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Which TOTO WASHLET Should You Buy? Every US Model Compared, Plus What Installation Takes
In Japan, more than 80% of households have a warm-water bidet seat (Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, 2024). TOTO's WASHLET is the best-known of them, and TOTO sells ten WASHLET models in the US. This guide compares them using TOTO USA's own comparison table, and explains what your bathroom needs before you buy one.
First, check your bathroom
A WASHLET replaces your toilet seat, so most people don't need a new toilet. But it needs three things a regular seat doesn't.
- A power outlet. TOTO says you need a standard 120 V outlet within about three feet of the toilet, and recommends GFCI because of the water nearby (TOTO USA). Many US bathrooms have no outlet beside the toilet. Adding one is a job for an electrician; installer guides put it at roughly $125–175 (Many Bidets).
- A T-valve on the water line. The seat takes water from the toilet's supply line through a T-valve. TOTO's manuals say a metal or copper tank supply tube has to be replaced with a flexible one (WASHLET E200 installation instructions).
- The right bowl shape. Measure from the center of the seat bolts to the front of the bowl. About 18.5 inches means elongated; about 16.5 inches means round (TOTO fit chart). Buy the WASHLET in the matching shape. Some toilets, such as French-curve designs, may not fit.
If an outlet is already in place, many people install a WASHLET themselves. If you hire help, a plumber or handyman usually finishes in under an hour; one installer guide estimates about $135 for the visit (Bidet King).
What the features mean
Every current model has a heated seat, rear and front wash, adjustable water pressure, a self-cleaning wand and a seat sensor. They differ in the features below, taken from TOTO USA's comparison table.
| Feature | What it does | Models with it |
|---|---|---|
| Instant water heating | Heats water as it flows instead of keeping a small tank warm | S1, S2, S5, S7, S7A, KS2, KS5, KS6 |
| Warm-air dryer | Dries you with warm air after washing | S2, S5, S7, S7A, KC2, KS2, KS5, KS6 |
| Air deodorizer | Filters odor while you sit | S2, S5, S7, S7A, KS6 |
| PREMIST | Mists the bowl with water before use so waste is less likely to stick | S2, S5, S7, S7A, KS6 |
| EWATER+ | Cleans with electrolyzed tap water after each use | Bowl and wand: S2, S5, S7, S7A. Wand only: KS6 |
| Wireless remote | Controls on a remote you mount on the wall (others use a panel on the side of the seat) | S5, S7, S7A, KS5, KS6 |
| Wide front wash, 5-step temperatures | Finer adjustment of water, air and seat temperatures | S7, S7A |
| Auto lid | The lid opens and closes by itself | S7A |
TOTO describes EWATER+ as water made by electrolyzing the chloride ions in ordinary tap water, which returns to ordinary tap water over time (TOTO USA). The useful takeaway: the S2 is the cheapest model that has the dryer, deodorizer, PREMIST and EWATER+ together.
Which model to buy
The model pictures below are drawings based on TOTO's product photos. Each model comes in elongated and round versions, so check the shape on the Amazon page. Prices and stock on Amazon change often.
Best value: WASHLET S2
The S2 has instant water heating, a warm-air dryer, a deodorizer, PREMIST and EWATER+ for both the bowl and the wand. The controls are on a panel on the side of the seat. For most people this is the model to start with.
The same, with a remote: WASHLET S5 or KS6
The S5 has the S2's features, with a wireless remote you mount on the wall instead of a side panel. The seat looks cleaner and the controls are easier to reach. The KS6 is a newer design with a sculpted shape, a remote, a dryer, a deodorizer and PREMIST; its EWATER+ cleans the wand but not the bowl.
Top features: WASHLET S7
The S7 adds a wide front wash and five steps for water, air and seat temperature (other models have three). It has a slimmer, more angled shape and a remote.
Top of the line: WASHLET S7A
The S7A is the S7 with an automatic lid that opens and closes by itself, and its remote can also raise and lower the seat. It is the only current model with an auto lid.
Entry model: WASHLET A2
The A2 keeps warm water in a small tank instead of heating it as it flows, and has no dryer or deodorizer. It covers the basics: a heated seat and warm rear and front wash.
Amazon also lists WASHLET+ versions of some models (for example, "WASHLET+ S7A"). Those are made for TOTO's WASHLET+ toilets, which hide the water connection, so choose the plain WASHLET unless you have that toilet. You may also see the older C5 and C2, which TOTO no longer lists in its current comparison.
Should you import a Japanese WASHLET?
Japan has WASHLET models that are never sold in the US. They are built for Japan's 100 V power and come with Japanese-only controls and manuals. TOTO's US warranty does not cover them.
This warranty applies only to TOTO product is purchased and installed in USA and Canada.
Source: TOTO WASHLET C5 instruction manual (warranty section)
The same warranty excludes use on anything other than 120 V, 60 Hz power. An imported Japanese seat would need a step-down transformer and would have no support from TOTO USA, so a US model is the safer buy.
Which one suits you?
- Most people: S2, the cheapest model with a dryer, deodorizer, PREMIST and EWATER+.
- Prefer a remote to a side panel: S5, or the KS6 for a different design.
- Want the finest settings: S7.
- Want the lid to open by itself: S7A.
- Just the basics: A2.
- Before buying any of them: check for an outlet within about 3 feet, plan for a T-valve, and measure your bowl.