Soft-Close Bidet Seats: Fit, Feel and Shape Options

A soft close bidet seat lowers the seat and lid gently when you let go, instead of letting them drop onto the toilet. If you are looking for a bidet seat New Zealand homes can use, the soft-close feature is one of the details to compare, along with the shape of your toilet and the type of bidet toilet seat you want.

This Conor guide covers the soft close bidet seat options in the Conor range, from a non electric bidet seat to a smart bidet toilet seat. It explains how to check whether you need a D shape bidet seat or an O shape bidet seat, how a soft close toilet seat NZ buyers compare works, and what to look at when you choose a bidet toilet seat with installation kit included.

What Is a Soft Close Bidet Seat?

A soft close bidet seat has hinges that slow the seat and lid as they close. When you push the lid down, it lowers on its own rather than falling. A soft close bidet seat is a bidet toilet seat with this hinge built in, so you get a water wash and a seat and lid that close gently.

A soft close toilet seat NZ homes already have may look similar, but a bidet seat adds a nozzle and a water connection. When you replace a standard soft close toilet seat with a soft close bidet seat, you keep the gentle close and add a wash.

Soft Close Toilet Seat NZ: Standard Seat or Bidet Seat?

If you are replacing a soft close toilet seat, NZ homes have two main options:

•       Standard soft close toilet seat: A seat and lid with soft-close hinges and no wash.

•       Soft close bidet seat: A bidet toilet seat with soft-close hinges and a water wash.

A soft close bidet seat replaces the seat on the toilet you already have, in the same place as your current toilet seat. Your toilet bowl and cistern stay in place. This is why people searching for a soft close toilet seat NZ wide also compare a bidet seat New Zealand homes can fit.

Replacing a Soft Close Toilet Seat NZ Homes Already Have

If you already have a soft close toilet seat, NZ homes can swap it for a soft close bidet seat in the same position on the toilet. Before you remove your soft close toilet seat, NZ buyers can check three things: the toilet shape, the water inlet side and whether there is a power point near the toilet. These checks tell you whether a non electric bidet seat or a smart bidet toilet seat matches your bathroom. People also ask "how much is a smart toilet with bidet" at this stage, because a smart toilet replaces the whole toilet, while a soft close bidet seat replaces only the seat.

Types of Soft Close Bidet Seat in the Conor Range

There are three main types of bidet in the Conor range: the non electric bidet seat, the smart bidet toilet seat and the portable bidet sprayer.

Non Electric Bidet Seat

A non electric bidet seat runs on household water pressure, so it needs no power point. The Conor Elara non electric bidet seat 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 non electric bidet toilet seat comes as a D shape bidet toilet seat and an O shape bidet toilet seat, each with a left or right water inlet. You can compare both in the Conor non electric bidet seat collection.

A non electric bidet seat is a soft close bidet seat option for a bathroom without a power point near the toilet.

Smart Bidet Toilet Seat

A smart bidet toilet seat is an electric bidet toilet seat that replaces your toilet seat. It heats the water as you use it and adds a heated seat and a warm air dryer. A smart bidet toilet seat needs a power point near the toilet.

The Conor Lyra smart bidet toilet seat has warm water, an adjustable heated seat, a warm air dryer, a deodoriser, a self-cleaning nozzle and rear, front and massage wash options, controlled from a side panel. Other models in the Conor smart bidet seat collection have a side knob, a remote control or a lid that opens and closes on its own.

A smart toilet seat is another name for a smart bidet toilet seat. Each smart toilet seat in the range is an electric bidet toilet seat, so you will see the three names used for the same type of seat.

Portable Bidet Sprayer

A portable bidet sprayer holds its own water and requires no permanent plumbing connection or installation, so there is no seat to change. An electric portable bidet is a rechargeable portable bidet sprayer that sprays water at the press of a button. The Conor portable bidet sprayer collection includes options for home and travel.

A portable bidet sprayer is an option if you want to keep your current soft close toilet seat and add a water wash without changing the toilet or plumbing.

D Shape Bidet Seat or O Shape Bidet Seat?

The shape of your toilet is one of the details that decides which soft close 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. Conor offers D shape smart and non electric seats, while Elara is also available in O shape.

How to Check Your Toilet 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 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.

D Shape Bidet Toilet Seat

A D shape bidet toilet seat is made for D shape toilets. The Elara D shape bidet seat is a non electric bidet toilet seat with a soft-closing seat and cover. The Conor smart bidet toilet seat range is also made for D shape toilets, so if your toilet is D shape, you can compare a non electric bidet seat with a smart bidet toilet seat.

O Shape Bidet Toilet Seat

An O shape bidet toilet seat is made for O shape toilets. The Elara O shape bidet seat is a non electric bidet toilet seat with the same wash system as the D shape bidet seat, including front and rear wash, a side lever and a soft-closing seat and cover.

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

Fit: What to Check Before You Order

Fit is the first part of choosing a soft close bidet seat. Here is what to check for any bidet seat New Zealand homes can fit.

•       Shape: D shape bidet seat or O shape bidet seat.

•       Water inlet side: Left or right. The Elara non electric bidet seat comes in left and right inlet versions.

•       Mounting holes: The position and spacing of the mounting holes at the back of the toilet.

•       Space behind the seat: The space between the mounting holes and the cistern or wall.

•       Power point: For an electric bidet toilet seat or smart bidet toilet seat, check for a power point near the toilet. 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.

Compare these details with the product page for each soft close bidet seat before you order.

Feel: Soft Close and Comfort Settings

Feel is the second part of choosing a soft close bidet seat. Here is what each feature does.

Soft-Close Seat and Lid

A soft close bidet seat lowers the seat and lid gently. 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.

Wash Settings

•       Non electric bidet seat: Front and rear wash, with a side lever to adjust the water pressure.

•       Smart bidet toilet seat: Rear and front wash, adjustable water pressure, water temperature and nozzle position, with extra wash modes on selected models.

Warm Seat and Drying

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

Controls

•       Side lever: The Elara non electric bidet seat.

•       Side panel: The Lyra smart bidet toilet seat.

•       Side knob, remote or automatic lid: Other models in the smart bidet toilet seat range.

Bidet Toilet Seat With Installation Kit

Each Conor bidet seat comes as a bidet toilet seat with installation kit included. The kit has the parts for fitting your soft close bidet seat, along with a manual. The Elara non electric bidet seat kit includes a hose and T-valve, and the Lyra smart bidet toilet seat comes with its own installation kit.

When you compare a bidet toilet seat with installation kit options, check:

•       The parts listed in the kit on the product page.

•       The manual and any instruction video linked on the product page.

•       Whether you need a power point for an electric bidet toilet seat.

Keep the kit, manual and packaging together until your bidet toilet seat is fitted.

Best Bidet Toilet Seat: What to Compare

There is no single best bidet toilet seat for every bathroom. The best bidet toilet seat for your home is the one that matches your toilet and the way you want to wash. When you compare each soft close bidet seat, look at:

5.    Type: Non electric bidet seat, smart bidet toilet seat or portable bidet sprayer.

6.    Shape: D shape bidet toilet seat or O shape bidet toilet seat.

7.    Water inlet side: Left or right.

8.    Power: Whether there is a power point near the toilet for an electric bidet toilet seat.

9.    Controls: Side lever, side panel, side knob, remote or automatic lid.

10.  Soft close: Whether the seat and lid close gently.

Use this list to compare each bidet seat New Zealand homes can use, then choose the best bidet toilet seat for your own bathroom.

Smart Toilets: Integrated Bidet Toilet Seat Options

Some people looking at a smart toilet seat also compare a smart toilet, which has an integrated bidet toilet seat. An integrated bidet toilet seat is built into the toilet itself, so the bowl, bidet and seat come in one unit. Electric toilets for homes like this replace the whole toilet suite rather than only the seat.

Smart Toilet Seat or Integrated Bidet Toilet Seat?

•       Smart toilet seat: Replaces only your toilet seat. Your toilet bowl and cistern stay in place.

•       Integrated bidet toilet seat: Part of a smart toilet that replaces the whole toilet.

If you want to keep your toilet, a smart toilet seat or soft close bidet seat is the option to look at. If you are renovating and replacing the toilet, you may compare electric toilets for homes with an integrated bidet toilet seat.

How Much Is a Smart Toilet With Bidet?

People ask "how much is a smart toilet with bidet" when they compare a smart toilet with a smart bidet toilet seat. The answer depends on the model and its features, such as the controls, the automatic lid and the drying settings. A smart toilet with an integrated bidet toilet seat replaces the whole toilet, while a smart bidet toilet seat replaces only the seat. Check the current details on each product page when you compare them.

Electric Bidet Toilet Seat or Non Electric Bidet Toilet Seat?

When you look at a bidet seat New Zealand homes can fit, the first choice is electric or non-electric.

•       Electric bidet toilet seat: A smart bidet toilet seat that heats the water and the seat, with a warm air dryer. It needs a power point near the toilet.

•       Non electric bidet toilet seat: A non electric bidet seat that runs on household water pressure, using water at the temperature supplied by the household water connection, with a soft-closing seat and cover and no power point needed.

Both are soft close bidet seat options. Choose the electric bidet toilet seat if you want warm water and a heated seat, or the non electric bidet toilet seat if you want a wash with no power.

Electric Portable Bidet and Portable Bidet Sprayer

If you are not ready to change your toilet seat, an electric portable bidet is another option. An electric portable bidet is a rechargeable portable bidet sprayer that holds its own water. You fill it with water, aim the nozzle and press.

A portable bidet sprayer needs no permanent plumbing connection, so it can be used in many bathrooms, with or without a soft close bidet seat. Empty the reservoir before travel and check your airline and airport requirements for rechargeable devices and liquids. Compare each portable bidet sprayer in the Conor portable bidet sprayer collection.

Soft Close Bidet Seat for Different Bathrooms

Different bathrooms and households may want different things from a soft close bidet seat. Here is how the Conor range lines up:

•       Main bathroom: A smart bidet toilet seat with warm water, a heated seat and a warm air dryer, if there is a power point near the toilet.

•       Ensuite: A smart toilet seat with a side panel, such as the Lyra smart bidet toilet seat, so the controls stay on the seat.

•       Guest bathroom: A non electric bidet seat with one side lever, as a D shape bidet toilet seat or O shape bidet toilet seat.

•       Bathroom without a power point: A non electric bidet toilet seat that runs on household water pressure.

•       Rented home or travel: A portable bidet sprayer or electric portable bidet, with no plumbing installation.

Each soft close bidet seat in the Conor range replaces the seat on your existing toilet, so check the fit details on the product page for each bathroom.

Bidet Seat New Zealand: Step-by-Step Choosing Guide

Here is a step-by-step way to choose a bidet seat New Zealand homes can fit.

11.  Check the shape: Look at your toilet from above and decide whether you need a D shape bidet seat or an O shape bidet seat.

12.  Check the inlet: Note whether the water inlet is on the left or the right.

13.  Check the power point: Decide whether an electric bidet toilet seat or a non electric bidet toilet seat matches your bathroom.

14.  Choose the type: Compare a non electric bidet seat, a smart bidet toilet seat and a portable bidet sprayer.

15.  Choose the controls: Side lever, side panel, side knob, remote or automatic lid.

16.  Check the kit: Look at the parts in each bidet toilet seat with installation kit.

17.  Compare the product pages: Read the details on each product page, then choose your soft close bidet seat.

If you are still deciding between a smart toilet seat and electric toilets for homes with an integrated bidet toilet seat, start with step one. If you want to keep your toilet, a smart toilet seat or non electric bidet seat is the option to look at.

Electric Toilets for Homes: What to Compare

If you are renovating, you may compare electric toilets for homes with a smart bidet toilet seat. Electric toilets for homes with an integrated bidet toilet seat replace the whole toilet suite. When you compare electric toilets for homes, look at:

•       Controls: Remote, side knob or display.

•       Automatic features: Automatic lid and automatic flushing.

•       Water pressure: The water pressure in your home.

•       Layout: The position of the waste outlet and the space around the toilet.

•       Power: A power point near the toilet.

If you would rather keep your current toilet, compare a smart toilet seat or soft close bidet seat instead of electric toilets for homes.

Caring for Your Soft Close Bidet Seat

Looking after your soft close bidet seat keeps the seat, lid and hinges in working order. These steps apply to a non electric bidet seat and a smart bidet toilet 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.

•       Let the seat and lid close on their own rather than pushing them down.

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

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

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

For a portable bidet sprayer, empty the water after use and let it dry.

Soft Close Bidet Seat: Summary

•       For a wash with no power: A non electric bidet seat, as a D shape bidet toilet seat or O shape bidet toilet seat.

•       For warm water and a heated seat: A smart bidet toilet seat or electric bidet toilet seat.

•       For no plumbing installation: A portable bidet sprayer or electric portable bidet.

•       For a renovation: A smart toilet with an integrated bidet toilet seat.

Compare the Conor non electric bidet seat collection, the Conor smart bidet seat collection and the Conor portable bidet sprayer collection to choose the soft close bidet seat for your bathroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a soft close bidet seat?

A soft close bidet seat is a bidet toilet seat with hinges that lower the seat and lid gently when you let go. It adds a water wash to your toilet and replaces your current toilet seat.

Is a soft close bidet seat the same as a soft close toilet seat?

A soft close toilet seat has soft-close hinges and no wash. A soft close bidet seat has soft-close hinges and a water wash, with a nozzle and a water connection.

Do I need a D shape bidet seat or an O shape bidet seat?

Look at your toilet from above and compare it with the D shape bidet seat and O shape bidet seat on the Conor product pages. 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. Also check the mounting holes, the space behind the seat and the water inlet side.

Does the Conor non electric bidet seat have a soft-close seat?

Yes. The Conor Elara non electric bidet seat has a soft-closing seat and cover, with front and rear wash and a side lever to adjust the water pressure.

Does a smart bidet toilet seat need a power point?

Yes. A smart bidet toilet seat or electric bidet toilet seat needs a power point near the toilet. If there isn’t one, a licensed electrician can install it. A non electric bidet seat needs no power point. A portable bidet sprayer needs no power point near the toilet, but a rechargeable model needs charging.

What is an integrated bidet toilet seat?

An integrated bidet toilet seat is built into a smart toilet, with the bowl, bidet and seat in one unit. A smart toilet seat is different, because it replaces only your toilet seat.

How much is a smart toilet with bidet?

It depends on the model and its features. A smart toilet with an integrated bidet toilet seat replaces the whole toilet, while a smart bidet toilet seat replaces only the seat. Check the current details on each product page.

What comes with a bidet toilet seat with installation kit?

Each Conor bidet seat comes with an installation kit and a manual. The parts in each kit are listed on the product page.

What is the best bidet toilet seat?

The best bidet toilet seat is the one that matches your toilet shape, water inlet side, power point and the features you want. Compare a non electric bidet seat, a smart bidet toilet seat and a portable bidet sprayer.

What is an electric portable bidet?

An electric portable bidet is a rechargeable portable bidet sprayer that holds its own water. It requires no permanent plumbing connection or installation, so you can use it at home or when you travel.

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

Yes. A smart toilet seat and a smart bidet toilet seat are two names for an electric bidet toilet seat that replaces your toilet seat and adds warm water, a heated seat and a warm air dryer.

Can I use a portable bidet sprayer with a soft close toilet seat?

Yes. A portable bidet sprayer holds its own water and requires no permanent plumbing connection or installation, so you can keep your soft close toilet seat and use the portable bidet sprayer alongside it.

Where can I buy a bidet seat in New Zealand?

You can order a Conor bidet seat online from conors.co.nz. Each product page has the details and photos for each soft close bidet seat, smart bidet toilet seat and portable bidet sprayer.