Brondell Swash 1400 review: An expensive, but effective bidet toilet seat

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If you had mud or other debris stuck to your hands, you wouldn't take a dry paper towel and start trying to rub it off, would you? Probably not. Instead, you would wash your hands with soap and water.

Yet, when it comes to removing stuck-on waste from our nether regions, we are content with simply using dry toilet paper. Fortunately, the best bidets take cleanliness to the next level.

At their most basic, bidets send a stream of water to clean your rear end. My friend was obsessed with her bidet and bought a basic unit for me as a gift about seven years ago. Now, my family has three units throughout our home and a portable one for traveling. Naturally, I was game when Brondell offered to send their Swash 1400 Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat to test.

Two years later, it's still the main bidet my wife and I use. Here are my experiences.

Setup and design

I tested the white elongated style of Brondell's Swash 1400. The brand also has a biscuit or tan color option, and round seats too.

It only took me about 30 minutes to install the whole thing. Since I've tested other bidets before, I've had experience installing them. But it may take longer if you haven't installed one yet, if the electrical outlet is far away from your toilet, or if you want to secure the cord for a clean look. In any case, it comes with easy-to-follow instructions. 

The Swash 1400 has two stainless steel nozzles with on-demand sterilization. The nozzles are for front and rear cleaning. And you can ensure water goes precisely where you need it by adjusting the nozzles using the remote control. Plus, you can press the "Move" button for back and forward oscillation.

I'm used to a basic bidet seat attachment with a single knob that controls the water pressure. So, I was a bit intimidated by this fancy model that allows you to customize just about every part of your experience. Fortunately, the remote control was so intuitive that I didn't even need to read the manual before getting down to business.

Performance and features

Though cold water can feel refreshing, many people might prefer bidets with warm, but not hot, water. Brondell states that the Swash 1400 heats water up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the highest heat setting. I tested this and found that the water was actually 90 degrees, which wasn't as advertised but still warm enough for my needs. When the heat was turned off, the thermometer showed the water was 71 degrees.

The heated seat reaches 97 degrees per the manufacturer and based on my subjective assessment, this seems accurate. However, I couldn't help but feel I was wasting energy using the heated seat, so I set the bidet in eco mode, which keeps the seat on the lowest heat setting when not in use.

A good bidet should balance comfortable water pressure with strong cleaning power, and the Swash 1400 nails this. You can choose water pressures ranging from 14.5 psi to 100 psi, and the spray width adjusts for targeted or dispersed cleaning.

As a frequent nighttime bathroom visitor, the blue nightlight was especially nice. It was bright enough that I could use the restroom without having to turn on other lights, which could make it hard for me to fall back asleep.

When you have guests over, you don't want to have to do a PowerPoint presentation on how to use the toilet. If they choose to use the bidet, the remote is fairly intuitive, though I do keep the user manual on top of the tank in case people are apprehensive about using it. Also, the remote is great for people with limited mobility since they can control their cleaning without twisting or reaching.

Cons to consider

The Swash 1400 features an air dryer with adjustable drying temps. Overall, this is a great feature that removes the need for toilet paper for drying purposes. However, I suggest flushing before using the air dryer. If you skip this step, you will get a blast of stinky air.

I like that the seat only works when someone is sitting on it. My young toddler was unable to waltz into the bathroom and mess with the remote, potentially sending water all over the place.

On the other hand, the sensor on the seat didn't always recognize my young son's weight so there were times we couldn't clean him up using the bidet. If we were daring, we could turn off the seat sensor, but that'll also mean my kid would've also found a new favorite toy.

The way the seat fastened to the toilet left about half an inch of wiggle from side to side. This was not a major issue, but I would have liked a more secure fit. Fortunately, this has not worsened in the two years I've been using this and I hardly notice it now.

Lastly, if you don't have an outlet positioned just right in your bathroom, you will need to buy a special extension cord. The power cord that comes with the Swash 1400 is only about 4 feet long. And, due to the power needs, the extension cord must be rated for at least 15 amps. I had to buy an extension cord, and it's a little bit of an eyesore in my bathroom.

What are your alternatives?

Our guide to the best bidets outlines the top performers I've tested. In that guide, we name the Coway Bidetmega 400 as our top pick and the Brondell LE89 Swash Electronic Bidet Seat as our best budget pick. Because of the electronic components, it's still quite pricey (around $250). As far as both price and features, the Brondell 1400 falls between these two models. I'd say it's a good option for those that want more features than standard bidets, but aren't willing to shell out more than $500. 

If you're looking to spend less than $200, take a look at Tushy bidets. Tushy keeps its prices down by designing its bidets without any electronic controls; the tradeoff is that you don't get any fancy features beyond basic cleaning. Read our Tushy Classic review for more info.

The bottom line

Overall, if you are looking to make your trips to the bathroom more hygienic, I strongly recommend the Swash 1400. In the past two years, I've tested several bidets, but the Swash 1400 continues to be one of my favorites.

I like that it provides your rear with a warm seat, thoroughly cleans down there, and dries you off when you're done. Plus, the nightlight makes your toilet easy to find in the dark. These features make using the simple task of using the bathroom more enjoyable.

Though the $470 price tag is steep for most people, if you have the money, the Brondell Swash 1400 is worth the expense. It's an expensive investment up front, but I've used it for two years and have saved lots of money on toilet paper, which is an ongoing cost for decades.