The 10 Best Toilet Seat Risers
Special Honors
Kohler Highline If you find that you just can't stand the site of add-on risers, another option is to go with a chair height toilet like the Highline. This model makes it easier to sit down and stand up from the commode without requiring you to put an unsightly riser on top of it. It is available in white, biscuit, almond, and black. kohler.com
Editor's Notes
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.
People Who Benefit From A Toilet Seat Risers
Toilet risers can be especially helpful installments in the homes of the elderly.
Depending on one's health and phase of life, a toilet seat riser might be a permanent installment to their bathroom or just a temporary one. Over centuries, the standard toilet height has risen since the medium human height has steadily grown. However, the average toilet height is still only around 15 inches tall. There are newer toilets that feature a "comfort height" of 17 to 19 inches, but these can still be too low for people who cannot bend down very far.
The average toilet seat height can be problematic for people with arthritis. Considering that the average person visits the toilet between 4 and 10 times a day, bending joints in the knees and hips that frequently can only exacerbate pain. A toilet riser can make it so that arthritis sufferers barely need to aggravate their joints to use the bathroom.
Those recovering from hip surgery cannot do without a toilet riser. Some patients of total hip replacement surgery take up to six months to fully recover. During that time, they are advised to put as little pressure on their hip joints as possible. They should use their arms to get in and out of chairs, bed and, of course, the toilet. Toilet risers can be especially helpful installments in the homes of the elderly.
Since older individuals have far more brittle bones, falling can be much more dangerous for them than for a younger individual. Falling in a bathroom, where there are hard tile sinks and bathtubs, can be fatal. Any device that can reduce the need for much movement in the bathroom for an elderly person, like a toilet riser, is critical.
How To Choose Your Toilet Seat Riser
Those with balance disorders should make sure their toilet seat riser is very secure. Some can permanently attach to a toilet via hinges and clamps. Many also have feet and armrests and can be moved from room to room. These not only offer increased stability but are ideal for homes where both individuals who do and don't need a toilet riser live. Those who don't need the riser can simply move it to the side for regular use of the toilet.
Men who are still able to stand while urinating will appreciate that some toilet seat risers can be lifted and lowered just like a regular toilet seat.
If the user suffers from chronic constipation and must spend a lot of time on the toilet, they should look for a well-padded toilet seat riser. Sitting for prolonged periods on a hard, ceramic or plastic seat can be very uncomfortable. Men who are still able to stand while urinating will appreciate that some toilet seat risers can be lifted and lowered just like a regular toilet seat.
Another great option for multi-person households is a riser that elevates the toilet from underneath. Several manufacturers offer these, and buyers like them because they do not change the appearance of the toilet much. If the user of the toilet seat riser is obese, it is very important that they look for a model that can support the extra weight. Most versions are only designed to support up to 250 pounds.
Bathroom Safety Tips For The Elderly And Disabled
People over the age of 85 suffer more than 50 percent of their injuries near the toilet. Making the bathroom a safer place is essential for them. Elderly and disabled individuals who can go to the bathroom by themselves should at least have their nurse or aid stay near the restroom while they are in there. If they fall or need assistance, their nurse can hear them calling.
A toilet seat riser with arm rests is a good option for those with mild vision issues, because they can find their way safely to the toilet by holding onto the rails.
Adequate lighting in the bathroom is also important to preventing falls. A toilet seat riser with arm rests is a good option for those with mild vision issues, because they can find their way safely to the toilet by holding onto the rails. Those who prefer a toilet seat riser with a slimmer profile should at least install grab bars by the toilet. Studies suggest these can prevent a significant number of bathroom injuries.
All surfaces in the bathroom should be skid proof, including the floors, counters and edges of bath tubs. Elderly or disabled individuals who have a regular caretaker should install door knobs with two-way locks in their bathroom doors. If they fall in the restroom, it is critical that their caretaker can come in to help them. All essential toiletries should be within reach of the toilet, too, including toilet paper and wipes. Any activity that causes an elderly or disabled individual to over exert themselves puts them at risk of an injury. Toilet seat risers can reduce the amount of effort one must put into using the restroom each day.