Smart Toilets and Bidet Toilets: The Future of UK Bathrooms

Smart toilets have been a staple in Japanese and South Korean households for decades, but they are now making serious inroads into British bathrooms. Whether you have heard them called “Japanese toilets,” “shower toilets,” or simply “smart toilets,” these advanced fixtures combine a traditional WC with an integrated bidet wash, heated seat, warm air dryer and a host of other features designed to improve hygiene and comfort. If you are considering upgrading your bathroom in 2026, a smart toilet could be the single most transformative purchase you make.

In this guide we will explain exactly what smart toilets and bidet toilets are, review the best models currently available in the UK, compare their features and prices, and walk you through the electrical and plumbing requirements for a successful installation. We will also look at retrofit bidet toilet seats as a more budget-friendly alternative. By the end, you should have a clear picture of whether a smart toilet is right for your home and which model best suits your needs.

What Are Smart Toilets and Bidet Toilets?

A smart toilet is a WC that integrates electronic features beyond a simple flush. At a minimum, most smart toilets include an integrated bidet wash - a retractable nozzle that sprays warm water for personal cleansing after using the toilet. Beyond that core function, manufacturers add varying combinations of technology to justify the “smart” label.

Key Features Found on Smart Toilets

• Integrated bidet wash - Rear and often front (lady) wash with adjustable water temperature, pressure and nozzle position
• Heated seat - Adjustable temperature settings to take the chill off, particularly welcome in British winters
• Warm air dryer - Reduces or eliminates the need for toilet paper
• Automatic lid opening and closing - Sensor-driven, hands-free operation
• Night light - Soft LED illumination so you do not need to switch on the main bathroom light
• Self-cleaning nozzles - Automatic pre-rinse and post-rinse cycles, often with UV or electrolysed water sterilisation
• Deodoriser - Built-in carbon filter or active deodorisation to neutralise odours
• Rimless bowl design - Makes manual cleaning easier and more hygienic
• Remote control or app control - Some models offer smartphone connectivity and user profiles
• Dual flush - Water-saving flush options, typically 3/4.5 litres or 3/6 litres

The Difference Between a Smart Toilet and a Bidet Toilet Seat

A smart toilet (sometimes called a “shower toilet”) is a complete, integrated unit - the ceramic pan, cistern and electronic seat are all designed as one product. A bidet toilet seat, on the other hand, is a retrofit electronic seat that replaces your existing toilet seat and adds bidet wash, heated seat and dryer functions to a standard WC. We will cover both options in this guide.

Why Smart Toilets Are Growing in Popularity in the UK

The UK has traditionally been slow to adopt bidet technology compared to continental Europe and Asia. However, several factors are driving a shift:

1. Post-pandemic hygiene awareness - The years since 2020 have made people far more conscious of personal hygiene, and water-based cleansing is widely regarded as more thorough than paper alone.
2. Sustainability concerns - The average British household uses a significant amount of toilet paper each year. A bidet wash dramatically reduces paper consumption.
3. Ageing population - Smart toilets with automatic functions offer genuine independence benefits for older adults and people with reduced mobility.
4. Falling prices - While still a premium purchase, smart toilet prices have dropped considerably as more brands enter the UK market.
5. Design-led bathrooms - Homeowners are increasingly treating the bathroom as a space worthy of investment, and a sleek smart toilet makes a genuine design statement.

If you are planning a full bathroom remodelling project, incorporating a smart toilet from the outset is far simpler than retrofitting one later, as electrical and plumbing provisions can be planned in advance.

Top Smart Toilets Available in the UK: Reviews and Comparison

We have reviewed the most popular smart toilet models available to UK homeowners. For each, we highlight the key features, approximate UK pricing, and honest pros and cons based on our experience as professional bathroom fitters.

1. Roca In-Wash Inspira

The Roca In-Wash Inspira is one of the most popular smart toilets in the UK market and a model we have fitted many times. Roca is a well-established brand with excellent parts availability in Britain. For a detailed breakdown, see our full Roca In-Wash Inspira review.

Key Features:

• Rear and lady wash with five nozzle positions
• Adjustable water temperature (four levels) and spray intensity (three levels)
• Warm air dryer with four temperature settings
• Automatic nozzle self-cleaning before and after each use
• LED night light with four modes
• Soft-close seat and lid
• Rimless bowl design
• Available in close-coupled and wall-hung versions
• Push-button controller and optional remote control

Approximate UK Price: £1,600 - £2,400

Pros:

• Excellent build quality from a trusted European brand
• Relatively straightforward installation for experienced fitters
• Good range of wash and dryer settings
• Rimless design makes cleaning easy
• Comprehensive UK warranty and parts availability

Cons:

• Requires a nearby electrical socket (or hardwired connection)
• Higher end of the mid-range price bracket
• Remote control is an optional extra on some versions
• The dryer is effective but slow compared to paper

2. TOTO Washlet (RX / SW / TCF Series)

TOTO is the brand that essentially invented the modern smart toilet in Japan. Their Washlet technology is legendary, and the brand has been steadily expanding its UK distribution. If you want the original and arguably the best bidet wash experience, TOTO is the benchmark.

Key Features:

• Patented Tornado Flush system for powerful, efficient flushing
• eWater+ technology - electrolysed water pre-mists the bowl and cleans the nozzle for superior hygiene
• PREMIST function wets the bowl surface before use to prevent waste adhesion
• Heated seat with multiple temperature settings
• Warm air dryer
• Automatic lid opening and closing (on premium models)
• Deodoriser with activated carbon filter
• Self-cleaning wand with stainless steel nozzle
• Remote control with user memory profiles

Approximate UK Price: £2,000 - £4,500 (depending on model and configuration)

Pros:

• Unrivalled wash quality - TOTO sets the industry standard
• eWater+ hygiene system is genuinely innovative
• Tornado Flush is extremely effective and quiet
• Premium build quality with decades of reliability data from Japan
• Multiple user profiles on higher-end models

Cons:

• More expensive than most European competitors
• UK availability can be limited; some models are special order
• Spare parts may take longer to source than European brands
• Some models require both hot and cold water feeds, adding plumbing complexity
• Installation may be unfamiliar to fitters who have not worked with the brand before

3. Geberit AquaClean Mera

Geberit is a Swiss brand synonymous with quality concealed cisterns and flush plates across Europe. Their AquaClean Mera is a premium wall-hung smart toilet that represents the pinnacle of European shower toilet engineering.

Key Features:

• WhirlSpray wash technology for a thorough yet gentle clean
• Heated seat with adjustable temperature
• Warm air dryer
• Odour extraction unit with carbon filter
• Orientation light (night light)
• Automatic descaling function
• TurboFlush rimless flushing
• Wall-hung design with Geberit concealed cistern
• Remote control and optional app control
• Available in Comfort and Classic versions

Approximate UK Price: £3,500 - £5,500

Pros:

• Exceptional build quality and fit-and-finish
• WhirlSpray technology is impressively effective
• The wall-hung design creates a clean, modern aesthetic and makes floor cleaning effortless
• Geberit’s concealed cistern system is the gold standard in the industry
• Excellent UK support network

Cons:

• One of the most expensive options on the market
• Wall-hung installation requires a Geberit Duofix frame, adding to total cost
• The frame and cistern must be fitted within a stud wall or furniture unit
• Not suitable for all bathroom layouts, especially where solid walls cannot be easily modified

4. Grohe Sensia Arena

Grohe, another well-known name in bathroom fittings, offers the Sensia Arena as their flagship smart toilet. Grohe is actually part of the same parent group as LIXIL (which also owns INAX), giving them access to Japanese bidet expertise combined with German engineering.

Key Features:

• Lady wash and rear wash with adjustable position, temperature and pressure
• Heated seat
• Warm air dryer
• Automatic flush triggered by the user standing up
• Odour extraction
• LED night light
• HyperClean anti-bacterial glaze on the ceramic
• Slim wireless remote control
• Automatic descaling programme

Approximate UK Price: £2,500 - £3,500

Pros:

• Strong brand reputation and widely available through UK merchants
• HyperClean glaze genuinely reduces manual cleaning
• Automatic flush is a useful convenience feature
• Clean, contemporary design
• Good balance of features and price

Cons:

• The dryer could be more powerful
• Installation requires electrical supply within reach
• Some users find the remote control interface less intuitive than competitors
• Wall-hung only, so a concealed cistern frame is required

5. Duravit SensoWash Starck f

Duravit teamed up with legendary designer Philippe Starck to create the SensoWash range. The Starck f is their latest and most advanced model, combining Duravit’s ceramic quality with thoughtful electronic features.

Key Features:

• Rear and lady wash with adjustable temperature and pressure
• Pulsating and oscillating spray modes
• Heated seat with adjustable temperature
• Warm air dryer
• Automatic odour extraction
• Night light
• Self-cleaning nozzle with stainless steel core
• Slim-profile seat design
• Remote control and Duravit app connectivity
• Compatible with wall-hung and floor-standing Duravit WC pans

Approximate UK Price: £1,800 - £3,200

Pros:

• Sleek, minimal design by Philippe Starck
• Available as a complete unit or as a SensoWash seat that fits compatible Duravit pans
• App control adds modern convenience
• Good UK availability through bathroom showrooms
• Competitive pricing for the features offered

Cons:

• SensoWash seat only fits specific Duravit ceramic shapes
• The dryer, like most models, is functional rather than fast
• Some users report the seat profile sits slightly higher than a standard seat
• Limited to the Duravit ecosystem for replacement parts

6. VitrA V-Care

VitrA is a Turkish brand with a strong presence in the UK market, known for offering quality at competitive prices. The V-Care range brings smart toilet technology to a more accessible price point.

Key Features:

• Rear and front wash with adjustable settings
• Heated seat
• Warm air dryer
• LED night light
• Open-rim (rimless) design for easy cleaning
• Self-cleaning nozzle
• Remote control
• Available in wall-hung and floor-standing versions
• V-Care Prime model adds automatic lid and memory functions

Approximate UK Price: £1,200 - £2,200

Pros:

• One of the most affordable complete smart toilets on the UK market
• VitrA has strong UK distribution and after-sales support
• Rimless design is genuinely easy to keep clean
• Multiple installation options (wall-hung or floor-standing)
• The V-Care Prime offers premium features at mid-range pricing

Cons:

• Build quality is good but does not quite match the premium European brands
• Dryer performance is adequate rather than impressive
• Fewer advanced features compared to TOTO or Geberit at the top end
• Remote control design feels slightly dated on the standard model

Smart Toilet Comparison Table

Bidet Toilet Seats: The Budget-Friendly Alternative

If a complete smart toilet is beyond your budget, or you are happy with your existing WC, a retrofit bidet toilet seat can deliver many of the same benefits at a fraction of the cost. These electronic seats replace your standard toilet seat and add bidet wash, heated seat and often a dryer function.

Popular Retrofit Bidet Seats in the UK

• TOTO Washlet Seats (from around £400 - £900) - The same legendary wash quality in a seat that fits most standard UK toilet shapes.
• Duravit SensoWash Slim (from around £600 - £1,200) - Designed for Duravit pans but slim and well-built.
• Roca In-Wash Seat (from around £500 - £1,000) - Fits Roca-compatible WC pans with the same technology as the full unit.
• Maro D’Italia range (from around £300 - £700) - A specialist bidet seat brand offering good features at competitive prices, widely available in the UK.
• Bio Bidet / Vovo seats (from around £200 - £500) - More budget-oriented options with basic wash and heated seat functions.

What to Check Before Buying a Retrofit Seat

1. Toilet shape compatibility - Measure your existing WC pan carefully. Most seats are designed for D-shaped or round-front pans. Some are universal-fit, but checking dimensions is essential.
2. Electrical access - You will need a 13A socket within reach (approximately 1 metre) of the toilet. This socket must be on a suitable circuit and ideally RCD-protected.
3. Water supply - Most bidet seats connect to the cold water supply via a T-piece from the existing toilet fill valve. Some require a separate hot water feed.
4. Weight capacity - Check the maximum user weight rating, especially if replacing a seat on a wall-hung WC.

A retrofit bidet seat is an excellent way to experience smart toilet technology without committing to a full replacement. If you later decide to upgrade to a complete unit during a bathroom renovation, you will already know which features matter most to you.

Electrical and Plumbing Requirements for UK Installation

Installing a smart toilet in a UK bathroom involves more than simply swapping one WC for another. There are specific electrical and plumbing considerations that must be addressed, and we strongly recommend using a professional bathroom plumber with experience fitting these products.

Electrical Requirements

• Power supply - All smart toilets require electricity. Most need a standard UK 13A socket located within 1-1.5 metres of the toilet. The socket must be positioned outside bathroom Zones 0, 1 and 2 as defined by BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations), or the unit must be a suitable IP-rated appliance for the zone it occupies.
• RCD protection - The circuit supplying the socket should be protected by a 30mA RCD (Residual Current Device) for safety.
• Hardwired option - Some models (particularly the Roca In-Wash) can be hardwired via a fused connection unit rather than a plug socket. This can be neater and may be required depending on the socket’s distance from the WC.
• Cable routing - If your bathroom does not already have a socket near the toilet, a qualified electrician will need to run a new cable from your consumer unit or an existing circuit. This is straightforward in most cases but should be planned before tiling and decorating.

Plumbing Requirements

• Water supply - Most smart toilets connect to the cold water mains supply. The bidet wash function heats water internally using an electric element, so a separate hot water feed is usually not needed. However, some TOTO models and older designs may require a hot water connection.
• Water pressure - A minimum water pressure of around 0.5 bar is typically required, though 1-3 bar is ideal. Most UK mains-fed properties will have no issues. If you are on a gravity-fed system, check the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Waste connection - Smart toilets use standard 100mm (4-inch) soil pipe connections, the same as any conventional UK toilet. No special drainage is required.
• Isolation valve - We always recommend fitting a separate isolation valve on the water supply to the smart toilet for ease of maintenance.

Wall-Hung Installation Considerations

If you choose a wall-hung smart toilet (such as the Geberit AquaClean Mera or Grohe Sensia Arena), you will also need:

• A concealed cistern frame (e.g. Geberit Duofix) fitted within or behind the wall
• A stud wall or furniture unit deep enough to accommodate the frame (typically 120-200mm)
• Structural support capable of bearing the combined weight of the toilet, frame and user (most frames are rated to 400kg)

Planning these requirements early in your bathroom fitting project ensures a clean installation with no visible cables or pipes.

Water, Hygiene and Environmental Benefits

Superior Hygiene

Water-based cleansing is widely accepted as more hygienic than dry paper alone. Smart toilets deliver a precisely aimed, temperature-controlled wash that cleanses more effectively and gently. Features like self-cleaning nozzles, UV sterilisation and antibacterial glazes further reduce the risk of bacterial transfer. For households with members who have sensitive skin conditions, haemorrhoids or mobility limitations, a bidet wash can be genuinely life-changing.

Reduced Toilet Paper Usage

A household that fully adopts bidet washing can reduce toilet paper consumption by 70-80%. While a warm air dryer is slower than reaching for a roll, many users use just a small amount of paper to pat dry. Over the course of a year, the savings in paper costs are meaningful, and the environmental benefit of reduced paper production, packaging and transport is significant.

Water Consumption

A single bidet wash cycle uses approximately 0.5-1 litre of water. For context, manufacturing a single roll of toilet paper requires around 140 litres of water. The net water saving from switching to a bidet wash is therefore substantial, even when accounting for the water used during each wash.

Tips for Choosing the Right Smart Toilet

Selecting the right model for your home involves balancing features, budget and practicality. Here are our recommendations based on years of fitting these products across Manchester and the wider North West.

Tip 1: Set a Realistic Budget

Smart toilets range from around £1,200 for an entry-level VitrA V-Care to over £5,000 for a fully specified Geberit AquaClean Mera with frame and flush plate. Remember to factor in installation costs, which typically add £300-£800 depending on whether electrical work is needed. If your budget is tight, a retrofit bidet seat at £300-£700 is an excellent starting point.

Tip 2: Prioritise the Wash Function

The bidet wash is the core reason for buying a smart toilet. Focus on models with adjustable water temperature, pressure and nozzle position. If possible, visit a showroom that has working display models - the difference in wash quality between brands is noticeable and very personal.

Tip 3: Think About Your Bathroom Layout

Consider where your electrical supply will come from. If your toilet is on an external wall with no nearby socket, the cost of running new cabling may add several hundred pounds. A floor-standing model is generally simpler to install than a wall-hung one, especially in older properties with solid walls.

Tip 4: Check Brand Availability in the UK

Choose a brand with strong UK distribution and parts availability. Roca, Geberit, Grohe, Duravit and VitrA all have well-established UK networks. TOTO is excellent but parts sourcing can take longer. Having accessible after-sales support matters when an electronic component eventually needs replacing.

Tip 5: Do Not Overlook the Basics

A smart toilet still needs to function well as a toilet. Check the flush performance, bowl shape, seat height (comfort height is typically 400-450mm) and overall build quality. The fanciest features mean nothing if the flush is weak or the ceramic is poorly finished.

Tip 6: Consider Future Maintenance

Smart toilets have electronic components that will eventually need servicing or replacement. Ask your supplier about warranty terms, the availability of replacement nozzles, seats and control boards, and whether a local service engineer is available. Most reputable brands offer 2-5 year warranties on electronic parts.

Tip 7: Hire an Experienced Fitter

Smart toilet installation is not a job for a general handyman. The combination of plumbing, electrical work and manufacturer-specific fitting requirements means you need a bathroom fitter who has worked with these products before. An experienced professional will ensure the electrical supply is compliant with regulations, the water connections are secure, and the unit is correctly commissioned. For homeowners in the Manchester area, our team at Builders Squad Ltd has extensive experience installing smart toilets from all the major brands.

Final Thoughts

Smart toilets are no longer a novelty - they are a practical, hygienic and increasingly affordable upgrade for UK bathrooms. Whether you invest in a premium Geberit AquaClean Mera or start with an affordable retrofit bidet seat, the benefits to comfort, cleanliness and sustainability are real and noticeable from day one.

The key to a successful installation is choosing the right model for your space and budget, ensuring the electrical and plumbing requirements are met, and hiring an experienced professional to carry out the fitting. If you are planning a bathroom renovation and would like to include a smart toilet, our team is here to help with everything from initial design advice to final commissioning.

For more guidance on choosing the right WC for your home, explore our guides to the top 10 toilets you can buy in the UK and the best toilet brands for home use.

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