The Brondell Swash BL97 is an entry-level electronic bidet seat that packs a surprising amount of premium features into an affordable package.
In this review, I break down everything you need to know — from cleaning performance and comfort to installation and long-term value — so you can decide if it belongs on your toilet.
Specs: Brondell Swash BL97
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Image | [Image loads via plugin] |
| Model Number | BL97-EW (elongated) / BL97-RW (round) |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20.7″ x 15.9″ x 5.7″ (elongated) / 19.5″ x 15.9″ x 5.7″ (round) |
| Water Heating | Hybrid tank system — warm water with limited duration |
| Wash Modes | Rear, Feminine (Front), Strong; Pulse & Oscillation options |
| Hygiene Tech | Self-cleaning stainless steel nozzle (auto-rinse before & after) |
| Controls | Wireless Lite-Touch remote with wall-mount dock |
| Heated Seat | Yes — 4 temperature settings |
| Warm Air Dryer | Yes |
| Night Light | Yes — LED blue glow, on/off toggle |
| User Presets | 2 user memory settings |
| Colors Available | White |
| Toilet Compatibility | Round and elongated; standard North American toilets; requires nearby GFCI outlet |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
| Check Price |  |
Pros & Cons of Brondell Swash BL97
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel nozzle — more hygienic than plastic | Hybrid heating means warm water is limited in duration |
| Warm air dryer included at an entry-level price | No deodorizer — odor control must come from elsewhere |
| Wireless remote with 2 user presets | Only available in white — no biscuit or beige option |
| LED nightlight is a genuinely useful feature | Remote battery replacement requires a special tool |
| 5 adjustable nozzle positions for personalized positioning | Feminine wash nozzle position may feel insufficiently forward for some users |
| Available in both round and elongated shapes | Does not fit toilets with a curved “French curve” tank design |
| Easy DIY installation — no plumber needed | 1-year warranty is shorter than competitors like the Swash 1400’s 3-year coverage |
Check its current price on Amazon
Is the Brondell Swash BL97 Worth It?
Yes — the BL97 is one of the most well-rounded entry-level bidet seats you can buy right now.
At its price point, you’d expect to give up features like a warm air dryer or stainless steel nozzle.
The BL97 keeps both, which is genuinely rare at this tier.
It’s not the seat you’d buy if you wanted unlimited warm water, a deodorizer, or premium warranty coverage — for those, you’d need to step up to something like the Brondell Swash 1400.
But if you’re a first-time bidet buyer who wants a complete, feature-rich experience without spending big, the BL97 nails the brief.
It consistently earns high marks in the bidet seat comparison chart category for value, and it’s easy to see why once you understand what it includes.
Design & Build Quality
The BL97 has a clean, understated look that suits any standard North American bathroom without drawing attention to itself.
The lid profile is slim enough to sit naturally on most toilets, and the white finish integrates well whether your toilet is builder-grade or upgraded.
The nozzle is the design highlight here: fully stainless steel, not just tipped with it.
That matters because stainless steel resists biofilm and bacterial buildup far better than plastic — a detail you’ll appreciate after months of daily use.
It self-rinses automatically before and after each wash cycle, which keeps things clean without requiring any effort from you.
The seat and lid both use a slow-close mechanism that prevents slamming.
There’s also a quick-release button for removing the seat entirely — a smart touch that makes deep cleaning much easier than it is on seats that require tools.
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The power cord runs 3.9 feet, which is enough for most bathroom layouts — but you’ll want to confirm a GFCI outlet is within reach before ordering.
If you’re comparing the physical fit to other seats in this category, take a look at the best bidets for existing toilets guide, which covers how to measure your bowl correctly.
Cleaning Performance
The BL97 offers three wash modes: rear, feminine (front), and a strong wash setting for a more powerful clean.
Within those modes, you can activate pulse or oscillation to vary the spray pattern — pulse alternates between high and low pressure, while oscillation moves the nozzle back and forth across a wider area.
The water is aerated, meaning air is mixed into the stream for a softer, more enveloping sensation without sacrificing cleaning coverage.
The five nozzle positions give you real control over placement — more than many competing seats at this price.
Where the BL97 has a genuine limitation is warm water duration.
Its hybrid heating system stores a reservoir of warm water rather than heating continuously on demand.
For most people, a standard wash cycle won’t outlast the warm supply — but if you prefer longer sessions, you’ll notice the water cooling toward the end.
If continuous warm water is essential to you, that’s the strongest argument for stepping up to a tankless seat — the difference is well covered in the bidets with warm water and dryer guide.
One thing several users have noted is that the feminine wash position sits slightly further back than ideal for some body types.
It’s a minor fit issue, not a design flaw, and most users adjust naturally with a small shift in seated position.
Comfort Features
The heated seat is one of the BL97’s most appreciated features, especially during colder months.
Four temperature levels give you enough range to go from barely warm to genuinely cozy, and that settings stays saved between uses.
The LED nightlight is a soft blue glow that illuminates the bowl without lighting the whole room — it’s the kind of feature you don’t know you needed until your first 2 AM bathroom visit.
The warm air dryer is a welcome addition at this price tier.
It allows you to reduce — or even eliminate — toilet paper use after washing, which is both more comfortable and more eco-friendly.
This is one of the key reasons the BL97 punches above its weight compared to other bidets under $300 that often skip the dryer entirely.
The eco mode is another thoughtful inclusion — it reduces seat and water temperature when the seat isn’t in use, cutting standby energy consumption without you having to think about it.
Controls & Installation
The wireless Lite-Touch remote is the BL97’s control center, and it handles everything cleanly — wash mode, water temperature, pressure, seat temperature, nozzle position, and dryer.
Two user memory presets let you store your preferred settings and activate them instantly, which is especially useful in a multi-person household.
One usability quirk that some reviewers have flagged is the battery compartment on the remote.
Changing batteries requires a small tool rather than just a fingernail or coin — not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.
Installation is fully DIY-friendly and takes most people under 30 minutes.
The kit includes everything you need: T-valve, chrome elbow hose, mounting hardware, and batteries.
The main requirement is a flat toilet tank — the BL97 does not fit toilets with a curved French-curve tank design where the tank meets the bowl on a slope.
If you’re wondering whether your toilet qualifies, the bidets for existing toilets guide walks through how to check compatibility.
You can also compare the BL97’s remote-control experience against side-arm alternatives by browsing the bidet toilet seat comparison chart.
Who Is the BL97 Best For?
The BL97 is the right seat for first-time bidet buyers who want a complete, premium-feeling experience without spending on flagship features they may not need yet.
It’s particularly well-suited for households where two people share a bathroom and both want to save their preferred settings — the two-preset remote covers that perfectly.
It’s also a strong pick for anyone upgrading from a budget bidet attachment who wants to keep warm water, a heated seat, and a dryer — all three in one seat at an accessible price.
Seniors who want a nightlight, a remote, and soft-close lid for nighttime safety will find the BL97 checks those boxes too — though those with more specific accessibility needs should also read the best bidets for seniors guide before deciding.
Women who want a dedicated front wash will find it here — though as noted, some may prefer the nozzle position sat slightly further forward.
For a household that uses the bidet heavily and wants unlimited warm water and a deodorizer, stepping up to the Brondell Swash 1400 or exploring the best bidets for home use roundup makes sense.
But for the vast majority of users making their first real bidet investment, the BL97 is one of the most honest value propositions in the category.
FAQ
Is the Brondell Swash BL97 discontinued, or is it still available?
The BL97 is a current model in Brondell’s active Swash Select lineup.
It has not been discontinued and is available through major retailers including Lowe’s, Walmart, and online.
If you’re ever comparing it to a previous-generation Brondell seat, the BL97 replaces older Swash models and adds features like the stainless steel nozzle and updated remote.
Does the BL97 fit round toilets as well as elongated toilets?
Yes — the BL97 is available in both elongated (BL97-EW) and round (BL97-RW) versions.
The round version measures 19.5″ x 15.9″ x 5.7″, while the elongated is 20.7″ in length.
The one compatibility caveat is toilet tank shape — toilets with a curved French-curve tank design are not compatible.
Always measure the distance between your seat bolt holes (typically 5.5″ to 7″) to confirm a clean fit.
Does the BL97 have a warm air dryer?
Yes, the Brondell Swash BL97 includes a warm air dryer.
This is one of its standout features at this price tier, since many competing entry-level seats skip the dryer to cut costs.
The dryer allows you to significantly reduce or eliminate toilet paper use, which is both more comfortable and better for the environment — a theme explored in detail in the does a bidet replace toilet paper guide.
How does the BL97 compare to the Brondell Swash 1400?
The BL97 is Brondell’s entry-level remote-controlled seat; the Swash 1400 is their flagship.
The main upgrades the 1400 offers are dual stainless steel nozzles (versus one on the BL97), unlimited warm water via ceramic-core heating (versus the BL97’s limited-duration hybrid tank), an air deodorizer, and a 3-year warranty instead of 1 year.
The BL97 still includes the dryer, nightlight, and remote — so it covers the essentials well.
For a deeper side-by-side look at how Brondell’s lineup stacks up against competitors, the Brondell Swash vs TOTO Washlet comparison is worth a read.
Conclusion
The Brondell Swash BL97 is an impressive entry-level bidet seat that gives you more than you’d expect for the price.
A stainless steel self-cleaning nozzle, warm air dryer, wireless remote with dual user presets, LED nightlight, and heated seat — all in one package — is a rare value proposition in this tier.
The honest trade-offs are the limited warm water duration from the hybrid tank system, the absence of a deodorizer, and the shorter 1-year warranty.
Those are acceptable compromises for most first-time buyers, and they become easier to evaluate when you understand exactly what you’d be paying extra for.
If you’re still comparing options before committing, the bidet toilet seat comparison chart is a great next step — and the best bidets for existing toilets guide rounds out the picture with a wider field of competitors at every price point.