If you or a loved one finds it harder to stand up after using the toilet, it may be time to add a toilet seat riser to the bathroom. Toilet seat risers can make it easier and safer to get up from a low toilet by adding a few extra inches, easing the strain on joints.
After thoroughly researching 33 toilet seat risers and testing nine, we recommend the sturdy, stylish Bemis Independence Assurance 3″ Raised Toilet Seat if you want a long-term option. If you’re recovering from an injury, or you simply need to frequently remove the riser for others in the household, we recommend the portable, easy to install Dr. Maya 4″ Raised Toilet Seat.
Our pick
This bolt-on toilet seat riser is the most stable we tested and claims a weight capacity of up to 1,000 pounds. It’s not easy to move it to a new toilet, though.
The Bemis Independence Assurance 3″ Raised Toilet Seat is the sturdiest riser we tested. It comes in round and elongated versions to fit either toilet style. You can also add handles for extra security and a bidet attachment.
The riser has a uniquely subtle design compared with other models we tested. While most toilet seat risers are a separate piece that’s installed below the seat, the Bemis model is a seat and riser in one. It’s the only riser we tested that can hold up to 1,000 pounds. And most of our testers found the wide seat more comfortable than other seats we tried.
It’s by far the most secure toilet seat riser we tested, but it can’t be easily removed for others in your home. It’s also on the pricier side.
Our pick
This clamp-on toilet seat riser is the best option for those who can’t leave it installed on the toilet all the time. However, the design is inherently less stable than a bolt-on model.
While a bolt-on seat like the Bemis toilet seat riser is more stable, sometimes people need a removable option. For these situations, we recommend the Dr. Maya 4″ Raised Toilet Seat, a well-made, clamp-on style toilet seat riser, which is easy to take on and off a toilet as needed.
This seat feels high quality and comfortable to sit on. Unlike other clamp-on and set-on risers we tested, it comes with an attached lid and two clamps to increase your security. It also happens to be one of the most affordable risers we tried.
Our pick
If you need a grab bar next to your toilet for more stability, we highly recommend this compact one, which doubles as a toilet-paper holder.
If you buy a toilet seat riser that doesn’t come with handles (such as the Dr. Maya seat), we highly recommend adding a grab bar near your toilet. We like the subtle, highly functional Moen Brushed Nickel 8″ Grab Bar With Toilet Paper Holder, which can fit into even the smallest bathroom by doubling as a toilet paper holder (though it should be installed into a stud when possible).
If you or a loved one needs even more support, we also recommend a couple traditional, bar-style grab bars in our guide to the best grab bars.
