TOTO Washlet C5 Review
TOTO invented the modern washlet in 1980. The C5 is their most refined mid-range seat — and nothing else at $390 comes close to its hygiene technology.
Electric Bidet Seat · Elongated & Round
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⚡ Quick Verdict
The TOTO Washlet C5 is the benchmark mid-range bidet. The eWater+ self-sanitizing nozzle is a genuine technology differentiator — no other brand at this price electrolyzes tap water to clean the bowl and nozzle automatically. If you want the company that invented this category, this is the seat.
Performance Scores
6 Features That Make the C5 Different
eWater+ Self-Sanitizing Nozzle
TOTO's patented system electrolyzes ordinary tap water into a mild sanitizing solution. It pre-mists the bowl before use and rinses the nozzle after — automatically, without chemicals. No other brand at this price has this.
Auto Open / Soft-Close Lid
Proximity sensor opens the lid as you approach. Closes slowly and silently after use. In daily operation, you never touch the seat. Particularly valuable for seniors, anyone with mobility issues, or post-surgery recovery.
Heated Seat + Warm Water Wash
Five temperature levels for both the seat and the wash water. The seat stays at your preset temperature so there's no cold shock. Water temperature is consistent throughout the wash cycle.
Warm Air Dryer
Adjustable temperature warm air dryer reduces tissue use significantly. Takes 60-90 seconds for complete drying. Not the fastest dryer on the market, but effective — most users find they no longer need tissue at all after the first week.
Best-in-Class Wireless Remote
TOTO's remote is widely regarded as the most intuitive in the category. Large, clearly labeled buttons with logical layout. Wall-mountable holder included. Operable with one hand and light finger pressure — critical for arthritis or mobility limitations.
Rear + Feminine Wash Positions
Separate dedicated nozzle positions for rear and feminine wash — not just a single nozzle with pressure adjustment. Five pressure levels and five temperature levels for each mode. Precise positioning on the first try, every time.
Full Specifications
| Type | Electric Bidet Seat |
| Price | $390 |
| Bowl Fit | Elongated & Round |
| Nozzle Tech | eWater+ electrolyzed self-sanitizing (TOTO exclusive) |
| Wash Modes | Rear, Rear Soft, Feminine, Oscillating |
| Water Temp | 5 levels, warm |
| Seat Heat | 5 levels |
| Air Dryer | Warm, 5 levels |
| Auto Lid | Open + soft-close (sensor-activated) |
| Remote | Wireless handheld (wall-mountable) |
| Power | 120V standard outlet |
| Install Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Warranty | 1 year (TOTO certified) |
| Brand Heritage | Making washlets since 1980 (Japan) |
The Full Review
eWater+ — The Feature Nothing Else Has
Every bidet review mentions eWater+ and most don't explain it properly. Here's what actually happens: TOTO's system passes ordinary tap water through an electrolysis cell, converting it to a mild electrolyzed water solution with antimicrobial properties. Before each use, the toilet bowl is pre-misted with this solution — which reduces waste adhesion and cuts down on how much cleaning the bowl needs. After each wash cycle, the nozzle itself is rinsed with the same solution.
The practical result: the C5 cleans itself continuously without you ever touching the nozzle or applying cleaning products. Competing bidets require you to periodically run a manual nozzle cleaning cycle and occasionally spray with a cleaner. The TOTO approach is genuinely hands-off in a way the competition isn't.
Wash Experience
TOTO's wash is refined and precise. The water pressure across five levels gives a meaningful range from gentle to thorough, and the temperature stays consistent throughout the cycle rather than starting cold and warming up (a common issue with cheaper tank-heating designs). The oscillating wash mode adds a back-and-forth motion that improves coverage. Position accuracy is excellent on the first use — you don't need to adjust settings multiple times to find where the nozzle needs to be.
The feminine wash nozzle is a separate dedicated position, not just a pressure/temperature variation of the rear wash. For female users, this matters — the nozzle extends to a different position rather than just changing water behavior.
Auto Lid
The auto-open lid sounds like a novelty until you live with it for a week. The proximity sensor opens the seat as you approach and closes it slowly after you stand. You never touch the toilet. In households where someone is managing post-surgery recovery, arthritis, or any condition that makes reaching difficult, this single feature changes the daily experience more than anything else on the spec sheet.
Air Dryer
Honest assessment: the warm air dryer works, but it's not the fastest. A complete dry takes 60-90 seconds, which is longer than Brondell's comparable model. Most users find it's enough — within the first week of ownership, most people stop using tissue entirely. If maximum dryer speed is a priority, the Bio Bidet BB-2000 has a more powerful dryer. If you're fine with an extra 30 seconds, the TOTO's dryer is perfectly functional.
Remote Control
The TOTO remote is consistently rated the most user-friendly in the bidet category. The buttons are large, clearly labeled, logically arranged, and require only light pressure to activate. For users with arthritis or reduced hand strength, this is not a minor point — many bidet remotes require awkward gripping or precise small-button pressing that's difficult with stiff fingers. The TOTO can be operated with a single light press from a counter or pocket holder.
Installation
Standard electric bidet installation: remove the existing toilet seat, attach the C5 mounting plate, connect the water supply T-valve, plug into the nearby 120V outlet. The whole process takes 20-30 minutes. TOTO's quick-release mechanism is one of the cleanest in the category — the seat clicks off without tools for cleaning underneath, which in practice you'll want to do monthly. Fits standard elongated and round bowls; measure your bowl length before ordering if you're unsure.
The Warranty Question
The one honest weakness: TOTO's 1-year warranty is shorter than the Brondell Swash 1400's 3-year warranty, and shorter than Bio Bidet's 3-year coverage too. TOTO's quality and reliability track record is excellent, and in practice these seats rarely need repairs within the first several years. But if long warranty coverage matters to you, Brondell at $549 gives you three years and a comparable feature set minus eWater+ and the auto lid.
Pros & Cons
✓ What We Loved
- ✓eWater+ nozzle technology — self-sanitizing, no manual cleaning required, exclusive to TOTO
- ✓Auto open/soft-close lid — sensor-activated, you never touch the seat
- ✓Best-in-class remote — large buttons, intuitive layout, arthritis-friendly
- ✓Precise wash positioning — dedicated rear and feminine nozzle positions
- ✓40+ years of washlet engineering — the company that invented this category
- ✓Quick-release seat — clicks off without tools for cleaning underneath
✗ What To Know
- ✗1-year warranty — shorter than Brondell (3 yr) and Bio Bidet (3 yr)
- ✗Dryer takes 60-90 seconds — not the fastest in this price range
- ✗Requires outlet nearby — needs standard 120V within cord reach of the toilet
- ✗No night light — competitors at similar price include one
TOTO Washlet C5
Electric Bidet Seat · eWater+ · Auto Lid · Heated Seat
$390
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Who Should Buy the TOTO Washlet C5
People who want zero-maintenance hygiene.
eWater+ cleans itself. No sprays, no monthly nozzle scrubs, no manual intervention. Set it and forget it.
Seniors or post-surgery recovery users.
The auto lid and wireless remote are the best in the category for people with limited mobility, arthritis, or hip/joint restrictions.
First-time bidet buyers who want the best.
If you're buying your first bidet and want to do it once properly, the C5 is the seat you won't need to replace or upgrade.
Japanese bathroom culture enthusiasts.
TOTO washlets are in nearly every Japanese hotel and public restroom. The C5 brings the actual Japanese standard home.
How It Compares
| Feature | TOTO C5 $390 |
Brondell 1400 $549 |
BB-2000 $456.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| eWater+ self-clean | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Auto open/close lid | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Heated seat | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Warm water wash | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air dryer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dryer speed | Good | Better | Best |
| Remote quality | Best | Good | Good |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years | 3 years |
| Night light | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TOTO Washlet C5 worth $390?
Yes, for buyers who want the best mid-range bidet. The eWater+ self-sanitizing technology and auto lid are genuinely differentiating features that no competitor offers at this price. If you want the most hands-off, low-maintenance bidet available under $500, the C5 is the answer.
What is eWater+ and does it actually work?
eWater+ electrolyzes tap water into a mild antimicrobial solution that pre-mists the bowl and rinses the nozzle automatically. It's a patented TOTO technology. Yes, it works — the chemistry is well-established and the result is a self-cleaning nozzle that requires no manual maintenance. No other bidet brand at this price has it.
TOTO C5 vs Brondell Swash 1400 — which is better?
TOTO C5 ($390) has eWater+ and auto lid. Brondell Swash 1400 ($549) has a 3-year warranty and faster dryer. If hygiene technology and auto lid are priorities, TOTO wins and costs $139 less. If long-term warranty protection is the priority, Brondell wins. Both are excellent.
TOTO Washlet C5
The bidet TOTO invented. Refined over 40 years.
$390
Check Price on Amazon →Affiliate link · no extra cost to you · supports BidetLabs