Have you noticed that bidets are everywhere in the United States? For decades, the bidet was something Americans encountered abroad and forgot about at home. But that's no longer the case. Today, bidets sit alongside water filtration, air purifiers, and smart thermostats as one of the most-adopted home wellness upgrades, and the reasons are practical, financial, and cultural all at once.
Curious about Coway’s Bidetmega lineup? Learn about the 400S and 500S here, and our newest Bidetmega, the 200N, here.Â
The Top Reasons Bidets Are Booming in America
The U.S. bidet market has grown by 2 to 3 times since 2020, moving the category from a European novelty to a mainstream bathroom upgrade. But why?
-
Pandemic shift: Toilet paper shortages in 2020 introduced millions of Americans to bidets for the first time.
-
Hygiene awareness: Water cleans more thoroughly than dry paper, with dermatologist-backed benefits.
-
Sustainability: Bidets use a fraction of the water required to produce toilet paper.
-
Cost savings: The average American household spends close to $200 per year on toilet paper (it’s true!)
-
Cultural normalization: Travel exposure and social media erased the old stigma.
-
Easy installation: Most attachments install in under 30 minutes with no plumber needed.
-
Generational change: Millennials and Gen Z view bidets as a standard wellness upgrade.
Â
The Pandemic Permanently Changed Bathroom Habits
The 2020 toilet paper shortages accomplished what a century of marketing could not. When store shelves emptied, millions of Americans tried a bidet for the first time, and most never went back.
What changed in that moment:
- Forced experimentation with water-based cleansing
- Discovery that bidets are more comfortable than expected
- Awareness that paper supply chains can fail without warning
- A lasting reset in attitudes toward bathroom hygiene
That single window of disruption rewired how a generation thinks about the bathroom.
Hygiene Standards Have Risen Across the Board
We’re paying closer attention to our personal cleanliness than at any point in modern memory. The logic of a bidet is hard to dismiss once you understand it. Water cleans more thoroughly than dry paper, and its health benefits are well-documented.
- A gentle water stream rinses away residue more effectively than wiping
-
Reduces irritation from hemorrhoids and inflammatory conditions
- Minimizes the microtears caused by toilet paper on sensitive skin
- Supports postpartum recovery and skin-condition management
-
Improves quality of life for aging adults and family members with limited mobility
For households focused on whole-home wellness, the bidet fits naturally alongside cleaner air, cleaner water, and cleaner surfaces.
The Environmental and Cost Savings Are Significant
The sustainability case is stronger than most homeowners realize. Plus, the financial math holds up.
-
A single roll of toilet paper can require up to 37 gallons of water to produce
- A bidet uses roughly one-eighth of a gallon per wash
- Lower paper consumption reduces tree harvesting, packaging waste, and shipping emissions
Financial impact:
-
The average American household spends close to $200 per year on toilet paper
- A quality bidet typically pays for itself within two to three years
Travel and Social Media Removed the Cultural Stigma
The bidet's biggest barrier in America was never plumbing or price. It was perception. That perception has shifted fast.
What changed?
- Travel exposure in Japan, Italy, and South Korea introduced Americans to bidet comfort
- TikTok and Instagram normalized open conversation about bidet use
- Influencer reviews and home renovation content show how simple installation is
- Wellness culture reframed the bidet as a self-care upgrade rather than a foreign quirk
Installation Is Easier and More Affordable Than Ever
A modern bidet no longer requires a separate fixture or a bathroom renovation. Most homeowners install a bidet attachment or seat in under 30 minutes using basic tools.
The Generational Shift Is Accelerating Adoption
Younger homeowners treat the bidet differently than their parents did. Millennials and Gen Z prioritize sustainability, wellness, and smart-home features, and a bidet checks every box.
Why this matters for adoption:
- Younger buyers are the dominant home-buying demographic through 2030
- Bidets are increasingly expected in new construction and mid-to-high-end renovations
- Smart-home integration and connected wellness products are normalized for this group
- Word-of-mouth recommendations spread faster through social channels
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bidets actually more sanitary than toilet paper?Â
Yes. Bidets clean with running water, which removes residue more effectively than wiping with dry paper. They also reduce the irritation and microtears that toilet paper can cause.
Do bidets save money over time?Â
Yes. The average American household spends roughly $180 to $200 per year on toilet paper. Most bidets pay for themselves within two to three years.
Are bidets hard to install?Â
No. Most bidet attachments and seats install in under 30 minutes and require no plumber. Electric models need a nearby outlet.
Do bidets use a lot of water?Â
No. A bidet uses about one-eighth of a gallon per use, far less than the water required to produce a single roll of toilet paper.
Are bidets good for people with mobility issues?Â
Yes. Bidets are recommended for aging adults, people recovering from surgery, and anyone with limited mobility, since they reduce the need to reach and wipe.
Shop Bidetmega today and feel the clean for yourself.
Â
Why Are Bidets Booming in U.S. Homes?
Have you noticed that bidets are everywhere in the United States? For decades, the bidet was something Americans encountered abroad and forgot about at home. But that's no longer the case. Today, bidets sit alongside water filtration, air purifiers, and smart thermostats as one of the most-adopted home wellness upgrades, and the reasons are practical, financial, and cultural all at once.
Curious about Coway’s Bidetmega lineup? Learn about the 400S and 500S here, and our newest Bidetmega, the 200N, here.Â
The Top Reasons Bidets Are Booming in America
The U.S. bidet market has grown by 2 to 3 times since 2020, moving the category from a European novelty to a mainstream bathroom upgrade. But why?
Â
The Pandemic Permanently Changed Bathroom Habits
The 2020 toilet paper shortages accomplished what a century of marketing could not. When store shelves emptied, millions of Americans tried a bidet for the first time, and most never went back.
What changed in that moment:
That single window of disruption rewired how a generation thinks about the bathroom.
Hygiene Standards Have Risen Across the Board
We’re paying closer attention to our personal cleanliness than at any point in modern memory. The logic of a bidet is hard to dismiss once you understand it. Water cleans more thoroughly than dry paper, and its health benefits are well-documented.
For households focused on whole-home wellness, the bidet fits naturally alongside cleaner air, cleaner water, and cleaner surfaces.
The Environmental and Cost Savings Are Significant
The sustainability case is stronger than most homeowners realize. Plus, the financial math holds up.
Financial impact:
Travel and Social Media Removed the Cultural Stigma
The bidet's biggest barrier in America was never plumbing or price. It was perception. That perception has shifted fast.
What changed?
Installation Is Easier and More Affordable Than Ever
A modern bidet no longer requires a separate fixture or a bathroom renovation. Most homeowners install a bidet attachment or seat in under 30 minutes using basic tools.
The Generational Shift Is Accelerating Adoption
Younger homeowners treat the bidet differently than their parents did. Millennials and Gen Z prioritize sustainability, wellness, and smart-home features, and a bidet checks every box.
Why this matters for adoption:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bidets actually more sanitary than toilet paper?Â
Yes. Bidets clean with running water, which removes residue more effectively than wiping with dry paper. They also reduce the irritation and microtears that toilet paper can cause.
Do bidets save money over time?Â
Yes. The average American household spends roughly $180 to $200 per year on toilet paper. Most bidets pay for themselves within two to three years.
Are bidets hard to install?Â
No. Most bidet attachments and seats install in under 30 minutes and require no plumber. Electric models need a nearby outlet.
Do bidets use a lot of water?Â
No. A bidet uses about one-eighth of a gallon per use, far less than the water required to produce a single roll of toilet paper.
Are bidets good for people with mobility issues?Â
Yes. Bidets are recommended for aging adults, people recovering from surgery, and anyone with limited mobility, since they reduce the need to reach and wipe.
Shop Bidetmega today and feel the clean for yourself.
Â