As a mom of three—including twin toddlers currently in the throes of potty training—I’ve quickly discovered that the process looks different for every child. After interviewing pediatricians and child development experts, and personally testing 15 different potty training seats, one thing became clear: the right seat can make a big difference. When a potty seat puts kids into an ideal ergonomic position and appeals to the child, the whole process is a lot smoother. Of all the models my kids tried, The First Years Super Pooper Plus Potty Training System With Foot Rest quickly emerged as the best potty training seat thanks to its supportive positioning for a bowel movement, its ease of use and its fun flushing features that keep kids motivated.
Here’s our full list of winners:
Above all, pediatrician Dr. Rosana Lastra recommends proper ergonomic positioning. “A seat that allows feet to rest flat with knees above the hips puts the body in a natural squat, which relaxes the pelvic floor and makes pooping easier,” she says. In addition to our top pick, the Kalencom Potette Plus 2-In-1 Travel Potty Trainer Seat is ideal for travel—you can use it in the car by attaching a disposable bag, and you can take it into a public restroom and place it on top of the seat. Learn more about all of our top picks, including some that double as a step stool.
Designed For Proper Alignment
This potty checks all the boxes, making it an excellent choice for potty-training toddlers. First and foremost, it supports the proper body alignment that Lastra recommends—the integrated stool allows kids to prop their feet up. As they get older and their legs get longer, you can remove the top part of the foot rest. “My number one priority when choosing a potty seat is that it supports proper body alignment. This is especially important for pooping because we don’t want kids straining,” she says. Once they’re ready for the big toilet, remove the seat and use it as a toilet insert instead.
It’s not just great for bowel movements, either. It has a splash guard to prevent urine from spilling out of the front. I was worried that the foot rest would get in the way when my boys stand to pee, but they haven’t had any issues at all.
Toddler-Approved
The foot rest alone is enough to make this potty fun for my toddlers, and they also really like the buttons that play flushing and cheering sounds. For reluctant kids, a feature like this can make all the difference. The pot in this potty is also generously sized, so you never have to worry about overflow. It’s also one of the sturdiest potties I tested. I never have issues with it sliding around, and I think the wide base of the foot rest helps with that.
Cleaning Can Be A Bit Tricky
The only real drawback of this toilet is that it can be a bit more difficult to clean than others. There are a few cracks behind the seat, and if pee seeps into those, it can be tricky to get into.
Simple And Easy To Clean
A potty seat doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective, and this simple seat gets the job done. It’s nice and sturdy with a non-slip bottom and has a large pot that’s easy to remove for cleaning. Among all of the potty seats I tested, it’s also one of the easiest to clean. It doesn’t have as many nooks, crannies and cracks like several of the other options do. I really appreciate the handle on the back, too. My kids often ask for the potty to be moved from room to room, and this makes it easy.
Ideal For Bigger And Older Toddlers
I’ve found that as my kids get older, they prefer this chair even more since it’s a bit more spacious than some of the smaller potty seats and has a high backrest. While many of the smaller options are better for ergonomic positioning, kids can outgrow them rather quickly.
Reluctant Kids Might Not Love It
Because it is such a simple seat, the biggest con is that there aren’t any fun features to motivate kids to sit on the seat. If your child is a bit hesitant, try allowing them to decorate the outside of the potty with stickers featuring their favorite character or animal. This can give them some ownership over the potty and make it a little more exciting.
A Multi-Purpose Travel Seat
This potty seat has been in my vehicle for over five years, and it has saved my kids from having accidents while traveling so many times. When you prop up the legs and use a liner bag, it can function as a standalone potty seat. I use this function often when my kids need to go and there isn’t a bathroom to stop at.
It also comes in handy for kids who are scared of public bathrooms or who might be shy to poop in public. If you do find a bathroom but want to keep your kids off the dirty toilet seat, you can flip the legs outward to use it as a potty insert. When they’re done, fold the legs in, and stash it back in your car.
Factors To Consider
While this is a great travel option, it’s not perfect. It’s not quite as sturdy as other more robust potty seats, though I’ve never had it collapse or tip over. You’ll also need to purchase potty seat liners. I’ve used plastic grocery bags in a pinch, but the experience is always better using the correct liners. They fit on the seat well, have an absorbent pad in the middle and I’ve never had them leak.
Sturdy Fit Makes Kids Feel Comfortable
The Jool Baby Potty Training Ladder is really sturdy, and it’s adjustable so you can easily get a secure fit on your toilet. It has two steps kids can use to climb up onto the toilet seat, which my toddlers really love. Though it doesn’t have a fun flushing mechanism or a character theme like some other seats do, the very design makes the regular toilet more kid-friendly.
The seat has a lot of great features: it’s slightly cushioned, has a splash guard, and includes handles and a slightly raised back to help kids feel comfortable and secure. It’s very easy to take on and off, so you’re not giving up one of your toilets for your kids. Simply pull the seat off the toilet and fold the top down, then slide it next to the toilet or somewhere else out of the way. My 3-year-olds are able to put it on the toilet themselves, which is really helpful when they need to go and I can’t get there to assist right away.
Potential Drawbacks
Most potty training seats require little (if any) assembly, but this ladder did require some assembly time. The directions were a bit confusing, and once I had it assembled, I also had to adjust it to fit my toilet. Thankfully, this is only a one-time process, but it’s something to consider.
It’s also a bit difficult to clean since there are a lot of small parts and cracks. The cushioned seat also attaches with a hook-and-loop material which is difficult to clean if it gets pee on it.
Nice And Sturdy So They Feel Secure
The BabyBjorn Toilet Training Seat is a simpler alternative to a ladder, yet it still helps toddlers feel more comfortable using the regular toilet. It also has a hook, so you can hang it out of the way when it’s not in use. This seat is incredibly sturdy, largely thanks to the adjustable dial. For kids who are scared of going on the regular toilet, this is a major benefit because it won’t wobble around or fall off when they’re trying to get on or off the toilet. I was able to get a really nice fit on multiple toilets, and this feature makes it a good travel option, too.
The seat is very lightweight, and my toddlers have no problem putting it on the toilet themselves. It also has a simple design with a subtle pop of color around the outside, so it won’t stand out as an eyesore in your bathroom.
Cleaning Pros And Cons
The seat has a splash guard in the front, which helps prevent urine from shooting out of the toilet. If they do miss and get pee all over, however, it’s not the easiest seat to clean. The adjustable dial has quite a few areas that can be difficult to clean. Fortunately, since they are going right into the regular toilet, there isn’t a pot to clean out.
Cuts Down On Potty Training Smells
If the thought of a toilet training seat stinking up your house worries you, the Munchkin Arm & Hammer Multistage 3-In-1 Potty is the right option for you. The seat has an odor-fighting deodorizing disc built into the lid which I’ve found helps neutralize odors and gives off a light, pleasant scent. The seat itself has proven to be sturdy and comfortable for my toddlers.
In addition to helping tame odors, the seat is a multifunctional: kids can use it as a regular potty seat, a toilet insert and a step stool—a real space-saver if your home is already crowded with toys and products like mine is.
Make Sure You Empty The Pot Every Time They Go
The pot is easy to remove and clean, and I appreciate that it’s nice and deep. This helps prevent it from spilling over when emptying a particularly full pot. The only drawback I’ve found is that pee sometimes spills out when my kids carry around the step stool while there’s still something in it (one of the downfalls of testing 15 potties at once). If you’re more vigilant about emptying the potty, however, this probably won’t be an issue.
Tons Of Toddler-Friendly Features
Sometimes, especially with reluctant potty trainers, you just need a potty that’s exciting for kids and themed with their favorite character. The First Years Potty Training And Transition Potty could be just the enticement they need. “Even the ‘perfect’ potty won’t work if your kid refuses to sit on it,” says Lastra. This potty features either Baby Shark, Mickey Mouse, Paw Patrol or Spidey and His Amazing Friends. The seat also has buttons they can push to flush the seat and elicit other fun sounds. Of all of the seats I’ve tested, this is one that my toddlers continually gravitate towards—for obvious reasons.
When your child is ready to transition to the big toilet, you can simply remove the seat and use it as an insert. It’s a thoughtful, toddler-friendly feature that helps ease the change—since the seat feels familiar, kids are more comfortable and confident making the move.
Best For Smaller Toddlers
The seat isn’t quite as sturdy and stable as some of our other top picks. It hasn’t ever tipped over or slid while my kids were using it, but it may not be the best pick for older or larger toddlers.
Simplifies Toilet Training Products
This newly released 3-in-1 potty is another option that’s ideal for saving space. It transitions from a potty chair to a toilet insert to a step stool in a pretty innovative way: to transition to a step stool, you take the insert out and turn the potty upside down, so you can use the toilet insert and step stool at the same time. Lastra recommends multifunctional seats like this because kids tend to stick with the one they’re familiar with. Since the insert can be removed and the potty flipped to become a step stool, it avoids the spilling issues seen with the Munchkin seat.
The pot and seat insert are both easy to clean, and the pot is large enough to hold a lot of liquids and solids. The toilet insert also has a splash guard you can flip up, which I find particularly helpful for my boys.
No Exciting Features For Kids
Though I haven’t had any issues with my kids tipping this seat or having it slide around, it’s not quite as sturdy as some other options. The material just seems to be a bit more flimsy. The overall look and feel is also a bit more utilitarian than some other options. My kids don’t dislike this potty, but they also don’t gravitate towards it like they do with some others. To help your kid get excited to use this potty, you might encourage them to decorate it with stickers.
Other Potty Training Seats We Tested
I tested a total of 15 potty training seats and chairs with my 3-year-old twins during potty training, and I used some of these seats when potty training my older child as well.
BabyBjorn Potty Chair: I’ve used this potty for all three of my kids, and it’s a great option. The only reason it’s not a top pick is that it’s very similar to the less expensive OXO Tot Potty Chair, which performed nearly identically in our tests.
Kolkraft Sesame Street Elmo Hooray 3-In-1 Potty Training Toilet Seat: I didn’t have any concerns with this seat when it came to stability, and my toddlers like it. However, the red pot that collects the pee and poop does present a concern. It makes it difficult to see if there is urine in it, and it makes it almost impossible to see the color of the pee or poop. Parents often need to examine the color of their child’s pee or poop, especially if there are any health concerns.
Summer Infant My Size Potty Pro: Unfortunately, this seat did not perform well during testing. The pot is really small, and somehow, pee constantly leaked from the sides of the seat.
Munchkin Sturdy Potty Seat: I’ve been using this seat for years and it works well. However, it’s not adjustable like the BabyBjorn Toilet Training Seat. On some toilets, it may not fit as well and could create an unsteady base for kids to sit on.
Frida Baby Fold & Go Potty Seat: This is an ideal option when you want a toilet insert that’s super compact. However, when compared to the Kalencom Potette Plus 2-In-1 Travel Potty Trainer Seat, it simply doesn’t offer as many features and can only be used on an existing toilet while the Potette Plus can also be used as a standalone potty.
Contours Bravo 3 Stage Potty: The Contours Bravo 3 Stage Potty has a unique design that creates a large area for kids to sit on. Its flaw, however, is that the pot gets stuck when you try to pull it out to empty it, and if you’re not careful, this can send pee and poop flying, which is obviously not ideal.
Fisher-Price Step Up Potty: This step-up potty ladder has a comfortable seat, but the ladder isn’t adjustable. I wasn’t able to get it to fit my toilet without it wobbling, and many online reviewers mentioned the same issue.
How We Tested The Best Potty Training Seats
I tested all 15 of the potty training seats we considered for this list myself with my 3-year-old twin boys. My daughter also used many of these seats when she was a toddler. In addition to using each seat throughout our daily lives, I also conducted more specific tests on each seat. Here’s some more insight into how I tested each seat.
Stability
I noted each time any of the seats wobbled or seemed unstable while my kids were sitting on them. I also attempted to slide them around and tip them over while nobody was sitting on them.
Mess Containment
Some seats tended to leak pee around the sides or under the pot, so when this happened, I attempted to figure out why and made note of the incident. I also carried each pot across a room and to the toilet to be emptied many times. I noted which ones were easier to transport than others.
Overall Usability
I made note of how easy each seat was to use for both parents and toddlers. This included information on assembly (if applicable), placing the seat on the toilet and function of features like handles and buttons.
Ease Of Cleaning
I cleaned each seat multiple times and documented any cracks, small parts or areas of the seats that were difficult to clean.
Comfort And Toddler-Friendliness
When it comes down to it, a good potty seat needs to appeal to toddlers. I observed which seats my kids gravitated towards and which they said were the most comfortable.
What To Consider When Buying A Potty Training Seat
Ergonomic Positioning
Lastra explains that parents often struggle with potty training because their kids aren’t in a good ergonomic position to go to the bathroom. “When we adjust the child’s position, it’s like magic and everything works. When kids have to strain or feel uncomfortable, they’re much more likely to resist the potty, which can make the whole training process harder,” she says.
Good ergonomic positioning involves a comfortable seat that allows your child’s knees to be higher than their hips when their feet are rested on a flat surface. If your potty isn’t low enough to the ground for your toddler, try placing something stable under their feet to help get them into the right position.
Ease Of Cleaning
“After alignment, ease of cleaning is my next must-have,” says Lastra. “A seat that’s simple to wipe down or has a removable bowl saves a lot of hassle.” Look for seats that don’t have a lot of seams or areas that are difficult to get into to clean. A toilet insert will require less cleaning overall than a potty chair.
Splash guards can help keep pee contained, too, so you’re not cleaning up messes as often. This is typically even more important for boys.
Fun Theming
While not necessary, fun theming can make a toddler more likely to want to use the potty. Look for seats that appeal to them or let them decorate a more plain seat with stickers.
Stability
Anything that can make kids feel uneasy or scared while going to the bathroom could jeopardize the potty training process. Look for seats that are sturdy and that won’t slide or tip while your toddler is sitting on them.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The baby and kids gear team at Forbes Vetted is steeped in experience testing and vetting the best products. We frequently cover potty training topics, including the best potty training books and the best potty training pants.
- The author of this article, Alicia Betz, is a mom to three, and she is currently finishing up potty training her 3-year-old toddlers. She tested all 15 of the potty training seats for this guide, and she’s been using many of them for years.
- The editor of this article, Esther Carlstone, is also a mom to three who has potty-trained multiple kids and is an experienced parenting editor and writer.
- I interviewed pediatrician Dr. Rosana Lastra, founder of Head2Toe Pediatrics in Florida.
What Type Of Seat Is Best For Potty Training?
The best type of seat for potty training puts toddlers in an ergonomic position, which helps them poop without straining. Fun features like a theme with their favorite character or flushing handles can help get toddlers excited about using the potty, too. For these reasons, we named the best potty seat The First Years Super Pooper Plus Potty Training System With Foot Rest.
Potty Training Seat Vs. Chair
The terms potty training seat and potty training chair are often used interchangeably. However, a potty chair is a standalone potty that sits on the floor while a potty seat is an insert that rests on top of the regular toilet. Many potty training chairs can also function as potty training seats.
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