Customer Reviews

TOTO SW844-01 Washlet E200 Elongated Front Toilet Seat, Cotton White

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

(Before I get to the meat of the review, a few words about energy efficiency. A week of measurement with my Kill-A-Watt indicates that over the course of a year, without making use of the power saving timer, the seat will use about 230 kWh of electricity for a cost to me of $37 given the 16 cents/kWh charge here in New Hampshire.)

I was so happy with this seat, that after a year, I purchased the higher end TOTO S400 seat with such extra features as auto-flush, automatic cover raising and remote control lid raising for the upstairs bathroom. While, I enjoy the new features, and find myself perplexed that the downstairs toilet doesn't open up when I approach, I think this lower priced seat is a better value. It does 90% of what I want: bottom washing and seat warming at a substantially lower price. Unless money is no object, I think you will have less buyer's remorse getting this more economical model.

This is a summary of the installation process. I installed this myself in my basement bathroom. Installation is certainly something a handy homeowner can perform, just be prepared to take your time and be careful.

Electricity. As the seat is electrically powered and involves water, it needs a ground fault interrupter (GFI) installed nearby. If you are sure you can do this safely, this is an easy task, but can be time consuming without easy access to the inside of a nearby wall. As it happens, one of my bathroom's walls is shared with the unfinished wall of my laundry room, so it was simple, to cut a receptacle into the wall, mount a utility box, install the GFI, and split an existing 15A circuit in the same wall. If you don't have easy access, or if you have a problem with electrocuting yourself, you might have to bring in the pros. Seriously, if you have never done this before, you really want someone on hand who knows what they are doing. It's simple but easily made dangerous. Remember that bathroom walls often contain electrical wires or water pipes.

Water. This was actually the hardest part as the water cutoff valve under my toilet is faulty and there was a constant dribble of water through the feed line throughout. Also, I managed to ruin the threading coming off of my toilet's float valve resulting in a rushed run to Lowe's to get a replacement. The valve Toto provides for splitting the toilet's water supply is bulky and requires a screwdriver to operate, and even then it isn't clear which position corresponds to closed. Still, this portion could be super simple if your stars align.

The seat itself. The major portion of installation is installing a mounting bracket onto the toilet. If the bracket is too far back, the back of the washlet will ram into the toilet's reserve tank and will not lock into place; if it's too far forward, the seat will extend beyond the front lip of the toilet, potentially resulting in leakage. A foldable thick paper template is provided to aid in finding an optimum position. As it happens, my toilet's reserve tank is a little too forward for a comfortable fit and worse the tank was installed slightly askew, so the Toto ended up being pressed tightly against it. Several millimeters more leeway would have been good. Still the seat did click into the mounting bracket. Barely. By the way, should the seat gets loose, it will power down. It seems as though the Toto could have been built with a more rectangular back, instead of the curved design, to make it fit more comfortably with more toilets.

Hookups. The main problem here is getting a screw driver into the splitter valve once the water line is connected to the seat. My toilet is in a tight area and there was no easy way to insert the screwdriver while seeing the valve and avoiding a nearby wall. Still it was done. The electrical cord is of adequate length to reach any plug within a foot of the toilet, but you may need an extension cord.

Remote. To promote operator comfort, I chose to mount the remote a bit forward of a sitting user at around seated eye level so the user wouldn't have to twist around to operate it, but can still see and reach the controls. There are temperature and pressure controls hidden behind a flip down door, and I hope visitors will take the hint not to surprise me by changing my settings. Installation was done with a couple of provided wood screws. Be sure to use a carpenter's level to align the screws, and pre-drill your holes if going into wood.

You might want to give the seat 20 minutes to heat up the water reservoir before giving it a try.

As for the the product. It does what it says it will, cleaning hygienically and thoroughly, although for me the best feature is having a nice warm seat in my cold basement.

Tools required:
For GFI:
Phillips head screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver
Punch saw (for drywall walls)
Jigsaw (for wood walls)
Wire strippers
Cordless drill
Paddle bit
Carpenter's level
Pencil
Socket tester
Small claw hammer

For water line:
Flat head screwdriver
Adjustable wrench of at least 1.25" maximum
1" channel lock wrench
Pan to catch water
Medium towel

For seat:
Phillips head screwdriver

For remote:
Cordless drill
Assorted small drill bits
Phillips bit
Carpenter's level
Carpenter's pencil

I just ordered this from another site since amazon does not carry this item, but I have to say this has been one of the best purchases I have ever made for my home and my family. For the longest time, I have always hated using toilet paper for #2 because its dry, you usually have to use lots of it and its just plain uncomfortable. Then I started using baby wipes because the wipes are moistened and are more soothing to use, but the downside is that its also pretty costly in the long run and some of the wipes contain alcohol or moisturizers that can actually irritate your skin.
The final straw came when I developed a light rash on my bottom from using the baby wipes. It was simply too painful to use toilet paper or wipes and I had to find a solution. I have always known about these toto bidets but always thought they were too costly, in the thousands of dollars. But to my amazement, they had 4 models to choose from and the prices have come down on their units. I was able to find one with free shipping in the mid 500 range for the e200 model. Yes its still not cheap but much more affordable than before. They also offer a base unit for about 400 dollars.
The e200 arrived in about a week and the installation was very simple. The only slightly difficult thing I have to do is to install an extra power outlet in the bathroom for the plug.
Once it was installed, I was eager to try it and it did not disappoint. I love the infrared wireless control center, it is intuitive and very easy to use. The features I like the most: Warm water, warm seat, air dryer, adjustable temp and water pressure. Once you start using it you will realize that you will hardly need any toilet paper, so you will be helping the environment and saving trees!
My wife really loves it as well. Another cool feature is the slow close seat and cover, you cannot slam them...good if you have young children.

I discovered these type seats in Japan where they are very popular. Once you get over the quirkiness, you get to really like it. A couple of problems: the water reservoir is small so the water comes out cool very soon after turning it on. Also, the positioning isn't accurate and it isn't adjustable, so it takes a bit of adjusting your body to get the water where it's supposed to be.

Once you get past the small imperfections, you will still be glad you bought it. Also, the price at this vendor was very competitive. Installation isn't hard, although be sure you have an electrical outlet close by and are handy with do-it-yourself. (Or use a plumber.)

Once you experience the E200, using a toilet without one will seem unsanitary and barbaric. Those that have traveled in Japan know the clean and refreshing feeling that bidet seats conclude nature's calling. This particular unit is not the lowest cost available, being perhaps $60-100 more than other more basic units, but it is hundres of dollars less than Toto's premium units and represents the greatest value for the function and features it provides. It has a clean, modern design and great quality build with almost every comfort setting imaginable (temperature, water pressure, oscillation, etc.). It is relatively easy to install for the capable homeowner though you do need an electrical outlet installed nearby. If you're handy you can put one in yourself or just hire an electrician (which adds to the cost, of course). The battery remote control is super easy to use and there are cleverly placed, seat-mounted controls to use in case the remote's batteries happen to go dead on you. The entire unit is easily detached (as is the seat/ lid component or the lid alone) to clean the exterior (the interior moving parts are self-cleaning). Shop around for the E200 because it is widely available online at 45-55% off of retail. I got mine through [...] (the primary vendor on Amazon) during one of their quarterly sales events. It shipped free from New Jersey and only took a few days to arrive at my door in California.

I am only sorry that I didn't purchase our Toto Washlet sooner. Although I am very pleased with the Washlet E200, I am sorry that I didn't purchase the 300 model with its extra features. I am in my middle to late eightys and had a problem cleaning myself properly. The Washlet has not only solved my problems, but has made it much more pleasurable. Every home should have one.

This was my first dealings with Amazon.com and I found it quite easy and the price was very good.

John M.

I got the toto washlet since I have a very sensitive undercarriage so to speak. Irritation down below takes forever to heal. I would be awake at night with itching and burning. This product is a cure. Nothing short of a cure for me. I have had it for three months now and I will never be without it. The gentle water stream cleans perfectly. The Japanese know what they are doing with this thing. The dryer dries nicely too, but I hurry it along with a two toilet paper squares.
Installation was nothing. Simple tools are all you need, if anything. Yes, it's worth the price. Shop around for the best deal.

I am a Texan living in Wisconsin. Man, that potty seat gets cold in the winter!! Problem solved. Plus, all the cleaning services keep you nice and fresh. Is it a luxury, yes. It is a luxury for not a ton of money and well worth it. I am very pleased. Do you need this, well, no. It is one of those really nice things that you treat yourself with. I highly recommend this product.

I bought this washlet on impulse while buying a Toto toilet for my new home. It is fantastic. What a joy to not have to mess with toilet paper and have a warm seat, warm wash and the clean feeling you can only get from a wash. Plus all my guests are fascinated by it and want to try it/buy it themselves. Quite a conversation piece. I have not a single regret. The more expensive Toto models have features like air freshener, which I can do without.

I was dubious about ordering this product. I figured it would be cheaply made and only work at about a 50% satisfaction rate. Boy was I wrong. The product is extremely well made and works beautifully. Not being able to use my hands for toiletry, this Washlet was a must! I am so sorry that I waited so long to order one. As an ALS patient, it just saves me more effort and takes the pressure out of toileting.

This a great product. After my son helped installed it, it was great. This is one of few life enjoyments most people will feel missed after using. No learning cure and very intuitive to use, the installation instruction was terrible. I could not understand it and finally between my son and I ,we eventually figured out together.