Soft-close or standard toilet seat? We look at the pros and cons of both options!

A toilet seat is an essential addition to any toilet pan to ensure comfortable use. Before you make any purchase decision, however, you need to consider which one to choose. Which toilet seat is best: standard or soft-close? Below, we weigh up the pros and cons of both options. Be sure to check it out!

Standard toilet seat: pros and cons

When fitting out a bathroom, we often don’t think about the variety of toilet seats currently available and reach for simple, standard models. Is that a good choice? Much depends on your habits as well as what you expect from the product.

Advantages of standard toilet seats

The greatest advantage of a standard toilet seat is undoubtedly its attractive price. And this does not come at the expense of quality — quite the opposite. Today’s standard seats offer considerable durability, so they do not wear out quickly. Standard seats have been on the market for many years, which is why another benefit is the wide variety available — in terms of sizes and shapes as well as the materials they are made from.

Drawbacks of standard seats

The biggest drawback of any seat without a soft-close mechanism is the loud bang when it is dropped accidentally. This is particularly bothersome at night when others are asleep. That’s not the only minus, though. A fast-falling seat can also be dangerous, as it may trap fingers — something that often happens where there are small children in the home. What’s more, such impacts can cause scratches and cracks that will shorten the product’s lifespan.

Soft-close toilet seat: pros and cons

A modern solution chosen by more and more people is the soft-close toilet seat. Like a standard model, it has its pros and cons that are worth considering before purchasing a specific seat.

Advantages of a soft-close seat

The soft-close mechanism is a godsend for anyone who wants to avoid the slam associated with standard models. Choosing such a seat is therefore safer around children and less prone to mechanical damage caused by sudden impacts. This type of seat is also handled less, which helps keep it clean — a gentle nudge is enough for it to close by itself.

Many soft-close seats are fitted with a quick-release mechanism, which makes it easy to remove the seat for a more thorough clean. Once cleaned, it also allows for swift reattachment. This solution helps you maintain proper hygiene in the toilet not just once in a blue moon, but on a regular basis.

Drawbacks of a soft-close seat

A soft-close seat has few drawbacks. For many, the higher price compared with standard seats is one of them. Another is the need to learn a bit of patience. Such a seat cannot be ‘hurried’ — it must close on its own. If you press on it to make it drop faster, you will quickly damage the mechanism.

How to choose a toilet seat to suit future users’ needs?

To make the right decision and avoid buyer’s remorse, it is worth weighing a few other points. If budget is not a major constraint, opt for a soft-close toilet seat. It will provide significantly greater comfort for family members of all ages. Children will not trap their fingers, and adults gain a simple, quick way to keep things clean.

Another question is: slim or standard toilet seat? Here, much depends on the toilet pan you have and your own preferences. And what material makes for the best toilet seat? What’s better — polypropylene or duroplast? Polypropylene stays around room temperature, which makes it comfortable to use. Soft-close seats made from duroplast are more resistant to scratching and more hygienic, as the material has antibacterial properties.

Standard or soft-close — which will you choose? Consider the above pros and cons to decide which will suit you better and make an informed choice. Good luck!