10 of the best potties for toilet training toddlers 2025

In my own personal experience, I was sure my son would never learn to use the toilet! We tried and failed and tried and failed again, until we simply decided to wait until he was ready and in no time, he just asked if he could use the toilet one day and the rest is history.

Best potties at a glance:

• Best 3-in-1 potty: Bumbo Step 'n' Potty, £54.99 £47 at Kidly (Save £7.99 or 15%)
• Best flushing "toilet": Venture UK Pote Plus My First WC, £34.99 £29.99 at Amazon (Save £5 or 14%)
• Best budget potty: Ikea Lilla Children's Potty, £6 at Ikea
• Best potty for bigger and taller toddlers: Nuby My Real Mini Toilet Potty, £37.50 £24.99 at Nuby (Save £12.51 or 33%)
• Best potty for a high back: Ikea Lockig Potty, £8.50 at Ikea
• Best potty for easy emptying: Pourty Easy-to-Pour Potty, £12.96 at Amazon
• Best non-slip potty: BabyBjörn Smart Potty, £29.90 £24.90 at Kiddies Kingdom (Save £5 or 20%)
• Best potty for toddler appeal: Fisher-Price My Potty Friend, £69.99 £42.29 (Save £27.70 or 40%)
• Best potty for cause and effect: Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends Rewards Potty, £57.99 £39.99 at Amazon (Save £18 or 31%)
• Best potty for home and away: My Carry Potty, £29.99 at Boots

Scroll down to see our pick of the best potties, or use the links below to find out more about how to choose the best potty for your child:

• What to look for when choosing a potty
• When should you buy a potty?

Here's our pick of the 10 best potties tested by toddlers and parents...

1. Bumbo Step ‘n Potty, £54.99

– Best 3-in-1 potty

Pros:

• 3-in-1 design: works as a potty or a training seat and foot stool
• Soft comfortable seat

Cons:

• Some parents report leaks with boys
• Expensive compared to other potties

Many parents know and love the Bumbo seat that helps their babies sit up for the first time, and this is the popular brand’s answer to potty training. It is a good quality design that cleverly combines a number of uses – you can use it as an easy-to-clean potty to start your kid off, and as your child gets more confident the top detaches into a trainer seat for your adult toilet with the bottom turning into handy step by attaching the lid that's hidden in the base.

It is one of the more expensive options on the market, but should last a number of years and adapts well to different scenarios. One big selling point is the soft seat: unlike most potties that have plastic seats, this one is made from a firm but comfortable foam that feels warm and soft and can really help if your child won't stay on the potty for long.

The 3-in-1 design was also a hit with our testers. Parent tester Elizabeth, who tested this potty with her 2-year-old daughter (pictured), said "It’s a compact way to store three separate potty training must-haves. The seat for the potty and toilet is super comfortable, the design is very smart and space saving when comparing to three separate products. The quality is great. The potty feels very stable and secure. The step is strong and the seat is super squishy and well cushioned."

Some parents have reported that this potty is more suited to girls than boys, explaining that because the seat is detachable, leaks may happen when boys spray forwards. Parent tester Gemma used this potty with her own son and didn't experience this issue, but did find it took a few attempts for him to find the right sitting position as the opening at the top of the seat is smaller than some others.

Our 2 year old has taken well to the Bumbo Step ’n Potty in all its functions. The potty is portable and compact, with a comfortable seat to encourage engaging with potty training. It’s relatively easy to convert the potty in to a step and toilet seat, though takes a little getting used to.

Available from: Amazon, Kidly, Kiddies Kingdom, Bumbo

2. Venture Pote Plus My First WC Potty, £34.99

– Best flushing "toilet"

Pros:

• Mimicks a real toilet
• Easy-clean bowl
• Good value

Cons:

• Wipes storage is a bit fiddly
• Requires batteries
• Takes up a lot of space

This miniature toilet is a fantastic product to entice your child towards potty training if they want to be just like mum or dad. It is a cute version of an adult toilet, with a button that conjures a nice flushing sound – ideal for enticing stubborn toddlers (batteries are required). There's also detachable compartment that you can store wipes in, with a hole at the back that allows you to pull one through. Although it's a novel idea our testers found using this was a bit tricky in reality, and found keeping toilet paper close by was both easier and better for the environment.

If you have a toddler that needs a bit more privacy, despite its size this potty is also very easy to move around the house. Best of all it is very easy to clean, as it has a handy removable insert. It is also one of the most affordable toilet-like potties on the market. Parent tester Chloe, who tested this potty with her 21-month-old son (pictured above) was impressed by how much the potty helped her son on his toilet training journey: "We are only at the very early stages of potty training but my son immediately understood what the product was and was really intrigued. He has used it several times already, including the first night that we showed him it. The extra features have made my son much more interested in this particular potty than other basic styles."

My daughter LOVES that she can open the lid and sit on a proper toilet and then flush it like a real toilet. I love that it doesn't take up a huge amount of space in my bathroom and is very easy to empty and clean. I will be recommending this product to everyone at toilet training stage.

Available from: Amazon and Venture UK

3. Ikea Lilla Children’s Potty, £6

– Best budget potty

Pros:

• Great value
• Simple but effective design
• Splash guard

Cons:

• Only available in 1 colour
• Low to the ground
• Harder to clean

Ikea is great for bargain buys that perform well without costing the earth. If you’re not planning on using a potty long before progressing to the big toilet, or you’re thinking about putting a potty in every room of the house (never a bad idea with distracted toddlers), you can’t argue with the price of this neon green, high-shine Ikea Lilla children’s potty.

Its key features are impressive for such a low-cost buy: it has a non-slip base and gently curved shape perfect for mini bottoms. Although it doesn't have the pour spout of the Pourty potty, it's actually a very similar design with a handle at the front and an angled back for easy emptying, but may be slightly trickier to clean than some models.

This is also a great affordable option if you're at the early stages of toilet training and still figuring out what your toddler prefers to be trained with – a potty or the toilet. It coordinates with other Ikea toilet training items, such as the training seat (£11.99) and the step stool (£5).

I bought so many, and honestly I think the Ikea potty was a winner. Easy to empty and clean too.

Available from: Ikea and Amazon

4. Nuby My Real Mini Toilet Potty, £37.50

– Best potty for larger and taller toddlers

Pros:

• Interactive features
• Easy to empty and clean
• Space for wet wipes
• Stylish for a 'real toilet' potty
• Good for older kids

Cons:

• Fiddly to put together
• Pricey

Another flushing 'toilet' potty is this somewhat stylish option from Nuby. Similar to the Venture potty, it looks and feels just like an adult toilet complete with a realistic toilet flushing sound and an easy open and close lid. What we really love about this potty is the back tank that holds full sized wet wipes. Parent tester Georgina, who tested the potty with her 2-year-old daughter (pictured), said "the potty having a space for wet wipes was a life saver, it looks neat and encourages the children with independent wiping!"

Our testers did report that the potty was very fiddly to set up and replacing the wet wipes is a challenge due to the narrow opening. However, they were impressed with how stylish the potty was and parent tester Calsey said "it would fit in well in any home."

The potty also has an integrated splash guard, an anti-skid base and an easy removable pot to make cleaning a breeze. Parent tester Shauni said, "the middle section lifts out for easy cleaning, and it has a high front and back which makes it comfy for kids, and no risk of wee going out of the front. It’s also a good height from the floor."

This potty is perfect for potty training, not only does it look like a mini toilet, it also has an interactive flush button, making toilet training super fun and interactive. Both of my girls have been super excited to use it — one just turning two and one who's almost four fitted perfectly. We have found in the past that some potties are too small! It makes it so much easier to clean & use having an insert that comes out, creating less chances of spillages.

Available from: Argos, Ebebek and Nuby

5. Ikea Lockig Potty, £8.50

– Best potty for a high back

Pros:

• High back for support
• Removable insert for easy cleaning

Cons:

• Only 1 colour choice
• Quite large and not suitable for travel

This is the ideal product for when your toddler has to go ‘right now’ - wherever you are in the house. It’s lightweight, leak-proof and has a removable insert for easy discarding and cleaning.

Although it's a few pounds more than Ikea's bargain Lilla potty, the extra features may be worth it, especially if you have boys. The high front creates a good barrier to splashes, but it also has an extra-high back – this will support your child if they happen to be sitting on their potty for a while, but also gives you the option to use the potty back-to-front for boys who need that extra protection. These do make it larger overall so you'll probably need a separate travel potty.

Parent tester Celia commented, "we have the Ikea potty as we were told a high back and front are good for boys." She added that, "the separated middle part is very helpful from a parent's perspective."

The Ikea potty is one of the best standard potties I have used. It's a bit higher than some of the others so seems more comfortable to sit on. It's definitely the easiest to empty out of the ones I've bought, the insert lifts out and pours easily.

Available from: Ikea and Amazon

6. BabyBjörn Smart Potty, £29.90

– Best non-slip potty

Pros:

• Non-slip base
• Removable bowl with handle
• Nice colour options

Cons:

• Quite expensive compared to similar models

It’s not often that you get to call a potty stylish, but this one fits the bill. Designed in cool pastel colours, the BabyBjörn Smart Potty size is light and compact, so it’s easy to carry from room to room. What we particularly like is the non-slip base, which prevents the potty slipping underneath impatient and active toddlers. With soft edges, a decent splash guard and a detachable bowl with a handle for easy pouring, it has all the essential features you need in a potty.

Made from BPA-free quality plastic, it’s also very quick to empty and clean, thanks to the removable insert and no nooks or crannies for dirt to collect in.

Ooverall I’ll say the most effective potty was the Baby Bjorn one. My daughter liked because it was pink. I liked it because it’s very sturdy but not massive. Also you have the detachable inside so it’s very easy to clean and she can help with that. She was reluctant first time we tried any, so we wait a few months and tried again. She was potty trained in less than a week by herself.

Available from: BabyBjörn, Kiddies Kingdom, Natural Baby Shower and Amazon

7. Pourty Easy-to-Pour Potty, £10.95

– Best potty for easy emptying

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Good value
• No extra parts
• High splash guard

Cons:

• Low to the ground
• Not the most comfortable

Described as ‘the potty that pours’, the idea for this Easy-to-Pour Potty came when father-of-2 Jon Rathbone became frustrated with the messy business of emptying a standard potty. So he went on to design the ‘potty pouring spout’.

This award-winning design, with a handle at the front to pour the contents out the back, makes the Pourty super easy to empty without having to faff around with two separate pieces. Due to its simple design it is quite hard and low to the ground but there's a good splash guard for boys and it's very lightweight. Parent tester Emmeline found that "the Pourty potty worked well for us with boys. It's easy to clean too."

It's a simple and straightforward design which focuses on practicality rather than novelty features that appeal to toddlers. If you want a simple yet user-friendly basic option, this is the one for you.

The simplicity of the design is what is so great about the Pourty Potty. Having twice failed to train my son to use the toilet, he suddenly picked up the Pourty Potty and started doing his business on it. It does exactly what it says on the tin – no fuss and no mess – for a very reasonable price.

Read our full MadeForMums Pourty Easy-to-Pour Potty review

Available from: Amazon, Lesters Nurseryworld

8. Fisher-Price My Potty Friend, £69.99

– Best potty for toddler appeal

Pros:

• Appealing to toddlers with sounds and pretend flush
• Converts to toilet trainer seat

Cons:

• "Toy" style design may not appeal to all parents
• Requires batteries
• Takes up a lot of space
• Pricey

There’s nothing like an incentive to get potty training off to a good start and the Fisher-Price My Potty Friend will reward your child with a song every time they sit on it – a brilliant way to get bums on seats!

My Potty Friend is one of the more expensive options, but it offers quite a few extras that other products don’t. As well as a flush and a built-in toilet roll holder, it has five encouraging phrases and two songs to entice kids.

Parent tester Amy said, "we used the Fisher Price singing toilet and my little boy was out of nappies within a week of having it at 2 years old. My little boy loved it as it sang a song every time he went." In addition, the design of the potty allows the seat to be clipped onto a regular toilet, so it’s longer-lasting and makes the transition to an adult toilet easier.

We love the fact that this is so toddler-friendly and that some potty-weary parents found that My Potty Friend instantly took away the hesitation and reluctance from toilet-averse children.

We picked it as it looked the most interactive as it made noises, had a toilet roll holder and a flush. I loved that it had a removable bowl in the toilet which made it really easy to empty without needing to take the whole potty upstairs.

Available from: Amazon and On Buy

9. Thomas & Friends Rewards Potty, £57.99

– Best potty for cause and effect

Pros:

• 3-in-1 design with trainer seat and step
• Plays music that encourages toddlers

Cons:

• Toy-like design not right for all families
• Large
• Requires batteries
• Pricey

The Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends Rewards Potty is a great option for children who may be a bit apprehensive about potty training and need extra encouragement. Similar to the Fisher Price potty, it uses sounds to help build confidence. The potty creates rain sound effects and sings the hit show's theme tune when it has been used.

The potty has removable bucket to discard of any waste easily and not only that, the seat is all removable too, so you can place it onto the toilet when your child is ready to upgrade and feels more confident. When the lid is folded down the potty also transforms into a step so your child can use it when washing their hands by the sink or to get onto the toilet.

The Thomas the Tank Engine potty is great for cause and effect as it plays the tune when she has done a wee or poop in there and that becomes a celebratory sign for her (along with praise) she sits very comfortably and even shouts potty and sits on it when she doesn't need to go!

Available from: Amazon

10. My Carry Potty, £29.99

– Best potty for home and away

Pros:

• Works for travel and home
• Leak-proof
• No need for liners or bag

Cons:

• Can be hard to clean / empty with fixed lid
• Low to ground
• Quite expensive

With 10 colourful designs to choose from, including a ladybird, cat, bee and penguin, My Carry Potty looks less like a potty and more like a cute travel bag, and our home testers report that most toddlers absolutely love carrying it about.

Designed as a travel potty, it's also just as good for home use, especially if you want something you can easily move around the house. If you'd rather keep expense to a minimum this offers the best of both worlds for home and away. Once the potty is closed and the vacuum seal is engaged it's completely leak-proof and has a handle for easy carrying.

While it’s not the most compact of travel potties – and it’s one of the more expensive ones – it is small enough to fit into the basket of most buggies and as a bonus there’s no need for bags or liners. Emptying and cleaning in a small space can be slightly fiddly as the lid doesn't come off, but you soon get the knack.

If you like everything to match, it coordinates with a trainer seat and step stool, and there are even training pants to complete the set.

The plastic outer is very durable and can be dropped, kicked and knocked about without worrying.

Available from: Kidly Amazon, JoJo Maman Bebe and Boots

What to look for when choosing a potty

Size – Depending on where your potty will be situated most of the time, your home layout and other logistics, this will determine the size of potty you get. You may need one by your toddler's bed or in the living room in addition to the bigger one in the bathroom upstairs, for instance. Plus, knowing whether your child likes to use a little potty or one that resembles a real toilet is another thing to bear in mind with size.

Suitability – Toilet training a boy differs from toilet training a girl and vice versa. The potty you select has to be able to accommodate your child's gender in order to prevent mess and for your child to be comfortable learning how to use the potty. Picking a potty with a splash guard or high front will be a good option for boys.

Versatility – Some potties do more than just what it says on the tin: we have some potties on our list that convert into a step and have seats that can be detached from the potty and used on the toilet so you have more use out of it as your child's confidence grows.

Comfort – Comfort can also play a key role in toilet training. Some toddlers don’t like to feel too exposed when sitting on a potty. In these cases, a potty with more of an armchair feel may work better.

Cost – There's a surprising variety and choice of potties with prices to match. You can get standard potties with simple features and no bells and whistles but you can also find easy-clean potties, fancy flushing potties, potties that look like thrones and even disposable potties. Our list ranges from £3.50 to £45 but different products offer different advantages with a range of practical and innovative features.

Care – Some potties are easier to clean than others - and you’ll certainly be doing a lot of emptying and cleaning. Potties that have a removable insert can be emptied and cleaned more easily than most one-piece potties.

Practical or fun – A jazzy or entertaining potty can add a sense of play and joy to the whole experience, so they’re ideal for toddlers who are nervous about this new phase or possibly scared of toilets. Children love emulating their grown-ups so a miniature toilet with flush and lid can be a good option.

When should you buy a potty?

The key thing is to take a gently-gently approach – don't force your toddler if they don't feel ready. The tell-tale signs that let you know your toddler is ready include:

• Showing an awareness of when they are going to the toilet in their nappy
• Staying dry during nap times
• Going at least 2 hours in the day with a dry nappy
• Complaining as soon as they have filled a nappy

Try to avoid comparing your little one with their peers (we know it’s easy to do). Whatever you opt for, try not to put yourself and your toddler under any pressure – and if things don’t go well, don’t hesitate to call the whole thing off and wait a while to try again. There’s no rush - you might all surprise yourselves by how smoothly everything goes if you get the timing right. There are also some fantastic tools that can help you keep the whole experience stress-free and fun. If your toddler responds well to incentives, you might want to choose a potty training rewards chart geared specifically towards potty training.

Read more...

• All you need to know about potty training
• The best travel potties and seats
• Best potty training reward charts