We Tested the Tushy Bidet for Toilets 2023

Publish date: 2024-08-08

While we all hope the days of toilet paper shortages never return, it’s always nice to cut down on the waste and cost. Many people have embraced the idea of bidets as toilet paper alternatives—not only for sustainability efforts and cost savings, but also for cleanliness.

You don’t need to install another pluming appliance in your bathroom to reap the benefits of an in-home bidet, either. A brilliant toilet attachment can be a DIY project accomplished in less than an hour. The Tushy Classic 3.0 is one of the easiest versions to install and is available at an affordable price. I installed the Tushy bidet in my own bathroom to let you know whether it’s worth your time and money. Here’s how it went.

What is the Tushy bidet?

Tushy Bidet Mary Henn/Family Handyman

What is a bidet, anyway? These nifty bathroom fixtures shoot a stream of water that leaves your bottom squeaky clean. They come in all shapes and sizes, from standalone fountains to attachments for home toilets.

The Tushy Classic 3.0 falls into the latter category and has quickly become one of the most popular bidet options on the internet. Made of tough, durable acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic and accented with stylish hardware in a range of colors, the Tushy bidet allows users to choose the water stream strength. From light to strong pressure, the precision angle adjuster of the Tushy 3.0 makes getting clean a quick and efficient task. Plus, you save big on toilet paper.

VIA MERCHANT VIA MERCHANT

This affordable bidet attachment is easy to install and will revolutionize your bathroom experience.

Tushy Bidet Features

Tushy Bidet features Mary Henn/Family Handyman

The Tushy Classic 3.0 is a discreet, easy-to-install bidet attachment with a smart, self-cleaning nozzle. It’s completely manual, so there’s no need for electricity or batteries. The overall design of the attachment is lightweight and barely noticeable once installed. Plus, it has a patented shield that blocks grime where the attachment sits on your toilet for easy cleaning.

The water pressure control dial on the side of the attachment is easy to reach and operate while the spray angle switch lets you control exactly where the water goes. This Tushy bidet has a universal fit on all standard toilets and there’s no plumbing or professional installation required. It’s available in white with your choice of bamboo, platinum, bronze or gold hardware.

How We Tested It

Tested the Tushy Bidet Mary Henn/Family Handyman

I installed the Tushy Classic 3.0 on my own toilet to see how the product actually performs. While the brand says installation should take less than 10 minutes, I found that it took me about 25 to 30 minutes to install the product from start to finish. Granted, I’ve never claimed to be the fastest at installing home devices or completing DIY projects. I like to take my time. I also took time to deep clean my toilet during installation and fix an existing leak.

I will say that installation was relatively easy. All you have to do is remove your toilet seat and attach the bidet. You’ll also need to fasten the hose to the waterline behind your toilet, as that’s where the bidet will pull water from. You won’t have to fuss with the back of the toilet at all, so don’t worry about that. Everything you need to get the Tushy bidet setup and ready to use is included in the packaging, too!

As for actually using the Tushy bidet—I love it. I can’t believe it took me so long to install a bidet attachment. It saves my partner and I time in the bathroom, cuts down on toilet paper usage and makes us leave the bathroom feeling cleaner than before. We also haven’t seen an increase in our water bill. On average, a bidet uses eight times less water than a toilet flush, so you shouldn’t notice an increase in your water bill, either.

My only qualm with the Classic 3.0 is that there isn’t a way to control the water temperature, and the water that comes directly from our line is cold—like icy cold. Now, this hasn’t deterred me from using it whatsoever, but it can be a bit shocking in the winter (if you know what I’m saying). Tushy makes a 3.0 warm water version that solves this problem, and while it will cost you a little more, I do wish I would’ve splurged for this version myself.

The Tushy bidet is also said to alleviate hemorrhoids and make laundry day way less gross. So, it’s a worthy home improvement project if you want to spend less on toilet paper and stain-removing products for your laundry.

Pros

Easy to install and operate
No electricity or batteries needed
Self-cleaning nozzle
Cuts down on toilet paper usage
Can alleviate hemorrhoids
Leaves you feeling fresher and cleaner
Relatively inexpensive compared to other in-home bidets

Cons

No temperature control on the Classic 3.0 model

FAQ

Do you use more toilet paper with a bidet?

No! In fact, it’s the opposite. Using a bidet to assist you in your cleaning process cuts down on toilet paper usage. I find that I use less than half the amount of toilet paper that I used pre-bidet. If you’re looking for biodegradable options, then you can switch to bamboo toilet paper.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

The Tushy bidet is receiving high remarks. Here’s what real-life reviewers are saying on Amazon:

“This is a must-have,” writes Jose Schmuckatello, a verified purchaser. “We bought a fancy bidet at the onset of the COVID pandemic because we were worried about having no toilet paper. As a result, we can’t go back to a non-bidet life. Any time we’re out of town, we just feel dirty!”

“It is amazing how well this cleans and how clean you feel after using it. I am absolutely blown away by this bidet and couldn’t be happier with my purchase,” says five-star reviewer, Matthew Tremblay.

Morgan F., another verified buyer, shares, “We’ve been on the fence about getting a bidet attachment for a while and finally decided to pull the trigger. Our experience was WOW, that’s not nearly as strange as I thought it was going to be. There’s a bit of a learning process to getting lined up and fully washed, but we’ve never felt cleaner after using the porcelain throne.”

Product Comparison: Tushy Basic 2.0 vs. Classic 3.0 vs. 3.0 Spa

If you’re on a tight budget but still want to invest in a bidet attachment, then the Tushy Basic 2.0 may be worth considering. However, while you’ll save a little money, you’ll miss out on the self-cleaning nozzle feature, grime-protection shield, water pressure control and nozzle angle adjuster. For me, those features are well worth the added cost of the Tushy Classic 3.0, but they may not be for you.

A more difficult choice might be deciding between the Tushy Classic 3.0 and the Tushy 3.0 Spa. The only real difference between the two is the water temperature control knob on the Tushy Spa, which allows you to clean with cool or warm water, depending on your preference and the season.

Final Verdict

As a proud bidet owner now, I honestly don’t know how I managed in the bathroom before a bidet, and this seems to be a shared sentiment among friends and family who have also made the bidet upgrade. If you’re interested in a cleaner bathroom experience, cutting down on toilet paper costs and impressing guests (yes, be prepared for visitors to comment on it after using your bathroom), then you’ve got to get the Tushy Classic 3.0.

Where to Buy the Tushy Bidet