Oh, potty training. Is there a greater parenting challenge? From a mom finally coming out of the potty training trenches – it will be hard to convince me a greater challenge awaits.
There are a lot of potty training products out there. Sellers see a desperate parent and know where to make their money. Not all potty training products are a necessity, but there are definitely a few products out there that will make your life easier – and some that could peak your frustration.
I’ve scoured the internet looking for the best potty training products. From potty seats, to potty chairs, to potty training gadgets.
This article will help you answer the questions you have about potty seats and potty chairs, and hopefully help you decide which one is right for you and your potty training toddler!
What's the difference between a potty chair and a potty seat?
A potty chair is a miniature version of a toilet. It’s a mini waterless toilet that your toddler pees or poops in and then you dump it into the regular toilet afterwards.
A potty seat is an insert that goes onto your household toilet.
Is a potty seat or potty chair better?
When you’re first starting out a potty chair is better. The main reasoning is that your child is likely to feel more secure close to the ground. They are also portable – it’s a good idea to put the potty chair in your child’s play environment when you’re first starting out. They’ll be more likely to sit on it if they can play with their toys, watch TV, or do activities with you. You can also bring it along, and it can be used in the car if necessary.
A downside to the potty chair is you have to clean it each use, whereas a potty seat you just flush and go on with your day (I would still disinfect it weekly like you do your regular toilet).
It’s worth a try to see if your toddler will go straight to the potty seat – this will save you so much cleaning up and you won’t have to transition them from the potty chair. Do not force or pressure your child to use it though.
What TYPE of potty chair is the best?
The most basic potty chair is probably going to be your best bet for two reasons.
1. Easier to Clean – The more nooks and crannies that are on your child’s potty chair means it will be harder to keep clean. I was looking at a cushioned potty chair because I thought the firm one might be uncomfortable, after reading how disgusting (pee seeping out!) those cushioned ones got I was so thankful for my hard seat potty chair purchase!
2. The Toilet is NOT a Toy – You don’t want your child to think the potty is a toy. Not the little potty, nor your home’s toilet. Yes we want our child to be interested in the potty but not so much that it’s a game or they want to play with it when it’s had pee or poop in it.
What size potty chair should I get?
In this instance a smaller potty chair is recommended. There are many articles that point out that the best position for pooping is in a squatting position with your knees higher than your hips. When you have a larger potty chair your child’s feet may be flat or dangling but their knees are probably at a 90 degree angle or lower, which isn’t optimal.
Top 5 Rated Basic Potty Training Chairs
What is the best potty training chair? In my opinion basic is best when it comes to a potty chair. These are the Top 5 according to ratings and reviews!
#1 - BabyBjorn Smart Potty
The BabyBjorn Smart Potty is my number 1 recommended choice. I purchased this potty chair and I am SO happy with it. It has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating.
- It’s extremely easy to clean
- Very lightweight and portable (I’ve brought it along to many family member’s houses!).
- Low back – my daughter likes to hike her leg over the back to sit down on it instead of just squatting down
- High splashguard for boys
- Affordable – at the time I’m writing this article the retail price is only $22.99!
#2 - BabyJorn Potty Chair
The BabyBjorn Potty Chair is a larger version with a higher back. It is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars! This brand is one of the top rated for potty training products!
- It’s extremely easy to clean
- Lightweight and portable
- High splashguard for boys
- High back for comfort and support
- Slightly larger price tag (but still reasonable!)
EasyGoProducts Potty Training Seat this one also has a high splash guard, it’s a little cheaper than the BabyBjorn but the rating drops down to a 4.6 out of 5 stars, still not bad!
#3 - Munchkin Arm & Hammer Multi-Stage 3-in-1 Potty Seat
The Munchkin Arm & Hammer Multi-Stage potty chair is very sturdy and a 3-in-1 product. It’s a Potty Chair, Potty Seat, and Step Stool. It’s rated 4.8 out of 5 stars, so a lot of parents really love this product. I personally own this one. I do like it – but not as much as the BabyBjorn.
- Sturdy
- Multi-purpose
- Easy to clean
- Could be used for travel since it has a lid
- A nice size for taller toddlers (but not TOO tall)
- The heaviest on the list (3.54 LBS)
#4 Joovy Loo Potty Chair
The Joovy Loo Potty Chair is lesser known but appears to be gaining popularity with parents, especially boy moms. This potty training chair is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars!
- High splash guard for boys
- Contemporary style
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy
- Might not be as easy to move around due to shape
- The most expensive on this list
#5 HEETA Potty Chair
The HEETA Potty Chair’s unique handles set this one apart. It may be more comfortable for your little one to have back support and the armrests will support them getting on and off. This potty training chair is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars.
- Arm/back rest
- Removable insert and cover
- Not a very high splash guard for boys
- Heavier potty at 3 LBS
- More pieces could mean more crevices to clean
- Inner potty removes from the back which may make it harder for your toddler to remove (this is a good thing in my opinion!)
You Might Also Like:
What is the best interactive potty chair?
What is the best potty that makes a flushing noise and looks the most similar to the "big potty"?
While it’s not my recommended choice to have an interactive “toy-like” potty chair – all kids are different and you know your kid better than anyone. If you think they will respond better to a “fun” potty chair then check these out!
#1 The First Years Super Pooper Plus
The First Years Super Pooper Plus potty chair has a foot lift to help your toddler sit in the optimal position for pooping! Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars.
- Foot lift for a natural position
- Flush and cheering sound buttons
- Trainer seat fits on the big toilet
- Removable basin for easy cleaning
- More parts = more cleaning
#2 Summer My Size Potty
The Summer My Size Potty is a recognized and popular brand and they pulled out all the bells and whistles for this product. This potty chair has a rating of 4.6 out of 5.
- Lights and Music
- Flushing sound
- Storage compartment for wipes, undies, etc.
- Detachable seat can be used on the big potty
- Some complaints about the splash guard
#3 - Skip Hop Potty Training Toilet with Wipes Dispenser
The Skip Hop Potty Training Toilet is another popular baby and toddler product brand. This potty is a little less flashy, but still makes a flushing noise and looks realistic. This potty chair has a rating of 4.6 out of 5.
- Small wipes container included
- Flushing sound
- Removable basin for easy cleaning
- Built in splash guard
- Some complaints about the splash guard being too small
#4 - The First Years Potty
If your toddler has a cartoon character they love this may be the option for you. There are multiple options including: Minnie Mouse Potty Training Chair, Mickey Mouse Potty Training Chair, Baby Shark Potty Training Chair, Toy Story Potty Training Chair, and a Paw Patrol Potty Training Chair. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.
- Flush and cheer sound effect buttons
- Includes a sticker chart
- Removable basin for cleaning
- Splash guard has minimal complaints compared to the other two
- More pieces means more cleaning
What is the Best Potty Training Seat?
Potty Training Seat Insert
Probably what you’ve seen most and it’s the most affordable product. There are many on the market. I read A TON of reviews and the best one I found was the Munchkin Grip Potty Training Seat. The majority of the reviews are positive here’s what was mentioned the most:
- Secure – minimal to no movement
- Splash guard – soft silicone for comfort and most reviewers felt it worked well
- Small and easy to store
- Might not be the easiest to clean
- No handles
This is my top choice because it’s smaller than the ladder option below, and seems to be secure. If you’re thinking about a training seat insert I highly recommend you make sure it is a secure option.
Now I know you’ve seen all of those character potty training seat inserts. They are very tempting to buy to get your child excited about potty training but from my experience they are not sturdy and slip around a lot on the toilet. Another issue is that they will probably harbor a lot of bacteria and lingering pee between the soft cushion and hard plastic. I read many complaints to these two issues.
The pros to buying one is they are cheap – so if you buy one and it doesn’t work out you’re not out a lot of money. If you insist there are many of characters you can buy: Ninja Turtles Potty Seat, CoComelon Potty Seat, Minnie Mouse Potty Seat, Mickey Mouse Potty Seat, and so many more!
Potty Training Ladder
The Jool Baby Potty Training Ladder seemed to be the best from all of the reviews I read. Some issues I read some consumers had with other brands were: screws loosened upon folding and unfolding, removable splash guards falling into the toilet, cushions not removable and impossible to clean. None of those appear to be a problem with this model – but this product does not have as many reviews yet as the others. Here are the pros I’m seeing with the Jool Baby brand:
- High splash guard
- Two Steps
- Cushion is removable for cleaning
- Stable seat
- Bulky – may crowd a small bathroom
I really like the idea of a stool because they appear to be more secure than the character inserts below and if your toddler is tall enough they can rest their feet on the adjustable steps to help them feel more secure.
Built In Potty Seat
These built in potty training seats are definitely pricey – but you’re getting an adult and child seat in one. A lot of the reviewers mention across the board that visitors are impressed and end up purchasing one for their own household. As with all of the seat inserts, there are some pros and cons.
- No need to remove or store when not in use
- Easy to clean
- No splash guard (surprisingly I personally didn’t find any complaints)
- Less shifting/moving since it’s built in
- Not necessarily the most comfortable toilet seat for adults
What Potty Chair or Seat Will You Choose?
There are many options to choose from. I think the biggest things to consider are how easy they are to clean, splash guards for a boy, size and making sure inserts are secure.
Of course you should absolutely do your own research and read reviews to see what pros are most important to you and the cons you aren’t willing to compromise.
Which one will you chose and why? Any chairs or seats you loved or hated? Let me know below!
