Are you looking for a new toilet seat? Are you fed up with the cheap seat that came with your new toilet and are looking to upgrade it? We know that sometimes it can be really frustrating when you spend a small fortune on a toilet only to find it comes with a cheap toilet seat that doesn’t quite fit the luxury look you were going for.
Here, we are going to go over the top 8 of the best toilet seat reviews that will talk about the difference between some high-end toilet seats and those which are at the lower end of the scale. We will discuss which has better features for your bathroom and which ones to stay away from! But before that, let’s discuss what you need to know about toilet seats (it’s more than you think) to make sure you aren’t wasting your money.
In this article, we’re going to review the following toilet seats:
- MAYFAIR 113CP 000 Soft Toilet Seat
- MAYFAIR 1843SLOW 000 Toilet Seat will Slow Close
- MAYFAIR 1830CHSL 000 Toilet Seat with Chrome Hinges
- BEMIS 800EC 000 Plastic Toilet Seat with Easy Clean
- BATH ROYALE BR620-00 Premium Round Toilet Seat with Cover
- Brondell L60-EB LumaWarm Heated Nightlight Elongated Toilet
- KOHLER K-4636-0 Cachet Elongated White Toilet Seat
- Kohler 75796-0 Cachet Nightlight Quiet-Close With Grip
Table of Contents
Finding the Best Toilet Seats for Your New Bathroom
While you might think that a toilet seat is simply a round thing you stick on top of your toilet, in actual fact, there are a lot of essential variations to a toilet seat that will make all the difference. Here are some key areas to consider when buying a new toilet seat.
Pick the Right Size
One size fits all, right? WRONG! There are different sizes of a toilet bowl, such as elongated, and as such, you need a different size toilet seat. We have listed the best elongated toilet seat in our reviews below, as well as other sizes too. It is really important to make sure your new toilet seat will fit your toilet as some stores have a no return policy on certain items, especially if you remove them from the packaging. Where possible, try to keep the installation instructions for your toilet so that you can cross-reference the information with the new toilet seat dimensions.
Choose the Right Materials
Toilet seats come in a few different materials, including wood and plastic, but it is really important that, no matter what type of material you go for, that you choose a good quality one. The reason behind this is that if you choose a thinner plastic or a softwood for your toilet seat, then it won’t last as long. It is more likely to crack or break, and it also won’t have the weight-bearing that you would like. Check for high-quality materials so you can be sure you won’t have to buy another toilet seat in 6 months’ time.
Find the Right Color
We’ve all seen images of the awesome glittery toilet seats or those with fish cast into them. If that is your style, then you should own it and go all out! Some specialist companies even custom-make these types of toilet seats so you can have a completely unique design! However, if you are more of a traditionalist, then you need to be aware that there are LOTS of shades of white, and this can be really tricky to match up. Try to buy your seat from the same manufacturer as your toilet if you are looking for a white toilet seat.
Decide on The Right Features
Who knew that toilet seats could be so full of gadgets and gizmos! If you have seen the new craze that is bidet toilet seats, then you will see some of these seats have features such as heated seating, night lights, and cleaning wands. If you’re not such a fan of tech in the bathroom, you can still find toilet seats that come with soft close functions, cushioned seating, and anti-rust hinges. Searching for the best soft toilet seat or the best soft close toilet seat isn’t as hard as you might think, and we even have some of these toilet seats in our reviews below.
Pay the Right Price
We are all about sticking to a tight budget, which is why we advocate DIY! But sometimes, there are things that you just need to spend the extra on. Toilet seats are one such item. By buying the cheapest toilet seat on the market, you can pretty much guarantee that you are going to be replacing it in a few months’ time. The cheaper the seat, the cheaper the material, the more uncomfortable it will be. We aren’t suggesting you blow the budget, but we do recommend buying a mid-range (at least) toilet seat, which will provide you with both longevity and comfort.
Some Top Toilet FAQ’s
We have collated some frequently asked questions from people who have recently been renovating their bathrooms or who are looking to replace their toilet seat. Here are the 4 most popular questions which we have tried to answer as best we can.
“Where do I find a cheap toilet seat?”
As we have said before, if you want a toilet seat that is only going to last a few months and is going to be pretty uncomfortable, then sure, buy a cheap toilet seat. In many circumstances buying cheap can often get you a bargain or save you some cash. In terms of buying a cheap toilet seat, you are simply buying an inferior plastic or material and an inferior design. Instead, try looking at a mid-range toilet seat. They will be made from thicker and stronger material; some thought will have gone into their design, and you won’t need to replace it in a few months.
“What if my new toilet comes with a seat?”
If your new toilet comes with a toilet seat that you are happy with then that’s great, go ahead and use that. However, most toilet manufacturers find that the easiest way for them to make a little more profit (and let’s face it, that’s what their business should be about) is to provide you with a cheap toilet seat. As we said in the previous question, cheap means cheap. If you are fortunate enough to find a manufacturer that has provided you with a high-quality toilet seat, then that is fantastic. Otherwise, check out our reviews below and see which of the toilet seats will suit your needs.
“Do I need to be worried about weight restrictions?”
Depending on your particular needs, you might want a toilet seat that is more suited to a bigger weight-bearing load. Some of the cheaper toilet seats will crack easily when someone remotely overweight uses them, so it’s important to keep that in mind if you are carrying a few extra pounds. The sturdier and stronger the material the toilet seat is made from, the more weight it will be able to bear. Most toilet seats will have the maximum weight capacity written on the box so you can easily see which ones will work for you.
“What are bidet toilet seats? And why are they so popular?”
Have you seen them?! They have so many functions, features, and gadgets that we would probably spend more time playing with all the functions on a bidet toilet seat than we would in the bath! These bidet toilet seats basically help you to stay clean after using the toilet. They use washing wands that come out of the toilet seat, get to work, and leave you feeling refreshed!
Top 8 of the Best Toilet Seat Reviews
Mayfair 113CP Elongated Classic Toilet
This toilet seat comes in both an elongated and round version (see above on information about different sized toilet seats), so no matter which shape your toilet is, the Mayfair will fit nicely. It is made from a solid wood core, which is then covered by white padding and wrapped in a hard-wearing vinyl. This padded version of a classic will be so comfortable to sit on that you might not want to get off!
Made with chrome hardware, this is a standard toilet seat that should tick most of your essential boxes. Do be aware that some of the other models in this range have more functions, such as a soft close lid. But if you are looking for a classic style toilet seat to help finish off your bathroom in style (and added comfort), then the Mayfair is a great option.
- Padded seat
- Chrome hinges
- White vinyl outer
- Wood core
- Additional cleaning needed
- No extra functions such as soft-close
Mayfair 1843 Slow Close Toilet Seat
If you have kids, then you are going to love the Mayfair which is in our opinion the best slow close toilet seat. Again, this toilet seat is available in two different sizes, elongated and round. The pack comes with the complete unit, which is a seat and a lid in one, and this one has plastic covered hinges instead of the classic chrome ones we saw on the Mayfair Classic. The slow-close element describes the closing mechanism and how it is specially designed to have a delay in closing. This means that the lid doesn’t slam shut, your children don’t get their fingers caught and no one is woken in the night by a banging toilet seat.
The seat itself is made from an enameled wood and has a high gloss finish, so it’s super easy to keep clean. The extra sturdy hinges mean that it is not likely to wiggle side-to-side, and Mayfair prides themselves on producing an all American product from sustainable materials.
- Elongated and round shape
- Slow close function
- All American made
- Plastic hinges
Mayfair 1830CHSL Toilet Seat
This model is the next level up from the Classic due to having a few extra features. Along with the great American made structure that can fit either an elongated or a round toilet, this toilet seat also has chrome hinges that have a soft close operation. These hinges also help to centralize the seat, which prevents it from wiggling around when you sit on it. And if that wasn’t enough, these hinges even have a snap-on installation, so you don’t need to mess around with screws and threads.
The Mayfair 1830CHSL comes in a range of different colors. These include black, red, and white. The white option comes with a choice of hinge colors too, such as chrome and oil rubbed bronze, all of which really adds to the character of your bathroom and just goes to show how much detail Mayfair put into their toilet seats.
- Soft-close function
- Round and elongated option
- Variety of colors
- Snap installation
- Hinges have been known to chip after a year or two
BEMIS Plastic Toilet Seat
The BEMIS toilet seat is a toilet seat that will suit your budget nicely but will still last a long time. As we said earlier, sometimes cheap means cheap. In this case, you are paying a little bit extra to have a quality plastic toilet seat that will last much longer than the budget alternative. This toilet seat is made from solid plastic, which has been molded into a specific shape that is resistant to chips and stains. The hinges are plastic but do have noncorrosive bolts to ensure a snug fit to the toilet.
As we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of shades of white! So, picking the perfect color for your bathroom can be a bit of a minefield. Thankfully the BEMIS is available in 3 different colors, which are white, linen, and bone. Also available in round and elongated versions, this toilet seat really is the best of the lower budget options and well worth looking at.
- Available in 3 colors
- Available in 2 sizes
- Made from durable plastic
- No soft-close function
Bath Royale Toilet Seat
If you need a toilet seat that can hold a larger than average weight, then the Bath Royale is a great option. This seat is made from Polypropylene, which is a strong and sturdy plastic that won’t chip, peel or fade any time soon. This stain-resistant toilet seat is available in two different sizes and 3 different colors: white, linen, and almond. This toilet seat can hold up to 400 pounds, something that a lot of the other toilet seats can’t manage. This is thanks to the sturdy molding of high-quality plastic.
This seat also has a slow close function, which is great for kids (and grownups) who have a habit of slamming the toilet seat lid down. The best bit about the Bath Royale toilet seat? It has a 2-year warranty! Bath Royal are so confident of their quality and the anti-chip quality of their seat that if you see any signs of wear and tear in the first two years of owning it, you can take it back and get a new one!
- Made from high-quality plastic
- Available in 2 sizes
- Can hold up to 400 pounds
- 2-year warranty
- Soft-close lid
- Check your dimensions, particularly where the seat bolts lie on your toilet before purchasing
Brondell LumaWarm Toilet Seat
Now we’re talking! Fancy yourself a nice little bit of luxury when it comes to your toilet? No, we’re not talking about buying the fancy bleach versus the standard stuff, we are talking about getting yourself a Brondell LumaWarm toilet seat. This seat actually has THREE different heated seating options within the toilet seat so you can rest on the throne in the ultimate comfort! Using the buttons on the rear, you adjust the heat to your liking, and then whenever you use the toilet, it will be at the perfect temperature! Worried you won’t be able to find your super warm seta in the dark? Don’t panic because it has an illuminated night light too!
This seat is available in two sizes, elongated and round. IT is also available in two colors, which are white and biscuit. The night light is a comforting blue that is easy to see in the dark but won’t keep you awake. In addition to all of these fantastic functions, the LumaWarm also has a soft close lid, so there won’t be any late-night slamming of the toilet seat. Easy to install and simple to connect up (it just needs a standard GFI wall outlet), we can’t see why you wouldn’t want this toilet seat!
- Heated seat options
- Night light
- Soft-close lid
- Available in 2 sizes
- Available in 2 colors
- Not suited to everyone’s taste
- Expensive
Kohler Cachet Toilet Seat
Earlier, we talked about the best way to find the perfect fit for your toilet seat, and that was to buy the same brand as your current toilet. Kohler provides millions of homes across the country with their toilets, and now they have their own separate toilet seat that you can purchase too. Sturdier and better quality than the standard seat that comes with their toilets, the Cachet Toilet Seat has plenty of additional benefits, not least the added comfort. Molded-in such a way that it is super comfy for longer stays, the Kohler Cachet promises no chips, stains, or marks to your new toilet seat thanks to the use of such high-quality materials.
This seat has a soft close lid and grips tight bumpers, which, when combined, have a dual effect. They give added stability to the seat and prevents it from moving around at all when in use. Available in 2 different sizes (be sure to check your toilet size before purchasing), this toilet is also available in a myriad of colors. These include Almond, biscuit, black, cashmere, dune, ice grey, sandbar, thunder grey, and white. The color-matched hinges make the whole seat fit snugly, and the high quality of the design means you will never need to replace it again.
- Super high quality
- Fits all Kohler toilets
- Slow close lid
- Quick-release hinges
- Available in 9 different colors
- Available in 2 different sizes
- None!
Kohler Cachet with Nightlight
The next level up from the Cachet standard toilet seat, the Kohler Cachet with night light, has the added benefit of an illuminated light within the seat, which helps you to see where you are going at night-time. Perfect for children and older adults, this night light works off battery power, so you don’t need to worry about losing a wall outlet to your toilet seat. This light aims to illuminate both the cistern AND the bowl so you can see exactly where you are going and, um, WHERE you are going. Glowing in a low energy blue, this light Is enough to help guide you but isn’t too bright that it will disturb you in the night.
This toilet seat has all of the functions of the Kohler Cachet seat, which include the soft close lid, the quick release hinges, the durable plastic molding, the different sized seat options, and of course, all those color options. But the best thing about Kohler toilet seats is that no matter what design your existing toilet is, the Kohler seats promise to fit perfectly snugly and comfortably. Hence, you never have to repurchase a new toilet seat.
- Night light enabled
- Slow close function
- Quick-release hinges
- Available in 2 sizes
- Available in a range of colors
- Replacing the batteries on your seat can be an added cost
Conclusion
So that is our top 8 of the best toilet seat reviews. From the best soft toilet seat such as the padded Mayfair 113CP Elongated Classic Toilet to the best soft close toilet seat, which is the Bath Royale Toilet Seat, we think we have managed to find a toilet seat to suit everyone’s needs. But which one would we choose? Well, if you couldn’t already tell, we are head over heels for the Brondell LumaWarm Toilet Seat! Firstly, we love gadgets! And if a heated toilet seat doesn’t scream the ultimate gadget in your bathroom, then we don’t know what does. Secondly, it is actually excellent value for the amount of tech you get in one seat.
We hope that you have found your ideal toilet seat on our list. Why not pick a few off the list today and read some of the customer reviews on them? They are the best way to tell if a product is genuinely right for you, so check some out today!