Today’s article reviews the Alpha GX and GXR Wave bidet toilet seats. The GXR is simply the version of the GX with a wireless remote. So, they are otherwise identical when it comes to features and design/dimensions. Hence, most of the tests are done on the GX, but I will include an image of the GXR remote.
The Alpha GX is a great option for those who want to keep costs to a minimum, as it’s the best bidet on the market that can typically be found for ~$220-$260. As for the GXR, you can do better for the money, since the iX costs the same but performs better in almost every category.
So, the GX is a great entry-level bidet–the best on the market, IMO. Consider that TOTO’s entry-level bidet (the KC2) is nearly twice as much and comes with essentially the same features.
If you like what you see, I recommend getting Alpha bidets through Bidet King, since they own and operate Alpha Bidet and will give you the best warranty and support (which you will likely need eventually.
You can check out the current prices at Bidet King for the GX Wave here and the GXR version here. Both bidets are available for round and elongated toilets.
If you prefer Amazon or want to compare prices, they’re available there, also in round and elongated. The prices on Amazon are often seen to be lower, see latest price of Alpha GX & GXR Wave on Amazon.
Alpha GX & GXR Wave Bidet Review: Every Feature Tested Practically
Alpha GX & GXR Wave Bidet Attachment
ALPHA BIDET GX Wave Bidet Toilet Seat in Round & Elongated White
We have extensively tested a wide range of bathroom products, with a primary focus on bidets. Each feature of this bidet has been rated out of 10 points, based on comparisons with other models in a similar price range and with similar functions.
To learn more about our product testing process, feel free to read our review articles in the Review category. Now, let’s dive into the detailed, practical review of Alpha GX & GXR Wave Bidet seat.
Overall Performance: 8/10
The GX and GXR Wave bidets perform well on the fake poop tests.
Keep in mind, Nutella was spread over a larger-than-needed area, because I wasn’t sure exactly where the water would hit.
But the target zone was covered sufficiently. It doesn’t cover quite as large an area as the JX and iX.
From the iX fake poop test: As you can see, the iX covered a wider area. However, the length of coverage (front to back) stayed the same, which is what really matters. You can check out the full review of the Alpha iX here.
Besides the iX and JX, the GX/GXR performed as well as any other bidet I’ve tested, including higher-priced models from brands like TOTO and Bio Bidet.
The Alpha GX/GXR outperformed Brondell and Omigo bidets by a large margin, even though it costs less.
Warm Air Dryer: 9/10
The warm air dryer that comes with the GX/GXR is quite effective. But if you plan to completely replace TP with air drying, it will take practice to get it right.
Just like cleansing, there is a small learning curve when it comes to getting air to the right places.
So, you may have to use a square (for dabbing dry) or two of toilet paper in addition to the air blower in the beginning.
Completely replacing TP (eventually) is ideal, since toilet paper use over a lifetime can cost thousands.
By replacing TP, the bidet will more than pay for itself over the near term.
Nightlight: 7/10
The nightlight works well, but it’s not as powerful as that of the JX.
If the image looks a bit odd, it’s because I set the bidet seat down on top of a regular round toilet seat, so that I could demonstrate the nightlight without having to install the bidet.
Notice how much brighter the JX light is.
It won’t go very far in illuminating the bathroom, but it will illuminate the toilet, which is the main thing.
Just ensure that the path to the toilet is unobstructed so that you don’t trip over anything in the dark.
As long as you can make your way to the toilet, you’ll be able to use the bidet in the dark without having to blind yourself with bright bathroom lights.
The light is white instead of blue like the iX.
That may be a good thing since some folks like to avoid blue light at night (it’s a biohacker thing)
The GX and GXR do not have an ambient sensor, but that’s normal. The JX is one of the only bidets to have a nightlight that turns itself on or off depending on natural and artificial light conditions.
Cleansing Nozzle (Features and Sanitation): 8/10
The GX/GXR scores an 8/10 in the nozzle category for several reasons.
Its stainless-steel construction is more durable than plastic nozzles found even in high-end bidets like TOTO. Although it’s not antimicrobial like the JX wand, the smooth surface prevents debris from sticking, and it’s self-cleaning with automatic and on-demand rinsing.
The nozzle cleans itself before and after each use, and you can manually rinse it whenever needed. It’s a 3-in-1 nozzle with multiple holes for front, rear, and rear+ (high-pressure) cleansing, offering full coverage without the need for dual nozzles, unlike other brands like Brondell.
Special Spray Features: 8/10
The oscillation mode works well.
From the video, it may not appear to cover a large area. But from the fake poop test (above), you can see that the front-to-back coverage matched that of the iX (a bidet with a more pronounced front-to-back oscillating motion).
Unlike the JX, the GX and GXR Wave bidets both have a massage mode that pulsates the cleansing stream by rotating soft and strong pressure.
The oscillating feature is the most useful since it covers a larger area. In this way, getting full coverage relies less on the user having to shift around to get water where it needs to go.
There’s also an enema mode, which we’ll cover next.
Alpha GX & GXR Wave Bidet Attachment
ALPHA BIDET GX & GXR Wave Bidet Toilet Seat in Round & Elongated White
Spray Pressure: 8/10
The GX/GXR water pressure is very much above average. But, it’s not as strong as the pressure you get with the iX and JX.
On paper, the GX and GXR have a stronger water pressure than other bidets in the Alpha lineup. If you check the manual, you’ll see that the nozzle output is 1L or 0.26gal per minute.
The nozzle output, or flow rate, is the best indicator of water pressure you’ll find in bidet manuals, but it’s not the whole story. For example, water coming out of your sink has a large flow rate, but it’s not usually strong and concentrated.
While the Alpha JX and iX have a lower flow rate (around 0.8 L/min), the jet stream feels stronger to me compared to the GX/GXR.
So factors other than flow rate affect the pressure, such as the concentration of the jetstream and the angle of spray (how close the nozzle is to your rear, etc.).
The GX and GXR are still among the stronger electric bidets on the market, so you won’t be disappointed.
Heated Seat: 10/10
The heated seat is cozy. It has 5 temperature levels and reaches a temperature of 104° F which is slightly warmer than other Alpha bidets.
Seat and Lid: 9/10
Relatively Slim, Low-Profile Design
As you can see, the GX/GXR is the slimmest of Alpha bidets, in that it has the lowest rear seat height and the least exaggerated contour. I.e., the GX and GXR don’t slope from back to front as much as other bidets.
So, the GX and GXR are low-profile overall, especially the GXR Wave since it doesn’t have a side panel.
Sittable Lid
A lot of people like to sit on the toilet when it’s closed, for resting, texting, clipping toenails, etc. Lid sitting is usually advised against since most bidets have lids with lower weight limits.
Like the Alpha JX and Brondell bidets, the GX and GXR have a lid with a higher weight limit allowing the user to use the toilet as a general purpose seat.
Hot Water Performance: 6/10
Here’s the simplified version of the article:
When testing the bidet, the water started to cool down at the 45-second mark.
For a bidet in this category, the GX/GXR performs better than average because its hybrid heater provides an extra 15 seconds of warm water. Most bidets in this price range, which use tank-type heaters, only offer 30 seconds of warm water.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly entry-level option, the GX Wave bidet is still a solid choice.
However, I wouldn’t recommend the GXR Wave because the Alpha iX offers endless warm water and other advanced features for about the same price (sometimes even cheaper).
The manual lists the maximum temperature as 104° F (40° C).
I measured the water temperature with a thermometer, and it reached 98° F (36.6° C) at its peak, which occurred around the 30-second mark.
After 45 seconds, the water cooled significantly and eventually dropped to room temperature.
Here’s the simplified version of the article:
Bidet heaters come in a few types:
- Tank-type heaters: These are found in entry-level bidets and some expensive models like TOTO and Bio Bidet. They have a small tank of water that stays warm for quick use but usually runs out after about 30 seconds. Once the warm water is gone, the tank needs to refill and heat up again before you can get warm water.
- Basic hybrid heaters: These use a small tank but also have instant heating technology. They provide about 45 seconds of warm water. The GX and GXR bidets use this type of heater.
- Advanced hybrid heaters: Mid-tier bidets typically have advanced hybrid heaters. Bio Bidet uses this in pricier models like the BB-2000 and A8 Serenity. The Alpha iX also has this type of heater but at a lower price. These heaters offer endless warm water, but the water might not always reach its maximum temperature.
- Instant (tankless) heaters: Luxury bidets like the Brondell S1400, TOTO S550e, Bio Bidet Discovery DLS, and Alpha JX have this type. They don’t use a water tank, as they heat water instantly. The water temperature is more consistent and slightly higher compared to hybrid heaters. They’re also more energy-efficient since they don’t need to keep water warm all the time.
With a basic hybrid heater, you might end up using cool water after some time, and these heaters consume more energy (more on this in the water and energy efficiency section).
Rear Cleansing and Adjustable Nozzle Position: 8/10
The basic front and rear cleaning functions work great.
For the front-feminine mode, it uses a single hole instead of a spread-out hole pattern (like the JX nozzle). Even though it’s a single hole, the pressure is gentle on the lower setting, which is ideal for feminine cleansing.
The GX/GXR has 5 nozzle positions for more accurate aiming. This is better than other Alpha bidets, which only offer 3 nozzle adjustments.
Controls: 6/10 (GX) and 8/10 (GXR)
This is the only area where the GX and GXR score differently. The GXR Wave bidet gets a higher score because it has a wireless remote.
Other than that, the bidets are the same, and both the remote and side panel have the same functions. The remote is just a separate version of the GX Wave’s side panel, which is why it has a long shape with horizontal labels and buttons.
Alpha GX Wave
The GX Wave bidet scores lower at 6/10 because its controls are fixed to the side of the bidet. However, for side panels, the GX controls are one of the best.
Benefits:
- Sleek, simple side panel. It’s plain white, so no stickers or chrome.
- You can’t lose the controls.
- No chance of dropping or breaking the control panel.
- No need to change batteries.
Alpha GXR Wave
The GXR Wave remote is nice, though basic. For example, it’s not double-sided, and it doesn’t have an LCD screen like the JX remote.
Benefits:
- A simple, white remote with lots of functions.
- Fewer installation problems since there’s no side panel. If your toilet is in a tight space or has a French curve, not having a side panel reduces installation risks.
- Easier for bigger users since there’s no side panel to dig into your side.
- Overall easier to use since you don’t have to look down or sideways to find buttons.
- Ideal for people with limited mobility.
Water and Energy Efficiency: 6/10
2 Eco Energy-Saving Modes
The eco mode is pretty basic. There are 2 low power settings that let you save energy while the bidet is idle.
Mode 1 (the green LED light) saves the current water and seat temperature setting for 30 minutes after the user gets up, at which point the seat will be turned to 86° F and the water heater turned off. The seat is turned off if the bidet is idle for 24 hours or more.
Mode 2 (the red LED light) turns both the water and seat temperature off until someone sits on the bidet.
With either energy-saving mode, the water and seat temp revert to the saved settings anytime someone sits down, and it takes about 5 minutes on average for the temperatures to be reached.
There is no smart energy saver mode that memorizes when you’re most likely to use the bidet. And unlike the JX, there’s no light sensor that tells the bidet when to heat up.
The Basic Hybrid Water Heater Offers Some Energy Savings
Tankless water heaters are the most efficient since they only draw power (for water heating purposes) when in use.
The GX and GXR have a hybrid heater which incorporates some instantaneous heating technology, making the bidets more energy-efficient than most bidets in this price range.
But luxury bidets like the Alpha JX, Brondell S1400, and even the TOTO K300, will save you the most in the long run, despite costing more upfront.
The Alpha GX and GXR Bidets Offer Aerated Cleansing
Like other Alpha bidets, the GX and GXR provide aerated cleansing by incorporating small air bubbles into the outgoing stream.
This makes the stream firmer and softer at the same time, in addition to saving on water since air displaces some of the water.
The effect is small but adds up over time.
Conclusion
The Alpha GX and GXR score a 7.3 out of 10 and 7.4 out of 10, respectively. This makes the GX a steal, IMO, since I’ve tested bidets 2-3x the price that have scored lower. As for the GXR, however, you could do better. The Alpha iX is the same price and works better, scoring higher in most categories.
I’d recommend either bidet over other entry-level bidets on the market since both have advanced features like a warm air dryer and hybrid heater–two bells and whistles that are usually only found in more expensive mid-tier bidets.
Make sure to check out the Alpha JX2 review and Alpha iX review, as well.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.