The Wirecutter Show – The Bidet Episode

Date: August 20, 2025
Hosts: Christine Cyr Clisset (A), Caira Blackwell (C), Rosie Guerin (D)
Guest: Doug Mahoney (B), Wirecutter Senior Staff Writer

Episode Overview

In this engaging and candid episode, the Wirecutter team takes on the world of bidets—how they work, who needs one, and which models are the best for your bathroom and budget. The show balances expert advice (from guest Doug Mahoney, Wirecutter's bidet-testing guru) with lively personal anecdotes and practical installation tips. By the end, even the bidet-curious should feel ready to upgrade their bathroom experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Bidet Journeys and Mindset Shift

• Rosie ("bidet curious") opens up about her interest in trying a bidet, prompting the original "Team Bidet" (Christine and Caira) to share their first experiences.
  • Christine: “I was at a Japanese hotel in LA...I was like, oh, I don’t know, it’s got a lot of buttons…But I tried it and it was like discovering what a shower was. I was like, I'm finally clean.” (02:27–02:45)
  • Caira: “My first experience with the bidet, I was studying abroad in Shanghai…I went from squatting over a hole...to having this beautiful, like, Toto Washlet, and it changed my life.” (02:48–03:10)
• The team positions bidets as both a technological upgrade and a new level of personal comfort.
• Christine: “Once you get a bidet, there’s kind of no going back.” (01:58–02:05)

2. Bidet 101: History, Terminology, and Who Needs One

• Fun facts via Doug Mahoney’s quiz:
  • Napoleon had a silver bidet he left to his son. (06:51–07:15)
  • Modern bidets hit the US market in the 1980s, primarily via Toto. (07:36–08:04)
  • “Bidet” is French for “pony,” referencing the straddling posture. (08:30–08:43)
• Who needs a bidet?
  Doug: “Everyone needs a bidet. What you hear from bidet users is that they just generally they feel cleaner. It’s like your butt just got out of the shower.”
  • Also, especially beneficial for people with limited mobility, injury recovery, young kids, and those with septic systems. (10:29–11:41)
  • Christine adds: “They are so helpful for anyone...having trouble getting things clean. This can be a tool to really help make things accessible and preserve people’s dignity.” (11:41–12:12)

3. Testing Methodology & Product Longevity

• Doug tests nearly 30 bidets at home with his family and sends picks for long-term testing across the team.
  • Focus is not just on cleaning power (all models are effective), but on usability: control interfaces, comfort, pressure, seat fit, durability. (13:29–14:20)
  • Example: “Sometimes the seats are uncomfortable. Sometimes the electronics and the water heater make the inner seat too small. Sometimes the pressure is extremely strong. Sometimes it might not be strong enough.” (13:53–14:13)

4. Bathroom Compatibility & Installation Prep

• Most bidets are compatible with standard toilets; French-curve models may require special fits.
• Essential: Confirm the toilet’s water shutoff valve works (important for installation and avoiding home water shutoff).
• Warm water models require a nearby electrical outlet; extension cords are not recommended. (14:43–16:29)

5. Bidet Types & Budgeting

• Entry-level: Basic, cold-water attachments ($25–$60).
• Mid-range: Cold water, integrated into replacement seats, more discreet ($60–$100).
• Premium: Warm water, advanced features, remote controls, designer looks ($400–$650+). The top-tier Toto Neorest models can reach $25,000, “modeled after a river stone.” (16:58–17:32)
  • Doug: “There is clearly a bidet for every budget.” (16:58–17:01)

6. How Bidets Actually Work

• Cold water models: Simple T-fitting redirects toilet supply line to nozzle.
• Warm water models: Add electronics, retractable/self-cleaning nozzles, drying fans (often more of a gesture than a full dryer, according to Doug).
• Self-cleaning and even UV cleaning available in higher-end models. (19:41–21:12, 22:31–22:44)

7. Toilet Paper Savings & Real-Life Use

• Warm water models include fans, but full drying takes longer (some still use a small amount of TP).
• Christine, Caira, and Doug all agree they use significantly less toilet paper with a bidet. (22:15–23:32)

8. Top Wirecutter Bidet Recommendations

(timestamps refer to when recommendations are introduced/described in detail)

• Budget Pick: BioBidet Slim Edge Attachment (25:18–26:28)
  • Cold water, simple installation, reliable brand; ~$45.
  • "It's definitely a good beginner one." (25:44)
• Mid-Range: Brondell Eco Seat (26:31–27:14)
  • Cold water, integrated seat, discreet; ~$90.
  • "Very, very discreet...aim seems to be better."
• Premium/Luxe: Toto S5 (and previously C5) (27:14–28:43)
  • Warm water, premium features, remote; $550–$650.
  • “It is just, just fantastic in all the ways that you want a bidet to be fantastic.”
  • S2 version (side-panel control) at ~$400–$500.

9. Installation, Cleaning, and Renter Friendliness

• Doug: "It's not very hard at all. I can do it in, like, 10 minutes or less...you just need a wrench and a screwdriver." (30:25–31:04)
  • Key tip: After installation, dry all fittings, then turn on the water to check for leaks.
• Uninstallation is even faster; very renter-friendly.
• Cleaning: Modern models have “quick-release” features for deep cleaning; standard bathroom cleaners suffice.
  • Caira: "I've moved eight times...I've left every bidet...kind of just grossed out...How do you recommend people clean their bidets?"
  • Doug: "You can pretty much just clean it like you would anything else in a toilet...Warm water models, they all have a little quick release button..." (31:50–32:31)

10. Final Reflections and Takeaways

• Christine: “This whole episode confirmed for me that I am definitely ready to upgrade to a nicer Toto.” (34:35–34:42)
• Rosie: “If I get a bidet, I’m going heated seat. I’m going blow dryer.” (35:04–35:26)
• Caira: “I need to just get the bidet that I actually want...I’m gonna splurge a little bit.” (35:43–36:01)
• Christine: “Life is too short? Get the thing you want. And I’m so pro bidet.” (36:01–36:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Everyone needs a bidet. What you hear from bidet users is that they just generally they feel cleaner. It's like your butt just got out of the shower." — Doug Mahoney (10:29–10:36)
• “Bidet is French for pony or small horse....you have to straddle a bidet as if you were riding a horse.” — Doug Mahoney (08:30–08:43)
• On installation: “Basically you just need a wrench and a screwdriver...once you’re done, just dry everything off…and then turn the water on, because then you know if there’s any moisture…that turns into a leak.” — Doug Mahoney (30:25–31:26)
• “Life is too short. Get the thing you want. And I’m so pro bidet.” — Christine (36:01–36:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Bidet Curiosity & First Experiences: 01:14–03:16
• Bidet History & Terminology Quiz: 06:46–09:03
• Who Needs a Bidet? 10:05–11:41
• Testing & Product Evaluation: 12:20–14:20
• Bathroom Compatibility & Installation Needs: 14:43–16:29
• Types, Pricing, and Decision Tree: 16:58–17:53
• How Bidets Work: 19:25–22:04
• Toilet Paper & Dryer Debate: 22:15–23:32
• Top Bidet Picks & Recommendations: 25:18–28:43
• Installation/Uninstall/Cleaning Tips: 29:33–32:41
• Hosts’ Reflections & Takeaways: 34:26–36:08

Summary Table: Top Recommended Bidets

| Budget | Brand/Model | Features | Price Range | |---------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------| | Entry | BioBidet Slim Edge | Cold water, under-seat attachment, basic | ~$45 | | Mid-Range | Brondell Eco Seat | Cold water, integrated seat, discreet | ~$90 | | Premium/Luxe | Toto S5 (S2 side panel) | Warm water, remote/panel, self-cleaning | $400–$650 |

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re on the fence about adding a bidet to your bathroom or considering an upgrade, this episode offers everything you need: honest product picks, installation confidence, and a nudge to prioritize your own comfort. As Christine and Caira note, “There’s kind of no going back”—and neither, apparently, should you.

For more: Check out Wirecutter’s detailed bidet guide and cleaning tips on their website.