If you want the short list, these are my top raised toilet seat picks for seniors, and you’ll find the details on each one further down.

If getting down onto the toilet or back up again has become a struggle, a raised toilet seat can take some of the work out of it. It lifts the seat higher off the ground, so you don’t have to lower yourself as far.

This guide covers what to know before you buy, and the kinds of raised seats that suit different needs.

What Are the Best Raised Toilet Seats for Seniors and the Elderly Overall?

Here are my reviews of the top raised toilet seats that I recommend for seniors and the elderly.

Best Raised Toilet Seat

Bemis Assurance Raised Toilet Seat

A raised toilet seat only helps if it is installed correctly and stays put. A loose one can be more dangerous than a regular seat, so this is the first thing I look at.

The Bemis Assurance 3″ Raised Toilet Seat is built around that problem. It bolts to the bowl, and Bemis says it won’t wobble or loosen. Installation is described as a do-it-yourself job, so most people with a screwdriver and a little patience can handle it. If you have a hard time reaching around the back of a toilet, ask a family member or handyman to do it.

The seat adds 3 inches of height. That helps with sitting down and standing up without bending as far, which matters for people dealing with back, hip or knee trouble.

It is made of heavy-duty plastic and is tested to support up to 1,000 pounds. The smooth plastic wipes clean with gentle cleaners.

Bemis also gives it a “clean shield” design that keeps things in the bowl and away from the seat. That is a small thing, but it is one less thing to scrub. The seat is elongated and white, and it is made in the USA.

It is also listed as recommended by occupational therapists. That fits with how I think about this kind of seat: simple, sturdy and easy to live with.

Who is it not for? It is an elongated seat, so it will not fit a round bowl. Measure your toilet before you order. And it has no arms, so if you need something to push up from, look at a model with arms or a separate safety frame.

Vive Raised Toilet Seat

A raised toilet seat only helps if it is installed correctly and stays put. A loose one can be more dangerous than a regular seat.

The Vive Health Raised Toilet Seat tries to make that part simple. It uses an adjustable knob that latches securely, so there are no tools to hunt for. You tighten it by hand and you are set up.

It adds 5 inches of height. That makes sitting down and standing up easier for people whose knees or hips complain on a standard toilet.

The seat is contoured to the body and designed for comfort. That matters when you are sitting on it every day.

It also has stabilizing handles. A lock-tight latch holds them in place, and they give you something solid to push up from.

It is easy to install and easy to remove, and Vive says it is easy to store and good for travel. That helps if you visit family or stay in a place with a low toilet.

Cleaning is simple. You wipe it down with a standard bathroom cleaner.

Vive backs it with a lifetime guarantee.

Now the trade-offs. Five inches is a lot of height. If you only need a little boost, it may feel too tall, and your feet should still rest comfortably on the floor.

A seat that tightens by hand also deserves a quick check now and then. Press on it before each use for the first few days, and give the knob another turn if anything shifts.

Vive Toilet Seat Riser With Arms

A raised toilet seat only helps if it is installed correctly and sits firmly. One that shifts or wobbles can be more dangerous than a regular seat, so take a few extra minutes to get it right and test it with your hands before anyone sits down.

The Vive Health Toilet Seat Riser with Arms is a good example of this kind of product. It adds 3.5 inches of height, which takes a lot of the work out of sitting down and standing up. That matters for anyone dealing with sore knees or hips, or recovering from surgery.

If you want a lighter option with a foam cushion that you can pack for trips, take a look at the Earth Throne portable raised toilet seat.

It fits under your current toilet seat. So the seat and lid you already have stay in place, and the riser does the lifting underneath.

The handles are padded aluminum, and they give you solid places to grip when you lower yourself down or push back up. If you have ever wished for something to hold onto in the bathroom, this is what the arms are for.

The riser is made of crack-resistant composite and holds up to 300 pounds. Vive also backs it with a lifetime guarantee.

Now the downsides. If you weigh more than 300 pounds, this is not the right choice. And 3.5 inches is a real change in height. If you are on the shorter side, make sure your feet will still rest flat on the floor, because dangling feet make standing up harder.

Also keep in mind that a riser with arms is visibly medical equipment. If that bothers you, it is worth knowing before you buy.

Homland Toilet Seat Riser

A toilet seat frame with arms and legs has some advantages over a standard raised seat.

It stands on the floor around the toilet instead of being bolted to it. That means it can be moved out of the way when someone else in the household needs the toilet.

The height can also be adjusted, so you can set it to what you or your loved one needs.

The HOMLAND Toilet Seat Riser has both of those features. The seat height adjusts from 18.1 to 23 inches. The width adjusts from 19.1 to 23.2 inches, which helps it fit around different toilets.

It is made of aluminum and holds up to 400 pounds. The support rod under the seat is welded to the four legs. The legs tilt slightly outward, and the rubber feet are meant to keep it from slipping on the floor.

The seat is padded, which is a nice touch if you will be sitting for a while. Assembly is tool-free.

The trade-off is floor space. A frame like this needs room on both sides of the toilet, so measure your bathroom before you order. Measure the toilet too, so the width setting will work.

If you want a seat that attaches to the toilet and stays put, a standard raised seat may suit you better.

Best Raised Toilet Seat Riser

Carex Raised Toilet Seat Riser

This Carex raised toilet riser seat is added underneath your current toilet seat and adds 3.5 inches to the total height. This is a suitable option if you have an existing toilet seat you prefer because it matches your toilet or decor.

It has a hinged design, so it flips back out of the way for easy cleaning. It is made of plastic, so it can be cleaned with common household cleaners.

Even though this Carex toilet seat is plastic and lightweight, it is durable and supports a weight capacity of 300 pounds. The capacity and the 3.5 inches of height mean it should provide assistance to most seniors.

It easily installs onto existing toilet bowls and replaces both round and elongated toilet seats. You only need a screwdriver to complete the installation, which will take just a few minutes.

Finally, the Carex option is the best one for budget-conscious people because it is quite affordable!

Best for Comfort

Toilet Safety Rails With Handles

This one is a little different from a raised seat. It’s a toilet safety frame: two armrests with handles that give you something solid to hold when you sit down and stand up.

The padded armrests are easier on the hands and forearms than bare metal. The feet are non-slip, so the frame stays put on the floor while you push up on it.

There’s no wall mounting and no contractor. It goes on without tools and attaches directly to the toilet in a few minutes. That matters if you rent, or if the bathroom walls aren’t suited to a grab bar.

The height and width adjust, and it fits most standard and elongated toilets. Set the height so your elbows rest comfortably and you can push straight down.

The armrests fold, which helps in a tight or shared bathroom. They can be moved out of the way when someone else is using the toilet.

Two things to watch. Check the weight rating on the label before you buy, and make sure it suits the person using it.

The non-slip feet grip well on hard floors, but on textured tile they may not hold as well. Test it with a firm push before you trust it with your full weight.

Also, this gives you handholds. It doesn’t make a low toilet any taller. If the seat sits too low for you, a raised seat may help more, or you can use the two together.

Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat

This is a raised toilet seat with padded armrests that sits over your existing toilet. It’s made for both standard and elongated toilets.

The seat is padded, which matters more than you’d think. Most raised seats are hard plastic and feel cold to the touch. A soft seat is easier to sit on for a while, and I know some of you do.

The height adjusts without tools. That helps after a hip or knee surgery, when you may want the seat higher at first and can lower it as your range of motion comes back. It also helps if your needs change over the years, since you can reset it instead of buying a new one.

The seat is blue, on purpose. It stands out from the bathroom around it, so it’s easier to see, and the color resists staining better than the old white seats.

The arms give you something solid to push up from and lower yourself onto. That’s often the hardest part of using the toilet.

Because it sits over the toilet, you don’t attach anything to the bowl. You may need to put it together when it arrives. Then set it in place, make sure it’s level and steady, and it’s ready to use.

One thing to think about: a seat with arms takes up more room than a plain riser. Measure the space around your toilet first, especially if the bathroom is tight or the toilet sits close to a wall or tub.

Best for Temporary Use

Best Raised Toilet Seat for Seniors with Arthritis

Best Raised Toilet Seat for Knee Replacement

RMS Raised Toilet Seat

According to Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches, 2021, at least 800,000 knee replacements are performed yearly. More than 60% of them are done among elders.

After a knee replacement, individuals suffer pain, especially during activities such as toileting. The RMS raised toilet seat with handles helps avoid bending the knee when toileting and reduces the chances of having seniors experience pain.

This toilet seat adds a height of 5 inches to the usual seat. It makes it easy for the elderly to have their legs almost stretched without strain when using it.

Its padded arms can be easily removed to give way to proper cleaning. It can fit most standard elongated seats.

Portable Raised Toilet Seat

Best Travel Raised Seat

Vive Toilet Seat Riser

The Vive Health Toilet Seat Riser adds 3.5 inches of height to the toilet you already have. That means less bending on the way down and less pushing on the way up, which is easier on the knees, hips and back.

It comes in standard and elongated sizes, so measure your bowl first and pick the one that matches. A riser that fits the shape of the bowl sits better than one that is close but not quite right.

It goes on underneath your existing seat and lid, using the hardware that comes with it. No tools are needed. The frame is a split-resistant composite rated for up to 350 pounds, and it is meant to hold steady without shifting.

It suits older adults, people recovering from hip or knee surgery, and anyone with limited mobility who finds a regular toilet a long way down.

Now the downsides. Because it installs under the seat, this is a fixture for one toilet, not something you pop on and off or toss in a travel bag. Everyone who uses that toilet gets the extra height too, and a shorter person may find it a bit high. If you need something to push up on, look at a model with arms, or add a safety frame alongside it.

Best Portable Raised Seat

Best Toilet Seat Risers

Best Raised Toilet Seat With Handles

Drive Medical Raised Toilet Seat

Toilet seat handles are the most durable for elders who have trouble toileting. Handles offer them support, ensuring they have reduced chances of tripping and falling in the bathrooms.

Handles that can be removed are better because they allow space for other individuals using the same bathroom. You should consider having the Drive Medical RTL12027RA 2-in-1 raised toilet seat with removable padded arms.

It has armrests that make sitting and standing when toileting much easier. Its material can be easily cleaned using normal household detergents.

It can be adjusted to fit the user’s needs or be used for users with different needs. It uses a simple locking mechanism, which makes it easier to install.

Best Bedside Commode

A raised seat helps once you’re standing in the bathroom. But for some people the hard part is getting to the bathroom at all, especially at night, or when the hallway feels a lot longer than it used to. A bedside commode is a sturdy chair with a toilet seat and a removable bucket underneath. It sits right next to the bed, so the trip is a few steps instead of a few rooms. Many of them also fit over a regular toilet, where they work as a raised seat with arms to push up from. That’s handy if your needs change over time.

When you shop for one, look at four things. First, the weight rating, which should comfortably cover the person using it. Second, a solid frame that doesn’t wobble when you sit down or stand up. Third, legs that adjust in height without tools, with a lock so they stay put. Fourth, a bucket that has a lid and is easy to carry and rinse. Know the downside before you buy: the bucket has to be emptied and cleaned regularly, and the chair takes up floor space in the bedroom. If that routine sounds like too much, a raised seat for your existing toilet may suit you better.

Homland Bedside Commode Chair

The HOMLAND 3-in-1 is one frame that does three jobs. It works as a bedside commode, a raised toilet seat, and a safety support bar. It’s rated for 350 pounds.

That suits someone whose needs are likely to change. You can start with it over the toilet for extra height and something to push up from, then move it beside the bed if nighttime trips down the hall become a worry. You don’t have to buy a new piece of equipment each time.

The frame has two crossbars, which adds steadiness when you stand up or sit down. The legs adjust in height without tools and lock in place, so you can set it to fit the person using it.

The trade-off is the 7.5-quart bucket. When it’s used as a commode, someone has to empty and rinse it, ideally every day. If you or your loved one can’t manage that, or there’s no helper around, a simple raised seat that sits on the toilet is an easier fit.

How to Choose an Elevated Toilet Seat

When choosing a raised toilet seat for an elderly person, think about the current condition of the elderly person as well as future needs. Use these tips to choose the right raised toilet seat for an elderly person.

1. Right Height. Choose the height of the seat according to the size of the user. Get as high of a raised seat as you can while also making sure their feet remain on the ground.
2. Right Shape. Make sure the shape and dimension of the toilet seat fit the length of the toilet bowl that you want to raise. Is your toilet bowl round (16-1/2 inches deep) or elongated (18-1/2 inches deep)?
3. Right Weight. Always check the weight-bearing capacity before purchase to ensure that the toilet bowl can safely support the weight of the user.
4. Right Support. Raised toilet seats with arms go a long way in helping the elderly get on and off the raised toilet seat so they can use their arms to gain leverage rather than their knees or hips.
5. Right Accessories. The presence of a lid or cover helps to maintain high hygiene standards. Also, look for raised toilet seats with shields or funnels that make sure everything goes where it should.
6. Right Installation. The best product installs directly to the toilet or has locking mechanisms that keep it from moving while being used. Freestanding options should be stable and have four legs on the ground.

How Can Elevated Toilet Seats Help Older Adults?

Seniors with mobility impairment risk falling when using the toilet. Using the best bathroom safety equipment, like an elevated raised toilet seat, reduces the risks associated with toileting.

An elevated toilet seat increases a senior’s level of independence, guaranteeing them more privacy during toileting because they won’t have to ask for help.

Are There Any Drawbacks of Using a Raised Toilet Seat?

A raised toilet seat has lots of pros but there are a few cons you should be aware of also. Some of these disadvantages include:

Cleaning

Since additional parts have been added to the toilet, more time could be needed during cleaning, especially when the additional parts have to be removed.

Look for a raised toilet seat that has high hinges or is removable to make cleaning the toilet and the seat much easier.

Damage from Incorrect Installation

If a raised toilet seat is not installed correctly, it can cause damage to your toilet. Frequently people tighten the screws too much, which can cause cracking or breakage of porcelain toilets.

Seats that are too loose can move, causing scrapes and marks on the bowl. Not to mention increasing the risk of a fall.

Not Having a Lid

Using the toilet seat lid to keep the toilet bowl closed is necessary to avoid the spread of germs and cover unsightly stains. Many toilet raisers do not allow seniors to keep the lid closed, which creates a higher likelihood of spreading germs.

Important Safety Tips When Using Higher, Raised Seats

Elders are likely to have difficulty toileting due to health issues such as impaired vision, reduced balance, inaccurate motor coordination, and pain. There are certain tips that seniors should follow for the effective use of raised seats.

These tips help avoid accidents that would most likely worsen a senior’s physical condition:

1. Always, Always Check the Raised Toilet Seat Before Using

You must, must check the raised toilet seat before using it to make sure it is still securely installed. If it is loose, it could easily throw an elderly person with health problems off balance. This could lead to a fall and possibly an injury.

If the raised toilet seat wiggles or appears to be loose, do not use it. Call a neighbor, loved one, or plumber to attend to it immediately.

2. Keep the Toilet Paper Close

Make sure the toilet paper is within reach without needing to lean, stretch, or bend over. This reduces the chance of a fall from a higher toilet seat.

If you or your loved one have difficulty wiping, consider using toileting aids like teachers and toilet paper holders instead.

3. Clean Up Immediately

Clean up any messes or accidents immediately, especially where liquids are concerned. Slips and falls are the leading causes of bathroom accidents.

4. Ask for Standby Help

I understand that using the toilet is a private event that shouldn’t be shared with others. But, if you are concerned about your safety, ask someone to wait outside the door or within earshot.

That way, if you need help, you can get it quickly without violating your personal privacy.

5. Install Some Grab Bars Too

There is never such a thing as too much precaution when it comes to the bathroom. Install grab bars around your toilet to give additional places to hold while standing, sitting, or taking care of personal bathroom hygiene.

Alternatives to Installing a Raised or Elevated Toilet Seat

These are other ways to raise toilet seats and improve bathroom safety overall. Here are several alternatives to raised toilet seats you may want to consider.

1. Install a Taller Toilet

There is always the option of using taller toilet bowls, which average 17-19 inches. Some companies even offer customized toilet bowls according to the user’s needs, height, and weight.

This requires a bit more work to install and may require a professional but can be a great option for anyone concerned with the aesthetics of medical equipment in the bathroom.

See my guide to tall toilets for seniors and the elderly for more information about this option.

2. Add a Toilet Safety Frame

Toilet safety frames attach to the toilet and provide a stable set of arms for pushing up from the toilet.

Most don’t address the height of the toilet seat, but there are a few models that have seats built onto them too. The height of the armrests and the seats of a safety toilet rail are usually adjustable to fit the user.

There are freestanding models available too, which are portable.

You can see my list of the best toilet safety rails and frames here.

3. Consider a Bedside Commode Chair Instead

Bedside commodes are just that – potty chairs that are designed to be used in places other than the bathroom. Many people don’t realize, though, that they are also called 3-in-1 commodes because they can also be used as raised toilet seats and toilet safety frames.

To use them this way, you remove the commode bucket from underneath and then set the frame over top of your toilet. You can then adjust the height to fit the user.

Check out my recommended bedside commodes in this guide to learn more.

4. Try a Thicker, Padded Toilet Seat

This alternative won’t work for a lot of people. But, if you or your loved one are just starting to have health problems, a raised seat with thick padding may provide enough of a difference to help.

Padded toilet seats are always going to be a more comfortable toilet seat, right? Some raised toilet seat options come with padded seats as well.

5. Install a Higher Toilet Riser

Rather than adding height to your toilet seat, you can increase the height by putting a “spacer” or toilet riser under the base of your existing toilet. This raises the height of the entire toilet, including the seat, of course.

The most popular of these products is the Toilevator. Learn more about it here.

6. Mechanical and Electrical Toilet Seat Lifts

This category of products uses hydraulics that are mechanically or electrically powered to lift a person off of the toilet. Think of it as giving them a gentle push upwards to help them stand.

They can also slow the speed at which a person sits, providing a safer way to get on the toilet too.

Think of these as a toilet seat elevator, if you will. The Mcombo Electric Toilet Lift (available at Amazon) is a popular product in this group.

RELATED: Toilet Safety Resources for Seniors and the Elderly

Final Thoughts

Raised toilet seats are a lifesaver for elderly seniors who have difficulty using regular toilet seats. Increasing the height of the toilet seat decreases the effort they have to put into sitting and standing while toileting.

The best raised toilet seats for seniors and the elderly are ones that attach directly to the toilet or have four legs to provide the most stability while they are used.

I recommend you choose a raised toilet seat that comes with arms or has some that can be added later if needed. My professional opinion is that the Bemis Clean Shield (available at these retailers) is by far the best product out there.

When buying a raised toilet seat, you should also consider its ease of use, compatibility with the existing toilet bowl, and cleanability. Pay particular attention to durability and ease of installation.

Most importantly, a raised toilet seat must improve their safety and comfort second. I hope that these reviews helped you make a critical decision.

If you have any questions about raised toilet seats, please leave them in the comments below. If your question is more personal in nature, contact me directly.

Sources and Additional Resources:

• https://www.healthline.com/health/senior-health/raised-toilet-seats
• https://www.archute.com/best-toilet-seat-riser/
• https://www.rehabmart.com/post/6-best-ways-to-adapt-your-toilet-for-better-safety-comfort
• https://lookingaftermomanddad.com/how-do-you-raise-the-height-of-a-toilet-seat/
• https://www.avacaremedical.com/bathroom/raised-toilet-seats/portable-toilet-seat-risers