Last Updated on December 15, 2025 by Christine Kaaloa

If you’ve traveled to Thailand, you might’ve fallen in love with their hand-held bidet sprayers—those trusty “bum guns” that leave you feeling fresh after every bathroom visit. Or maybe you’ve been to Tokyo, where the high-tech Toto Toilets pamper you with heated seats, water temperature control, and gentle air-drying features that feel more spa than toilet.

Whichever camp you fall into, you’ve probably come home thinking: “Could I bring that kind of bathroom luxury into my own home?” 

The answer is absolutely. But before you run out and buy one, there are a few things to know about the different types of bidets, installation realities and how to choose one that fits your home, budget, and comfort level.

Why my journey with toilets began

My fascination with bidets started before my YouTube channel, back when I first began traveling solo across Asia. After countless encounters with different toilet systems – from squat toilets in India to bum guns in Thailand– I realized that every country had its own, brilliantly efficient approach to hygiene.

Eventually, I wanted that same clean, eco-friendly feeling at home too and it came during Covid lockdown when I was missing travel and we were threatened with toilet paper scarcity.

So, I did what most DIY travelers would do- hit the internet, crowd-sourced advice from my followers and dove into researching the world of bidets myself.

Types of Bidets: Which Is Right for You?

1. Standalone Bidets

These are the classic European-type bidets that look like a second toilet bowl beside the real one. They’re plumber-installed and generally the most expensive option. Unless you’re remodeling, these aren’t the most practical for most homeowners. Costs from $500-$1,000

2. Electric Bidet Toilets (a.k.a. the Luxury Option)

Common across Japan and Korea, electric bidet toilets like Toto Washlet toilet  come loaded with features:

• Heated seats

• Adjustable spray pressure and temperature

• Air drying

• Nozzle self-cleaning

• Even music options

Costs can run around $300-$400 and it is a self-installation. However, they do require a power outlet near your toilet, which can make installation tricky if your bathroom layout doesn’t easily accommodate that.

For instance, one of my bathrooms has a hallway-like layout, with the outlet at the opposite end. The last thing I wanted was to run an extension cord to my toilet. Not ideal or safe.

3. Bidet Seat Attachments

These are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to upgrade your existing toilet. The bidet simply attaches beneath your current toilet seat, connects to your water supply and you’re ready to go.

They typically cost between $40–$60 and can be installed in under 15 minutes without hiring professional help. My pick was the Luxe Neo 180 and 320. They offer dual washing features -rear + feminine spray positions , adjustable water pressure and an easy self-cleaning function. Mine took me literally almost ten minutes to install and I was shocked how do-it-yourself easy it was!

4. Hand-Held Bidet Sprayer (Bum Gun)

Hand-held bidet sprayer toilets -aka bum guns- are portable sprayers that are iconic in Southeast Asia and cost approximately $14–$20 making them the most budget-friendly and effective. They look like kitchen-sink sprayers and install easily using basic plumbing connections.

You get full manual control of direction and pressure, which is great for targeted cleaning or even rinsing bathroom floors if your shower and toilet share a main drain, like bathrooms you see in Korea or in Asia.

A few users with hand-held models noted leaks from pressure buildup if the valve wasn’t turned off after use so, you may want to shut off the sprayer when not in use. Check out this popular hand-held bidet sprayer on Amazon to get started.

Read my guide on how hand-held bidet sprayer toilets work

5. Portable or Travel Bidets

For travelers or digital nomads, a portable travel bidet is a compact, squeeze-bottle-style device that fits in your luggage. It’s perfect when you’re abroad or camping and want to maintain that fresh, clean feeling anywhere in the world.

Bidet Buying Guide: What to Know Before You Buy a Bidet

When I started researching, I did not know the pros and cons of bidet types or what might make the wise investment in the long run. So I put it out to my followers on social media, asking for recommendations and was pleasantly surprised by how many of my travel followers were inspired by international toilet solutions and had purchased home bidet models.  Here were considerations they shared with me:

When deciding on a bidet, think beyond the comfort and consider practicality, maintenance and your daily routine.

Questions to ask when investing in a bidet:

• Installation: Can I install it myself, or do I need a plumber?

• Does it include all assembly parts and tools, or will I need a trip to the hardware store?

• Electrical: Is my toilet near an electrical outlet if I go with an electric model?

• Water Pressure: Do reviews mention long-term issues like leaks or water pressure problems in plumbing? 

• Washing & Water Pressure Adjustment features: Will my household benefit from dual wash features (rear + feminine)? One reviewer I read mentioned she felt like she was going to shoot off her vagina. 

• Temperature Features: How cold does it get in my climate? Would warm water or warm seats be a game-changer?

Pro tip: Read reviews carefully.

My Luxe Neo 180 Bidet Review

After lots of debating, I bought and installed the Luxe Neo 180 bidet seat attachment. It checked all my boxes:

• Non-electric (no outlet needed)
• Dual wash system (feminine + rear)
• Self-cleaning nozzle
• Adjustable water pressure
• Simple installation: It was insanely easy to install—took about ten minutes!

After years of use, here’s my verdict-

• It delivers a strong, effective clean (sometimes too strong, so you have to be slow when adjusting your pressure setting! There are times the water pressure gets strong and i’m either giving myself an enema or a feminine douche. There are weird advantages to this once you get past the initial learning curve -such as it shoots out the residual bits and thoroughly cleans you off during menstration.

• It’s been a game-changer for hygiene and comfort and I miss it when I use other toilets, especially public toilets.

• Initially, I used to think the hand-held sprayer might be a little gentler since it sprays from a downward angle rather than upward into sensitive areas, but with time, I’ve found my choice was perfect for me.

Still, for a low-cost, no-electricity solution, I’m very happy with it.

If you’re curious about how I installed my Luxe Neo 180 and how it holds up after a month, you can watch my full review and installation video here:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OPoLe-NumA&vol=0&width=800&height=450[/embedyt]

Wrapping Up: Finding Your Perfect Bidet

Bidets aren’t just about luxury anymore—they’re practical, eco-friendly, and increasingly standard worldwide. Whether you go for a $20 bum gun or a $1,000 deluxe bidet toilet, you’ll likely never want to go back to toilet paper alone.

 Which type of bidet is right for you? What questions do you have for this bidet buying guide?

I film all my travels solo—funded by my own resourcefulness, occasional sponsors, and viewers like you. If my bathroom adventures inspire you, consider subscribing to my channel or joining our supportive community on Patreon, where I share behind-the-scenes content and live chats.

Until the world safely reopens for travel, I’m using this time in Hawaii to share gear tips, home travel hacks, and creative ways to keep your wanderlust alive.