You may have heard of bidets online, in movies and TV shows, or even on a podcast. You may have even come across a bidet in the wild and mistaken it for a weird urinal, a foot washer, or even a water fountain (it happens, don’t worry). 

Since they were invented in 1710, modern bidets have been used by about 80% of the world for a long time now. However, Americans just aren’t as familiar with these bathroom fixtures as our European, Middle Eastern, or Asian counterparts. That being said, their popularity in the US is increasing, meaning you’re more and more likely to come across a bidet every day.

If you're thinking to yourself, "What is a bidet, anyway?"—you're in the right place. We’re here to help you understand not only what a bidet is, but which type of bidet might be the best option for you—in other words, your future partner in pooping.

 

What is a bidet?

Bidets are bathroom fixtures or toilet add-ons that give your buns a refreshing wash after you do your business. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types, but bidets all have the same general purpose: to give you a shower-fresh feel every time you go. 

Sounds great, right? But how do you use a bidet? Let’s first consider the traditional standalone bidet (remember that weird urinal looking thing we talked about?) that’s more common in European bathrooms. To use it, bathroom goers would first have to use the toilet, then transfer over to the bidet fixture to get clean.

These days, you don’t have to worry about that awkward squat-walk between fixtures. Cue bidet toilet seats and attachments. Unlike standalone bidets, these simply attach to your toilet, providing ultimate convenience and ease of use.

 

What is a bidet toilet seat?

Simply put, it's a bidet and a toilet seat, all in one. They replace your old toilet seat, and connect to your toilet's water supply. They're also electric, which means they can come with all sorts of luxurious features. (More on that later.)

Bidet seats can be installed in almost any bathroom in a few short minutes. All you have to do is remove your current toilet seat, connect the bidet to your water line and a GFCI grounded outlet, and then slide the seat onto the included mounting plate until it clicks—see? In 30 minutes tops, you have your very own at-home butt spa!

Bidet seats are a very common type of bidet around the world. They can be found in people’s homes and even public places like offices, hotels, airports.

Why are they so popular? Part of their popularity lies in the fact that they're so easy to use. Many come with sidearm control panels or wireless remotes, giving you ultimate control over your wash with the push of a button.

The real beauty of bidet seats is their extra luxurious features. For example, the Omigo Luxury Bidet Seat comes with a heated seat, a warm air dryer, a night light, a built-in water heater, and an easy-to-use remote control—not to mention the great health benefits that come with washing with water.

Toilet paper isn’t just less effective to clean you—it's also abrasive, especially if you have delicate or sensitive skin. A bidet allows you to gently clean with water, which may help with medical conditions such as hemorrhoids. Many bidet toilet seats also include a front-wash feature, providing new moms an effective yet soothing way to clean postpartum—without toilet paper.

Once you find the perfect washing routine, you can even save your user settings for next time. And if you’re worried about whether a bidet is sanitary or not, Omigo’s nozzles also rinse themselves before and after each wash. Talk about a squeaky clean!

Whether you get an entry level model or a top-of-the-line model, switching to a bidet seat will improve your personal hygiene and help the environment. Especially when you consider the financial and environmental costs of toilet paper, a bidet seat is the smartest way to upgrade your bathroom experience.

Thousands of kilometers of TP are flushed every minute. All that paper usage has its consequences, including deforestation, pollution, carbon emissions. (Not to mention it’s just wasteful). By switching to a bidet seat, you can use less TP, which helps reduce the environmental impact associated with toilet paper production.

 

What is a bidet attachment?

A bidet attachment is a great way to take your first dip into the world of bidets at an affordable price. They’re increasing in popularity around the world, and for good reason.

These sleek, low-profile bidets install underneath your toilet seat rather than replacing it completely. They're also non-electric and get you clean using the same fresh water supply that fills your toilet tank. This makes them a great choice for bathrooms without electrical outlets.

To install a bidet attachment, you simply remove your toilet seat, connect the bidet to the water line filling your tank with the included T-valve, place and align your bidet, and then reinstall your toilet seat. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Installation is a breeze, and actually using a bidet attachment is even easier. To use one, you simply sit down, do your business, and then turn the intuitive knob controls to your desired temperature and water pressure to wash. You’ll be surprised just how much washing power is contained in one of these simple attachments.

Bidet attachments offer plenty of health benefits too. Studies show that using a bidet can help reduce bacteria and residue on the body, limit contact with fecal matter, and reduce the risk of abrasion—keeping you (and your butt) happier and healthier.

For those who are just looking to get a great wash without all the extra bells and whistles, bidet attachments like the Element and Element+ are incredibly affordable. If you’re looking to add a bidet to a guest bathroom or a half bath, these attachments might be a great option for you. These also make great gifts for loved ones who have never tried a bidet before. 

 

What is a travel bidet?

Many people love their at-home bidets and might dread the day they have to go without one, whether that be on vacation, in a public restroom, or on a cross-country road trip. Worry not, there’s also such a thing as handheld travel bidets.

About the size of a standard water bottle, these handy dandy bidet devices are designed to go wherever you go (pun intended). Travel bidets come in a compact size that can fit in your luggage, backpack, gym bag, or purse, allowing you to get a full washing experience whenever and wherever you need. 

Prefer to travel light? Some travel bidets are collapsible, like the Omigo Collapsible Travel Bidet. Thanks to its compact silicone body and pop-up plastic nozzle, this bidet is the ultimate space saver.

Not only are travel bidets easy to pack, they’re also easy to use. Simply fill it with water, turn over the bottle, aim, and squeeze until you reach the desired water pressure. Are they as luxurious as at-home bidets? Of course not—but you can't exactly lug a bidet toilet seat out into the woods, now can you? Travel bidets let you bring a hygienic wash with you—wherever your adventures may take you.

 

Choosing a bidet

So, you get it, bidets are luxurious, convenient, and wash-tastic, but how do you go about choosing one? This first step is to consider what your budget is, where you plan to install your bidet, and what features you’d like to have.

Keep in mind that no matter which option you choose, a bidet is a long-term investment. You’re sure to love that shower-fresh feeling after you go and how much money you’ll save on toilet paper—not to mention that you can feel good about choosing a product that can help reduce your impact on the environment.

Take our quick bidet finder quiz to get matched to the perfect Omigo bidet. Trust us—your butt and your wallet will thank you later!