Quite often, when the issue of restricted physical mobility comes up, many people dismiss it as a problem of the elderly. Although this can be true, there are many exceptions.
When you think of the word “youth”, you think freedom, vitality and strength! As such, we tend to take life’s simple pleasures for granted such as walking, bathing, eating, and using the toilet. They are simple daily motions, at least for most, that aren’t usually given much thought.
Now picture this:
- A young gymnast lands incorrectly, dislocates her knee, and is told she will need to wear a knee brace for six weeks to recover adequate mobility in the affected area
- A teenager who suddenly finds it difficult to walk, later finds out that he has an incurable degenerative disease
- An ambitious Wall Street thirty-something man is struck down by a hit and run driver while on his way home. He wakes up in the ICU and is told his hip surgery will put him out of commission for at least six months
These three cases, much like the elderly, have difficulty sitting and standing up and may need help doing so. Suddenly, a simple bathroom break becomes a much dreaded and tedious activity that is mentally and physically draining. The days you could just plop down on your toilet seat are temporarily, if not permanently, on hold.
Fret not, we bring you good news. You can regain some bathroom-break independence by upgrading your old standard toilet seat with a new and nifty accessory. A simple installation of a toilet seat riser can make your life much easier; and we have taken the liberty of simplifying your options in our review.
A toilet seat riser is a basic toilet aid for the physically challenged; it is normally placed on your standard toilet seat bowl to add more height, about two to six inches, so you don’t have to bend your hips and knees as much. When shopping for the ideal toilet seat riser, you need to factor in the size, shape and functionality. The higher the toilet seat riser the more comfort it can provide. But be careful to pick one that ensures your feet stay planted on the floor as a higher level may create some unbalance.
Standard toilet bowl shape can be compact, elongated or round; so be sure to get a complimentary toilet seat riser that will not compromise the fit and stability. While some toilet seat risers are placed over
the existing toilet seats, other models are placed under the toilet seat. The second option is sometimes preferred for it has a more natural look. There are also toilet seat risers that are designed for short, medium, or the long-term use. The level of your disability determines which is more suitable. All our featured toilet seat risers are made from durable plastic materials that are odor-free and easy to clean.
Let’s guide you through the things you need to know to pick the best one.
Price
For about $20 to $80 you will get a sturdy, durable and well-framed toilet seat riser. A fair price, you would agree, for the freedom to take bathroom breaks at your own leisure. While plain and simple toilet risers will cost you less, you will have to dole out a little more for the plush and aesthetically pleasing ones. Rest assured, whatever choice you make from among our reviewed items will be true value for money as we disregarded all substandard and cheap toilet seat risers from our research.
Features
As the most basic form of toilet aid, a toilet seat riser should at the very least give you some measure of independence and comfort. To make sure that you get maximum use out of your purchase, there are crucial factors you need to consider that will help guide your decision. These factors include:
- Type
- Height
- Weight Capacity
- Material
- Size
Let’s now look at these in some details.
Construction and Design
All toilet seat risers are made from plastic materials. Our featured brands are manufactured from exceptionally sturdy plastic that can withstand multiple uses without breaking, wobbling or becoming distorted. They are also stain-resistant, odor-proof, and capable of holding up to 300 pounds or in some models, up to 400 pounds.
The type of toilet you have will also affect your options of toilet seat risers. An elongated toilet bowl will require an elongated seat toilet riser. However, if you are getting a portable and removable toilet seat riser, it is advisable to get a universal fit that accommodates all toilet bowl types. They also vary in designs and safety mechanisms. Locked toilet seat risers utilize the lock, clamps, and bolt mechanism while the non-locking toilet seat risers have non-slip pads to keep them firmly attached to the toilet seat.
Most of the toilet seat risers designed for short term or travel use are lightweight and portable for easy movement and do not require any tool for installation. They come with non-slip pads that attach directly over existing toilet seats. These types of toilet seat risers are also more suitable for people who are independently stable on their feet. There are also toilet seat risers with locking device and frontal clamps which are ideal for medium term use and provide more stability. The toilet seat risers meant for some more permanent installations are usually bolted directly onto the toilet bowl with the original toilet seat placed over it. These are for long term use and provide maximum support; especially ideal for the permanently disabled.
Some of these toilet seat risers are fitted with supportive arms that are either fixed or detachable to give additional support while sitting down or getting up from the toilet. There are versions that are fitted with arms and legs, and all that is needed is to place it over your toilet, provided you get the right fit. These are ideal for a multi-person household as they can be easily moved to the side when not in use to accommodate guests and other members of the family. Another design that works perfectly for a family setting is the hinged design, which allows the toilet seat riser to be lifted along with the normal toilet seat, useful for able men in the house that urinate standing up.
Performance and Ease of Use
Toilet seat risers come in five height categories, 2, 3.5, 4, 5 and 6 inches. The most ideal for you is the one that allows the least hip and knee movement, whilst still having your feet fully planted on the floor. All the toilet seat risers we reviewed are sturdy and stable but the bolted ones are the most secure. These locked toilet seat risers are preferred over the non-locking ones for their extra safety feature. For short term use, however, non-locking toilet seat risers are recommended as they can be quickly uninstalled when no longer needed.
The best toilet seat risers are made from sturdy, odor-free and stain-resistant plastic that is very simple to clean. They are designed to be comfortable with contoured surfaces for ease, extended lips for stability and cut-outs for easy lifting. The portable ones are lightweight and easy to move around or travel with.
Your specific disability determines your options. If you are recovering from a minor injury, you would need a toilet seat riser that would serve you for a short time. For a more extensive injury, the medium term ones with additional features would suit best. For the elderly and physically challenged, a permanent option that installs and clamps securely is advisable.
Do you need a four-inch riser, or the two-inch variant? Do you want one with arm rests, or just something portable? Different people want toilet seat risers for different reasons and our buying guide has shown you all you need to know before making this important choice. Read through our product review and discover the best toilet seat riser for you.
You’re done reading our review! We really hope you’re now equipped with the relevant information that will help you choose the perfect toilet seat riser.
