Best potty training seats for toddlers: how to pick one that fits

A toddler holding a parent’s hand beside a toilet with a potty training seat and a small step stool

The best potty training seats are the ones your child will actually sit on, that stay steady, and that fit the toilet or bathroom you have. That sounds simple, but a quick search turns up floor potties, toilet toppers, folding travel seats and seats that come with steps. This guide explains how each kind works so you can pick one that suits your home and your toddler.

If you are not sure your child is ready yet, start with our guide to potty training readiness signs parents commonly watch for. Once you are, choosing the seat is the easy part.

The main types of potty training seat

Most products fall into three groups. Each one solves a different problem.

Infographic comparing three kinds of potty training seat: a floor potty, a toilet topper and a seat with steps
Floor potty, toilet topper or seat with steps: each solves a slightly different problem.

Floor potties

A floor potty is a small, self-contained seat that sits on the bathroom floor, or anywhere else you choose. Toddlers can climb on and off by themselves, and their feet rest flat on the ground. The trade-off is that an adult has to empty and clean it after each use.

Toilet toppers (toilet seat reducers)

A toilet topper is a smaller ring that sits on top of the regular toilet seat. It makes the opening child-sized, and there is no bowl to empty. Because your child sits higher up, many families pair a topper with a step stool so little feet have something to rest on. The Dreambaby EZY-Potty Toilet Seat Topper is one example of this style.

Seats with built-in steps

If you searched for a potty seat with steps, or a potty seat with a ladder, this is the group to look at. These combine a child-sized seat with a step or stool so your toddler can climb up. The Rabb 1st Potty Training Seat with Step Stool is a seat and step set in one.

Comparing the options

Type Where it sits Works well for Keep in mind
Floor potty On the floor First introductions, toddlers who want to climb on alone Needs emptying and cleaning after each use
Toilet topper On the family toilet Small bathrooms, children moving on from a floor potty Child sits higher, so a stool for the feet helps
Seat with steps On the family toilet Toddlers who like to climb up on their own Check how well it fits your toilet
Folding travel seat On a public or visiting toilet Outings, daycare drop-offs and car trips Works best as a second seat, not the only one

How to choose the best potty training seats for your home

Instead of chasing a single winner, run through these questions. Together they point you to the right type.

Checklist graphic with five points to check before buying a potty seat: toilet shape, supported feet, steady seat, easy to clean and your child
Run this five-point check before you choose a potty training seat.

1. What shape is your toilet?

Toilet seats come in round and oval shapes, and a topper that sits well on one may be loose on the other. Look for a product that says which toilets it fits. The Jool Baby Folding Travel Potty Training Seat, for example, is listed as fitting round and oval toilets.

2. Can your child's feet rest on something?

Many potty training guides suggest that a child on a toilet seat should have their feet supported, so they can relax and feel secure. A footrest or step stool helps with that. The Dreambaby Toddler Step Stool with Non-Slip Base is the kind of simple, separate stool that can work alongside a topper. Check the product page for size and weight details before you buy.

3. Is it steady?

A seat that slides or tips can put a toddler off for weeks. Press down on it at home before the first use, and look for a wide base or grips. Stay close while your child is learning to climb on and off.

4. How easy is it to clean?

Smooth, simple shapes with few crevices are faster to wipe down. A removable bowl on a floor potty makes emptying easier. Wash your hands, and your child's, after every visit.

5. Will your child take to it?

Some toddlers love the independence of a floor potty. Others want to be a "big kid" on the real toilet from day one. Letting your child sit on it fully clothed for a few days, with no pressure, is a gentle way to find out. Our guide to preparing your toddler for potty training has ideas for those first days.

Seats for travel and outings

Public washrooms are an adventure at toddler height. A folding travel seat packs into a bag and sits on top of a public toilet seat, so your child has a familiar shape wherever you are. In Canada, that can mean anything from a mall washroom to a rest stop on a long winter road trip. The Jool Baby folding seat is one option made for travel, and the Munchkin Sturdy Potty Training Seat is another potty seat to compare.

Do you need a step stool as well?

If your seat does not come with steps, a stool is often worth adding. It lets your child climb onto the toilet and gives their feet a place to rest. It is also handy at the sink for handwashing, so it stays useful long after potty training ends. A stool with a non-slip base is a sensible pick for a wet bathroom floor.

The toddler-friendly bathroom setup guide shows where to put a seat, a stool and a few other basics so everything is within reach.

What can wait

You do not need to buy everything at once. One seat, one stool and a small stack of training pants is enough to get going. For a full list of basics, see our potty training supplies checklist, or potty training on a budget for what to buy first and what to hold off on. When you are ready to browse, the full potty training collection is in one place, and so are our training pants.

Families use different methods, and the seat you pick can work with any of them. Our guide to potty training methods explained compares four common approaches.

Questions parents ask

What is the best potty seat for toddlers?

There is no single best one. A floor potty suits many first-timers, a toilet topper suits families who want to use the real toilet, and a seat with steps suits children who like to climb up alone. The right choice depends on your toddler and your bathroom.

Is a potty seat for the toilet better than a floor potty?

Neither is better in every case. A toilet seat avoids emptying a bowl, while a floor potty is lower and easier for small children to reach. Some families start with one and add the other later.

Do I need a potty seat with steps or a separate stool?

Either works. A seat with steps keeps everything in one product. A separate stool can also be used at the sink and for other jobs, so it often stays useful for longer.

When should I talk to a doctor?

If your child seems to be in pain, is constipated, avoids using the toilet, or you have any other health worries, talk to your doctor or public health nurse. This guide is general information about products, not medical advice.

Still not sure which seat to pick? Send us a message and our team will help, usually with a reply within one business day.