The best potties for potty training 2023

If you're on the hunt for the best potty for your tot on the market, you've no doubt noticed the signs that your child is ready for potty training.

If they're stopping in their tracks or hiding whenever they need to go or taking more of an interest in the toilet, then they're ready for a potty. Depending on what stage of potty training they're at, there are many different potties and potty training products and seats you'll want to consider.

While you're potty training, the potty is going to go with you everywhere; to friends and family's homes, to the shops, on walks in the woods, and to cafes. That's why you'll want to consider everything from how easy the potty is to empty, the size, how simple it is to transport and how easy it is to clean.

Editor's choice:

• Best for being portable: The Potette Max – Buy now on Amazon
• Best for sound effects: Pote Plus My First WC – Buy now on Amazon

All parents will agree that a potty is an essential part of toilet training, and it's important both you and your toddler are happy with the potty you choose. That's why our mum testers have put the best potties for potty training to the test, taking into account how easy their toddler found using it, cleaning and emptying and value for money.

The best potties for 2023

Choosing the right potty for your toddler and you

Weight – Some of these potties are much heavier than others. If you want your child to be able to carry their potty independently, then opt for a lighter option. Alternatively, if you want to leave the lifting of the potty to the grown-ups (it's understandable why), then you might be better off going for a heavier potty.

Size – As potties will most likely be used when your toddler is around the age of two, it's important to make sure it's small enough for them to use in terms of the seat. You'll also want to consider how big your space is, as if you want to put the potty in the bathroom, you'll need to think about how much space you have for a potty.

Comfort – No toddler will sit somewhere they aren't comfortable. Especially when it comes to having a number two, it's important for your toddler to want to sit for a while.

Ease of use – While many parents and children prefer a basic plastic potty, there are so many clever options on the market now, some even have an artificial flush feature or removable bowls.

Cleaning – With the more basic potties, you simply need to pour out the waste and clean the bowl which you can do in minutes. These suit sitting down well but if you're potty training a boy, you may prefer a potty with a splash guard to avoid any messy accidents.

Toddler appeal – It's important that your toddler gets excited about their potty. From cute designs to the added reward of being able to flush and feel very grown up, finding a potty they're excited to use is essential. You may also want to add an extra incentive by introducing a potty training reward chart.

Portability – Whether you're always travelling or your tot spends a lot of time at their grandparents, keeping portability in mind is important. You might also want to opt for a second potty to live at caregivers' homes.

Types of potty

Potty training toilet seat – If you're keen to get them used to using the real toilet and getting to grips with the bathroom space then you might be better suited to a seat that goes on the toilet seat.

Plastic potty – The most basic form of a potty you're probably most familiar with and often the most affordable. If you're keen to have a few potties around the home, then a budget plastic potty might be the best option for you.

Travel potty – Whether you're planning a family holiday or you're always on the road with your toddler, a potty that you can easily travel with is a must-have.

Removable bowl potty – With multiple parts, these potties have a removable bowl which you can take out and clean. Some have a separate potty training toilet seat which can sit over the toilet for when they get a bit older.

Why use a potty instead of a toilet?

As a small child, the toilet can look like a very big place. Not only is it hard to climb up on, the seat is often far too large for little bottoms and the seat can also feel quite cold and uncomfortable at first. Until they're confident on the potty and know how to flush without getting frightened by the loud noise, then it's a good idea to stick to a potty.

How did we choose the best potty?

There are loads of potties on the market to buy today, but which one should you choose?

To help you decide, we've rounded up the best ones - including the potties that have featured in our annual Mother&Baby Awards. Every year, we have a massive panel of real mums who test new products thoroughly with their own children, writing in-depth reviews of the products that help us decide who deserves those coveted Gold Awards.

So you can rest assured that the potties we've listed here have been tested and reviewed thoroughly - not just by the mums and experts in Team M&B but also by real-life mums putting these potties through their paces.

Our verdict on the best potty

Our favourite potties are the Potette Max and the Fred & Flo Steady Potty. They're very different potties but with massively different price points. If you want an all-singing, all-dancing potty, then plump for the Potette Max; however, the (much) cheaper Fred & Flo potty does what it says on the tin - it's a potty. You can pee and poo in it, you can empty it easily, and it doesn't cost the earth.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.