Choosing between a bidet toilet and a bidet seat is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your bathroom upgrade.
Both options will transform your hygiene routine — but the right choice depends entirely on your budget, bathroom setup, and what you want out of the experience.
| Feature | Bidet Toilet (TOTO NEOREST NX2) | Bidet Seat (TOTO WASHLET S5) |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
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| Type | Integrated bidet toilet unit | Seat attaches to existing toilet |
| Installation | Professional plumber required | DIY-friendly, ~30 minutes |
| Water Heating | Instantaneous tankless | Instantaneous tankless |
| Auto Lid Open/Close | Yes | No |
| Auto Flush | Yes (Tornado Flush) | No |
| Self-Cleaning | EWATER+ & ACTILIGHT UV | EWATER+ wand cleaning |
| Dimensions | 29.25″ L x 15.75″ W x 18.5″ H | 20.4″ L x 15.2″ W x 6.1″ H |
| Buy Now |  |
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1. TOTO NEOREST NX2 Integrated Bidet Toilet
The TOTO NEOREST NX2 is the pinnacle of what a bidet toilet can be — a seamless, all-in-one luxury unit that replaces your entire toilet.
It’s packed with features you won’t find on any bidet seat, making it the ultimate upgrade for anyone serious about bathroom technology.
If you’re looking for the highest-rated bidet toilet on the market, the NEOREST NX2 is consistently at the top of every list.
Features
- ACTILIGHT UV technology kills bacteria using light and a photocatalytic glaze — zero chemicals needed
- EWATER+ electrolyzed water sanitizes the wand and bowl automatically before and after every use
- Hands-free auto open/close lid with approach sensor
- PREMIST pre-wets the bowl before use to prevent waste buildup
- Automatic Tornado Flush with dual-flush 1.0/0.8 GPF water efficiency
- Heated seat with 5 temperature settings, warm air dryer, and built-in deodorizer
- Six wash modes including rear, front, oscillating, pulsating, and soft spray
- LED night light and 4 user memory presets via wireless remote
Pros
- The most complete, self-cleaning bathroom experience available
- CEFIONTECT ceramic glaze keeps the bowl cleaner between uses
- Sleek seamless design elevates your bathroom’s aesthetic significantly
- Ideal for households where multiple people have different hygiene preferences
Cons
- Very high price point — not budget-friendly
- Requires professional plumber installation and toilet replacement
- Repairs and maintenance must be handled by a professional
The NEOREST NX2 is for buyers who want to treat their bathroom like a luxury experience and are willing to invest in the very best.
It’s the kind of bidet toilet that makes guests stop and stare.
Check its current price on Amazon
2. TOTO WASHLET S5 Electronic Bidet Toilet Seat
The TOTO WASHLET S5 is the successor to the popular (now discontinued) C5, and it improves on its predecessor in almost every way.
It’s a full-featured electric bidet seat that installs on your existing toilet in about 30 minutes — no plumber, no renovation, no hassle.
If you want to explore the best bidets for existing toilets, the WASHLET S5 belongs at the very top of your shortlist.
Features
- Instantaneous tankless water heater — unlimited warm water from the very first second
- PREMIST system pre-wets the toilet bowl before each use to reduce waste adherence
- EWATER+ electrolyzed water cleans the wand inside and out before and after every use
- Rear, front, oscillating, and pulsating wash modes with 5 pressure settings
- Heated SoftClose seat with 5 temperature settings
- Warm air dryer with 5 temperature settings and built-in air deodorizer
- LED night light and 4 user memory presets on wireless remote
- Energy-saving mode and 38% reduction in energy consumption vs previous generation
Pros
- Tankless design means no cold-water surprise — ever
- Slimmer, more streamlined profile with rounded corners for easier cleaning
- DIY installation takes under an hour with included hardware
- Works with any existing elongated or round toilet — just confirm your bowl shape first
Cons
- No auto open/close lid or auto flush
- Requires a nearby electrical outlet — some bathrooms may need one added
- Does not include ACTILIGHT UV sterilization like a full bidet toilet unit
The WASHLET S5 delivers a luxury bidet experience at a fraction of the cost of a full bidet toilet, and it does so without requiring any bathroom renovation.
For most households, it’s the smarter, more practical choice.
Check its current price on Amazon
Head-to-Head: Bidet Toilet vs Bidet Seat
Installation & Setup
Installing a bidet toilet means replacing your entire existing toilet — you’ll need a licensed plumber, and depending on your bathroom layout, some tile or plumbing modifications may be required.
It’s a real renovation project, not a weekend DIY task.
A bidet seat like the WASHLET S5, on the other hand, is one of the easiest bathroom upgrades you can make.
You remove your old seat, attach the mounting bracket, connect a T-valve to your water supply, plug into a nearby outlet, and you’re done.
If you’ve ever wanted to install a bidet on your existing toilet without calling a plumber, a bidet seat is your answer.
**Winner: Bidet Seat** — significantly easier, cheaper, and faster to install.
Features & Technology
There’s no question that a full bidet toilet packs in more technology.
The NEOREST NX2 includes ACTILIGHT UV sterilization, automatic flushing, and a hands-free auto-open lid — features that simply don’t exist on any bidet seat.
That said, the WASHLET S5 covers all the core features that matter most: instantaneous warm water, heated seat, multiple wash modes, EWATER+ wand sanitation, and PREMIST bowl prep.
You can dig deeper into how these features stack up across models with the bidet toilet seat comparison chart on BideTalk.
**Winner: Bidet Toilet** — more advanced tech, more automation, more luxury.
Cost & Value
A bidet toilet like the NEOREST NX2 costs several thousand dollars — and that’s before installation fees, which can add $500–$1,000 or more depending on your plumber’s rates and the complexity of the job.
A bidet seat like the WASHLET S5 is a fraction of that price, and installation is free because you do it yourself.
If you’re shopping with a realistic budget, check out the best bidets under $500 for excellent options that don’t sacrifice quality.
On a longer time horizon, both options help you save money by dramatically cutting down your toilet paper usage.
**Winner: Bidet Seat** — far more accessible and delivers exceptional value per dollar.
Hygiene & Cleanliness
Both the NEOREST NX2 and the WASHLET S5 use TOTO’s EWATER+ and PREMIST systems, so day-to-day wand and bowl hygiene are comparable.
Where the bidet toilet pulls ahead is in passive self-cleaning — the ACTILIGHT UV technology in the NX2 continuously sanitizes the bowl using light and a photocatalytic glaze, requiring zero effort from you.
Neither option matches the hygienic leap that switching from toilet paper to water delivers in the first place.
**Winner: Bidet Toilet** — more thorough passive self-cleaning with UV technology.
Who It’s Best For
Bidet toilets are ideal for new builds, full bathroom renovations, and households where no existing toilet needs to be preserved.
If you have seniors or people with limited mobility in the home, an all-in-one toilet with an auto-open lid and auto-flush reduces the need to physically interact with the toilet at all.
For women, the front-cleanse mode on both options is excellent — but the best bidets for women all tend to prioritize that adjustable front nozzle, which both TOTO models handle well.
**Winner: Tie** — depends entirely on your living situation and renovation plans.
Verdict — Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the TOTO NEOREST NX2 if: you’re doing a full bathroom renovation, have a generous budget, and want the most automated, self-cleaning, luxury toilet experience money can buy.
It’s not just a bidet — it’s a complete bathroom centerpiece.
Buy the TOTO WASHLET S5 if: you want a premium bidet upgrade without replacing your toilet, without hiring a plumber, and without spending thousands of dollars.
It delivers the core luxury bidet experience — warm water, heated seat, wand sanitation, PREMIST — at a price that makes sense for most homeowners.
For most people reading this, the WASHLET S5 is the smarter, more practical choice.
You can always check out more options in the best bidets for home use roundup if you want to explore further before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a bidet seat really replace a full bidet toilet?
For the vast majority of users, yes.
A modern electric bidet seat like the WASHLET S5 covers warm water cleansing, a heated seat, warm air drying, and self-cleaning nozzles — the features most people actually use daily.
The main things you miss out on are auto-flush and the auto-open lid, which are conveniences rather than necessities.
Is a bidet toilet worth the extra cost?
It depends on your situation.
If you’re already doing a full bathroom renovation and replacing your toilet anyway, upgrading to a bidet toilet makes a lot of sense.
If you’re simply looking to add bidet functionality to your current bathroom, a high-quality bidet seat delivers 90% of the experience at a fraction of the cost.
Do bidet seats work on all toilets?
Most bidet seats are designed for elongated or round toilets.
You just need to confirm your toilet bowl shape before buying — elongated and round versions are sold separately for most models.
You can learn more in this guide on whether you can install a bidet on any toilet.
What’s the difference between a handheld bidet and a bidet seat?
A handheld bidet (or sprayer) gives you manual control over water direction, but it’s non-electric and requires you to aim and handle it yourself.
A bidet seat automates the whole process with nozzle positioning, water temperature, and pressure — all controlled by a remote.
You can read a full breakdown in this handheld bidet vs bidet seat comparison.
Conclusion
Both bidet toilets and bidet seats are massive upgrades over plain toilet paper — cleaner, more comfortable, and better for the environment.
If budget and installation complexity aren’t factors, the TOTO NEOREST NX2 is simply extraordinary.
But for the vast majority of households, the TOTO WASHLET S5 is the standout choice — premium features, easy installation, and genuinely life-changing hygiene at a realistic price.
Not sure which features matter most to you?
Start with the bidet toilet seat comparison chart to zero in on exactly what you need, or browse the best bidet brands to see how TOTO stacks up against the competition.
Whichever direction you go, you won’t regret making the switch.
