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Bathroom gadgets: 9 clever ways to use tech in your bathroom

Upgrade your morning routine with bathroom gadgets and kit out your space with the latest smart technology

Bathroom gadgets: 9 clever ways to use tech in your bathroom
(Image credit: Ikea)

Looking to venture into bathroom gadgets? As technology evolves our homes are getting smarter – and the bathroom is no exception. Whether you're designing a bathroom and want to integrate bathroom technology that optimises your use of the space or are simply curious to see what's on the market, our guide to clever home tech is here to help you upgrade your morning routine and kit out your bathroom.

For more bathroom ideas head over to our design feature. 

1. Install a Japanese style toilet 

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Japanese toilets and Japanese-style toilet seats take bathroom technology to a whole new level. They’re packed with fancy smart functions to make sure each visit to the bathroom is as luxurious as can be. The Grohe Sensia Arena Shower Toilet (opens in new tab) may not be voice controlled but you can control its settings, either from a remote control or a smartphone app, meaning that every visit to the loo by each member of the family can be personalised. Plus, its lid automatically opens as you approach and closes once you are done. And... a sensor-activated nightlight gives a soft glow to help you find your way at night.

2. Reduce waste with an automatic soap dispenser

A nickel-finish soap dispenser

Battered plastic bottles and faulty soap pumps are a thing of the past with the new wave of automatic soap dispensers hitting the bathroom gadget market. They're sleek, an earth friendly alternative and make hand washing more hygienic.

We'd recommend the Umbra Otto Sensor Pump Soap Dispenser (opens in new tab) from Amara. Top up with a bulk bought, eco-friendly hand wash, we love the Ecover range. 

3. Get health-aware with the best body fat scales

Garmin smart scales are the ideal bathroom gadget

(Image credit: John Lewis)

If you're interested in health and fitness or are convinced that tracking your stats will motivate you to achieve your weight loss goals, it's worth investing in high spec body fat scales for your bathroom. 

Measuring everything from weight, body mass index (BMI) and body fat to water percentage, bone mass and muscle mass, the Garmin Index Smart Scale (opens in new tab) provides all the information required to track your health and fitness progress and can be used by up to 16 different people. 

4. Control your bath and shower from your smartphone

Smart shower system with dual controller

Advances in bathroom gadgets have made it possible to control your bath, shower (or both) from your smartphone or (if you have Amazon's Alexa) using simple voice commands. Simple to install and utilise, it's never been easier to run a bath or shower to your precise preferences.

Find the SmarTap Smart Shower System (opens in new tab) at Victoria Plum. 

5. Harness the power of chromotherapy 

Smart shower

(Image credit: Drench )

Harnessing the power of chromotherapy – the use of light to promote mental, emotional and physical well-being – it's never been easier to unwind and improve your mood in the shower.

Designed with seven colours to suit your individual mood and a stunning recessed shower head, complete with double waterfall and rainfall mode, the Crossover Rio Revive Shower Head (opens in new tab) from Drench is a must have bathroom gadget those in search of a truly luxurious, technology enhanced showering experience.

6. Stream your favourite music with a waterproof wireless speaker

black waterproof speaker from john lewis

(Image credit: John Lewis)

We're all partial to an impromptu karaoke session in the shower, but it's not worth risking water damage to your phone or other electronic devices. A step up from the in-shower radio, a waterproof speaker allows you to stream your own playlists using bluetooth. 

We love this small but mighty UE Wonderboom (opens in new tab), available at John Lewis.

7. Save water (and money) with a sensor tap

Automatic sensor tap

Contribute to a more sustainable world (and save money on bills) by investing in a stylish sensor tap. In addition to conserving water by reducing the waste from a running tap, it's a more hygienic bathroom solution. Find this PuraVida basin mixer (opens in new tab) at Hansgrohe.

8. Indulge in a rejuvenating (literally) bath spa

Jacuzzi spa bath

Looking for the ultimate at home spa experience? It doesn't get much better than a whirlpool bath with built-in Skin Touch technology. Designed to release micro fine air bubbles into the water that stimulate skin cells rejuvenation, you're guaranteed an experience that leaves you feeling refreshed. Find the  Conoduo bath (opens in new tab) at Kaldewei.

9. Install a bathroom TV

A black-edged TV with mirror finish

If you're done with balancing your laptop on the toilet seat, consider upgrading with a super-smart TV. Slimline and water resistant, most models come with a mirror finish that allows them to blend in when not in use. 

The Proof Vision Bathroom TV (opens in new tab) from Frontline has a heated LED screen to prevent misting, a slim profile and a waterproof remote – although we still wouldn't recommend dropping it in the bath. 

Looking for more ideas on technology, bathrooms or both?

Ellen Finch
Deputy editor

Joining as features editor in 2017, Ellen now looks after the day-to-day running of Real Homes magazine as deputy editor. She also commissions and writes many of the real case studies you'll see on the site, and loves speaking to people about their homes and get the details on the hacks they've tried and loved. She's currently gearing up to buy a home of her own in 2023 – hopefully with a garden to plant veg and wildflowers – and has a special interest in sustainable living, clever book storage, and cats.

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