Get Low: Why Squat Toilets are Better Than Sitting Toilets

An Advocate of the Squat Toilet

Do you ever stop and wonder why we sit on a ‘porcelain throne’ while taking our daily dump? Maybe you've been pooping wrong your whole life and didn't even know it. Squat toilets are not common in the Western world, but they’re in abundance elsewhere. Sometimes known as Chinese toilets, Asian toilets, Indian toilets, floor toilets, or squat pots, these things are well known within the travel community. The squat vs sitting toilet is a cultural divide, and is abhorred by many Westerners. But are squat toilets getting a bed rap just because we’re not accustomed to them? And do sitting toilets pose a danger to your health?

The first time I had experienced a squat toilet was in Morocco, but only on the road and in certain restaurants. After coming to China, I moved into an apartment with a squat toilet instead of a sitting toilet. And three months later I’ve realized that not only do I not mind it, I’m actually down with it!

Hear me out – and read up on five reasons why the squatty is far better than the sitting toilet (plus an additional three cons of the squat toilet, but hey, nothing’s perfect). By the end maybe, just maybe, I’ll convince you to get on board.

1.  The squat toilet is more effective

Taking too long on the toilet? Straining too hard and cramping up? A squatty might just be the answer to your problems! In a study done by Dov Sikirov, he found that both the time needed to poo and straining while pooping were sharply reduced when using a squat toilet instead of a sitting toilet. The difference for time pooping was quite substantial as well: 51 seconds on average for squatting; 114 seconds for sitting on a low toilet seat; and 130 seconds for sitting on a high toilet seat.

I can vouch for the fact that, although you may feel awkward the first time while taking a number 2 on the squat pot, it does feel a whole lot quicker and requires a lot less muscle contractions. 

2.  Squat pooping is healthier for your body

It’s long been said that squatting is the more natural way to take a nice dump, but there wasn’t much substantial research done on the matter – that is, until a team of researchers studied this in 2010. They measured abdominal pressure during defecation in three different positions, and found that squatting required the least amount of strain for defecation, as the anorectal canal of the colon was the straightest. Sitting means that your colon is still kinked, and therefore makes it more difficult for poo to pass through. Essentially, the squat pot gives you the best pooping position.   

There’s still not a ton of evidence, but there’s belief that squatting in the bathroom can help prevent certain health issues, such as hemorrhoids and colon disease (although this is disputed).

There are even squatty potty benches being sold in the U.S. now so you can convert your Western toilet into a quasi-squat toilet! 

3.  Squattys are easier to clean

I LOVE having an Asian squat toilet in my home, because it’s literally used as an extra (and larger) shower drain. Most bathrooms in China are set up as “wet rooms,” where the shower is directly across from the squat toilet, so your toilet is cleaned whenever you shower! It’s like magic – no more awkward scrubbing around the toilet bowl. 

4.  No benches needed: learn the sit-squat

Do you know about the glories of sit-squatting? In China, rather than using a bench or sitting on the ground, you’ll see large amounts of people literally sitting like they’re about to use the bathroom. The infamous sit-squat actually feels really comfortable and natural once you’ve used squat toilets enough. So, join the trend and sit-squat like a boss.

5.  The squat toilet is more sanitary

Honestly, this is pretty negligible but mainly included because of the fact that people by and large view squat pots are less sanitary than sitting toilets, when that isn’t the case. Since your bum doesn’t have to touch a toilet seat, you’re not in direct contact with anything that could give you germs. The floor around Asian squat toilets can tell a different story, but at least that isn't where your booty goes.

Again, toilets really aren’t a leading cause in giving people germs anyway, so although not that important, it’s a nice myth-buster and a little added bonus. 

Cons of squat toilets

I’m not going to pretend like squattys are always glorious – I’ve had a few pretty gross moments myself. Asian squat toilets require a little more technique and concentration than the alternative Western sitting toilet, especially for women. 

You can miss

Yep, it can happen. And I'm not just talking about urine here. If you’re not paying attention to where you’re lined up, that deuce you just dropped might not land fully inside the squat toilet. Did you ever think you’d have to clean up your own poop as a full grown adult? Not the best feeling in the world. 

Bad squatting technique

Some Westerners that don’t squat much find it really hard to squat with their feet flat on the ground. I’ve seen some people try to demonstrate and get wildly off balance because they’re trying to squat while on their tiptoes. You gotta get good technique before feeling comfortable in this position. 

Smelly public restrooms

Whenever pee is on the ground (because, again, some people can’t aim 100%), the smell can get pretty nasty. I’ve been in some public restrooms that smell like very strong, stale pee. However, this should never be a problem in your own home because of the wet room style set up. 

Sold or grossed out?

What do you think? Are you gearing up to go buy a squatty seat for your sitting toilet so you can see how fast you can poop? Or is your nose still wrinkled up while reading this? One of the biggest limiting factors to the squat toilet is social perception in the Western world: so even if you’re not entirely sold, keep an open mind and help try to change the stigma around the infamous squatty.