Choosing the Right Potty Seat Makes a Difference
Walk into any baby store and the range of potty training seats on offer is genuinely overwhelming. Standalone potties. Toilet seat inserts. 3-in-1 training systems. Musical versions. Character-branded versions. Travel versions. It is easy to spend a lot of money on the wrong thing.
I have used a lot of potty seats over the years — with my own children and through the experiences of the thousands of parents I have connected with through this blog. Here is my honest assessment of the best options in each category, and how to choose the right one for your child.
The right potty seat depends on your child's age, temperament, and stage of training.
Category 1: Standalone Potty Chairs
A standalone potty chair is the most common starting point for children aged 18 months to 3 years. It sits on the floor, looks less intimidating than a full toilet, and gives small children a sense of ownership over their own dedicated seat.
BabyBjörn Smart Potty — Best Overall
The BabyBjörn Smart Potty remains our top pick for standalone potties. The seamless inner bowl is genuinely the easiest to clean of any potty we have tested — no corners, no crevices, just a smooth curve you can rinse in 30 seconds. The low, wide base is stable on all floor types and the high splash guard is effective for boys. Available in white, yellow, blue and red. Read our full BabyBjörn review.
Best for: Parents who prioritise ease of cleaning and simple, reliable design.
Price: $20–25
Summer Infant My Size Potty — Best for Motivation
The Summer Infant My Size Potty looks like a miniature real toilet complete with a flushing sound, lid, and toilet paper holder. For children who need extra motivation to use the potty, the familiar design and interactive features genuinely help. Slightly more to clean than the BabyBjörn but excellent for the right child. Read our full Summer Infant review.
Best for: Hesitant children who respond to novelty and familiar toilet design.
Price: $25–35
IKEA LOCKIG Potty — Best Budget
If budget is tight, the IKEA LOCKIG is the best value standalone potty available. Simple design, smooth inner bowl, stable base, available in soft colours. At under $10 it outperforms most mid-range potties. The one thing it lacks is a high splash guard — keep that in mind if you are training a boy.
Best for: Budget-conscious families who want a functional, no-frills option.
Price: Under $10
Category 2: Toilet Seat Inserts
A toilet seat insert reduces the opening of your adult toilet to a child-appropriate size. Most children transition to the toilet between ages 2 and 4, and a seat insert makes this transition much more comfortable and less frightening than simply removing the potty and hoping for the best.
A toilet seat insert gives children the confidence to use the full-size toilet safely.
BabyBjörn Toilet Training Seat — Best Overall Insert
The BabyBjörn Toilet Training Seat fits most standard toilet seats without installation hardware, has a handle for easy transport to public toilets, and is designed for children aged 2 to 6. The non-slip surface keeps it secure and the simple click-on design means your child can eventually manage it independently. Our top pick in this category.
Best for: The transition from potty to toilet, including public toilets.
Price: $25–30
Potette Plus 2-in-1 — Best for Travel
The Potette Plus works as both a standalone portable potty and a toilet seat insert, making it the most versatile option for families on the go. Fold it flat for the changing bag, open it as a potty in the car park, or clip it onto a public toilet seat. Disposable liners are available for clean hygiene on the road. A genuine travel essential.
Best for: Travel, outings, and families who need one product that does both jobs.
Price: $25–30
Category 3: 3-in-1 Training Seats
3-in-1 training seats combine a standalone potty, a toilet seat insert, and a step stool in a single product that adapts as your child grows. They are more expensive than standalone options but eliminate the need to buy separate products at each stage.
Summer Infant Step-by-Step Potty
A well-designed 3-in-1 that separates into a standalone potty, a toilet seat reducer, and a step stool. The step stool is a genuine differentiator here — having your child's feet supported on a step when sitting on the toilet makes it significantly easier for them to relax the muscles needed for a bowel movement. Good quality for the price.
Best for: Families who want a single product that covers all three training stages.
Price: $30–40
The Step Stool — The Most Overlooked Item
Whichever toilet seat insert you choose, pair it with a step stool. When a child's feet dangle in the air while sitting on the toilet, it is physically harder to relax the muscles needed for a bowel movement. A step stool with their feet flat and slightly elevated changes this immediately — and explains why children who have mastered wees in the potty sometimes still struggle with poos on the toilet.
Any stable step stool works. The IKEA BOLMEN step stool is under $10 and does the job perfectly.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Product | Type | Best Age | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BabyBjörn Smart Potty | Standalone | 18m–3yr | $20–25 | Easy cleaning, reliability |
| Summer Infant My Size | Standalone | 18m–3yr | $25–35 | Motivation, hesitant children |
| IKEA LOCKIG | Standalone | 18m–3yr | Under $10 | Budget |
| BabyBjörn Toilet Seat | Insert | 2–6yr | $25–30 | Toilet transition |
| Potette Plus 2-in-1 | Insert + portable | 18m–4yr | $25–30 | Travel & outings |
| Summer Infant Step-by-Step | 3-in-1 | 18m–5yr | $30–40 | All-in-one system |
Quick Summary: How to Choose
- Starting training with an 18–24 month old: BabyBjörn Smart Potty or Summer Infant My Size
- Budget is tight: IKEA LOCKIG standalone + any cheap toilet insert later
- Child is ready for the toilet: BabyBjörn Toilet Training Seat + step stool
- Travel a lot: Potette Plus 2-in-1
- Want one product for all stages: Summer Infant Step-by-Step 3-in-1
Have a potty seat recommendation that is not on this list? Leave a comment below.
More posts that might help:
- BabyBjörn Potty Chair Review: Is It Really Worth Buying?
- Summer Infant My Size Potty Review
- Best Potty Training Methods & Gear: A Complete Parent's Guide
Written by Baby Potty Training Mommy — real potty training advice since 2010. Read more about me here.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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