If you watch the TV show Shark Tank regularly, then you definitely remember the Squatty Potty pitch. In it, Bobby Edwards and his mom asked for $350,000 for a 5% share in a company selling “a simple product that changes lives.” More precisely, a company selling toilet poop stools…
The Sharks chuckled when Bobby’s mom explained that they’re in the “business of helping you do your business.” But, they got serious once the theory behind the product and the sales numbers were presented. Since then, the company expanded its product portfolio and other companies created their own versions of the poop stool as well.
Continue reading to figure out whether Squatty Potty is the best poop stool or whether you should go with one of its alternatives.
Squatty Potty: The Best Poop Stool?
According to Bobby’s mom, the position in which regular Western toilets make us “do business” is unnatural.
That’s because there’s a muscle, called the puborectalis muscle, which blocks our colon in the standing position and only partially loosens it when we sit. When we squat, though, the muscle relaxes completely and allows for easy passage of poop.
Come Squatty Potty…
The original Squatty Potty is a simple white stool that is 21 x 13 inches. It comes in two different heights, 7 inches and 9 inches. While the former is ideal for standard 14-inch to 15.5-inch height toilets and beginner “squatters,” the latter works best with 16-inch to 18-inch height toilets.
It’s made of hard polyurethane plastic which makes it easy to clean. The product is made in the United States, certified by the FDA as a medical device, and clinically proven to reduce strain when “taking care of #2.”
The one downside of the original Squatty Potty is that it takes up a fair amount of space and is not easy to hide if you want to hide from your guests that you are a “squatter.”
Adjustable, Foldable, Flippable, and More
With the success of the “Original,” it’s not a surprise that Squatty Potty came up with improved versions of its product over time. The most notable of those are:
- Squatty Potty Adjustable 2.0 – While very similar in design to the Original, this one has a 7 inches high base and an attachment that goes on top of it and can increase the height to 9 inches.
- Squatty Potty Fold-N-Stow – As its name suggests, this model solves the storage issue as it can be folded into a piece less than 3 inches thick for easy storage.
- Squatty Potty Bamboo Flip – Similar to the Adjustable 2.0 in that it can switch between the two heights. However, being made out of bamboo, it is more elegant. The switching is easier as well since it’s done by flipping the stool on its side rather than by adding an attachment.
- Squatty Potty Ghost Acrylic – Similar to the Original but more discreet as it is made out of translucent acrylic glass. It comes at the lower, 7-inch height.
- Porta-Squatty – A travel version that comes with a carrying bag and measures 15 x 7 x 1 inch when folded. Unfolded, it is 7 inches high just like the Original.
Squatty Potty Alternatives Worth Considering
The Squatty Potty stool remains the leader in the market and you can’t go wrong by choosing one of its products. However, as mentioned in the introduction, other companies have been trying to ride on its wave of success as well.
Below I’ll take a look at some of those alternatives. I’ll also take a look at hacks that people have found to get the functionality of a squatting stool without actually having to buy an actual poop stool.
Folding Bamboo Stool by Relaxx
Relaxx’s folding bamboo stool’s design is certainly unique. With two small steps rather than one large stool, it is much more portable than many of its competitors. That also makes it discreet as you can easily fold the steps and stow them away.
The height of the steps is adjustable between 7 and 9 inches. While the steps themselves are made of bamboo, they have anti-slip rubber caps on their legs.
Two downsides of the product are that it requires assembly (although it’s quite simple…) and that sometimes the steps don’t lock in their place properly. Also, it does not come with a storage case like some other similar products do.
Plumb Pak (Keeney) Bathroom Stool
The Plumb Pak bathroom stool (also sold in some stores under the Keeney brand) is what I’d call a “more functional alternative to the original Squatty Potty.”
In other words, it has all of its downsides – it’s fairly large, clunky, and difficult to store – however, it also has some improvements that make it an alternative worth considering. Namely, it’s equipped with a cleaning wipe storage bin and a tablet (or smartphone) holder.
The stool is 7 inches high.
Step and Go Toilet Stool
You should consider the Step and Go toilet stool if you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the original Squatty Potty. The price difference is likely allowed by outsourcing manufacturing overseas rather than making the product in the United States.
Otherwise, the two products are very similar. In fact, they are so similar that Squatty Potty sued Step and Go in the past. That lawsuit, however, seems to have been settled and the latter continues to be sold.
The Step and Go stool comes in 7- and 9-inch versions and is made of durable plastic. It has rubberized feet to prevent it from slipping around the floor.
Collapsible Step Stool
If you like the idea of pooping in the “natural position” but don’t like the idea of having a dedicated stool in your bathroom, then you can consider getting a collapsible step stool. While the one pictured here is made by Handy Laundry, there are many other similar products that will do the job.
The two main benefits of using this type of product are that it is discreet – no one will know that you’re a “squatter” – and that it is multipurpose. Besides using it in the bathroom, you can also use it to reach higher placed shelves and so on.
If you decide to go this route, keep in mind that many step stools are 11 inches or higher. You will want to avoid those and look for one that is 9 inches or less.
Yoga Blocks
Finally, another “discreet” option is yoga blocks. The foam blocks tend to be quite cheap and come in many different colors. One of the products you can consider is the AmazonBasics Yoga Blocks Set.
Those specific blocks are 4 x 9 x 6 inches each. What that means is that you can gradually go from your current pooping position to the ideal squatting position. In other words, you can start with the 4-inch side, then switch to the 6-inch side, and finally to the 9-inch side.
The one downside of the blocks is that with them being made out of foam, they are a bit more difficult to clean than stools made out of hard plastic.
Summary
There’s no doubt that the original Squatty Potty changed the way that many people do “their business.” However, since its debut, many other products serving the same purpose – making us poop in the squat position – have emerged.
Some of those, like the Porta-Squatty are made by the same company and are more portable. Others like the Plumb Pak bathroom stool are made by Squatty Potty’s competitors and improve on its design or provide a similar product at a lower price point.
Besides actual poop stools, people have also devised ways to get the benefits of the product more discreetly. Two most notable of those are using a small step stool and using yoga blocks.
With all of the products mentioned above being of decent quality and serving the same purpose, picking one of them really comes to your personal preference. However, personally, I recommend getting one of the Squatty Potty products because, well… It’s the poop stool company that started it all!