Motion-Activated Toilet Lids: What Makes Them Different, And Do You Need One?

Almost 63% of new homes have a minimum of two toilets. Whether purchasing new construction or simply looking to make a few upgrades to your bathroom, you might be considering a motion-activated toilet lid. And with its convenience, it's no surprise why you'd want to invest in one of these bathroom upgrades. But what exactly is the difference between a motion-activated toilet lid and a standard one, and why do you need one? Additionally, how much do these lids cost, and can you install one yourself?

For starters, you have to purchase a smart toilet to access this special feature. You can buy them at a variety of price points, but Amazon sells a modestly priced one-piece smart toilet with an automatic lid for $489. Although tempting, you should leave the installation to the pros. For example, installing a smart toilet requires plumbing and electric work. Yes, you can attempt this yourself, but if you run into an issue mid-install, you may find yourself without a working toilet until the cavalry arrives. 

However, once your new toilet is installed, you'll have something with built-in safety features. For example, toilets contain tons of different microbes. But when your toilet seat goes down automatically after use, you're working to contain these germs. And that's not the only reason you should invest in a smart toilet with a motion-activated lid. But first, how do they work, exactly?

Whenever someone comes near a smart toilet with a motion-activated lid, it automatically lifts. Once you're done with the toilet, the lid automatically closes. Some models, such as the TEISVAY Smart Toilet on Amazon, even have foot sensors that control the seat and flushing capabilities. This model is $695 and can help anyone with a disability who requires a more streamlined bathroom experience. And no matter what your personal style or home decor is, you can find the best toilet designs to complement your bathroom. 

Aside from convenience, there are other reasons to purchase a smart toilet. Yes, the automatic lid is a huge pro, but most of these toilets offer automatic flushing. This works to prevent the spread of germs. Consider the following: flush handles are reported to have 83 bacteria for every square inch of space. This means you're increasing your chances of transmitting germs from one person to the next or from surface to surface. Germs that cause the common cold can live on various surfaces for a week, making these smart toilets much more necessary. Some smart toilets even offer self-cleaning features, reducing the time you spend cleaning them. 

Another reason to invest in a motion-activated toilet lid is odor control. On average, one square inch of toilet space contains 3.2 million bacteria. There is one toilet cleaning trick you need to know that can make cleaning your commode that much easier, but you still might find yourself without enough time to give your bathroom a proper scrubbing. If you're not diligent about cleaning your toilet weekly (or bi-weekly if you don't use it too often), urine, among other things, can build up. The result is an unpleasant odor, but a motion-activated toilet lid can work to prevent these smells from permeating the rest of your bathroom. 

Motion-activated toilet lids are also a safety feature, especially for homes with young children. One of the leading causes of death among children up to the age of 14 is drowning. Toilets contribute to this drowning risk, posing the biggest threat to babies 12 months of age and under. Although homes with babies and young children should have safety locks on all toilets, motion-activated toilet lids are better than lids left up. So the next time you're shopping for restroom upgrades, keep these benefits in mind before buying a toilet for your bathroom. You just might find yourself shopping for a smart toilet, with all its bells and whistles.