I had to look into raised toilet seats, to find one for after my mom’s hip replacement surgery. And I didn’t have a clue what the difference was between all these white donut-shaped things, until we bought one, and we saw that we didn’t want that one.
Raised toilet seat weight capacity. Raised toilet seat weight capacities are between 250 lb all the way up to 1200 lb, depending on the model.
CONTENTS - Overview & Quick Links
- Risers
- Tall seats
- Elevated or raised toilet seats
- Bubble seats
- Side locking raised toilet seats
- Front locking raised toilet seats
- Safety frames with raised toilet seats
- Bedside commodes as raised toilet seats
- Bariatric commodes as raised toilet seats
Raised or elevated toilet seats weight capacities
- 220 lb weight capacity
- 250 lb weight capacity
- 265 lb weight capacity
- 275 lb weight capacity
- 300 lb weight capacity
- 330 lb weight capacity
- 350 lb weight capacity
- 400 lb weight capacity
- 420 lb weight capacity
- 485 lb weight capacity
- 500 lb weight capacity
- 600 lb weight capacity
- 800 lb weight capacity
- 1200 lb weight capacity
Safety frames with raised toilet seats
- 200 – 300 lb weight capacity
- 300 – 400 lb weight capacity
- 400 – 500 lb weight capacity
- 500 – 600 lb weight capacity
- 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
- 1500 lb weight capacity
Who can benefit from a raised toilet seat ?
How high should a raised toilet seat be ?
How to choose a raised toilet seat ?
Features to consider on a raised toilet seat
What are the different types of raised seats ?
The seats which can be called “raised” or “elevated toilet” seats fall into the following categories –
Risers
Risers are simply a block of plastic which has holes that is bolted onto your toilet bowl – you take off your seat and lid, and then you bolt down the lid and seat through the plastic riser and onto the toilet, some risers are hinged, so they can be lifted for cleaning
Basic riser
Riser installed on a toilet under the seat and lid
Tall Seats
Seats with little spacers, or legs underneath, and available in 2 and 3 inch sizes – sometimes called “Tall” toilet seats – unfortunately I could not find their weight capacities, so they are not on the list.
Spacer raised toilet seat with lid
Elevated or raised toilet seats
These fall into a number of types depending on how they are attached to the toilet bowl –
Bubble seats –
seats which slot onto the top of the toilet bowl, and several inches into it, often having some type of grip pads, and are called raised or elevated seats – sometimes referred to as “bubble seats”.
Bubble seat raised toilet seat
Side Locking –
seats that are placed on, and go partially down into, the toilet bowl, and which are fixed with side bolts and a front lip, or bracket.
Side locking raised toilet seat with lid
Front Locking –
seats which fit over the top of the toilet bowl and partially in it with a front locking clamp, and a lip at the back which slips under the back rim of the inside of the toilet bowl.
Front locking raised toilet seat without handles
Front locking raised toilet seat on a toilet
Safety frames with raised toilet seats –
Some elevated, or raised, toilet seats are mounted on safety frames and these are called “raised toilet seats with safety frame”.
Toilet safety frame with elevated seat placed over a toilet
Bedsides Commodes as raised toilet seats –
Certain types of bedside commodes can also be used as elevated toilet seats, very similar to the safety frames. You simply lift out the commode, or potty, and place the frame and toilet seat over the open bowl of the toilet.
The main type to be used as a raised toilet seat is a 3-in-1 commode.
You can find out about using bedside commodes over toilets as raised toilet seats in my article “Can A Bedside Commode Be Used Over A Toilet ?”.
3 in 1 bedside commode
Bariatric Seats –
Bariatric seats are made for heavier people, and they may fall into two or three of the categories that I have outlined here- often they are also called “heavy-duty”.
3 in 1 bariatrci bedside commode
To find out more about the different types of raised toilet seats and how they are installed, you can go to my post “Types Of Raised Toilet Seats: All You Should Know Before You Buy”
While you are looking for raised toilet seats, 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”.
Raised or elevated toilet seats weight capacities –
Raised toilet seats with a 220 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 250 lb weight capacity
While you are looking for raised toilet seats, 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”.
Raised toilet seats with a 265 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 275 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 300 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 330 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 350 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 400 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 420 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 485 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 500 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 600 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 800 lb weight capacity
Raised toilet seats with a 1200 lb weight capacity
Safety frames with raised toilet seats with a 200 – 300 lb weight capacity
Safety frames with raised toilet seats with a 300 – 400 lb weight capacity
Safety frames with raised toilet seats with a 400 – 500 lb weight capacity
Safety frames with raised toilet seats with a 500 – 600 lb weight capacity
Portable bedside commodes with a 200 – 300 lb weight capacity
Portable bedside commodes with a 300 – 400 lb weight capacity
Portable bedside commodes with a 400 – 500 lb weight capacity
Portable bedside commodes with a 500 – 600 lb weight capacity
Portable bedside commodes with a 600 – 700 lb weight capacity
Portable bedside commodes with a 700 – 800 lb weight capacity
Portable bedside commodes with a 800 – 900 lb weight capacity
Portable bedside commodes with a 1000 lb weight capacity
Portable bedside commodes with a 1500 lb weight capacity
Who can benefit from a raised toilet seat ?
The standard height of a toilet seat – 15 inches from the floor to the seat – for individuals with mobility problems, is typically too low to make sitting down and standing up easy, safe or comfortable.
Elderly adults, people with mobility and balance issues, and anyone with one of the following health conditions can also benefit from a raised toilet seat –
- arthritis
- spinal conditions
- obesity
- Parkinson’s
- hip replacement surgery
- knee replacement surgery
If you want to learn more about the benefits of raised toilet seats, you can take a look at my article “How Does A Raised Toilet Seat Help?”
How high should a raised toilet seat be ?
The height of a raised toilet seat should be enough that when the user sits, their hip is no lower than the back of their bent knee, especially if it is for someone who is recovering from a hip replacement.
The seat should also not be so high that the person’s feet are dangling in the air, as this may cause the feet to go to sleep by restricting the circulation, leading to falls when standing up.
To learn more about the correct raised toilet seat height, you can check out my post on how to measure and calculate that, here – “How High Should A Raised Toilet Seat Be ?”.
Raised toilet seats, or risers, which fix to the toilet, come in a range of fixed heights from 1 to 6 inches, with a small number of models having an adjustable height of 2 to 6 inches.
Freestanding raised toilet seats, which are placed over the toilet, are height adjustable, typically having a seat height range from 17 to 23 inches above the floor. Some models’ seats even go as high as 27 1/2 inches from the floor.
You will find examples of the different types of raised toilet seats and their heights in the post listed above.
How to choose a raised toilet seat ?
To choose which type of raised toilet is suitable for the user, you also want to consider –
- the features on offer on the different types of seat
- the amount of time you need the raised toilet seat for
- the environment where the seat is going – space ? Clutter ? Access ?
- the health and age of the user
- medical issues and medications
Features to consider on a raised toilet seat
The important features that you want to keep in mind when looking at the raised toilet seats are –
- height – what height seat is correct for you
- weight – we have already dealt with this here
- portability – some seats are very large and bulky, and others are designed to be portable
- what toilet shape do you have – is the seat you are looking at a universal fit, or is it just for an elongated or round toilet – this only applies to models which attach to the toilet, not to freestanding models
- freestanding models – do you want a model which is in a frame and is placed over the toilet – I prefer these models for anyone who is frail and struggles to sit, or is visually impaired
- hinged risers – most seats which attach to the toilet are fixed in place and will need to be unfastened for you to clean underneath, hinged risers have a hinge which allows you to lift the seat and clean underneath without undoing it
- raised toilet seats which attach to the toilet – what type of locking system you need, or do you want a freestanding model
- armrests – if the seat is for someone who is visually impaired, frail or suffers from balance issues, armrests are better
- seat width – seats come in a whole range of sizes on the freestanding models, which is good news for those with larger thighs
- elongated seats – these seats are deeper and offer easier access for personal cleaning
- seats for larger individuals often have elongated seats to help facilitate cleaning – this mainly applies to bedside commodes used as raised toilet seats
- padded seats – you may want this for greater comfort
- a seat with or without lid
- materials – the freestanding models are way more solid, and are built on either aluminum or steel frames
If you are looking for a bedside commode to use as a raised toilet seat for a larger person, you can check out each of these articles –
“Raised Toilet Seats For A Large Person : The complete guide”
“Do Bedside Commodes Come In Different Sizes ?”
“How Wide Is A Bariatric Commode ?”
To find out more about what toilet design you have, you can check my article illustrating how to do this –
“How To Measure For A Raised toilet seat ?”
If you are looking for a really tall raised toilet seat, you can take a look at my post “What Is The Highest Raised Toilet Seat ?”, which list a large number of the tallest seats, across the different types.
You can then ask yourself lots of questions about –
- the environment where the seat is going – space ? Clutter ? Access ?
- the health and age of the user
- any particular medical reasons for using the raised toilet seat i.e. surgeries, illnesses and medications
If you want more specific advice on how to choose a raised toilet seat, I have a very in-depth article which outlines all the questions you should be asking yourself, along with a PDF that you can download and print out for free – “How To Choose A Raised Toilet Seat ?”
Best raised toilet seats for the elderly ?
If you want to read a post on choosing seats for more elderly adults, with recommendations for specific raised toilet seats in different situations, you can find that here – Best Raised Toilet Seats For Elderly Seniors: A Detailed Guide With Prices
Frequently asked questions
Do raised toilet seats fit any toilet ?
A freestanding elevated toilet seat should be able to be place over most toilets, as they typically have a maximum seat height of at least 21 inches from the floor.
Raised toilet seats which attach to the toilet, depending on the particular model, can be for –
- elongated toilets only
- round toilets only
- universal, fitting both types of toilet type
Can a raised toilet seat be too high ?
If a toilet seat is too high and the user’s feet are hanging in the air, and not flat to the floor, the blood circulation in the legs can be affected, causing the user’s feet to go to sleep, and lead to falls when standing.
Secondly, for those with issues with constipation, a lower seat is more conducive to passing a bowel movement.
What’s the tallest toilet height ?
The tallest toilet height is a wall mounted toilet from Kohler.
The Kohler Veil Wall-hung Toilet K-6303 has a maximum bowl height of 28 1/2 inches from the floor.
The tallest standing toilet is the Signature Hardware Bradenton Elongated Toilet, which has a bowl rim height of 21 inches without a seat from the floor.
How to measure for a raised toilet seat ?
To find the correct height of raised toilet seat that you need –
- measure the height of the toilet bowl rim from the floor
- measure the from the floor to the back of your knee where it bends
- subtract the first measurement from the second, and the difference is the height of raised toilet seat that you need
The position you are looking to achieve is one where, when seated, your hip is not lower than your knee.
When can you use a regular toilet after a hip replacement ?
For those individuals who have been told to use a raised toilet seat after hip surgery by their surgeon – typically for lateral and posterior hip replacements – the precaution will usually be taken for up to 6 to 10 weeks following the surgery.
When can you use a regular toilet after a hip replacement ?
For those individuals who have been told to use a raised toilet seat after hip surgery by their surgeon – typically for lateral and posterior hip replacements – the precaution will usually be taken for up to 6 to 10 weeks following the surgery.
What is the highest raised toilet seat ?
The highest raised toilet seat is the OasisSpace Stand Alone Safety Frame and Raised Toilet Seat, which has a maximum seat height of 27.5 inches.
The tallest raised toilet seat which attaches to the toilet seat is a 6 inch high seat, of which there are many models, but even on the tallest standing toilet they are not as high as the OasisSpace Stand Alone Safety Frame and Raised Toilet Seat.
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.
