TOTO Washlet S5 Review: Endless Warm Water, Less Money

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The TOTO Washlet S5 sits in a useful spot. It is more seat than the mid-range Washlet C5 but well short of the flagship S7A price, and it carries nearly all of TOTO's signature hygiene technology along with it. If you have decided you want a TOTO and you do not need a self-opening lid, this is usually the one we point people toward.

At around $682, the S5 gives you endless warm water, PREMIST, EWATER+, a heated seat, a dryer, a deodorizer, a nightlight, and a wireless remote that remembers four people. Here is how it holds up.

What You Get for $682

The Washlet S5 (model SW3446#01 in elongated, SW3445#01 in round) is a fully featured electric bidet seat with warm water rear, soft rear, and front cleansing, a heated SoftClose seat, a warm air dryer, a built-in deodorizer, and a nightlight.

The wireless remote is the standout convenience here. It stores personalized settings for up to four users, so each person in the house can save a preferred water temperature, seat temperature, spray pressure, and wand position. In a busy bathroom, that turns a fiddly menu into a single button press.

The S5 runs on AC 120V and draws around 1,271W during active washing (1,426W at peak). That sounds high next to a tank heater, but the instant heater only draws power while you are actually using warm water, which keeps real-world consumption modest.

Endless Warm Water Without a Tank

The S5's instant heater is the feature that justifies the step up from cheaper seats. Instead of warming a small reservoir that can run cold during a longer session, it heats water on demand and keeps delivering it for as long as you need.

In practice that means no cold surprise at the end of a wash, and no waiting for a tank to reheat between back-to-back users. For a multi-person household, the combination of endless warm water and four-user memory is the S5's real argument.

PREMIST and EWATER+: TOTO's Hygiene Signature

The S5 carries the two technologies that define a TOTO Washlet, and both work without any input or upkeep from you.

PREMIST

Every time you sit, the S5 mists the bowl with water. Waste slides off the wet ceramic far more easily during the flush, which means a cleaner bowl and less scrubbing. It is automatic and uses very little water.

EWATER+

Before and after each use, the S5 applies electrolyzed water to the wand and bowl. This is ordinary tap water given a mild charge, turning it into a chemical-free sanitizing rinse that inhibits bacterial growth. The wand cleans itself, and the bowl stays cleaner between regular cleanings. There are no filters or cartridges to replace. If you care about hygiene, this is the heart of why people buy TOTO. For more on what makes a seat sanitary, see our explainer on whether bidets are sanitary.

Wash Performance

The S5 offers a soft rear spray, a standard rear cleanse, and a front cleanse, each with oscillating and pulsating options. Oscillating moves the wand back and forth for broader coverage, and pulsating alternates pressure for a gentler, massage-like effect.

Spray volumes run from roughly 0.07 to 0.11 gallons per minute, with adjustable temperature, pressure, and wand position. The front cleanse is tuned to be gentler, which matters for the feminine wash use case the S5 handles well.

Comfort Features

Heated SoftClose Seat

Five temperature settings, plus a SoftClose hinge that lowers the seat and lid quietly instead of letting them drop. The seat sensor activates the wash functions only when you are seated.

Warm Air Dryer

Five temperature settings let you finish the wash without reaching for toilet paper. A full dry takes around 30 to 60 seconds, and most people pair a quick pat with the dryer.

Deodorizer and Nightlight

A catalytic deodorizer breaks down odors at the source with no replacement filter, and the nightlight casts a soft glow into the bowl for nighttime trips.

Installation

The S5 installs in about 15 to 30 minutes on a compatible elongated or round toilet. You will need a GFCI outlet within about four feet of the toilet, a standard water supply connection via the included T-valve, and basic tools.

The usual extra cost is the GFCI outlet if your bathroom lacks one nearby; budget $150 to $300 for an electrician. That applies to every electric seat. Our bidet seat installation guide walks through the whole process.

Specs at a Glance

Who Should Buy the TOTO Washlet S5

It is best for:

• Buyers stepping up from a basic attachment or the Washlet C5 who want endless warm water
• Families that need four-user memory presets
• Anyone who wants PREMIST and EWATER+ without paying flagship prices
• Households with a round toilet (the S5 comes in a round version; the S7A does not)

You should skip it if:

• You want an auto open and close lid (step up to the TOTO Washlet S7A)
• The Washlet C5 already covers your needs at a lower price
• You want stainless-steel nozzles specifically (consider the Brondell Swash 1400)

How It Compares

The S5 slots neatly between the C5 below it and the S7A above it.

The C5 is the value pick, the S7A is the flagship, and the S5 is the seat that gives most people the right amount of TOTO. If you want the full breakdown against other brands, see our best electric bidet seats guide or our TOTO Washlet C5 review.

The Bottom Line

The TOTO Washlet S5 is the easiest TOTO to recommend. It carries the technology that makes the brand worth buying, endless warm water, PREMIST, and EWATER+, and pairs it with genuinely useful four-user memory, all for a price that sits well below the flagship.

You give up the auto lid and the ultra-slim look of the S7A. For most buyers, that is a fair trade. At around $682, the S5 is the mid-premium bidet seat we would put in our own bathroom.

Still deciding between a seat and an attachment? Read our guide on how to choose a bidet to make sure an electric seat is the right call for your setup.