The FreshSpa FS-10 (aka. Easy Bidet) and FSW-20 (aka. Dual Temperature Bidet) by Brondell, Inc. are called “bidet attachments” because they’re not full stand-alone bidets nor bidet seats. Instead of adding a full appliance to your bathroom, or even substituting for your current toilet seat, they attach underneath the existing seat, hence the name.
Single Self-Cleaning Retractable Nozzle With 3 Separate Position Settings
The Brondell FreshSpa attachment itself is simple, both in design and operation.
Unlike a bidet seat, there aren’t dozens of options here. No seat warmer, warm air dryer, or deodorizer. No lid slam prevention. No timed spray, illuminated lights, warm water storage, or remote control. In both cases, you get a pretty vanilla bidet appliance. They do the basics, though, and they do them well.
The FS-10 and FSW-20 do have some adjustment features, however.
Each has a cleverly designed single wand / nozzle that will move to any of three angle settings: straight down, slight angle, or sharp angle. That angle adjustment is used to aim the spray where you need it, and it’s a very welcome feature. Not all bidet attachments, or even some (more expensive) bidet seats, offer this.
The wand / nozzle design optimizes hygiene and minimizes maintenance. When it’s activated, i.e. when there’s water pressure, out comes the little spigot, aimed just where you set it, and then it sprays. It retracts automatically into the wand when the pressure decreases, i.e. when the water is turned off.
You can extend the tip for extensive cleaning, and perhaps a little bleach-based spray, but it will rarely be needed. That procedure will be needed even less often than you might suppose because – despite the low price and simplicity of overall functions – these Brondell attachments have a self-cleaning setting. Just twist the dial opposite the “Wash” setting; the bidet nozzle will flush itself with water thoroughly.
The pressure of the spray is adjustable, too. You just turn the dial toward the “Wash” setting. The further you turn, the higher the pressure. Within limits, of course. It won’t spray any harder than your home’s water pressure will allow. But it’s pretty substantial when set at the maximum point.
And, hallelujah, the pressure adjustment is not limited to 3-5 stepwise settings, like some bidet models. It’s smoothly continuous. You can set the exact pressure that’s comfortable for you. Since the dial is so easy to turn, it’s not hard for every member of the family to set it where desired, either.
How to Install the Brondell FreshSpa FS-10?
Installation takes literally minutes; all the parts you need are included in the box; no plumbing expertise is required. Seriously, anyone who can screw and unscrew a nut can do this with ease.
What that means is that you just unscrew the wingnuts from your current seat, slide the attachment onto the bowl, then replace the seat and connect a hose or two. Done. Watch the installation video below to see how really easy it is to install the FreshSpa Easy Bidet.
Because of the holes in the flange portion that attaches flat to the bowl, you can fit this bidet attachment to just about any toilet out there. The only limitation is that you’ll need about 4-6 inches on the right side of your toilet seat to allow for the control portion of the assembly.
FSW-20 = FS-10 + Warm Water Hookup
Now for the really interesting part. The most notable difference between the FreshSpa FS-10 and FSW-20 is an additional hose hookup on the FSW-20 that allows for warm water sprays. The FS-10 is cold water use only. At my house, in winter, that would be a bit uncomfortable.
The installation steps for the FSW-20 require only a few extra minutes and they’re only barely more difficult than those for the FS-10. Just watch the video below to see the installation process in action.
There’s a 6-foot, clear hose that has to be attached to your warm water system. The T-valve included to which that hose attaches has a short nipple (of brass, like the T-valve itself, so it’s uber-sturdy). You press the hose onto it firmly and clamp it down with an included nut. Simple.
And, despite the lack of any connection to your home’s electrical system, you not only get warm water but can even adjust the temperature. To accommodate that, there’s an extra dial on the control block for this model. It’s clearly marked Hot and Cold and you’re unlikely to get confused even in the dark, once you’ve used it a few times.
What About the Brondell PureSpa PS-65 and PSW-75?
Before we finish, a few words about 2 other Brondell attachment models: the PureSpa PS-65 and PureSpa PSW-75.
These are “Amazon Exclusives”. Amazon requested a model designed exclusively for them, and sold only there. That’s why these models are almost identical to the FreshSpa bidets. The PureSpa PS-65 corresponds to the FS-10 and the PureSpa PSW-75 is nearly the same as the FSW-20.
There is one minor functional difference, however, in the connecting hardware. The hose running from the T-valve to the connection on the bidet attachment of the FreshSpa is 0.47 inches in diameter. The one for the PureSpa is 3/8″ (0.375 inches). So, the PureSpa connection is more or less standard and will fit most plumbing fittings, as do-it-yourself plumbers will know.
If you use only the parts included with the FreshSpa – and you can, as everything you need is already in the box – you don’t need to care. If you have a unique set up or you want to tailor things yourself for any reason, and won’t be using the T-valve that comes with the unit you’ll need to be aware of the difference. In that case, I would always defer to the PureSpa because the 3/8″ sized hose fits other standard plumbing fittings when the 12mm FreshSpa hose will not.
Which to Choose?
If you’re on a really tight budget, or want to get used to using a bidet for the lowest possible cost, the FreshSpa FS-10 (verified Amazon customer reviews) might work just fine for your household. It’s a fine product. It’s reliable, made with quality products, and it’s manufactured well.
Like any bidet attachment, you have to exercise care inserting the rubber o-rings and attaching the hose in order to forestall leaks. But it should last a good long time. The pressure is adequate and the parts are sturdy – the cold-water hose is steel braid and several internals are made of brass – and they’re accurately made, so things fit securely.
That said, you might already have guessed that the FreshSpa FSW-20 (verified Amazon customer reviews) would be my preference, no question. There is a $20 premium in price – as of this writing – over the FS-10 that might put you off. But for my money, that’s a small price to pay. Warm water increases comfort and loosens stool more easily. That makes for a more hygienic and pleasurable overall experience.
Whichever you choose, at this price and with this level of quality in a bidet attachment, you can’t go wrong.
