Last Updated: We can all agree that although it’s not the most glamorous appliance in our house, but it’s definitely one of the most important.
Well that in mind, we’ve gone compiled a list of the best toilets for home to help you make this very important decision. You’ll find reviews for our top ten toilets picks to aid in your quest to find the one throne to rule them all.
Written by GreatLivings on May 16, 2020
Contents
| Product name | Shape | Dimensions | Style | Consumption | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WoodBridge T-0019 Editor’s Choice 2021 |
Elongated | 28.5 x 14.5 x 27.5 | One Piece | 1.0/1.6 GPF |  |
|
| 2. Toto Drake Best Brand Overall |
Elongated | 28 x 19.5 x 30.5 | Two Piece | 1.6 GPF |  |
|
| 3. American Standard Cadet 3 Made for Corners |
Round | 32 x 19.2 x 31.5 | Two Piece | 1.6 GPF | |
|
| 4. Toto Ultramax II Best Toilet Brand |
Elongated | 28.3 x 16.6 x 28.8 | One Piece | 1.28 GPF |  |
|
| 5. KOHLER Wellworth Best on a Budget |
Round | 29.2 x 28.5 x 18 | Two Piece | 1.1/1.6 GPF |  |
|
| 6. American Standard Cadet Most Sanitary Brand |
Elongated | 30.2 x 20.5 x 30.8 | Two Piece | 1.6 GPF |  |
|
| 7. Niagara Stealth Great for Water Economy |
Elongated | 28.9 x 18.8 x 31 | Two Piece | 0.8 GPF | |
|
| 8. Toto Eco Ultramax Eco Friendly |
Elongated | 31.8 x 28.9 x 19.3 | One Piece | 1.28 GPF |  |
|
| 9. Saniflo 023 Sanicompact Great for a Small Space |
Elongated | 18.2 x 14.5 x 15.8 | One Piece | 1.6 GPF | |
|
| 10. American Standard Compact Most Sanitary Brand |
Round | 30.5 x 15 x 30.5 | One Piece | 1.28 GPF | |
|
We’ve managed to assemble some very promising options and here’s our picks for the Best Flushing Toilets of 2023.
We can guess what you might be thinking: how can the editor’s choice be a toilet that’s not from Toto, American Standard, or Kohler?
WoodBridge caught us completely off guard with their line of high quality modern toilets. We believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised at all that this brand, and toilet, has to offer.
Founded in 2005, WoodBridge specializes in designing and manufacturing exceptional quality products for the bathroom and kitchen.
Their mission is to provide customers with the best value products and the highest standard of customer service. After the research we’ve done, which included countless consumer reviews, we believe they’ve accomplished that mission.
Anyway, here are the nitty gritty details of the T-0019 and why it’s been chosen as our editor’s choice. Below, we’ll get into the design, quality, and convenience of this toilet. If we haven’t made you a believer in what WoodBridge has accomplished with this unit, then we haven’t done our job.
First, the T-0001 has minimal, modern and sleek designs that’ll fit nicely in almost any style of home. WoodBridge has rethought the traditional look of a toilet by including a skirted trapway, which removes the crevices and grooves found on a standard toilet. This design feature adds to its minimal look while also making cleaning this toilet a breeze. Additionally, the T-0019 offers a comfort height design -18 inches from the floor to the top of the seat. The majority of adults will easily be able to sit on the seat and stand up from a seated position.
We also like its dual flush system, which offers two buttons at the top of the toilet bowl. Each button provides a different different amount of gallons per flush depending on the type of waste in the bowl. It’s a wonder why some toilet brands are still manufacturing units with levers to flush rather than buttons.
Rounding out the list of external design features of this unit is its soft closing seat, which comes standard with a stainless steel seat hinge. The stainless steel hinge means it won’t give way over time and can be easily removed and reattached for cleaning purposes.
While the T-0019 (T-0001) really is one of the most aesthetically pleasing toilets we’ve ever seen, it’s quality and internal build also makes it one of the most durable and long-lasting. As we mentioned in the prior paragraph, WoodBridge has outfitted this unit with two flushing options, 1.0 GPF and 1.6 GPF, which saves you water. WoodBridge states that a high-efficiency 1.28-gallon flush offers up to 16,500 gallons of water savings per year. Furthermore, this toilet has an extremely silent flush. The siphon flush design ensures that the toilet won’t clog or leak.
We also like the ease of use and ease of installation of this toilet. As previously stated, it is easy to use, easy to clean and easy to maintain due to it’s well-thought design and high quality features.
What we haven’t yet talked about is the installation process. Included with the purchased of this toilet is everything you need to get it up and running – err, flushing – in no time at all: the toilet, soft closing toilet seat (already attached to the toilet), wax rings, floor bolts, and a simple toilet installation guide. Adding to this, WoodBridge includes a hand wrench tool to make tightening bolts in narrow and hard to each places easier.
Finally, WoodBridge backs the T-0019 with a 5-year limited warranty on porcelain parts (fading/staining) and a 1-year limited warranty for its soft closing seat and flushing mechanism.
Frankly, WoodBridge doesn’t have the star power of some of the other toilet brands in this review, but the design and quality of the T-0019 make it one of the best units the market has to offer. They offer everything at a relatively reasonable price-point for most consumers.
One of our favorite two-piece (meaning that the bowl and the tank are separate) toilets also happens to be a reasonably priced unit on our list. The TOTO Drake is built to be durable, powerful, and efficient despite its low cost.
It is made of durable vitreous China that will last for years. TOTO also made wise and technologically advanced choices with other features of the Drake. First of all, it has a wider flush valve, which creates an extremely powerful and effective flush. This is essential with the low water consumption of only 1.6 gallons per flush.
The technology in the Drake prevents clogging that other low GPF toilets face. The wider flush valve in particular creates an extremely powerful and effective flush in conjunction with a fully glazed 2.25″ trapway (the pipe at the bottom of the bowl where everything exits the building).
Additionally, not only does this help to prevent clogging by moving everything along, but the glazed trapway also lessens trapped bacteria. Low water and high power are great, but the Drake adds a final element to round out this toilet trifecta. It is quiet—no louder than your standard toilet. Although it acts like a commercial grade unit, it is built specifically for the comforts of home. This amazing G-max flushing system is backed by a one year limited warranty.
The Drake is a sturdy and durable toilet at 92 pounds and 28 x 19.5 x 30.5 inches. Clean lines compliment many different bathroom designs. We love that it comes in five different colors: cotton white, colonial white, bone, sedona beige, and ebony.
A matching toilet seat can be found in an elongated shape. While not quite as space saving as the standard round toilets, the elongated shape is both more comfortable and ADA approved. The Drake meets more ADA approval in its high profile height. Not the tallest on our list, the Drake seems to be at the perfect height that’s easy on your joints but not a counter stool. Aesthetically we also love its chrome tip lever that matches most bathrooms.
Installation on the Drake is fairly straightforward. Although given it’s heaviness, you may need to elicit an extra pair of biceps. And don’t forget to purchase a wax ring and bolts.
Lastly, a quick word on TOTO since there are three different TOTO toilet reviews in this article. They make so many appearances because they are simply a leader in the toilet world. They have innovative designs, engineering, and technology that makes our lives easier. They embrace holistic design principles with equal emphasis on performance, quality, functionality, customer satisfaction, as well as aesthetics. The company is grounded in precise engineering and global manufacturing. Attention to detail, continuous process and design improvement, and over a thousand research and development professionals have kept them at the top of the industry for over 90 years.
TOTO is an amazing brand and you can’t go wrong with this two-piece, water efficient, powerful, and beautiful toilet. Its lower price point makes it a good option if you have multiple units that need replacing.
Do you have a smaller bathroom that requires a corner toilet?
The American Standard Cadet 3 Powerwash Triangle Chair is the perfect toilet for your bathroom. This toilet is designed specifically for a corner with the same technology and sleek design of the Cadet 3 series. As with the other Cadet series toilets, you can purchase a coordinating toilet seat.
This particular design features a space-saving and ADA approved front toilet round bowl with a triangular tank that it will fit perfectly into a corner. The Cadet 3 Triangle also boasts the taller “Right Height” which is ADA approved and provides greater comfort for people with back, leg or joint problems. In a nutshell, this particular toilet–as with all of the Cadet 3 series–were designed and built to meet specific needs and comforts. And at only 59 pounds and a slightly smaller stature of 32 x 19.2 x 31.5 inches, this freestanding unit should be a bit easier to install.
Additionally, American Standard equips this particular unit with a speed connect tank-to-bowl coupling system that makes installation easy. Finally, this is a two-piece toilet, which makes finding replacement parts easier.
We love the durable vitreous china outfitted with its EverClean antimicrobial surface. A stain, odor, mildew, and bacteria resistant surface makes cleaning this toilet easier. It also gives you peace of mind when you don’t get to sanitizing the toilet.
Equally efficient as the other Cadet series toilets, the Cadet 3 Triangle only uses 1.6 gallons per flush and has received a WaterSense certification, which is a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency.
A high-performance, pressure assisted flushing system pushes waste out with less water, which is obviously great. It saves you money on your water bill. This technology made possible by a siphon-action jetted bowl with fully glazed 2-1/8 inch trapway, which results in a super powerful flush.
Even though you’re using less water, you don’t have to worry that your toilet bowl won’t remain as clean or that clogging will occur more frequently. Finally, flushes are kept strong and clear with an oversized three inch flush valve and a chemical resistant flapper. The Cadet 3 Triangle is a true space saver while being incredibly powerful and efficient.
If you have a small bathroom that needs a compact toilet, then the Cadet 3 Triangle is for you. It’s water efficient, powerful, and beautiful. And it will fit perfectly in that tricky corner.
As runner up for editor’s choice, the TOTO Ultramax is one of our favorite one-piece toilets reviewed. We love the look of it. Frankly, the benefit of one-piece toilets over their two-piece counterparts is the sleek and clean design they provide.
One-piece units also make cleaning easier as there are less places for bacteria and grime to build up. On this particular toilet, the chrome tip lever is a nice addition on the left side of the tank. The clean lines make this toilet a great addition for almost all bathroom styles. Additionally, it comes in an impressive four colors: cotton white, colonial white, bone, and sedona beige.
Finally, we also love that the rim has no holes, which makes a more seamless appearance. It also makes it easier to clean, but much more on cleaning benefits of the Ultramax later.
The Ultramax sits at a slightly taller height for added comfort. The extra couple of inches makes it easier if you have achy joints or knee problems. The elongated (as opposed to round) bowl and coordinating seat makes it much more comfortable. These two features combined make the unit ADA compliant.
The 16.56 x 28.31 x 28.75 inches means the toilet is not too bulky. Though it does weigh 99 pounds, so it is heavy. Fortunately, you only have to carry the toilet when you install it. The installation is straightforward other than the heavy weight. Just make sure to purchase a wax free toilet seal for the installation process.
What is super cool about this particular toilet, and a feature that is a real plus for any household with kids, is the “slam-free” seat that is included with the unit. Not many toilets on the market come packaged with the seat included, so this is a huge plus. Though you must purchase a seat cover separately if you want one.
Made of solid, high-impact plastic, the seat is designed to reduce injury and eliminating the annoying slamming that occurs with the average toilet seat. The seat and lid have a built-in SoftClose hinge system, which automatically lowers the seat down to the bowl both gently and quietly even if you push it with a little too much force. These seats are another example of TOTO’s desire to meet consumer needs.
Using only 1.28 gallons per flush, the TOTO Ultramax is our most water efficient toilet. It has received the WaterSense certification because it is so water efficient. The “tornado flushing system” adds extra power to make up for the lower GPF.
Furthermore, this toilet is equipped with two powerful nozzles that create a double cyclone flushing system to clean the rim and bowl thoroughly after each flush. Simply put, there is extra pressure to push the waste through to avoid clogging and the need for multiple flushes. Don’t worry, the Ultramax still flushes quietly. In addition to the tornado flush, the unit boasts a fully glazed, computer engineered trapway—the S-shaped pipe at the bottom of the bowl that takes the waste away. It’s precise shape and fully glazed finish means that less waste will get trapped and clogged, which means less clogging and plungers for you.
Our favorite feature is the SanaGloss on the entire toilet. The gloss is made of CeFiONtect glaze, which is an incredibly smooth ion barrier glaze that prevents debris, bacteria, and mold from sticking to the porous ceramic surfaces. The catalyzed ion barrier even repels particles. This toilet is actually self-cleaning because of this.Ultimately, you get a cleaner environment in your bathroom and don’t have to clean your toilet as much. When you do clean it, you won’t need to use as much water or harsh chemical agents.
One last thing, all of this is perfectly wrapped up with a one year limited warranty.
This is hands down one of our favorite toilets. It’s beautiful, highly efficient, and self-cleaning (kind of). It does cost more than the others toilets on our list, but we believe it’s worth it.
As you may have already noticed, this is the second Kohler toilet review on our list. Kohler’s mission is “to improve your sense of gracious living in every experience you have with a Kohler product or service.” The company aims to “operate on the leading edge in the design and technology of product and process, maintaining a single level of quality regardless of price point across many product and service categories.” Founded in 1873, it’s clear that Kohler has lived up to their own mission and expectations and are continue to function on the cutting edge of the industry. As one of the more budget friendly options, their commitment to excellence across a wide range of price points is apparent with this toilet.
Aesthetically, the Wellworth has clean lines and a more contemporary look that fits in modern and traditional bathrooms. You have the option to choose from four great color options: white, biscuit, almond, and black.
Similar to its Memoirs brother, the Wellworth has a variety of other fixtures within the same design line, which includes a pedestal bathroom sink. This is a more compact unit than some of the others at 45 pounds and 29.2 x 28.5 x 18 inches. The small size makes it a better pick for more compact bathrooms. Furthermore, the round bowl makes it an ideal solution for smaller baths and powder rooms. You can also purchase a coordinating round bowl seat.
Using at most 1.6 gallons per flush, the Wellworth is similar to many other toilets. What is unique about the Wellworth is the dual-flush option. The left-hand lever has a nested trip, which lets you flush while keeping the top of the toilet free for storage.
Kohler has created an innovative dual-toned trip lever to keep the process intuitive. The longer green lever provides a light flush (for liquid waste) at 1.1 gallons and the full lever gives a complete flush (for solid waste) at 1.6 gallons. This adds an ability to save even more water and money by utilizing the choice of flush depending on need. Research has shown that dual flush toilets can save up to $99 in water per year, which is great for the environment and your bank account!
Due to this conservation, the Wellworth has received the WaterSense certification. This label certifies that they use 20% less water than a standard 1.6 gallon toilet while still maintaining strict flushing performance guidelines.
Made with vitreous china makes the Wellworth a durable and effective toilet. The siphon action jets and fully glazed trapway means the toilet flushes four times more bulk waste than the average adult produces. Because of this, clogging is extremely unlikely.
Finally, its smaller footprint and simplicity makes installation fairly straightforward. Make sure to purchase wax rings and bolts for the installation process. Wellworth provides a one year limited warranty with purchase.
Reasonably priced, more compact, and extremely water efficient makes the Wellworth a great choice for smaller bathrooms or powder rooms. We love that you have the option to choose each flush depending on your need.
Another great choice for a two-piece (meaning that the bowl and tank are separate pieces) toilet is the American Standard Cadet Right Height. It was specifically designed with beauty, reliability, and durability in mind. For that reason, it really is the perfect choice for a busy family home.
Made of durable vitreous china, it is built for tough everyday use. We also love that the white body, chrome lever, and clean lines on the Cadet make it a toilet that would fit in a wide variety of bathroom design styles.
As self-proclaimed germaphobes, our favorite feature is definitely the EverClean surface. This is an American Standard exclusive that prevents the growth of stain, odor causing bacteria, mold, and mildew on the toilet’s surface. Not only does this mean less cosmetic cleaning (should the toilet be used as a canvas by your toddler), but less bacteria in the bathroom is something everyone can get behind!
At 99 pounds and dimensions of 20.5 x 30.25 x 30.75 inches and a standard 12-inch rough-in (distance between floor drain and the wall) the toilet is a fairly standard sized toilet. The seat height is definitely on the taller comfort side at 16.5 inches high, which makes it ADA approved. It also has an elongated seat, which makes it more comfortable while sacrificing some compactness.
You can purchase a coordinating seat and wax free toilet seal to complete this toilet. It’s also floor mounted, which makes installation very straightforward.
Only 1.6 gallons per flush means the Cadet is going to save you and the environment a lot of water! Keep in mind that older toilets can use 3.5, 5, or even up to 7 gallons of water with every flush. If your home is still outfitted with older toilets, buying any of the extremely water efficient units on our list will be be an investment that will pay for itself over time.
Despite it’s low water usage, this toilet is still high performance and does not clog because of the pressure assisted siphon jet. This gives the toilet power without requiring more water. It does such a good job that it has received the WaterSense certification from the EPA. Finally, the purchase of this toilet comes with the industry standard one year limited warranty.
A great two-piece and water efficient toilet with a clean design. It makes a great addition to any style of home.
A reasonably-priced unit with the least amount of water consumption of any of the toilets listed has earned the Niagara Stealth a spot on our list!
This is a two-piece option: bowl and tank. While some may prefer a one-piece—and a few of those made our top ten review—two-pieces tend to be easier to find parts for when repairs and maintenance are required. This particular two-piece is a floor mounted unit made of durable vitreous china. It weighs in at 103 pounds and its dimensions are 18.75 x 28.88 x 31 inches, which makes it a sturdy toilet that will fit in most average sized bathrooms. It is heavy, but installing this toilet is very simple. You just may need some help moving into your bathroom. Also, make sure to purchase your wax free toilet seal before installation.
Next, we’ll get into the bells and whistles that come with the Niagara Stealth. As we mentioned above, it has the lowest water consumption of any of any of the units listed. That’s really saying something since all of the toilets listed are extremely water efficient. This unit is actually categorized as ultra-high-efficient because it only uses 0.8 gallons per flush.
Switching one or more of your toilets to the Stealth will result in tremendous water savings per year. The very reasonable price means that switching out an older and more inefficient toilet just makes sense. In one day a family of four would conserve at least 35 gallons of water compared to an older toilet. That is huge savings for your wallet and the environment. The Stealth has received the WaterSense certification because of its water efficiency.
I’m sure you may be thinking (because we were too), “Okay, so it uses barely any water…how is it actually going to flush away any waste?” Just like you, we were skeptical and not about to sign up for clogged toilet headaches. Fortunately, the Stealth boasts pressure assisted flushing technology, which means that although there’s less water overall the pressure is so high that it pushes everything through the trapway pipe.
Just one flush of the Stealth equates to the power of multiple flushes in your older and less efficient toilet. Plus, we love that the tank refills in a matter of seconds. Most impressively, just as its name suggests, the Stealth flushes very quietly. This toilet is still quieter than any other on the list despite all that extra pressure.
Aesthetically speaking, the Stealth has a very clean look. It is ADA compliant, which means that it is taller and the bowl is set a little bit higher. This provides more comfort, and requires less bending, which is nice if you have achy joints. The elongated bowl is also included for increased comfort and to meet that ADA requirement. A coordinating elongated seat can be purchased separately. Lastly, the flush is located on the top of the tank, which results in a cleaner look overall.
This is the perfect toilet for anyone on a budget because of its lower price tag and the huge savings on your water bill. We recommend these for homes with children since they have a tendency to use the toilet more than adults.
Did you know that TOTO toilets have been around since 1917?
The company was founded more than one hundred years ago by Kazuchika Okura in Japan. It changed the way people lived their lives at home and contributed to better sanitary conditions. TOTO toilets are still going strong in the 21st century as the company still produces many top ranking toilets.
This toilet is a one piece toilet, so that makes it easier to install and gives it a finished and seamless look. The design also incorporates an elongated shape, so this juts out from the wall quite a bit more than a standard toilet. It’s ideal for smaller bathrooms or multiple stall bathrooms that need a toilet that isn’t as wide as other models.
There are many advantages to choosing a one piece toilet. One of the first being that you can immediately install it without waiting for the second piece to arrive! The shipping cost is much lower too.
You’ll appreciate having a one piece toilet when you clean the bathroom each week since it’s so much easier to clean. There is an elongated space between the bottom of the tank and the top of the lid that makes it easy to access and clean. There also aren’t nearly as many crevices or hidden nooks and crannies where bacteria could develop. The sleek, modern design works best with contemporary fixtures. Overall, having a one piece toilet is much more sanitary than a two piece toilet.
The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, has many rules about toilets to make them acceptable for all people. The TOTO Eco Ultramax Toilet is ADA compliant. That makes it suitable for commercial use.
This is an “eco friendly” toilet, but what does that even mean? First, this toilet uses only 1.28 GPF (gallons per flush). Regular toilets usually use around 5 GPF, so this is a considerable water savings. The E-Max also makes it much quieter to flush, which is great for bathrooms that are next to bedrooms and nurseries. You won’t wake up anyone.
While we call toilets the ‘porcelain throne’ this one is made of porcelain! It’s actually made from vitreous china in a white cotton color. This is sealed with TOTO’s special SanaGloss glaze that acts as a nonstick coating of an ionized barrier on the china to prevent debris, mold, and bacteria from sticking to the porous ceramic surface. It’s a lot cleaner, safer for the environment, and easier for you to keep clean as well. The SanaGloss glaze is much more delicate, so gentler toilet bowl cleaners are required or you’ll scrub off the glaze.
One other feature we like is the soft closing lid. No more accidental lid banging or slamming when you’re tired and clumsy in the middle of the night. It gently closes as soon as you let go. The seat itself has a comfortable ergonomic design, molded bumpers, and is made of high gloss polypropylene, which won’t rot or become porous even from bleach or other harsh bathroom cleaning chemicals.
Inside the bowl is a wider, 2 1/8” computer designed and fully glazed trapway. The fittings and left hand side flush lever are made of polished chrome that is fingerprint resistant. The flush valve lever is much wider at 3” than the standard 2” flush valves.
You can install this toilet yourself. It comes with the actual toilet, some plumbing fixtures, and mounting bolts. However, you do need to purchase multiple tools in order to install it.
Finally, this model is quite tall, so it’s best for taller users. Carefully measure your space before purchase to make sure it’s not too high for all household members.
You use the toilet multiple times a day and everyday of your life, so you’ll enjoy all the extra features and benefits that go along with this TOTO Eco Ultramax Elongated ADA One Piece Toilet.
You’re getting a quality toilet that has some great things including the one piece design, eco friendly low gallon per flush amount, soft closing lid, and chrome lever. The SanaGloss is a nice bonus, but not a necessary feature. We highly recommend this model for residential or commercial bathrooms that need to be ADA compliant.
The Saniflo SANICOMPACT toilet was designed with very specific needs in mind, but it is on the upper end of the price range. It’s the best bet for compact bathrooms or if you’re environmentally conscious and want to save water. It also work great for people with physical limitations that require easy access to a toilet.
The first thing we like is the compactness of this toilet. It was actually designed specifically for half bathrooms or tiny bathrooms that don’t have the room for a conventional toilet.The Sanicompact is self-contained, so it doesn’t even have a tank. Tiny dimensions of 14.5 x 18.25 x 15.75 inches means this toilet will fit in even the tiniest of spaces. It can be installed in many (non-conventional) locations such as a loft or attic, under the stairway for a half bathroom, or an additional half bathroom in a bedroom or garage conversion. It only weighs 62 pounds, so installation is simple. The minimalist, modern design and tiny footprint create a solution to many cramped space problems.
As for its efficiency, there is a dual push button that allows you to choose between using the standard flush consumption of 1.28 gallon per flush or just 1 gallon per flush. How does it do this without a gravity flow tank to push everything through?
Instead of a tank, the flushing action and macerating pump cycle are automatically engaged after pressing the push button on top of the bowl. Once the button has been pushed, an electric timer and solenoid valve are activated to fill and wash the sides of the bowl. After the timer has elapsed, the motor runs for approximately 10-15 seconds in order to suck any waste and paper into the macerator and pumped away. The bowl then refills with fresh water once the motor has turned off.
A one-way valve, which comes already assembled prevents any sort of back flow into the unit. Adding to this, the waste is pumped upward 9 feet and/or 120 feet horizontally in order to meet up with the sewage line. This is clearly an incredibly engineered design for spaces where a conventional toilet won’t fit or work due to distance from the sewage line. Finally, this floor mounted toilet can actually be connected to a sink in order to pump away the sink’s wastewater. Talk about creating an impromptu bathroom with one simple appliance!
The simple design, lack of moving parts, and compactness makes this vitreous china toilet a great solution for what may be a bathroom headache. We love that Saniflo backs this product with a 2 year warranty.
If you have a trouble finding a toilet that works for you, then the Sanicompact could very well be your solution! This water efficient toilet can create a half bathroom almost anywhere.
You may have noticed that this is the third American Standard Cadet to make our best toilet article. The design and technology is simply impossible to pass up.
American Standard created a Cadet in a standard two-piece, a compact triangle version (both of which we’ve already reviewed), and a compact one-piece. As mentioned before, the one-piece offers a sleeker look and removes the hard to clean areas caused by two pieces butting up against each other. And that means easier cleaning for you and less areas for bacteria to hide.
The Cadet FloWise, like all of the toilets in American Standard’s Cadet series, is designed to be ADA compliant. It is a little bit taller than standard toilets, which makes it easier to sit down for those with achy joints or other special needs. The FloWise’s dimensions are 28.5 x 15.5 x 28.5 inches, so slightly less compact than other toilets reviewed. It’s very sturdy, made from porcelain, and weighs 103 pounds.
Installation is fairly straightforward, but the heavy weight means you may need help carrying it. Also be sure to purchase a wax free toilet seal and toilet bolt set for installing. Don’t worry about purchasing bolt caps because two color-matched bolt caps are included!
Aesthetically, this Cadet is similar to the other two we’ve seen, but in one-piece. It is available in an impressive four color options: white, linen, bone, and black.
The Cadet FloWise includes a slow-close toilet seat with cover. A very nice feature that isn’t too common. It’s especially useful if you have chilrden that like to drop the seat. The elongated seat is actually compact and fits the same space of a round front. You get the extra comfort of an elongated with the benefit of a smaller footprint.
Lastly, the included seat has a sanitary lift tab, so you don’t need to worry about what you might be touching. Little details like a sanitary lift tab are what make this toilet seat great!
Speaking of sanitary… we absolutely love the Cadet FloWise’s EverClean surface that is applied to both the inside and outside of the bowl and tank. This unique glazing technology helps inhibit stains, bacteria, mildew, and mold on the surface of the toilet. This means less germs in the bathroom and less cleaning of your toilet. The EverClean surface also looks shiny for a long time. An often overlooked part of toilet ownership.
As for its consumption, this high efficiency and ultra-low consumption toilet is hard to beat. Using just 1.28 gallons per flush makes it WaterSense certified. The FloWise’s flush uses a whopping 20 percent less water than the already awesome low-consumption toilets that use 1.6 gallons per flush. That saves a significant amount (20% to be exact) of water and money over time.
But don’t be fooled into thinking that this extremely water efficient toilet doesn’t have the performance to back it up. It uses a smart gravity design to deliver a stronger flush with much fewer clogs. In fact, recent independent MaP (Maximum Performance) tests have awarded the Cadet 3 Flushing System the highest possible rating. This is based on these toilets ability to handle 1,000 grams of solid waste in a single flush. Less flushing means less water wasted as well.
Other engineered technologies that explain the Cadet series receiving the best MaP award include its three inch chemical-resistant flush valve that allows more water to enter the bowl. Water also enters 80 percent faster than a toilet with a standard two-inch flush valve. This results in a faster and cleaner flush.
The flapper was created in such a way that it won’t warp or distort like an ordinary flapper. Finally, the FloWise boasts a 2.25 inch fully glazed siphon trapway. This is larger than the industry standard and the increased size, combined with a fully glazed surface, means that waste passes easier.
Furthermore, the trapway was engineered in such a way that it has no choke points. All of these features mean the FloWise can move a mass 60% larger than a standard two-inch trapway could. The icing on this incredible cake?
A five year warranty that covers everything inside and out.
For those who don’t want to use much water and really don’t ever want to deal with clogging, this toilet is for you. It has incredible technology that make plungers a thing of the past.
We all know that we need a good toilet. But if you’re anything like us, then you’re not exactly sure how to go about picking the best one. Here are a few things that will help you in your decision making process. Good luck and happy flushing!
The first step in your toilet purchasing journey is to make sure your new flushing toilet will fit in your bathroom. The most important measurement for this is the rough-in, which is the distance between the wall behind the toilet and the center of the drainpipe or the bolts that mount the toilet to the floor. It is easiest to get this measurement before taking out your old toilet.
If measuring the rough-in based on the bolts that hold the toilet down, then measure from the wall behind the toilet to the center of the closest bolt.
If there are four bolts present, then measure to the center of the rear bolts (closest to the wall).
Just make sure that your new toilet’s rough-in is smaller than your old toilet’s rough-in. The standard rough-in is 12 inches, but you may encounter 10 inch or 14 inch ones in some older homes. The rough-in measurement will be available in the product information of your prospective toilet. You can also find the rough-in measurement on the Comparison Table above.
Toilets are made in one of two styles: one-piece or two-piece.
Our article includes a both those types. The most commonly used toilet is the two-piece, which means that the bowl and the tank are separate pieces bolted together. Two-piece toilets tend to be less expensive and may be slightly easier to find repair parts for if necessary.
Both styles of toilet function about the same, but some prefer the one-piece option for a couple of reasons. First, there is no seam between the bowl and tank, so it looks sleeker. Second, one-pieces have less areas to trap bacteria and tend to be easier to clean.
A third option, which is becoming increasingly popular in more contemporarily designed homes, is the wall-mounted or wall-hung toilet. We included one wall hung toilet review in this post (Toto MS970CEMFG#01 1.28-GPF/0.9-GPF Washlet with Integrated Toilet G500). If you are interested in this style, then look into the specifications required for wall-mounted toilets such as plumbing and waste modifications as well as additional bracing on the wall.
You will find toilet bowls available in either a round or elongated (oval) shape. Round bowls tend cost less and are great space savers.
Elongated bowls are generally chosen for there increased comfort since they are generally about two inches longer than round bowls. Many of the toilets on our list have elongated bowls, but there are a few space saving round bowl options too. Be sure to check the comparison chart at the beginning of this article for this information.
There are two general heights that most toilets fall into: standard height and universal height (sometimes referred to as “comfort height” or “right height”). For standard sized toilets, the rim is 14 to 15 inches off the ground. Universal height toilets are slightly taller with a rim around 15 to 17 inches off the ground. These taller toilets tend are usually easier for most people to use and are much easier on achy joints. The taller toilets are also ADA-approved.
Toilets are purchased in separate pieces and don’t usually include the seat.
You will want to choose a seat that complements the color and style of both the toilet and your bathroom. If your toilet has a round bowl, then make sure to purchase a round seat. An elongated bowl needs an elongated seat.
You will be able to find seats in a variety of materials including real wood, molded wood composition, cushioned vinyl, plastic, or polypropylene. We have placed a link to each toilet’s corresponding seat (same shape, brand, and color options).
You will sometimes find specialty seats available for separate purchase or even included. One of our favorites is the much quieter and more durable slow-close toilet seat.
The fanciest toilet seats have incredible amenities like surface heaters, a warm water stream, warm air drying, and air deodorizing functions. The one wall-mounted toilet (referenced above) on our list boast all those top end features.
This is not something you should be overly concerned with when choosing a toilet since most toilets have comparable tank capacity. However, different tanks have different flush valve sizes.
The flush valve is located in the center of the tank and releases the water held in the tank when you flush your toilet. A larger valve means a higher rate of water flow into the bowl; a higher water flow rate usually results in a more powerful flush. This is essential with the water efficient toilets we have included on our list.
You should also consider where the flush lever is located (either on the left side of the toilet, the top of the tank, and even sometimes on the front of the tank) and decide what is most aesthetic and practical.
The two most common flushing systems are the pressure-assisted and the gravity-flush systems. The pressure-assisted system pushes water into the bowl whenever the toilet is flushed. This type of system reduces the likelihood of clogging, but tends to be noisier and more expensive. It can also be quite costly if maintenance is ever needed.
The gravity-flush system is more common and the simplest type of flushing system. Water creates flushing pressure in the tank, goes into the bowl, and is pushed through an S-shaped trapway* (the tubing on the sides of your toilet through which water flows). The flush is completed with a water siphoning action. Most prefer this type of flushing system because it is quieter and requires less maintenance than a pressure-assisted system.
*Note that a larger trapway diameter will help reduce the chance of clogging and overflowing. Another feature of many of the trapways on our list is a fully glazed surface that aids in moving waste through without clogging.
Some newer toilets, including a couple on our top ten list, have dual flush options. This allows the user to decide between a full or partial flush. This allows the user to conserve water without sacrificing performance.
Finally, there are self-contained toilets that do not require a tank of water to flush. These are useful when water isn’t easily accessible or for half-bathrooms away from a water line. We include one of these self-contained toilets in our review: Saniflo 023 SANICOMPACT 48 One piece Toilet with Macerator Built Into the Base.
By federal law, new toilets cannot use more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush (GPF). Many high-efficiency toilets, including most of the toilets reviewed in our top ten toilets article, use much less than that. There is a good chance that your current toilet uses more (and maybe much more) water since that law came into effect in 1992. Older toilets use an average of 3.5 GPF and some go up to 7 GPF. For this reason, a high efficiency toilets will often save you money on your water bill and help save the environment.
Be sure to check out the water consumption column to see the specs of all the toilets on our list. Within the more detailed reviews, you’ll see that many of our picks have been WaterSense certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means that they meet strict flushing performance guidelines and use at least 20% less water than the standard 1.6-gallon toilets.
Thanks for making reviews on the best toilets. In fact, I am looking for high-efficiency toilets for sale online for my bathroom remodeling project, and it’s nice to look into some of the features I must find. Since you mentioned that round bowls are cost-effective and does not take up much space, I shall then choose this type.