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Brondell SimpleSpa review: Thinline models, price and problems
This Brondell SimpleSpa review covers a cold-water, no-plug bidet attachment that costs about $35 to $56 depending on the model and the seller. The SS-250 has two retractable nozzles and Brondell's own site listed it at $55.99, marked down from $69.99; Zoro showed $46.99. The SS-150 Essential has one nozzle and was listed around $35.99. Buyers praise the thin frame and the dual nozzle. The complaints are a handle that can leak, a knob that is easy to bump, and the odd unit that fails after a year or so. This is what to know before you buy.
Want to check whether a bidet suits you first? The quiz takes a minute and does not ask for a card.
SimpleSpa models: which one are the reviews about?
Retail pages mix the single-nozzle and dual-nozzle models, so some review text under one listing is about another product. One listing we read carried comments that clearly referred to the SS-150. Match the model number before you read a review as proof.
| Model | Nozzles | Price seen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SimpleSpa Thinline Essential (SS-150) | One | About $36 on a comparison site | Basic controls; one comparison page notes the handle-shaped controls can be bumped and change settings by accident |
| SimpleSpa Thinline Dual Nozzle (SS-250) | Two, retractable: rear wash and front wash | $55.99 sale on brondell.com (was $69.99); $46.99 at Zoro; $49.99 at a third seller | Side-arm knob for pressure, nozzle guard, internal valve called SafeCore in the listing |
| Brondell Swash seats | Electric seats | Several hundred dollars | A different product; see Brondell vs TOTO |
What you get in the box
The SimpleSpa is a plate that clamps under your existing toilet seat, a hose and a T-adapter that goes between your shutoff valve and the toilet's fill hose. Brondell says its frame is about 0.2 inches thick, slimmer than other non-electric attachments, so the seat should sit closer to level. It uses water pressure only, so no outlet is needed. That is one reason a buyer in a listing review picked it: there is no GFCI outlet near the toilet.
It is cold water. If you want warm, see bidet attachment warm water, which explains the sink-line option and why a seat costs more.
What buyers praise
- Dual nozzle. One buyer's advice was simply to get a dual nozzle. Another said the front spray is gentler. Our page on dual nozzle attachments says when the second nozzle is worth paying for.
- Price. Under $60 puts it in the cheap end; see cheap bidet attachments.
- Thin frame. A slim plate leaves less gap under the seat. Brondell's marketing claims it fits better than rival attachments. That is the maker's claim, not a test.
- Volume of reviews. One retailer showed 4.5 stars from 5,347 reviews, and another 14,902 reviews, though the second count may include other models. Large counts mean the average is likely to hold; they do not mean your toilet fits.
- No power. It works through a blackout and has nothing to short.
What buyers complain about
| Complaint | Cause and what to do |
|---|---|
| Handle began leaking internally after install | A leak at the control, not the hose. That is a defect, not an install error; use the return window. Our page on a bidet leaking from the nozzle helps tell the two apart. |
| Unit failed after about 14 months | One reviewer reported it. Attachments have a short warranty at this price; check Brondell's terms for the model you buy and keep the receipt. |
| Settings change when bumped | One comparison page says the handle-shaped controls on the budget model can be knocked. Turn the pressure down before you sit, and check it is off after use. |
| Does not fit the toilet | The usual causes are short bolts, a skirted base, a seat with a very wide hinge or a supply line with the wrong thread. See bidet attachment doesn't fit. |
| Weak or strong spray | Water pressure decides it. See pressure too low and too high. |
Will it fit your toilet?
Do these checks with the listing open:
- Bolt holes. Two holes at the back of the bowl, usually 5.5 inches apart centre to centre. An attachment mounts on those bolts.
- Seat hinge. Lift the seat; the plate goes under the hinges. A wide plastic hinge can sit tall and stop the plate lying flat.
- Supply line. A T-adapter fits a standard 3/8 inch compression fill line. A rigid copper pipe or a line on the toilet's far side may need a different part. See T-valve doesn't fit.
- Bowl shape. Elongated, round, skirted or one-piece. Read bidet that fits an elongated toilet or skirted toilet if yours is unusual.
- Brand quirks. Some makers' toilets are tricky: Kohler and Gerber have pages of their own.
Installing it
Follow Brondell's printed instructions for the exact order, because parts vary by model. The general order is the same for every attachment: shut the water, flush, remove the seat, slide the plate on, replace the seat, fit the T-adapter between the valve and the fill hose, connect the bidet hose, then open the valve slowly. Check each joint with dry tissue. Our full install guide has the details and the usual mistakes, and removal is the same steps backward if you rent.
How the SimpleSpa compares
- Against Tushy. Tushy's Classic costs about $100 to $130, so you pay roughly double for a brand with more editorial reviews. See Tushy vs Brondell and Tushy reviews.
- Against Luxe. Luxe Neo models are in the same price band; Luxe vs Brondell compares them.
- Against a seat. A seat heats water and dries you and costs several times as much; read attachment vs seat.
- Against everything else. Bidet attachment alternatives lists six options with prices.
Is it worth buying?
For a first bidet, a $40 to $56 attachment with a decent review count is a low-risk way to find out if you like the habit. The dual nozzle model is the one most buyers recommend. The risk is the same as with any attachment: you install a pressurised joint yourself. Do it carefully, check it twice and keep the box until you have lived with it a week. What attachments cost shows where the SimpleSpa sits in the range.
First week with a SimpleSpa: what to expect
Whatever the model, a first-timer's first week goes the same way. The first use is mostly a surprise at how cold the water is, so start with the knob nearly closed and open it a little at a time. Aim is the next lesson: the nozzle points at a fixed angle for your seat, so lean forward or back a little rather than moving the plate. Drying is the last thing people forget. A short fold of toilet paper or a small towel kept by the toilet takes care of it; see how to dry after a bidet. If you have never used one, first time using a bidet walks through each step.
Keeping it working
An attachment with a retractable nozzle and a guard stays cleaner than a bare tip, but the nozzle still needs a wipe. Rinse the nozzle with the spray on a low setting, wipe the guard with a cloth and mild soap, and never use harsh chemicals that can crack plastic. Our cleaning guide gives a weekly routine. Shut the pressure knob after each use so the hose is not under full pressure all day, and look at the joints under the tank once a month. A damp spot at the T-adapter is the early warning of a leak.
Mistakes to avoid
- Opening the shutoff valve all at once. Open it slowly so a bad joint shows itself as a drip rather than a spray.
- Reading reviews of the SS-150 as if they were about the SS-250, or the other way round.
- Throwing away the box before a week is out. Most fit and leak defects show up in the first days.
- Buying on the sale price without checking the seller's return policy.
Who should buy which model
| You are | Pick |
|---|---|
| Curious, on a tight budget, fine with one nozzle | SS-150 Essential, with the knob caveat |
| Want a gentler front wash or share the toilet | SS-250 dual nozzle |
| Want warm water and a dryer | A seat, not a SimpleSpa |
| Want the cleanest possible install with fewest odd parts | Read the listing's included parts; compare against our buying guide |
ASSJET is building a no-plug, one-knob attachment for first-timers. It is not on sale yet; the quiz puts you on the waitlist, or go straight to the ASSJET page.
FAQ
Is the Brondell SimpleSpa good?
Buyers rate it well, with one retailer showing 4.5 stars from 5,347 reviews, mainly for the dual nozzle and low price. Reports of leaks and failures exist but are a minority.
How much is the Brondell SimpleSpa?
The SS-250 dual nozzle was $55.99 on Brondell's site (list $69.99), $46.99 at Zoro and $49.99 elsewhere. The SS-150 was listed near $36.
Does the SimpleSpa have warm water?
No. It uses cold water from the toilet's supply line.
Does it need electricity?
No. It runs on water pressure alone, so it needs no outlet.
What is the difference between SS-150 and SS-250?
The SS-150 has one nozzle; the SS-250 has two retractable nozzles for rear and front wash.
How long does it last?
We found no maker lifespan. One buyer reported a failure at about 14 months. Check the warranty on the model you buy.
More in our bidet guides.
Sources
- SimpleSpa Thinline Dual Nozzle Bidet Attachment, Brondell. https://www.brondell.com/simplespa-thinline-dual-nozzle-bidet-attachment
- Brondell SimpleSpa Thinline Dual Nozzle SS-250, Zoro. https://www.zoro.com/brondell-simplespa-thinline-dual-nozzle-bidet-attachment-ss-250/i/G505578643/
- Brondell SimpleSpa Thinline Dual Nozzle, Do it Best. https://www.doitbest.com/product/418246/brondell-simplespa-thinline-dual-nozzle-bidet-attachment-418246/
- Brondell SimpleSpa Thinline vs Tushy Spa 3.0, Verdict (templated comparison site). https://verdict-reviews.pages.dev/compare/brondell-simplespa-thinline--vs--tushy-spa-3-0/