New toilet seats “bare” watching

Who knew that an ad for a toilet seat could cause such kerfuffle in, of all places, New York City? Bathroom-fixture maker Toto will promote its Washlet toilet seats on new billboards in Times Square starting July 10.

The Clean Is Happy ad campaign is sparking discussion in New York City because of the exposed derrieres that appear in it. (How ironic is it that the controversial bare-bottomed billboards will appear in Times Square, Manhattan’s onetime district of debauchery and sleaze?)

The Washlet line includes the C100, E200, S300, and S400 models. The list price of a white seat ranges from $727 for the C100 to $1,890 for the S400 (shown).

What do you get for all that money? Picture a supersophisticated toilet seat that adds the functions of a bidet, plus a whole lot more. The top-of-the-line S400 provides, among other items of note, cleaning/rinsing with warm water, heated-air drying and a heated seat, massage, an air purifier, and an automatic-opening and –closing lid, according to the Toto site. We haven’t yet tested the Washlet seats. In our 2005 report on toilets, the one-piece, gravity-fed Toto Carlyle MS874114SG, $500, was a Quick Pick.

Toto’s not the only company offering multitasking toilet seats. As we reported in “Thrones of the bathroom” as part of our 2007 International Builders’ Show coverage, Kohler’s C3 seats are also trying to take ordinary commodes to new heights.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: If you’re redoing your bathroom, read our advice for choosing a toilet. For more information on bathroom remodeling, read “Bathroom makeovers: Relaxing retreats for less” and “Toilets: Comfortable and efficient,” both available to subscribers.

Comments

[Bloogle]

What? No ipod dock?

[George]

I've been considering these foe years. I wonder when CR will get around to testing them. I've heard good reports from people who've used them.

[sbpceap]

It would be great for Consumer Reports to test these bidet seats, as well as accessory bidets that you can attach to your toilet seat for as little as $29. These seem to be "green," save money on toilet paper, and have generated much interest. The problem is that, with few exceptions, these devices are all on the right hand side of the toilet (from seated position), and installation/use can be problematic in tight spaces. Also, many do not fit modern one-piece toilets.
Consumer Reports would do well to stop wasting valuable space with tests of simple products like toilet paper. Don't you think readers can decide for themselves the right balance between quality and economy? Bidet attachments, on the other hand, often must be purchased in order to test fit, installation, and performance. OK, CR. We're waiting!