Heated Toilet Seat vs Bidet Toilet Seat Comparison

Heated Toilet Seat vs Bidet Toilet Seat: What's the Difference?

"Heated toilet seat" and "bidet toilet seat" get used almost interchangeably in Australia, but they're not automatically the same product. A heated toilet seat, strictly speaking, only warms the seat surface. A bidet seat adds a water-wash function, and may or may not include heating at all. Understanding where these two categories overlap - and where they don't - makes it much easier to work out what you actually need.

The Core Difference

A plain heated toilet seat is a seat replacement with a built-in heating element and nothing else - no wash function, no dryer, just a warmer surface to sit on. A bidet toilet seat, by contrast, is built around a water-wash function, and comes in two forms: non-electric, which uses your home's cold water supply and a manual dial with no heating at all, and electric/smart bidet seat, which combines a warm water wash with seat heating, warm air drying, and remote control as standard. In practice, when Australians search for a "heated toilet seat" today, they're usually describing this electric bidet toilet seat category, since that's where seat heating is most commonly found.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which One Should You Buy?

If seat warmth is genuinely your only concern and you don't want a wash function at all, a basic heated-only seat is the cheapest way to solve it, though this category is a shrinking niche in Australia as combined seats have come down in price. If you want a hygiene upgrade on a tight budget and don't mind cold water and no seat heating, a non-electric bidet toilet seat like the Conor Elara covers that. If you want both comfort and hygiene - a warm seat, a warm wash, and a dryer - an electric smart bidet toilet seat is the only category that delivers all three, and it's the option most Australians researching "heated toilet seat" actually end up choosing.

Browse the full range of smart bidet seats to compare current models and pricing.

A Note on Accessibility

For elderly household members, people with limited mobility, or NDIS participants, the choice often comes down to more than comfort. An electric bidet toilet seat's hands-free wash and dry function reduces the need to reach, twist, or grip toilet paper, which can make a meaningful difference to everyday independence and safety. See our Medical & Disability page for more on this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a heated toilet seat without the bidet wash function?

Yes, basic heated-only seats exist, though they're a smaller and less common category in Australia than combined electric bidet toilet seats.

Is a bidet toilet seat automatically heated?

No - non-electric bidet toilet seats are not heated at all. Only electric (smart) bidet seats include seat heating as standard.

Which is cheaper, a heated seat or a bidet seat?

A basic heated-only seat and a non-electric bidet toilet seat sit in a similar low price range. An electric bidet toilet seat costs more but includes both features plus a warm water wash and dryer.

Do I need a plumber for either option? 

Yes - both non-electric and electric bidet toilet seats connect to your home's water supply, so a licensed plumber is required for installation in both cases to meet Australian plumbing standards. Electric models have the added consideration of needing a nearby power point, which may require an electrician as well if one isn't already in place.