Potty training is a big step for your toddler, and having the right setup can make the process feel a little more manageable for everyone. But should you choose a potty seat that fits on your toilet or give your little one a potty chair of their own? The good news is that both can be great options. The right choice depends on your toddler’s readiness, your bathroom setup, and what works best for your family. Some families even use both in different situations, or transition between the two as their toddler progresses. Let’s take a look at each option so you can decide whether a potty seat or potty chair best fits your potty training methods and routines. What Is a Potty Seat? A potty seat, sometimes called a toilet topper, is a removable seat that fits over your regular toilet seat. It creates a smaller opening that helps prevent toddlers from slipping into the toilet. Most options are lightweight and portable, making them convenient for potty training at home or on the go. The Best Potty Seat from Chicco: The Chicco Toilet Topper Pros of Potty Seats Easy to take with you: Because these seats are lightweight and portable, they can make potty training away from home easier. Simple to set up: Potty seats are generally easy to install and remove as needed. Many simply rest on top of the toilet seat. Easier transition to the toilet: Your toddler gets used to sitting on the actual toilet right from the start, which can make transitioning away from potty training equipment simpler. Budget-friendly: Potty seats are often less expensive than standalone potty chairs. Easy to store: Some versions flip up when they’re not being used, while others are compact enough to store nearby. Less cleanup: Since your child is using the regular toilet, there’s typically less to clean after each potty trip. Potty Seat Considerations Your toddler may need some help: Adult toilets can be tricky for little legs to reach, so your toddler will usually need help getting on and off. You may need a step stool: Your child should be able to rest their feet flat while using the toilet. A step stool may be needed to provide the extra height and foot support they need. What Is a Potty Chair? A potty chair is a standalone, toddler-sized toilet that sits directly on the floor. Its smaller size and lower height can make potty training feel more approachable for little ones while giving them more opportunities to handle the routine independently. The Best Potty Training Toilets from Chicco: The Chicco Toddler Training Toilet or the 3-in-1 Potty Training System Pros of Potty Chairs Designed for kids: A toddler-sized design can feel more approachable and make it easier for children to use the potty independently. Easy to move around: Many potty chairs are portable, so you can keep potty training consistent in different areas of your home or take the chair along when needed. Kid-friendly height: Since potty chairs sit low to the floor, your toddler can comfortably rest their feet flat while sitting. Separate from your toilet: Your child gets their own dedicated spot for potty training instead of sharing the household toilet. Cleanup-friendly options: Most models offer a removable bowl to make cleanup easier. Potty Chair Considerations More cleanup: Potty chairs need to be thoroughly cleaned after every use. Some models make realistic flushing sounds, but they don’t actually flush like your household toilet. Another transition later: Since your toddler isn’t using the regular toilet, you’ll eventually need to help them transition from their potty chair to the actual toilet. Takes up bathroom space: A standalone potty chair requires its own spot on the floor, which may be difficult in smaller bathrooms. Potty Seat or Potty Chair: How to Decide So, which potty is best for toilet training? There isn’t one answer that works for every toddler or family. When choosing, think about: Portability: Where will your toddler be potty training? A compact potty seat can be convenient to bring along, and many potty chairs can also be moved around the house as needed. Your child’s readiness: Consider your toddler’s developmental stage, maturity, and comfort level. Some children may prefer having their own toddler-sized potty, while others may be ready to use the household toilet with a potty seat. Your bathroom setup: A potty chair takes up additional floor space, so consider how much room you have available. Families with multiple bathrooms may also want to think about whether they’d prefer a potty chair in each one. Travel: If you’re frequently on the go, consider how you will manage potty training outside the home and whether you’ll need to take your potty setup with you. Independence: A potty chair’s low height can make it easier for toddlers to get on and off on their own. A potty seat sits higher on the household toilet, so your child may need more assistance or a step stool. When Both May Be the Best Option Choosing a potty seat or potty chair doesn’t have to be an either-or decision. Some families start with a potty chair when their toddler is first learning, then transition to a potty seat as their child becomes more comfortable using the regular toilet. You can also offer both as options and let your child decide which one they use. This approach lets your potty setup change along with your child’s readiness. Using both can also be helpful in different environments. You might keep a potty chair at home where your toddler can easily access it, then use a portable potty seat for trips, daycare, or other times away from home. Having options can help you find a routine that works for your child and your family wherever potty training takes you. Prepare for Potty Training With Chicco Potty training comes with plenty of learning for little ones and parents alike. Having tools that fit your toddler’s needs can help make those everyday potty trips feel a little easier, no matter which approach works for your family. Chicco offers potty training essentials designed with little learners in mind, including potty chairs, toilet toppers, and step stools. Explore our potty training collection to find the right setup for your toddler and get ready for what comes next. FAQs What type of potty should I start training with? The best option depends on your child’s readiness, your preferences, and what works for your family. Some families start with a potty chair, then transition to a potty seat as their toddler becomes more comfortable using the household toilet. Some use potty seats for travel, and potty chairs for training at home. What age is appropriate for a potty chair? Potty chairs are usually introduced between 18 and 24 months, but every child develops at their own pace. Look for signs that your toddler is ready to begin potty training rather than relying on age alone. Do you need a potty chair for potty training? No, you don’t need a potty chair to potty train your child. A potty chair can make the process easier for toddlers and caregivers, but a potty seat placed on the household toilet can also be a great option.