How we research and rate bidets

Some older pages on this site say products were tested in person. That wording is wrong, and we are correcting it page by page. This page describes what we actually do.

Where our information comes from

• Manufacturer specifications. Seat shape and fit (round or elongated), water temperature settings and heating type (tank or instant), pressure settings, nozzle type and self-cleaning, seat heating, dryer, power draw, electrical requirements, warranty and replacement part prices. We take these from the manufacturer's product page, manual or spec sheet.
• Installation documents. What fitting a bidet involves (the T-valve, the supply hose, whether you need an outlet near the toilet) comes from the manufacturer's installation guide, not from our own installs.
• Safety and plumbing listings. Electric seats should carry an electrical safety listing such as UL or ETL, and plumbing parts are often certified to plumbing codes, for example cUPC. We say what a product is listed for when the manufacturer publishes it.
• Published independent sources. For hygiene, health and water use we cite public health agencies and peer-reviewed studies, and link to the primary source so you can check it.
• Prices. Amazon prices come from the Amazon Creators API, Amazon's catalogue feed for Associates. A price is accurate only as of the date shown next to it and is subject to change. The price on Amazon at checkout is the one that applies. If you find a price without a date, treat it as approximate.

Our scores don't draw on customer star ratings or review counts from any retailer, and we don't show them on our pages.

What we calculate

Some figures on our pages are our own arithmetic from published specs and prices, such as the cost of a bidet over five years compared with toilet paper. These are calculations, not measurements, and they are only as accurate as the prices and usage figures they start from.

What our scores mean

Each product has a score out of 5 and sub-scores. Bidet seats and attachments are scored on wash performance, comfort, installation and value. Other products are scored on performance, noise, features and value. These are editorial scores. They are not test results, and they are not customer ratings.

• Wash performance reflects the published spec: warm or ambient water, the number of pressure and temperature settings, nozzle positions and wash modes.
• Comfort reflects heated seat, warm-air dryer, soft-close lid and seat shape options.
• Installation reflects what the manufacturer says fitting involves: tools, an outlet near the toilet, and compatibility with your toilet.
• Value reflects the price against what the product offers on paper, plus replacement parts and warranty.

Our editors assign the scores after comparing a product with others in the same category. The overall score is a judgment across the sub-scores, not a fixed formula, so treat a gap of a tenth or two as close to a tie. A score can't tell you how a bidet will feel or whether it fits your toilet. The written recommendation, and who each pick is best for, matter more than the number. Our guide to choosing a bidet covers fit and installation.

How pages are written, reviewed and updated

• Pages are researched and written by the BidetScout team.
• Before a page is published, its product specs are checked against the manufacturer's source. Automated checks run before every site update to catch broken links, missing images and faulty structured data.
• We revise pages when a manufacturer changes a spec, discontinues a model or releases a replacement, and when prices move. Each page shows the date it was last updated.
• When an affiliate link stops working or a product is no longer sold, we repoint or remove it.

How our affiliate links work

Most product links go to Amazon and carry our Associates tag. A few go to the manufacturer's own store, and some of those are affiliate links too. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That is how this site is funded.

A commission doesn't change a score or a ranking, and no manufacturer pays to be included. If the right bidet for a situation comes from a brand with no affiliate program, we still recommend it. Read our full affiliate disclosure.

Found an error?

We want to know about any spec, price or claim on this site that doesn't match its source. We don't have a public reader inbox yet, and we would rather say so than list an address nobody reads. When one is set up, it will be posted here.

What we don't do

• We don't install or use the bidets we cover, or measure their pressure, water temperature or noise.
• We don't judge comfort or long-term durability from personal use.
• We don't accept payment for coverage or placement.

Read more about BidetScout, start with what a bidet is, or compare picks in our buyer's guides.