Soft-close toilet seat or standard? We weigh up the pros and cons of both options!

A toilet seat is essential for any toilet pan if you want it to be comfortable to use. Before you make any purchase decision, you need to think about which one to choose. Which toilet seat is best: standard or soft-close? Below, we’ll weigh up the pros and cons of both options. Read on!

Classic toilet seat: pros and cons

When fitting out a toilet space, we often don’t think about the variety of toilet seat models available today and reach for simple, classic options. Is that a good choice? It depends a lot on your habits, as well as what you expect from the product.

Advantages of simple toilet seats

The biggest advantage of a classic toilet seat is undoubtedly its modest price. And that doesn’t come at the expense of quality — quite the opposite. The classic seats currently on sale are notably durable, so they don’t wear out quickly. Simple seats have been on the market for many years, so another plus is the wide variety, both in terms of sizes and shapes, and the materials they’re made from.

Disadvantages of classic seats

The biggest drawback of any seat without a soft-close mechanism is the loud bang when it’s accidentally dropped. This is particularly bothersome at night when the rest of the household is asleep. That’s not the only minus, though. A fast-falling seat can also be unsafe, as it can pinch fingers — something that often happens in homes with small children. What’s more, such impacts can cause scratches and cracks that will lead to the product wearing out faster.

Soft-close toilet seat: pros and cons

A modern solution that more and more people are choosing is the soft-close toilet seat. Like a classic seat, it has its pros and cons, which are worth considering before buying a specific model.

Benefits of a soft-close seat

The soft-close mechanism is a lifesaver for those who want to avoid the slam caused by classic models. Choosing such a model is therefore safer around children and less prone to mechanical damage from sudden impacts. This kind of seat is also touched less, which helps keep it clean — a light nudge is enough for it to close by itself.

Many soft-close seats are equipped with a quick-release mechanism that makes it easy to remove the seat for a more thorough clean. After cleaning, it also allows for quick reattachment. This solution helps keep the toilet properly clean not just once in a long while, but on a regular basis.

Drawbacks of a soft-close seat

A soft-close seat has few downsides. For many people, the higher price compared with simple ones is one of them. You can also count the need to learn a bit of patience as a minus. This kind of seat can’t be “sped up” – it has to close by itself. If you press it down to make it close faster, you’ll soon damage the mechanism.

How to buy a toilet seat to suit future users’ needs?

To make the right decision and avoid regretting your choice, it’s worth considering a few other points. If budget isn’t much of an issue for you, go for a soft-close toilet seat. It will provide far greater comfort for family members of all ages. Children won’t trap their fingers, and adults get a simple, quick way to clean.

The next question is: a slim or a regular toilet seat? That depends a lot on the toilet pan you have and your personal preferences. And what material makes the best toilet seat? Which is better — polypropylene or duroplast? Polypropylene stays at room temperature, which translates into comfort in use. Soft-close seats made from duroplast are more resistant to scratches and more hygienic, as it exhibits antibacterial properties.

Standard or soft-close — which will you choose? Weigh up the pros and cons above to decide which one will be the better solution for you, and make an informed decision. Good luck!