How Smart Should Your Bathroom Be?

It can be tough to know when to buy, when to hold off, and when to save your money altogether. So, what is worth the investment right now—and what’s worth waiting on? Read on to find out.

Your bathroom may not be the first place you’d think to bring Alexa, but the right tech can make your morning routine more streamlined—and luxurious.

Shower controller

Pros: Smart controllers connect to your plumbing to let you manage water temperature or even start the shower with your voice.

Cons: The controllers can be expensive and usually require professional installation.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a truly deluxe shower setup, a controller like this can be amazing—but the cost is high. Moen’s 2-outlet controller is easy to use and offers multiple options for different setups. Or Kohler’s Alexa-based showerhead may not have temperature controls, but the built-in speaker will at least give you some tunes while you rinse off in your everyday, low-tech shower.

Toilet

Pros: Wi-Fi-connected toilets aren’t exactly ubiquitous yet, but Kohler has one on the way. Right now, “smart” toilets consist of seats with warming functions, automatic lids, and bidets.

Cons: High-tech toilet seats aren’t cheap. They can also be a bit complex to install, and you need an electrical outlet nearby.

Bottom line: Once you’ve used a high-end bidet, you’ll likely never want to go without one (or worry about hoarding toilet paper). Toto’s C100 Electronic Bidet Seat is feature-rich without completely breaking the bank. Or, if your wallet can’t handle the full-suite seat, try a retrofit model for your current toilet. It won’t heat the seat, warm the water, or do your taxes for you, but it’s under $100. Try the Bio Bidet SlimEdge Bidet Attachment which is only $35 on amazon.com.

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