Here is the short summary: if you are even thinking you might want this toilet, stop researching and get it. My spouse and I are both annoyed when we have to use other toilets now.
We have had this Toto for over a year. it includes the toilet itself plus the remote-controlled s550e washlet seat. The seat is where the majority of the magic happens but it's nice to have the matching toilet so that everything is clean, internal and integrated.
The lid automatically opens when you approach and closes about 60 seconds after you leave. You cannot control the lid from the remote. There's a button on the top of the remote to raise and lower the seat. You can program the seat to also automatically open/raise upon approach, although we don't have that enabled. There's a night light on the side of the toilet that automatically turns on when you approach and off 60 seconds after you leave. It works very well. The seat is heated and you can control how warm it is and some other related functions. I believe that the seat heats all the time (ie, it can't/doesn't heat up fast enough to be on only when in use). The seat lights the bowl for a couple seconds, premists the bowl with ionized water and does other various cleanings related to use and to periodic timers. There is a odor filter that activates when you sit on the seat. The seat itself is a bit smaller front-to-back than typical here in the US, but even as a very tall guy it still works.
You control the cleaning functions with the remote. The seat has a wand that comes out when activated and uses heated water. There are two main spray modes for the rear. The default spray is good for normal situations because it covers a small circle area with a gentle but effective strength. The other rear spray is good for diarrhea and is more of a blade or line, covers a wider area side to side, and has more power. The front spray similarly has two modes. Buttons on the remote allow any spray to pulsate and/or move fore and aft. You can control the temp of the water and the power of the spray from the remote. There is a heated air dryer whose temperature and operation is set by the remote. With this particular Toto model, there is a 1/2 button on top of the tank to flush. That means this Toto model will flush normally during a power failure.
We turned off the heated seat because, even in cold (0F) winter time, the plastic seat is comfortable without heating. Having it on could cause one's butt to sweat during seatings of more than a minute or so. Compared to the old regular toilet, the bowl stays cleaner between human scrubbings. The toilet also clogs much less frequently (actually it hasn't clogged once since we've had it). The odor filter works shockingly well -- so much that using the ceiling vent fan is completely unnecessary.
The rear cleaning functions works beautifully. The dryer helps and feels nice, but unless you have a lot of time, it won't completely dry you. So you'll still use toilet paper, but only a few squares and only to blot (not wipe) dry. Basically, it feels like showering every time you poop. Using normal toilets, even with wet wipes, seems gross and archaic after the Toto. As a guy, I can't comment on the front cleaning function except to say that it can provide quite a surprise if you unwittingly hit the front instead of the rear button!
The Toto requires mains power. In the US, that means a 120V GFI outlet right next to the toilet and almost always means adding a new one. We used an electrician who cost us roughly $200. We also had plumbers professionally install, setup and test the whole thing and that cost around $350. They commented that the Toto toilets are very highly engineered plumbing-wise compared to regular toilets.
The only downsides (other than cost) are I wish you could use the remote to close the lid before you flush and I wish you could control the bowl lighting so that it would turn on as you approach and stay on until you either left or sat down. Those are both pretty minor things.
In summary, spending two grand+ in total on a toilet seems insane but is worth it if you can swing it. We are going to add a second one to our home soon. The cleaning functions work beautifully; the heated seat function was a dud for us while the odor filter was a pleasant surprise. Our second upcoming Toto will probably be a bit higher-end and include automatic/remote control flushing.
| Color | Cotton White |
|---|---|
| Material | Ceramic |
| Brand | TOTO |
| Installation Type | Floor Mounted |
| Shape | Elongated |
| Seat Material Type | Plastic |
| Manufacturer | TOTO |
| Part Number | MW4463046CEMG#01 |
| Item Weight | 17.46 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 27.56 x 15.56 x 29.56 inches |
| Item model number | MW4463046CEMG#01 |
| Size | 1.28/0.8 GPF |
| Style | With S500e WASHLET+ |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Water Consumption | 0.8 Gallons per Flush |
| Handle/Lever Placement | Center |
| Usage | Inside |
| Included Components | Two-Piece Toilet |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | Manufacturer One Year Limited |
