Best Standard Toilets

Toto Drake toilets offer excellent flushing power

The Toto Drake CST744SG-01 (Est. $250) isn't WaterSense-certified, but if water efficiency isn't a priority for you, this toilet is a great choice. It uses 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) and is equipped with Toto's powerful G-Max flushing system that uses an extra-wide, 3-inch flush valve and a 2.125-inch trapway for maximum solid waste removal with every flush.

The CST744SG-01 earns a MaP score of 1,000, better than some water-efficient Toto toilets and the highest possible in this independent test. That means it removes 1,000 grams of solid waste or more with a single flush. Owners posting reviews to sites such as Amazon.com and HomeClick.com say this toilet leaves no mess behind. Toto's SanaGloss finish, an antimicrobial coating that glazes the interior of the bowl, cuts cleaning in half.

In professional tests, the Toto Drake CST744SG-01 earns excellent scores for solid waste removal and bowl cleaning, and very good ratings for noise. Users agree that this very powerful toilet is relatively quiet during flushing.

Another option at the same price point, the Toto Drake CST743S (Est. $250) is about a half-inch taller than the CST744SG-01, 15 inches compared to 14.5. Although neither model is ADA-compliant, the CST743S may be more functional for families of taller stature. It also uses Toto's G-Max flushing system, but doesn't have SanaGloss to protect the bowl's interior. The lack of antimicrobial coating makes a big difference to users: Feedback at Amazon.com is mostly positive, but many owners complain that the bowl doesn't come clean with one flush, leaving streaks behind and making the toilet more difficult to clean.

While both toilets retail for the same price and have practically identical features, the Toto Drake CST744SG-01 is a better buy thanks to its SanaGloss coating. Few people list cleaning toilets as a favorite pastime, and having to do so less frequently is generally appealing.