About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

While this potty chair has some ticks in the cons column, it's still a great chair. This is especially true when you compare it to other potty chairs that are unstable, poorly made or just plain ugly.



Pros

• It looks good
• It does double duty as a step-stool
• It has ample side storage compartments
• It can be used as a seat while giving baths

Cons

• Step-stool too low for short / young toddlers
• Wide for narrow bathrooms

• Pee shield for boys awkward

Description

• Comes in white and lime green.
• Measures 19 1/2" x 12 7/8" x 7 1/8".
• Has side storage compartments on each side.
• Easy-to-open lid that, when closed, allows the bench to double as a seat or step-stool.
• Will support up to 300 pounds of tiny toddler hiney or post-birth mama girth.
• Comes with removable urine shield for boys.
• Potty bowl pulls out for easy cleaning.

Guide Review - Boon Potty Bench Review

The first thing you notice about the Boon Potty Bench is that it doesn't look like your average potty chair. It's lower, wider and simpler. There are no cartoon characters or bells and whistles to complicate it and it looks good in just about any bathroom.

Because the bench is wide and flat, it can do double or even triple duty supporting you (and your postpartum booty) as you give your child a bath or boosting up your toddler while they wash hands, brush teeth or eventually step up to the real toilet. It is a bit squat, however, so if you have a shorter or younger toddler, it may not actually offer much help in reaching the sink.

Its width can also be a negative if you've got a narrow bathroom. Your toddler might have a hard time maneuvering it and it might get in the way. If you have a younger child who uses it as a step-stool to the toilet and an older child who already uses the toilet without problems it becomes an issue because you can't just let it stay in front of the toilet because it gets in the way.

You might like the side compartments to toilet paper, little books or other items to help pass the time and make your toddler more comfortable. That is, until the first time those items fall victim to a pee or poo mishap or if you're just not comfortable with your toddler playing with things that have been near the toilet.

The pee shield is a little bit awkward to deal with and I wouldn't count on your toddler being able to manage this independently any time soon. Better to just teach them to stand or tuck while sitting from the start than try to manipulate the shield.

For those who like the lime green, there are a variety of other Boon products (like the Boon Flo) that match and a blue version is slated for release in summer 2009.