3-in-1 bedside commode weight limits range from 250 lb up to 1000 lb. A standard 3-in-1 bedside commode will typically support up to 300 – 350 lb, and anything above that is typically referred to as a bariatric or heavy 3-in-1 commode, and these can support up to 1000 lb.
Contents Overview & Quicklinks
What is a 3-in-1 bedside commode ?
Features on different types of 3-in-1 commodes
3-in-1 bedside commodes weight limits
- 200-300 lb weight capacity
- 300-400 lb weight capacity
- 400-500 lb weight capacity
- 500-600 lb weight capacity
- 600-700 lb weight capacity
- 700-800 lb weight capacity
- 800-900 lb weight capacity
- 1000 lb weight capacity
How to use a 3-in-1 commode over a toilet ?
Well known brands of 3-in-1 bedside commodes
What is a 3-in-1 bedside commode
The 3-in-1 bedside commode, also called an All-in-One bedside commode is a static portable bedside commode, and is so-called because it is destined for 3 functions –
- as a bedside commode
- as a raised toilet seat
- as a toilet safety frame
3 in 1 bedside commode
There are actually two other types of commodes which are not called always called 3-in-1 commodes, but that have the same functions –
- stacking bedside commodes – there of models of this type which, if they have adjustable legs, are capable of being used in the same three ways
- drop arm commodes – drop arms are found on many types of commode, but often a static portable bedside commode with the drop arm feature is just called a “drop arm commode” because that is the prime feature, and more important than the fact that it may also be a 3-in 1 commode as well
In my lists of the different 3-in-1 commodes, I have separated out the drop arm 3-in-1 commodes, to show which they are.
You cannot assume, though, that a drop arm is always a 3-in-1, but for the most part they are.
Lastly, there are versions of both the 3-in-1, and 3-in-1 drop arm commodes, for larger users called bariatric, or heavy duty commodes.
If you want to know more about bariatric commodes, other than just their weight limits, I have an article all about them – “What is a bariatric commode ?”.
Static stacking bedside commode
Static drop arm bedside commode
Drop arm commodes have armrests which are not fixed, which can be moved out of position to allow side access and may also be removed on a lot of models.
Drop arm commodes are designed, typically, for those individuals who cannot stand, who are transferring either from a bed, or from a wheelchair, and need to slide over onto the commode from the side, rather than sitting down on the commode from the front.
If you want to find out more about drop arm commodes, compared with 3-in-1 commodes, you can read my article, “Drop Arm Commode vs 3 In 1 Commode: There’s At Least One Big Difference”, which, as well as comparing the two types of commodes, looks at –
- static drop arm commodes
- drop arm transport commodes
- drop arm shower transport commodes
Features on different types of 3-in-1 commodes
As I mentioned in my intro, there are standard 3-in-1 commodes which typically support up to 300 – 350 lb, and then you have what are known as “bariatric” or “heavy duty” 3-in-1 commodes which support greater weights.
3-in-1 commodes can also vary in the types of seats they may have –
- elongated – this is simply a deeper seat from front to back, which helps with cleaning
- open front – this is a seat which is open at the front and again is designed to help the user have more access for cleaning
- extra wide seats – these are generally found on the models which support greater weight and are for the comfort of those users with wider hips and thighs
- padded seats – the standard commodes come with a hard plastic seat, and some users prefer a soft padded one instead
3-in-1 commodes may also –
- have an extra wide frame – again this is for the comfort of users on the larger models
- extra tall frame – for taller users
3-in-1 bedside commodes weight limits
The following is a list of different 3-in-1 commodes, including the drop arm commodes which also happen to be 3-in-1 commodes, just not in name.
The commodes are grouped in different weight categories to make it a little easier to read.
Almost without exception I have used the manufacturers’ title for the commodes, the model numbers and of course the weight capacities.
3-in-1 bedside commodes with a 200 – 300 lb weight capacity
Static 3-in-1 bedside commode with fixed arms
Stacking bedside commodes – which are also 3-in-1 commodes
3-in-1 bedside commodes with a 300 – 400 lb weight capacity
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Stacking bedside commodes – which are also 3-in-1 commodes
Drop arm bedside commodes – which are also 3-in-1 commodes
3-in-1 bedside commodes with a 400 – 500 lb weight capacity
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes – which are also 3-in-1 commodes
3-in-1 bedside commodes with a 500 – 600 lb weight capacity
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes – which are also 3-in-1 commodes
3-in-1 bedside commodes with a 600 – 700 lb weight capacity
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes – which are also 3-in-1 commodes
3-in-1 bedside commodes with a 700 – 800 lb weight capacity
Drop arm bedside commodes – which are also 3-in-1 commodes
3-in-1 bedside commodes with a 800 – 900 lb weight capacity
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
3-in-1 bedside commodes with a 1000 lb weight capacity
Drop arm bedside commodes – which are also 3-in-1 commodes
While you are looking for bedside commodes, there is lots more that you can do to make your bathroom a safer place for seniors, or anyone else with mobility issues.
To find out all the different things you can do, to have an instant impact on bathroom safety, take a look here, “54 Bathroom Safety Tips For Seniors – A Helpful Guide”.
How to use a 3-in-1 commode over a toilet ?
So now for the great advantages of the 3-in-1 commodes – using them over the toilet for a really stable and easy to use seat for those who are recovering from surgery, elderly or disable, and who have issues with balance and mobility.
The size of the armrests and the solidity give the user a confidence that I don’t think you can get with most raised toilet seats, which just attach to the rim of the toilet bowl with a plastic clamp.
The commode is on its four legs and has no wobbles to it and cannot come off the toilet as it isn’t attached to it.
If you have an elderly loved one who has any issues with their sight, the size of the armrests and the width of the seat is greater than raised toilet seats, so the armrests will come into the peripheral vision of the eye to a greater degree – I know this for a fact as my Mom has Advance Macular Degeneration in one eye, and she can easily see the armrest on that side.
Anyhow, good luck, and here is how you set the commode over the toilet.
How to set up a 3-in-1 commode over a toilet as a raised toilet seat or safety frame –
- remove the commode bucket from the bucket platform before you do anything else
- measure how high your toilet bowl rim is from the floor
- adjust your commode leg so that the commode seat is higher than the toilet bowl rim
- to adjust the length of the legs, push in the spring-loaded buttons on the tubing and then pull or push the leg in- when they are in position give them a good jiggle to make sure the push buttons have popped back out properly
- all the legs must be the same length
- make sure the actual toilet seat and lid in the upright position (not the bedside commode)
- place the 3-in-1 over the toilet
- check that the seat height which suits the user -the user’s feet must be on the floor when seated on the commode – not just the toes -frailer individuals can fall when trying to get up from the toilet if their feet were dangling in the air when seated
- if you are using the commode as a safety frame only, you will not need to use your 3-in-1 splash guard
- if you are using your commode as a raised toilet seat of more than a couple of inches, lift the seat of the commode and place the splash guard in the bucket platform
- lower the commode seat back down into position, and it is ready to use over a toilet
3 in 1 bedside commode installed over a toilet
To find out about splash guards, and how to use them, you can read either of these two articles, “What Is A Commode Splash Guard ?” and “How To Use A Commode Splash Guard ?”.
Well known brands of 3-in-1 bedside commodes
Here is a list of well known brands who make 3-in-1 commodes –
- Carex
- Drive
- Guardian
- Homecraft
- Invacare
- Medline
- Nova
- Patterson Medical
- Performance Health
- Probasics
- TFI Healthcare
- Tuffcare
- Guardian
- Vive
Where to buy a 3-in-1 bedside commode ?
You can buy 3-in-1 bedside commodes at many retailers, including –
- American Discount Medical Equipment – home-med-equip.com – This is my go-to specialist website
- CVS
- Lowes
- Target
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Amazon
- Rehabmart.com – another specialist website for medical equipment which is very good and run by people with years of experience in the field
For more information on the subject, you can check out my article “Where To Buy A Bedside Commode ?”. In the article, you can find out –
- which retailers have the widest range of new bedside commodes
- well known brands
- Medicare Part B guidelines
- where you buy one with Medicare
- coverage for veterans
- refurbished bedside commodes
- AT Programs with bedside commodes
Does Medicare cover bedside commodes ?
If you have Medicare Part B or a Medicare Advantage plan, and you may qualify for 80% coverage of the Medicare approved price for a bedside commode. You will then have your coinsurance of 20% of the Medicare approved price and your deductible to cover.
You have to get a signed prescription from a Medicare-enrolled physician certifying that according to the Medicare qualifying guidelines that a bedside commode is “medically necessary” for you, and then to purchase the commode from a Medicare-enrolled “participating” supplier who accepts assignment.
You can find out about the guidelines, and how to do it all, in my article “Does Medicare Cover Bedside Commodes” here.
I hope that the list was useful to you. I update every time I find a new 3-in-1 bedside commode.
I’m Gareth, the author and owner of Looking After Mom and Dad.com
I have been a caregiver for over 10 yrs and share all my tips here.
