Toto S550e Washlet Review: The Best Bidet Money Can Buy

In recent years, bidets have become increasingly popular, especially in the western world. 

If you’ve been looking to upgrade your ordinary toilet into a luxurious spa-like bidet toilet, you might’ve stumbled upon the Toto S550E electronic bidet. It’s one of the most popular bidets on the market and certainly generates a lot of buzz online. 

The Toto S550E is a top-of-the-line luxury bidet system that boasts many features to provide more effective, hygienic bum care. Enjoy luxurious washing and drying experience with its customizable features. 

But what can the S550E really do, and how does it compare with other popular bidets? 

In this guide, we cover everything to know about the Toto S550E, so you can make an educated decision on whether it’s right for you. 

Let’s begin! 

About Toto: A Brief Overview

TOTO, a Japanese firm founded in 1917, has revolutionized the bidet industry with its innovative e-water technology and exceptional performance. This company is well-known for its high-quality bathroom and kitchen products. It’s particularly famous for its bidet products, engineered with innovative features and outstanding performance.

Some of Toto’s most popular product lines include toilets, bidets, wash lets, bathtubs, and faucets. The brand is known for its use of advanced technologies, such as its Cyclone flush system and its E-Water+ cleaning system, which uses electrolyzed water to clean and sanitize the bidet’s nozzle. The company’s top model, the S 550E bidet, offers a sterilization feature for the toilet bowl with just a button press, using electrolyzed water. Additionally, the seat and lid open and close automatically, adding to the overall luxurious experience.

One of Toto’s notable highlights is its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. The company has implemented various eco-friendly practices in its manufacturing process, such as reducing water usage and carbon emissions and using recycled materials in its products.

Toto S550 E Review Highlights:

After thoroughly analyzing the Toto S 550E, we’ve come to our own conclusions about what we liked and disliked about the bidet.

What We Liked:

• The sensors detect movement to automatically open and close the seat lid 
• Deodorizer eliminates bad odors
• Adjustable warm seat for a comfortable cleaning experience 
• Night light to prevent you from turning on abrasive fluorescent lights 
• Lots of adjustable features like adjustable nozzle position, water pressure, and temperature 

What We Didn’t Like:

• Only designed for elongated toilet seats
• Relatively pricey compared to other electric bidet seats 

Toto S550E Review: Features and Specifications

Here’s a quick summary of the specifications and features of the Toto S550E. 

Price	$$$
Bidet Type	Electric bidet seat
Color	Cotton white and Sedona beige
Toilet Shape	Elongated
Lid Style	Contemporary or classic
Heating Method	Tankless water heating system
Extra Features	Gentle aerated dual action cleansing spray, instant water system, wireless remote control, adjustable water pressure, and temperature, pulsating and oscillating functions, rear and front cleanse, soft and hard spray, hands-free dryer, pre-mist, user presets, deodorizer, night light, and auto open and close lid

Toto S550E Review: Our Insights 

Before investing your hard-earned money, it’s important to analyze its features, build quality, and other attributes. We’ll cover the primary features in great detail, so you can better understand what the S550E truly has to offer. 

Build Quality and Design 

Build quality is a critical aspect of any bidet system. The nozzle is constructed from high-grade antimicrobial plastic, durable enough to last many years. You’re also backed by a one-year warranty should any defects arise. Furthermore, it has a high weight capacity limit of 320 pounds, making it suitable for bigger and heavier people. 

The TOTO S550E features a sleek and attractive design. The seat lid covers the entire seat, contouring gently from back to front, and is available in two styles: contemporary and classic. 

Essentially, the primary difference between the two is the lid design. The Contemporary design has a minimalistic style with a sleek silhouette, while the classic design has contours on the corners for more embellished or traditional bathroom decor. 

Water Pressure and Temperature Control

Every unique is different in their needs. The Toto S550E comes with an array of adjustments, so the user can customize the bidet to ensure a comfortable experience. 

This device offers five adjustable pressure levels ranging from gentle to very hard. You can even choose between a narrow, targeted spray or a wide spritz. If you want a more thorough cleanse, take advantage of the pulsating or oscillating spray patterns. 

Additionally, the Toto S550E provides users with five different temperature settings ranging from 86 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit and the option to select room temperature water. The capabilities of temperature adjustment have many benefits. 

Warm water helps to relax your muscles and improve bowel movement. However, you may prefer a cool and refreshing water flow on hot days. If you have a rash, using a cool flow can help soothe the area and eliminate the need for extra wiping to prevent further irritation. 

Heating Method

Modern bidet toilet seats offer warm water washing as their primary function, but the quality of this warm water can vary. One factor distinguishing bidet seats is how they heat water, similar to how home water heaters work. Bidet seats use one of three heating methods: tank heater, tankless on-demand heater, or a combination of both.

Bidet toilet seats with tankless water heating systems like the Toto S550E have no water storage. The heating element instantly heats the water as soon as the wash is triggered and maintains the temperature for the duration of the wash. It allows for quick temperature adjustments during use, heating the water “on demand.” When not in use, the water heater remains inactive.

As a result, the Toto S550E offers an uninterrupted supply of warm water, maintaining temperatures up to 104 degrees during use, with no limitations on wash time. These seats are more energy-efficient than traditional heaters, as they only activate during use. The ability to adjust water temperature mid-wash is also a big advantage. Additionally, these bidets are slimmer and more low-profile since they lack the internal water tanks in other models.

Comfort Features

One of the best comfort features of the Toto S550E is the premium quality air dryer. Bidets with dryers offer a more hygienic alternative to conventional toilets. Their integrated air drying feature eliminates the need for paper or hand towels, resulting in less waste and a cleaner, healthier bathroom environment. 

These air dryers are noticeably stronger than most models due to their superior air pressure and volume. The S500E offers five air temperature settings that range from room temperature to extremely toasty. Level 2 is best when you’re almost dry, and level 4 feels great after post-wash. 

Believe it or not, warm seats are much more comforting. The heated seat function from Toto S550E helps you relax your muscles and reduces pain for a more comforting experience on the toilet. 

Nozzle Position

A single, extendable nozzle powers the S550e with three spray ports; one for standard rear wash, another for a wide/soft rear wash, and a third for standard and feminine washes. Furthermore, it’s equipped with five settings for convenient nozzle position adjustment.

An adjustable nozzle is a crucial feature since it accommodates the unique needs of each individual user. Toilets are not one-size-fits-all, and people come in all shapes and sizes, so an adjustable nozzle is necessary to effectively clean and reach different areas. It eliminates discomfort by avoiding unwanted spray areas and eliminates the need to constantly adjust your seating position during use.

Self-Cleaning

This electric bidet toilet seat has a self-cleaning feature that sanitizes the wand both before and after each use and every 8 hours of non-use, reducing the need for manual cleaning with harsh chemicals.

EWATER+ is a convenient feature that thoroughly cleans the bowl and hoses after each use with its effective yet safe disinfectant. The Toto S500E uses PREMIST and EWATER+ to automatically keep the toilet clean and hygienic. When it senses your presence, it sprays electrolyzed water to disinfect the interior and prevent material buildup by moisturizing the surfaces. As a result, this ensures that your toilet stays clean without you having to regularly clean the insides of the bowl. 

Ease of Use

Even the fanciest bidets won’t be good unless it offers intuitive functionality. Fortunately, the Toto S500E has a double-sided remote control to access every setting and feature on the bidet. 

You can access all the basic wash and dry functions on the front, while the backside features an LCD screen and all the fine-tuning adjustments. It also can save two-user presets for added convenience. For example, let’s say you share a bathroom with another family member. That means you can save a different preset so that you won’t always have to manually fine-tune all of your preferred adjustments every time you use the bathroom. 

Furthermore, the S550E offers a nightlight that illuminates the toilet that is easy on the eyes during night use. The night light adds to the ‘wow factor’ for bathroom guests and allows you to use the toilet at night without having to blind yourself with bright bathroom lights.

Weight Capacity

Depending on various factors like weight capacity, large seating area, and strength of water pressure, certain models are better suited for heavy and bariatric users. The Toto S550E has a relatively high weight capacity limit of 320 pounds, which can accommodate most people. 

Furthermore, it has a larger seat dimension than most models, and the sport spray option provides wider sprits for added comfort. 

Installation and Maintenance

The Toto S550E bidet toilet seat is designed to be easy to install and maintain. Here’s an overview of the installation process:

• Remove the existing toilet seat: Before installing the bidet, remove the current toilet seat and clean the area where it was attached.
• Attach the mounting plate: The Toto S 550e has a mounting plate that attaches to the toilet bowl using the existing seat bolts.
• Connect the power cord: Once the mounting plate is securely in place, plug in the power cord to a nearby electrical outlet.
• Attach the bidet seat: Slide the Toto S 550E onto the mounting plate and secure it using the provided bolts.
• Test the bidet seat: Once everything is in place, turn on the power to ensure it’s working properly.

Electric bidets like the S550E have a self-cleaning function for their spray nozzle, meaning it isn’t much you have to do for maintenance. However, it’s always good to clean any gunk or grime off using a toothbrush and cleaning solution. 

You may want to keep a makeshift toolbox with a wrench or plumbers’ tape to fix any loose hoses, joints, or pipes that result in leaks. If you’re unsure about maintenance or repair, it’s best to contact Toto to help you with the princess. 

Customer Reviews

There’s no doubt the Toto S550E is one of the more popular bidet systems on the market and has received high praise for its high-tech capabilities. This product receives a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Amazon, with 84% of reviews given as 5 stars. 

Customers are raving about their features, such as having fully adjustable water temperature and pressure, an adjustable air dryer, unlimited warm water, an odor remover, and a self-cleaning function. 

The one major downside that people have expressed is that the Toto S550E is only compatible with elongated toilet shapes, not round ones. 

Toto S550E Review Alternatives

Now you know all about the Toto S550E, but how does it stack up to other models? We’ve compiled a few related bidets that it’s commonly compared to. 

Toto S550E vs Toto C200

The Toto S550E and Toto C200 offer standard features that you expect from a quality bidet. In general, the Toto C200 is a midrange option with plenty of luxurious features like a remote control, pre-mist, and a deodorizer. However, it’s still lacking some of the advanced technology that the S550E has. 

Both offer the core luxuries such as an air dryer, a heated seat, a quick-release self-cleaning function, and a dual-action front and rear spray wand. They also have pulsating spray modes and remote controls with memory preset available. 

One advantage of the Toto C200 is that it’s available in both elongated and round shapes, while the S550 only comes in an elongated toilet. And the C200 costs about half as much, making it a budget-friendly option that more people can afford. 

Where the S550E stands out is its unique Ewater+ feature, which is a revolution to the toilet hygiene world. It infuses the bidet with electrolytes to clean the spray wands and toilet bowl. Essentially it’s a proven disinfectant that keeps your toilet 80% cleaner. There are also other differentiators, such as the S550E has a nightlight, instant water heater, and a wide front cleanse spray mode. 

Toto S550E vs Bio Bidet BB 2000

The Toto S550E and the Bio Bidet BB2000 are the best-selling toilet seats on the market. But what are the differences? 

The Bio Bidet BB-2000 is renowned for having some of the strongest spray pressure among electronic bidets. Its superior spray power is its standout feature, and those who prioritize a more robust wash will likely prefer it. The rear wash function is well-aerated and provides thorough cleansing. Additionally, it offers a unique enema function, which is a powerful and focused spray used to alleviate constipation. 

The TOTO S 550e boasts a strong spray, though it is not as intense as the BB-2000. However, you get two different spray modes for front and rear wash functions, with a default setting of a wider, gentler spray pattern that provides a soothing clean.

Another major difference is the water heating system. The Bio Bidet 2000 uses a hybrid heating system, which involves preheating a small amount of water in a reservoir. During use, the BB-2000 draws from this reservoir and simultaneously heats the water, ensuring a continuous supply without any sudden bursts of cold water. 

On the other hand, the S550E employs a tankless water heater that heats the water on-demand during a wash, eliminating the need for a preheated water reservoir and resulting in a sleeker design. This method is also more energy-efficient since no water is preheated until use.

Essentially, the two bidets boil down to spray pressure. If you want some of the strongest spray pressure, a warranty that can be extended up to 6 years, and a more reasonable price, the Bio Bidet 2000 is for you. However, if you want the combination of a low-profile design and the most innovative technology with better self-cleaning features, the Toto S550E is for you. 

Toto S550E vs Brondell Swash 1400

Another popular bidet seat is the Brondell Swash 1400, which many have compared to the Toto S550 E. These are just some key differences to keep in mind when comparing the two. 

For instance, the Toto has some extra features that the Brondell doesn’t have, like an automatic opening and closing seat lid and a pre-mist function for the bowl. Another difference is that the Toto uses a single plastic nozzle, while the Brondell has dual stainless steel nozzles. 

The major advantage of the Swash 1400 is that it’s available in elongated and round toilets. Furthermore, the dual stainless steel nozzle improves the build quality and durability. Brondell evens comes with a longer warranty of 3 years, compared to Toto’s 1-year warranty. Also, Brondell does offer a more sittable lid allowing you to sit on the lid of its bidet seat while it’s closed without worrying about damaging it. 

However, the S550E does offer better functionality and features. For example, the S550 offers a pulsating wash, alternating between soft and strong water sprays, creating a massage sensation. Unfortunately, the Swash 1400 lacks this feature. Furthermore, the S550 has its signature Ewater+ and pre-mist feature, a cleaning disinfectant to keep the toilet bowl clean. 

If you prefer high-end features and more capable technology, go with S550E. But if you want a better warranty, lower cost, and perhaps a slightly more comfortable sitting option, the Swash 1400 is better. 

Conclusion

The Toto S550E is on the shortlist for one of the top bidets on the market, and good reason. It’s equipped with mind-boggling innovative and modern technology and cleansing modes, adding practicality and modern aesthetics to your toilet. 

We believe it’s a worthwhile investment, considering the toilet paper you’d save over time and the luxurious bum care you’d receive. The S550E provides a gentle and refreshingly clean for you and your loved ones, with the added benefit of a deodorizer that keeps your bathroom fresh. 

Whether you decide on the Toto S550E or another bidet, now is the time to upgrade your self-care and bathroom routine.