Most parents will do anything to potty train their children. If you have a little boy, you may have considered using a training urinal to end their dependence on diapers.
These pee-catching wall mounts may seem excessive, but they reduce mess while helping your little guy hit the target. They have a confidence-boosting effect that leads most tots to brag that they can wee like dad.
In this article:
Why use a training urinal?
Training urinals aren’t just random pieces of plastic designed to woo desperate parents. They’re effective teaching tools for little boys in need of bathroom confidence.
Many experts argue that they are more effective than traditional potties. After all, boys eventually pee standing up. When children learn this skill early on, they are more likely to develop positive bathroom habits.
Related: How to Create a Potty Training Schedule
How to choose a training urinal?
There are many different types of training urinals. Here we discuss the elements that set each urinal apart from the others.
Hanging toddler urinals
Hanging urinals clasp onto the side of your porcelain throne, providing a low, convenient space for little boys to piddle. Hanging urinals are inexpensive and easy to use.
However, they also need to be emptied regularly and removed when it’s time for adults to use the bathroom.
Free-standing toddler urinals
Free-standing urinals can be plopped down right beside a regular toilet. These silly gizmos give parents plenty of portability. They can be brought along on trips and other adventures.
Wall-mounted toddler urinals
Wall-mounted urinals feature suction cups that adhere to most surfaces. They enable parents to adjust the height and position of their trusty pee catcher.
Most wall-mounted urinals boast removable cups for easy emptying. Unfortunately, a bad connection, such as a faulty suction cup, can send yellow rivers down your wall.
What are some special training urinal features?
Targets
Have you ever tried the cheerio potty training hack? You sprinkle a few pieces of breakfast cereal into your toilet bowl and send in the firing squad.
It turns out that little boys are highly receptive to point-and-shoot scenarios. Many training urinals incorporate targets in hopes of improving your little one’s aim.
Feet
Many training urinals also feature feet. These elements enable parents to plop their mini lavatories on the ground. Feet are especially convenient during travel and outdoor excursions.
Drain
Some training urinals boast removal cups for easy draining. If planning on using a urinal regularly, it helps if you don’t need to uninstall it each time you need to empty the bowl.
Related: The 9 Best Toddler Step Stools of 2021
Our picks of the best urinals for potty training
Best eco-friendly
Our opinion
We’re fairly confident that most little boys enjoy peeing on animal-like objects. The lovely Sundee Cow Training Urinal (check price on Amazon) features a black and white cowhide pattern and a bright green cup.
Inside, you’ll discover a wheel that spins with the help of a stream of liquid. Ditch the stickers, candies, and bribes. This target offers plenty of incentives! We love that the bowl snaps off for easy cleaning and maintenance.
The smooth, deep bowl has a large capacity, making slashes and spills unlikely occurrences. There’s no question that this Sundee product is our overall favorite. It’s got a mom-approved design and plenty of child-pleasing features. Moo-ve over, diapers!
What we love
- Bowl snaps-off for easy cleaning and emptying
- Spinning target is very engaging
- Made from environmentally friendly materials
- Adjustable height for growing boys
- Comes with super-strong suction cups
Watch for
- Takes up a lot of space
Best stand-up
Our opinion
Spend a little more, and enjoy the realistic features of the Peter Potty Toddler Urinal (check price on Amazon). This clever device features an adjustable floor stand as well as a wall bracket for hanging. It is also the world’s first and only flushable training urinal.
Fill the tank and watch as your little one rinses away their yellow messes. The pee drains into an oversized tray with a draw-like emptying element. The urinal can hold a day of successful pees, enabling busy moms and dads to hold off on cleanup.
We love that this mini urinal prepares little ones for public restrooms. They can master their bathroom skills in a safe, loving environment. By the time they’re ready to use real facilities, they’ll be ready to hit the target!
What we love
- No plumbing required
- Suitable for children from 18 months to over 4 years
- Large bowl capacity
- Push-button flush with real water
Watch for
- Pricey
Best wall-mounted
Our opinion
How would your little one feel about peeing into a frog’s mouth? While it may sound odd, we fully embrace the heroic sacrifice of this fairytale-like creature. The Foryee Frog (check price on Amazon) is one of the most popular wall-mounted training urinals.
Parents love it because it features a removable bowl and a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Kids can’t get enough of the orange tongue that spins under the pressure of a well-aimed urine stream.
This training urinal can hold several liters of urine. According to the manufacturer, it’s suitable for boys aged from 18 months to 6 yrs. It comes in two bright colorways. Make potty training fun with the help of this wee-catching amphibian!
It will carry your little guy from toddlerhood to kindergarten. What’s more, it will make your parenting peers green with envy!
What we love
- Suitable for boys from 1 to 6 yrs
- Easy to clean and empty
- Reliable suction cup wall-mount
- Spinning target for better engagement
Watch for
- Limited bowl capacity
Best clip-on
Our opinion
Are you counting on a quick, painless potty training period? If so, minimize your investment by opting for this low-cost clip-on, JD Clip-On Training Urinal (check price on eBay).
For a few bucks, you can have your little guy peeing just like daddy. This one-piece lavatory attaches to the side of a regular toilet. It also comes with ultra-strong suction cups for an alternative wall-mounted setup.
The urinal’s tall, sloping sides minimize back spray and messes. Choose from five fun colors, including green, orange, violet, yellow, and (for the purists!) white. This clip-on training urinal offers parents convenience and portability.
Bring it along on a day trip or vacation. You can hone your little one’s restroom skills by banking on consistency. This affordable potty training tool will soon have your little guy feeling incredibly confident.
What we love
- Large curved bowl with large capacity
- Optional suction cup wall-mount
- Cute and (optionally) colorful
- Suitable for children up to age 5
Watch for
- Slips occasionally
Best portable
Our opinion
The Onedone Portable Potty Urinal (check price on Walmart) is a lifesaver for busy parents. This cup-sized device boasts a friendly elephant head that’s designed to catch a steady stream of urine.
Prevent smelly, embarrassing accidents by taking this small urinal on the go. It’s small enough to shove in a purse or backpack. Its leak-resistant seal will keep its yellow contents from ruining your day.
Use during and after potty training. With the Onedone on hand, you’ll never have to peel off the highway in search of a public restroom.
What we love
- Made from environmentally friendly plastic
- 100% portable
- Holds 500 mls. of pee
- Makes potty training possible with a busy lifestyle
Watch for
- Suitable for on-the-go only
FAQ
When is the best time to start potty training boys?
Most child experts agree that there’s no specific age to start potty training. Pay attention to your child’s social cues and behaviors. When they are physically able and interested in using the toilet, give it a go. Don’t get frustrated if it isn’t an immediate success.
Editor’s Note:
One thing to remember is that nighttime potty training will happen later than daytime control, so your little one may still need to be diapered at night.1Brazelton, T. B. (1962). A child-oriented approach to toilet training. Pediatrics, 29(1), 121-128.
hopkinsmedicine.org
Related: How to Help Your Child Stop Bedwetting
Do children learn through observation?
Many children learn best by observing others. Let your child observe you using the potty so that they know what is expected of them in the bathroom.
You can also use books and videos to help you tackle toilet etiquette with your little one. I’m fairly certain my 7-year-old would still be in diapers if not for the video of Elmo and his father prepping for potty time.
Additionally, encourage your child to observe you washing your hands after using the toilet. This is the time to talk about how washing hands stops the spread of germs.
Will a training urinal help my little one aim?
Yes! Unlike floor-based potties and standard toilets, urinals feature backsplashes. These elements help redirect urine. As such, they prevent most drips and dribbles from cascading across your bathroom.
At what age are most children potty trained?
Potty training ages vary around the world. A recent study published in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics states that children show the readiness and physical development to potty train between 18 months and 2.5 years.
Why is it so hard to potty train boys?
Studies show that girls master toilet-training skills earlier than boys. According to a recent study, most boys do not master independent peeing and pooping until after their second birthday.
Should I just eliminate diapers from the equation?
Some parents don’t believe in slowly weaning their children off diapers. Instead, they commit to toilet training boot camp. This methodology takes plenty of patience and persistence.
You’ll want to stock your home with a surplus of extra undies, paper towels, and cleaning supplies. After all, accidents are going to happen! Not all caregivers are up for this sort of exhausting trial.
If you do attempt to quit diapers cold turkey, make sure you have an amazing training urinal to back you up!
How do I potty train my child in public?
Being a boy-mom isn’t always glorious. Sometimes, it means packing a urine-filled portable urinal in your designer handbag.
If you’re not okay with that, then bring on the pricey diapers! When they gotta go, they gotta go! That piddle-drinking elephant may just be your ticket to becoming a mom all-star!
What if my little one wants to pee sitting down?
Don’t fret! Plenty of parenting experts recommend that toddler boys learn to pee sitting down before graduating to the standing position.
When little boys pee sitting down, they can transition into making a successful bowel movement. That said, many toddler boys insist on peeing standing up. Training urinals can help them achieve their dreams of peeing like daddy.
How can I help my little guy improve his aim?
Does your little one constantly miss the toilet? A mixture of pee and lost concentration can leave your bathroom smelling like an abandoned porta-potty.
Opt for a training urinal with an engaging target. You can also use a sticker to create a makeshift bullseye. If only they made miniature urinal cakes!
And our winner is…
Admit it, diapers stink! They’re expensive, smelly, and (we can only imagine) uncomfortable! A training urinal can help you put an end to those caca-filled money sinks.
As a mom of three boys, I am confident that the Sundee Cow Training Urinal (check price on Amazon) is the best potty training tool on the market.
It boasts plenty of bathroom curb appeal. Not to mention, it has a pretty radical spinning target. It’s also an easy item to empty and you can snap the bowl on and off at your convenience.
We want to help you ditch diapers once and for all! Do you have a favorite toddler urinal or potty-training war story? Commiserate with us by posting your story in the comment section!
