Electric vs Non-Electric Bidet Seat: Which Suits Your Bathroom?

An electric bidet seat NZ homes can fit and a non electric bidet seat NZ homes can fit both replace your toilet seat and add a water wash. The difference is power. An electric bidet seat heats the water and the seat, while a non electric bidet seat runs on household water pressure with no power point needed.

This Conor guide is a bidet toilet seat comparison for New Zealand bathrooms. It explains how each type works, what each smart bidet toilet seat in the Conor range does, how the non electric bidet seat compares, and what to check before you choose. You can follow along in the Conor smart bidet seat collection and the Conor non electric bidet seat collection.

Electric Bidet Seat NZ vs Non Electric Bidet Seat NZ: The Short Answer

•       Electric bidet seat NZ: A smart bidet toilet seat with warm water, a heated seat, a warm air dryer and adjustable settings. It needs a power point near the toilet.

•       Non electric bidet seat NZ: A bidet toilet seat that runs on household water pressure. It uses water at the temperature supplied by the household water connection and does not heat it. It needs no power point.

Both types fit onto the toilet you already have, in place of your current toilet seat. Your toilet bowl and cistern stay where they are. The rest of this bidet toilet seat comparison explains the details behind that short answer.

Electric Bidet Seat NZ: What It Is

An electric bidet seat is a bidet toilet seat with heating and controls built in. In the Conor range, each electric bidet seat is a smart bidet toilet seat. You will also see it called an electric bidet toilet seat or a smart toilet seat. All three names describe the same type of seat.

How an Electric Bidet Seat Works

An electric bidet seat connects to your cold water supply and to a power point near the toilet. When you start a wash, the seat heats the water as you use it, so there is no hot-water connection. A nozzle extends from under the seat, and you choose the wash, water pressure, water temperature and nozzle position from the controls.

What an Electric Bidet Seat Adds

•       Warm water wash: The water is heated as you use it.

•       Heated seat: You can set the seat temperature.

•       Warm air dryer: A dryer after the wash.

•       Wash settings: Rear and front wash, with extra modes on selected models.

•       Controls: A side panel, a side knob or a wireless remote, depending on the model.

•       Extra features: A night light, a deodoriser or a lid that opens on its own on selected models.

Non Electric Bidet Seat NZ: What It Is

A non electric bidet seat is a bidet toilet seat with no power and no heating. It connects to your water supply and uses household water pressure to run the wash. A side lever opens the water flow to the nozzle and sets the water pressure.

The Conor Elara Non Electric Bidet Seat

The Conor Elara is the non electric bidet seat NZ homes can choose from the Conor range. It has front and rear wash, a side lever to adjust water pressure, a self-cleaning nozzle and a soft-closing seat and cover. The Elara comes as a D shape bidet seat and an O shape bidet seat, each with a left or right water inlet.

Because the Elara uses water at the temperature supplied by the household water connection and does not heat it, there is no heated seat and no dryer. In exchange, a non electric bidet seat needs no power point near the toilet.

Bidet Toilet Seat Comparison: Electric Bidet Seat NZ vs Non Electric Bidet Seat NZ

Here is a side-by-side bidet toilet seat comparison of an electric bidet seat NZ homes can fit and a non electric bidet seat NZ homes can fit.

•       Power: An electric bidet seat needs a power point near the toilet. A non electric bidet seat needs no power.

•       Water temperature: An electric bidet seat heats the water. A non electric bidet seat uses water at the temperature supplied by the household water connection.

•       Seat: An electric bidet seat has a heated seat. A non electric bidet seat has a standard seat with a soft-closing seat and cover.

•       Drying: An electric bidet seat has a warm air dryer. A non electric bidet seat has no dryer.

•       Controls: An electric bidet seat uses a side panel, side knob or remote. A non electric bidet seat uses a side lever.

•       Wash: Both have a rear and front wash. An electric bidet seat adds water temperature and nozzle position settings.

•       Shape: Conor offers D shape smart and non electric seats, while Elara is also available in O shape.

Use this bidet toilet seat comparison as a starting point, then open each product page for the full details.

Electric Bidet Seat NZ: Features Explained

Each electric bidet seat in the Conor range has a set of wash and comfort settings. Here is what each feature does, so you can compare one smart bidet toilet seat with another.

•       Rear and front wash: Each smart bidet toilet seat has a rear wash and a front wash.

•       Water temperature: You choose the water temperature for the wash on each electric bidet seat.

•       Seat temperature: You choose the seat temperature on each electric bidet toilet seat.

•       Water pressure: You can adjust the water pressure on each smart bidet toilet seat.

•       Nozzle position: You can move the nozzle forward or back.

•       Warm air dryer: Each electric bidet seat in the range has a warm air dryer.

•       Self-cleaning nozzle: The nozzle rinses itself before and after use on selected models.

•       Extra settings: Some models add an oscillating wash, massage wash, deodoriser or night light. Check each product page for the settings on that electric bidet seat.

When you read a bidet toilet seat comparison, these are the settings to look at side by side. A non electric bidet seat has rear and front wash and water pressure through the side lever, but not the heating, drying or nozzle position settings.

Non Electric Bidet Seat NZ: Who It Suits

A non electric bidet seat NZ homes can fit is a simple wash with one side lever. Here is when a non electric bidet seat is the option to look at:

•       No power point near the toilet: A non electric bidet seat needs no power.

•       O shape toilet: The Elara is also available in O shape.

•       Simple controls: One side lever starts the wash and sets the water pressure.

•       Guest bathroom: A non electric bidet seat with a soft-closing seat and cover, for a bathroom that is used less often.

If you want warm water, a heated seat and drying, compare the smart bidet toilet seat range instead. This is the main point of any electric bidet seat NZ and non electric bidet seat NZ comparison.

The Conor Smart Bidet Toilet Seat Range

If the electric bidet seat NZ option suits your bathroom, the next step is choosing a smart bidet toilet seat. The main difference between the models is how you control them.

Conor Lyra: Side Panel Controls

The Conor Lyra is a smart bidet toilet seat with a control panel on the side of the seat. It has warm water, an adjustable heated seat, a warm air dryer, a deodoriser, a self-cleaning nozzle and rear, front and massage wash options.

Conor Arista: Wireless Remote

The Conor Arista is an electric bidet toilet seat with a wireless remote. It has rear, front and oscillating wash, a heated seat, a warm air dryer, a night light and Child Wash mode.

Conor Ayora: Automatic Lid

The Conor Ayora is a smart bidet toilet seat with a lid that opens as you approach. You can switch auto mode on or off from the remote. It has a warm water wash, a heated seat and a warm air dryer.

Conor Sylora: Side Knob

The Conor Sylora is a heated bidet toilet seat with one side knob instead of a remote. Turn the knob for rear or feminine wash, and choose Regular, Powerful or Massage mode.

Conor Nova: Compact With a Remote

The Conor Nova is a compact smart bidet toilet seat with a wireless remote and a wall-mountable holder. Its One-Solution mode runs a rear wash, drying and deodorising from a single press.

Compare each smart bidet toilet seat side by side in the Conor smart bidet seat collection.

Which Suits Your Bathroom?

The right choice depends on your bathroom and the people using it. Here is how an electric bidet seat NZ option and a non electric bidet seat NZ option line up for different bathrooms.

•       Bathroom with a power point near the toilet: Either type works. Choose an electric bidet seat if you want warm water, a heated seat and drying.

•       Bathroom without a power point: A non electric bidet seat, or a smart bidet toilet seat once a licensed electrician has installed a power point.

•       Shared family bathroom: A smart bidet toilet seat with a remote, such as the Arista or Nova, so each person can adjust the settings.

•       Guest bathroom or ensuite: The Sylora uses one knob, and the Lyra keeps its controls on the seat.

•       Lid that opens on its own: The Ayora smart bidet toilet seat.

•       Simple wash with no settings: The Elara non electric bidet seat, with one side lever.

Power Point: The First Check

The power point decides which type suits your bathroom. A smart toilet seat or smart toilet needs a power point near the toilet. If there isn’t one, a licensed electrician can install it.

A non electric bidet seat NZ homes can fit needs no power point, so it is an option for a bathroom where there is no power near the toilet. If you would like an electric bidet seat in that bathroom, add the power point first, then choose your smart bidet toilet seat.

Toilet Shape and Fit

Toilet shape is one of the details that decides which bidet seat fits. You also need to check the seat dimensions, the position and spacing of the mounting holes, the space behind the seat and the water connection.

D Shape or O Shape?

1.    Lift your current toilet seat and look at the toilet from above.

2.    Compare your toilet with the D shape bidet seat and O shape bidet seat on the Conor product pages.

3.    Check the position and spacing of the mounting holes at the back of the toilet.

4.    Note which side your water inlet is on, left or right.

If your toilet is D shape, you need a D shape bidet seat. If it is O shape, you need an O shape bidet seat. Conor offers D shape smart and non electric seats, while Elara is also available in O shape. So if your toilet is O shape, the Elara non electric bidet seat is the option to look at.

If you are not sure which shape you have, send the Conor team a photo of your toilet before you order your bidet toilet seat.

Smart Bidet Toilet Seat Controls Compared

The biggest difference between each smart bidet toilet seat is the controls. Here is a quick bidet toilet seat comparison by control type:

•       Side panel: The Lyra keeps its controls on the side of the seat.

•       Side knob: The Sylora uses one knob for wash and mode.

•       Wireless remote: The Arista, Ayora and Nova come with a remote. The Nova remote has a wall-mountable holder.

•       Automatic lid: The Ayora lid opens as you approach, and you can switch auto mode on or off.

•       Side lever: The Elara non electric bidet seat uses one lever, with no power.

If several people use the bathroom, a smart bidet toilet seat with a remote lets each person change the settings. If you would like the controls on the seat itself, compare the Lyra and Sylora.

Smart Bidet Toilet Seat or Smart Toilet?

Some people comparing an electric bidet seat NZ option also look at a smart toilet, which has the bidet built in. A smart toilet replaces the whole toilet suite, with the bowl, bidet and seat in one unit. A smart bidet toilet seat replaces only the seat, so your toilet bowl and cistern stay in place.

If you want to keep your toilet, compare an electric bidet seat or a non electric bidet seat. Both types replace only the seat.

Renting or Moving House?

If you rent or plan to move, think about how each type fits your situation. A smart bidet toilet seat and a non electric bidet seat both replace the toilet seat and connect to the water supply, so check with your landlord before you change the seat. If you would rather not change the seat, the Ember bidet spray and a portable bidet sprayer are covered below.

Questions to Ask Before You Choose

Before you decide between an electric bidet seat NZ option and a non electric bidet seat NZ option, ask:

5.    Is there a power point near the toilet?

6.    Is your toilet D shape or O shape?

7.    Which side is the water inlet on, left or right?

8.    Do you want warm water, a heated seat and drying?

9.    Would you like a remote, a side panel, a side knob or a side lever?

10.  Do you want a lid that opens on its own?

Your answers point you to the right type. If you answer yes to question 4 and have a power point, look at the smart bidet toilet seat range. If there is no power point or your toilet is O shape, look at the Elara non electric bidet seat.

What Comes in the Box

Conor bidet seats are currently listed as a bidet toilet seat with installation kit, along with a manual. The Elara non electric bidet seat kit is listed with a hose and T-valve, and the smart bidet toilet seats are listed with their own installation kit. A smart bidet toilet seat with a remote also comes with the remote.

Check the product page for what is included with the seat you choose, and keep the kit and manual together until your bidet toilet seat is fitted.

Using Each Type of Bidet Seat

Using an Electric Bidet Seat

11.  Sit on the smart bidet toilet seat as normal.

12.  Choose rear or front wash on the remote, side panel or side knob.

13.  Adjust the water pressure, water temperature and nozzle position.

14.  Stop the wash, then use the warm air dryer if you want.

Using a Non Electric Bidet Seat

15.  Sit on the non electric bidet seat as normal.

16.  Turn the side lever to start the front or rear wash.

17.  Turn the lever further to adjust the water pressure.

18.  Turn the lever back to stop the water.

Read the manual that comes with your bidet seat for the full steps.

Soft Close Bidet Seat Options on Both Types

A soft close bidet seat lowers the seat and lid gently when you let go. The Elara non electric bidet seat is a soft close bidet seat, with a soft-closing seat and cover. Check each smart bidet toilet seat product page for its seat and lid details, and look at the Ayora if you would like a lid that opens and closes on its own.

Caring for Your Bidet Seat

These steps apply to an electric bidet seat and a non electric bidet seat:

•       Wipe the seat and cover with a soft, damp cloth and a mild cleaner.

•       Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaning products on the bidet toilet seat.

•       Use the self-cleaning nozzle function where your bidet seat has one.

•       Clean around the hinges and the back of the seat.

•       Check the hose connection behind the toilet from time to time.

Follow the care steps in the manual that comes with your bidet toilet seat.

Not Ready to Change Your Seat?

If you want to keep your current toilet seat, there are two other options in the Conor range.

•       Handheld bidet spray: The Conor Ember handheld bidet spray sits on the wall beside the toilet and comes in silver, black and gold, and is listed with an installation kit. See the Conor bidet spray collection.

•       Portable bidet sprayer: A portable bidet sprayer holds its own water and requires no permanent plumbing connection or installation. The Conor Lumora and Rinora are rechargeable, so they need charging. See the Conor portable bidet sprayer collection.

Electric Bidet Seat NZ Checklist

Use this checklist when you finish your bidet toilet seat comparison:

•       Check for a power point near the toilet for an electric bidet seat.

•       Check your toilet shape: D shape or O shape.

•       Measure the mounting holes and the space behind the seat.

•       Note the water inlet side.

•       Choose your controls: side panel, side knob, remote or side lever.

•       Open the product page for each smart bidet toilet seat or non electric bidet seat you like and compare the details.

Electric Bidet Seat NZ or Non Electric Bidet Seat NZ: Summary

•       For warm water, a heated seat and drying: An electric bidet seat, such as a Conor smart bidet toilet seat.

•       For a bathroom without a power point: A non electric bidet seat, the Conor Elara.

•       For an O shape toilet: The Elara O shape bidet seat.

•       For controls on the seat: The Lyra side panel or the Sylora side knob.

•       For a remote: The Arista, Ayora or Nova.

•       To keep your current seat: The Ember bidet spray or a portable bidet sprayer.

Whether you choose an electric bidet seat NZ homes can fit or a non electric bidet seat NZ homes can fit, start with the power point and the toilet shape, then use this bidet toilet seat comparison to pick the features you want. Compare the Conor smart bidet seat collection and the Conor non electric bidet seat collection to decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an electric bidet seat and a non electric bidet seat?

An electric bidet seat heats the water and the seat and adds a warm air dryer. It needs a power point near the toilet. A non electric bidet seat runs on household water pressure, uses water at the temperature supplied by the household water connection and does not heat it, so it needs no power.

Does an electric bidet seat NZ homes fit need a power point?

Yes. A smart toilet seat or smart toilet needs a power point near the toilet. If there isn’t one, a licensed electrician can install it.

Does a non electric bidet seat NZ homes fit need power?

No. A non electric bidet seat runs on household water pressure, so it needs no power point.

Is a smart bidet toilet seat the same as an electric bidet seat?

Yes. In the Conor range, each electric bidet seat is a smart bidet toilet seat. You may also see it called an electric bidet toilet seat or a smart toilet seat.

Does a non electric bidet seat have warm water?

No. A non electric bidet seat uses water at the temperature supplied by the household water connection and does not heat it.

Which Conor bidet seat comes in O shape?

The Elara non electric bidet seat is available in O shape. Conor offers D shape smart and non electric seats, while Elara is also available in O shape.

Which smart bidet toilet seat has a remote?

The Conor Arista, Ayora and Nova come with a wireless remote. The Lyra has a side control panel, and the Sylora uses a side knob.

Do both types have a soft close seat?

The Elara non electric bidet seat has a soft-closing seat and cover. Check each smart bidet toilet seat product page for its seat and lid details.

Does a Conor bidet seat come with an installation kit?

Conor bidet seats are currently listed as a bidet toilet seat with installation kit, along with a manual. Check the product page for the parts included with the seat you choose.

How do I choose between an electric bidet seat and a non electric bidet seat?

Start with the power point and your toilet shape. If you have a power point and want warm water, a heated seat and drying, compare the smart bidet toilet seat range. If there is no power point, or your toilet is O shape, look at the Elara non electric bidet seat.

Can I use a smart bidet toilet seat on an O shape toilet?

Conor offers D shape smart and non electric seats, while Elara is also available in O shape. For an O shape toilet, look at the Elara O shape bidet seat.

Is a smart toilet the same as a smart bidet toilet seat?

No. A smart toilet replaces the whole toilet suite, with the bowl, bidet and seat in one unit. A smart bidet toilet seat replaces only your toilet seat.

Which is simpler to use, an electric or non electric bidet seat?

A non electric bidet seat uses one side lever for the wash and water pressure. An electric bidet seat has more settings, controlled from a side panel, side knob or remote.

Where can I buy an electric bidet seat or non electric bidet seat in NZ?

You can order a Conor bidet seat online from conors.co.nz. Each product page has the details and photos for each smart bidet toilet seat and non electric bidet seat.