TOTO Washlet vs Brondell Swash 1400
The TOTO Washlet S5 and the Brondell Swash 1400 sit at the top of the bidet seat market for buyers who want real luxury features without buying an integrated toilet. TOTO is the category originator — the brand that essentially invented the modern washlet — while Brondell has spent the past decade building a strong American alternative with competitive specs and a longer warranty. Both seats are well above the budget tier, so the question is not whether they are good, but which one fits your priorities.
These two seats differ in meaningful ways. The S5 uses instantaneous tankless water heating and TOTO's proprietary EWATER+ system, which mists the wand and bowl with electrolyzed water to reduce bacteria between uses. The Swash 1400 uses a ceramic heater that delivers what the brand calls "endless" warm water but draws on stored water that can produce a brief cold burst at the very start of each use. The S5 carries a premium price ($680–780) and only a one-year warranty. The Swash 1400 runs $440–550, comes with a three-year limited warranty, and puts out stronger airflow from its dryer.
This page synthesizes published manufacturer specifications, verified owner reviews, and independent testing write-ups. We have not performed hands-on lab testing ourselves. Where reviewers disagree, we note it. The goal is to give you a clear, honest picture of where each seat wins so you can spend your money with confidence.
| TOTO Washlet (S5) | Brondell Swash 1400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Heating | Instantaneous tankless heater — unlimited warm water, no cold burst at startup | Ceramic tank heater — near-endless warm water, but first second of spray can run cool |
| Nozzle & Cleaning Tech | Single adjustable nozzle; EWATER+ electrolyzed water mists wand and bowl before/after use to inhibit bacteria | Dual stainless-steel nozzles (front and rear); Clean Plus self-cleaning; oscillation and pulse modes |
| Dryer Performance | 5 temperature settings; most users report 60–90 seconds to adequately dry | 3-level warm air dryer; reviewers consistently rate airflow as stronger — closer to 60 seconds for most users |
| Seat & Remote | Heated seat with 5 temp settings; wireless remote with 4-user memory presets; PREMIST bowl wetting before use | Heated seat with 4 levels; wireless remote with 2 user presets; LED nightlight included; remote not backlit |
| Build & Brand Heritage | Japanese-engineered; TOTO is the global category leader; slimmer profile due to tankless design; widely regarded as best long-term build quality | American brand; solid ABS construction; stainless steel nozzles resist corrosion; profile slightly bulkier |
| Price (Street) | $680–$780 depending on retailer and elongated vs. round | $440–$550; open-box / outlet units sometimes available directly from Brondell for less |
| Warranty | 1-year limited — short for a seat at this price point | 3-year limited standard; optional 5-year full-coverage extension available for ~$99 |
| Known Owner Complaints | Occasional leaking reported by a subset of users; initial remote setup can confuse new users; auto-open/close features sometimes require toggling off | Brief cold burst at start of wash; spray pressure on the lighter side vs. some rivals; blue nightlight not dimmable; one nozzle reported failing to retract fully in isolated cases |
When to choose each
Choose the TOTO Washlet S5 if truly seamless warm water from the first second matters to you and you want passive hygiene maintenance built in. The EWATER+ system works in the background — no manual wand cleaning needed — and the tankless design means you will never hit a cold surprise mid-wash. It is also the pick if you are buying for a household where multiple people have different preferences, since the four-user memory remote handles that cleanly. If you are investing in a premium bathroom and want the seat that independent outlets like Wirecutter have consistently named the top pick, the S5 is it.
Read the full review →Choose the Brondell Swash 1400 if budget headroom or warranty coverage is a deciding factor. You get dual stainless-steel nozzles (more nozzle positions than the S5), stronger dryer airflow, an LED nightlight, and three years of warranty coverage — all for $150–200 less than the TOTO. It is also the better fit if you prefer a strong oscillating wash or want the flexibility of a front feminine nozzle separate from the rear nozzle. Owners who buy it repeatedly for multiple bathrooms tend to cite the combination of features-per-dollar and Brondell's responsive customer service.
Read the full review →Our verdict
Frequently asked questions
Does the Brondell Swash 1400 really run out of warm water?
Not in a practical sense for most users. The ceramic heater is described as near-endless in normal use. The more common complaint is a brief cold burst at the very start of each wash cycle — water that sat in the line between the heater and nozzle and was not heated. It typically lasts under two seconds before warm water arrives.
What is EWATER+ and does it actually reduce bacteria?
EWATER+ is TOTO's electrolyzed water system. It mists the wand before and after use, and also applies a PREMIST to the bowl before each flush. TOTO's published data supports reduced bacterial growth, and independent reviewers describe it as a meaningful passive hygiene feature. You do not need to manually clean the wand as often as you would on a seat without this system.
Is the TOTO S5 warranty really only one year?
Yes. At $680–780, a one-year limited warranty is short by category standards. The Brondell Swash 1400 includes a three-year limited warranty and offers an optional five-year full-coverage extension for around $99. For buyers who weigh warranty length heavily, this is a real differentiator.
Can either seat fit a round toilet?
Both are available in round and elongated versions. Be sure to select the correct size when ordering — the seats are not interchangeable between bowl shapes.
Which seat is easier to install?
Both install without a plumber and take most people 20–40 minutes. You need a GFCI electrical outlet within about four feet of the toilet and a water supply line that accepts a T-valve. Neither seat requires modifying your plumbing beyond the T-valve connection.
How do these two seats compare on dryer speed?
The Brondell Swash 1400 is consistently rated as having stronger dryer airflow in this price range, with many users reporting adequate drying in around 60 seconds. The TOTO S5 dryer works well but typically takes 60–90 seconds for most users. Neither seat will dry you as fast as a towel, but the Brondell has the edge here.