The leading plumbing manufacturer, the TOTO company, is famous not only for its exquisite water-saving toilets. Customers are offered to complement their toilets with multifunctional smart electronic bidet seats. Such appliances are much more beneficial than classic bidets as they feature the same functions but require no additional space for installation.
In this review, we’ll discuss four best-selling TOTO models. Stay with us to find the winner in the TOTO S500E vs S550E vs S300E vs S350E battle!
Main Differences Between the Models
In the course of the comparison, we’ll see a few differences between the models. Whatever seat you’ll choose, you’ll get approximately the same functions. But here are the crucial moments to mind:
- The 500 series products were designed especially for elongated toilets. And the 300 series fits round bowls only.
- TOTO S550E and S350E offer useful nightlight function unavailable in two other seats.
- Like the lighting, automatic lid opening and closing is supported only in the 550 and the 350 bidets.
- All models use remote controls and provide the same buttons and customization options. However, we see different remote control designs.
Comparison table
1. TOTO S500E
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First of all, users get a water wand that provides several cleaning settings for optimal comfort and efficiency. The wand uses only warm water and an Air-In Wonder Wave heating system to minimize paper use. Besides, you can customize temperature and stream mode via remote control.
In general, remote control provides great freedom of customization from softer/stronger water pressure to the seat temperature. It can save two settings for quick use.
Apart from your private application, the wand processes the toilet bowl misting its surface before each use. The system is called Premist and increases the hygiene and cleanliness of your toilet. The wand requires no manual maintenance as it uses the EWATER+ self-cleaning technology.
The seat itself offers adjustable heating and additional air deodorizer to deal with unpleasant odors inside the bowl and in the bathroom.
importantPlease pay attention! TOTO bidet seats are electronic, which means they require outlet installation near the toilet. This moment may become a significant complication if you don’t have such an electricity source on hand.
We would also wish for a more reliable lid for the money.
- SoftClose heated seat
- uses warm water only
- Air-In Wonder Wave air dryer
- several stream settings, including oscillating and pulsating functions
- Premist bowl cleaning
- EWATER+ self-cleaning technology for the wand
- built-in air deodorizer
- remote control for optimal customization
- keeps 2 user memory settings
- easy installation
- perfect for elongated bowls
- expensive
- not durable lid
- you may need some time to get used to the remote control
- requires an additional outlet near the toilet
2. TOTO S550E
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Among familiar features, we note the same heated seat with a self-cleaning wand. The Premist and air dryer technologies are also included.
You can easily change water and seat temperature, cleansing settings with remote control. Its design and memory function are completely the same.
The main innovations are nightlight LED for comfortable use at night and auto open/close lid. The latter eliminates any need to touch the lid, which is great for hygiene. However, many users complain about light switching off too quickly to become of real use during night bathroom visits.
Like all electronic seats in the series, TOTO S550E requires minimum effort for installation (except for an outlet).
At the moment, the S550E is the smartest modification with the maximum set of functions. Currently, its price dropped, but without discounts, it cost too much. As you see, lighting and auto lid will cost you more, so in TOTO S500E vs S550E battle, we would choose the first. But if you’re not on a budget, you can try the more expensive option.
- SoftClose heated seat
- Auto Open and Close lid
- uses warm water only
- Air-In Wonder Wave air dryer
- several stream settings, including oscillating and pulsating functions
- Premist bowl cleaning
- EWATER+ self-cleaning technology for the wand
- built-in air deodorizer
- nightlight
- remote control for optimal customization
- keeps 2 user memory settings
- easy installation
- perfect for elongated bowls
- expensive
- not durable lid
- lid opens and closes noisy and with great force
- bowl light turns off too quickly
- you may need some time to get used to the remote control
- requires an additional outlet near the toilet
3. TOTO S300E
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TOTO S300E series was developed especially for round bowl toilets, which is their main distinguishing feature between TOTO S300E and the S500E generation.
Changed seat size is also complemented by different remote control design. But though remotes look differently, the location of buttons didn’t become more convenient from our point of view.
Otherwise, you get all the same functions. The seat takes care of you and your toilet, deodorizes air, adjusts to your temperature and flow preferences, etc.
All typical cons are also preserved. So, please don’t lean on the lid and get ready to spend some time on the remote control.
Being a basic version, this product doesn’t provide lighting and auto lid opening. But thanks to such a lack, the price is lower.
Surprisingly, but the S300E seats are more affordable than the first two models, too. Perhaps, it’s caused by less popularity of round bowls.
- SoftClose heated seat
- uses warm water only
- Air-In Wonder Wave air dryer
- several stream settings, including oscillating and pulsating functions
- Premist bowl cleaning
- EWATER+ self-cleaning technology for the wand
- built-in air deodorizer
- remote control for optimal customization
- keeps 2 user memory settings
- easy installation
- perfect for round bowls
- expensive
- not durable lid
- you may need some time to get used to the remote control
- requires an additional outlet near the toilet
4. TOTO S350E
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Since all cleaning, heating, and deodorizing functions are the same, let us emit their description. We’ll discuss them in detail later. As usual, the control is manual through a remote with 2 memory settings.
If you compare TOTO S350E and S550E prices, you’ll notice a significant difference in favor of the first.
Unfortunately, engineers didn’t improve the drawbacks. Also, many users note the bidet seat hole is a little bit narrower compared to the regular seat. However, this statement is true for all models of our review.
But even with all these minuses, the bidet provides you incomparable bathroom experience that’s worth the money.
- SoftClose heated seat
- Auto Open and Close lid
- uses warm water only
- Air-In Wonder Wave air dryer
- several stream settings, including oscillating and pulsating functions
- Premist bowl cleaning
- EWATER+ self-cleaning technology for the wand
- built-in air deodorizer
- nightlight
- remote control for optimal customization
- keeps 2 user memory settings
- easy installation
- perfect for round bowls
- expensive
- not durable lid
- lid opens and closes noisy and with great force
- bowl light turns off too quickly
- you may need some time to get used to the remote control
- requires an additional outlet near the toilet
Face To Face comparison
Design and Dimensions
The 500 and the 300 series slightly differ in dimensions, which is mostly caused by their assignment. As we remember, the first two models fit elongated TOTO toilets, while the second pair works with round bowls like in TOTO Drake II CST453CEFG#01.
importantPlease pay attention to the dimensions before purchasing to make sure such an expansive product will suit your toilet.
Below is the list of dimensions and weight for each model:
TOTO S550E:
- 20.94” x 15.06” x 4.81”
- 15.18 pounds
TOTO S350E:
- 18.88” x 15.31” x 3.94”
- 13.5 pounds
When it comes to the choice within the series, you’ll meet no problems as the S500E is no different than the S550E. The same holds true for the S300E and the S350E.
The manufacturer produces two color options – Sedona beige and Cotton White. Thus, you can perfectly match the bidet seat to your bowl. However, at the moment, TOTO S500E is available in white design only.
Wand
importantThe wand is the main element of these bidet seats. The wand takes care of your comfort and hygiene as well as processes the bowl, maintaining its cleanliness.
As we’ll see later, the wand operates in several spray modes, but in all of them, it uses warm water only. A built-in heating element heats water to any temperature you choose. Users can adjust the temperature by setting one of five different temperature levels. The scale varies from 20 °C to 40 °C.
Wand position is also regulated through remote control. There are 5 levels, and each moves the wand closer to the rear or front.
When it comes to the bowl cleaning, there are two automatic wand functions.
- The first is called Premist. It activates before each use to remove adhering particles, refresh the bowl, and make it more difficult for dirt to adhere. The wand simply sprays a small amount of water on the bowl.
In addition, Premist technology is paired with After-mist when the wand sprays water on the bowl after toilet use to clean it.
- The second function is EWATER+, and it serves to clean the bowl too but more intensively. The wand releases warm water for 10 seconds, thus flushing away stuck particles. EWATER+ is activated automatically or can be started via remote control.
At the same time, during the cycle, the wand cleans itself inside and outside. But it goes only if you used cleansing functions.
All electronic bidet seats can perform automatic cleaning thanks to special body sensors. But if you don’t use the toilet, seats will repeat Premist and EWATER+ every 8 hours.
verdictAll features that concern wand functions are 100% efficient and functional. Please pay attention that these technologies require a minimum of water and energy, and you can even set the energy-saving mode for them. We recommend all four TOTO seats from this point of view.
Spray Settings
All TOTO seat models allow you to choose between the following spray settings:
- Rear cleansing (to cleanse rear)
- Rear soft cleansing (if you prefer more gentle cleansing with soft water flow)
- Front cleansing (perfect bidet mode for ladies)
- Wide cleansing (perfect when wide area should be cleansed)
Users can independently adjust water pressure in search of the most comfortable option. All seats have 5 levels, and they are switched when you swipe to the left or right on the -/+ scale.
verdictThe variety of spray settings amaze even experienced users. It means any person will be able to find his/her optimal mode. Besides, with any setting and the right seating position, splashing is out of the question.
Air Dryer
After cleansing, users are offered to experience the Air-In Wonder Wave heating system. When you press its button, the wand releases a flow of warm air to dry your rear.
Drying air temperature can be adjusted just like the water temperature. Once again, we have 5 heating levels.
All four TOTO electronic seats have the same Air-In Wonder Wave system.
verdictThe heating system is nice but not as ideal as cleansing. Though engineers tried to eliminate the need for paper use completely, they seem to fail. Users note that even at the maximum temperature, warm air cannot fully dry water.
Seat Temperature
Apart from water and air heating, TOTO bidets offer a heated seat function. The seat stays warm all the time to provide you with a comfortable toilet experience without delay.
However, if you worry about energy consumption, you can set an OFF period/timer for this feature when toilet use is highly unlikely.
Temperature is adjustable. Traditionally, there are 5 levels from 26°C to 36°C.
Air Deodorizer
Air deodorizer is another sanitary function provided by all seats. Models have special cartridges that automatically neutralize bathroom odors when you sit and as you stand up.
Deodorizer doesn’t hide unpleasant smells under synthetic odors but eliminates them, leaving you the smell of cleanliness and freshness. It’s a catalyst that destroys particles.
Air deodorizer is located on the right rear and requires regular cleaning once per month with any soft brushing tool (for example, toothbrush).
Remote Control
As we’ve already discussed, TOTO electronic seats are equipped with remote controls for easy customization.
The front side includes a stop button, four cleansing modes, pulsating and oscillating cleansing, drying, wand clean for EWATER+, temperature/wand position adjustment scales, and 2 personal setting locks.
The S500 and the S300 series share the same buttons. The only thing that differs is their position on the remotes.
Apart from the above-discussed functions, there are many more settings available. If you turn the remote, you’ll find the back side with a digital screen and control buttons.
Here, you can monitor the battery level, adjust water and seat temperature, manual or automatic cleaning, timer, energy saver modes, language, and many other things.
Operation is also possible using the buttons on the Washlet control panel. You have basic options there.
attentionNone of the four remotes have flushing buttons for automatic toilet flushing. However, some TOTO electric bidet seats offer such a function.
Automatic Lid
Only the S550E and the S350E seats support Auto Open and Close lid technology. The plus of this addition is improved hygiene of toilet experience without the necessity of hand contact.
The remotes of these seat models have additional Auto Open and Close button. To open the lid, press the button. After use, it will close automatically. It takes about 90 seconds after moving away from the bowl. But you can set auto close/open delay to make it close or open later.
On the other hand, we cannot say this function is perfect. Many complain about noisy closing and opening. It goes more forcefully than people usually do and can even wake up a sleeping person in the next room.
Nightlight
Nightlight is also a zest of the S550E and the S350E modifications. Users get two LED lights installed to illuminate the bowl and the toilet area.
Bowl light turns on only for five seconds after you opened the lid. It’s also ON to indicate that the bowl and wand cleaning is performed. Unfortunately, we cannot set light timer for longer work.
importantPlease pay attention that the nightlight doesn’t illuminate around the seat evenly, which would be much better in our point of view.
Outside LED is located on the side to gently light the room for you to see it. Such a position mostly focuses on the control panel and remote.
Outside light up can be adjusted to work in middle and high mode.
verdictFrankly speaking, we expected better nightlight technology for the seats’ price. However, even with certain drawbacks, additional illumination allows you to orientate in the bathroom at night without the need to turn on the main light. And this seems to be an electricity economy.
Guide – How to Choose the Best Bidet Seat?
The culture of bidet seats came to us from Japan and still seems to be rather exotic. But practice shows it can provide you with an incomparable hygienic experience. Besides, smart electrical seats cost a lot, which makes a choice even more considerable.
Here is the list of characteristics to mind before purchase.
Electrical bidet seats are multifunctional appliances. They both maintain everyday personal hygiene and perform other actions such as drying, air deodorizing, seat heating. Electrical seats are connected only to the cold water supply and heat the water themselves. Surely, you will also need an outlet. Electrical models are more expensive and their installation is more difficult.
Bidet seats with instant heating are compact and use less energy. The water is heated only after turning on the device and is maintained at this level for as long as required. If necessary, you can make it warmer or colder right during the procedures – this option is available only in instant heating models. However, the devices are more expensive. And at first, the water may be cool.
Another optional but still important functions include:
- Drying with heated air
- Air deodorizing to deal with unpleasant smells
- Seat heating for super comfort
- Self-cleaning and bowl maintenance
- Kid mode that makes life much easier for young parents
- Intelligent setting memorization for each user
- Sensors for auto lid opening/closing and auto flushing
- Remote control
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are TOTO electrical bidet seats suitable for toilets of other brands?
Yes, you can use TOTO electrical bidet seats with other brands’ toilets. But please make sure the chosen seat suits your bowl’s shape and dimensions.
2. Are TOTO electrical bidet seats suitable for children? Do they feel them?
3. Is your body position important for TOTO electrical seats?
4. What is the voltage of TOTO electrical seats? What is the cord length?
5. Can TOTO electrical bidet seats influence my electricity bills?
Conclusion
Indeed, TOTO bidet seats may frighten away with high cost, but the review proved their real efficiency.
As you can see, the four models are almost twins in terms of performance. The main differences that may influence your choice are elongated or round bowl design and the necessity of nightlight with an automatic lid.
During the comparison, we highlighted the S500E and the S300E models. These products have more affordable prices compared to rivals. Besides, LED lighting and auto open/close function seem to not that vital and need certain improvements.
But regardless of your preferences and financial abilities, you can be sure to get a product that’s worth every cent.
Hi! I’m Markus Robertson, and water is my passion.
Five years ago, I graduated from the University of California-Los Angeles and was going to become a professional marine biologist. However, my fate had other plans for me, and due to family problems, I had to find a more stable and well-paid job. I had only one wish for my job to be connected with water.
During this period of my life, I worked as a sales manager at Olympic Pool & Spa Supplies. The job helped me learn everything about swimming pools and related pool equipment, as well as how to choose the best option and what to pay attention to.
Having worked there for three years, I decided to start my own blog about pools, where I can tell people about the best new pool equipment models and share my knowledge and experience.
A marine biologist by education, I became a pool blogger by trade. Now I’m glad I can help the guests of my store and the visitors of my blog know a lot of exciting things about pools, their types, best pumps and filters, necessary equipment maintenance, and so on.
I welcome all people who want to choose a proper basin and the stuff to my blog! Hope you’ll find this information interesting and useful!
Hello! Are electric bidet seats resistable to all detergents? And is it safe to wash them with water?
Hi, Sophy! Thank you very much for your question! Yes, TOTO seats are waterproof, which means you can wash them. However, we do not recommend immersing your seat in water completely. As for detergents, all types of safe and gentle solutions are allowed.
Thank you for the comparison! Do bidet sticks hygienic if several people use the seat? May they touch body or can we adjust its position anyhow?
Hi, Lana! Thank you very much for your kind words and question! TOTO bidet seats are completely hygienic. Seats and sticks are adjustable so you can install them in the most convenient position for you and your family members. Family use is allowed.
Do seats require definite toilet dimensions? Will they be suitable for any toilet size?
Hi, Anastasia! Thank you very much for your question! Each of four models discussed in this review has its dimensions (check in comparison table). That’s why we’d recommend choosing an electronic bidet seat that strictly meets your toilet dimensions.