Best Seat Overall: Munchkin Sturdy Potty Seat

Let’s talk potty training—there are two basic choices here for potty training equipment: a seat or a floor potty.

The seat goes on a regular toilet and has one big advantage: your toddler uses the actual adult toilet . . . and can flush it herself.

The downside to seats: toddlers have to crawl up to, either via a step stool or combo step ladder/step stool (we will recommend one such product later in this article). It is easier to go to the bathroom if you have your feet planted on the floor or a step.

Floor potties are low to the ground and easier for a toddler to use—but then they have to be emptied into a regular toilet.

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to potty training . . . you and your toddler have to figure out what works best.

So first, let’s talk potty seats.

We tried out a slew of potty seats with actual toddlers before crowning this one as best: Munchkin’s Sturdy Potty Seat. It was the easiest to use and fit most toilet seats. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Non-skid edge stays in place.

• Can stand up on edge for storage.

• Easy to clean.

• Portable. Good for road trips.

• Toddlers can pick it up and place on the toilet herself.

• Two colors. If you don’t like the green accented seat, there is also a white version.

What Needs Work

• May not fit all toilet seats. Yes, we said this seat fits MOST toilet seats that are either round or elongated. But we found it best for round toilets. For elongated toilets, there will be a gap between the seat and the front of the toilet—and that frustrated some toddlers and parents. We thought it was fine on the elongated toilet we tested it on, but we see how that could be an issue for some.

• Splash guard not tall enough. Little boys who are learning the ins and outs of potty training may not have the best aim—that’s where the splash guard is supposed to help. It would be nicer if this seat’s splash guard did more splash guarding. So this seat probably works best for girls  . . . and good for boys with a caveat!

Best Seat With Ladder: Skyroku Potty Training Seat with Step Stool Ladder

Potty seats that attach to regular toilets are great for potty training—but they have one flaw: the toddler has to figure out how to get up there. And having a place to plant your feet is also helpful when learning how to use a toilet.

To the rescue come the combo seat/step ladders. We tried out a few of these models before deciding that Skyroku’s Potty Training Seat With Step Stool Ladder was a best bet.

What We Liked

• Ladder adjusts to different toilet heights.

• Built-in molded splash guard.

• Anti slip design. There is an included key to tighten screws.

• Soft, cushioned seat. That was a bit hit with toddler testers!

• Foldable for travel or storage.

What’s Needs Work

• A bit wobbly. We didn’t see this in our tests, but we can imagine that can happen if the floor is not quite even.

• Step stool stairs are narrow.

• Pricey.

Best For Round Toilet: Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Calling All Pups Soft Potty Seat

As you can imagine, this was a bit hit with toddlers. And getting kids jazzed about potty training is half the battle. This affordable potty seat is more than cute—the easy grip handles were a nice feature. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Separate, contoured splash guard.

• Works best on round toilets, in our opinion. Yes, the maker claims it also works on elongated toilets—but based on our testing, we think this is best for round toilets.

• Affordable.

• Lightweight—good for travel.

• Multiple colors, cartoon characters if your toddler isn’t a Paw Patrol fan.

What’s Needs Work

• Not so great for elongated toilets.

• Harder to clean since stuff can be get under the pad. Our top pick in this category, the Munchkin seat, is one piece. Yes, the pad separates from the seat for cleaning . . . but it isn’t any fun.

• Have to remove splash guard to clean pad.