
As a health writer and editor whoâs commissioned more than my fair share of stories about gut and butt health over the years, Iâve long been interested in adding a bidet to my home. After all, many gastroenterologists and urologists are quick to sing their praises on bidets as an alternative to wiping with dry toilet paper (or, gasp, wet wipes), and Iâve traveled outside the U.S. enough to realize just how widespread they are in other parts of the world.
I finally got my chance when Tushy released its newest bidet attachment this fall: The Tushy Wave Non-Electric Bidet Seat ($189). Tushy is a trusted name in the world of bathroom accessories with the Tushy Classic gracing many a list of the best bidets, so itâs safe to say the Wave is the latest and greatest in the bidet game.
Hereâs my experience installing and using the Tushy Wave as a first-time bidet owner (spoiler: I may never use dry toilet paper again).
Features and First Impressions
The Tushy Wave is a non-electric bidet seat, meaning it replaces (and upgrades) your toilet seat with the bidet attachment hooking directly into your toiletâs water supply. Itâs a little more streamlined than some of Tushyâs other options, which also have to be connected to an electrical outlet and/or your sink.
That said, it doesnât offer some of the more luxe features of those other seats, like a warm water spray or a heated seat (see: the Tushy Ace). I wouldnât call it bare bones by any means, but it has a simple and sleek design as far as bidets go, and its price point ($189) reflects that.
My first impression when I unboxed the Wave was that it has a modern look and the bidet attachment is much more discreet than others Iâve seen, with a single knob that sits flush against the side of the seat. Although I installed this seat in my en suite master bathroom, Iâd feel perfectly comfortable adding it to a guest bathroom, since it doesnât scream âThereâs a bidet in here!â (Not that thereâs anything wrong with bidets, but I personally wouldnât want it to become the main conversation piece when people come over.)
Installing the Tushy Wave
Tushyâs site says the Wave only takes about eight minutes to install, and this instructional video makes that look entirely possible. That wasnât the case for me, though. That video dedicates about four seconds to the steps of shutting off the water and emptying your toiletâs tank, which, as someone whoâs never done either of those things, left me a little confused.
I prefer step-by-step visuals when it comes to putting things together, though, so I Googled around until I found this more detailed install video from Tushy, which was incredibly helpful (and weirdly soothing with its classic elevator-style music).
Pro-tip (and something the install video doesnât tell you): Give your toilet and bathroom floor a good scrub before you get started. Youâre going to get really, really close to your toilet during the installation process, so a clean slate is the way to go.
My Experience Using the Wave
The installation wasnât the easiest thing Iâve ever done, but the seat felt sturdy and the bidet function worked properly once I got everything in place. And I have to say, Iâm a big fan.
The bidetâs DuoFlow nozzle makes it easy to toggle back and forth between front and back wash modes. The water is not warm, but itâs not unpleasant either, and the pressure is just enough to get things really clean. Overall, itâs much more efficient than using toilet paper.
Final Thoughts
If youâre a first-time bidet-user like me, and even if you arenât the handiest person on your block, I recommend the Tushy Wave as a simple and sleek way to upgrade your bathroom endeavors. Despite a few hiccups during installation, the payoff has been well worth it. Its design and effective functionality make it a seamless addition, and Iâm already noticing how much cleaner and refreshed I feel after every use.