I haven’t installed the TOTO Washlet S2 in my own bathroom yet. I have tested the TOTO C5 and the K300, owned an S550e for years, and run several Alpha seats through daily use. Everything below about the S2 comes from TOTO’s spec sheet and retailer listings. Wherever I lean on my time with other TOTO seats, I’ll say so.
My verdict: the TOTO Washlet S2 is worth buying if you want TOTO’s instant warm water, EWATER+ wand cleaning and PREMIST for roughly $492 to $566, and you’re fine running everything from a panel attached to the right side of the seat. That arm panel is the catch. If you want a wireless remote or saved settings for each person in the house, you’ll be paying another $100 or so for the S5.
If you’re wondering should I buy TOTO Washlet S2 or stretch for something else, the deciding questions are simple. Do you mind the side panel? Do you have a GFCI outlet within about 4 feet of the toilet? Get both answers before you spend the money.
TOTO Washlet S2 Review: Quick Summary Table
The S2 is TOTO’s lowest-priced seat with an instantaneous heater, so you get endless warm water, EWATER+ and PREMIST for about $492 to $566. To hit that price, TOTO uses an arm panel in place of a remote and covers the seat with a one-year warranty.
| Spec | TOTO Washlet S2 |
|---|---|
| Price | About $492 to $566 |
| Models | SW3346 elongated (Cotton, Sedona Beige), SW3345 round (Cotton) |
| Water heater | Instantaneous, continuous warm water |
| Spray volume | 0.07 to 0.11 gal/min rear, 0.08 to 0.11 front |
| Water temp | 95 to 104°F |
| Dryer | 95 to 140°F, 3 settings, 8.83 cfm |
| Heated seat | 82 to 97°F |
| Controls | Arm-mounted side panel |
| Hygiene | EWATER+, PREMIST, CLEAN RESIN, deodorizer |
| Power | 1,273 W rated, 1,428 W max |
| Cord | 3.93 ft |
| Shipping weight | 16 lbs |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
What Do You Get for the Price?
For a TOTO Washlet, around $500 buys more than it used to. The S2 replaced the old C2 at the bottom of the S-Series. Unlike the C2, it uses an instantaneous heater, so the water doesn’t run out partway through a wash.
You also get the TOTO hygiene features that used to sit higher up the ladder:
- EWATER+ cleans the wand before and after every use
- PREMIST wets the bowl before you sit
- CLEAN RESIN on the seat and wand
- An automatic deodorizer
- A warm air dryer with three temperature settings
- A nightlight
On top of that, TOTO adds a SoftClose seat, a seamless seat design and a docking station that lets the seat slide off for cleaning. For an electronic bidet toilet seat at this price, that’s a full feature list.
Who Should Buy the S2, and Who Should Skip It?
The S2 is a strong fit for a household of one or two people who want a TOTO without paying S5 money. It also suits anyone who keeps losing remotes, and older users who like having physical buttons right at their hip.
I’d skip it in three cases:
- More than two people with different preferences will share the toilet. The S2 has no per-person memory, so you’ll be re-adjusting settings.
- Your toilet sits tight against a vanity on the right side.
- You want a strong, needle-like spray. TOTO’s spray is soft by design.
If you’re shopping across brands for the best electronic bidet seat, the Alpha section further down is worth a read. Whether the TOTO Washlet S2 is worth buying for you comes down to that panel more than to anything inside the seat.
Where the S2 Sits in TOTO’s Lineup
The S2 is the entry point to TOTO’s instant-heat seats. It sits below the S5 and well below the K300 on both price and control options.
How Does the S2 Compare with the S5?
The TOTO Washlet S5 costs about $668. TOTO lists the same core technology on both seats: instant warm water, EWATER+ and PREMIST.
What the extra money buys is control. The S5 comes with a wireless remote control that you can mount on the wall, plus four user presets that store each person’s preferred water temperature, pressure and wand position. On the S2, you control everything from the arm panel, and every user adjusts the settings by hand.
For a couple who like similar settings, that’s about $100 to $175 for convenience you won’t use much. For a family of four, the presets earn their keep every single day.
What Does the K300 Offer Instead?
The K300 runs about $699 and belongs to TOTO’s K-series. I’ve tested it, and it feels like the more polished product in daily use. You can read the details in my TOTO K300 review.
At roughly $150 to $200 more than the S2, the K300 makes sense if you’re leaning toward the S5 anyway and want to compare seats in the upper tier. If your budget stops around $550, the S2 is the seat that gets you instant heat with TOTO’s hygiene features.
Cleansing Performance
On paper, the S2 delivers TOTO’s standard warm, aerated wash. It covers rear and front cleaning and includes oscillating and pulsating modes, with water flowing at 0.07 to 0.11 gallons per minute.
Rear and Front Wash Settings
TOTO lists a rear wash and a front wash, plus oscillating and pulsating options for both. You can adjust the wand position, the water pressure and the water temperature, which runs from 95 to 104°F.
The front wash uses 0.08 to 0.11 gal/min and the rear wash uses 0.07 to 0.11 gal/min. Those are low flow numbers, and that’s normal for a seat that heats water on the fly. The heater only has to warm a small stream, which is how it keeps the temperature steady.
For warm water cleansing and day-to-day personal hygiene, the oscillating mode is the one I’d lean on. On TOTO seats I’ve used, sweeping the stream back and forth cleans better than turning the pressure all the way up. Owners of the S2 report the same habit, and they say the front wash takes a little more position fiddling than the rear.
What TOTO’s Aerated Spray Feels Like
This part comes from my time with the C5, K300 and S550e. TOTO mixes air into the stream, and the result feels soft and full. It doesn’t sting. Even on the top pressure setting, it’s gentler than a non-electric attachment running straight off your supply line.
I like it for daily use. If you’re coming from a high-pressure attachment, expect a period of adjustment, and check my notes on bidet water pressure that feels too low before deciding the seat is defective. Low pressure on a TOTO is usually a matter of wand position or a partly closed supply valve.
Hot Water Performance
Hot water is the S2’s biggest selling point. Its instantaneous heater warms water as it flows, so the wash stays warm for as long as you run it.
Does the Instant Heater Run Out of Warm Water?
No. With an instantaneous water heater, there’s no stored reserve to drain. TOTO describes it as continuous warm water, and that’s how instant heaters behave: you get unlimited warm water at whatever temperature you’ve set, from 95 to 104°F.
Expect a brief moment at the very start while the stream comes up to temperature. After that it holds steady. You’ll see some retailer copy and a few comparison charts lump the S2 in with the older tank models. TOTO’s own sheet lists the S2 as instantaneous, so I’m going with the manufacturer.
If you want to understand the mechanics, my explainer on how warm water bidets work covers tank versus tankless heating in plain terms.
How Does It Compare with the Older C5?
This is where the S2 earns its price. When I tested the old tank-style C5, the water started to run cool at about 40 seconds. For a quick wash that was fine. For a longer one, or for the second person to use it right after the first, it wasn’t.
The S2 doesn’t have that limit. You can run a full oscillating wash, switch to the front wash and keep going without the temperature dropping. You can see the full test in my TOTO C5 Washlet review, and my list of the best bidet seats with tankless water heaters shows how the S2 stacks up against other instant-heat seats.
Side Panel Controls: The Trade-Off
The S2 runs on a side-mounted control panel attached to the right side of the seat. That’s how TOTO hits the price, and it’s the main reason some buyers move up to the S5.
Who Will Find the Arm Panel Convenient?
The panel is always in the same spot. You never have to hunt for a remote, change batteries or pull a remote off a wall bracket.
That makes it a good match for:
- Older users who find raised buttons at hip height easier than a wall-mounted remote
- Guest bathrooms, where visitors can see exactly where the controls are
- Households where remotes tend to wander or get knocked off the counter
S2 owners say they learn the button layout by touch after a few days. That fits my experience with TOTO’s other button panels.
Could Its Position Make Controls Hard to Reach?
Yes, in a few situations. The panel sits on the right side, and you can’t move it. If you’re left-handed, or you have limited mobility in your right arm, you’ll be reaching across your body every time.
The arm also adds width on the right. Measure the gap between the toilet and any vanity, wall or cabinet on that side before you order.
There’s no wireless remote and no user presets, so each person adjusts temperature, pressure and wand position on their own. For one or two users that’s a minor chore. For a busy family bathroom, the S5’s remote and four presets are worth the upgrade.
Design and Dimensions
TOTO says the S2’s tankless body is 19% slimmer than the older tank design. That gives it a lower, cleaner look than the bulky bidet seats from a few years ago.
Seat Shape, Colors, and Profile
You can buy the S2 in two shapes:
- SW3346 elongated, in Cotton White or Sedona Beige
- SW3345 round, in Cotton White only
The seamless seat closes the gap where grime usually builds up between the seat and the base. Pair that with CLEAN RESIN, and it’s one of the easier electric bidet seats to wipe down.
There’s still a raised section at the back to house the heater and the wand. Expect that bump on any electronic bidet seat. The shipping weight is 16 lbs, so it’s sturdy without being awkward to lift onto the toilet.
SoftClose Seat, Nightlight, and Docking Design
The SoftClose seat lowers on its own, so the seat doesn’t bang down on the bowl. The nightlight shines into the bowl. On my S550e, I used the night light far more than I expected, because it saved me from flipping on a harsh overhead light at 3 a.m.
The docking station is the design feature I’d value most. You press the release button, slide the seat off its mounting plate and clean the porcelain underneath. TOTO advises against sitting or standing on the lid of these seats, so don’t treat it as a step stool.
Fit and Installation
The S2 fits most toilets, but before you buy, you need to confirm two things: your bowl shape, and that you have a GFCI outlet within cord reach.
Will It Fit Your Toilet?
Measure from the center of the seat bolt holes to the front edge of the bowl:
- About 18.5 inches means an elongated bowl, so you need the SW3346
- About 16.5 inches means a round bowl, so you need the SW3345
TOTO lists the S2 as Washlet+ compatible. It also fits non-Washlet+ TOTO toilets and most toilets from other brands. Skirted toilets and unusual French-curve bowls need a closer check. My guide to bidets for TOTO toilets covers the pairings I’d trust.
What Water and Electrical Connections Does It Need?
On the water side, you’ll connect a T-connector to the cold supply line. The hose and hardware come in the box, and it’s a normal DIY job that takes under an hour. One tip from S2 owners: wet the rubber mounting anchors before you push them into the bolt holes, because they’re a tight fit.
Electrical is the harder part. You need a 120V GFCI outlet, and the cord is only 3.93 ft long. Don’t run a permanent extension cord in a bathroom. If you don’t have an outlet close enough, budget for an electrician before the seat arrives. My guide to installing a bidet walks through both the plumbing and the electrical steps.
EWATER+, PREMIST and the Deodorizer
The S2 includes TOTO’s full automatic hygiene package. These features reduce how often you need to clean, but they don’t replace regular cleaning.
What Gets Cleaned Automatically?
- EWATER+ wand cleaning: electrolyzed water rinses the wand inside and out before and after every use, so the self-cleaning wand stays fresher between wipe-downs.
- PREMIST technology: the bowl gets a light mist when you sit down. A wet surface makes it harder for waste to stick.
- Air deodorizer: a fan turns on with the seat sensor, pulls air through a filter and keeps running briefly after you stand up.
On TOTO seats I’ve tested, PREMIST made the most noticeable difference over a week, more than in any single use. You’ll hear a small click, the mist and the fan. None of it is loud, but in a quiet bathroom you’ll notice it.
What Maintenance Will You Still Need to Do?
You’ll still need to:
- Scrub the bowl on your normal schedule
- Wipe around the wand area weekly
- Slide the seat off the docking plate every few weeks to clean underneath
- Replace the deodorizer filter when it stops working well
Use a soft cloth and a mild cleaner. Abrasives will scratch the plastic. My complete guide to cleaning a bidet has the exact routine I follow, and the S2 also shows up on my list of the best self-cleaning bidets.
Warm Air Dryer and Heated Seat
On the S2, both the dryer and the heated seat come with three adjustable settings. The heated seat gets more daily use than the dryer.
How Adjustable Is the Dryer?
The warm air dryer runs from 95 to 140°F across three settings, with an airflow of 8.83 cfm. Airflow drives drying speed more than heat does, and in my experience TOTO dryers are decent but slow.
On the S550e, drying fully with air alone took a few minutes. The top heat setting got too warm if I left it running. My routine was a quick pat with a square of paper and then a short burst of air. S2 owners describe the same habit. Treat the dryer as a way to cut down on paper, and don’t expect it to replace paper completely.
What Comfort Settings Does the Seat Offer?
The heated seat ranges from 82 to 97°F, and you can pick from three levels. The heated SoftClose seat warms the whole sitting area, so you don’t get hot spots.
I kept my TOTO seats on the low setting for most of the year and only raised them in winter. The low setting also uses less power, which leads into the next section.
Energy Use
TOTO publishes rated and maximum wattage for the S2 but doesn’t list a monthly kWh figure. So I can’t tell you what it will cost each month, and I won’t make up a number.
What Do the Rated Wattages Tell You?
The S2 is rated at 1,273 W, with a 1,428 W maximum. Those are peak figures, drawn for the few seconds the instant heater is warming water or the dryer is running at full heat. That’s why it needs a dedicated GFCI outlet that isn’t shared with a hair dryer.
Most of the day, the seat isn’t drawing anywhere near that. Between uses, the main load is keeping the seat warm. An instant heater has no tank to keep hot around the clock, which is one reason TOTO bills the design as energy-saving.
How Does Auto Energy Saver Work?
Auto energy saver mode lowers the seat temperature during stretches when the seat sits unused. You turn it on once and the seat manages itself. You can still raise the seat or water temperature manually whenever you want.
To keep power use down, combine the energy-saving mode with the lowest seat setting you find comfortable. That’s how I set up every TOTO I’ve lived with.
S2 vs. Alpha GX Wave vs. Alpha JX2
Of these three, the Alpha JX2 is the strongest value on paper, the GX Wave is the cheapest, and the S2 is the TOTO pick with the better hygiene package.
How Do Price, Warranty, and Spray Compare?
| TOTO S2 | Alpha GX Wave | Alpha JX2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | About $492 to $566 | About $289 | About $389 |
| Heater | Instantaneous | Tank (per Alpha’s chart) | Tankless |
| Controls | Side arm panel | Side panel | Wireless remote |
| Spray feel | Soft, aerated | Firmer, stainless nozzle | Firmer |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year (per Alpha’s chart) | 3 years |
| Bowl hygiene | EWATER+, PREMIST | Bowl mist | Bowl mist |
From my time with Alpha seats, their spray feels more direct than TOTO’s, and fans of strong pressure will prefer it. TOTO’s spray is softer and wider. The JX2 also comes with a wireless remote and a 3-year warranty for about $100 to $175 less than the S2.
When Is a Less Expensive Seat the Better Buy?
I’d pick the JX2 if you want endless warm water, a remote and a longer warranty, and the TOTO name doesn’t matter to you. I’d pick the GX Wave if your budget is under $300 and you can live with tank-style heating.
The Brondell Swash 1400 is another seat worth comparing, since it comes up often in cross-shopping threads. If you’re still deciding between a seat and an attachment, my piece comparing a Washlet vs bidet lays out what each one costs.
The S2 makes the most sense when EWATER+, PREMIST and TOTO’s parts network are the reasons you’re shopping.
Is the S2 Worth the Side-Panel Trade-Off?
For most one- and two-person households, yes. The S2 gives you TOTO’s instant warm water, EWATER+ and PREMIST at the lowest price in the S-Series, and the arm panel is the only real trade-off.
My recommendation is the TOTO Washlet S2 for anyone who wants a TOTO with endless warm water and is right-handed, has clearance on the right side of the toilet, and has a GFCI outlet within 3.93 feet. Expect to pay about $492 to $566, and note that the warranty is only one year.
Choose the S5 at around $668 if three or more people will share the seat, since its four presets and wireless remote save everyone from re-adjusting settings. Choose the Alpha JX2 if you’d rather have a firmer spray and a 3-year warranty for less money.
Before you order, confirm three things: your bowl shape (elongated SW3346 or round SW3345), the gap on the right side of the toilet, and the distance to your outlet. If all three check out, the S2 is the TOTO I’d put in a primary bathroom at this price.
Ready to order? You can check current prices on the TOTO Washlet S2 at Bidet King here (affiliate link). Bidet King handles TOTO warranty claims and support, which is why I buy there.