How do I use a potty chair?

A standalone potty chair is often used instead of an adult-sized toilet. They should be placed in an area that is both convenient for your child and easy for you to empty. Your child can practice sitting on the chair and using it when they feel the urge to go to the bathroom.

How should we transition from potty chair to toilet?

The easiest way to make the transition to a toilet is with a toddler-sized ring that is placed on top of the full-sized toilet seat. This kind of ring seat will help make your child feel more secure and eliminates the risk of falling in the toilet. To help your kiddo comfortably reach the seat, you may need to add a step stool (or use a potty seat that converts to a step stool).

The 8 Best Potty Chairs of 2022

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

If you’re beginning the potty training journey, good luck! One item that can be helpful, especially for younger kids who may not fit or reach an adult-sized toilet, is a kid-sized potty seat. Most of these are mini toilets that’ll familiarize kids with the right place to go.

Some families find it helpful to keep the seat in the bathroom, next to the toilet. This will get your toddler prepared to use the bathroom. Parents should be aware, most of these potty seats need to be emptied, so they will require extra cleaning or the use of liners each time it’s used. Before heading to purchase a potty seat, ensure your toddler is showing signs of readiness. Also, consider extra features like flushing sounds and toilet paper holders to encourage them to actually want to use the potty seat.

Here are the best potty seats for your little one.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

BabyBjörn Potty Chair at Amazon

Though it has no bells and whistles, it checks all the boxes by being easy to clean and including a subtle design and splashguard.

Best Real-Life:

Summer Infant My Size Potty at Amazon

A pick that paves the way for full-on potty use thanks to its realistic design, it's easily cleaned and includes space for wipes.

Best Toilet Insert:

BABYBJORN Toilet Trainer at Amazon

A solid seat for convenient setup, it's complete with an adjustable dial for a secure fit and an inward-facing splashguard.

Best Multipurpose:

Munchkin Arm & Hammer Multi-Stage 3-in-1 Potty at Amazon

Usable for years due to its multi-function, the versatile option is a step stool, potty chair, and a removable top all in one.

Best Features:

Fisher-Price Learn-to-Flush Potty at Amazon

Ideal if you want to pull out all the stops for your kiddo, this choice features music and lights to make potty training more fun.

Most Comfortable:

Summer Step by Step Potty at Amazon

Designed with comfort in mind, the chair has a cushy seat, built-in toilet paper holder, and is convertible into a step stool.

Best Folding:

SKYROKU Potty Training Seat at Amazon

If foldability is what you have in mind, this option fits most toilet seats and includes a step and handles for children's safety.

Best for Travel:

Jool Baby Products Folding Travel Potty Seat at Amazon

The seat features eight suction cups to keep it secure and sturdy on any toilet while on-the-go anywhere.

Pros

Sturdy design
Easy to clean
Built-in splash guard

Cons

Small for taller toddlers
Does not convert to potty ring or step stool
Inner potty may stick to bottoms

Clean and simple is the name of this potty chair’s game. There aren’t any bells or whistles, but it’s sleek, comfortable, and easy to clean. It has a high backrest, armrests for little arms and a splashguard, which can definitely come in handy while potty training boys. The whole thing is made of plastic, with no crevices, so wiping it down and disinfecting it is simple.

It’s great for boys or girls, so you can use it for several different children. It’s also a much less obvious addition to a bathroom than some brighter, louder chairs, making it perfect for minimalists, those who like a simple, no-fuss aesthetic, and kids who may be intimidated by chairs that have a lot going on.

Product Weight: 1.98 pounds | Type: Stand alone | Batteries Required: No

What Our Editors Say

"Even before you are ready to potty train, this chair is great to leave out and have your kids get familiar with it and how to sit in it. This option is easy to clean (though adding a liner is even easier) and it is not too much of an eye sore." — Dwyer Frame, VP of Commerce

Pros

Realistic design
Built-in wipes compartment
Clip-on splashguard

Cons

Requires batteries
Larger footprint
Wipe compartment is small

Just like mom and dad’s! This pint-size potty looks just like the real deal and paves the way for transitioning from potty training to full-on potty use. It features a handle that makes a realistic flushing noise when pushed and a seat that flips up and down. If you’ve got a little boy in training, there’s a clip-on splashguard to keep things neat. There's also a built-in compartment for wipes, so they’re easy to access when it comes to time to clean up.

The bowl comes out, so you can clean it easily, and two AAA batteries are included, so you can get to work right away. It comes in white for a sleek look or pink.

Product Weight: 1 pound | Type: Stand alone | Batteries Required: Yes (included)

Pros

Adjustable dial for secure fit
Easy to clean
Hanging feature for easy storage

Cons

Costly
No step/handles
Not recommended for children under 2 years old

This potty seat is super simple for not only parents and caregivers to set up but children, too. The seat features an adjustable dial to provide a secure and safe fit for most toilets. It’s lightweight, so children can easily put it on or take it off the toilet without any help, thanks to the seat’s built-in handle.

To prevent any spills, there is an inward-facing splashguard designed in the BPA-free seat. It can be easily cleaned with a wipe or hot water and meets plastic safety standards.

Product Weight: 1 pound | Type: On toilet | Batteries Required: No

Pros

Versatile 3-in-1 seat
Includes one odor fighting disc
Bowl is removeable

Cons

Lower to the ground than other options
Requires purchasing additional discs
Splashguard is short

This is a potty seat that you’ll likely use for years as it can be converted into three different tools as your child grows. It starts as a traditional potty chair with a removable bowl. It also features a special Nursery Fresh deodorizing disc from Arm & Hammer that uses baking soda to keep things clean and smelling fresh. (Refills are sold separately).

When they’re ready to move on to the big potty, there’s a removable top that can be used on a full-size toilet. The chair also converts into a step stool to make reaching the sink and washing hands easier. This award-winning potty chair works well for boys and girls, and parents give it props for its versatility and ease of use.

Product Weight: 3.5 pounds | Type: Stand alone | Batteries Required: No

Pros

Removable potty ring fits on full-sized toilets
Built-in splash guard
Fun features (lights, sounds, etc.)

Cons

Batteries required for lights and noises to work
No rubber base on base
Splashguard is too short for some boys

If it’s bells and whistles you want, this is the potty seat for you. From music to lights, cheering noises and “twirling water” sounds, it’s all just a flush a way. When pee pee enters the potty, they’re more of the same cheering and encouragement. This chair is all about making potty training fun, from the flushing lever to the bright smiley face on the backrest.

The bowl is easy to remove for cleaning, there are handles on each side to help kids feel safe. There’s also a splash guard for little guys. The potty ring is removable too, so it can be used on a full-size toilet when they’re ready to move on. Three AA batteries ( included) are required to fuel all the fun.

Product Weight: 2 pounds | Type: Stand alone | Batteries Required: Yes (included)

Pros

Soft, cushy seat
Built-in toilet paper and wipe holders
Can also be used as a step stool

Cons

Wipe holder is small
Difficult to clean
Slides easily on tile/hardwood floors

This potty chair is designed with comfort in mind. Unlike many potty chairs that are made of hard plastic, this one has a cushy, soft seat. It also features a built-in toilet paper holder, which holds a standard roll of toilet paper, to make wiping a breeze. There’s a built-in wipe holder as well.

It also can be used as a step stool, and the cushioned seat can be used atop a traditional toilet as well for easy transitioning. This bright green-and-white version is perfect for boys or girls and a pink version is available as well.

Product Weight: 2.8 pounds | Type: On toilet | Batteries Required: No

SKYROKU Potty Training Seat with Step Stool Ladder

Pros

Foldable design
Built-in step and handles
Has anti-slip pads

Cons

Splashguard may not work for all children
Difficult assembly for some
Step itself is not adjustable

This potty training seat is ideal when it comes to storage and design. It fits most standard-sized and elongated toilet seats, so you don’t have to buy a separate toilet for your child. Its foldable design is perfect for parents and caregivers who want to neatly put away the seat if guests come over.

There’s also a step and handles for children to safely climb up to the seat. With the seat’s anti-slip design for the handle, base, and step, there’s no need to worry about the seat slipping or your little ones falling.

Product Weight: 3.2 pounds | Type: On toilet | Batteries Required: No

Jool Baby Products Folding Travel Potty Seat

Pros

Folded design
Budget-friendly
Eight suction cups for secure fit

Cons

No step/handles
Suction cups can be hard to remove
No splashguard

Potty training while traveling doesn’t have to be hard thanks to this folding travel potty seat that fits most standard and public toilets. The seat features eight suction cups to keep it secure and sturdy on any toilet while on the go.

Cleaning this seat is extremely easy since all it needs is a quick wipe and you're good to go. It even comes with a travel bag so parents and caregivers can have easy access to it.

Product Weight: .61 pounds | Type: On toilet | Batteries Required: No

For a potty chair that's simple and easy to clean, check out the BabyBjörn Potty Chair (view on Amazon). There aren’t any bells or whistles, but it has a high backrest, armrests for little arms, and a splashguard. There's also the SKYROKU Potty Training Seat with Step Stool Ladder (view on Amazon), which is ideal for storage and has a great design for little ones. It fits most standard-sized and elongated toilet seats, is foldable, and features a step and handles for safety.

What to Look for When Buying a Potty Chair

Readiness

Determining when your child is ready to start potty training can be tricky. At 18 months, children are usually physiologically ready because their bladder and digestive systems have matured. However, they are typically not cognitively ready at this age, meaning their minds aren’t quite mature enough to remember to use the potty and ignore any distractions to finish their business.

Cognitive readiness typically happens around age 2. Parents and caregivers should also keep in mind the motor skills needed for potty training, like children knowing how to pull their pants up and down. Moreover, there are also emotional and social readiness cues to be on the lookout for, such as gaining more independence and the awareness of others using a toilet. It always helps to verbally explain how the toilet works to your toddler to help them with any uneasiness they may have.

Lifestyle

Before potty training begins, think about how much space you have for an extra toilet. While not very large, potty training toilets do take up some space, but there are also other space-saving options on the market, like toilet training seats that go over a standard toilet. Or, if your family travels often, it may be best to purchase a travel-friendly seat for full-time use.

Extra Features

When you decide it’s time to purchase a potty, have your child help you decide which one to buy. Some training toilets have extra features, like flushing sounds and a toilet paper holder. These extra features give children a sense of ownership of their potty since it looks and sounds just like the potty their older sibling or parent and caregiver uses.

If your child has an older sibling, they may do well with a potty that has an extra feature like a step stool because they want to behave just like their big brother or sister.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use a potty chair?

A standalone potty chair is often used instead of an adult-sized toilet. They should be placed in an area that is both convenient for your child and easy for you to empty. Your child can practice sitting on the chair and using it when they feel the urge to go to the bathroom.
How should we transition from potty chair to toilet?

The easiest way to make the transition to a toilet is with a toddler-sized ring that is placed on top of the full-sized toilet seat. This kind of ring seat will help make your child feel more secure and eliminates the risk of falling in the toilet. To help your kiddo comfortably reach the seat, you may need to add a step stool (or use a potty seat that converts to a step stool).

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year old daughter. After successfully potty training three kids, Maya much prefers potty rings that go over the toilet seat more than potty chairs. She finds once her kids get used to sitting on the full-sized toilet, it’s much cleaner, easier, and faster for them to go there than on a potty chair.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What are your concerns?

2 Sources

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.