid and seat down in a quiet, controlled manner every time.

The toilet seat is also built with quick-release attachments, so cleaning the underside of the seat and between the hinges is much easier. The toilet seat also comes in four different colors to match any bathroom design.

The Mayfair soft toilet seat offers cushioning on both the seat and the lid, so whether you're on the toilet or just sitting in the bathroom, there's a comfortable spot to be. The padded vinyl is layered on top of durable wood, so although this is sturdy, it's quiet and easy to clean.

The toilet seat comes in three colors including a bold, black vinyl for a statement piece in your bathroom. The only downside to this pick is that padded vinyl typically doesn't last as long as hard plastic or wood—but if it's worth it to you for comfort, this is a great option.

With five different color options and an ergonomically designed seat, the Toto Transitional SoftClose toilet seat is built for both style and comfort. The Toto seat is a quality option across the board, with a quiet-close design to prevent the lid from slamming down.

The toilet seat is made with propylene plastic for long-term durability and has molded bumpers for added stability. The end result is a quality, comfortable seat designed to match any bathroom design.

Another great option from American Standard, the Champion slow-close toilet seat focuses its efforts on easy use and lid protection. The slow-close design prevents slamming and potential damage to the seat or top lid.

The lift-to-release design also makes the seat one of the easiest to remove for cleaning or replacement. The seat also has a unique lipped lid design built specifically to be wiped off with ease for reduced overall cleaning time.

The Mayfair toilet seat stands out from other, similarly price options because it's incredibly durable. The seat is made of wood, which is unlikely to crack or break, but what truly sets the seat apart are the chrome hinges.

These hinges stand up well to wear and tear without loosening over time, and the chrome also serves as an elevated color accent for more modern bathroom designs.

If you want to truly upgrade your toilet experience, look no further than the BioBidet Bliss toilet seat. The toilet seat has a built-in bidet to clean off your stuff with warm water before every flush, saving toilet paper.

The toilet also comes with a heated seat function as well as an automatic deodorizer to truly elevate your bathroom. The bidet comes with a control panel on the side as well as a wireless remote, so you can hone in that perfect spray angle as you sit. The toilet seat comes in both round and elongated designs.

Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Commerce for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.

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