Your Smart Home Bathroom Experience Will Never Be The Same
December 27, 2022
If you’ve read many of my posts you probably realize I lean heavy into Amazon Alexa integrated smart home technology. I have to admit after running across the Kohler Numi 2.0 recently I was intrigued by the Alexa integration. I’m struggling though as I’ve been working to limit the amount of technology I plan to deploy in more private areas of our home, like bedrooms and bathrooms.
So having an Alexa integrated smart toilet has me at a bit of a crossroads.
Kohler introduced the Numi 2.0 Smart Toilet back in 2019, but it hasn’t been available for home installation until now. Not a whole lot has changed from that initial announcement. It still has Alexa built-in, Bluetooth, lots of LED lights and speakers (speakers?). For our home design I’d never consider this for other than the Master Bathroom as it’d be a little awkward having to explain to guests how the smart toilet works in the guest bathroom. And posting the instructions over the toilet paper dispenser would just be weird.
Not to mention the price — $8,625 ($11,500 list). I’ve bought cars for less. A LOT less.
Regarding the Bluetooth technology and Alexa built in, the Alexa function uses its typical voice commands. You can play music, listen to the news, check the weather and more all from the comfort of your bathroom. If you aren’t much of a DJ, the Numi also comes with its own theme music, which Kohler says can be played for an “immersive experience.” I don’t know exactly what that means as I’m not really sure how much more immersive using the bathroom can be.
The smart home integration still intrigues me though, and it’s got a lot of the features you’d expect from a super expensive smart toilet like the ones made by the Japanese company Toto. That means a bidet, UV lights for cleaning the bidet, and control over the temperature, position, and pressure of the bidet. It’s also got a bowl that gets automatically misted to minimize residue, auto flushing, auto deodorizing, a heated seat (temperature being adjustable), an air dryer (for after the bidet), and an emergency backup flush. That last point would have come in really handy with some of my college roommates. Sorry to out you guys but your wives would all be nodding their heads right now if you were reading this out loud.
If I didn’t know this was real I’d say this is an incredible set up for some really bad jokes.
All those features are controlled by a handheld remote (that you mount on an adjacent wall). The integrated LED and surround sound features are managed by the Kohler Konnect app (Apple and Android). LED lighting is in the bowl for nighttime use, ambient lighting in the back to eliminate the need for a nightlight. Kohler hasn’t said anything about support for Matter. Which, if you’re new to smart home or Matter, is a new technology standard for smart home devices in order to make interoperability easier. I recently covered the Matter roll out in my post ‘Matter is Finally Here! But …’
Beyond interoperability, with Alexa, you’ll have to get creative if you want this toilet to work with other Numismart home systems and their automations. But maybe more importantly, for the person who has ever lived with someone who leaves the lid up — its lid automatically opens and closes. The seat and lid can be opened and closed without even touching them via motion-activated technology.
If a smart toilet sounds interesting but the price tag of the Numi is a budget breaker, Kohler has a cheaper option. I still don’t know if I’d pony up $4,519 ($6,025.00 list) for even a smart toilet though.
The Veil has many of the same capabilities as the Numi — heated seat, hands-free opening/closing and automatic flush functions, bidet, dryer and a built-in nightlight. A touchscreen remote allows for complete personalization, with a heated seat, bidet and dryer.
Its compact, one-piece design features an upgrade to a 17" seating height by meeting ADA code requirements. And it’s tankless with direct water supply. Pump-assisted flushing delivers peak flush performance every time. With emergency backup flushing at the touch of a button, you’re always covered in the event of a power outage.
I’m really curious what your thoughts are about these or any smart toilets in general. What is your take on the smart toilet experience? As you can probably tell I’m intrigued by the whole concept but am struggling with the ROI. There are benefits there I just doubt I’d ever use. I plan on installing electrical outlet nightlights and speakers in the Master Bathroom that I can control with Alexa through my FitBit. Honestly I’d invest in smart shower technology with temperature control, flow options and the ability to turn it on and off with Alexa before I’d put in a smart toilet. But to each his own. Would you install one? What if cost was not an issue?
Let Debbie and I know in the comments, DMs and emails what you think about The Numi, Veil and smart toilets in general as we really enjoy hearing from you. again to all those following Debbie and I through our home building journey. It’s great to hear your success stories and suggestions as we move through the process. And if you like the content I’m posting each week, don’t forget to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow.’
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