Choosing between the TOTO WASHLET A2 and C5 is one of the most common decisions you’ll face when upgrading to a bidet seat.
Both are trusted models from the world’s leading bidet brand, but they serve very different types of buyers — and this comparison breaks it all down for you.
| Feature | TOTO WASHLET A2 (SW3004) | TOTO WASHLET C5 (SW3084) |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
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| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 23-5/8″ x 20-5/8″ x 8-1/2″ | 20-7/8″ x 15-1/16″ x 5-13/16″ |
| Controls | Side arm panel | Wireless remote |
| Spray Modes | Rear, front, oscillating | Rear, front, oscillating, pulsating |
| PREMIST | No | Yes |
| EWATER+ Wand Cleaning | No | Yes |
| Warm Air Dryer | No | Yes |
| Air Deodorizer | No | Yes |
| Buy Now |  |
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1. TOTO WASHLET A2 Electronic Bidet Toilet Seat (SW3004#01)
The TOTO WASHLET A2 is the brand’s entry-level electronic bidet seat, designed for buyers who want reliable warm water cleansing without bells and whistles.
It replaces your existing toilet seat in under an hour and runs on a standard GFCI outlet — no plumber required.
All controls sit on a built-in side arm panel attached directly to the seat, which makes it ideal for households with kids or guests who might lose a remote.
Features
- Adjustable warm water cleansing with rear and front spray modes
- Oscillating spray function for a wider, more thorough clean
- Heated seat with three temperature settings
- SoftClose® lid and seat — no more slamming
- Self-cleaning wand that rinses before and after each use
- Easy-release base plate for quick removal and cleaning
- DIY installation with all hardware included
Pros
- Simple, intuitive controls that anyone can figure out instantly
- More affordable entry point into the TOTO WASHLET lineup
- Side arm panel is always within reach — nothing to lose or fumble with
- Slim, clean profile that blends well with most toilets
- Compatible with both TOTO and non-TOTO toilets
Cons
- No air dryer — you’ll still need a small amount of toilet paper to pat dry
- No PREMIST or EWATER+ bowl and wand hygiene systems
- No air deodorizer
- Side arm panel may feel less sleek than a wireless remote for some users
- Fewer spray customization options compared to the C5
The A2 is a smart choice if you want to experience the difference a quality bidet seat makes on an existing toilet without spending a fortune or dealing with complex features.
It delivers exactly what first-time bidet users need: warm water, a clean wand, a heated seat, and dead-simple controls.
Check its current price on Amazon
2. TOTO WASHLET C5 Electronic Bidet Toilet Seat (SW3084#01)
The TOTO WASHLET C5 is the upgraded version of the beloved C200, and it brings TOTO’s most advanced hygiene technology into the mid-range price bracket.
It’s the C series done right — slimmer design, wireless remote, PREMIST, EWATER+, an air dryer, and a deodorizer all rolled into one seat.
If you want a near-luxury experience without jumping to TOTO’s premium S-series models, the C5 is where most serious buyers land.
Features
- PREMIST® sprays the toilet bowl before each use to prevent waste buildup
- EWATER+® electrolyzes the water to sanitize the wand inside and out after every use
- Wireless illuminated remote with 2-user memory for personalized settings
- Oscillating and pulsating dual-action spray modes
- Heated SoftClose seat with five temperature settings
- Warm air dryer with five temperature settings
- Built-in air deodorizer to neutralize bathroom odors
Pros
- PREMIST and EWATER+ keep both the bowl and wand noticeably cleaner between uses
- Air dryer reduces or eliminates your need for toilet paper entirely
- Slimmer profile (5-13/16″ height) looks much more integrated on the toilet
- Wireless remote with 2-user memory is perfect for households with multiple users
- More spray options give you a genuinely customizable clean
Cons
- More expensive than the A2
- Wireless remote can be misplaced in busy households
- Water heating is tank-based, so warm water can run out after extended use
- Limited stock as TOTO transitions to the newer S-series lineup
The C5 is one of those seats that once you try it, it’s hard to go back — especially if you’ve looked into how much bidets save you on toilet paper over the years.
The combination of PREMIST, EWATER+, and a warm air dryer makes everyday hygiene feel genuinely effortless.
Check its current price on Amazon
Design and Build Quality
Both seats are built to TOTO’s exacting standards — solid, well-fitted, and designed to last years of daily use.
Where they differ significantly is in their profile.
The A2 sits noticeably higher at 8-1/2″ in the rear, giving it a bulkier look on the toilet.
The C5 is nearly 3 inches slimmer at 5-13/16″ tall, which gives it a much sleeker, more integrated appearance that looks more like a natural part of the toilet.
If bathroom aesthetics matter to you — and for most people they do — the C5 wins this category cleanly.
Both seats feature TOTO’s SoftClose® technology on the lid and seat, and both use the same quick-release base plate for easy cleaning underneath.
Winner: TOTO WASHLET C5
Cleaning Performance
This is where the gap between the two seats becomes most obvious.
The A2 offers a solid clean with rear spray, front spray, and an oscillating mode — all fully adjustable for water temperature and pressure.
The C5 does all of that and adds pulsating spray, which many users find noticeably more effective for a thorough clean.
More importantly, the C5’s PREMIST® function mists the toilet bowl before each use, which means waste doesn’t stick and the bowl stays cleaner between full cleans.
EWATER+ then takes care of the wand, using electrolyzes water to sanitize it inside and out after every single use.
The A2’s wand does self-rinse with regular water, but it lacks the electrolyze sanitation that EWATER+ provides.
If you’ve ever wondered about how to keep a bidet sprayer clean, the C5 essentially handles that for you automatically.
Winner: TOTO WASHLET C5
Controls and Ease of Use
The A2’s side panel is genuinely excellent for its intended purpose.
It’s attached directly to the seat, so there’s nothing to lose, nothing to charge, and nothing to explain to houseguests.
Every button is labelled clearly and within reach the moment you sit down.
The C5 goes for a wall-mountable wireless remote with an illuminated touchpad and 2-user memory — which means two people in the household can each save their preferred spray position, water temperature, seat warmth, and dryer settings.
This sounds like a luxury, but in practice — especially when comparing bidet seat models used by multiple family members — it makes a real daily difference.
For solo users or first-time bidet buyers, the A2’s side panel is the simpler choice.
For couples or multi-person households, the C5’s remote with saved memory settings is genuinely more convenient.
Winner: Tie — depends on your household
Comfort Features
The heated seat on both models is adjustable and covers the full seat surface — a TOTO hallmark that cheaper brands often cut corners on.
Where the C5 pulls significantly ahead is the warm air dryer.
The A2 has no dryer at all, so after washing you’ll need to pat dry with a small piece of toilet paper or a dedicated bidet towel.
The C5’s dryer has five temperature settings and — while it takes a minute or two to fully dry — means many users eventually stop using toilet paper completely.
The C5 also includes an air deodorizer, which neutralizes odors using an activated carbon filter.
The A2 has neither.
If comfort and a truly paper-free experience matter to you, the C5 is the clear winner here.
Winner: TOTO WASHLET C5
Value for Money
The A2 is less expensive, and for a first-time bidet buyer it represents outstanding value.
You get TOTO’s build quality, a self-cleaning wand, a heated seat, and reliable warm water washing at a budget-friendly price point.
But when you consider what the C5 adds — PREMIST, EWATER+, air dryer, air deodorizer, wireless remote with memory, and a slimmer profile — the price difference starts to look very reasonable for buyers planning a long-term upgrade.
If you’re interested in how bidets compare to toilet paper in terms of lifetime cost, the C5 pays for itself faster because the air dryer helps you reduce paper use far more dramatically than a seat without one.
For pure budget conscious buyers, the A2 wins.
For value across the full ownership period, the C5 is the smarter long-term investment.
Winner: TOTO WASHLET A2 (budget) / TOTO WASHLET C5 (long-term value)
Verdict — Which One Should You Buy?
Both of these seats are excellent — and choosing between them really comes down to what you want your daily bathroom experience to feel like.
Buy the TOTO WASHLET A2 if…
You’re a first-time bidet buyer who wants a no-fuss introduction to warm water washing.
You prefer simple, attached controls that can’t be misplaced.
You’re working with a tighter budget and want TOTO’s build quality at the lowest possible entry point.
You don’t need an air dryer and are happy to use a small amount of toilet paper after washing.
Buy the TOTO WASHLET C5 if…
You want the most hygiene technology available in the mid-range price tier — PREMIST, EWATER+, air dryer, and deodorizer.
You want a slimmer, sleeker seat that looks more integrated on your toilet.
Multiple people in your household will use the seat, and saved user preferences would genuinely help.
You want to cut your toilet paper use to near zero over time.
The C5 is what most buyers who do their research end up choosing — and it shows in reviews.
But if you’re brand new to the world of bidets and want to dip your toes in first, the A2 is a genuinely great place to start.
You can always read up on why bidets are becoming more popular and find out which tier of feature makes sense for your bathroom before committing.
FAQ
Q: Does the TOTO WASHLET A2 fit all elongated toilets?
A: The A2 fits most standard elongated toilets, but TOTO recommends checking that the distance from your mounting holes to the front of the bowl is approximately 18.5 inches.
Some toilets with French curves or unusual tank designs may not be compatible, so always measure before purchasing.
Q: Is the TOTO WASHLET C5 being discontinued?
A: Some retailers have moved to limited inventory as TOTO transitions its lineup toward the newer S-series models like the S2 and S5.
However, the C5 (SW3084#01) remains available through major retailers including on the major e-commerce platforms.
If stock is a concern, the TOTO WASHLET S2 is the natural upgrade choice that replaces it.
Q: Does the A2 have a warm air dryer?
A: No — the TOTO WASHLET A2 does not include a warm air dryer.
This is one of the key differences between the A2 and the C5.
If a dryer is important to you — especially if you’re hoping to reduce your reliance on wet wipes and other paper alternatives — the C5 is the seat you want.
Q: Can I install either seat myself?
A: Yes — both the A2 and C5 are designed for DIY installation.
You’ll need a standard 120V GFCI outlet near the toilet, which most bathrooms already have.
The installation process for both seats typically takes under an hour and requires no plumbing knowledge.
All mounting and connection hardware is included in the box.
Conclusion
The TOTO WASHLET A2 and C5 are both excellent bidet seats — but they’re built for different buyers.
The A2 is the right call if you want a simple, reliable, affordable entry into TOTO’s lineup.
The C5 is the right call if you want a complete experience — cleaner bowl, sanitized wand, air dryer, deodorizer, and a sleek wireless remote — all at a mid-range price.
For most buyers who are ready to invest in real bathroom comfort, the C5 is the seat worth getting.
For buyers taking their first step into the world of the best bidets for home use, the A2 is a wonderful starting point that you won’t regret.
Either way, you’re getting TOTO quality — and that alone puts both of these seats above most of what’s on the market.
