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Our top picks make the potty training process a little more fun and a lot less messy Pu Leather Office Chair
Potty training a toddler can be intimidating for everyone involved, and having the proper tools on hand is necessary. Toddlers can be easily overwhelmed by the size of a regular toilet bowl, so using a potty chair or a training seat for the toilet (or a combination of both) is the best way to start transitioning them away from diapers.
The best potty training seat is one that is sturdy, comfortable, and easy enough that your toddler can adjust to using it on their own. It should also be simple for you to clean, since you’ll likely be spending a lot of time doing so, and for more hesitant potty trainers, consider one with fun features, like music or a flushing sound, to make the process more enticing.
We put 20 of the top potty training seat models to the test, sending them home with our editors to use with their potty training toddlers. After setting them up and introducing them to our kids, we observed our kiddos’ reactions, how well they fit, and whether the seat or chair feels comfortable and stable. We also observed the design features, like an attached step stool, handles, sounds, and flushers, noting how well they work and if they truly add value to the toilet. Finally, we cleaned the seats after our kiddos used them, noting how easy and sanitary the process is, as well as if the splash guard is effective.
Depending on the type you choose, potty training seats can range in price from $20 to $70. Our top picks include a wide variety of styles and features, so you’ll find one that will actually make your kiddo want to go.
Why We Like It: The innovative multi-use design allows you to use this as a potty chair, toilet seat, or step stool.
But Take Note: The odor-neutralizing disc is an unnecessary expense and replacements are a separate cost.
This best-selling Munchkin Arm & Hammer potty seat earned the top spot on our list with its versatility. It’s a potty chair, toilet seat, and step stool all in one relatively compact package, so it’s meant to stay with you through all the stages of potty training. It starts off as a potty chair for toddlers who are just learning, complete with a built-in splash guard to keep the mess to a minimum. One toddler tester loves that the seat has a cover that they can open and close, just like a real toilet.
The removable seat can be placed on top of a toilet bowl once your kiddo is ready to move on to that step. We appreciate that the sides come up a little on either side, so they can be used like handles for extra stability. Once closed, this potty can be used as a step stool to get onto the toilet or to prop their feet up for better positioning when using the bathroom. We found this one to be stable and simple to use, and, conveniently, the collection bowl is removable for easy cleaning.
An odor-fighting deodorizing disc sticks to the inside of the cover to help fight smells. While this sounds like a great feature, we feel it’s a little unnecessary, especially if you’re cleaning the toilet after each use. On top of that, replacing the disc means separately purchasing new ones, though you can purchase a bundle with the potty and six refills for $38, just $7 more than buying the toilet itself. But overall, this multi-use seat provides great value and will get you through the entire training process and beyond.
Why We Like It: Lightweight and straightforward, this is an option that kids will feel comfortable using themselves.
But Take Note: There are no handles for kids to hold onto, and it’s small enough that they’ll grow out of it pretty quickly.
This is a great option to get your toddler started on their potty training journey. It’s a low-key potty chair, and while there are no exciting features or fun add-ons, it gets the job done and it’s easy to use. Despite how light and small this is, we found it to be very stable, thanks to the anti-slip material on the bottom. Even when we actively tried to push it with our foot, it didn’t budge, which made us feel good about our toddlers squirming around on top of it.
A high splash guard keeps everything inside the bowl, and since the potty’s low to the ground, it’s easy for tiny humans to squat down over it. It’s also small and lightweight enough to be a portable option—at just 1 pound, this is really easy to move around. That said, one editor did note that while it was convenient to move around the home if needed, this isn’t an item their family needed to take with them on the go.
To clean this potty, you remove the collection bowl and wash it out, so it’s pretty simple. As a bonus, it’s aesthetically pleasing and available in neutral colors, and it’s compact enough to hide away when necessary. We don’t love that this doesn’t have handles for kids to hold onto while sitting, though. It’s also worth noting that this is a very small potty, so if your child is bigger, they’ll grow out of it quickly.
Why We Like It: It’s a compact option that adjusts to fit on the toilet, so it won’t wobble around. Plus, a sloped back and lip in the front keep kids comfortable and the mess contained.
But Take Note: It has some narrow areas that can be a little tricky to clean. It also doesn’t have any handles for kids to hold onto and will require the use of a step stool.
If you want a potty seat that doesn’t become a permanent fixture on your toilet, this is a great option. Since you can adjust it to properly fit your toilet, it feels much more stable than some other options, and we found that it doesn’t wobble around when our kids sat on it. It only has to be adjusted to the toilet seat once for a great fit every time, though note that this means it’ll need to be adjusted for any toilet seat that’s a different size, so moving it from room to room may not be practical.
This seat also has a more ergonomic design than some other toilet seats. The back is angled to keep kids in place, making it comfy for them to sit down, while the inward-sloping splash guard prevents a mess without getting in the way. (One editor notes that this is especially handy for little boys.)
Thanks to the carrying handle on the back of this, it’s easy to pick up and move around as needed. You can even hang it on a hook in the bathroom when it’s not in use, so it’s a good fit for a smaller space. It’s also really easy to wipe clean, although we did notice some more narrow spots that could be a little tricky, but ultimately, it wasn’t a big deal.
Why We Like It: With a built-in step, handles, and back support, this is very stable and easy for kids to use on their own. Plus, you don’t need to clean it with each use.
But Take Note: It’s not a portable toilet seat, so it has to stay in one bathroom. It will also need to be removed each time an adult has to use the toilet and isn’t compact.
Potty training toilet seats often just come with a seat that goes on top of a toilet bowl, meaning you’ll still need to either help your little one up onto the toilet or buy a separate step stool so they can get up on their own. This seat, however, is packed with features that make it stable enough for kids to use by themselves, giving them a sense of independence (and also giving you a little bit of a break). It comes with a built-in step, which kids can use to climb onto the toilet by themselves—one editor’s timid toddler had no problem using the step—and prop their feet on while going to the bathroom. Built-in handles give them something to hold onto the whole time, and a high back offers extra stability and comfort.
Other kid-friendly features include the cute bear ears on the back, which one editor’s daughter adored, as well as a high splash guard to keep the cleanup minimal. Since this goes directly on the toilet, you don’t have to clean out a small potty bowl every time they go to the bathroom, which is a plus for busy parents. We also love that the soft cushion on the seat takes away that cold toilet feeling and may leave your kids feeling happier to use it. All in all, this is a very comfortable option for toddlers.
One thing to note is that the seat isn’t very portable. Our editor had to slightly adjust the height to fit on their family’s toilet, so it wasn’t convenient to move it to other toilets in the house, as that would mean readjusting it. It also has to be removed from the toilet every time an adult has to use the bathroom, then placed back on again. For these reasons, we feel it’s an ideal fit for a kids’ bathroom. For the family bathroom, it’s slightly inconvenient, although we still feel it’s worth it for the attached step stool. (If you’re looking for a super portable option, the Baby Björn Toilet Trainer weighs under 1 pound.)
Why We Like It: There are reward buttons and a realistic flushing sound on this potty chair. It can also be used as a toilet seat.
But Take Note: It doesn’t have handles to hold onto for added stability, and there is no step stool included.
If your kiddo is reluctant to potty train, an option with fun characters can make using the potty chair more enticing. This bright pink one features Minnie Mouse ears and a picture of several favorite Disney characters, making it instantly attractive to a kid. (One editor reports that their child took one look at it and immediately said, “I want to use the pink potty!”) We love the other kid-friendly features of this chair, like the realistic flushing sound it makes when you push a button. We especially love the reward button, which lets out an enthusiastic “Yay!” every time it’s pushed. “Now, I can’t fathom not having the reward buttons,” an editor noted, since their daughter just loved them that much.
The versatility of this design is also a big plus. It has a removable bowl for easy cleaning when used as a chair, and once you’re done with that stage, you can remove the seat and place it on top of a toilet. It’s stable as both a chair and toilet seat, although we did find that it shifts a bit when a child sits on top of it, it’s not a dealbreaker. While it does have a splash guard, there are no handles to hold onto and it doesn’t come with a step stool to use with the toilet, so you’d need to purchase one separately.
All of these fun features make kids want to use the potty chair, but keep in mind that the features are located on the chair, so they disappear when you remove the seat to use directly on the toilet. Overall, we feel this has a good value since it will get you through a few different stages of toddler training—and it can be a useful tool for kiddos that are hesitant to potty train. (It also comes in a Mickey Mouse design, if that’s more your kid’s speed.)
Why We Like It: The high back makes the seat comfortable and stable for busy little ones.
But Take Note: This is a very basic design for the price point.
Toddlers like to move around a lot, even when using the bathroom, so it’s important to have a potty chair that is stable and supportive enough to keep them in place as much as possible. This Baby Björn potty chair has a high back that makes the seat more comfortable while offering plenty of support. We like that the back sort of wraps around on either side, which helped keep our toddlers from falling to the side. And, the high splash guard helps prevent a mess and can even be used as a handle for kids to hold onto when sitting.
While this one doesn’t have a lot of extras, one editor points out that their daughter loves the little bear logo on the front of the potty (She calls it “her bear potty.”) This simple design choice stands out to kids and makes the potty feel a little more fun, which is always a plus. We also appreciate that it comes in aesthetically pleasing muted colors that make even something like a potty chair seem a bit more stylish.
At just 2 pounds, this potty is light enough to easily be carried around the house as needed, but it’s also stable enough that it didn’t slide around when kids sit on it. Additionally, the bowl is removable so you can easily dump it out and clean it after each use. All of that being said, the price is a little high for a more basic option, and it lacks some of the convenient features other options have for just as much or even less money.
Why We Like It: It folds up to a compact size that makes it easy to keep in your car and take on the go and can also be used on a toilet seat.
But Take Note: We found that this seat didn’t feel very stable when placed on top of a toilet seat and felt it would require adult supervision to use that way.
A travel potty is a necessity if you plan on leaving your house with a toddler in the midst of potty training. Although some of the lightweight potty chairs can double as travel potties, it can be more convenient to use something like this Summer Infant option. This is more of a flat seat than an actual chair, and the small legs fold up against the seat when not in use. When folded (and even when open), this is compact enough to stash in your car or even to slip into a bag to take on the go. We were impressed with how stable this one felt when a toddler was using it. The legs fold out and click into place so you know it’s ready to go, and we didn’t have an issue with it wobbling around at all.
To use this potty, you fold a disposable bag over the entire seat and they go to the bathroom in the bag. This makes cleanup fast and easy: you just carefully lift the bag up and throw it away, so very little cleaning of the seat is required. We found that lifting the bag was very easy and fast. We also liked that you don’t have to use the bags it comes with – you can use any disposable plastic bag that will fit.
A versatile feature worth noting is that you can also use this seat on an actual toilet bowl. Simply fold the legs so they’re flat, then place the seat over the toilet. The legs become handles your child can hold onto, and then they can sit on a toddler-sized seat and use the bathroom with no cleanup required. While we appreciated this option, we did find that the seat didn’t feel very stable or sturdy when used in this position. We felt it couldn’t be used without an adult holding onto it.
Why We Like It: This seat attaches to the toilet and is a more permanent fixture, so it’s very low-maintenance once installed.
But Take Note: Since there are no handles and it doesn’t come with a step stool, this isn’t ideal for toddlers who are just learning how to use the potty—it’s better for more experienced kids.
Potty chairs can take up a fair amount of space in your bathroom. If you have no extra room, a more permanent option like this one is a great choice. This is an actual toilet seat that replaces your current one: You attach it to the toilet bowl, and when you lift the lid, a smaller toddler-sized seat is there. Then, adults can lift the small seat to reveal a regular-sized toilet seat. We found that it’s easy to use and feels stable when a child sits on it—the seat didn’t move around at all.
There are a few advantages to using this seat: There’s virtually no extra cleanup because everything goes right in the toilet bowl, and it makes the toilet bowl less intimidating for toddlers who don’t want to feel like they’re sinking into a big seat. It also saves on space, as it’s one less thing in your bathroom, and once it’s attached, you don’t have to do anything else.
However, we do feel that this seat is a little bit better for more advanced potty users who are comfortable getting onto the toilet and using a bigger seat. There are no handles for a child to hold onto for support, and it doesn’t come with a step stool they can use to place their feet on or step on to get onto the seat. It’s a great fixture in the long run, but when they’re just starting out, you may want to get them something a little more fun and kid-friendly. Also, this price point is considerably higher than other options, but since this is a more permanent purchase, we feel it makes sense.
Why We Like It: This can be folded flat and comes with a carrying case to make it extra portable.
But Take Note: It’s very low to the ground and may be a little harder for older or taller toddlers to use.
A portable potty is a great way to stay out of public bathrooms and make pit stops whenever necessary on a road trip. Weighing less than 2 pounds, this OXO Tot option can go anywhere with you. The legs fold up for an even more compact footprint, and it comes with a durable plastic bag to stash it in whenever it’s not in use. The seat can be kept in your car but is also small enough to fit in a large diaper bag (inside the included storage bag, of course).
While it’s primarily a toilet seat, it has a special additional function: You can click the legs out, place one of the included disposable bags over it, and have your child use it as a discreet potty chair, no matter where you are. You can also fold the legs up to use it as a toddler toilet seat—the legs are supposed to lock into place so the kid can sit on it and go to the bathroom comfortably, but our editors do feel it isn’t as sturdy in that position. And since it lacks handles and a stool, we recommend adult supervision the entire time it’s being used.
The small size of this potty is one of its main advantages, but take note that it sits very low to the ground. One editor found that their toddler feels like they’re almost sitting on the grass when using it, which may make it harder to use for older or taller toddlers. Still, we love that this requires almost no cleanup: The bags go over the entire seat, so you simply pick them up and toss them out when your kid’s done. We also appreciate that the included bags have an absorbent pad inside to help prevent any breaks or spills.
Why We Like It: A high, saddle-shaped back is designed to fit little bodies comfortably.
But Take Note: There are no fun features to keep kids interested, and it’s very small.
If your child doesn’t feel comfortable when they sit to use the potty, they probably aren’t going to want to use it (and can you really blame them?). Having a seat made with their comfort in mind is imperative, which is why we like this Béaba seat. It has a high saddle-shaped back that offers plenty of support and keeps them in place. The ergonomic shape is designed to fit their small bodies and won’t leave marks or indentations in their skin, since nothing is going to be digging into them.
The corner-less design means there are no tricky-to-clean crevices, and the removable bowl is easy to dump out and wipe clean after use. A high splash guard in the front gives kids something to hold onto (and helps prevent a lot of mess). We also appreciate the carrying handle in the back that makes it easy to move around, and at under 2 pounds, it’s super lightweight. Still, our editors found that it sits flush with the ground and is very stable, thanks to an anti-slip bottom, and it didn’t move when their toddlers sat on it.
With the pretty color options and compact size, this option is aesthetically pleasing, as far as potty chairs go. It won’t take up much room in your bathroom, though it does sit quite low to the ground. One editor said that while their son used this one, he did prefer the potty chairs that had fun features, like the Fisher-Price Learn-to-Flush Potty.
Why We Like It: It plays music and makes a flushing sound to keep kids entertained, and the seat can also be removed and placed on a toilet seat.
But Take Note: There’s no grippy material on the bottom, so it might move around a bit on hard floors. We also feel that the fun features can be a little distracting at times.
Potty chairs don’t get much more fun and interactive than this Fisher-Price option. Not only does it display a cute, smiling character on the back, but it also has some cool features kids will love. When pressed down, the flusher on the back makes a flushing sound and even elicits a swirling water action in the bowl. There are buttons to press for music and lights, and it also spouts reward phrases for your child to hear. All of these things can make using the potty seem like a fun activity rather than a boring chore, and they may encourage your toddler to use the bathroom more.
Despite its fun features, it’s still practical. The seat has a small splash guard to keep messes minimal and handles on the side for kids to hold onto. Plus, the bowl is removable and fairly easy to clean, although we did find that some of the pieces are too large to fit in a normal-sized sink, which could potentially be annoying. The seat itself can also be removed and placed on top of the regular toilet to help kiddos through that transition, too. The handles on the side give kids something to hold onto when used in that position. While the potty is not exactly aesthetically pleasing, our editors’ kids really love the design.
We found that this model is pretty stable, but since it doesn’t have an anti-slip grip on the bottom, it may slip around a bit more on tile or hardwood floors. For a more stable option to use on harder floors, we love the anti-slip bottom on the Beaba Ergonomic Training Potty. And while all of the features are exciting, we also think they could be a bit of a distraction from the real task at hand. “I could tell when my child started to only become interested in hearing the song versus wanting to use the potty,” one editor said.
To find the best potty training seats, we looked at 20 popular products on the market, including potty chairs, toilet seats, and on-the-go options. We sent them home with our parenting editors to use the seats with their toddlers, who are either currently potty training or recently potty-trained, to test the stability, ease of cleaning, design, and overall value. For stability, we noted whether the seat moves around when a child sits on top of it or if it stays put, and we also observed whether each seat has handles for kids to hold onto or if it comes with a step stool to help toddlers get onto the toilet. To check how easy it is to clean, we paid attention to how effectively the splash guards work, when applicable, noting if there’s easy access to clean each nook and cranny or if it’s inconvenient. For potties that use disposable bags, we looked at how easy the bags are to remove (and if they leaked). In terms of design, we checked out any bells and whistles that the potty might have, such as a flushing sound, music, or handles. Finally, we considered all of these factors and weighed them against the potty’s price to determine whether the seat is truly a worthwhile purchase.
We also spoke to experts to get their input on what to consider when buying a potty training seat and to hear some of their best potty training tips. We consulted Mona Amin, DO, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician, developmental expert, and founder of Peds Doc Talk; Christine Brown, a child behavior coach, sleep consultant, and founder of Bella Luna Family; and Michelle Swaney, a potty training consultant, speaker, teacher, and CEO of The Potty School.
There are three basic types of potty training seats to choose from. Both Dr. Amin and Brown recommend having one potty chair and one toilet seat to give your child options on which to use, along with some sense of control about the entire process.
Potty training can be a messy experience for everyone involved, and the type of training seat you choose can sometimes add to that mess. Look for a potty training seat that’s easy to clean, since you’ll be doing that a lot. For parents who want a low-maintenance option, potty chairs aren’t as ideal: The bowl will need to be emptied into the toilet after each use, which can get messy (especially if your little one wants to help). As Brown notes, cleaning these after each use can get messy and tiring, especially when you’re in the throes of potty training. In comparison, a toilet seat requires very little cleaning, since everything already goes into the bowl and can be flushed.
You also want the potty training seat to be easy to use—so easy, in fact, that your toddler can use it on their own eventually. Make sure they can sit on it without it falling over, and if using a toilet seat, make sure they’re able to get onto it on their own, whether it’s with an attached step stool or one you purchase separately.
Stability and comfort are key when it comes to a potty training seat or chair. Kids are naturally squirmy, and you don’t want to risk a wiggly seat sending your toddler slip-sliding into the toilet bowl. “A seat reducer shouldn’t be able to slide at all,” Swaney says. “If you’re really looking for quality and longevity, I’d suggest investing in a built-in seat reducer to put as part of your actual toilet.” You want to make sure the toilet seat doesn’t wiggle, which can be scary for little ones, so Swaney recommends finding a model with an anti-slip grip to steadies the potty chair on the floor, or one that keeps the seat reducer stable on the toilet bowl.
Adjustable seats, like the Baby Björn Toilet Trainer, are a good way to prevent slips and falls, and seats that come with a step stool, such as the Skyroku Potty Training Seat, are ideal. “It’s important to use a stool or steps for them to climb up,” Dr. Amin says. “The steps allow them to stabilize their feet and bring their knees up to a more natural position (compared to dangling).”
Splash guards are a great feature as well. “For boys, who are learning to point their penis down, it can be helpful to have a raised front so that if they forget, the mess may be minimized,” Brown says. It’s also useful if a potty training seat has handles, which provide safety and comfort. Dr. Amin suggests looking for an option with a backrest, like the Baby Björn Potty Chair, or armrests—after all, a comfortable toilet can help your kiddo stay on the potty longer.
Potty training can be stressful for toddlers, so anything that makes them want to use the potty can be used to your advantage. Features like a flushing sound, a cute cartoon design, or other sounds aren’t necessary for the process, but they can be fun for kids and encourage them along. If kiddos love something about their little potty chair or toilet seat, they’ll actually want to use it. So, in some cases, paying extra for these kid-friendly features can be worth it in the end. One editor found that the characters and flushing handle on The First Years Disney Minnie Mouse Potty and Training Set made their tot more excited to go, while another reported that the music and flusher on the Fisher-Price Learn-to-Flush Potty were enticing for their potty-training kiddo.
Potty training seats are extremely useful, but they won’t do all the work for you. Here are some potty training tips to help guide you through the process.
This ultimately comes down to a matter of personal preference. “Some children prefer the potty training chair because it is less intimidating than climbing up on the ‘big’ toilet,” Dr. Amin says. Then again, some kiddos prefer a toilet seat, since it makes them feel like a grown-up, she adds. Providing both options is a helpful way to give your toddler some control over the process and find the solution that works best for them. Keep in mind that using a toilet seat gets kids more accustomed to a toilet bowl than a potty chair does.
Sometimes the signs that your child is ready for potty training are clear, and sometimes they’re not. According to Brown, the biggest indicator that a kid is ready to potty train is that they’re asking to use the toilet. Keep in mind that all kids hit milestones at different times, and trying to force the potty training process can backfire. “If we try to force children to potty train and they aren’t ready, it can create an all-out refusal to use the potty and it will prolong the process,” says Brown. Additionally, according to Dr. Amin, other signs include:
Generally, potty training tends to begin between 2 and 3 years old, though some may be ready to start as early as 18 months old, while others may prefer to wait until they’re around 3.5 years old, says Dr. Amin.
However, every kid is ready to start potty training at different ages, Dr. Amin emphasizes. So, it’s key to observe any signs of readiness your kiddo is showing you. “Following your child’s readiness helps to avoid regressions when starting too early and power struggles when starting later,” she explains.
Staff Chair Jessica Booth is a freelance writer who covers parenting, shopping, wellness, entertainment, and wedding content. She has been freelance writing since 2017 and before that worked as an editor at an online publication for seven years. She has written for sites such as Brides, People, Insider, Bustle, Romper, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, Delish, The Daily Beast, Reviewed, She Knows, Scary Mommy, The Knot, and What to Expect. She also has two young daughters and has been through potty training herself.