For people with limited mobility or that are bedridden due to illness or recent surgery, bedside commodes are a very practical solution since
You may have clicked over here from our article where we’ve reviewed some of the top toilet seats for heavy people. As we mentioned there, heavy-duty toilet seats can be a great option. However, some people prefer a commode chair that can be placed directly over their standard toilet rather than replacing their existing toilet seat.
There are a few reasons why this can be a good choice: if you are sharing the bathroom with other members of the house that want to use a standard toilet seat, a commode chair lets you place it directly over the toilet when you need to use it without making any modifications to the toilet (smaller people in the house may not be comfortable on an extra-wide/large toilet seat).
Best Bedside Commodes
Another advantage to the bariatric commode is that it is portable– if you are not feeling well and can’t make it to it to the bathroom or generally have a hard time making it to the toilet during the night you can place the commode next to your bed as a convenient solution during the night, then move it to the bathroom during the day. The commode is also a more permanent solution for someone that is bedridden for a longer period of time.
All of the choices on our list have removable waste pots– which gives you the convenience of the waste going directly into the flush toilet with no need to clean the pot. The commode chairs that made our list are also all designed to withstand heavyweight (over 400 lbs. with some are even rated up to 600+).
The Heavy Duty Bariatric Folding Commode by Drive Medical is a very solid option, and we suggest you take a look at it if you’re in a hurry to make a purchase. If you’d rather see us break down the attributes of different products and make a decision yourself, read on!
Bariatric Bedside Commode by Vive
The frame can be easily snapped together thanks to its sturdiness, an essential feature to a product that can be armed and disarmed.
Although the commode itself is pretty wide and holds a lot of weight, the main issue this product has is related to the size of the pot.
It seems to be a bit small, considering the overall size of the average user making it inconvenient for some people.
Pros:
- It has a sturdy designed and properly assembled frame, which prevents owners from slipping or falling over.
- It can be used as toilet safety thanks to its ability to be easily reassembled.
- It’s wider than most other commodes, which helps larger users feel more comfortable.
Cons:
- The toilet seat and its cover could feel very flimsy when used. It could cause some unfortunate incidents if the user isn’t careful.
- Although sturdy, the product is very heavy.
- Elderly patients could have some trouble moving it around.
Heavy Duty Bariatric Folding Commode by Drive Medical
It can also hold up to 650 lbs., making it an ideal purchase even for the morbidly obese.
It’s a very big commode, and it can be used for toilet safety (its pot can be manually removed), but be sure you have enough room in your bathroom in order to do so.
It also comes with a splash guard that can save users the trouble of cleaning up unnecessary messes.
The fact that the product doesn’t include any clear assembly instructions could be an issue for some owners, as setting up the commode could prove to be a challenge.
Pros:
- Very large chair, capable of holding up an enormous amount of weight.
- It’s easy to use and provides non-slipping safety to the user.
- If properly used, it requires very little cleanup.
- The individual parts of the commode can be replaced if damaged.
Cons:
- The pot could fall off occasionally, which could be very messy if it contains any waste.
- The seat doesn’t seem to be of very high quality.
Mefeir Bedside Commode Chair
The Mefeir Bedside Commode Chair and the raised toilet seat is crafted using heavy-duty materials. It can hold up to 550 lbs of weight.
You can use this as a raised toilet seat, a bedside commode, or a toilet safety frame. For people who have limited mobility, are recovering from surgery, or have difficulty moving around, then this item can make it easier to go to the toilet. The height of the chair from the floor ranges from 19.88 to 23.82 inches.
It uses an easy-to-release drop-arm system, which is useful for simpler transfers. Going on and off the commode is a lot less complicated. Just place the commode near the patient’s bed with the nearest arm down, so that the person can transfer easily during the night. It is designed to promote independent living.
This chair offers strong support and a seat plate that is durable as it is comfortable. It is made of steel with a 1.14-inch diameter.
The pipe and steel construction increases the weight-bearing capability of the commode. It comes with a grey powder coating to prevent rust and mold formation. The plastic arms offer added support and comfort, too. The overall material is very easy to clean and maintain.
You can adjust the commode to various heights, depending on your personal needs. The overall height can go from 30.9 inches to 34.8 inches. There are five positions you can adjust to, so you can be sure of comfort every single time.
Pros:
- Adjustable height and positions
- Drop arm system makes transfers easy and simple
- Beneficial for folks looking for independent living aids
Cons:
- The product is relatively new in an already competitive market, but so far it only has positive reviews
NOVA Heavy Duty Bedside Commode Chair
The NOVA Heavy Duty Bedside Commode Chair can accommodate up to 500 lbs of weight. It is made of high-quality, durable steel that’s easy to maintain and clean. However, please take note that this is not designed to use in the shower. It can be used as a bedside commode chair or toilet safety frame.
It features a drop arm mechanism that lets arms rest comfortably while in the chair. Drop the arms to easily transfer from the bed or wheelchair and onto the commode, or vice versa.
There is no installation or assembly needed for this chair. All you have to do is take it out of the packaging, snap on the back part, and place the bucket, going through the front side of the commode. The bucket has a handle and is included in the purchase. It measures 6 inches in diameter and 11 inches in width.
Pros:
- The drop arm mechanism allows for easy transfers
- No assembly required
- Easy cleanup and maintenance
Cons:
- Some users said that if you sit on the commode chair for longer than a couple of minutes, it can start feeling uncomfortable
- Others experienced the arm falling out of place after a bit of use
HEALTHLINE Bariatric Drop Arm Bedside Commode
HEALTHLINE’s Bariatric Drop Arm Bedside Commode features a wide range of uses. First of all, you can use it as a bedside commode. It can also act as an elevated toilet seat that you can put on top of your current toilet seat. It can be used as a toilet safety frame, too.
The armrests keep the hands comfy while sitting on the commode, but they can also be dropped easily. This allows easy transfer from the commode to the bed, and vice versa.
The commode is capable of carrying as much as 500 lbs of weight.
It is a heavy-duty product that is designed to help alleviate the challenges faced by the elderly, disabled, and heavy people on a daily basis. You can rest on the fact that it’s made of high-quality steel, which is covered by heavy-duty powder coating. This makes cleaning up a breeze.
The package comes complete with a 12-quart bucket and lid. You can insert it into or remove it from the commode from the backside.
Pros:
- Multiple applications
- Can carry 500 lbs
- Cleaning up is easy
Cons:
- The sizing information needs to be updated to be more clear and precise
- Smaller people can find some difficulty in becoming comfortable with it
- Applying pressure on the bar on the plastic rest can cause them to drop
Duro-Med Commode Chair with Assist Bars
The Duro-Med Commode Chair with Assist Bars can be placed wherever it is needed: near the bed, in the living room, or in the bath.
It can make life easier for people who weigh more since not all commodes are built to be heavy-duty and weight-bearing. It is also designed for the elderly, disabled, and those recovering from surgery or illness.
It can be placed over your current toilet. This helps those who are having trouble bending too low and is a good aid to avoid further injury. It can accommodate up to 500 lbs of weight.
It is highly adjustable to cater to your specific needs. It can go up from 19 to 23 inches, in one-inch increments. The width between the two arms measures 26 inches. The width between the legs measures 26.5 inches. It is 18.5 inches deep. Feel free to adjust it to the most comfortable size. The weight capacity is rated at 500 lbs.
The pail is included and can handle 7 quarts. It comes with a lid, too, and it slides out easily.
Pros:
- Multiple applications
- Can carry up to 500 lbs
- Highly adjustable
Cons:
- The back part of the commode isn’t fastened to the mainframe, which can wobble sometimes
- The bucket is too shallow for some users
- The lid can only rest on the opening part and cannot snap in place
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Bedside Commode Chair by DMI
This commode chair by DMI can hold up to 500 lbs. without hindering its performance, and it has a sturdy structure made of hard plastic that’s complemented by a design capable of adapting to the needs of a large adult.
The commode’s height can also be adjusted depending on the situation, which is an incredibly convenient feature for its users. This helps the product move closer to regular toilet seats while also allowing it to gain height beforehand in order to properly accommodate the user.
The product allows for the removal of its portable toilet and it can be placed on top of most regular-sized toilets with ease, making it a trustworthy ally even while traveling. It also comes fully assembled and ready to use!
Pros:
- Most owners find it very comfortable and easy to use.
- The quality of the feet seems to be quite good with preventing falls and slips, given the nature of its hard plastic.
- The chair is very wide, allowing most people to sit comfortably on top of it.
Cons:
- The mechanism that allows you to alter the commode’s height has some issues with the tallest spots – sometimes they don’t lock properly.
- The pot’s placement seems a bit irregular, which could cause urine leaks.
If you are looking for bariatric bathroom accessories you may also be interested in these bariatric scales rated for 500-pound capacity or these heavy duty shower benches and stools that are also rated to hold 500+ lbs.
Considering Commodes: Buyers Guide
Weight Capacity
The first thing you need to check for is the chair’s weight capacity. This is important to make sure it can specifically accommodate the needs of the person who’s going to use it. You need to check for it because there are different sizes available.
Materials
Given the fact that these commodes will have to put up with a big amount of weight, their sturdiness will define just how effective they are. An ideal commode isn’t too difficult to handle and carry around, but it has to be sturdy enough in order to not fall apart when the user applies pressure on the product. There is a wide variety of commodes on the market and they vary greatly when it comes to quality and materials. Things to look for are high-grade steel.
Removable Arm/Ease of Use
People with obesity issues need to have a specialized product that allows them to handle it with ease. Even if they aren’t the ones to assemble it or remove certain parts for convenience, the product needs to be easy to use in order to facilitate the caretaker’s responsibilities. A “drop-arm” or swing arm is a key feature to look for, this allows a quick way to either drop the armrest down or swing it to the side so that the patient/user can easily transfer to and from the commode to the bed without the armrest getting in the way.
Toilet Compatibility
A lot of commode owners would rather use it over their own toilet instead of the pot that the commode itself has, while also taking full advantage of the product’s features. In order to make this work, the commode has to have the ability to remove its portable toilet bucket and a comfortable design to make it fit above any regular sized toilet.
Side Clearance
Most residential toilets are either round or elongated so when replacing a toilet seat this is an important thing to consider. However, most commodes are wide enough to fit over any standard toilet. Actually some are very wide– so you’ll want to check the measurements of the commode and then measure the clearance you have on either side of the toilet (i.e. is it positional too close to a bathroom wall?).
Removable Pot
All the options we selected can be used directly over your standard toilet so that waste goes directly in the toilet bowl, not in the removable pot, this adds a lot of conveniences and is more hygienic. The pot can still be used if you wish or at night when you need the chair closer to your bed.
Final Verdict
Heavy-duty bariatric chairs help improve the quality-of-life of heavy persons in need of a more comfortable and manageable toilet for their weight and size. After going over each product in this article, we feel that the Heavy Duty Bariatric Folding Commode by Drive Medical offers the best attributes to make it one of the top-rated choices in the market, while also keeping an affordable price. It should make the user feel very comfortable when using it, be it as a toilet safety build or as a standalone portable toilet on its own.
The options from Duro-Med and Vive Health are also among the top consumer commodes we could find and either of these seems to deliver a quality home option.
As mentioned, these bedside commodes can be a very convenient and versatile solution since they are portable and can be moved to and from the bathroom to the bedside depending on your daily needs.
Another often overlooked issues are if you have smaller sized people in your home, they may not want the XL toilet seat installed as they can actually be uncomfortable for small/skinny people- the hole is too large for them and doesn’t support their butt cheeks when they sit on it.
This can cause some conflict in a home where you are sharing the bathroom and the portable commode can be a very practical compromise for everyone.
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