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The Best Bedside Commode

Corey Majeau
Updated December 29, 2022

A bedside commode is the kind of product that’s really useful but you are kind of hoping that you never have to use yourself.  Designed to be a toilet for bedroom use, you can see why a commode is the kind of item that most people have to mentally prepare for before they will actually use it.  It is designed to help people with limited mobility and also have a difficult time getting all the way from the bed to the bathroom.  Even if this is the kind of product that you never want to purchase, it can aid in so many different situations, which makes it important to know how to choose a proper one.

1. Duro-Med Bedside Commode – Editor's Choice

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  • Seat dimensions: about 24 x 17 inches
  • Weight capacity: 500 pounds
  • Foldable: no

2. HomCom Bedside Commode

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  • Seat dimensions: 19 x 16.5 inches
  • Weight capacity: 330 pounds
  • Foldable: no

3. Drive Medical Bedside Commode

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  • Seat dimensions: 15 x 13 inches
  • Weight capacity: 350 pounds
  • Foldable: yes

4. Medline Commode

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  • Seat dimensions: 18 x 18.5 inches
  • Weight capacity: 350 pounds
  • Foldable: no

5. Health Line Massage Products Bedside Commode

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  • Seat dimensions: N/A
  • Weight capacity: 300 pounds
  • Foldable: yes

The Best Bedside Commode

1. Duro-Med Bedside Commode – Editor's Choice

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Highlights

  • Seat dimensions: about 24 x 17 inches
  • Weight capacity: 500 pounds
  • Foldable: no

Pros

  • Adjustable seat height.
  • Doubles as toilet frame.
  • Supports up to 500 pounds.
  • Rubber feet tips.
  • Pail with lid.
  • Good price.

Cons

  • Bucket fits poorly.

How about we start off with a product that can double as a toilet seat safety frame, meaning that it can be used to provide support for people with limited mobility who are able to use the bathroom and are no longer in need of a bedside commode? This is the Duro-Med common that, aside from all the other benefits it provides, comes with excellent stability.

It has a 7-quart pail that slides out for easy removal and cleaning. The pail also comes with a lid that prevents odors from spreading. It comes with steel arms that provide plenty of stability and a frame that can easily be paired with a toilet when needed. It comes with a capacity to support up to 500 pounds in weight, being a great choice for overweight people. The height of the seat can be adjusted from 16.5 to 23.5 inches, which one-inch increments.

The feet of the frame are equipped with rubber tips so that the seat won’t slide even when used on a smooth floor, such as the one in the bathroom (which tends to be quite slippery).

Who Should Buy This?

The Duro-Med bedside commode is suitable for people who weigh a maximum of 500 pounds, but also for those who are looking to invest in a product that can be later used as a toilet frame.

2. HomCom Bedside Commode – Runner Up

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Highlights

  • Seat dimensions: 19 x 16.5 inches
  • Weight capacity: 330 pounds
  • Foldable: no

Pros

  • Detachable bucket.
  • Padded seat.
  • Anti-skid armrest.
  • Foldable footrest.
  • Wheels for easier transportation.
  • Can be used as shower chair.

Cons

  • Tips over then used by a larger person.

The HomCom bedside commode is what we like to call an intelligent investment. It is basically a commode on wheels that can easily be moved around the house when needed and does an excellent job of doubling as a chair that can be used in the shower. It is more than just a commode; it is a means of indoor transportation that makes the lives of the patient and the caregiver a whole lot easier.

It comes with a detachable bucket that can be removed from the chair and cleaned whenever the time is right. It also comes with a lid meant to trap odors and a handle for easier transportation. The frame of the chair is made from durable aluminum and comes with smooth plastic pads in order to prevent the chair itself from being way too heavy.

The seat is padded to ensure extra comfort for whoever is using it, while the anti-skid armrests are another feature dedicated to the same goal. The construction of the chair is waterproof, to make sure that it can be used in the shower without exposing it to damage factors. The chair is designed to support a total weight of 330 pounds.

Who Should Buy This?

If you are or taking care of someone with limited mobility and are looking to invest in a product that serves as a mobile bedside commode and also as a shower chair, this HomCom option is just what the doctor ordered.

3. Drive Medical Bedside Commode – Budget pick

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Highlights

  • Seat dimensions: 15 x 13 inches
  • Weight capacity: 350 pounds
  • Foldable: yes

Pros

  • Foldable construction.
  • Welded steel frame.
  • Large bucket.
  • Lid and handle included on bucket.
  • Inexpensive.

Cons

  • Relatively small.

The Drive Medical bedside commode is a very straightforward product designed for people who are on a budget. If you have someone who has recently suffered an injury and could benefit from a temporary solution for using the bathroom. We know medical bills can be expensive, which is why we wanted to include a budget-friendly option on our list.

Whilst less expensive compared to other options, this bedside commode is still a viable product with a few features that are worth discussing. The frame of the product is made from grew-powder coated steel for added strength and peace of mind knowing the chair won’t collapse as long as the weight limit is respected. The snap-on seat and lid are both made of plastic, and we didn’t really expect to see seat padding in a product designed to be this budget-oriented.

The bucket has a 7.5-quart capacity and comes with both a lid and a handle, which is nice to see in a bargain buy type of product. It can support a total weight of 350 pounds, but we’d stick to 300, just for safety.

Who Should Buy This?

The Drive Medical bedside commode is designed for people who are in need of such a product but don’t have too much money to pay for one, and would rather stick with a commode that brings forth basic features.

4. Medline Commode – Best drop-arm commode

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Highlights

  • Seat dimensions: 18 x 18.5 inches
  • Weight capacity: 350 pounds
  • Foldable: no

Pros

  • Drop-arm feature.
  • Padded seat and backrest.
  • Doubles as toilet frame.
  • Splashguard included.
  • Pail comes with lid.

Cons

  • Rather heavy.

A drop-arm commode is useful in plenty of situations and it is designed to make the transfer of the immobile person from the bed/wheelchair to the commode a lot easier. Both of the arms swing out of the way and go down. This commode has an adjustable seat height that ranges from 18.25 to 23.25 inches, making it a good choice for taller and for shorter people as well.

The seat is padded in order to give people extra comfort and assure them they paid for a product that’s invested in user design and has the best interest of the shopper in mind. The width between the sea arms is 18.5 inches, while the seat depth is 18 to 20 inches. The backrest on this commode can be removed in case you want to use it as a toilet seat frame.

The chair can support around 300 pounds in weight, and the pail comes with an included lid that will prevent bad odors from spreading across the room.

Who Should Buy This?

The Medline commode is a good investment for people who want a seat with extra padding, for those who have caregivers that need to offer their assistance with using the bedside commode, and for those who use a wheelchair and need collapsible arms for easier transfer.

5. Health Line Massage Products Bedside Commode – Best for lightweight people

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Highlights

  • Seat dimensions: N/A
  • Weight capacity: 300 pounds
  • Foldable: yes

Pros

  • Adjustable seat height.
  • Adjustable arm height.
  • Easy to fold.
  • Easy to assemble.
  • Pail with lid.

Cons

  • Seat not padded/can be uncomfortable.

The last item on today’s list is another multifunctional bedside commode than can be used as a shower seat and a toilet frame by people who don’t exceed 300 pounds in weight. It is a product that’s very easy to assemble, with clear instructions that should have you put everything together in under 5 minutes.

It comes with a foldable aluminum frame and a removable backrest. All you have to do is push the pin for quick assembly and detachment. Since the entire system weighs only 8.2 pounds, it is one of the most lightweight options out there, which also means that it is designed for light to medium-weight people and can’t provide enough support for someone who is overweight.

The seat’s height can be adjusted to measure between 16.4 and 22.4 inches, and the arms can be adjusted at a height that varies between 22.6 and 28.7 inches. The bucket has a 7.5-quart capacity and it comes with both a handle and a cover, features that are mandatory in a product like this if you ask us.

Who Should Buy This?

The Health Line Massage Products bedside commode is designed for people who weigh under 300 pounds and want a commode that can be assembled in minutes.

Types of Bedside Commodes

Correctly identifying the different types of bed commodes will put you on the right path towards making a good purchase so here are the primary categories and their respective features:

Padded Bedside Commodes

These are all about comfort and are ideal for people who are prone to skin shearing and sores.  This will often happen to people who are stuck in bed for longer periods of time or for those who are forced to use a wheelchair because of their condition. This type of bedside commode isn’t as difficult to clean as some people might think and there are even models that come with armrests to provide additional comfort.

Bariatric

These are better for larger users because they come with reinforced frames, considerable width between armrests, have bench-style seats, and can support more weight than your average product can.

Drop-arm

Good for people who want to transfer from their beds directly to the commode or for those who use a wheelchair. As the name suggests, the arms of these types of commodes will collapse to make transfer easier. They can be put back up once the user is seated.

Folding Bedside Commodes

These come in all shapes and sizes, and you can afford one regardless of your budget because they are available from really cheap to extremely expensive. These are great for transport, but they are also good if the person who needs the commode only requires having it in the room at night. During the day, it can easily be folded and stored.

All-in-One

This type is designed to be 3-in-1 products that serve as toilet safety frames, raised toilet seats, and bedside commodes. Some models can also be used as shower chairs. The reason why somebody would invest in such a product is that it saves space. Instead of having multiple products for multiple uses, you can have a 3-in-1 bedside commode.

Shopping Considerations

Because the topic of a bedside commode is quite delicate, you need to know beforehand what the features are one must take into consideration before investing in such a product:

  • Considering the fact that a bedside commode is mostly dedicated to people with limited mobility, it is very important that the product you choose meets their needs.  Even if you invest in a high-quality product, people with very limited mobility will probably still need the help of a caregiver.  The actual degree of immobility is also very important in determining the type of commode which is best for purchase.  For example, people that only need a commode at night might be better off using one that’s foldable.  Those who require the assistance of a caregiver should choose a commode with drop arms so that these won’t get in the way when transferring from the wheelchair to the commode itself.
  • The weight capacity of the bedside commode is also one important factor.  You should find one that can support at least 250 pounds, but we would recommend opting for one with a 350-pound capacity for better stability and durability.  Bariatric models are generally safer for overweight people.
  • Another important thing to keep in mind is the design of the seat.  Most bedside commodes are available in either an elongated shape or a standard oval one.  The first one of these two options allows the skin to be more in contact with the seat and is preferred by a larger number of people.  Those who have sensitive skin should look into seats with padded designs that allow them to sit more comfortably.
  • Stationary security is what makes sure the beside commode stays in place.  This translates into products that have rubberized feet or certain types of feet designs that prevent the chair from moving when a person is seated.
  • Since a bedside commode isn’t connected to your home plumbing, all the waste goes inside the pale.  Different types of commodes will have different designs that allow you to take the pale out and empty it so make sure that you pay attention to these kinds of details.  For example, some bedside commodes allow you to slide the pale out, while others have handles which make it easier to carry it.  There are even models that include splash guards and bucket liners, alongside lids that prevent odor from spreading.

Bottom Line

A bedside commode needs to provide two things: safety and comfort. Being immobilized and having the entire day lying down or sitting is frustrating enough as it is, especially since people are likely to develop very painful skin sores. Stability is also important because, in some cases, people with limited mobility still have enough power to get on the common by themselves, so it’s super important that they be able to do so even when there is no caregiver around to ensure their safety.