The Best Potty Training Seats for Easy, Mess-Free Potty Training

Other Potty Training Seats We Liked

Bemis NextStep2 Children's Potty Training Toilet Seat

$55 $41 at Amazon $46 at Target View on Shop.com

Nuby Potty Training Seat

View on Nuby.com

Ingenuity Ready Set Go Potty

$10 at Amazon

Nuby Folding Travel Potty Seat

$13 at Amazon View on Nuby.com

Our Testing Process

To help families find the best potty training seats for their children, we sent 20 top-rated potty chairs and seats to parents and their children. For almost a year now, parents have used these potty seats and chairs at home and evaluated each seat and chair on the attributes below.

• Stability: For potty chairs, we asked parents to check if the seat remained stable or shifted when a child sat on it. We examined whether it included handles for children to grip and if a step stool was provided for easier access to the toilet. For potty seats, we asked parents to ensure the toilet was dry before putting on the seat, positioning it, and wiggling it. Testers noted whether seats became loose over time. 
• Ease of Cleaning: To determine the ease of cleaning each potty seat, we asked our parents to clean the seat regularly, following the manufacturer’s recommendations for thorough disinfection.
• Design: We checked for loose parts, sharp edges, and missing accessories. We also assessed whether the seats could accommodate growing toddlers. For potty training seats with adjustable features, we had parents change the height and width settings according to their child’s size and level of comfort.

Our Experts

We spoke with a pediatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and the director of a childhood development center to help families find the best potty seat for their children. Their expert insights helped us understand the signs of potty training readiness, what to look for in a potty seat, and more. 

• Kristie Minor, APRN, board-certified pediatrician, and founder of Minor Pediatrics
• Jennifer Braden, director and owner of Good Shepherd Child Development Center 

Factors to Consider When Buying a Potty Training Seat

• Ease of Cleaning: It’s best to clean your kid’s potty seat regularly to keep it as bacteria-free as possible. Avoid potty seats with tricky spots to clean and look for options with features that prevent messes, like built-in splash guards. 
• Stability and Design: A potty seat with features like handles and a non-slip base can make a child’s potty training experience safer and more comfortable. Ensuring your child feels secure and confident while using the potty seat can help build their confidence, making them more likely to go independently.
• Kid Appeal: Finding ways to encourage your potty trainee to use the toilet can be as simple as the appearance of their potty. Fun colors, shapes, and designs can make the process more like an adventure. 

How to Make Potty Training Seats Work for Your Child

Potty training seats can be a great tool but aren't a complete solution. Once your child shows signs of readiness, it’s helpful to have a plan in place. “A three-day potty training plan can be effective if your child is ready and your family can dedicate three days to focusing solely on the process,” suggests Minor. Here are some helpful tips to support you throughout the potty training journey. 

• Involve your child and ensure comfort: “Allow your child to help choose the potty seat that works best for them,” advises Minor. Giving children a sense of control can encourage them to participate more willingly. She also recommends letting them sit on the seat fully clothed or with a diaper on first and trying a different space if the bathroom feels intimidating. “Ensure that their feet can touch the floor,” she adds, to help them feel stable.
• Stay patient and embrace accidents: Parents want to avoid rushing their children during potty training. “Taking your time is crucial and can help children feel comfortable with what might seem overwhelming to them,” says Braden. Building confidence without pressure allows for smoother progress. She also reminds parents to “be prepared for accidents as they are part of the learning process” and remain calm, using these moments as teaching opportunities.
• Motivate and celebrate success: Sometimes, you must think outside the box to get your kiddos interested in the potty. Minor encourages parents to “be creative with rewards to keep them motivated,” suggesting things like stickers, treats, or praise to engage children. Braden echoes the importance of reinforcement: “Don’t forget to praise your child, whether it’s clapping or with a sticker chart.” Recognizing every effort, big or small, builds confidence and helps sustain progress throughout potty training.

Who We Are

Jacquelyn Smith is a writer who covers parenting, fashion, and teaching. She is also a professional charcoal artist and children’s book author. As a teacher of more than 10 years and a mom of 15-year-old and 9-year-old daughters, she’s had to assist in potty training a child more than once.