Picking the right toilet seat riser can be tough, especially because there are so many different designs available online. That’s why we decided to do a complete review of the AquaSense Portable Raised Toilet Seat. We will discuss the features, usability, and sturdiness of the product in detail to help you make an informed decision before you buy it.
Overview
The AquaSense Portable Raised Toilet Seat helps elevate the toilet seat up to 4 inches higher. It is an ideal product for anyone who has issues while sitting or standing from the toilet seat. Usually, this product is of great help for the elderly, people who have just had knee surgery, or anyone with mobility issues.
The weight capacity of this raised toilet seat is 400 lbs, which is more than any of the risers that we’ve reviewed before. If higher weight capacity is what you are looking for, then this product will be just right for you.
It measures 15” wide, 15” deep, and 4” high. This product adds 4” in height to your toilet seat, making it a great alternative for anyone who is not happy with either 3.5” or 5” - the heights most other seat risers offer.
When it comes to installation, you don’t need any tools for this product. It’s extremely simple to install, all you need to do is lift the toilet seat before you mount the riser. The way that this seat attaches to the bowl is with a lip, that latches onto the toilet and two rubber pads that are located on the bottom side.
These are the non-slip mechanisms that help the riser to stay put on the bowl.
According to the company, the AquaSense portable raised toilet seat fits most standard commode bowls, but it’s not meant for elongated bowls. Despite this, some customers have reported that this riser did fit their elongated toilets, however, we wouldn’t risk it. After all, there are seat risers specially constructed for elongated toilet bowls and that’s the safest option to go for.
Before we get into the details of this product, we have listed some of its important pros and cons for you to take a look at.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
Cons
- Retains smell
- Stability issues
- Loses shape
What is the AquaSense Portable Raised Toilet Seat Made of?
The AquaSense Portable raised toilet seat is made of polyethylene plastic. This makes it durable as well as lightweight. It’s easily portable thanks to a seamless and lightweight design. So, if you need to move it to another toilet in your house or just unmount and clean the toilet, then it’s very super easy and quick.
Our AquaSense Portable Raised Toilet Seat Review
Find out more about this toilet seat riser to make an informed decision before you buy this product. There are several features you need to take into consideration including comfort, stability, maintenance, and more. We have listed first-hand reviews from customers who have used this product for some time. So, let’s find out what they have to say.
Comfort (8.2/10)
Comfort is a relative thing when it comes to toilet seat risers. People with limited mobility already feel uncomfortable, so this aiding device should feel nice when you sit on it. Considering that you won’t be spending too much time on it, it’s expected that most risers rate high in the comfort department, but that’s not always the case.
The thing is that we look into so many different aspects in this category, before deciding on the final score. One of those is the added height. This product adds 4” in height to the toilet, and it’s a good alternative for people with average height. If you are short, you probably want to look into risers that add 3.5”. Very tall people, on the other hand, have an alternative to choose risers that add 5” and more.
Don’t forget to measure your toilet before ordering a riser. Not all toilets are equally high, so you might end up with a toilet that is too high or too low after getting a riser if you don’t have the right measurements.
The hole overall is big enough and it won’t be uncomfortable for you to wipe yourself after using the toilet. One of the cons is that the top part of the riser is too narrow, and it can be uncomfortable for bigger people. Since there are no arm handles, you might feel like you’re falling off the product because it’s not wide enough.
Our final word on comfort is an 8.2 out of 10.
Sturdiness & Stability (8.2/10)
Since this riser is made of hard plastic, we can say that it’s sturdy, but it wasn’t strong enough to hold its initial shape for more than a few months.
The stability of this product is provided by a plastic extension that rests inside the bowl and two other non-slip pads that also latch to the bowl. Although the stability is good, there are still moments when the riser will move and be wobbly. That’s why you should be careful and sit on it slowly, also get up slowly. Don’t lean too much on one side, because it will rise from the other side, and that’s when it’s the least stable.
Since this is a lightweight product with the simplest design, you’ll find it very easy to transport and even take it with you whenever needed. If you don’t want to buy two risers but you have two bathrooms you can install it wherever you want in only seconds.
However, the problem with this product is that it’s stable in the beginning, but it becomes wobbly after using it for a few months. We think this happens because the part that ensures stability becomes loose and does not have the same grip as it did before. We are assuming since it is an affordable product, the manufacturer doesn’t use high-quality materials in the production.
The weight capacity of this AquaSense Portable Raised Toilet Seat is 400lbs. All of the previous risers that we have reviewed had a lower weight capacity. So, if you need one that can handle a higher weight, then this product would be ideal for you. However, since we noticed that the plastic stretched in time and lost its initial shape, we’re not quite sure that the product can take 400 lbs without being deformed in a month or two.
The grade for sturdiness and stability is 8.2 out of 10.
Easy to Clean (8.5/10)
The plastic used to make the AquaSense Portable Raised Toilet Seat is smooth, there aren’t any nooks or crannies that are hard to clean. Since the plastic is smooth, it doesn’t get discolored if you clean it regularly.
It’s recommended that you clean the top part of the riser daily, to provide the highest level of hygiene. After all, this is a device that will get in touch with your intimate parts, so you want it to be clean always. It’s also good if you can take it off the toilet bowl and clean it thoroughly as often as possible. It’s a lightweight product and you can remove it easily without using any tools. Use hot water and cleaners for complete cleansing.
Unfortunately, the bottom part of the riser starts having a bad odor after a while, probably because of retained water and urine in that region. We found it impossible to get rid of the smell, even though we tried so many different cleaners.
Other than that, it didn’t get discolored, probably because the plastic is smooth. Also, urine won’t leak, which is very important to know. Because of the persisting smell, we decided to rate this device 8.5 out of 10.
Value for Money (8.8/10)
Knowing whether a product is worth your money is so important. We love reviewing things that are low on the price scale and are loved by thousands of other customers. Getting something that everyone can afford that does the job is so satisfying.
This riser has one of the most basic designs and doesn’t come with arm handles. If that’s something you can work with, you should buy it. As long as you remember to be careful when using it, it will be a great aiding device in your home.
Since it doesn’t need any special installation, you can use it in multiple rooms and take it with you. It does take space, but it’s lightweight.
We couldn’t find another great riser that beats the price of this one. It’s a very affordable product that probably won’t last you for years, but it’s a good one for short period.
Final Verdict 8.4
Getting a toilet riser is such a big step for many people. But, once you get this one, you’ll notice an improvement in your life. It’s perfect for anyone who needs a higher toilet seat but don’t need arm handles when standing up. Also, it’s a very good option for people struggling with knee pain and arthritis, as long as their movement is not seriously impaired.
Although this is an affordable aiding device and does what it says it will do, just keep in mind that this seat riser is not ideal for a long-term investment. If you’re someone who needs help and support using the toilet, we recommend that you take a look at risers that come together with arm handles. But, if you need this for a few months and you don’t have too much trouble sitting down or getting up, the AquaSense Portable Raised Toilet Seat will do the job.
Since this is the cheapest riser we’ve featured so far, so many people decide to get two, one for each of their bathrooms. It’s very easy to install, so you won’t spend more than a few minutes placing it on your toilet bowl. If you don’t want to spend buying two of these units but you have two bathrooms, you can transport this one easily because it’s very lightweight.
Stability wasn’t our biggest issue, although it didn’t do very well in that department. The fact that it changed shape after a few months was a problem. Because of that reason, stability was also affected, making it less safe.
Maintenance is another important factor because everyone wants a riser that is easy to clean. This one is simple to maintain because you can take it out of the toilet bowl in only seconds. Our reviewer was unhappy with the smell that appeared after a few weeks, and we did our best to get rid of it. The efforts were unsuccessful.
The comfort is not an issue, however, the riser is not wide enough and can feel a little tight for bigger people.
Will we be buying this riser again? If we ever need to recover from an injury or we need a little extra help supporting our knees, yes. Our final verdict on the AquaSense portable raised toilet seat is an 8.4 out of 10.
[FAQ’s] Consumer Questions & Answers
How much height will the AquaSense Portable Raised Toilet Seat add to my toilet?
This riser will add 4” in height to your toilet. This is a great for anyone with average height, especially if 5” risers have proven to be too high for you.
Is the raised toilet seat lightweight and portable?
Yes, the weight of the raised toilet seat is 1.5lbs which makes it light and easy to transport.
Does this riser fit elongated toilet bowls?
No, it’s not meant to be used on elongated toilet bowls. The manufacturer clearly states that this riser is made to fit most standard toilet commodes.
Is the seat of the riser soft?
No, this riser is made of hard plastic and doesn’t feature cushioning. It’s still comfortable to sit on it, even though it’s not soft.