Shower Toilets: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide

When considering a new or upgraded toilet design for your bathroom, you could be searching for hours with the various designs. From modern to bespoke aesthetics, the choice is simply endless. Have you ever considered, or even heard of, a Shower Toilet?

Available in various shapes, sizes and styles, a Shower Toilet is guaranteed to not only add a dazzling focal point to your bathroom but also bring a plethora of health and hygiene benefits. This toilet will meet current or future requirements and is the perfect addition to any family bathroom.

At Showers to You, we have compiled this comprehensive buyer's guide to help you decide whether a Shower Toilet is the best choice. As we dive into this guide, expect to learn what a Shower Toilet is, the environmental and personal impacts, and the difference between these toilets and a standard Bidet.

What is a Shower Toilet?

In simple terms, a Shower Toilet combines a standard toilet and a bidet. Often referred to as a Washlet or a Bidet Toilet, the shower toilet has integrated bidet features, providing gentle, hygienic cleansing with warm water.

At first glance, a Shower Toilet might seem like your standard toilet. However, its built-in bidet features elevate it to a whole new level of functionality. Equipped with warm water jets, it provides gentle and thorough cleansing, ensuring an unmatched level of personal hygiene. They are often accompanied by a built-in drying feature to replace flushable wipes or toilet paper.

During the 1980s, Japan introduced early Shower Toilet designs nationwide in the form of electronic bidets. Hugely popular in and around Asia, this toilet design is becoming increasingly popular in Britain and Europe.

What are the benefits of using a Shower Toilet?

Using this type of toilet comes with numerous benefits that go beyond convenience. These benefits offer a whole new level of hygiene and comfort:

- No Skin Irritation - With the Shower Toilet, the need for toilet paper or wipes becomes a thing of the past. This innovative bathroom fixture utilises warm water for a gentle yet thorough cleanse, eliminating potential skin irritants often found in paper products. This feature is particularly beneficial for sensitive skin, as it offers a cleansing method free from harsh chemicals.

- Superior Hygiene - Incorporating an innovative bidet function, Shower Toilets deliver a comprehensive cleanse using warm water. This standard feature has been intricately designed to offer a level of hygiene that surpasses what is attainable with conventional toilet paper.

- Eco-Friendly - In today's world, where environmental sustainability is not just a buzzword but a necessity, a Shower Toilet offers a practical solution for those who wish to decrease their ecological impact. Toilet paper production has a sizeable environmental footprint, from the trees that need to be cut down to the energy consumed in manufacturing and the waste generated post-use. By reducing the reliance on toilet paper, the Shower Toilet directly contributes to curbing deforestation, lowering energy consumption, and reducing waste.

- Ideal for persons with physical problems - Many Shower Toilets, such as the Vitra V Care Prime Rimless Floorstanding Shower Toilet, are operated via an easy-to-use remote control. This control allows users to adjust the spray's water temperature, pressure, and position, ensuring a personalised and comfortable cleansing experience. Many Shower Toilets also include a heated seat, providing additional comfort for individuals who may require more time in the bathroom due to their physical conditions.

- Uses less Toilet Paper - With a hands-free cleaning operation, no toilet paper or flushable wipes are required when using this toilet design. Regular expenses incurred from purchasing toilet paper or Toilet Roll Holders become a thing of the past. Shower Toilets can be an innovative and cost-effective choice for households of all sizes.

What are the disadvantages of a Shower Toilet?

While a Shower Toilet offers several advantages, it's essential to consider some potential challenges they can bring:

- Initial Cost - The first consideration is the upfront cost (more on this shortly). Shower Toilets are typically more expensive than conventional toilets due to their advanced technology and features. For example, our cheapest toilet on Showers to You is the Nuie Melbourne Wall Hung Pan for just over £80. However, it's important to remember that this initial investment can lead to long-term savings, such as reduced expenditure on toilet paper and wipes.

- Learning Curve - There may also be a learning curve for those unfamiliar with this type of toilet. Some users may need time to understand how to use the various features effectively.

- Increased Water Consumption - One aspect to consider is the slightly increased water consumption. A Shower Toilet utilises water for its cleaning function, which may lead to a marginal increase in overall water usage compared to conventional toilets. However, the amount is generally minimal and is offset by the enhanced hygiene benefits and the environmental advantage of reduced toilet paper waste.

- Higher Electricity Costs - Alongside this, there might be a slight rise in utility costs. The use of electricity for certain features like heated seats or warm water jets can lead to an increase in your electricity bill. It's important to note, though, that these increases are usually minor and are counterbalanced by the long-term savings from not purchasing toilet paper or flushable wipes.

- Power Outages - Lastly, in the event of a power outage, some functionalities of the Shower Toilet might not work. It's important to note that the toilet will still function for essential use. Still, features like the bidet and heated seat may be temporarily unavailable. However, some Shower Toilets, such as the Vitra Sento Aquacare Wall Hung Bidet Toilet with a Stop Valve, do not require an electrical connection upon installation.

What type of bathroom can have a Shower Toilet?

Most bathroom designs are ideal for a Shower Toilet. As they feature modern technology, a vintage-inspired and traditional bathroom setting may not be the best layout, as we recommend installing a Low-Level, Medium-Level or High-Level Toilet.

In smaller bathrooms, a Shower Toilet can be an excellent addition. Its compact design ensures it doesn't take up more space than a standard WC, making it a practical choice for those with limited room. In larger bathrooms, a Shower Toilet can serve as a standout feature, adding a touch of modern sophistication to your space. Finally, for bathrooms designed with accessibility in mind, a Shower Toilet can be particularly beneficial. Its hands-free cleaning operation and easy-to-use controls make it a suitable choice for individuals with mobility challenges and the perfect upgrade to a Doc M Pack.

Unsure if a Shower Toilet is best suited for your bathroom? In this blog post, we have researched five effective reasons you need a Shower Toilet in your bathroom!

Are Shower Toilets Wall Mounted?

Not all of them! With its advanced features and innovative design, a Shower Toilet incorporates considerable flexibility to accommodate various bathroom configurations. Similar to standard wall-hung pans, a Shower Toilet can have a space-saving wall-mounted fitment that clears any potential floor space. However, some also have a back-to-wall fitment that is the perfect addition to Back-to-Wall Units.

Are Shower Toilets cost-effective?

Whether Shower Toilets are cost-effective can depend on various factors, including personal hygiene preferences, environmental considerations, and long-term investment perspectives.

From a comfort perspective, Shower Toilets offer an unparalleled experience. Traditional toilet paper usage can add up significantly over time. Even if a bidet only reduces your toilet paper use by half, you're looking at considerable savings. The water usage for the shower function of a Shower Toilet can also depend on various factors, such as the amount the toilet is used and the size of the household.

Want to learn more about saving water in the bathroom? Check out our detailed blog post on How to Save water in the Bathroom with handy tips and suggestions!

Shop Vitra Sanitaryware today for a variety of Shower Toilets!

How much do Showers Toilets cost?

At Showers to You, we are proud to offer a wide range of Shower Toilets from an array of reputable manufacturers. Among these esteemed manufacturers is Vitra. The prices of them range from £456 - £2,436.

The massive leap in price depends on what features you require from your brand-new toilet. Are you upgrading your bathroom design with a limited budget, or is money no object? The cheapest we offer is the Vitra Integra Aquacare Wall Hung Bidet Shower Toilet at £456, which comes with a Rimless pan, a soft-close seat and no electrical connection.

On the other hand, the luxurious V-Care Prime Floorstanding Shower Toilet has a mobile application and remote control support, an auto open and close heated seat, an adjustable bidet nozzle and male and female washing options. The cost for all of these modern features is £2,436.

As with anything in the bathroom, from Bathroom Furniture to a superior Shower Enclosure, we cater for all budgets and requirements. The final cost of your new Shower Toilet depends on the specific features you wish to have.

What is a Japanese Toilet?

Another variation of the Shower Toilet is called the Japanese Toilet. A Japanese toilet, also known as a Washlet or Bidet toilet, is a highly advanced sanitation fixture that has become emblematic of Japan's innovative approach to bathroom technology.

Most Japanese toilets use an electrical connection to power autocleaning and flushing features.

What is the difference between a Shower Toilet and a Bidet?

Similar in promoting personal hygiene, a Shower Toilet and a Bidet have distinctive designs and functionality.

A Shower Toilet is a combination of a standard toilet and a bidet. Its design integrates the bidet's cleansing feature directly into the toilet seat. This means that after using the toilet, you can activate a built-in sprayer that cleanses with warm water.

A Bidet is a separate fixture traditionally installed next to the toilet. It's used after using the toilet for washing with water. The user moves from the toilet to the bidet for cleaning.

Do all Shower Toilets require an electrical connection?

That depends on what design you purchase. If you choose a Shower Toilet from the Aquacare collection, the installation is purely mechanical. This includes the M-Line, Sento and Integra models. However, the V-Care models we stock have heated seats and Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth connections, meaning a power source is required.

Why should I buy a Shower Toilet from Showers to You?

Showers to You has provided exceptional bathroom and shower products across the UK. Our team of industry experts is always available to assist you in finding the perfect product tailored to your needs.

Check out our full collection of Shower Toilets and additional Sanitaryware on our website today. Contact our knowledgeable team today via email at info@showerstoyou.co.uk, by phone at 01472 242159, or through our online contact form. Trust us to guide you every step of the way.