5 Best Bedside Commodes

HPFY Staff Writer Article published Feb 10, 2022 Article updated Sep 04, 2023

Bedside commodes are a true game-changer for anyone with limited mobility. A severe injury, illness, or advanced age can render one partially immobile, leading to a difficult time getting to the bathroom. A bedside commode chair is beneficial for anyone unable to safely get to a toilet or bathroom. Commode chairs are often used for people with reduced mobility or a high risk of falling over a regular toilet.

What is a bedside commode?

A bedside commode is a movable toilet with no need for running water. The commode looks like a chair with a toilet seat and has a bucket or container underneath. Once the commode has been used, the container is removed for cleaning. The potty chair for elderly is placed beside the bed when a person cannot get to the bathroom. Some commodes also have wheels that are rolled away when not needed. The wheels are locked when the person uses the commode to prevent the chair from moving.

When is a Commode Chair used?

One may need to use a bedside commode if their wheelchair doesn't fit in the bathroom. If a person is bedridden or has severe pain and does not prefer a bedpan, they may use a bedside commode chair.

How to use a Bedside Toilet Commode?

Firstly, make sure you adjust the commode properly so that when you sit down, your knees are placed lower than your hips and your feet are flat on the floor.
Secondly, position the bedside commode against the wall or a large piece of furniture, so it will not move from underneath you when you sit.
Then using a walker, back up until you feel the commode against the back of your legs.
Make sure to position yourself directly in front of the commode so that when you sit down on it, you are positioned properly over the seat.
Then, reach for both arms of the commode and slowly lower yourself down onto the commode.
Bear in mind that you don't want to reach for only one arm of the commode when you sit down, as you run the risk of tipping the commode off to one side.
When you want to stand up from the commode, place both hands on the arms of the commode to assist you in pushing up safely to a standing position.
Both feet should be flat and underneath you. As you transition to standing, take your hands off the commode and reach for the walker.
Once standing with both hands on the walker, make sure your feet are fully underneath you and that you feel balanced before you start to walk.

For many, it is a matter of maintaining their independence. A bedside commode with wheels boosts their confidence and preserves their dignity.

Since it is quintessential to find a bedside commode compatible with one's unique circumstances, Health Products For You offers a comprehensive list of the best bedside commodes to meet all your needs.

Five Top Rated Bedside Commodes

ProBasics 3-in-1 Folding Commode

As the name suggests, a 3-in-1 commode chair is a multi-purpose chair. It is used as a bedside commode, a toilet safety frame, a standard toilet for balance and leverage, and a shower chair for safe bathing. The ProBasics 3-in-1 Folding Commode has an elongated seat and steel frame. The clip-on seat comes with height adjustability up to 1-inch increments, complete with a commode bucket, splash guard, and cover. The full-size steel commode folds compactly for storage and makes delivery easy.

ProBasics 3-in-1 Folding Bedside Commode

ProBasics 3-in-1 Folding Commode

ProBasics Bariatric Three-in-One Commode

Bariatric Commodes are designed for adults weighing 300 pounds or more. Bariatric commode chairs feature a reinforced frame made of non-corrosive, water-resistant materials, broader and deeper seating, padded arms and backrest, and a removable under-seat pail to serve as a non-flushable portable toilet.

ProBasics Bariatric 3-in-1 Commode features a wider seat and steel frame to support a greater weight capacity, making it ideal for larger patients. The versatile design has a rectangular pan and pan holder, armrests for added comfort, angled legs for stability, and non-marring rubber tips. The Bariatric Chair includes a commode bucket and a lid.

ProBasics Bariatric Three-in-One Bedside Commode

ProBasics Bariatric Three-in-One Commode

Homecraft Savanah Raised Toilet Seat with Lid

A raised toilet seat is a device used to replace or go beneath a normal toilet seat. Raised toilet seats are often elevated toilet seats intended to offer extra height, so one needs not squat low.

The Savanah Raised Toilet Seat with Lid allows for easy sitting and rising from the toilet. The elevated toilet seat offers the height required for the users to easily sit and rise from the toilet seat without any difficulties or additional assistance. Reduced bending and confidence are gained by users when using the raised toilet seat.

Homecraft Savanah Raised Toilet Seat Bedside Commode

Homecraft Savanah Raised Toilet Seat with Lid

Dynarex Elongated Folding Bedside Commode

The Dynarex Elongated Folding Bedside Commode is a three-in-one commode that can be used as a commode, a raised toilet seat, or a toilet safety rail over your existing toilet. A plastic snap-on elongated seat with lid, 10-quart drop-in bucket with handle, splash guard, plastic armrests for added comfort, and removable tool-free back are all included.

The steel welded construction and tool-free design of the commode make it simple to set up, with 1-inch increment height adjustments to raise or lower the chair height and safely accommodate any individual.

Dynarex Elongated Folding Bedside Commode

Carex Bedside Steel Commode

Carex Bedside Commode offers the durability of steel and the practicality of a removable back. This bedside steel commode ensures your safety, mobility, and independence.

The Carex Commode has three versatile functions: a commode, a raised toilet seat, and a toilet safety frame, and includes a bucket with a handle and lid as well as a splash guard. The seat height adjusts in one-inch increments from fifteen and a half inches to twenty-one and a half inches.

Carex Bedside Steel Commode

What to Consider When Purchasing a Commode Chair?

The first consideration is to figure out how the commode chair will be used.

Will it be used next to a bed to reduce trips to and from the bathroom?
Will it be used as transportation to and from the bathroom?
Is a taller toilet seat needed to make using the existing bathroom toilet easier?

The main factors to consider before choosing the right model are:

1. Patient Weight

Bedside commodes usually come in two weight categories. Most commodes can support patient weights up to 250 pounds. Commodes are also available with a higher 400 pounds weight capacity for bariatric patients. The higher weight capacity commodes can also be used by patients who tend to "plop" down on furniture.

2. Commode Placement

Most bedside commodes are used in the bedroom, so portability isn't very important. Some commode models also come with attached wheels making them much easier to transport to different rooms. Some models also come with collapsible frames which can be easily stored between uses. Hence, selecting a model that can meet these needs is important.

3. Patient Accessibility

While most commodes have sturdy arms, there are models available with a drop arm option. A drop arm model is helpful for while transferring a patient between a bed or a wheelchair to the commode.

4. Other Uses

Certain bedside commode models can also double as shower seats, dressing chairs, or an elevated seat. Think about potential other uses before choosing the commode model.

5. Types of Bedside Commodes

There are many different types of bedside commodes designed to suit different people with different medical issues. Main types of commodes are:

Bedside commode chair: Commode chairs are stand-alone bedside commodes and are also referred to as basic bedside commode chair.
Drop arm commode: A drop arm commode has armrests that can be folded down. The folding arms are one of the basic styles of stand-alone commode chairs that are quite popular.
Bariatric commode: Bariatric Commodes are designed to support people who weigh over 300 pounds. The increased weight capacity is required for heavyweight adults.
Shower commode chairs: Shower Commode chairs are designed for use in the shower and are constructed from water-resistant materials like plastic and rust-proof metals.
Transfer commodes: Transfer commodes chair have wheels attached to the frame which provide easy transport from the bedroom to the bathroom. Some transfer commode chairs can be wheeled directly over the existing toilet, or shower to function as a shower commode.
Over-the-toilet commodes: over-the-toilet commode chairs are designed to fit over the existing toilet in the bathroom. Many commode chairs feature a removable bucket so the chair can be used as a bedside commode with the bucket, or as an over the toilet commode when the bucket is removed.

Where can I buy bedside commode?

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Wishing you good health and wellness!

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HPFY Staff Writer

HPFY Staff Writers are product experts with years of experience in medical supplies and equipment retail. They specialize in understanding the typical usage of our products, the differentiation between brands and have insights on product popularity and features. Each article ...