Written by Mike Price, OT
As one of the most commonly utilized durable medical equipment, bedside commodes are often used within the home to provide a portable, free-standing toilet for people who have difficulty getting to the bathroom on their own or with enough time. Also known as portable commodes, toilet chairs, or portable toilets, bedside commodes are generally constructed with a frame, toilet seat, and removable bucket, and can have a wide variety of other beneficial design features to accommodate specific user needs.
To help you better understand how to choose a bedside commode, we put our collective medical expertise to the test and researched the best on the market. We picked out the five best from our catalog, based on the features we know and love as care-providers, plus the reviews of people just like you who have used them and loved them.
Taking the number five position on our list is the Lumex Imperial Collection 3-in-1 Steel Drop Arm Commode by Lumex. Durable, heavy-duty welded steel construction accommodates a bariatric 600-pound capacity and combines with an extra-wide seat to optimize user comfort and safety.
Versatile for convenient use as a bedside commode, toilet safety frame, or raised toilet seat, its height-adjustable 3-in-1 design provides customizable functionality to meet a wide variety of unique user needs. The padded arms enhance comfort and are lockable in place to maximize stability, while they drop down below the seat level for easier, more accessible lateral transfers.
The removable back bar facilitates the 3-in-1 transitions of this commode with a release mechanism that’s easy to operate for those living with dexterity challenges. The Lumex Imperial Collection commode is a solid and sturdy option for bariatric users and for those requiring toileting multifunctionality.
Features & Benefits
Customer Feedback
Pros
Cons
Taking the number four position on our list is the Adjustable Drop Arm Commode with Elongated Seat by TFI Healthcare. Designed to enable easy toileting wherever it’s required, this commode also highlights drop-arm convenience to improve accessibility and safety for transfers to and from the commode.
The seat’s height is adjustable and comes with a snap-on elongated seat, which some users prefer for its larger skin surface contact. This commode can also be used over the toilet as a toilet safety frame.
This drop-arm commode safely accommodates users weighing up to 300 pounds and is built for lasting durability and dependability with its Tuff Coat-finished 1-inch steel tubing and aircraft-quality rivets.
The all-in-one design of the Etac Swift Bedside Commode Chair by Etac earns our number three spot with its unique and convenient versatility. Use this device as a bedside commode, over-toilet frame, shower chair, or cushioned chair. Its commode pan can be hidden away with its integrated, self-locking lid which attaches to the seat, covering the hygiene opening when it’s not needed.
Its strong, corrosion-resistant construction delivers dependable durability, with sealing, anti-slip ferruled feet and textured exteriors for optimal traction. Height-adjustable legs can be changed independently to ensure the proper fit and to accommodate different heights of flooring, or to use as a shower chair, with two chair legs in the tub.
The Swift bedside commode’s integrated carrying handle and light, 12-pound weight make it easy to transport to other rooms, and it can be assembled and height-adjusted without tools. It’s also easy to clean and maintain.
Our number one choice for the top bedside commode is the Padded Drop-Arm Commode by Medline, thanks to its sturdy design, comfortable padding, and reasonable price point.
The heavy-duty, rust-resistant frame ensures a long life, while the padded seat provides comfortable support through every use. Although it is a mid-priced option, many customers describe the bedside commode as luxurious, adding that the foam padding is very comfortable.
Although it accommodates up to 300 pounds, the Padded-Drop Arm Commode is lightweight and easy to move from the bedside to the bathroom. The seat height is adjustable from 19" to 23", and customers say that it is versatile and sturdy.
The drop-arm design of this commode makes lateral transfers safe and easy, and the arms drop down with just the touch of a button, making it effortless to ready for transfers. The clip-on seat can be removed for easy cleaning.
Easily earning the top spot in our review with its plethora of beneficial features, the Platinum Health Gentleboost Uplift 3-in-1 Assist Commode and Shower Chair by Platinum Health also comes with an affordable price point. As one of the industry’s safest bathroom mobility aids, this innovative commode integrates a spring-assist system within the seat to raise the user to a standing position, optimizing user safety, independence, and privacy.
Its water-repellent, solid plush polyurethane foam padding provides warm, comfortable support to alleviate pressure, while its lightweight, medical-grade, rust-proof aluminum frame facilitates solid, strong durability for users weighing up to 285 pounds. Height is easy to adjust with the legs to ensure a perfect fit for every user. The wider distance between the padded arms along with the Gentleboost’s several stable leverage points ensure safer, accessible transfers.
Specially configured with the versatile 3-in-1 capability to be used as a bedside commode, over-toilet safety frame, or shower chair, the Gentleboost utilizes a highly visible blue color that’s especially helpful to enhance safety and reduce falls for people living with visual and/or cognitive impairments.
Although they’re often used in the bedroom as a close-by toilet for users confined to bed, they can be used anywhere they’re needed as nearby toileting support for people living with mobility challenges. Portable bedside commodes are offered in some basic style types which include padded, drop-arm, bariatric, folding, and all-in-one.
There are several important factors to consider to help you determine which bedside commode is right for you or a loved one, including user mobility, weight capacity, adjustable height and width, and pricing.
Because every user presents their own unique set of needs and specifications for a bedside commode, there are certain features to be aware of that can help fulfill those requirements, such as its weight, its capability to work in conjunction with a toilet, its stability, how it stays in place, the shape of the seat, its pail configuration, and its comfortability.
Our rankings considered the cost, features, and benefits of the best-reviewed, most popular, and most highly rated commode chairs.
All five of these bedside toilet chairs are very highly recommended - but we have chosen the Gentleboost Uplift 3-in-1 Assist Commode and Shower Chair as our top-rated selection. With its unique spring-assisted seat boost to help occupants rise from a seated position to a standing one, this is one of the most talked-about commodes available today.
People love how it helped them or a loved one to regain toileting and showering independence again, not only optimizing safety but resulting in more positive mental and emotional outcomes as well. Its plush PU padding is ultra-comfortable and helps to minimize pressure points while its bright blue color aids in visibility, helping to reduce the risk of accidents and falls.
Height-adjustable, and easy to convert for versatile use as a commode, over-the-toilet safety frame, and shower chair, the Gentleboost is an exceptionally stable, steady, and convenient choice for commodes and assistive toileting equipment.
What is a 3-in-1 bedside commode?
A 3-in-1 bedside commode functions as a toilet riser, an over-the-toilet safety frame, and as a bedside commode that can be used in any room.
Does Medicare cover bedside commodes?
Medicare Part B generally covers bedside commodes when medically necessary, as Medicare classifies commodes as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). If ordered by your doctor, Medicare Part B will generally pay 80-percent of the allowable charges for the commode chair. Your doctor must accept Medicare assignment, and the commode chair supplier must participate in the Medicare program, or Medicare will not pay anything for your bedside commode.
How do you use a bedside commode?
To use a bedside commode, the first step is to ensure the commode has been assembled correctly and is level and stable before sitting. Put some water in the commode’s pail before using, as this will help with emptying and cleaning later. The commode seat should be in the down position, with the bucket firmly in place below and the lid above open.
Back up to the commode until you feel the back of your legs touching the frame, reaching back for the armrests, placing both hands firmly on them before sitting on the seat. Lower yourself slowly by bending your elbows, and if able, your knees and hips. When you’re ready to stand up again, push against the armrests, slowly raising yourself from the seat of the commode, bending at the knees if you’re able.
How to clean a bedside commode?
To clean a bedside commode, dispose of waste in a flushable toilet, and clean the commode bucket and frame with regular, non-abrasive cleaning products like mild soap and water, as bleach may cause cracking or discoloration of the bucket. As mentioned previously, putting some water in the bottom of the bucket before use will make emptying and cleaning easier.
Can bedside commodes be used over a toilet?
All-in-one bedside commodes can be placed and used over your existing toilet when the bucket has been removed. Also known as 3-in-1 bedside commodes, they can be employed as over-the-toilet safety frames or as toilet risers to improve toileting safety and stability.
How to keep a bedside commode from tipping?
The best way to stop a bedside commode from tipping is to ensure the user is as close to the seat as possible, with the back of their knees touching the frame, with both hands on the armrests, applying equal pressure on both sides to prevent tipping in any direction.
Can a 3-in-1 commode be used as a shower chair?
A 3-in-1 bedside commode can be used as a shower chair when it is specifically constructed for that purpose, as some designs are corrosion- and rust-resistant. However, if the bedside commode is constructed with steel, it may be susceptible to destructing corrosion when exposed to the levels of moisture generated by a shower on a repetitive basis.
Our rankings considered the cost, features, and benefits of the best-reviewed, most popular, and most highly rated commode chairs.
All five of these bedside toilet chairs are very highly recommended – but we have chosen the Guardian Padded Drop-Arm Commode by Medline as the number-one bedside toilet because of the comfortable padding, unique sturdiness, and versatility in combination with a low price point, making it an exceptional value for your money.
The Guardian Padded Commode received the highest marks for design and beauty, weight capacity, comfort, and versatility as a bedside commode, over the toilet stabilization equipment and shower chair.
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
