Toilets: Reviews

Equipped with the Sloan Flushmate Flushometer-Tank System, the two-piece Gerber UltraFlush toilet gets the highest ratings in reviews for removing the most solid waste in a single flush. The high performance of this… pressure-assisted toilet is achieved by using compressed air inside the tank, which creates a turbo-charged flushing action. This toilet also has a large water surface, which helps keep it clean and prevents stains. Though powerful, the Gerber is quiet. Pressure-assist toilets require home water pressure of at least 25 pounds per square inch. If your home has lower water pressure, consider a gravity toilet.

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Reviews favor this one-piece gravity toilet as the panacea for owners of problem toilets. Though not as powerful as the Gerber Ultra Flush, the TOTO can be installed in homes with low water pressure. Because it doesn't… use any fancy technology in the tank, the TOTO is easy to maintain and repair. Owners give this toilet high marks for its powerful flush despite its low water use of 1.28 gallons per flush. The soft-close seat also receives kudos for eliminating the loud clanking associated with a dropped toilet seat. Its one-piece design is easier to clean than two-piece toilets.

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The two-piece TOTO Drake isn't quite as easy to clean as the one-piece TOTO Eco UltraMax toilet, but it costs a lot less and is actually more powerful, falling just behind the Gerber Ultra Flush in tests. Because it is a… gravity toilet, it uses simple, easy-to-repair technology, and it's a good choice for homes with low water pressure. Like most modern toilets, the Drake uses 1.6 gallons per flush -- about half that of toilets from the 1980s, which used 3.5 gallons of water. The latest version is the TOTO Eco Drake CST744EL (*est. $340), which uses just 1.28 gallons per flush and performs just as well in tests. However, you'll pay $100 more for the better water efficiency.

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The Caroma toilet's dual-flush system uses 0.8 gallons of water for liquid waste and 1.6 gallons for solid waste, about 25 percent less than a regular 1.6 gallon-per-flush toilet. This toilet qualifies for the EPA's… WaterSense certification for conservation. The low-profile push buttons are easy to operate and have molded symbols so your fingers can find them in the dark. Although the Caroma is very efficient and powerful, there are a couple of drawbacks. Because the water level in the toilet is so low, this toilet may need more frequent cleaning, and odor could be an issue.

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Performance-wise, the Kohler Purist Hatbox flushes just as well as the cheaper toilets above. No reviewer rates it as the best toilet overall, but the Hatbox is a perfect example of the type of high-design toilets that… are invading luxury bathrooms. According to tests, the Purist Hatbox flushes better than average; most owners are enthralled with the tankless design, which fits into small spaces. However, this toilet requires an electrical outlet, and we did read a few reports from owners that the electrics and pump needed repair within the one-year warranty period.

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