The Best Electric Toilet Warmer

Buying Guide

When the house is chilly, sitting down on a frigid toilet seat can be jarring. No matter the time of day, a warm seat can make the bathroom experience feel much more luxurious. In fact, you might even find it relaxing.

But there are some things to consider when you’re looking for a heated toilet seat. One very important factor is whether you’re going to want to have the seat heated overnight. A middle-of-the-night bathroom visit can be much less disruptive to your sleep if the seat is warm. Since some toilet seats are designed to only be turned on when you need them, you might want to look for one that will remain warm 24 hours a day.

Next, there’s the type of seat you have. Most toilet seats come in two sizes: round and elongated. You’ll need to look for a seat warmer that’s designed to work with the toilet type you have. Luckily, many warmers come in both size options.

But perhaps the biggest decision is the type of warmer. Many toilet seat warmers are built to replace the seat that’s currently on your toilet. That means you’ll be removing your old seat and popping the new one in. Many are designed to snap on, so check the installation process before you buy.

Instead of replacing your entire seat, you might opt for a seat warmer that attaches underneath the seat you already have. This is much easier to install since you simply remove the paper backing to expose the adhesive and affix it to the underside.

Another type of warmer attaches under your toilet seat lid. It heats the seat from above, ensuring that every time you enter the bathroom, you have a warm, cozy seat waiting for you. This type of warmer will only work for you if you and other occupants always remember to lower the seat lid after each use.

• Replacement toilet seats have a tendency to slip around. Some are made specifically to grip the rim so they don’t move.
• Although toilet seats will be marked to fit either round or elongated rims, it’s important to measure your seat before you buy a replacement.
• Before choosing a toilet seat designed to completely replace your own, check the bolts holding your current seat on. You might need a screwdriver to remove the pieces covering your bolts. You may also need an adjustable wrench to remove the bolts.
• Replacing a toilet seat is a fairly simple DIY project. You can find tutorial videos online, as well as step-by-step instructions specific to various types of toilet seats.
• If your toilet seat heater uses a wall outlet for power, make sure you plug it into one with GFI protection. These plugs have a ground fault circuit interrupter that shuts power off to the outlet if water exposure occurs.
• Most heated seats will offer temperature adjustment. This can vary by model. Some offer only three or four heat settings, while others have a dial offering a range of temperature options. Look to see how you’ll control this, though. You should be given a remote that you’ll keep next to the toilet.
• Some toilet seat warmers also come with an LED light that illuminates the bowl. This can come in handy when you’re stumbling into the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• If you’re replacing your toilet seat with one that warms, consider one with a slow-closing function. This means you can put the seat down with a slight nudge without having to worry about it slamming.
• If you plan to keep your toilet seat warmer running 24 hours a day, you may find that it can run up your electricity bill. Check the wattage of any seat warmer you choose to make sure this won’t be a problem. To save energy, you might consider a seat that you can turn off between uses, but if you go this route, make sure you find one that heats the seat up quickly.