Best Water Saving Toilets Between 1 and 1.6 GPF Flush Rates – Reviews, Top 3 Picks in 2023 and Comparison Chart

by Dan | Last Updated: April 24, 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.

Older, inefficient toilet systems are well-known water guzzlers and could consume up to 6 gallons of water per flush. On the other hand, toilets manufactured after 1992 use utmost 1.6 gallons per flush while providing a better flush and a whole new experience.

If you are looking for a new toilet that will reduce your household’s water consumption, this list will help you analyze the available options on the market today.

Top 3 Water Efficient Toilets

Best Overall
KOHLER K-3609-0 Cimarron
  • Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron
  • Our Rating: 9/10
  •  Water Consumption & Flush:
    1.28 GPF
    AquaPiston Technology
  •  Dimensions:
    28.8x17.6x30.8"
  •   Features:
    Added Room And Comfort, Comfort Height
  • Price: 
Premium
TOTO MS604114CEFG#01 Ultramax II
  • Toto MS604114CEFG#01 Ultramax II
  • Our Rating: 8/10
  •  Water Consumption & Flush:
    1.28 GPF
    Double Cyclone
  •  Dimensions:
    35x33x23"
  •   Features:
    Powerful, Quiet Flush Every Time, SanaGloss
  • Price: 
Budget
American Standard 2315.228.020 Baby Devoro Flowise
  • American Standard 2315.228.020 Baby Devoro Flowise
  • Our Rating: 8/10
  •  Water Consumption & Flush:
    1.28 GPF
    Power Flush
  •  Dimensions:
    25x17.2x24"
  •   Features:
    Great Toilet For Potty Training, High Efficiency, Low Consumption
  • Price: 

1. Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron – Editor’s Choice

Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron

Maximizes Water Efficiency and Flushing Performance

The Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron is another good-looking toilet system that you might want to check out if you are looking for a powerful and quiet flusher.

This toilet currently boasts a good rating and an 80%+ customer approval rate at Home Depot which is quite impressive.

However, there has been mixed reports about its ability to resist clogs, especially where the waste line travels a long distance to the sewer system. As such, you don’t want to skimp on the installation process.

Well Designed Toilet

The Kohler K-3609-0 is a well-designed commode not only in terms of shape and proportion but in water efficiency as well.

DryLock Installation System

Most of its buyers are stoked by its patented DryLock installation system. This makes installation a breeze and eliminates the risks of over-tightening and breaking the bowl. It also thwarts the possibility of leaking which is common with most bolt-through tank systems.

The Cimarron has a MaP rating of 1000. It uses Kohler’s Aquapiston flush valve which is a flapperless design that offers a 360-degree flush to maximize water efficiency and flushing performance.

It is an ADA compliant throne with an elongated bowl and 17’’ comfort height. It could fit the bill if you want a toilet for a senior.

Check Price at Amazon

2. Toto MS604114CEFG-01 Ultramax II – Premium Pick

Most Popular One Piece Toilet

A good choice that performs quite well at waste removal and water efficiency, the Toto MS604114CEFG-01 Ultramax II [link to a more in depth review] is currently the most popular model in most lists of the best one piece toilets. A glance at its specs sheet will tell you that this model is exploding with great features.

Toto MS604114CEFG-01 Ultramax IIRight off the bat, the Ultramax II is a single piece system with a clean, high-end look when compared to its 2 piece alternatives. Its one piece 2 bolt installation system takes less time and is less labor intensive.

Modern and Sleek Design

This toilet comes in a wide range of color schemes: Sedona, beige, bone, cotton white, and colonial white. All these colors pop out compliments to the sanagloss glaze that gives it a modern and sleek design.

Its elongated bowl and comfort height make the right combination for a toilet that health experts recommend for the elderly and people with back problems and people with disabilities.

This bowl is longer and wider than the conventional round bowl and helps in distributing your body weight and shape to give you a comfortable time.

Its seat height design, on the other hand, means that you don’t squat too low. It also makes standing quite easy.

Low Flush Rate 1.28 GPF 

As most homeowners affirm, the Toto Ultramax II is a good flusher even with its low flush rate (1.28 GPF). This toilet uses Toto’s cleverly designed double cyclone flushing action that uses 2 nozzles (rather than numerous rim holes) to create a strong centrifugal action.

It directs water in a forceful anticlockwise motion that helps in leaving the bowl cleaning. The large (2-1/8-inch) fully glazed trapway complements the superior flushing action to eliminate waste in a single flush (most of the times).

You might also like that this toilet comes fitted with a softclose seat and lid. So, there’ll be no additional purchases to make.

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3. American Standard 2315.228.020 Baby Devoro Flowise – Budget Buy

American Standard 2315.228.020 Baby Devoro Flowise

Ideal For Short People

Thanks to its ultra row rim height (10-1/4’’), the Baby Devoro might be a great option if you want a flush toilet for your pre-school kids.

In fact, the manufacturer states that this toilet is designed purposely for commercial education and healthcare projects. I bet it might also please short people who find the standard 15-inch toilet tall for them.

The Baby Devoro Flowise is on our list of the best 10 inch rough in flush toilets too. This rough-in measurement makes it a worthy option if you intend to install it in a bathroom that is suffering from limited space lengthwise.

How is its flush performance?

The manufacturer states that each toilet is factory flush-tested. This toilet uses a siphon jet flushing action that requires 1.28 gallons only for a full flush and a fully glazed trapway to boost the flush performance while minimizing the risk of clogs.

What are the users saying?

Well, most homeowners rate it highly in several regards including ease of installation, kids-friendliness, and low water consumption.

Most of them also report that it offers a successful flush each time. But we did come across reports of clogging. So you might want to involve a plumber if your drainage system has a history of clogging.

Check Price at Amazon

 

Which Is The Best Water Saving Toilet?

Editor’s Choice

Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron

The Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron wins the hearts of most homeowners to become our best pick here. This is a good all-around system that does quite good in solid elimination and bowl cleaning.

The main features that propel it to our number one position include its DryLock installation system and powerful flush combo.

The flapper-less design offers a 360-degree flush, maximizing the water efficiency and flushing performance.

Best Water Saving Toilet Comparison Chart

Rank:Model:Our Verdict:Price:Our Rating:Water Consumption:Flush Type:Dimensions:Type:Special Features:Rough In:Shape:Material:Color:Finish:Weight:Installation Method:Certification:Warranty:
#1Kohler K-3609-0 CimarronBest Overall (Our Pick)$$9/101.28 GPFAquaPiston Technology28.8x17.6x30.8"Two PieceAdded Room And Comfort, Comfort Height12"ElongatedVitreous ChinaWhiteWhite65.3 poundsFloor MountedWaterSense1 Year Limited Warranty
#2Toto MS604114CEFG#01 Ultramax II Premium$$$8/101.28 GPFDouble Cyclone35x33x23"One PiecePowerful, Quiet Flush Every Time, SanaGloss12"ElongatedVitreous ChinaWhiteCotton White99 poundsFloor MountedADA Compliant1 Year Limited Warranty
#3American Standard 2315.228.020 Baby Devoro Flowise Budget$8/101.28 GPFPower Flush25x17.2x24"Two PieceGreat Toilet For Potty Training, High Efficiency, Low Consumption10"Round FrontVitreous ChinaWhiteWhite37 poundsFloor MountedWaterSense1 Year Limited Warranty

History Of Flushing

Most toilets that were made between 1980 and 1992 relied on gravitational force and the power of 2.5 – 3.6 gallons of water for a successful flush. Mathematics-wise, this shows that the average joe user flushed 18.8 gallons of water down the drain daily.

But these toilets were regarded as the most water efficient models then considering that toilets manufactured before 1980 would use up to 8 gallons for a full flush. This meant that the average homeowner used up to 48 gallons of water on the toilet alone.

Cycles Of Improvements

In 1992, Congress passed a law that required all new toilets to use utmost 1.6 gallons per flush. As you can imagine, moving from a 3.6 flush rate to 1.6 gpf required a series of improvements on the flushing technology and the trapway design.

Toilet manufacturers were faced with stringent principles that necessitated the switch from high flush water volume to increased flush water velocity.

In response to these legislations, toilet manufacturers had to tweak several aspects of their products’ design including the bowl contour and internal flushing mechanisms.

Do New Toilets Save Water?

Today, advancements in toilet technology have availed systems that use as low as 1.28 gallons of water which is 20% less than the federal standard. In fact, the latest models from Niagara Conservation Products including the Niagara 77002WHC01 Stealth use 0.8 gallons for a full flush.

Buying Guide And Maintenance Tips

Buy From A Reliable Brand

Needless to mention, low consumption toilets are at a higher risk of clogging than the traditional high flush water volume systems.

If your drain line runs a long distance to the main sewer system, then you’ll want to know that you are getting a reliable toilet. Refer to what other homeowners say about a particular model and inquire your local plumber’s opinion about the same.

The flushing system used in the flushing mechanism plus the size of the trapways are among other telltale features that might help you narrow down the available options.

Ensure Proper Installation

Most toilets offer breezy installation processes. In fact, most homeowners always install the commodes themselves. While this is an easy way to cut the installation costs, it’s important that you follow the manufacturer’s installation manual to the latter.

It’s also recommendable to scrape off the old wax ring completely and use new mounting bolts. The installation process also offers a window to inspect the drain line and eliminate potential clog threats.

Chemical In-Tank Cleaners Only Degrade Your Toilet

Most toilet manufacturers recommend their customers not to use chemicals in the cistern. They say that harsh chemicals degrade most of the functional parts of the tank system thereby affecting their performance.

Replacement Parts

Most toilets require you to replace the flush valve seal after every 5 years. According to Southern California Metropolitan Water District, the major problem that comes with these after market replacement parts is that they tend to lower the flushing performance of the toilet.

Therefore, it pays to hunt for an ideal replacement flapper that is compatible with the original factory-made model.

Conclusion

Installing a water saver toilet system is one sure way of reducing your water bill. However, there’s more to buying these fixtures rather than just picking the best looking toilet that comes your way.

You need to ensure that the toilet won’t bring clogging issues. You also want to ensure that the toilet will not only save you water and money but also bring all the comfort and convenience perks that come with a reliable system.

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.