Best Toilet Seat Riser for Elders & People with Arthritis

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Aged people experience inconvenient limitations due to weakening muscles, injuries, surgeries, and general wearing out. What used to be common, daily tasks tend to be difficult to perform without help, such as using the bathroom. However, with the best toilet seat riser, they will not need any help to use the bathroom even when home alone. In addition, the extra inches in height usually make a positive difference when it comes to going to the bathroom by lowering the risk of injury or strain while getting down or up.

A toilet is regular about 15 inches high. Other comfort toilets are ranging from 17-19 inches high. However, elders find it uncomfortable using standard toilet seats. Moreover, even this so-called "comfort height" is hard for them to negotiate if they have trouble in their knee or hip joints because of arthritis and muscle-related problems.

To avoid any discomfort, here we have compiled a list of the best toilet seat risers and best-raised toilet seats for you to pick the perfect one that suits you or if you are buying it for your elderly loved one. Besides, using any of these toilet seat risers will indeed ease toileting.

1. The Ultimate™ Raised Toilet Seat

The Ultimate™ Raised Toilet Seat, Voted#1 Most...
  • PADDED SEAT- Warm, soft, padded seat makes toileting comfortable....
  • ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT- Allows for perfect toilet seat height settings...
  • PADDED ARMRESTS- Sturdy, weigh-bearing armrests create secure...
  • FITS ALL TOILETS- Regular or elongated, the ULTIMATE raised...
  • MULTI-FUNCTION, 3 PRODUCTS IN 1 AND $60 VALUE IN FREE BONUSES!-...

If you are looking for one of the best raised toilet seats that are very comfortable, we recommend the Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat. This raised toilet seat comes with a warm, soft, padded seat that usually makes toileting comfortable for your loved one. It is also suitable for people recovering from hips, knee, back surgery, or reduced mobility.

The raised toilet seat has a multifunction feature that makes it unique from other toilet risers. You can use it as a raised toilet seat, a shower chair, and a bedside commode. Its easy height adjustable settings usually allow the user to adjust the seat's height to their desired height and needs. Furthermore, the raised toilet seat features sturdy, weight-bearing removable padded arms, which offer extra support and allow the user to securely and comfortably sit and stand.

This toilet seat riser can easily fit both regular and elongated seats. It is easy to install, slides over your toilet, and rests tightly and safely on the floor. Moreover, it is easy to remove when not required, plus the overall frame is sturdy enough to support a weight of 300 pounds.

It is worth mentioning that this raised toilet seat not only physically but also psychologically.

Pros:

  • Versatile raised toilet seat
  • Easy to install raised toilet seat
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Comes with strong, weight-bearing armrests

Cons:

  • Expensive raised toilet seat

2. Vive Raised Elongated Toilet Seat, Elevated Riser with Padded Handles

Vive Raised Toilet Seat - 5" Portable, Elevated Riser...
  • EASILY SIT OR STAND: Adding five inches of height to any standard...
  • CONTOURED DESIGN WITH PADDED HANDLES: Constructed with a durable...
  • EASY TOOL FREE INSTALLATION ON MOST TOILETS: Installs on any...
  • PORTABLE, DURABLE AND EASY TO CLEAN: The durable raised toilet...
  • VIVE GUARANTEE: Lifetime guarantee so you can purchase now with...

If you are looking for the best toilet seat riser with padded handles that can assist seniors, handicapped, elderly, or disabled individuals, we recommend the Vive Raised Toilet Seat. This raised toilet seat will be handy for a loved one who needs a little extra assistant while toileting. It features comfortable padded handles, making it hassle-free and safe for the user to sit or stand without bending. Moreover, you can easily install the toilet seat on regular or elevated toilet seats without distracting the existing seat.

The elevated toilet seat is designed to fit comfortably inside any toilet, and its adjustable knobs ensure a tight and safe fit. Moreover, the seat comes with an easy-to-use and stable locking mechanism. The installation of this toilet riser is easy and tool-free. To lock it on the toilet, turn the locking bolt on the front counterclockwise. Besides, the width between these removable handles is 22 inches, and they offer a nonslip surface to provide a safe and secure grip.

This riser adds about 5 inches to your existing standard toilet seat; this riser serves as a safe and comfortable toilet seat for your elderly loved one. It is portable and durable, and when it comes to cleaning, you won't need to apply a lot of effort as it is easily cleanable. You can wipe it down with sanitizing wipes or any disinfectant that you usually use to clean your existing regular toilet bowl.

Pros:

  • Easy installation
  • Portable and lightweight toilet seat riser
  • Features padded handles for comfort
  • Offers a good height to a toilet seat

Cons:

  • Not suitable for overweight people

3. Vaunn Medical Commode Booster and Elevated Raised Toilet Seat

Sale
Vaunn Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat & Commode...
  • WIDE & COMFORTABLE RAISER - Unique ergonomic design adds 4" of...
  • SECURE & SAFE LIFT - Anti-slip surface, push pins and locking...
  • DURABLE & HYGIENIC - Toilet seat riser is ADA compliant and made...
  • LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE - Weighs less than 5 lbs. Easy to store or...
  • EASY INSTALLATION & CLEANING. Tool-free installation. Lift up the...

The best toilet seat riser that acts as a raised toilet seat and commode Booster Seat, count on the Vaunn Medical Elevated Toilet Seat and Commode Booster. This raised toilet seat fits both elongated toilets and round toilets. It adds 4 inches into your current toilet seat, making it very easy to sit and stand from. Furthermore, it comes with removable arms, which are also padded and thus making them soft and hard to slip.

This elevated toilet seat is easily portable since it weighs 4.5 pounds. It is easy to install; you place it on top of your toilet bowl and turn the knob at the front to fasten it. Besides, the push pins ensure a tight grip on the rim of the toilet bowl. Removal of this toilet seat for easy cleaning is also fast.

Furthermore, this elevated toilet seat has a large comfortable seating. This toilet seat is ADA compliant and can hold weights of up to 250 pounds. It also has an E-Z locking mechanism to lock it in place on any bowl. 

Pros:

  • Very easy to clean and maintain
  • Fit elongated toilet bowl and round toilets
  • Have large and comfortable space for seating
  • Features adjustable armrests for use by elderly and injured for additional balance

Cons:

  • The E-Z lock mechanism keeps sticking out on the front.

4. Carex Hinged Elongated Toilet Seat Riser

Sale
Carex Hinged Elongated Toilet Seat Riser, Adds 3.5...
  • HINGED FOR EASY CLEANING. Hinged Toilet Seat Riser adds 3.5" of...
  • ADDS 3.5". Hinged Toilet Seat Riser is a simple solution for...
  • INSTALLS EASILY. Installing easily between your elongated toilet...
  • EASY TO CLEAN. Hinged seat of the Carex Hinged Toilet Seat Riser...
  • TRUSTED BRAND. Carex is a leader in disabled products and medical...

The Carex toilet seat riser provides a contoured seat that rests on top of the toilet bowl. This riser is a hinged toilet seat, meaning you can affix it to your toilet bowl, and you can lift it and shutdown like a standard toilet lid. Besides, the benefit of a hinged toilet seat riser is that you can easily clean under it without removing it.

This carex raised toilet seat adds 3.5 inches to your current toilet seat and is capable of supporting up to 300 pounds. It is lightweight and doesn't require any locking to the bowl, and is therefore portable. There are two adjustable screws in the package, which you can use to install this riser to your toilet bowl and seat. Moreover, it is designed to use on most regular toilet seats and even elongated toilet seats.

Pros:

  • Portable, lightweight toilet seat raiser
  • Easy to clean toilet seat rise
  • You can affix to almost any regular toilet seat
  • Easy installation

Cons:

  • Doesn't come with armrests

5. Essential Medical Supply (19.2 x 14 x 3.5 Inch), Hinged Toilet Seat Riser for Elongated Toilets

Sale
Essential Medical Supply Hinged Toilet Seat Riser for...
  • Hinges for east cleaning
  • Gives the user a 3.5" rise
  • Will fit a standard sized toilet bowl
  • Easy to install with included longer bolts
  • Use with b5040 toilet safety rails

If you are looking for the best toilet seat riser that comes with a reasonable price, count on the Essential Medical Elevated Toilet Seat. This seat riser has a unique design that allows it to be fitted under a standard toilet cover rather than on top. Using it will allow the users to use their existing toilet seat by raising it by 3.5 inches to ease sitting and standing.

This toilet seat riser is very stable because it is affixed between your toilet and a standard toilet seat. The toilet seat riser is made from easy to wipe molded plastic and allows the elevated toilet seat to mount with long bolts easily. Besides, you can continue using your standard toilet seat cover, which you were comfortable with, rather than using a new seat cover.

The toilet seat riser comes with removable padded handles for extra stability and safety. The toilet riser is available in several configurations so that it can fit on most existing toilets. You can purchase it in either circular or elongated seat configurations. Furthermore, it is strong enough to support a maximum carrying capacity of 300 pounds within the wight of most average-sized persons.

Pros:

  • Features detachable padded armrests
  • You can affix underneath the toilet seat cover  
  • Suitable for round toilet seats and elongated toilets
  • Offers a good height to the toilet seat

Cons:

  • Doesn't come with a proper locking system

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Toilet Seat Riser

1. Toilet seat height

When looking for the best-raised toilet seat, you want to consider the height you want to add to your usual toilet seat. Raised toilet seats available on the market will help you add between 2-5 inches to your normal toilet seat. Conversely, it depends on the height of the user. You don't want the seat to become too high since that can cause other problems. At the same time, a seat that ends up being too low even after adding the toilet seat risers is worthless.

2. Portability

When looking for the best-raised toilet seat, consider the portability. You don't want a raised seat installed permanently on the toilet, making it hard for children to use it. A portable raised toilet seat may be a better choice in this case. If everyone using the toilet is okay with the height, then portability will not be an issue.

Furthermore, when looking for a portable raised toilet seat, you also need to consider the floor space it will occupy. For example, a standing frame raised seat might occupy much floor space in a small bathroom when not used.

3. Maximum weight capacity

When shopping for the best-raised toilet seat, remember not to forget the maximum weight capacity. Generally, most raised toilet seats can accommodate persons with a weight of 250 pounds. However, if you want a riser that can accommodate someone of a heavier build, then keep a close tab on the maximum weight capability as advised by the manufacturer. Besides, there should be a comfortable gap of about 50 pounds between the user's weight and actual maximum weight capacity.

4. Durability and cleanability

When shopping for the best toilet seat riser, you don't want a riser that stays on a little and then cracks or crumbles after investing so much money and resources in buying it, therefore considering the durability is vital. But, conversely, it would be best if you bought a rise whose seats are easy to clean. Therefore, toilet seat risers that can be easily wiped and don't require you to uninstall the whole toilet to clean in between are most apt.

5. Armrests

Having a toilet seat with arms is an added advantage. Some raised toilet seats come equipped with an armrest that offers additional support, and your loved ones can use them for sitting down and sitting after toileting. Nonetheless, if your loved one doesn't require extra support, you may want to consider purchasing toilet seat risers that don't have any armrest. Besides, those raised toilet seats will cost less and add several more inches than those with armrests.

If you decide to go for a toilet seat with arms, ensure it is padded for additional comfort and support. Luckily, most of the raised toilet seats on this article have padded armrests.

6. FSA eligibility

Elevated toilet seats are not eligible for Medclaim (since they are not considered necessary equipment, only items for your comfort). Therefore, you might need to consider seat risers that are FSA eligible so that they can be under your flexible spending.

7. Stability

Toilet booster seats that wobble are worse than a regular toilet seat that doesn't. Therefore make stability one of your considerations before buying the riser. Also, some risers that don't secure as tightly to the toilet can result in falls. Therefore be careful.

8. Price and  return policy

When shopping, don't let the price scare you away. The five best toilet seats we have listed come at affordable prices. Conversely, some manufacturers don't allow the return of toilet seat risers if somehow you ended up not liking them. Therefore, we advise you to check this out before committing your money to a certain product, unless you would be happy and ready to donate it if it fails to work as expected.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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