Finding the right potty chair can turn the potty training journey into a positive and empowering experience for both you and your baby.
Have you noticed your child showing signs they’re ready to start potty training? If they’re hiding to go to the bathroom, removing their diapers, or showing curiosity about potties, it might be time to invest in a potty chair. A potty chair offers a gentle introduction to the process, making it exciting and empowering for your toddler. It’s a great gift from parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone eager to support a little one’s transition from diapers.
With so many options available, choosing the right potty chair can be overwhelming. When should you opt for a potty chair over a simple toilet insert? We’re here to guide you through the selection process.
What to Look For
Children need to feel in control during potty training, and a potty chair designed specifically for them can make the experience smoother and more engaging. According to Nancy Zwiebach, a child psychologist and former director of an Early Childhood Education program, a dedicated potty chair is preferable for young children. Zwiebach explains, “A regular toilet can feel intimidating to young children because there’s a lack of security.” Potty chairs provide a sense of stability and comfort that inserts might not offer, making them the better choice for most families.
When choosing a potty chair, consider the following factors:
- Ease of Cleaning: Look for a potty chair with a removable waste receptacle for quick and easy cleaning. You’ll be emptying and washing it frequently.
- Design Considerations: For boys, choose a potty that’s easy to wipe down, as standing to pee can create a mess.
How We Chose the Best Potty Chairs
We tested a variety of potty chairs through hands-on use in real-life scenarios and gathered feedback from numerous parents and editors. We featured potties that received positive reviews from multiple testers and those we personally used with our own children. Our selection includes a range of options to suit different needs—whether you’re looking for a travel-friendly potty, a space-saving design, or one that helps transition to the regular toilet more smoothly.
From whimsical designs to straightforward models, our list includes potties to fit every family’s needs and preferences. Whether you’re trying a “pants-free” potty training week or a more gradual approach with training pants, we’ve got a potty chair to support your potty training journey.
1. Mayfair NextStep2 Toilet Seat with Built-In Toddler Potty Training Seat
For families with limited bathroom space, a traditional potty chair might not be an option. Instead, you can transform your regular toilet into a toddler-friendly potty with the Mayfair NextStep2 toilet seat. This innovative seat is a practical solution for potty training while keeping your bathroom tidy and streamlined.
The Mayfair NextStep2 is a high-quality toilet seat available in both round and elongated versions, featuring a built-in potty seat designed for young children. To help your little one reach the seat, a step stool will be necessary, but consider adding a Squatty Potty for extra convenience and comfort for everyone.
Our testers appreciated the easy installation and the discreet design of the Mayfair NextStep2. When not in use, the toddler potty seat is neatly hidden under the lid, maintaining the appearance of a standard toilet—provided everyone remembers to close the lid, of course.
2. The First Years Training Wheels Racer Potty System
Nothing says “It’s time to ditch the diaper!” quite like a race car-themed potty chair. This fun design features four rubber wheels and an impressive car seat back, making potty training an exciting adventure for your little one.
The chair’s basin is easily removable, and the seat itself is designed for quick cleaning. Whether it’s a minor spill or a more significant mess, you can simply wipe it down or hose it off for a thorough clean-up.
3. Jool Baby Products Real Feel Potty with Wipes Storage
Sometimes you need a potty chair that offers versatility, and the Jool Baby Real Feel potty delivers just that. This innovative potty features the option to use waste bags instead of dealing with a messy bowl, along with convenient storage for wipes and toilet paper. Plus, it entertains with a fun flushing sound.
Our tester appreciated the ease of using liners instead of constantly cleaning out the bowl, and loved the cushioned, soft seat that’s gentle on delicate skin. The splash guard is notably tall, providing excellent protection, and the storage area, originally meant for wipes, turned out to be perfect for holding potty bags.
The Jool Baby Real Feel potty stands out for its comfortable seat height—higher than some other models, making it more accessible for petite toddlers while still being comfortable. Overall, it’s a top choice that combines functionality with fun.
4. Jool Baby Products Potty Training Ladder
One of my top picks for potty chairs is this incredibly simple and effective model. It’s a breeze for kids to use, easy to clean, and there’s no messy bowl to empty at the end of the day—making it a straightforward solution to a sometimes unpleasant task.
The soft seat is a hit with babies, and the handles are perfectly positioned for them to hold onto while climbing on and while seated. Our 3-year-old testers had no trouble getting comfortable and appreciated the independence of being able to move the potty themselves.
Parents of our 3-year-old testers also loved the high splashguard, which kept accidents contained and prevented messes on the floor—a feature that resonates deeply with any parent of a young boy.
5. Summer Infant 3-in-1 Train with Me Potty Seat Topper and Stepstool
Why buy a separate potty chair and step stool when you can have both in one? This versatile potty features a lid that flips down to become a step stool, helping kids reach the sink for handwashing. Just be cautious not to let them move it around too much when it’s full, as that could lead to some unwanted messes.
This straightforward potty is a favorite recommendation from many parents. It’s simple, effective, and durable. One parent tester shared, “I’ve practically boiled this one after an illness swept through the house, and it’s still holding up perfectly.”
6. OXO Tot Potty Chair
OXO is known for creating high-quality products, and their potty chair is no exception. Parents rave about its exceptional design, with one tester noting, “It’s like nothing can stick to it.” Given its purpose, this is certainly a feature we can all appreciate.
The potty chair features a high front and back for added security and sits at a comfortable height for children. Additionally, the removable basin slides out effortlessly for easy cleaning. It’s a practical and well-designed choice for any potty-training journey.
7. Sesame Street Elmo Hooray! 3-in-1 Potty Chair
Elmo has been a beloved figure in potty training for years, and his potty chair is no exception. As popular as it gets, the Elmo potty is a versatile 3-in-1 solution that transitions from a potty chair to a seat and then to a step stool. It delights kids with Elmo phrases and realistic flushing sounds.
While it may be a bit more challenging to clean compared to other models, parents swear by its effectiveness because of how much their children enjoy using it. If your little one is an Elmo fan, this potty is sure to make the potty training process more engaging and fun.
8. Sunny Days Entertainment Musical Transition Potty Trainer
Can you already hear the catchy tune in your head? The CoComelon potty chair features the beloved “Potty Training Song” from the show to motivate your little one during potty time.
In addition to its musical encouragement, this potty chair includes a tracking chart and convenient storage. You can use the storage space for stickers and rewards or keep cleaning supplies like Lysol wipes handy.
The seat is removable, transforming into a potty seat for extended use, making it a versatile choice for ongoing potty training.
9. Nuby My Real Urinal Potty Training Toilet
Anyone who’s potty trained a little boy—or any child with external genitalia—knows the special kind of chaos it can bring to every surface in the bathroom, including you if you’re in the line of fire.
Toddler urinals are a game-changer in this situation. They provide a designated spot for aiming and are designed so toddlers can almost straddle them while using the restroom. The urinal features a paddle target at the bottom, and when your child hits the target, it spins and plays music for extra motivation.
Our testers rave about how easy it is to clean. They’ve found it much simpler to rinse out the urinal than to scrub away splashes from every corner of the bathroom.
10. Spark Moments Portable Potty for Toddler Travel
There will inevitably come a time when you’re on the road and your potty-training child needs to go—immediately. That’s where this foldable portable potty with disposable potty bags becomes a lifesaver. It’s a comfortable and easy-to-clean potty chair that folds up for convenient storage and travel. What more could you ask for?
11. Summer Infant Step-by-Step Potty
We love a multistep child product. This one goes from potty chair to in-toilet seat. The features of this potty chair are pretty funny — like the little see-through lid and the silly pattern — and kids love it. The cushioned seat and toilet paper holder will make your little one feel like a real big kid—and, as you might know, kids just love that.
The basin is deep so it won’t splash out, and it’s easy to separate from the chair.
12. Frida Baby 3-in-1 Grow-with-Me Potty
You’ll get your money’s worth from this potty chair from beloved brand Frida Baby. It starts as a full potty chair with a splashguard and handles. It then becomes a potty seat that fits onto a standard toilet. After that, it’s a step stool for your little one. It’s really a well-rounded potty.
Our tester said that it’s very easy to clean and feels sturdy. She did say that it could use a bit more room, but overall, a great product.
13. BabyBjörn Potty Chair
BabyBjörn, a trusted baby brand, is the company behind this popular pick—a potty chair that features an ergonomic design and a low backrest to make training more comfortable. This has been one of the most popular potty chairs of the past 10 years—and with good reason!
The basic style, easy cleaning, and durable materials make it a solid choice for any family. And in the past few years, they’ve upgraded the chair to sit a bit higher off the ground, making it a bit easier to sit upon.
14. Potette Potty Seat
This versatile potty chair easily converts into a folding trainer seat, making it a great addition to any potty-training routine. It’s non-slip, durable, and comfortable, fitting most toilet seats. The potty comes with three super-absorbent, leak-proof, and easy-to-use disposable liners, along with a collapsible liner and drawstring bag for convenience.
Suitable for children aged 15 months and up to 50 lbs when used as a traveling potty, it features patented hinged legs that lock securely into place when the Potette 2-in-1 is opened.
