Once you’re locked into the everyday bidet lifestyle, something will happen the first time you travel. A brief moment of despair arises when you envision no bidet in your life while on the road. Suddenly, there’s a problem you need to solve before you leave home. This exact situation happened to me almost two years ago. That day, I began my search for a solution, and that’s when I discovered the travel bidet. There are manual, electric, and USB bidets available for travel. My search led me to choose an electric travel bidet, but you may prefer the manual version. In this article, I share the 5 best portable bidets for travel, RVs, road trips, camping, and even music festivals if you’re feeling adventurous.
| Product | Description |
| #1) Toto Travel Washlet |
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| #2) Hibbent Portable Bidet Handy Toilette |
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| #3) GenieBidet-GO |
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| #4) Brondell GoSpa Portable Bidet |
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| #5) QLav Personal Hygiene System |
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Best Portable Bidet Reviews
Which type of portable bidet do you think is best for your bum? Personally, I opted for the USB rechargeable travel bidet because it’s perfect for international travel. I do wish it was a little more powerful, but there’s only so much power a small battery can pump out. Having said that, I love it because it gets most of the job done, and if I get lucky, it completely eliminates the need for TP. The best Japanese portable bidet currently available is of course made by Toto.
I’ve met people who prefer the manual squeeze-style travel bidets because the pressure rises depending on how hard you squeeze it. Arthritis sufferers or those with mobility issues will most likely want to opt for an electric travel bidet or the large QLav unit.
In the following sections, I share individual reviews for each of the units in my Top 5 along with the pros and cons to consider. I’m confident that by the end of the reviews, you’ll know for sure which bidet is the best option for you.
Toto Washlet Travel Bidet
The Toto Washlet is the heaviest of the bunch, weighing in at just over a 1/2 lb. Despite being the heaviest, it’s also one of the most compact units, which is one of the reasons why I prefer electric units. Of the units in my Top 5, the Toto has the best and most sophisticated nozzle for both rear and front cleaning. When not in use, the unit stores easily almost anywhere. I did notice that the latest model does not include a carry pouch, though, there is a hard case currently available (click here #ad to view it at Amazon).
One thing to keep in mind is the small capacity of most portable bidets. I find that I sometimes need to refill the unit to get a complete clean, and this might not be possible in public restrooms. What I do like is the solid flow rate of 8 to 9 ml per second with the Toto Travel Washlet. Each cycle provides 20 to 22 seconds of cleaning action, and this should be enough to get the job done in most circumstances.
Lastly, the feature I want to highlight is the adjustable flow rate to accommodate both front and rear washing needs. There’s a gentle setting for feminine washing that uses three holes in the nozzle, and the rear washing setting opens up the nozzle to five holes for a more thorough cleansing. Once you’re done, the unit compacts nicely to just over 5″ in length.
- The tank is big enough to get a full rear cleaning
- The single AA battery lasts longer than you might expect
- Small enough to fit inside a pocket when not in use
- Durable materials that stand the test of time
- 1-year warranty
- Most users are impressed by the power of the stream
- Very easy to use and maintain
- Does not leak
- The most convenient travel bidet
- Great for use on airplanes and during hotel stays
- The only travel bidet that compares to a real Washlet
- Recommended by truckers
- No case included
- The max pressure might leave something to be desired
- Smaller tank capacity than manual portable bidets
- High price compared to the other units in my Top 5
Hibbent Portable Bidet Handy Toilette
This guide wouldn’t be complete without a rechargeable portable bidet. This type of travel bidet is excellent for international travel since you don’t have to worry about the voltage to recharge it. With this type of travel bidet, there’s the option to plug it into a computer or even a power bank. Plus, each charge gives you about 100 uses, which means you won’t need to charge it often. In my experience with this type of unit, I charge it once or twice a month when using it daily. It only takes around 1-2 hours to fully charge anyway.
The problem most people consider when choosing an electronic bidet is potentially weak water pressure. According to feedback, this unit by Hibbent provides the strongest stream of electric portable bidets outside of the Toto Travel Washlet. Keep in mind, it costs considerably less than the Toto bidet.
Another feature I really like is the option to hook this bidet to a water bottle with the included attachment. The attachment makes it possible to use a larger bottle for a longer cleansing period. The drawback is how hard it is to find a bottle that’s compatible with the included accessory.
Like the Toto unit, there are two washing modes with this bidet: high and low. Low wash cycles last for about 60 seconds and wash cycles on high last for about 30 seconds.
- Excellent pressure and quiet operation (good for when you don’t want everyone in the bathroom to wonder what you’re doing)
- Stronger pressure than comparable models
- USB power is better than battery power, no need to buy batteries
- You might prefer this model over the more expensive Toto unit
- Durable, does not break when accidentally dropped
- No leaking
- The small cylinder shape is easy to hold
- When you find compatible large bottles to use with the accessory, the water supply feels endless
- Recommended for RV owners
- The included water reservoir is a bit small
- Hard to find a compatible bottle for the travel accessory
- Does not completely eliminate the need for TP for everyone
GenieBidet-GO
Why did I choose the GenieBidet-GO as the best manual travel bidet? The greatest selling point that caught my eye is the telescoping nozzle. I like the idea of a one-piece unit rather than having to keep track of a separate nozzle like with the Brondell GoSpa. Another advantage of manual travel bidets, in general, is the low price. There are also no batteries or failing parts to worry about. In other words, if you want a travel bidet that you don’t need to replace every few years, it’s best to stick with a manual bidet.
The problem I have is the level of comfort while using one. To get a detailed cleaning experience, it’s necessary for most people to use both hands while squeezing the reservoir. It’s easy to see why men will have more of a problem using both hands.
With those thoughts in your head, the GenieBidet-GO includes a nice carry pouch, it’s BPA-Free, and it won’t leak from the bottom when placed upright on a sink or toilet.
- The reservoir capacity is ample size
- The wand is a good length for most people
- Does not leak in the upright position or when flipped over for use
- The size of the stream is perfect
- No batteries required is the ultimate convenience
- Very lightweight, won’t eat up baggage allowance during travels
- Costs a lot less than more expensive electric travel bidets
- Good-quality plastic parts
- Recommended for camping
- You might find that pulling out the wand is somewhat annoying
- The wand may feel a bit short
- Might require a wipe or two with TP to finish the job
Brondell GoSpa Travel Bidet
The Brondell GS70 GoSpa travel bidet is the best cheap travel bidet that gets the job done. The unit functions much the same as the GenieBidet unit above, except the GoSpa nozzle is detachable. At the time of this writing, the GoSpa costs a few bucks less than the GenieBidet-GO.
Features that I like in the GoSpa are the easy-store design that allows for the nozzle to be placed inside the reservoir when not in use, the nice carry pouch, and the 5-hole sprayer. Brondell knows how to make a quality bidet, and the nozzle in this portable unit features the ideal angle for both front and rear cleaning.
The final feature you may or may not like is the metal airlock that provides a more consistent spray. You might find that this feature is unnecessary and causes the unit to leak from the bottom. I noticed that some users preferred the GenieBidet-GO because they weren’t fans of the airlock feature.
- Better than peri-wash bottles
- The spray pattern is better than the Bio Bidet The Palm
- The water flow is good, the bottle doesn’t empty too quickly
- Excellent for international travel, especially where flushing TP is a no-no
- Surprisingly good pressure
- The perfect size reservoir
- An excellent choice for camping
- The materials are of high quality, especially for the low price
- Must be emptied between uses, not watertight
- The addition of a storage cap would be nice
- Reports of the unit leaking from the bottom
- Not as compact as the electric units
QLav Personal Hygiene System
The QLav is certainly the best large portable bidet currently available. While it’s not the most ideal option for air travel or international travels, it’s an excellent option for camping, road trips, music festivals, and any other travels by land. The 1200 ml reservoir is more than adequate for a thorough rear cleaning and all feminine washing.
The feature I like the most is the J-shaped nozzle. Instead of having to angle a straight or slightly-angled nozzle beneath you, the QLav allows you to hold the reservoir at a 90º angle while in use. The advantage here is the amount of force that can be applied to the reservoir to ensure you get a strong enough stream. Expect a much stronger stream from the QLav – especially when used with two hands – than any other non-electric travel bidet on the market.
The clear drawback to this unit is its size. It’s not something you would want to put in a carry-on bag or a small rolling suitcase when traveling by air.
- Has more uses than you might think, recommended as a camp shower and for various household uses
- It’s made of medical-grade plastic and in the USA
- Recommended by seniors (it’s very easy to squeeze for most people)
- Perfect water output strength
- Extremely lightweight
- Easy to fill and use
- Great for storing in a camper
- A completely leak-free experience, no airlock leaking issue like with the Brondell GoSpa
- Too large for air travel in most cases
- Larger individuals may have difficulty positioning the nozzle beneath them
- More rigid than softer manual bidets
- Difficult to operate with one hand depending on hand size
Bottom Line
Since I travel a lot, I can’t imagine life without a travel bidet. At this point, you know how to choose the best portable bidet for your travels. If you mostly travel by air like me, electronic bidets are the way to go. They’re more compact, easy to use with one hand, and a quality unit gets the job done most of the time. If you’re already accustomed to using a heated bidet attachment or warm water bidet sprayer at home, remember that no travel bidet offers the same experience as units installed inside your home.
The key here is that you eliminate the need to use TP while away from home. Once I stopped using TP altogether, the thought of TP touching my skin began to frighten me. I like to keep my sensitive skin irritation-free, and I’ve already realized that using TP just once can cause irritation. Whether you choose an electric portable bidet or manual option, it’s undoubtedly better than using toilet paper. Which type do you prefer?
Note that Qlav has not been in stock at Amazon for at least nearly a year. Don’t know if the owner has quit or even possibly died. Too bad, I thought Qlav was the best of the bunch I’ve used so far – but none of them (bottles) last forever.