10 Best Toilets For Your Home in 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

by Dan | Last Updated: February 8, 2023

Our editors independently research, select and recommend the best products. Some of these may be affiliate based, meaning we earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if items are purchased.

What do you look for when shopping for the best toilet?

According to a survey done, the modern day homeowners are looking for a toilet that:

1. Saves water on each flush
2. Has a toilet bowl that remains clean after each use
3. Is neither too high nor too low to make sitting and getting up from the throne excruciating.

Oh, and there is a fourth corollary: no one wants such a toilet to cost them a small fortune.

In that case, and in a bid to give you a head start, we have a list of best toilets that we believe you might want to check out.

But before that…

Are you buying a new toilet for the first time and don’t know how to go about it? Our detailed best toilet buying guide (just after the reviews) has about everything that you might want to know about the top rated toilets that your family will enjoy to use.

Top 10 Best Toilets On The Market In 2023

Best Overall

• Toto Drake II CST454CEFG 01
• Our Rating: 9/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  1.28 GPF
  Power Flush
•  Dimensions:
  28.8x16.5x29.4"
•   Features:
  SanaGloss, Powerful, Quiet Flush Every Time
• Price: 

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Premium

• Kohler Santa Rosa 3810-0
• Our Rating: 8/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  1.28 GPF
  AquaPiston Flush
•  Dimensions:
  31x20.8x29"
•   Features:
  Easy-to-Clean Design, Saving Water, Comfort Height
• Price: 

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Budget

• Dometic 300 Series Standard Height RV Toilet
• Our Rating: 8/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  n/a
  Gravity Flush
•  Dimensions:
  19.8x16x19.8"
•   Features:
  Superior Cleaning Action, Easy To Use, Standard 18" Height
• Price: 

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• Toto Drake Toilet CST744SL-01
• Our Rating: 8/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  1.6 GPF
  G-Max Flush
•  Dimensions:
  28x19.5x30.5"
•   Features:
  Contemporary, High Profile Design, SanaGloss, Quiet And Powerful Flushes
• Price: 

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• Galba Small One Piece Dual Flush
• Our Rating: 8/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  0.8 and 1.6 GPF
  Dual Flush
•  Dimensions:
  24.5x14x27"
•   Features:
  G-Max Siphon, Self-Cleaning Glazed Surface
• Price: 

Check at Amazon

1. Toto Drake II CST454CEFG 01 – Editor’s Choice

Two Piece Elongated Toilet,  ADA Standards and WaterSense Approved

The Toto Drake II is a two piece toilet from Toto’s Drake range. This is a Water Sense approved model with an efficient flushing performance. Available in different colors (white cotton, Sedona, ebony, beige, and bone), this toilet has an impressive Cefiontect ceramic glaze that complements most bathroom’s décor and style.

With its elongated bowl shape design, the Drake II renders itself nicely as a reliable commode for most master bathrooms. This elongated design also supports most adults comfortably compared to a round bowl. By the same breath, the extra space at the front adds to its hygienic level since it minimizes spills, especially with men.

17.25 Inch Seat Height

The Drake II meets the ADA standards with its 17.25 inch toilet seat height. This height makes it more comfortable for most average to tall users who experience problems sitting and standing up from standard height toilets.

MaP (Maximum Performance) Score Of 800

About performance, the Drake II CST454CEFG-01 has a MaP (Maximum Performance) score of 800. This means that the toilet has a strong flushing technology to push 800 grams of solid waste in a single flush. This toilet’s efficient flushing performance is centered on its 3-inch flush valve and Double Cyclone flushing system, making it one of the best flushing toilet

1.28 Gallons Per Flush

These 2 work together to combine the power of water with that of gravity to create a strong flushing force that drives all waste in one flush. Importantly, as a WaterSense-labeled commode, the Drake II uses 1.28 gallons per flush and might save you an incredible amount of money on water bills each month.

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2. Kohler Santa Rosa 3810-0 – Premium Pick

Big On Features

This is the most popular mid-price Kohler one piece toilet. It is a compact toilet featuring an elongated design but with a round front bowl shape.

Though being one of the compact toilets on this list, the Kohler Santa Rosa is big on features and offers great value right off the bat. About installation, for instance, this model does not require any special plumbing thanks to its standard 12 inches rough in. Its design also means that you can use it to replace a beaten elongated or round toilet bow without causing any inconveniences.

Its one piece design and the included detailed installing manual mean that anyone with the least DIY skills could install it quite easily.

AquaPiston Technology

About performance, this one piece toilet uses Kohler’s newest flushing system: the AquaPiston technology. This technology uses a thoughtfully designed flush valve with varying inlet and outlet diameters to create a powerful gravity assisted force that drives all waste down the drain with a single flush.

Are you looking for a commode that cleans with relative ease? The Santa Rosa shines here too. The AquaPiston flushing system cleans the bowl of all debris with each flush. It also boasts fully-grazed interiors and trap ways that prevent solids from sticking.

You might also appreciate that this toilet comes fitted with the lid and seat. This eliminates the inconvenience caused when you have to wait for a few more days before you can purchase the lid and the seat to install the toilet. This feature also means that there are no extra costs to incur besides the cost of the toilet.

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3. Dometic 300 Series Standard Height RV Toilet – Budget Buy

Optimum Home Comfort In Your RV

Measuring 16 x 19.75 x 19.75 inches and weighing 8.25 pounds, the Dometic 300 Series is best RV toilet for campers and small vehicles. It comes in two finishes: white and bone.

This easily affordable RV commode is super impressive on almost all fronts. In terms of installation, for example, the Dometic portable toilet is designed to replace any other standard height RV toilet that is not mounted on a raised platform irrespective of its bolt configuration.

2 Bolts Installation

The best part of this Dometic toilet is that it only takes two bolts to mount. Water installation is also straightforward thanks to its quick-access water system.

Triple-Jet Action

This toilet is just unbeatable regarding flushing performance. It features a thorough bowl cleaning technology that incorporates triple-jet action and a water-tight flush ball system. The triple-jet action dispenses enough water in a powerful flush that pushes your solid and liquid waste into the black box with one flush.

The flush ball system maintains fresh water into the bowl and thus increases the toilet’s hygiene. This system also works hand in hand with a valve to remove odor causing in the waste tank.

Regarding comfort, the Dometic 300 Series has an elongated bowl shape and a soft-touch seat that offers optimum home comfort in your RV. It also has a standard height and might, therefore, be ideal for tall users and the elderly too.

Check Price at Amazon

4. Toto Drake Toilet CST744SL-01 – Best Selling Toilet From Toto

Most Powerful Flushing Technology From Toto

The Toto CST744SL is currently one of the best selling toilets from Toto. It seems like any other toilet at a glance. But the detailing is on the inside. This toilet is a two piece configuration and features an elongated bowl.

Its two piece design is arguably so yesterday, but it’s an advantage by itself. First, it means that you don’t have to replace the entire unit in case one of the two pieces broke down. Again, it also makes DIY installation quite easy.

G-max Flushing System

Among other things that make it a worthy bet must be the G-max flushing system used in it. Most plumbers argue that G-max is the most powerful and the most reliable flushing technology from this brand.

3-Inch Valve

This system uses an in-house float and a 3-inch valve which is 125% larger than what most conventional flushing toilets use. This large valve sends a more powerful thrust of water once the flushing action is initiated that is enough to send up to 800 grams of waste through the trap way with a single flush making it one of the best flushing toilet.

The G-max produces a large water surface area that works well with the SanaGloss glazing to eliminate the chances of dirt and debris building up on the walls and in the interiors.

About water consumption and efficiency, the CST744SL uses 1.6 gallons per flush to execute a successful flush. Though this does not meet Water Sense standards of 1.28 gallons per flush, it’s still super efficient compared to other conventional toilets that use between 5 and 7 gallons per flush.

Check Price at Amazon

5. Galba Small – One Of The Smallest One Piece Dual Flush Toilets Available

Does NOT Compromise Comfort And Performance For Its Size

Anyone looking for a well-built, stylish toilet for a space starved bathroom is better off with the Galba Small Toilet. This is probably the smallest toilet one piece toilet in the industry at 24.5 x 14 x 27 inches and weighing approximately 90 pounds.

But the most impressive bit is that it does not compromise comfort and performance for its size. Why do I say this?

About performance, for instance, the Galba uses the G-max flushing system (not Toto’s but equally powerful). This system features a 3-inch flush valve that is an inch larger than the industry standard 2-inch valve.

Fully-Glazed 2-Inch Trap way

This large size means a powerful water flush that is capable of removing up to 300 grams of waste according to MaP. The G-max flushing system is coupled with a fully-glazed 2-inch trap way, a strong siphonic action, and a large water surface area size that makes content elimination even easier.

Regarding comfort, the Galba has an elongated one piece toilet design that is said to be the best for adults and mostly men due to the extra inches in front. It also has a seat height of around 16.5 inches which is way higher than standard commodes despite not meeting ADA’s 17 inch toilet height requirement.

0.8 and 1.6 gallons of water per flush

Galba saves you money too! This water saving toilet has a dual flushing system that utilizes 1.6 gallons of water per flush (for solid content) and 0.8 gallons of water per flush (for liquid content). But what’s more impressive is that you can adjust this amount to your discretion and, therefore, save more water and money.

Check Price at Amazon

• Toto Drake CST744SL#01
• Our Rating: 9/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  1.6 GPF
  Gravity Flush
•  Dimensions:
  28x19.5x30.5"
•   Features:
  G-Max Flushing System, ADA Compliant, Fully Glazed Trapway
• Price: 

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• WoodBridge T-0001
• Our Rating: 8/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  1.0 and 1.6 GPF
  Dual Flush
•  Dimensions:
  28.5x14.5x27.5"
•   Features:
  Super Quiet & Powerful Flushing, Soft Closing Quick Release Seat
• Price: 

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• Toto Ultramax II MS604114CEFG 01
• Our Rating: 8/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  1.28 GPF
  Tornado Flush
•  Dimensions:
  28.3x16.6x28.8"
•   Features:
  Universal Height, Powerful, Quiet Flush
• Price: 

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• Toto Wall Hung Toilet CT418F-01 Aquia
• Our Rating: 8/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  0.9 and 1.6 GPF
  Dual Flush
•  Dimensions:
  21x14.2x15"
•   Features:
  Skirted Design, Optional Pairing with DuoFit In-Wall Tank System
• Price: 

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• Kohler Wellworth Toilet K-3987-0
• Our Rating: 8/10
•  Water Consumption & Flush:
  1.1 and 1.6 GPF
  Dual Flush
•  Dimensions:
  39x34.5x24.5"
•   Features:
  Easy To Install, Extraordinary Bulk-Flushing Performance
• Price: 

Check at Amazon

6. Toto Drake CST744SL#01 – Comfortable Option

Makes It A Breeze To Sit Down And Stand Up

The Toto CST744SL#01 is a relatively affordable two piece pressure assisted toilet that has created a good reputation for itself regarding performance and efficiency.

As an ADA certified commode, this model has a universal design that aims at offering all users a comfortable experience. It has an elongated front bowl that most people find somewhat more comfortable than a round bowl.

Universal Height (17 inches)

Again, this is not a conventional bathroom fixture. Its universal height (17 inches from floor to the top of the toilet bowl) makes it a breeze to sit down and stand up. It might, therefore, be a great choice if you have joint problems when sitting and standing up from traditional bathroom thrones.

You might also want to give it a try if you are looking for a toilet that has been designed with the elderly and people suffering from arthritis in mind.

3’’ Flush Valve, 2-1/8’’ Wide Trap, and 8 PSI

But what makes it worth every penny, according to industry benchmarks, is its ability to suck all types of waste with precision. The CST744SL-01 features Toto’s most coveted G-max flushing system that combines a 3’’ flush valve, 2-1/8’’ wide trap, and 8 psi water pressure to push everything down the drain and leave the bowl clean.

Even better, it does this without skyrocketing your water bills. This is a low consumption model that only requires 1.6 gallons per flush. Mind you, low consumption here does not mean low power. This is among a few other pressure assisted toilets that don’t suffer from clogging issues.

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7. Woodbridge T-0001 – Luxurious Modern Design

Uses The Least Amount Of Water Possible Per Flush

The WoodBridge T-0001 is a competitively priced one piece toilet that packs a lot of features found in high end modern toilets. In my opinion, this might be a great choice for homeowners who want to replace several toilets without breaking the bank.

Despite its seemingly low price, the WoodBridge T-0001 toilet boasts a luxurious modern design and will give any bathroom a classic upgraded look right off the bat. We really appreciate its white color. This means that it will remain in fashion for years and won’t look misplaced once you redesign your bathroom walls.

Siphon Flushing Action

Its water efficiency design is also worth mentioning. This toilet uses a long and narrow reverse trap way and a large valve diameter. What happens is that, once you flush, the trap way system creates a strong Siphon Flushing Action that sucks in every waste with precision. By the same breath, this toilet does its work without being overly noisy. What happens in the toilet remains in the toilet!

WaterSense-labeled

This Siphon Flushing Action also offers you a toilet that won’t escalate your monthly bills. The WoodBridge T-0001 is WaterSense-labeled. What this means is that it uses the least amount of water possible per flush, making it a water saving toilet.

1 gpf and 1.6 gallons of water per flush

For the record, this toilet has two flush buttons. One of them uses 1 GPF (1 Gallon Per Flash) to flush liquid waste, and the other one uses 1.6 gallons per flush on solid waste. These will come in handy is slashing your water bills especially in a large homestead.

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8. Toto Ultramax II MS604114CEFG 01 – Classic Yet Affordable

Good Choice For Large Homes

The Ultramax II One Piece is a High Efficient Toilet (HET) that comes at a great price for homeowners who are looking for something classic yet affordable. This seat comes in different hues in a bid to offer the buyers with a commode that is easy to match with their bathrooms. The available options include cotton white, cotton, Sedona Beige, Bone, and Colonial white.

The Ultramax II has several impressive features to its name. The most important aspect, in my opinion, is its reassuring, powerful flushing technology. It uses Toto’s Double Cyclone flushing system to force all solid wastes down the drain with a single flush. Other components that contribute to its powerful flushes include a wide trap way, and an ultra large flush valve measuring 3 inches.

WaterSense – certified (1.28 gallons per flush)

These and other elements work together to give you a WaterSense toilet that uses 1.28 gallons per flush. This water performance makes it a good choice for large homes that may incur high water costs with the conventional toilet that uses up to 5 gallons per flush.

ADA Compliant

Besides saving you some bucks in terms of water usage, the Ultramax II One Piece is also ADA compliant. Its comfort height and elongated bowl design mean that it might be a great choice if you have arthritis or if you experience trouble standing from a low height toilet.

Another good thing is that it comes fitted with a SoftClose seat and lid. These two use a hinge system to ensure that your kids don’t cause damage as they slam the lid and the toilet seat.

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9. Toto Wall Hung Toilet CT418F-01 Aquia – Space Saving And Water Efficient Toilet

Dual Flush Water Efficient Model

If a space saving and water efficient bathroom fixture is what you are looking for, the CT418F-01 one piece toilet might solve your issues. This is a wall hung toilet with a unique look that will give any classic or modern bathroom setting a superb transformation.

0.9 and 1.6 GPF

Among other aspects that give it a competitive edge include a superior flushing system and low water consumption. The Toto CT418F-01 uses Toto’s dual max flushing action that uses 1.6 gallons only for a complete flush. This feature might come in handy for a homeowner who needs to safe water in a large homestead.

Importantly, this commode has two flush buttons designed to pump 0.9 gallons and 1.6 gallons for liquid and solid waste respectively. This makes saving water even more possible.

CalGreen Complaint

By the same breath, this Toto one piece toilet is CalGreen complaint. What this means is that this is a sustainable and a water efficient model.

This commode features Cefiontect ceramic glaze on its inner surfaces. This innovative toilet design makes it easy for the water to wash all debris without sticking. It also prevents molds and bacteria from building up and causing unwanted stains.

It’s also comfortable to use. The Toto CT418F-01 features an elongated bowl that favors all adults. This bowl is slightly bulkier than round bowl toilets and might, therefore, accommodate adults with different shapes and sizes.

Worth mentioning is that this package does not include the tank system. You can either choose to match it with a model from Toto or choose from another brand. Again, this wall mount toilet does not come with a seat. Remember to add it to your cart alongside the tank system too.

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10. Kohler Wellworth Toilet K-3987-0 – Great For Small Bathroom

Round Bowl Toilet With Incredible Flushing Performance

The Kohler K-3987-0 Wellworth is among several other bathroom fixtures that are getting numerous reviews and positive ratings from past users in the market. This is a round bowl toilet designed for homesteads with small bathrooms and which may not accommodate an elongated toilet easily.

Among other pretty impressive features with the K-3987-0 Wellworth is its excellent waste removal action. This toilet uses Kohler’s latest Classic 5 Flushing Technology that encompasses a Canister Flush Valve measuring 3-1/4 inches and a 2-1/8-inches fully glazed trap way.

360-Degree Water Flow

The system offers a 360-degree water flow and a strong flow rate for an incredible flushing performance.

Dual Flush Toilet: 1.1 and 1.6 GPF

If you are looking for an environmentally-friendly model, you might be impressed to know that this commode uses utmost 1.6 gallons of water per flush. In fact, this unit has a dual flush system that uses 1.1 gallons and 1.6 gallons for liquid and solid waste respectively.

What this means is that your family will be using far much less water in the toilet than what you’ve been using with a traditional 3.5 GPM toilet.

This Kohler 1.6 gallon toilet is slightly on the pricier side from a budgetary standpoint. However, it makes up for this with its ease of installation and relatively low maintenance costs.

Does NOT Meet WaterSense 1.28 GPF Requirements

What you need to know, however, is that the Kohler K-3987-0 does NOT meet WaterSense 1.28 gallons of water per flush requirements and might not be legally available in States that only allow such toilets. Again, this is a Standard-height model and may not be ideal for tall users and the elderly.

Check Price at Amazon

Reviews Conclusion

It’s somewhat hard to come up with the best toilet winner from this collection. This is because most of the models win through in different situations.

Consider the Toto CT418F-01 Aquia and the Galba, for instance. These two commodes are ideally meant for bathrooms with the smallest footprints. They have an excellent water saving thanks to their dual flush system and good flushers too.

However, for a homeowner on a shoestring budget, the Galba might be the best toilet way to go due to its one piece design and relatively lower initial and installation costs.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something sleeker and modern, the CT418F Aquia is simply irresistible. Unfortunately, you’ll have to buy the flush system separately. Its installation costs might also cost you a lot since it might necessitate moving drywall.

The Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa and the Toto MS604114EFG-01 Ultramax II make another interesting pair that you’ll need to look keenly into before picking out the best. The two have a one piece design. They are also ADA compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act) and WaterSense certified and might, therefore, save you several gallons of water each year.

Among other differentiating factors is that the Toto MS604114EFG-01 Ultramax II is slightly pricier. But that is probably because it comes fitted with a SoftClose lid and seat which the 3810-0 Santa Rosa lacks.

Bottomline

That being said, I highly recommend you to make a wish list of exactly what you are looking for and screen all the commodes above against it.

Best 10 Toilets Comparison Chart

Toilets Buying Guide

Common Terms To Know

As you may have realized from the reviews above, most of the best toilets have features that carry a bevy of terminologies that not everyone might comprehend. So, allow me to start by explaining some of these terms in detail.

Rough In – What Is It? Why Is It So Important?

When used in a toilet, rough in measurement refers to the distance between the finished wall and the center of the waste outlet (flange) in the commode (Note: Finished wall, not from the molding or baseboard).

Measuring the rough in distance has always been a challenge to most people. Whether you are dealing with a floor outlet or rear outlet toilet, the easiest way is to measure the distance from the wall at the back of the throne to the center of the back hold-down bolt.

Most top rated toilets have a 12 inch rough in. However, if you need a 10 inch rough in toilet or a 14 inch rough in toilet you can still find them on the market.

IMPORTANT: Get The Rough In Measurements Correct!

If you are replacing a beaten out toilet, it’s IMPORTANT that you get the rough in measurements correct right off the bat and get a new fixture that fits. There is almost zero forgiveness here.

Incorrect rough in measurements could either force you to ship the toilet back (think of the additional expenses) or endure a leaky toilet.

ADA Compliant – What Does This Mean?

The acronym ‘’ADA’’ is becoming quite common in most toilet descriptions. It stands for American with Disabilities Act. This act was passed on July 26, 1990, and came into force on Jan 26, 1992.

It requires all washrooms to be constructed or renovated in a way that makes it easy for people with disabilities to access them.

According to this Act, a universally accessible washroom should have a toilet with a seat height of at least 17 inches and utmost 19 inches. It should also have either a flush lever or automatic flush sensors.

Although this height was deliberated upon with the handicapped in mind, most people today say that toilets with these heights are easier to sit down on and stand up from than the conventional 15 inch seat height toilets.

Does this ACT affect you?

You don’t have to be physically challenged to go for an ADA compliant toilet. You might want to pay attention to this designation if you have trouble using the standard height toilets. Again, an ADA-labeled commode will come in handy as you age which is a really good thing.

WaterSense – What Does This Label Stand For In Toilets?

WaterSense is a special program sponsored by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency that aims at ensuring water efficiency in homes and commercial outlets.

For manufacturers to earn the right of having WaterSense label on their products – toilets, flushing urinals, and sink faucets – these fixtures must be able to save more water than the standard units and still be able to offer incredible performance.

For instance, the current federal standard requires toilets to use utmost 1.6 gallons of water per flush (GPF). To earn the WaterSense accreditation, such a toilet needs to use a lower amount than this.

Thanks to the recent advancement, most of the latest water saving toilets now use utmost 1.28 gallons of water which is around 20% less than the federal requirement.

Mind you, WaterSense is a voluntary rather than a regulatory program. However, some States such as California have passed some tough rules that require new toilets to use not more than 1.28 GPF.

Will they be taking away your non-complaint toilet? No! Andrew McAlister, a commissioner with the California Energy Commission, says that this rule will only apply when purchasing a new toilet. What this means is that most non-HET toilets may not be legally available in such States.

Specialized Surfaces – Is This Another Marketing Hype?

‘Specialized Surface’ is the latest entrant in toilet terminologies. Toto used SanaGloss for almost a decade while marketing its toilets in the USA before dropping it for CeFionTect which stands for Ceramic Fine Ion Technology. On the other hand, most American Standard toilets like the 5282.011.021 boast an Everclean surface.

What do these even mean?

You see, as toilets become more and more water efficient, there’s need to ensure excellent performance in regard to clearing the toilet bowl despite the low amount of water used.

Although not easily visible to the naked eye, unglazed interior bowl surfaces have rough, imperfect ridge-like surfaces that trap minute debris. With time, these ridges and crevices accumulate large amounts of dirt that lead to discoloration and staining.

On the other hand, toilets with a specialized surface simply mean that they have a perfectly super smooth glaze that prevents dirt from sticking. These treated surfaces also prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.

These surfaces also complement the low water performance since even the heaviest solid waste can slide through with much ease.

Different Types Of Toilets – Pros And Cons

One Piece Toilets Vs Two Piece Toilets

This is yet another major decision that you’ll need to make in your search for the best toilets. What do the 2 types of toilets bring to the table?

One Piece Toilet

True to their name, these one piece toilets have the tank and bowl solidly built as one unit. They have a more modern touch and are more aesthetically-appealing compared to two piece toilets.

Benefits of a one piece toilet:

Major disadvantages of a one piece commode:

Two Piece Toilet

These are the most common. They have 2 separate pieces (water tank and the bowl) both which are installed independently of each other.

Reasons why you might want to go with a two piece toilet?

On the other hand, 2 piece toilets:

Wall Hung Toilet

Simply put, a wall hung toilet has its water tank concealed behind a drywall and a bowl that hangs on the wall.

Though quite common in Europe, these floating fixtures are yet to catch on in the USA.

They work in the same manner as the floor mounted models. The only distinctive features are that the water reservoir is invisible and the bowl occupies zero floor space.

Why a wall mounted toilet?

However, as good as these tankless toilets are, they have their ugly side too. For one, they can be darn expensive to install since you have to remove drywall. Things become grossly uneconomical in case the in-wall system developed some issues and requires some maintenance.

If you opt to go with a tankless toilet, remember to check out what the package comes with. Some come as a full system with the bowl, seat, lid, and the in-wall tank. Others like the Toto CT418-01 Aqua comprise of the bowl only. You’ll have to buy the lid, seat, and the in-wall flushing system separately.

Intelligent Toilets – Sound Bizarre, Right? What Is An Intelligent Toilet?

Most Americans are not intrigued by the idea of a Smart John. But as Toto’s latest entrant in the market, the Intelligence Toilet II shows, the bathroom is slowly changing from a hygiene spot to a regular health analysis zone where you can analyze your blood pressure, weight, BMI, and blood sugar levels.

Intelligent toilets like the Toto SW554-01 are super expensive. But if you don’t mind flushing over one grand down the toilet, you’ll be experiencing some out-of-this-world features including:

Standard Toilet Vs. Macerating Toilet – How Do They Differ?

What Is A Standard Toilet?

It’s very likely that you’ve been using a standard toilet. When you flush your ‘business’ in a normal toilet, it goes through an S trap to a waste line and then to the main sewer line.

This is easy because standard toilets are positioned above the level of the drain line. So, they rely on a gravitational pull to flush your waste to the sewer.

But what happens when you want to position your bathroom below your sewer drain pipe? Of course, your regular gravity flush toilet won’t flush upwards? What do you do? Enter the macerating commodes.

What Is A Macerating Toilet System?

Also referred to as an ‘Upflush’ fixture, a macerator toilet uses a chopper blade to ‘blend’ solid waste into a slur before pumping it to the sewer line. The pump is usually located at the back of the commode or in the wall and connected to the nearby socket.

Why would you require a macerator toilet?

Standard Height Toilet Vs. Comfort Height Toilet – What Should You Know?

How High Is A Standard Toilet?

The standard toilet has an average height of 15 inches from the floor to the top of the seat and around 14-1/2 inches without the seat.

People of short stature (children included) find this height much more comfortable since they can rest their feet on the floor comfortably. They also report that these commodes are easy to climb on and to stand up from.

Standard Toilets Offers A More Natural Sitting Position

According to health experts, standard height fixtures are also an ideal option for people who experience constipation. This is because they offer a more natural sitting position which promotes excellent bowel movements.

On the other hand, standard height thrones pose a great challenge to tall people and the elderly. Most of them find it hard to sit and stand up from them since they require more effort. As such, they prefer a toilet with a higher-than-average seat height.

What Are “Comfort Height” Toilets?

Also known as ADA compliant toilets, Comfort Height units have a height of between a height of 17’’ and 19’’. You may want to go with one of these if you are old, you have arthritis, or if you generally have problems rising from a standard-height toilet.

Comfort height commodes are best suited for a master bedroom. Children may not find them comfortable since their legs will be dangling in the air. Climbing down also becomes a challenge and they might cause constipation too.

Elongated Vs Round Toilet – Which One Suits You Best? Find Out!

Let’s begin here: what’s the shape of your current toilet set, round or elongated bowls? If you are not sure, measure from the center of seat hinges to the center front.

An elongated bowl measures approximately 18-1/2’’ whereas a round bowl is approximately 2″ shorter at 16-1/2 inches.

The debate between these two designs is an ever raging one, with people on both sides of the divide. The consensus is that elongated bowl toilets are more comfortable to use since their bulkier size gives more support to the thighs.

Elongated  Toilets Are More Comfortable

Most adults also claim that their larger opening also makes it easy to extend their hands inside the bowl to wipe themselves after using the toilet.

Most men also appreciate these models due to the extra inches at the front. They also point out that the sloped angle at the front helps in preventing splashback.

Round Toilets Fit in Small Bathrooms

Round toilets edge the competition, especially regarding size. Since these fixtures are 2 inches shorter, they tend to fit in most compact bathrooms much more easily than most elongated commodes.

Types Of Flush Toilets Systems

Assuming that you have a clear picture of the ideal fixture for your bathroom regarding height, pieces, and bowl-size, the next step will be to consider the flushing mechanism that the commode uses to push the contents down the drain.

There are over 20 flushing technologies that toilet manufacturers use, and more are being invented. Here is a list of the most popular:

Gravity Flush

It’s very likely that you grew up with this system. It’s the oldest but has remained to be the most efficient and the quietest. As its name suggests, this system relies on gravity to create a strong force from the cascading water.

Most Efficient And The Quietest

The powerful water flush forces itself into the bowl pushing the content through the trap way and into the drainpipe.

Specially designed trap ways today create a powerful siphonic action that allows gravity assisted toilets to use less water to remove contents efficiently and clean the bowl surfaces at the same time.

Pros

Cons

Pressure Assisted Toilets

Moving from a toilet that uses up to 6 gallons per flush to a 1.28 GPF unit can raise some doubts about the toilet’s ability to flush the contents efficiently. To eliminate these uncertainties, a toilet that uses a pressure assisted flushing system.

The pressure assist toilets have a pressure chamber inside the water tank that holds the water under intense pressure. When you pull the flush lever or press the button, the water is released at high speed that not only empties the toilet bowl but also scrubs the sides. The water is pushed out of the tank with a massive pressure which also gets a huge boost from gravity. This creates a powerful flush that forces all content down the trap way and keeps the bowl clean.

Dual Flush

A dual flush system has 2 flushing operations. One button or lever flushes solid contents while the other one is for liquid content. The primary pro with this system is water conservation since dual flush toilets use less water for liquid waste than for the solid waste.

Double Cyclone Flush

This is, hands down, one of the best flush toilets technologies by Toto that most manufacturers are trying hard to emulate it.

One Of The Best Flushing Technologies By Toto

The Double Cyclone Flush harnesses the power of the falling water and that of gravity to create a super powerful cleaning action. Unlike other competitor systems that utilize rim holes, this technology uses two nozzles.

The dual nozzle design creates a powerful water propulsion that directs much of the water to the siphon. Thus, you end up with a clean rim and bowl. There is also less cleaning since less debris and bacteria are trapped.

What is the Best Toilet Brand?

Buying a new throne isn’t an easy task especially because most of them are almost identical. A common question that most of our readers ask is:

What Is The Best Toilet Brand?

In this section, therefore, let’s find out some of the best performing toilet giants that you might want to consider.

Toto (Toyo Toki ‘Oriental Ceramics’)

I wish to begin with Toto since it’s the clear leader here. Check out any public forum like Houzz and hear from the homeowners themselves. Simply put, Toto toilets suck. And you probably need a toilet that does that for a busy home.

Founded in 1917, Toto – a Japan-based company – is currently the largest toilet manufacturer in the world. This giant is world-renowned for designing and developing the washlet and has manufacturing sites in 9 countries around the world.

I won’t lie to you. Toto toilets are somewhat pricier than the competition due to their quality, of course. Its bathroom fixtures are mostly respected due to their excellent flushing performance. This manufacturer uses a range of flushing systems with the G-max, E-max, and Double Cyclone being the most famous.

This manufacturer holds sales throughout the year. One of its popular lines also has a permanent 2 toilet bundle at a much lower cost. You might want to check it if you wish to purchase several units at a go.

Here are a few of our recommendations from this brand:

• Toto CST454CEFG-01 Drake II
• Toto MS604114CEFG-01 Ultramax II Double Cyclone
• Toto MS604114CEFG-01 Ultramax II
• Toto CT418F-01 Aquia Wall-Hung Dual-Flush
• Toto MS854114ELG#01 Eco Ultramax

Kohler Toilets – The Bold Look Of Kohler

For those who wish to go pure American, Kohler might be a good bet. Kohler is an American giant based in Wisconsin. It’s named after its Executive Chairman and CEO, Herbert Kohler.

Although it’s popularly known for its advancement in bathroom fixtures, this manufacturer also does pretty well in a range of other fields including the manufacture of tiles, cabinetry, engines, generators, and furniture. It also owns several hospitality outlets including the American Club and the Old Course hotel in Scotland.

The Builder Magazine highlighted Kohler bathroom fixtures as the top spot regarding familiarity, most used, best rated, and best quality.

• Kohler K-3987-0 Wellworth 2 Piece Round Front Toilet
• Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa Elongated Toilet
• Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron

American Standard

True to its name, this is an American manufacturer based in Piscataway, New Jersey. It was formed in 1929 when two companies, the American Radiator Company and the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company merged.

The American Standard has a long history of ownership including the recent purchase by Japan’s Lixil Corp. Read more about this in The Wall Street Journal.

All in all, the American Standard has been able to continue with its legacy in the American Housing Market. This manufacturer stands out as a reliable maker of kitchen and bathroom fixtures including sinks and toilets.

The American Standard is renowned for its timeless and unique designs. Other than its one piece and two piece designs, this company is also known for its other accessories like universal replacement toilet seats and flushing systems.

The best part about these commodes is that they are relatively cheaper than identical models from Kohler and Toto.

Our recommendations:

• American Standard 288DA114.020 H2Optimum
• American Standard 2403.128.020 Cadet-3 FloWise

Saniflo

Saniflo is not a company that always makes an appearance when talking about the best regular toilets. This is because its fixtures are in a league of their own.

Saniflo is a subsidiary of a French multinational corporation that was formed in the 1950s. Your local plumber will probably refer to it whenever you think of installing a macerating toilet in a makeshift bathroom that is located below the drainpipe. We’ve talked about Macerating toilets before, right?

Now, what makes Saniflow upflush commodes stand out from the competition is that they have low initial costs and inexpensive installations. They also come in a bevy of innovative designs and guarantee excellent durability if installed as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Could you be in need of a macerating toilet? Here are our best picks:

• Saniflo SaniPlus
• Saniflo SaniAccess

General Toilet FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Which Parts Of The Toilet Require Regular Replacement?
The most regularly operated parts of the toilet are the flapper, fill valve, and the trip lever. As such, they are more likely to wear out fast. Of the three, the flapper and the fill valve wear out faster since they are ever in water.

Which Features Should I Consider Most When Buying A New Toilet?
Consider the rough in size first to ensure that it will perfect fit in where the previous throne was. There are 3 rough in sizes 10, 12, and 14 inches. Of these, 12 inches is the most common and easily available.
Second, consider the bowl size. Round bowl model is idea for a small bathroom. On the other hand, long elongated bowls toilets are said to offer more support to the thigh area. Men also tend to appreciate them due to the extra space at the front.
Remember to consider the seat height too. Standard toilets are about 15’’ tall. They are ideal for people of short stature and kids. For the elderly and taller-than-average users, the comfort height toilets that are 16-17 inches higher are more ideal. Don’t forget about the water saving toilets too.

How Can I Upgrade My Toilet?
Consider adding a SoftClose seat to avoid the noisy ‘slam.’

My Toilet Continues To Run After Flushing. What Might Be The Problem?
If the system doesn’t stop running until you jiggle the handle, then the problem might be a long chain that controls the flapper.

How Do I Measure The Length Of The Fill Valve?
You measure the toilet fill valve from the top of the washer at the bottom of the tank to the top. Remember not to include the supply shank at the bottom-most part.

What Is An Upflush Toilet?
This is a toilet system that is installed in bathrooms that sit below the sewer lines where regular gravity assisted toilets won’t work.
They use a macerating pump that is positioned either at the back of the commode or installed in walls. The pump has blades that slur the waste before pumping it towards the sewer line.

Can I Install An Upflush Toilet For Primary Use?
Macerating toilets are ideal for temporal bathrooms. This is because they are bound to break down after regular heavy use and might cause a lot of inconveniences.
Again, it might be so uneconomical since they rely on power. They are also expensive and require regular maintenance.

Which Is The Best Color For A Toilet?
Well, this is a personal preference. However, most people prefer white or bisque. These hues never wear thin and are always in fashion.
Again, they are easy to match with other fixtures and also pretty easy to transfer to other homeowners.

How Should I Measure The Toilet Seat To Ensure That It Fits?
Measuring the toilet seat involves three dimensions.
First, uninstall the old seat. Measure the distance between the 2 hinge posts. The standard length is usually 5.5 inches.
Second, measure the ‘diameter’ of the bowl where it is largest.
Lastly, measure the length of the bowl from the center of the 2 hinge posts at the back to the outer edge at the front.

Which Seat Material Is The Best Between Plastic And Wood?
The modern wooden toilet seats are of better quality than some years back. Their biggest pro is that they don’t wiggle as much as most low-end plastic seats do. Unfortunately, their color wears off easily with constant slams.
If you prefer plastic, we recommend getting a thicker model. They don’t fade easily and can last a long, long time.

Conclusion

That’s it, folks! By now, I strongly believe that you are ready to hit the market and pick the best toilets that your family will love to sit on.

As a wrap-up, remember what we said: Everything boils down to getting the measurements right. Ensure that it fits in your bathroom and does not block the door or cabinets.

Also, ensure that it offers optimum comfort to the users. You remember Comfort and Standard heights, right? If you are shopping for a the best toilet for a commercial outlet, you might want to abide by the law. Consider ADA compliant models.

Lastly, remember to give some thought to a unit that will help you conserve water and, therefore, save money in the process.

Dan is the editor in chief and founder of this site, after running into troubles with his own old toilet a while ago. Discussing toilets is not your everyday topic, so let’s talk toilets today.