Automatic lids and self-cleaning: Are these next gen toilets smarter than us?

We’ve got smartphones, smart fridges and smart doorbells and now even the humble loo is getting smarter, with new designs boasting a bunch of features you never knew you needed.

First gaining popularity in Japan, the original smart toilets were a traditional toilet with a bidet attachment that allows you to control water and air pressure – and now they’ve hit our shores. Thanks to advances in technology and a raft of improved features and functionality, popularity for modern smart toilets has surged in Australia, too.

“We will see a rise in smart toilets in the home, which were previously viewed only as luxe additions to hotels and resorts,” says David Richardson, the national buyer of bathroom ware at Beaumont Tiles.

“Smart toilets are definitely going to make an impact here in Australia, this year and beyond. It’s all a bit whiz-bang in the toilet space.”

What is a smart toilet and how do they work?

A smart toilet looks just like a regular toilet, only these are a lot more advanced and have built-in smart technology designed to make sitting on the throne more convenient and enjoyable.

They may not be able to do your taxes or cook your dinner but they can do almost everything else.

Most models come with a raft of innovative features including soft-close lids, personalised wash and dry, night lights and a precision flush. Advanced models will eliminate odour, are self-cleaning and can play music. Heated seats will warm your toosh on a chilly morning and auto-opening (and closing) lids and seats mean screaming matches about who’s left the toilet seat up will be a thing of the past. 

“Those sorts of features just makes things easier and gives you more time for the things you actually want to do,” Smart Toilet Australia director Violetta Hartley says.

“It’s about making life easier and a focus on hygiene, and I think this is why we’re going to see them become more of a mainstream item rather than a niche product. They take technology and cleanliness to the next level in the bathroom.”

What are the benefits?

They’re hygienic

“With COVID, there’s definitely been an increase in people’s awareness of the importance of hygiene,” Hartley says, adding she noticed a surge in traffic and enquiries last year due to the pandemic.

With automated and hands-free functionality reducing the need to touch the toilet, and wash and dry functions eliminating the need for toilet paper, smart toilets can be considered more hygienic than your standard ones.

With a push of a button, the toilet seat lifts when it’s needed, flushes according to the business you’ve done in there, and then closes again once you’re done.

“I think the most important thing is the personal hygiene part of it. I think most people [are installing them] mostly for personal hygiene,” Hartley says.

They’re self-cleaning

No one likes the job of cleaning the toilet, and why would you? Rather than face a waft of suspicious smells and objects, a smart toilet can do the cleaning for you.

Most models offer some sort of pre and post-clean and have a special ceramic glaze on the bowl.

Smart Toilet Australia loos have sensors in the seat that detect when you’ve sat down and pre-wet the bowl with 200 millilitres of water. This, combined with the special glaze, ensures that no waste matter sticks to the bowl, leaving a mess for some lucky person to scrub off.

“It does make cleaning the toilet much easier because it is self-cleaning. You’re only ever cleaning the lid, not the actual bowl,” Hartley says.

You won’t have to buy toilet paper

While many Australians aren’t au fait with the bidet, Hartley says many of us are now seeing, and feeling, the benefits: “You feel shower-fresh after you use it – you really do feel very clean.”

Richardson adds: “The drying function eliminates the use of toilet paper so there’s a cost-saving benefit, and if there are any future toilet-paper-gate situations in the future, it will eliminate the concern about running out of that.”

They’re water-efficient

Generally, smart toilets use less water than standard systems, and some models have a sensor so they know whether you’ve done a number one or two and flush appropriately, reducing water waste.

They’ll stop the arguments

There will be no more yelling “Who did that?”, “Who left the toilet seat up?” or “I’m not cleaning that” thanks to deodorisation, auto-open and close lids and self-cleaning features. And a lack of arguments is a win in any household.

Do I need one?

Well, that depends. None of us need expensive sports cars or fancy clothes but we like to have them.

If you’re a bit of a tech-head who wants to make the bathroom experience more convenient, then go for it. Or, if you’re concerned about hygiene and interested in lowering water and toilet paper consumption, a smart toilet could also be for you.

But beware, you will be spending a lot of money on your dunny, with most base models starting at about $4000, and up to about $6000 for additional bells and whistles.

Do you want one? You probably do now. And, as Hartley says: “It’s like a whole new experience; once you go there, you can’t go back.”