The 10 Best Toilet Seat Risers
Updated by · How we research
Ten raised toilet seats compared by fit, height, arms and weight limit. The bolt-on Bemis Independence Assurance leads, then clamp-on, hinged and frame styles. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Check whether your toilet bowl is round or elongated before anything else, because most risers fit only one shape and an opened seat usually can't be returned. A riser adds a few inches so sitting and standing take less bending, for people recovering from hip or knee surgery or living with stiff joints. An occupational therapist can set the right height.
At a Glance
-
1
Bemis Independence Assurance
$153
-
2
Drive Medical 2-in-1
$30
-
3
Carex Riser with Arms
$54
-
4
Medline Locking Raised Toilet Seat
$45
-
5
Kohler Hyten Elevated
$52
-
6
Carex E-Z Lock
$42
-
7
Carex Hinged Toilet Seat Riser
$38
-
8
HealthSmart Portable Riser
$27
-
9
PELEGON Raised Toilet Seat
$77
-
10
Lunderg Solva
$134
Editor's Notes
October 19, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
A bolt-on seat now leads this list. The Bemis Independence Assurance fastens through the same holes as an ordinary seat, so it can't slide the way clamp-on and set-on risers can, and Wirecutter names it its top pick. The page now covers every common style: clamp-on seats with arms, spacers that go under your own seat, a hinged riser, a replacement seat with no arms and a floor-standing frame.
Three earlier picks stay: the Drive Medical 2-in-1, the Carex Hinged Toilet Seat Riser and the Carex E-Z Lock, now in its version with arms, which fits round and elongated bowls. The Buckingham, DMI and Personal Care seats are no longer sold, and the Toilevator, which raises the whole toilet, is now sold mainly by its maker, so it moved to the honors below. We dropped the Essential Medical Supply, AquaSense and Nova models because closer matches here do the same job for less or fit more bowls.
The most useful evidence was a reviewer who used six risers while recovering from a hip replacement. We added makers' weight ratings and fitting instructions, hospital rehab advice on toilet height after hip surgery, and federal recall records, which list no recalls for any of these seats.
November 10, 2020:
As its name implies, the newly added AquaSense Portable is lightweight and takes up little space, making it easy to store away when it’s not needed or to pack it for travel. It’ll add four inches of height to your toilet, and is kept in place via a sturdy flange on the bottom that slides into the bowl. It’s got a generous weight capacity of 400 pounds and can be installed in just a few moments. The Buckingham Freestanding also joins the list, as a viable option for those who don’t need extra height but do require some assistance lifting themselves onto and off of the toilet. It’s got padded armrests and feet, as well as a foot paddle with ridges that lies flush on the floor so that the weight of your body helps keep it stable during use. These two new additions replace the HealthSmart Portable and the Yunga Tart, neither of which are available at this time.
We also replaced the Vive Handled with the Drive Medical Elevated, which features secure padded side handles that can be removed when not needed. Its molded plastic construction makes it lightweight yet durable, and its contoured surface helps keep it comfortable. It attaches firmly via a locking mechanism on its front. For a model with a similar locking system but that does not include handles, look to the Carex E-Z Lock, which can support up to 300 pounds and fits on both round and elongated toilets. This one also stays put with the help of nonslip pads at the back. When choosing a toilet seat riser, make sure it provides the proper amount of added height. Those that are too high or low could actually increase one’s fall risk. It’s also of utmost importance that it fits properly onto your toilet and that it can support your weight properly. Consider getting a bariatric raised toilet seat if a higher weight limit is required.
July 02, 2019:
We wanted to make sure there was an option on our list to suit every person, no matter their injury, age, or disability. For people with severe balance issues that need a high level of support and stability, we have included models that feature grab rails, like the Essential Medical Supply B508, Vive Handled, DMI 522, and Personal Care Products 7007. Of these, the Essential Medical Supply B508 and DMI 522 are the most stable, since they bolt securely onto the toilet. However, the locking mechanism on the Vive Handled is quite effective, so the chances of this one shifting during use are also minimal. The Personal Care Products 7007 is a standalone model that users simply place over their toilet when they want to use it.
If you have decent balance, you may only require an option that provides you with a bit of lift. These are nice because they are slightly less obtrusive than models with grab rails. Of the handleless models on our list that bolt down, the Carex Health Brands 32100 and Nova Medical Products 8345 are the easiest to clean, since they feature a hinged design. If you want something very secure that can be quickly removed for people who don't need a riser, and just as quickly installed for those who do, consider the Carex E-Z Lock. The HealthSmart Portable and Yunga Tart are also quick to install and remove, but they don't bolt down or have any type of locking mechanism, so they are best for people who prefer a bit of lift for comfort but don't have any balance issues.
Of all the options on our list, the The Toilevator might be the most discreet. Unlike most others, which install above a toilet, this one installs below it, allowing you to preserve the classic aesthetic of your bathroom. This does mean however, that installation can be a bit tricky for some, since you will have to unbolt and lift up your entire toilet.
Special Honors
Toilevator The Toilevator takes a different approach: instead of a riser on the seat, it's a base that goes under the toilet and lifts the whole thing about 3.5 inches, so your usual seat and lid stay put. The maker rates it for 500 pounds and also sells a taller version. Fitting it means unbolting the toilet and extending the drain connection, so most people will want a plumber. toilevator.com
Kohler Chair-Height Toilets If the need is permanent and you're remodeling anyway, a chair-height toilet puts the seat at about 17 to 19 inches without any add-on. Kohler's Highline line and many of its other toilets come in this taller height, in round and elongated bowls. It costs more than a riser plus installation, but nothing clamps, slides or needs re-tightening. kohler.com
Round Or Elongated, And How Much Height
Toto, Kohler and American Standard all sell both shapes, so the brand alone won't tell you.
Measure the bowl before you shop. Run a tape from the middle of the two seat-bolt holes to the front rim: about 16.5 inches means a round bowl, and about 18.5 inches means elongated (Bob Vila). A riser made for one shape usually won't sit right on the other, and some round bowls run small, so check the maker's opening size too (Equipmeot). Toto, Kohler and American Standard all sell both shapes, so the brand alone won't tell you.
Most risers add 2 to 6 inches. A standard toilet seat sits about 14 to 15 inches off the floor, and a chair-height toilet is already 17 to 19 inches, so a tall riser on a tall toilet can leave feet dangling. One simple check: measure from the floor to the crease behind your knee, then subtract the current seat height (Reviewed). After hip replacement, the hospital team usually sets the height. Leeds Teaching Hospitals, for example, has an occupational therapist assess toilet transfers and supplies a raised seat for the first weeks at home (Leeds Teaching Hospitals). MedlinePlus lists a raised seat among the things to set up before knee or hip surgery (MedlinePlus).
How Risers Attach: Set-On, Clamp, Under-Seat, Bolt-On And Frames
A set-on riser, like the HealthSmart, just rests on the rim with a lip inside the bowl. It's cheap and portable, but it's the least stable type, and most have no lid (Equipmeot). Clamp-on seats, like the Drive Medical 2-in-1, the Medline and the Carex E-Z Lock, tighten against the bowl with a front knob or dial. They go on without tools and usually have removable arms, but your lid can't close over them, and the clamp can loosen with side-to-side pressure, so check it often.
Under-seat spacers go between the bowl and your own seat, so the lid still works. Some, like the Carex Hinged Toilet Seat Riser, tilt up for cleaning; most need a screwdriver. Bolt-on seats, such as the Bemis Independence Assurance and the Lunderg Solva, fasten through the seat-bolt holes and are the hardest to dislodge. A frame such as the PELEGON stands on the floor and takes the load off the bowl entirely.
There's one more route that changes the toilet instead of the seat: a base like the Toilevator lifts the whole toilet about 3.5 inches, but it means unbolting the toilet and adjusting the plumbing, which is a job for most people to hand to a plumber (AskJAN).
Weight Limits, Arms And Everyday Safety
Read the weight rating closely. Most plastic risers are rated for 250 to 400 pounds, and some makers rate the seat and the arms separately: Bemis says its Assurance seat holds 1,000 pounds but each arm 350 (manuals.plus). Pick one rated well above the user's weight. The Carex seat with arms is a good example of why to check each version: its elongated model is rated lower than the round one.
Arms help you push up, but they're not a substitute for a wall-mounted grab bar, and Carex advises adding a grab bar or a safety frame to its hinged riser. Arm models also need clear space on both sides of the bowl; Lunderg asks for about 8 inches per side. A loose seat is a fall risk, so tighten the knob, dial or bolts and test for movement every week or two. Clean with ordinary household disinfectant and skip abrasive scrubbers.
Most opened raised seats can't be returned, so measure first. A raised seat is not the same as a bedside commode, which insurers cover more often; ask your doctor or insurer if cost is a concern. For bed-bound care, see our bed pan picks.
How we researched this
We compared 23 raised toilet seats and risers across set-on, clamp-on, under-seat, hinged, bolt-on and floor-frame styles, read makers' weight ratings, fit charts, spec sheets and manuals for the 10 finalists, drew on one reviewer's long use of six risers after hip surgery and two published roundups, read hospital and MedlinePlus guidance on toilet height after surgery, looked at owner feedback, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Sources (10)
- Reviewed: best toilet seat risers
- Wirecutter: best toilet seat risers
- Bob Vila: best raised toilet seats
- Equipmeot: guide to selecting a toilet seat riser
- Bemis Independence Assurance manual
- Drive Medical RTL12027RA spec sheet
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals: total hip replacement rehab
- MedlinePlus: getting your home ready for knee or hip surgery
- AskJAN: Toilevator
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls
Frequently asked questions
What is a toilet seat riser?
It's a plastic spacer or a raised seat that makes the toilet a few inches taller, so you bend less to sit down and stand up. Many add arms to push on.
How high should a raised toilet seat be?
Most people need 3 to 4 inches, and most risers add 2 to 6. Measure from the floor to the back of your knee and subtract the current seat height. After hip surgery, follow the height your occupational therapist sets.
Do toilet seat risers fit elongated toilets?
Only the ones made for them. Round and elongated bowls need different risers, except for a few, like the Carex E-Z Lock, sold as fitting both. Measure from the bolt holes to the front rim: about 18.5 inches means elongated.
Is a riser with handles better?
Arms help if you need to push up, and most come off. They need clear space on both sides of the bowl, and they don't replace a wall grab bar.
Can a raised toilet seat hold a heavier person?
Check the rating for both the seat and the arms. Many are rated for 300 pounds; the Medline Locking Raised Toilet Seat and the PELEGON frame are rated for 400, and the Bemis seat for more, with 350 per arm.
Will my toilet lid still close?
Not with clamp-on or set-on risers. Under-seat spacers, hinged risers and replacement seats like the Kohler Hyten Elevated keep a working lid.
