Alternatives to Toddler Potty Stools: 3 Better-Fitting Picks for 2026
Compare three toddler potty stool alternatives with different heights, footprints and grips, so you can match your child, toilet and bathroom layout.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication and are subject to change.
The iLove Wide+ 2-Step Stool is the best alternative to a typical toddler potty stool when a child needs a genuinely broad, steady route up to the toilet or sink. We compared it with a more compact iLove two-step model and the lower Bumbo Step Stool because a bathroom step is not a one-size choice: toilet height, floor space, a child's stride and how often adults need to move the stool all change the answer.
Toddler potty stool alternatives at a glance
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| iLove Wide+ 2-Step Stool | Best overall alternative | View |
| iLove 2-Step Stool | Best compact two-step alternative | View |
| Bumbo Step Stool | Best low-profile alternative | View |
Start with the route, not the color
A stool helps only when a toddler can approach it, place both feet securely and step down without a rushed turn. For toilet routines, two levels can reduce the size of each climb and give feet a firmer resting place while the child sits. That does not mean two steps win in every bathroom. A low one-step platform may be better for a young child who only needs a small boost at a low sink, or for a family that must slide the stool under a vanity after every use.
Measure the clear floor area in front of the toilet with the door open. A wide two-step design can be useful because it gives small feet more landing room, but it needs a predictable parking spot. Also look at the floor material. Smooth tile, wet feet and socks make top texture and base grip more important than a decorative shape. Place any stool on a level surface and supervise children as they learn the movement. A stool is a reach aid, not a substitute for adult help around water or a raised toilet.
The three alternatives compared
iLove Wide+ 2-Step Stool
The iLove Wide+ 2-Step Stool earns the overall badge because its 15.5 by 15.1 inch footprint and 10.5 inch maximum height make it the most substantial option here for a dedicated potty-training position. Its two broad levels have soft-grip, slip-resistant surfaces, and the listed 190-pound capacity means it is not a tiny single-purpose accessory. It is a good match for families with enough bathroom floor space who want one stable step for the toilet, sink and occasional supervised kitchen helping. The meaningful tradeoff is bulk: at 15.5 inches deep and nearly three pounds, it will occupy a narrow doorway or vanity gap more than the Bumbo. Choose it for a fixed routine, not if you need something a toddler can tuck almost anywhere.
Pros
- Extra-wide 15.5 by 15.1 inch base gives feet more room while turning toward the toilet.
- Two 10.5-inch-high levels reduce the size of the climb compared with a tall single platform.
- Soft-grip tread and a 190-pound listed capacity suit a long-lived household step.
Cons
- The large 15.5-inch depth can obstruct a small bathroom door or a tight vanity aisle.
- At 2.94 pounds, it is less convenient for a child to carry repeatedly between rooms.
iLove 2-Step Stool
The iLove 2-Step Stool is the alternative for a family that still wants two separate climbing levels but does not need the Wide+ model's unusually broad platform. The listing identifies a black, plastic, foldable stool with a 10.5-inch maximum height and a two-step format, so it keeps the useful gradual climb for a toilet or higher sink. Its lighter 1.23-pound listed weight makes it the easier iLove option to move out for a routine and put away afterwards. Select it for a smaller child bathroom, a travel-style second stool, or a home where the step must share space with a door. The compromise is exactly what creates that convenience: it offers less stated standing area than the Wide+ model, so it is not the first choice for a child who needs a very wide base to turn confidently.
Pros
- Two levels and a 10.5-inch maximum height preserve a gradual climb for toilet routines.
- The 1.23-pound listed weight is much easier to relocate than the Wide+ stool.
- Foldable plastic construction is practical when the bathroom step needs storing between uses.
Cons
- Its listed product information does not offer the Wide+ model's extra-wide 15.5-inch footprint.
- A foldable design introduces a moving part that caregivers should check is fully opened before each use.
Bumbo Step Stool
The Bumbo Step Stool is the sensible low-profile alternative when the goal is a modest boost rather than a two-step climb. Its listed 11.13 by 15.13 inch dimensions and 6.5-inch maximum height make it substantially lower than either iLove option. The lightweight plastic body, textured top and slip-resistant foot details suit a child who can already step up easily but needs help reaching a sink or positioning feet near the toilet. Pick Bumbo for a compact bathroom, a younger child's first reach aid, or a household that wants the stool to disappear under a counter. Its limitation is height: it cannot replace a two-step stool at a standard-height toilet when a child's feet still hang or cannot reach the first platform comfortably.
Pros
- Low 6.5-inch platform suits children who need only a small lift at a sink or toilet.
- 11.13 by 15.13 inch shape is easier to place beneath a vanity than a tall double step.
- Textured top and slip-resistant base details focus on traction where wet bathroom feet matter.
Cons
- The single 6.5-inch level may leave a shorter child's feet unsupported at a standard toilet.
- It does not provide the staged ascent that makes two-step models easier for some toddlers.
Which alternative fits your bathroom?
Choose the Wide+ when the stool will live in one place and your child benefits from a wide landing zone. Choose the compact iLove when you need two levels but need to clear the floor after each routine. Choose Bumbo when the desired result is a lower, simpler boost, not maximum climbing height. Before deciding, have the child stand beside the intended location while you check reach and foot placement. Avoid improvising with adult footstools, boxes or unstable furniture.
FAQ
Does a toddler need a two-step potty stool?
Not always. A two-step model is useful when the toilet or sink is high enough that one large step would feel awkward, or when a child benefits from a midway landing. A lower one-step stool can be the better match for a low sink or a child who needs only a small height increase. Compare the actual reach in your bathroom rather than choosing by age alone.
What makes a potty stool safer on bathroom tile?
Look for a level floor, a non-slip top where wet feet stand, and grip at the base that helps the stool stay put. Footprint matters too: a child needs enough room to approach, turn and step down without catching a heel on the edge. Keep the route clear and supervise early use, especially around toilets, sinks and bath water.
Can the same stool work at the toilet and sink?
Often, but confirm both heights. The Wide+ and compact iLove provide two levels for a higher toilet or sink, while the Bumbo is designed as a lower reach aid. A model that feels right for washing hands can still be too low to support comfortable toilet positioning. Check both stations before making one stool do every job.
Prices and availability are accurate as of publication and can change.