One of the most commonly looked for toilet accessories are toilet seat cushions – whether those made out of a gel, memory foam, or some other material.
The reason they are popular is also the reason people don’t like sitting down on a toilet – the fact that toilet seats themselves are made out of hard and cold material. Similarly, some people also get them because they want to make the toilet seat higher.
Toilet seat cushions can help with both of those issues, yet there are more factors to consider.
Continue reading to learn whether they are useful – and if so, in what cases – as well as what some of the best toilet seat cushions you can buy are (sneak preview: my favorite’s the Kindax Gel Toilet Seat Cushion ).
Types of Toilet Seat Cushions
While it’s easy to lump all toilet seat cushions together, there are several different types – whether defined by the material they are made of or the function they serve. Depending on the type, they offer varying levels of comfort and come at different price points.
Some of the most common types of toilet seat cushions include:
Medical Toilet Seat Cushions
While most of them are covered in vinyl, the material inside can vary and range from normal foam and similar on the lower end all the way to memory foam on the higher end.
They are a medical innovation, meant to support people who have a harder time using the toilet – more often than not they are used by people with disabilities, illnesses, and other medical conditions.
They are specifically made to offer comfort during use.
Gel Toilet Seat Cushions
As the name suggests, the top layer of gel toilet seat cushions consists of sanitary gel while their bottom part usually consists of foam.
Their main purpose is to – rather than raise the height of the toilet seat – relieve pressure points and thus increase the toilets’ comfort. Similarly, they also help make the toilet seat warmer, thus making the initial contact with the toilet more pleasant.
Inflatable Toilet Seats Cushions
Similar to inflatable aircraft pillows, inflatable toilet seat cushions are padded by air rather than foam. The air can be blown in through valves which are also used for letting the air out of the cushions. However, given the place they are used in, it is certainly not recommended to deflate and then inflate the cushion again by blowing into it.
Pros and Cons of Using Toilet Seat Cushions
Just as with anything, using toilet seat cushions has both its advantages and disadvantages. It has to be said, though, that there are more advantages to using them than there are disadvantages.
And, rather than them being just a gimmick, most people who get them can see an improvement in the comfort of their toilet visits.
If you are undecided whether or not to get one for your home, let’s take a quick look at what the pros and cons of toilet seat cushions are.
Pros
By far the biggest reason why most people get a toilet seat cushion is the improved comfort that it offers in comparison to a bare toilet seat. It both helps make the toilet seat softer and thus more comfortable to sit on, as well as to make the initial contact with it warm – even on gloomy winter days.
Another important reason that some toilet seat cushions are worth getting – although it will depend on the exact type – is that they might help in reducing bacteria.
Finally, when it comes to people with disabilities and other issues, toilet seat cushions might help protect them from further injuries or pains resulting from having to use the toilet.
It’s also worth noting here that most toilet seat cushions are fairly affordable, easy to install, durable, and washable.
Cons
While there are not many disadvantages when it comes to toilet seat cushions, I certainly have to mention here that depending on the type, they might be more difficult to clean than the plastic toilet seat. They might also cause the toilet seat to fall down.
And, the type that you will want to buy might not be available for all toilet seat sizes and shapes.
Finally, generally, toilet seat cushions fall into the class of non-returnable items – so in case the product doesn’t fit your toilet, you might not be able to return it. It should be possible to make a warranty claim if you receive one with a defect, though.
3 Best Toilet Seat Cushions
Now that you know that toilet seat cushions are – in fact – useful, let’s take a look at some of the best toilet seat cushions that are currently available online. Before proceeding, keep in mind that even though they are numbered, they are in no particular order.
1. Saounisi Toilet Seat Cushion
The first one that I want to talk with is a cushion made by Saounisi.
It’s made from 100% polyester fiber which helps it be just the right firmness, and which also provides nice isolation from the coldness of a bare toilet seat. The cover measures 15.7 x 6.7 inches, and so it can fit on most conventional round and elongated toilet seats.
The cushion comes in a couple of different color variants and is both reusable and machine-washable – and thus convenient and hygienic to use. It can be fast-dried as well.
Rather than having straps, the cushion sticks to the toilet seat – and based on several users’ feedback, it sticks quite well, even after being washed multiple times.
The one downside of this cushion is that it is not padded too much – and thus, while it will make the toilet seat slightly softer and definitively warmer, it will not raise the seat too much if that is what you are looking for.
2. PCP Raised Toilet Seat Cushion
- Comfortable foam padding, 2 inch (5 cm) thick, covered with naugahyde - wipes clean easily.
- Velcro fastening straps allow for easy attachment to and removal from toilet seat.
- Provides extra comfort when sitting on the commode and also helps minimize pressure sores.
With its thick 2-inch padding, the PCP Raised Toilet Seat Cushion is perfect if you are looking for a cushion that can make your toilet seat considerably higher – especially due to some medical condition.
The cushion is made to hospital standards and covered with Naugahyde which makes cleaning and wiping very easy – and thus helps maintain high levels of cleanliness.
Unlike the thinner seat cushions, the PCP one is attached to a toilet seat using velcro straps which makes it easy to install and remove. As for its size, it’s 15 x 12.5 inches and fits on most toilet seats.
Overall, this is a perfect toilet seat cushion for tall people and for weak and fragile patients on their way to recovery. (For medical use, make sure you first get professional advice from your doctor.)
3. Kindax Gel Toilet Seat Cushion
- The kindax Toilet Seat Cover is made of environmental gel with full liquid characteristics
- The materials is the medical grade gel, hypoallergenic, latex free and silicon free
- The gel never deform even after prolonged usage, it will always regain its shape and size, and never leak even if be punctured
The Kindax Gel Toilet Seat Cushion – my favorite of the three – is made out of medical grade hypoallergenic gel which is latex and silicone free. Since the material breathes, it is fairly resistant to bad odor.
While there’s no doubt the material used in the cushion is top-notch, there are also some other advantages worth mentioning.
The cushion is durable and reusable – it can be washed over and over again without its self-adhesive function stopping to function, and without the gel losing its shape. Some might also like its fairly cool blue color.
It should fit on most standard toilet seats. Even if you are unsure if it will, though, you don’t have to worry as you can return it within 7 days without any restrictions.
And so, if you are looking for a high-quality seat cushion – and especially if you tend to be sensitive to the kind of materials that are used in products – then this one is certainly a great one to get.
Conclusion
To recap, while toilet seat covers are not a crucial piece of equipment for your home, they can certainly make your visits to the restroom a lot more comfortable – and hygienic.
When choosing the right one for you, you will have to consider the cushion’s thickness, the material it is made of, as well as whether it is washable or not.
Unless you have a medical condition that requires you – or you want for some other reason – to raise the height of your toilet seat significantly, I recommend you to get a self-adhesive gel toilet seat cushion such as the Kindax Gel Toilet Seat Cushion.
Alternatively, you might also want to look into a memory foam toilet seat cushion.