Bidets are standard fixtures in bathrooms across Europe and Asia. However, for some reason, they never saw the same sort of popularity in the United States.
Even today, a majority of Americans will prefer using toilet paper over a bidet (Link). Though slowly there’s a shift in trend happening and more people are becoming interested in bidets.
If you are interested in getting this device, this is how much a bidet will cost you.
The cost of a bidet could range anywhere between $400 to $1500. Several different variables impact the overall cost of a bidet, such as the type of bidet, the difficulty of installation, and the cost of plumbing services.
Ultimately, you can get a bidet to suit your budget.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the cost of a bidet and the benefits they provide!
What Is A Bidet?
A bidet is a floor-mounted bathroom fixture that features faucets to wash yourself down under after using the toilet in its most traditional form.
It’s cleaner and more hygienic than using toilet paper and is better for the environment as well.
Modern bidets come in all sorts of different forms. Some mount directly onto the toilet seat, others are built-in to the toilet, and there are toilet seats with bidet features.
Types Of Bidets And Their Costs
Let’s take a further look into the different types of bidets on the market.
| Bidet Price Range | Buying Guide |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Best Bidets Under $50 |
| Under $100 | Bidets Under $100 |
| Under $200 | Bidet Under $200 |
| Under $300 | Best Bidet Under $300 |
| Under $400 | Bidets Under $400 |
| Under $500 | Best Bidet Under $500 |
| Under $1000 | Best Bidet Under $1000 |
What Is A Portable Bidet?
A portable bidet is the best option for active people who enjoy traveling and camping because it eliminates the need for toilet paper.
A portable bidet costs between $10 to $40 on average and is available in several different styles. A common feature in all portable bidets is the presence of a water container and a spray nozzle.
Portable bidets feature a small and discreet design that you can easily store in your bag or pack it up with your camping equipment. The cheapest options on the market typically come with no additional features and are simple devices.
However, if you spend a little more money, you get some handy extra features like the ability to change the spray force for greater comfort and control.
Spray Attachment Bidet
An increasingly popular form of bidets is the spray attachment.
For this type of bidet, you’re looking at an investment ranging from anywhere between $50 to $70 on average. If you’re looking to handle the installation yourself, getting a handheld sprayer is the best option.
They typically feature a T-valve that helps branch off the toilet’s water supply from the spray. You can easily mount them on the side of your toilet.
The only issue with these is that they don’t have any temperature control. You’ll have to deal with the surprising spray of cold water onto your nether regions.
Standard (Standalone) Bidet
The most traditional form of the bidet features a floor-mounted basin along with a drain and tap.
A great feature of the standard bidet is that it connects to your homes’ warm and cold-water supply. The traditional bidet (Affiliate Link) set up can cost between $200 to $600 depending on the brand you choose.
Depending on the size and type of unit you get, you can look at a varying installation cost. We’ll look at all the details later.
Toilet Seat Bidet Attachments
Toilet attachment bidets are becoming increasingly popular. They’re a cost-effective and straightforward solution. You won’t be able to find a bathroom bidet smaller than this type.
The design allows them to fit under any regular toilet seat. You’ll have to place the console somewhere close to the toilet to ensure a good fit. The console will allow you to change settings and the position of the bidet nozzle.
The cost of the toilet attachment bidet depends on how many additional features it offers. You can look at an outlay between $50 to $130 on average.
Toilet Seat Bidet
A step up from the toilet attachment bidet is the toilet seat bidet.
These are a replacement for the regular toilet seat and feature a water spray with pressure and temperature options, to only name a few.
Some of the bidets offer basic control settings, while other fancy bidet seats provide various knobs and buttons to twist and adjust in order to get the best cleansing experience possible.
Depending on the features the toilet seat bidet provides, the costs range between $200 to $1300.
You can find a decent toilet seat bidet that falls in the middle of the range.
Bidet Toilet
If you don’t want to go for a stand-alone unit, a good option is to opt for a bidet toilet.
These offer an all-in-one unit that’ll help eliminate the need for any paper. When it comes to the premium models, they offer a wide variety of features like water pressure adjustment, temperature control, and spray pattern.
You can find a basic model that starts at around $800 while the most expensive models retail for about $2,000 (like the excellent Alpha UXT Pearl) and all the way up to $8000 for the amazing Toto Neorest NX1, dual-flush integrated bidet toilet combination.
Bidet Installation Cost
On average, the bidet installation costs range between $200 to $240. This range applies to traditional stand-alone bidets. The price for a toilet attachment fixture can vary between $60 to $80. Aside from the cost of the unit itself, you’ll also have to consider the cost of the installation.
Several factors contribute to the overall installation cost of a bidet. Luckily, the cost of the installation is manageable because the bathroom already features connections with the proper water lines. That makes the labor less intensive than other plumbing projects.
The most expensive part of the whole installation is the bidet itself. Once you get the fixture, you can choose between installing the fixture yourself or hiring a plumber. If you make a DIY installation, you looking at an average cost of around $220.
In comparison, a plumber will cost around $60 to $240 per hour. The DIY installation seems much cheaper. However, if you end up making a mistake, it can cost even more to fix.
You can save yourself a lot of money and risk by hiring a professional to do the job.
Is A Bidet Worth the Money?
Given the economic, environmental, and health benefits of a bidet, it’s worth every penny.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into these benefits:
What Are The Economic Benefits Of A Bidet?
One of the main benefits of installing a bidet is that it’ll help eliminate the need for any toilet paper.
If you get a premium bidet, they often include an air dryer that helps eliminate the need for any toilet paper. Even if the bidet doesn’t feature any dryers, there are a few options that you can choose from.
Wait for a few minutes after the water is done cleaning and air dry naturally. An alternative is to keep a towel that can help you pat yourself dry or use significantly less toilet paper.
Statistics indicate that the average cost of toilet paper per year for a family of four is close to $150 per year. (Link)
A standard bidet could potentially have a price of around $400 and has minimal costs per year.
What Are The Environmental Benefits Of Using A Bidet?
When you use toilet paper, it’s essential to consider that a single roll of toilet paper costs around 1.5 lbs. of wood to produce. Aside from that, a single roll of toilet paper will require 37 gallons of water.
A standard bidet will only take a pint of water (Link) to help you become much cleaner than you would while using toilet paper. If you want to be a more sustainable and environmentally conscious citizen, investing in a bidet is definitely worth the money.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Using A Bidet?
If you have someone in your household that suffers from limited mobility, a bidet is definitely worth the investment. They’re much more effective than toilet paper and are significantly easier to use.
Women with vulva and vaginal sensitivities would claim that using a bidet is far more soothing than going for toilet paper. Similarly, suppose you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Crohn’s disease.
In that case, your toilet paper usage might be a lot more frequent. Opting for a bidet instead can reduce the potential irritation that you might encounter and lower your cost. They’re also safe for use by pregnant women. (Link)
Pros And Cons Of A Bidet
Now that we’ve had a brief run-through of how much a bidet will cost you, let’s take a look at the pros and cons before moving on.
These can help you decide whether the bidet will meet your requirements and is worth the investment. Here’s a handy table to give you a quick summary:
| Pros | Cons |
| More effective at cleaning your private parts | High initial investment and installation costs |
| More accessible for individuals with limited mobility | Early adjustment period |
| Easier to use for the elderly | Bidet maintenance will be required |
| Better hygiene and can help prevent several diseases | |
| Lower long-run cost |
Will Medicare Pay For A Bidet?
Original Medicare will not cover the cost of a bidet. Under Medicare classification, bidets fall under toilet seats and don’t earn the medically necessary badge.
Even if Medicare doesn’t cover you, do a little research on state programs. Programs like Medicaid and HCBS often provide coverage for bidets.
For any equipment to qualify for Medicare coverage, it must fall under the durable medical equipment category. Unfortunately, bidets don’t fall under the DME category.
Are Bidets Good For The Elderly?
Yes, bidets are good for the elderly. It can help the elderly avoid many problems that result from improper cleaning, such as UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections).
Suppose you’re taking care of an elderly person. In that case, you’ll know that as a person grows older, taking care of personal hygiene becomes a significant issue.
For elderly women, in particular, are at a significantly greater risk of contracting a UTI. (Link) Installing a bidet can considerably help reduce the risk.
One of the main reasons for the recent shift to bidets we mentioned is that many people are starting to realize that bidets are good for the elderly. As you grow older, it becomes more challenging to take care of your hygiene.
Older people that suffer from greater mobility issues will have a significantly harder time using toilet paper to clean. In the most challenging scenarios, it can even lead to a potentially dangerous fall from the toilet. Getting a bidet for elderly adults might mean the difference between being independent and requiring assistance on the toilet.
It can help many seniors avoid uncomfortable situations, as needing help with personal hygiene can be a bit invasive. However, improper cleaning can lead to several health issues.
Bidets can help provide a greater level of cleanliness and safety while using the toilet. It’s also a significant help to the caregivers that must help with toileting and personal hygiene.
The initial stages of getting to grips with a bidet can be difficult. However, a little persistence will help you go a long way!
Are Bidets Hygienic?
Yes, bidets are hygienic. In fact, they are considerably cleaner and more hygienic than using toilet paper. However, in the United States, the major toilet paper manufacturers have done a pretty good job convincing the general public that they’re the most hygienic option.
Using toilet paper isn’t as hygienic as the manufacturers would like you to believe. According to medical experts, wiping via toilet paper alone will only smear the fecal matter around the skin. It won’t do a proper job to help clean the area.
On the other hand, using a bidet will wash away the fecal matter and urine particles thoroughly. It washes away any potential bacteria that might be present within any residue.
Toilet paper can also cause anal tears (Link), which have the potential to become infected and can be a very unpleasant experience. Bidets are much safer and can help you avoid any potentially uncomfortable situation.
Premium bidets and toilet seat bidets can help take hygiene a bit further because they include a few additional features. Certain products feature a front-washing feature that can help women with their hygiene needs in particular.
The bottom line is that if you want the most hygienic experience, then a bidet is the way to go!
Do You Wipe After Using A Bidet?
You can wipe to dry yourself after using a bidet, but you won’t need wiping in order to clean. One of the main selling points of a bidet is that it eliminates the need to use any toilet paper.
You don’t need to wipe after using a bidet. The water pressure that comes out of the bidet is more than sufficient to get you completely clean.
However, a lot of people that own bidets still choose to wipe after they use the bidet. Instead of cleaning, though, the toilet paper’s main purpose is to help dry yourself off quicker.
Here are all the options available to you while using a bidet:
No wiping
Many people choose a bidet to ensure that they don’t have to wipe anymore and eliminate the need for any toilet paper. There’s no need to wipe if your bidet emits water at a decent pressure that can clean all the matter.
If the bidet isn’t cleaning you properly, then you’ll need to adjust the water pressure setting and check the spray. Pay attention to the nozzle direction and ensure that the water sprays at the most optimal angle.
Pre-Wiping
If you own a stand-alone bidet, you might be familiar with the act of pre-wiping. That simply means that you’ll wipe before you use the bidet after going to the bathroom. It’s the same concept as wiping the dishes before cleaning them.
When you use a stand-alone bidet, all the residual matter has to go through the drain. In some cases, that might lead to larger bits getting stuck in the drain, which can be a chore to clean up.
Post-Wipe
Even though using a bidet will help you clean yourself properly and is the best method, old habits are difficult to eliminate. That’s why a lot of people do a post wipe to check if they’ve missed anything.
If the toilet paper is clean after checking, that means that the bidet has done the job properly. If it isn’t clean, that might mean you need another run of the bidet. It’ll also help you identify whether your bidet is working at its optimal level.
If you’re going through regular checks and they come back clean consistently, it might be good to switch over to the no wiping camp. Consistently clean results are an indications that the bidet is doing the job properly, and you don’t need to use toilet paper anymore.
Wiping to Dry
A bidet will ensure that your private areas are as clean as possible. However, only the most premium bidets feature a dryer option. The most common reason people wipe after using a bidet is to dry themselves off.
However, it isn’t necessary to dry yourself using toilet paper after the bidet. There are many options that you can choose instead:
- Let the area dry naturally
- Use a reusable towel
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that bidets offer many benefits. Not only are they more hygienic and cleaner than regular toilet paper, but they can also help you save money in the long run and are better for the environment.
The pandemic toilet paper shortages in America also contributed to the increasing popularity of bidets. Their versatile types and effectiveness ensure that they’re a worthwhile investment for anyone – no matter how much they’ll cost you!
Sources:
www.fixr.com / www.agingcare.com / www.myomigo.com / www.ncbi.gov / www.insider.com