A while ago I saw a seemingly simple and yet funny Instagram post by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez where she is looking for a bidet seat after visiting Japan.

I thought, “Yes AOC welcome to the other side!” Anyone who has worked with me or is willing to spend time discussing any bathroom renovation with me knows this: I have been a bidet supporter for a LONG time. It’s such an important question when renovating that I have it listed as a question to discuss and consider on my bathroom renovation questionnaire that I review with my clients when starting a project. But since the pandemic of 2020, and shortly thereafter a toilet paper shortage followed, the topic of a bidet has been a more popular one and an item that more and more Americans are willing to consider.

So what is a modern bidet?

The history of the bidet actually dates back to France in the 1600s as a washing basin for your private parts and it’s name actually refers to the French word for pony and the idea of how you had to mount it to wash yourself. But the French are not the only ones who adopted them. According to The Atlantic, the first bidets were most common in high society, but their popularity soon spread, both to other social classes in France and to other countries in Western Europe – as well as Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. But the concept of cleanliness in the bathroom dates back even further to the Islamic and Hindu traditions of a “lota”. A lota is a handheld vessel for water used to clean the bottom. Today, in Japan 77% of people use a bidet.

When I visited Japan over a decade ago, I was also dazzled by the modern amazing bidet functionally built into your toilet or toilet seat and I too was searching all over for the way to incorporate this into my American home. Today the bidet is a much-evolved item. When I refer to a bidet, I am referring to an advanced system of toilet seat that attaches to your existing toilet in lieu of the traditional seat. Some have more advanced features like heated water, air dryer and heated seats (these require an electrical outlet). But the most basic model uses pressurized water to stream and clean the area. This is not a European bidet.

What are the benefits?

Bidets are more hygienic and are better for the environment. Worldwide, we use around 42 million tons or 184 million rolls of toilet paper every year. Wouldn’t it be great to never worry about running out of toilet paper again? And don’t forget there is also the spa-like experience that the more elegant models provide.

What is the cost?

There are simple models that cost between $99 - $350. These are more limited in functionality, but they get the job done. The more sophisticated options offer heated seats, heated temperatures for water, automatic sensors to lift the seat for you, pressure control, directional cleaning controls and more. These range is cost as well but start at about $400 and go up to $1500. A fully integrated system such as the Toto Neorest can cost close to $10,000.

What should you keep in mind when choosing a bidet?

Remember to look at the installation instructions. Some bidets require hot water hook ups and electrical. Choose the right-sized seat for your toilet and know if your toilet requires an elongated or round toilet seat. Last some of the seats out there will say a DIY installation is possible, from experience I would recommend using a professional as most of the options require some level of professional knowledge.

Top 5 picks for bidets:

1) Best Basic + a few add ons: TOTO SW3074#01 C2 Elongated Soft Close Bidet Seat | Build.com

2) Best Mid Price with some great bells and whistles: TOTO SW3084T40#01 Washlet+ C5 Elongated Soft Close Bidet | Build.com

3) Best Luxury model: Kohler K-4108-0 PureWash E750 Elongated Bidet Seat with | Build.com

4) Best over the top choice is a tie between: Veil Comfort Height Smart Toilet with Bidet | K-5401-PA | KOHLER

And NEOREST® LS Dual Flush Toilet - 1.0 GPF & 0.8 GPF | TOTO USA