Bathroom Breakdown: Understanding Bidet Showers and Hoses
Updated: Dec. 21, 2021Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
If you're interested in toilet paper alternatives, consider a bidet shower. They're simple, effective, inexpensive and easy to install.
Traditional bidets are basin-shaped fixtures permanently installed on a bathroom floor and designed to let you wash your private parts rather than wipe them with toilet paper. Bidets are often marketed as a more economical, hygienic and environmentally-friendly alternative to toilet paper.
Standard bidets are stand-alone units typically installed near the toilet. But what if you’re interested in this clean and simple toilet paper alternative, but don’t have the know-how, space or budget to add a traditional bidet to your bathroom? That’s where bidet showers and hoses come in.
How Bidet Showers Work
A bidet shower or bidet hose isn’t exactly what it sounds like. Other than the ability to spray water, it has nothing to do with standard walk-in or in-tub bathroom shower. A bidet shower is a flexible rubber or metal hose that connects to your toilet’s water supply line on one end. At the other end is a hand-operated shower head designed to cleanse you when you squeeze the trigger with your thumb or forefinger. And a hand-held bidet isn’t just for cleaning you up. You can use one to clean your toilet, shower, bathtub or cloth diapers. You can even use a bidet shower to bathe your pets.
Choosing a Bidet Shower
There are many models available, ranging from $30 to $80 or more depending on how fancy and well-engineered you go. Many models have adjustable nozzles, allowing varying water pressure and spray patterns.
If you’re after a simple but high-quality bidet shower, Abedoe makes a stainless steel unit with excellent reviews. On the higher end, SonTiy makes a solid brass bidet shower with lots of spray settings and parts made to last a lifetime.
Here’s a bidet shower from SmarterFresh designed to thread onto your bathroom sink tap, allowing hot and cold water flow and thus a more pleasant bidet experience.
Pros and Cons of Bidet Showers
As convenient and environmentally friendly as bidet showers are, they’re not for everyone. One reason is water temperature. Most hand-operated models connect directly to your toilet’s water supply line, which means the water will be cold. Higher end models are also capable of generating lots of water pressure — enough to penetrate the rectum if you’re not careful — potentially leading to health problems. Still, for the responsible user, a bidet shower is easy to install and refreshing, all without the hassles of toilet paper.
