The Complete Bidet Toilet Buying Guide

Thinking about switching to a combined bidet toilet but not sure where to start? You're not alone — it's one of the most common upgrades UK homeowners make when refitting a bathroom, and one of the questions we get asked most often at Ultra Bathroom. This guide covers exactly how bidet toilets work, how they differ from bidet seats, what installation actually involves, and how to pick the right one for your bathroom — so you can buy with confidence.

What Is a Combined Bidet Toilet?

A combined bidet toilet — sometimes called a Turkish toilet, thanks to its long history in Turkish bathrooms — is a single unit that merges a standard western-style toilet with a built-in bidet function. Instead of buying a toilet and a separate bidet (or bolting a bidet seat onto your existing one), you get both in one ceramic unit, with a discreet water jet and control valve built in.

This is different from a bidet seat or bidet attachment, which clips onto or replaces the seat of your existing toilet. A combined bidet toilet is a complete, integrated unit — better suited to anyone starting a bathroom refit from scratch, and generally more reliable and better-looking than a retrofit attachment.

How Does a Bidet Toilet Work?

It's simpler than most people expect. A combined bidet toilet connects to your cold water supply (and, optionally, your hot water supply if you choose a thermostatic valve) through a small on/off tap, usually concealed behind the wall or unit for a clean look. When you're ready, you control the water jet — typically a chrome-plated, adjustable nozzle — using a lever or button, letting you set the angle and pressure to what's comfortable for you.

There's no need to use toilet roll to clean up afterwards in the way you would with a standard toilet — most people use a small amount of paper just to pat dry. It's a more hygienic way to use the bathroom, and because you're using water rather than paper, it's a lower-waste option too.

If you want warm water for extra comfort (particularly useful in winter), you'll need an optional thermostatic mixing valve, which blends your hot and cold supply to a set temperature. It's not required — many of our customers are perfectly happy with cold water only, since it typically runs at a mild temperature from a header tank rather than straight from the mains.

Bidet Toilet vs Bidet Seat: Which Should You Choose?

This is the question we hear most, so here's the honest comparison:

Combined bidet toilet (what we sell)

• One integrated ceramic unit — no bulky attachment sitting on top of your existing toilet
• Cleaner look, easier to keep hygienic (no extra moving parts or seams)
• Best for: bathroom refits, new builds, or anyone replacing an old toilet anyway
• Typical cost: from around £280 for an entry-level model, up to £585+ for premium integrated designs

Bidet seat / attachment

• Fits onto your current toilet — no need to replace the whole unit
• Usually cheaper upfront and quicker to fit
• Best for: renters, or anyone not ready to replace their existing toilet
• Trade-off: more visible plumbing, and quality varies a lot between brands

If you're already planning to replace your toilet — or building a new bathroom — a combined bidet toilet is almost always the better long-term choice: same price bracket as a good quality standard toilet, but with the bidet function built in rather than bolted on.

Installation & Cost: What to Expect

Installation cost depends mainly on which style you choose and whether you're replacing a like-for-like toilet or starting from scratch:

• Close-coupled / back-to-wall units are the most straightforward to install, especially if you're replacing an existing back-to-wall toilet — the connections are usually in the same place.
• Wall-hung units need a concealed frame built into the wall, which is more involved (and best done as part of a fuller bathroom renovation), but they save floor space and give a sleeker, modern finish.
• You'll need a concealed or exposed on/off tap to control the water supply — we offer both round and square styles depending on your bathroom's look.
• If you don't already have one, a concealed cistern may be required for back-to-wall models — this is a compact tank built into the wall or unit, usually with a dual-flush button.
• Budget for a plumber's time in addition to the unit itself, unless you're comfortable connecting the water supply yourself. Most of our customers use a local plumber for a straightforward same-position swap, which typically takes half a day.

All our bidet toilets come with a fitting diagram, and our team is on hand by phone if your plumber has questions during installation.

Choosing the Right Style for Your Bathroom

• Small bathroom? A wall-hung bidet toilet frees up floor space and makes the room feel larger, since the bowl appears to float above the floor.
• Want the most hygienic option? Look for a rimless design — it removes the hidden rim where bacteria can build up, giving a more thorough flush with less scrubbing.
• Buying for elderly or less mobile family members? A comfort height model sits taller than a standard toilet, making it easier to sit down and stand up — a small design detail that makes a real daily difference.
• Renovating on a budget? Our close-coupled combined bidet toilets start from around £280 and still include the full soft-close seat and built-in bidet function.

Ready to Choose Yours?

Every bidet toilet in our range comes with free UK delivery on orders over £50, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and support from a team that's helped thousands of UK homeowners make this switch. Browse our full range of combined bidet toilets, or get in touch if you're not sure which style is right for your bathroom — we're happy to help you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a plumber to install a bidet toilet? Most people use a plumber, especially for the water supply connection, but the unit itself installs much like a standard toilet. A straightforward like-for-like swap usually takes half a day.

Can I use hot water with my bidet toilet? Only if you fit an optional thermostatic mixing valve. Without one, the bidet function uses cold water, which is typically mild rather than icy thanks to running from a header tank.

Is a bidet toilet more hygienic than a standard toilet? Yes — using water to clean rather than relying solely on toilet paper is widely considered more hygienic, and rimless designs reduce the areas where bacteria can build up.

How much does a combined bidet toilet cost? Our range starts from around £280 for a close-coupled model and goes up to £585+ for premium integrated wall-hung designs, depending on features like rimless technology and comfort height.