In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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We tested popular potty chairs from Mayfair, OXO, BabyBjorn, and more to find the best
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Abriah Wofford ⋅ Senior Research Analyst ⋅ May 29, 2024
The Best Potty Chairs
Is your child ready to start potty training? Our review ranks today's top 9 potty chairs that can the potty training journey. After researching the market, we selected and purchased our lineup of potty chairs for testing. We brought the seats to the home of our 2-year-old toilet trainee and evaluated each product's function, ease of cleaning, portability, and durability. Our favorite chairs were simple, subtle, and easily transported from room to room. With the right seat, potty training can be less of a hassle. Let our research and hands-on testing help you make the right choice.
The OXO Tot Potty Chair is our favorite seat for toilet training. It's a simple two-piece design that is easy to empty and rinse out after each use. There are no small cracks for urine to get stuck in. Toddlers like the substantial look, making it more intriguing, and parents appreciate the simplicity that keeps the seat from becoming a playtoy. The tall back makes kids more comfortable during long potty sessions, and the seat height is a happy medium that will be perfect for most children. The convenient carry hold on the back makes the OXO less cumbersome to move from room to room with your toddler. Our little tester was so excited about the handle that she wanted to carry it with her everywhere. A rubber non-slip base keeps the chair stable and prevents it from scooching away when kids try to sit down. Lastly, we like that there are many fun colors to choose from when purchasing the OXO Tot, making it easier to match your bedroom decor or add a splash of color to your nursery.
The bowl on this seat is more shallow than the competition, and the splash guard is also low. If our tester leaned back too far when doing her business, pee easily sprayed over the edge and onto the floor. In addition, the seat is somewhat wider than some contenders and doesn't have a contoured shape, so it doesn't cradle tushies. This may not matter if your toddler is potty training at an older age. The BabyBjörn Smart Potty is a smaller size with a deeper bowl and could be a better fit for smaller children who seem to hold bottoms better. Overall, we love the OXO Tot Potty Chair's durable design and think it is a good go-to option for most potty training tots.
The OXO Tot is like the goldilocks of potty chairs; not too big, not too small, just right.
The BabyBjörn Smart Potty is one of the most affordable and compact seats in this review. It is a straightforward seat with a low back and a two-piece design. The bowl is deep and narrow and has a substantial splash guard, so there is little concern about spills. The rubber base keeps it steady, and a small handle at the front of the bowl makes it easy to lift for dumping and cleaning. The seat fits easily in the car or a stroller bin and is easy to carry, so you always have a potty where you need it.
While the Smart Potty's tiny size makes it a great portable product, it can be too small for some. If your toddler is on the older/bigger side, the seat's low profile and narrow shape might not be as comfortable. The product we purchased came slightly warped and wouldn't sit flat on the ground. We did not notice that it affected performance, but we suggest checking a seat you buy and returning it if it seems like a problem. Also, our tester preferred seats with a high back, but each child is different, and we've used this seat successfully in the past with our own children. The OXO Tot Potty Chair has a high back with a handhold for easy transporting from room to room. The BabyBjorn is hard to pass up for value and convenience, and we recommend the BabyBjörn Smart Potty for families who want something smaller or easy to transport.
Each seat was put to the test in a real-life potty training journey.
BabyBjörn Toilet Trainer is a minimalistic potty chair alternative that fits on top of your regular toilet. This means no dumping or cleaning anything extra with each flush! Two adjustable flaps help secure this smaller seat on any size toilet, and the included tall splash guard ensures that waste goes where it should. Although it is a more rigid plastic, the contoured shape is pretty comfortable. This seat addition lets toddlers feel secure and grown up on an adult toilet and removes extra cleanup steps for parents, making it a win-win for everyone. A rubber carry handle allows for easy transportation and hanging for storage. The slim profile allows it to slip under the bathroom sink if you want it out of sight when guests stop by.
In many ways, this is a potty training dream solution. However, when you introduce your child to the potty, they may be too small to use this seat without help. It will require a stepstool and adult assistance every single time. As a result, your toddler may be more open to using this seat once they are old enough (and tall enough) to use the bathroom independently. We also would not recommend using this as your only potty during the first stages of training. It only works in conjunction with an adult toilet; therefore, you cannot keep it next to your child from room to room. The Mayfair NextStep2 also works with your toilet and is a slow, drop-down, smaller seat for littles that flips up quickly for adults. It means less handling of a potentially soiled seat and doesn't require storage. Keeping these things in mind, we still highly recommend the BabyBjörn Toilet Trainer and think it is a seat you will appreciate its simple design and long-term functionality.
Our tester felt secure and comfortable on the BabyBjörn Toilet Trainer.
The Mayfair NextStep2 is a unique product that combines an adult-sized toilet with a tot-sized seat. They share a hinge, so switching between the two is as simple as lifting the lid. The smaller layer attaches to the cover with a magnet, and you must pull it apart to use it. We love that this offers a one-and-done take on a toddler potty; there is no need to remove or store it when not in use. In our experience, this seat is an ideal long-term solution for older kids who are still a bit nervous about the gaping hole of an adult-sized toilet. Your child will likely be using this up to 7 or 8 years of age. The slow-close lid is a nice touch that prevents the loud slam that may annoy parents and startle young children, and the smaller seat is removable when your child outgrows it. Plus, the smaller inner seat can be removed when training is done without removing the entire seat, giving it a much longer lifespan.
While the NextStep2 is much more expensive than many other options, we think it is worth it as you can use the product for years. Installing it is more of a process, requiring you to remove your old seat entirely and attach the new one. You will need a screwdriver and a can-do attitude to get the job done. However, you will only need to do this once, and it is not that difficult. This product may be better for older kids, as it does not have a splash guard and is not portable, so your child must have sufficient bladder control to make it to the bathroom. If you want to use your toilet for training but don't want to replace your entire seat, the BabyBjörn Toilet Trainer is a soft seat that fits on a standard toilet seat and can be removed when not in use without permanently changing the seat. However, if you are looking for a potty chair to help your little one feel more comfortable using the toilet on their own and want something that will blend seamlessly into your home, then the Mayfair NextStep2 is an excellent choice for all family members.
The NextStep2 requires some assembly.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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Potty training is something every parent and toddler must go through together, why not make it as simple as possible?
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Potty Chairs
Having lived through potty training days with more than one child, our BabyGearLab team has learned all the tips and tricks over time as parents and professional caregivers. Two-year-old toddlers gave us help with hands-on testing. We started the potty training journey with many options and quickly narrowed it down to our favorites. Throughout the toilet training days, we kept track of which potty chairs testers could use by themselves, which ones they were drawn to, and which ones we had the easiest time cleaning and toting.
Two-year-old Annie helped us assess ease-of-use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why Trust GearLab
BabyGearLab has been researching and testing baby gear hands-on since 2013. We have experience testing a wide variety of products across categories. As parents, caregivers, and experienced testers, we bring real-world experience and expertise to the table. Senior Review Editor Abriah Wofford draws from her experience as a nanny and older sister to inform this review.
How to Pick the Best Potty Chair
Finding a great potty chair for potty training can be easy, with many great options. We think keeping a few things in mind can help you in a successful search.
Portability
Depending on your needs, you might be more or less interested in a compact and highly portable potty. Some little ones find potty training easier when the potty can move locations, while some parents feel keeping it in the bathroom is the best answer. Something connected to or used in conjunction ith a standard toilet might be more your speed and easier to associate potty training with feeling grown up. But a smaller portable stand-alone option might make it easier for smaller children to take care of business by themselves. Your chosen style is up to your needs, goals, and your child's interest levels.
Cleaning Ease
No one likes potty clean-up duty, but some options are certainly easier than others. A seat affixed to the toilet might be easiest as it is part of what already receives regular cleanup. A two-part system with smooth components and no places for urine to hide could be the ticket to a quick cleanup of a portable potty. We think avoiding those with nooks or crannies and hard-to-clean or reach places is best. Potty training can be messy, and there is no need to use a product that makes the process messier or harder to manage.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Analysis and Test Results
To find the best potty chair, we considered ease of use, ease of cleaning, portability, durability, and how much toddlers like to use the potty chairs. Whether you want a self-standing option or something that attaches to the regular toilet, we tested it.
What's the Best Value?
Luckily, none of the potty chairs are that expensive. However, if your budget is tight, there may not be room for error or for choosing multiple products to find one that fits your needs. The top-scoring OXO Tot Potty Chair and BabyBjörn Smart Potty are budget-friendly, with impressive performances during testing and prices suitable for almost any budget. We think these two are good choices for most families, no matter their goals, as they are easy to use and clean. The Mayfair NextStep is also a good value since it can be used by everyone in the family, and when your child grows, the smaller inner seat can be removed, leaving the main seat intact.
Having seat handles and a good height for toddlers can make a potty chair easier to use than competitors.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Toddler Ease of Use
One of the most critical factors to consider when choosing the perfect seat is how much your toddler likes to use a potty chair. After all, your toddler is the one that needs convincing, and if they don't like it, they won't use it. We consider how cushy the seat is and how comfortable it is to sit on.
Products like the BabyBjörn Toilet Trainer and the Dreambaby Soft Touch Potty Seat have deeply contoured shapes designed to fit your baby's bum and make them comfortable for long sitting sessions. However, both of these seats sit on top of an adult toilet, and younger toddlers cannot use these chairs independently. If your child is a bit older, they will likely want to use the chair more independently. The OXO Tot Potty Chair is the top-scoring option. This potty is light enough for toddlers to carry around by the handle, giving them a sense of pride and ownership in their potting training journey.
The OXO Tot is one of the easiest seats to carry around thanks to the single handle found on the back of the chair.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The BabyBjörn Smart Potty's simple design does not look fun or exciting compared to some other products. But it is easy for toddlers of all ages to sit on and be comfortable when they need to take their time. It can be tempting to get a potty chair that is fun and flashy, but fun features can also be great distractions from the main mission or increase cleaning challenges. We had better luck keeping things simple to prevent any possible distractions. The Nuby My Real Potty Training Toilet is the most toddler-enticing chair in the group, with a design that mimics an adult seat and a flush handle that makes gurgling sounds when pressed. But beware, if the potty becomes a toy, it may be challenging to keep them focused on the real goal. The lowest scoring option is the Summer Infant My Size, with a hard-to-use seat that falls off easily and offers a smaller opening.
The Smart Potty only has two small pieces and both are easy to clean.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning the seat is a job that falls to parents, and you probably want to find something that is simple and quick to tidy up. When choosing a potty, take a look at the design. Are there any nooks and crannies that may trap liquids? How do you remove the bowl? Will it easily fit into a sink for a quick rinse? All are essential considerations.
The BabyBjörn Smart Potty is one of the most straightforward chairs to clean. It has two solid plastic parts, and both are small enough to fit in the kitchen sink for a good scrub. The bowl on its own is small enough to fit in any restroom sink for on-the-go scenarios. The Jool Baby is one of our least favorite products to clean. It has multiple parts to wash and many crevices that allow pee to reach unexpected places hard to reach with a paper towel or scrub brush.
The Dreambaby is relatively easy to wipe down if there are any spills or splashes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Mayfair NextStep2 requires no more effort than what you would put into your standard bathroom cleaning routine. No dumping, no rinsing, and no storing. We love it. The Dreambaby Soft Touch Potty Seat is the next best thing, as it is a single piece of vinyl-covered foam that has no cracks to catch the liquid. However, beware of surface tearing that could allow pee or other matter to reach the foam core.
If you are traveling and will have regular access to toilets along the way (and let's be honest, when is this not the case?) the BabyBjorn Toilet Trainer is a convenient portable option.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
While maybe not the first thing that comes to mind, portability is more important than you would think, even if you don't plan to use the seat outside the house. Having a potty chair that is light and convenient to carry around can mean the difference between a successful potty experience and a mess on the carpet. Size and weight come into play when considering portability, including the number of parts and any carry handles.
If you plan to take the chair with you on outings, the BabyBjörn Toilet Trainer is ideal because it is easy to stash in the bottom of a stroller or the trunk of your car. Despite the slightly larger size, we like the OXO Tot Potty Chair because it has a handle that makes it convenient to carry and is even fun for toddlers to tote around on their own (make sure it's empty first). It is essential to have a seat that is easy to keep near toddlers at all times. In the early days of potty training, kids do not always have enough bladder control to make it to the bathroom in time. The least portable is the Mayfair NextStep2, as it semi-permanently attaches to the adult toilet.
The Munchkin Arm and Hammer is a sturdy seat that can also be used as a step stool.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Durability
How much do you ask of your potty chair? The level of durability you need depends on how long it takes to potty train, how many kids you plan to potty train, and how frequently you plan to bring it along on outings. We are confident that all of the seats we tested are sturdy enough to last through the training of at least one toddler, but some stand out as an item that you would be able to reuse for a second child or pass along a friend.
The Mayfair NextStep2 is as durable as it comes and can endure years of use by toddlers and adults alike. When little ones grow up, the smaller seat is removable, leaving you with a traditional toilet seat with a slow-close lid. The Munchkin Arm & Hammer 3-in-1 has some of the stiffest plastic we encountered, and the lid is extra thick, so it can act as a stepstool when not used as a potty chair. Both of these seats extend their longevity by being multifunctional and highly durable. The least durable in the group are the Summer Infant My Size and the Jool Baby Potty Training Chair. Both products have several moving parts that feel like they could break or have a shorter lifespan. The plastic on both is also thinner compared to the competition.
If you are searching for a potty chair that will make the learning curve a bit easier to handle, we've got you covered.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
There are various approaches to potty training little ones, and each method has pros and cons that work differently depending on your child's personality. Your chosen method may not even include using a potty chair, as you already have a toilet for this very purpose. However, if you decide the convenience or size of a potty training chair would be useful for your training style, finding one that is easy to clean and transport could be the key to toilet success. After winding our way through the plethora of available potty chairs, we chose top options and various styles to test. Finally, we note the pros and cons while making specific recommendations to help you select a seat that fits your home and lifestyle.
