Top Bidet Option
Best overall pick
top Compost model
In this ultimate toilet buying guide, we're going to be reviewing the very best toilets. Why? Because toilets are essential, that's why.
But it’s not just about comfort— it’s about other things too, like your health. You might not have thought it, but the design of your toilet can have a significant impact on your health.
All that sitting down and standing up puts a lot of pressure on your joints, which is why you should take care to choose a toilet that is designed for easy accessibility and appropriate for your height.
For those seeking a straightforward recommendation without diving into this extensive research, Toto CST454CEFG stands out as the best option across all parameters without the need for further exploration.
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Comparing Home Toilet Models
Preview | Product | Toilet Style And Shape | Water Consumption (GPF) | Flushing System | Check Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TOTO CST454CEFG#01 Drake II | 2-Piece, Elongated | 1.28 Gallons Per Flush | Gravity | ||
KOHLER K-3609-0 Cimarron Comfort | 2-Piece, Elongated | 1.28 Gallons Per Flush | Gravity | ||
American Standard 2988.101.020 Cadet 3 | 2-Piece, Round (Elongated Models Also Available) | 1.28 Gallons Per Flush | Water-Saving Flush | ||
TOTO CT705EN#01 | One-Piece, Elongated | 1.28 Gallons Per Flush | Power Flush | ||
WOODBRIDGE B0735 T-0018 | One-Piece, Elongated | 1. 0/1. 6 Gallons Per Flush | Dual Flush | ||
Nature's Head Self Contained | One-Piece, Elongated | N/A | Other (Composting) | ||
SmartBidet SB-1000 Smart Electric | Seat-Only, Elongated | N/A | Other (Adjustable Bidet) | ||
Camco 41541 | Two-Piece, Round | N/A | Bellows-Type Flush | ||
Aqua-Magic V | One-Piece, Elongated | N/A (Variable) | Pedal Flush | ||
Summer Infant My Size | 2-Piece, Elongated | N/A | N/A |
10 Best Toilets For Modern Homes
1. TOTO CST454CEFG#01 Drake II
best Overall toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | 2-piece, elongated |
Profile | High |
Rim Height | Universal height (approx. 17.5”) |
Water Consumption (GPF) | 1.28 gallons per flush |
Flushing System | Gravity |
Warranty | 1 Year manufacturer warranty |
This TOTO Drake II 2-piece is my overall best toilet top pick. It gets top marks for all the things that matter: performance, water efficiency, comfort, and space.
In terms of water efficiency, it has just 1.28 GPF— that’s a no brainer. You can’t get much lower than that, and it means this toilet has the coveted WaterSense label. It also checks out for ADA compliance as well, thanks to the 17.5” rim height. If you’re of average to tall height, that should be right in the comfort sweet spot.
It’s also gravity fed, which means it’s super quiet and won’t wake everyone else in your home up if you use it in the middle of the night. You’d think that being gravity fed means the flush isn’t powerful, but nope.
Thanks to the toilet's 'Tornado Flush' feature, which works by using double cyclone technology to use centrifugal action to assist in washing the bowl more effectively, it clears everything out well, even with little water usage and no pressure assist.
There are some other cool features too, like the Efiontect layer that stops any nasty particles from sticking to the ceramic and makes cleaning easier.
Despite being an elongated toilet, it’s pretty compact and doesn’t waste a lot of space in your bathroom.
The Drake II is available in four different colors, all of which are different shades of cream and white; perfect for most modern bathrooms. I do think this is both the best modern toilet and the best-elongated toilet on the market right now if you’re looking for an affordable two-piece.
Make sure to read our full guide to Toto toilets, found here.
One verified purchaser writes, "Using only 1.28 gallons of water, the Drake 2 flushes better than any toilet I've ever used. It refills by the time I wash my hands. I replaced a 5 gallon per flush toilet with this. I was concerned because I have an older home with cast iron pipes but this unit has worked flawlessly. "
Pros
Cons
2. KOHLER K-3609-0 Cimarron Comfort
best single flush toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | 2-piece, elongated |
Profile | High |
Rim Height | Comfort height (17” - 19”) |
Water Consumption (GPF) | 1.28 gallons per flush |
Flushing System | Gravity |
Warranty | 1 Year Limited Warranty |
In my opinion, the title of runner up/second best toilet deserves to go to this Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height Toilet. It’s one of the best single flush toilets you’ll be able to find, especially if comfort is a priority.
It has a lot of features in common with the Drake II, like a slick, minimalist design, super-efficient 1.28 GPF flush, and comfortable elongated seat. Also like the Drake II, it’s surprisingly affordable considering how good it is. It’s not quite as silent as the TOTO Drake II above but it is gravity fed, so it’s not loud either.
That's probably due in part to Kohler's patented 'AquaPiston' technology, which can deliver a rapid, robust, clog-free flush with minimal water thanks to some intelligent design engineering.
It’s a comfort height toilet that sits at around 17" to 19" tall, depending on where you measure from (the lid or the rim). That's great if your reasonably tall but not so good if you're short.
It’s worth mentioning that it’s available in quite a lot of different colors too, which makes it versatile enough to work in all kinds of bathroom designs and color schemes.
We've reviewed all of our favorite Kohler toilet products in this guide.
"Installed this toilet about a year ago and was impressed with the ease of installation. Everything except the water supply line was in the box. When I flushed it the first time....WOW! After a year of usage I can say this toilet flushes and gets rid of everything on the first flush and does a great job of cleaning itself. " - A 5-Star review from Lowe's website
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Cons
3. American Standard 2988.101.020 Cadet 3
best budget toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | 2-piece, round (elongated models also available) |
Profile | N/A |
Rim Height | 16.5 Inches |
Water Consumption (GPF) | 1.28 gallons per flush |
Flushing System | Water-saving flush |
Warranty | Limited 5-year warranty |
Next up, the American Standard Cadet 3, probably the best budget toilet you can buy in terms of real value for money. Despite the low price tag, there’s a lot of good things to say about this 2-piece. Where do I even start?
Firstly, in terms of performance, it can’t be faulted. According to the product information, maximum performance tests awarded the Cadet 3 flushing system with the highest possible rating, and you can tell— this thing moves waste down the drain fast.
Every aspect of the toilet has been designed for performance and functionality from the oversized 3-inch flush valve to the larger-than-average siphon trapway, which reduces the likelihood of clogging.
The design is no thrills, with clean straight edges to save space, so it might not look fancy, but it’s effective.
There’s very little cleaning/maintenance required with the Cadet 3 either, thanks to the PowerWash rim that scrubs the bowl every time you flush, and the EverClean surface that helps prevent bacteria and mold from building up.
Another feature I want to mention is the included slow-close seat and seat cover. The slow-close means that, unlike some other toilets, it won't drop down with a loud clang when you touch it. Instead, it closes gently. I can't tell you how helpful this is if you're used to your kids waking you up at night clattering the toilet seat down!
On the American Standard website, reviewer Bob says, "We bought our last year in connection with a complete remodel of our master bath. We like it so well that, when one of the toilets in our daughter's home broke, we an identical toilet in her home. We think our is the very best available in our price range."
Pros
Cons
4. TOTO CT705EN#01
best commercial toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | One-piece, elongated |
Profile | N/A |
Rim Height | Comfort height (exact measurements N/A) |
Water Consumption (GPF) | 1.28 gallons per flush |
Flushing System | Power Flush |
Warranty | 1-year Limited |
The top candidate for the title of the best commercial toilet is this TOTO floor-mounted toilet. It’s also the second time a TOTO toilet has appeared on this list, which makes sense considering it’s a top-quality brand and leading name in the sector.
This toilet is a little different than some of the others we've talked about so far. For example, it's a one-piece (not a two-piece). Like I mentioned in the buying guide, this makes cleaning much more comfortable as there are fewer parts, nooks, and crannies to contend with.
"Powerful and quiet, this toilet offers innovations and performance for every commercial space. This model is designed to work with the TOTO High-Efficiency EcoPower Flush Valves, which feature low water consumption and siphon jet action." - Toto
Another cool thing is that its floor mounted, which helps save space without sacrificing on comfort; it's ideal for anyone with a smaller bathroom or less floor space to work with.
And speaking of comfort, the elongated seat on this is super helpful. It's classed as comfort height too and is ADA compliant, which means it's accessible and ideal for anyone with an average or tall build.
The performance isn’t bad either. Despite being very water efficient (with just a 1.28GPF flush), the powerful, siphon jet flush action is effective. After using this toilet for a while, I've yet to experience any problems with clogging, and I've never had to flush twice.
For more commercial toilet options, visit our guide here.
Pros
Cons
5. WOODBRIDGE B0735 T-0018
best dual flush Toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | One-piece, elongated |
Profile | N/A |
Rim Height | Comfort height (exact measurements N/A) |
Water Consumption (GPF) | 1. 0/1. 6 GPF gallons per flush |
Flushing System | Dual Flush |
Warranty | 5-year limited |
This Woodbridge B0735 T-0018 toilet is the best dual flush toilet you'll find anywhere and had to make a list.
There’s a lot I like about this toilet, but the number one factor is the design. It looks high-end, with a clean, sleek look that will compliment any bathroom. It’s a one-piece toilet, so there’s no ugly separate water tank. Everything is packed into one seamless-looking unit.
The design has functional benefits too. For example, it has no corners and grooves. This means there are fewer places for grime and mold to hide and makes it much easier to clean. You can wipe down the surface and don't have to worry about getting into nooks and crannies.
It’s the first toilet on this list to feature a dual flush mechanism. As I mentioned earlier, double flush mechanisms are great for conserving water as you can be selective about how much you need.
The half flush uses just 1 GPF, which is lower and more water efficient than any other toilet we’ve talked about so far. The full flush uses 1.6 GPF, which is still reasonably low but will also definitely be able to move any waste down the drain effectively.
The warranty deserves some praise too. A 5-year limited warranty isn’t bad when you consider that many of the other toilets on this list only offer 1-year warranties.
Pros
Cons
6. Nature's Head Self Contained
best composting toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | One-piece, elongated |
Profile | N/A |
Rim Height | 20” (approx) |
Water Consumption (GPF) | N/A |
Flushing System | Other (composting) |
Warranty | 5-year limited warranty |
If you're looking for a toilet for your RV or camper, but you're grossed out by the thought of emptying a black tank regularly, then the Nature's Head Self Contained Composting Toilet could be the right choice. Nature's Head Self Contained Composting Toilet is one of the best composting toilets on the market for many different reasons.
Firstly the toilet is straightforward to clean and disassemble which is a huge plus if you're worried about cleaning out mess.
The toilet separates liquids and solids making it a lot easier to empty liquid. It then composts the solids which means that you will have to dump out your dump tank less frequently as the waste can be left to break down in the tank. One YouTube reviewer said that he "doesn't regret putting in the composting toilet at all."
The toilet comes equipped with a comfortable elongated seat. While the toilet would be considered quite large in comparison to other options, it offers extra comfort with a taller rim height.
The only real downside to the toilet is the price, as it's more expensive than many other RV toilet options. However, if you have the space to store the toilet it could be a worthwhile investment.
We have reviewed several other options for composting toilets, here.
Pros
Cons
7. SmartBidet SB-1000 Smart Electric
best bidet toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | Seat-only, Elongated |
Profile | N/A |
Rim Height | N/A |
Water Consumption (GPF) | N/A |
Flushing System | Other (adjustable bidet) |
Warranty | 1-year Parts Warranty |
If you're looking for a bidet that's going to deliver on both cleanliness and comfort, the SmartBidet SB-1000 SB-1000WE Smart Electric Bidet Seat.
According to one YouTube reviewer "The smart bidet is, for the money, the best one out there right now."
Although the SmartBidet SB-1000 SB-1000WE Smart Electric Bidet is only a seat, it's packed full of features that can make your toilet more comfortable, efficient and hygienic to use.
The Bidet seat comes with five water pressure levels which can be adjusted to your choosing. It also comes equipped with water temperature adjustment features and a five position nozzle and is probably the best bidet toilet seat available.
When buying smart bidets such as this, people often worry about energy consumption, but with this model, it is not a concern, as it has an energy saving mode to help reduce energy expenditure.
As the smart bidet is a seat only, it's relatively easy to install, and so many people will be able to install the seat themselves. The bidet seat also comes complete with a remote control so that the features of the bidet are easy to use and no twisting is required to reach any buttons on the side.
Pros
Cons
8. Camco 41541
best portable camping toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | Two-piece, round |
Profile | N/A |
Rim Height | 15.5” |
Water Consumption (GPF) | N/A |
Flushing System | Bellows-type flush |
Warranty | 1-year Limited Warranty |
If you're in the market for a toilet for your RV or camper, then the is Camco 41541 portable toilet is the way to go. It’s probably the best portable camping toilet on the market right now.
Looking at the design, you'll see that the toilet is pretty standard, but it actually has some great features that set it apart from its competitors.
Firstly, the toiler is a two-piece toilet which flushes the waste straight down into a holding tank using a water-assisted flush mechanism. It's compact and easy to store in an RV when it's out of use.
One of the main benefits of this toilet is the design of the holding tank which has a handle on the side so easy carrying when you're dumping it out.
The toilet has a 5.3-gallon holding tank and a 2.5-gallon flush tank making it easy to use and flush when you're out in the wilderness with no access to public toilets. It also has some handy seal clips which stop the odor from penetrating the plastic and can help keep your RV smelling fresh. The toilet is also reasonably priced making it an excellent choice for the price.
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Cons
9. Aqua-Magic V
best RV toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | One-piece, elongated |
Profile | High Profile |
Rim Height | 18-½" |
Water Consumption (GPF) | N/A (variable) |
Flushing System | Pedal Flush |
Warranty | Parts |
The Aqua-Magic V RV Toilet Pedal Flush is an excellent choice if you're looking to find the best RV toilet on the market. As RV toilets go, this model is reasonably priced and is perfect for an RV with a permanent bathroom setup.
The toilet is available in two heights, a low profile and a high profile, but the high profile is the more comfortable option, especially if you've got the room for it.
Installation of the toilet is relatively simple and should take less than an hour for you or a plumber. Reviewers of the product say that despite the lightweight design, the toilet is comfortable and sturdy once installed.
The toilet is equipped with a convenient pedal mechanism which adds water to the basin and flushes the toilet. While the design of this model is lightweight and perfect for reducing the weight of your vehicle, it still has the feel of a regular household toilet which is excellent for anyone long term campers that spend the majority of the year in their RV.
If you're looking to reduce water consumption in your RV, the toilet also comes with an optional hand sprayer.
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Cons
10. Summer Infant My Size
best potty-training toilet
Toilet Style and Shape | 2-piece, elongated |
Profile | N/A |
Rim Height | Size suitable for children up to 18 months |
Water Consumption (GPF) | N/A |
Flushing System | N/A |
Warranty | N/A |
If you're looking for the best potty training toilet for your child, then you can't go wrong with the Summer Infant My Size Potty. The potty is designed like a miniature grown-up toilet which is sure to get your little one excited to use the bathroom. It also has a range of useful features.
Firstly, the potty is easy to clean and comes with a flip-up lid and removable easy to clean bowl. It also has a handy storage compartment at the back for wipes and cleaning products. In comparison to other products, this potty may be a little more expensive, but it's certainly a reasonable price.
For more of our favorite potty training must-haves, click here.
The great thing about this potty is that it's suitable for children from 18 months up which is perfect if you have a child that's ready to start potty training sooner rather than later. The product also comes complete with a clip on splash guard for little boys.
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Benefits of Having the Right Toilet
As I've said, having the right toilet is important. Here are ten benefits that come with choosing the proper toilet for you and your home:
- 1It’s more hygienic; a well-chosen toilet will be easier to clean and thus less likely to spread bacteria on contact
- 2It will be more comfortable to use
- 3It’s better for your posture and joints to use a toilet that’s designed specifically for your height
- 4You can make better use of your available bathroom space and improve the design
- 5You’ll be able to conserve more water and reduce your environmental impact
- 6A reduction in water usage will also help to lower your monthly water bills
- 7A good toilet is less likely to get clogged, which means fewer maintenance requirements and costs.
- 8You can hand-pick features that are important to you, like heated toilet seats or a more powerful flush
- 9You can opt for a quieter toilet to minimize noise if your bathroom has thin walls
- 10If you have a disability that impacts your mobility, the right toilet can make it more accessible.
Things to Consider When Buying a Toilet
Before we move on to our top picks for the best toilets in 2019, you should know what to look out. With that in mind, here are some things to consider when buying a toilet...
Water Usage/Eco-friendly
Probably the most essential thing to consider is water usage. The lower your toilet’s water usage, the more environmentally it is and the more money you’ll save on water bills.
To figure out how much water usage a toilet has, you’ll need to look at the GPF rating. GPF stands for gallons per flush, so the lower this figure is, the better. Ideally, you're aiming for 1.28 GPF, as this represents the ultimate in high-efficiency toilets and is the best kind of toilet you can get for environmental benefits.
Drain Location/Rough-in Measurement
Another thing to consider when buying a toilet is the rough-in measurement. The rough-in measurement refers to the distance between the wall and the center of the toilet's flange. It's vital for plumbing reasons to make sure that your new toilet's rough-in measurement is the same or smaller than your old toilet's rough-in sizes, so make sure to check this!
A standard rough-in is around twelve inches, but there can be a couple of inches variance in some toilets.
Height
It's crucial to select the right toilet height if you want to be comfortable while you’re using the John. If it’s too low, you might feel like your squatting more than you’d like to be, and even risk hurting your back or joints in the process. Too high, and your feet will be left dangling.
Most toilets are at least 14 to 15 inches tall up to the rim. Toilets within this height range are known as 'standard height' and are ideal for those of shorter stature (anyone up to around 5 "4 tall) as they'll be able to comfortably rest their feet flat on the floor at this height.
If you’re taller than that, you’ll probably want a “comfort height” toilet, which refers to any toilet with a 17”-19” floor to bowl rim height. These “comfort height” toilets meet the ADA standards for accessible design and thus are often referred to as ADA height.
Toilet Type
Remember how we talked about the different types of toilets earlier? Well, that’s another important consideration to make. Would you prefer a one-piece or a two-piece toilet? Do you have plenty of space for an elongated bowl or would it be better to save space with a round bowl?
Also, think about how easy the type of toilet you’ve selected is to clean and install. These are all important considerations to make.
Comfort
Naturally, you'll want to think about comfort too.
Selecting the right height is the first step in making sure your toilet comfortable, but other factors impact satisfaction too.
For example, some toilets have wider seats for more postural support. Others have specially-designed heated 'bidet' seats for added comfort.
Also, remember that it’s not just you who’ll be using the toilet. Consider your entire household and try to select a toilet that will be comfortable for every user.
Performance
The performance of your toilet refers to how well it does its job. In other words, how well does it flush your waste down the drain.
This is a tough one to gauge based on specs alone. Without actually buying the toilet, it's difficult to know how well the flush will clear out the waste, and how effective it is at avoiding clogs. Your best bet is to read what other reviewers are saying carefully and factor that into your decision.
Design
Each brand has their own variations in design, from Toto to Kohler to Mansfield. If you plan on having guests over, the last thing you want in your bathroom is an ugly toilet that looks weird and out of place. Toilets come in all sorts of colors, finishes, and designs.
Try to choose one that has the kind of style you like and that complements the rest of your bathroom fixtures. It should work well in the overall color scheme of the bathroom.
Flushing Type Mechanism
The flushing mechanism of the toilet is hugely important. There are lots of different flushing mechanisms that your toilet might use— we’ll talk more about these later. The main thing to know at this point is that you should consider how the flushing mechanism impacts performance, ease of use, noise, water usage, and even how easy it is to plunge.
For example, gravity feed flushes are quieter than pressure-assisted flushes, which means they're a better choice if you're concerned about noise. If you want to find out more about the different flushing mechanisms, scroll down to the 'flushing systems' section of the article below.
Some toilets also come with fancy motion sensors and 'touchless technology.' This allows you to flush your toilet without actually touching anything, which is arguably more hygienic. Consider this when you're shopping for a toilet.
Cost
It goes without saying that cost is another consideration to make. The aim is to choose the best toilet for your budget. Every time you check out a toilet, ask yourself if the price seems reasonable considering the features it offers and it’s durability.
But remember: the price isn’t necessarily the best indicator of performance. According to tests by Consumer Reports, midpriced toilets outperformed more expensive toilets.
Warranty
A final consideration to make is the warranty. The more extended the warranty offered by the seller/manufacturer, the better. A longer warranty suggests that the manufacturer is confident that the toilet will prove to be long-lasting and durable.
A shorter warranty isn't necessarily a good vote of confidence, but it probably shouldn't be considered a deal breaker either. After all, if your toilet does break down, you can always call out a plumber or repairman to fix it.
Types of Toilet
The first thing to know about when you're shopping for toilets is the available different types. We can broadly subcategorize toilets based on their shape and toilet bowl style as follows….
One-piece vs. Two Piece
Toilets can either be one-piece or two-piece. The majority of toilets out there are the latter. These two-piece toilets have - yep, you guessed it - two separate pieces, joined together.
These pieces are the bowl and the water tank that bolts onto the said bowl. One-piece toilets combine both the tank and the bowl into one seamless unit. Both one-piece and two-piece toilets have different pros and cons.
For example, two-piece toilets tend to be cheaper than one-piece models, but they're also more challenging to clean because the seam between the two parts quickly gathers dirt and grime.
Elongated vs. Round
The toilet seats themselves also come in two different types: elongated toilet seats and round toilet seats. Technically speaking, there’s a third type too, square toilet seats, but these are rare these days so we can pretty much ignore them.
Elongated toilet seats are usually considered more comfortable as they provide more seating room and are two inches wider than round toilet bowels for more backside support. On the other hand, round bowls are more compact, so if space saving is a priority, this might be the way to go.
Residential/Commercial
Residential/Commercial toilets are very much the standard, prototypical toilet. The kind that we all know and love, and that you’d find in the bathrooms of standard residential households. They’re usually fixed in place and plumbed in, and most of the time they have a pressure-assisted or gravity flush system. They’re more durable than portable toilets.
Composting
Composting toilets are not like standard commercial toilets at all. Firstly, they don’t need to be plumbed into a sewage line or septic tank. Rather than sending your excrement as far away from you as possible, they make the most out of it by turning it into compost that can be used to fertilize the soil.
They do this by storing it into a composting area within the toilet and facilitating the biological process of decomposition. They usually achieve this by adding carbon additives like sawdust to create air pockets within the excrement to promote decomposition. They’re also typically designed to limit any odor from escaping - thank god!
Bidet
A bidet is like a fancy wash basin for your undercarriage. It’s a plumbing fixture that’s usually attached to your toilet to allow you to wash that general area after you’ve done your business.
It's a reasonably commonplace fixture in some areas of the world, such as various countries across Asia, and is considered by some people to be more hygienic than wiping alone. Bidet toilets tend to be more expensive to purchase and install than standard commercial toilets.
RV or Portable Camping
RV and portable camping toilets often aren’t fixed in place, unlike commercial toilets.
They’re designed to be portable so that you can take them with you on camping trips.
Instead of the waste going down a sewage line, portable camping toilets often store the waste in an in-built septic tank that can be manually emptied later. Some RV toilets are also fixed in place and can be hooked up to your black-water tank permanently.
Potty Training Seats & Chairs
Potty training seats and chairs are toilets designed to help very young children and toddlers to learn to use the toilet. As such, they’re built to be small enough that they can sit comfortably on them. They’re sometimes designed to mimic a real toilet, complete with a phony-flush lever.
Flushing Systems Explained
In case you were wondering what the best flushing system is, let’s take a look at all the major different flushing systems that are available.
Gravity-fed
Gravity-fed flushing systems rely entirely on earth's natural processes to move your waste down the drain. It works like this: the water tank fills up with water from your household water supply. When it’s full, you use the flush lever to release water from the tank and out of the valve.
The pressure of this water being pulled downward by gravity is enough to move your waste down the drain. The more water in the tank that is released, the wider the flush valve, and the higher the tank itself, the more pressure.
As there are no complicated mechanisms involved in this flush, there's also no mechanical noise, which means these kinds of toilets usually quieter than those with other flushing systems.
Pressure-assisted
Pressure-assisted toilets help gravity out by adding a little pressure of their own via compressed air. By adding compressed air to the sealed water tank, these toilets create downward pressure that thrusts the water more forcefully downward upon release.
As such, they can typically generate a little more pressure and can move waste more efficiently, thus better guarding against clogs. They're also noisier, which I guess is the flip side!
Power-assisted
Power-assisted flushing systems use electric motors to force air pressure into the compression tanks. This high air pressure, combined with the water, creates a system whereby the waste is sucked right through the flushing channel rapidly.
Dual Flush
Dual flush toilet flushing systems let you be more picky about the amount of water you want to use to wash away your waste. They come with two buttons or levers: one for liquid waste and one for solid waste.
The solid waste lever will use more water and generate more thrust to make sure that it can properly move your excrement down the drain. The liquid waste flush is a partial-flush that will conserve water but is only really suitable for light loads. If you try to use it on heavy loads, you might have to click it twice, which kind of takes away the point!
Single Flush
Unlike dual flush, single flush systems don’t have two buttons. There’s just one button that uses the same amount of water every single time as standard.
Water Conservation
Water conservation is essential - not just for the environment, but for your wallet too. More water usage equals more money on your monthly water bill, so it might be worth investing in a toilet that minimizes water usage.
In 1994, the US Department of Energy issued new regulations as part of the Energy Policy Act, which required all toilets sold in the US to have a water usage of no greater than 1.6 GPF.
As such, you can rest assured that every product on the list above meets these high-efficiency standards.
The California Standard, which came into effect in 2016 and applied to toilets sold in said state, is a little more stringent. That standard limits toilets to a maximum of 1.28 GPF. Any toilets that meet this standard are given a WaterSense label, so that’s something to look out for!
Installation and Maintenance of Toilets
Presuming your new toilet matches the rough-in measurements of your toilet, here's a brief guide to the general removal and installation procedure for two-piece toilets in steps:
- 1Turn the water supply valve off and flush the toilet to empty it of water
- 2Wearing heavy-duty gloves and with a sponge, clear out the bowl and basin of any remaining water
- 3Unscrew the bolts joining the bowl and the basin together, then unscrew the water supply line and carefully remove the tank/basin from the bowl
- 4Remove the caps and nuts from the floor, break the sealant joining the pedestal to the floor carefully via rocking, scrape away the remaining sealing wax, and plug the drain with a rag or something similar.
- 5Replace the old flange on the drain opening with your new one, attach any mounting bolts, and fit a new wax ring around the drainage hole on the bottom of the toilet bowl.
- 6Place your new toilet bowl over the anchor bolts and make sure it fits snugly, then rock it back and forth a little to create a seal
- 7Attach the bolts through the base and the tank and tighten them with your hands carefully
- 8Make sure your toilet is level by inserting spacers underneath
- 9Tighten the floor bolts using a wrench, being careful not to overtighten
- 10Fit the basin to the top of the bowl and make sure the bolts fit inside, then tighten these bolts with your hands
- 11Hook your water line up to your newly-installed toilet and turn your water supply back on
- 12Seal the base with caulk
Congratulations - you're finished!
Naturally, instructions will differ for different types and brands of toilets, so it’s worth checking the installation guide from your manufacturer before any installations. The same goes for general maintenance!
How to Measure Rough-in Distance
As I mentioned earlier, installation is much easier if your new toilet has the same rough-in distance as your old one, so you need to measure that before you buy.
To do that, all you need to do is grab a tape measure and use it to measure from the wall directly behind the toilet to the center of the nearest bolt. The figure you get should be between 10 to 14 inches, and the standard measurement is 12 inches.
If that seems like too much work, you can also always check the product information on your old toilet if you can find it, or contact the manufacturer to ask.
Fix a Running Toilet
One of the most common issues that users run into with their toilets is the water always running, even when the flush isn't pressed.
The first step to fix a running toilet is to identify the cause of the problem. It could be one of three things: a flapper problem, a water level problem, or a fill valve problem. Let’s look at each of them.
Flapper Problems
One common cause of this issue is when the flapper doesn’t seal properly, allowing water to leak through. To test if that’s the case, use a stick to push down on the flapper while you can hear the water running and listen. If you hear the water stop running, it’s not sealing properly.
Fortunately, there’s an easy fix for this problem: replace the flapper. You can do so by following an online guide or YouTube tutorial like this one.
Water Level Problems
If it isn’t the flapper, it might be that the water level is set too high. If this is the case, you might need to lower the water level (and minimize any chance of water spilling out onto your floor following a clog) by reducing the float, which you should be able to figure out through following an online guide.
Fill Valve Problems
A final possible cause could be a leaky fill valve. Run your diagnostics by flushing the toilet and lifting on the toilet arm after the tank starts filling to see if it stops the water. Next, try to bend the toilet float arm so that the tank stops filling at around 0.5 to 1 inch from the top. If this doesn’t fix the problem, replace your fill valve (again, YouTube is your friend).
FAQs
Are Bidet toilets better for the environment?
Yes in some ways they are. In the grand scheme of things, bidets save water, as it takes less water to use a bidet than it does to recycle the toilet paper that you'd otherwise use. However, if you use a bidet together with paper, then it has more of an environmental impact.
Is there a particular kind or brand of toilet paper to use for these toilets?
Not really, as all of these toilets differ quite a lot. If you’re using a septic tank, then it's best to choose a brand that breaks down quite quickly.
What are the best chemicals to use for breaking down waste?
Any RV chemical toilet solution should do the trick. It's safest to select a Formaldehyde Free mixture and choose one with a fresh scent. An excellent choice would be something like Camco TST Ultra-Concentrated Orange Citrus Scent RV Toilet Treatment.
How can I adjust the power with which my toilet flushes?
There are a few possible ways to increase flush power, depending on the kind of toilet you’re using. You could try adjusting the water level in the tank to move it closer to the flush valve, adjusting the chain length so that there’s less slack, or increasing the amount of water in the tank to maximum height. All of the above should increase the force of your flush.
With less water consumption, is there a high possibility of clogging?
Not necessarily, the water amount does play a role in some types of toilets. Whether or not your toilet will clog is based on 'thrust.' Toilets which use more water often have stronger thrust, but you can also, but power assisted toilets, which create a strong push using less water.
Do I need to hire a plumber to install my toilet?
If you have some experience with plumbing, then you may be able to install a toilet yourself with the help of online guides. However, it’s probably easier to hire a plumber as you can ensure the job is getting done correctly.
Can I buy a toilet online? Is it easy to get shipped?
Yes, many of the toilets on this list are available online. Make sure that you know the measurements of your current toilet, so you don't buy something too big or too small for the space. Shipping using sites like Amazon is usually quick and hassle-free.
Which Toilet Is Best?
That about covers all you need to know about the best toilets in 2019. We hope we gave you all the information you need to make the best possible purchase decision and get the toilet you deserve.
We highly recommend the TOTO Drake II 2-piece as the overall best top toilet pick! You can read even more top toilet reviews here and here.
Caitlin Shaffer has been traveling & working as a content writer & SCUBA dive instructor since 2014. Having lived in Central & South America, Southeast Asia, India, & Australia, Caitlin has had many years of experience with a variety of kitchen, bathroom, plumbing systems & common household products. Other than writing about her plumbing experiences & knowledge, her main passions are yoga, ocean conservation, & sustainable development.