Kohler has a wide range of products for CES 2024, from smart toilets and bidets to an amazing drop-in bathtub that brings the spa into your home.
Each year, Kohler has a job to do in convincing us that we need its products. They might seem like luxuries for lazy people. But Kohler has a pitch like a soft warm shower. These are products for people with time challenges and they can give those people back time in their day for self-care.
When I have visited the company’s booth at CES in years past, I get the feeling of relaxation, like I need a respite from the show. This year, it’s all about how Kohler can support wellness, luxury, seamless connectivity, and efficient time savings in the bathroom, kitchen or spa.
In general, this company is good at making itself stand out through designs where the tech is there but fades into the woodwork. Jason Keller, senior channel manager at Kohler, said in an interview with GamesBeat that the philosophy at the 150-year-old company is that it’s all about moments made better and more hygienic.
The Sok drop-in bath pictured above is an infinity bath, made for being the center of wellness for the home, Keller said.
Among the products spotlighted at Kohler’s CES booth, the following take center stage:
Anthem+ smart showering valves and controls: This integrated digital control system enables personalized delivery of water, light, sound, and steam. The intuitive touchscreen interface and Kohler Konnect app integration offer remote access and customization options for multi-sensory shower indulgences. It’s for those who want a repeatable shower temperature. You can control up to a dozen outlets, taking charge of the steam, light and sound — so you can escape from day to day grind, Keller said.
SpaViva handshower and cleansing: Offering a blend of unique spray technology and in-shower self-care, this handshower pairs Kohler’s signature Katalyst spray with a Microbubble spray for a deeper clean. It includes a built-in cleansing device with a range of attachments for a multifunctional experience.
This donut-shaped nozzle has a heat-retaining spray that infuses air into water droplets and makes the water drops feel larger. A secondary spray is “Microbubbled” to 100 microns or smaller and penetrates and flushes out the pores, Keller said. It’s $300 for the full cleansing and handshower setup and $150 for the handshower only.
Atmo fan: Designed for enhanced comfort and air quality, these bathroom ventilation models come equipped with smart technology that adjusts based on temperature and humidity. Customizable settings offer flexibility in controlling fan speed, lighting, and night light options. It’s pretty good at hiding itself.
Keller said the smart high-end model with customizable settings has a preset to activate when it detects steam. It has circadian lighting, with lower light at the end of day or night-light mode. The default fan speed is set to autodetect humidity and temperature thresholds.
PureWash bidet seat: Providing personalized comforts like heated seats, adjustable water temperatures, and contactless opening, this slim, elongated design incorporates voice activation via Alexa or Google Home for a hands-free hygienic experience. It has a spray, dryer and UV cleansing. I wouldn’t have to touch anything in this setup.
Rista Sink and Kohler x SR_A Formation 01 Faucet: The Rista sink, using Kohler’s 3D-printing technology, merges heritage craftsmanship with digital innovation. Meanwhile, the Formation 01 faucet, developed with Samuel Ross and SR_A, challenges conventional faucet design with a bold aesthetic and advanced water delivery system. It looks a bit like an art installation at a fancy modern hotel.
Rista, a new-to-market bathroom sink, also blends heritage craft with digital technology through
Kohler’s exclusive method of 3D-printing with a unique China material.
Kohler also expands its smart toilet range at CES, featuring variations of Numi 2.0, Innate, and Veil.
I think my all-time favorite is the award-winning Stillness Bath from CES 2023. You can see a bunch of this at the Kohler CES booth (#52817, Venetian Expo Hall.