Best Water-Saving Toilets

Water-saving toilets reduce cost of ownership and are good for the environment

Water-efficient toilets typically operate at 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf), using about 20 percent less water than standard 1.6-gpf toilets. The Toto Drake II CST454CEFG-01 (Est. $330) boasts a number of features that make it a standout in this category. This WaterSense-certified toilet features Toto's SanaGloss finish, an ion-barrier glaze that keeps bacteria at bay and prevents debris from adhering to the bowl. Combined with a large water surface that helps keep water cleaner and Double Cyclone technology that cycles more water around the bowl with each flush, this toilet requires less frequent cleaning than most.

While the Toto Drake II has a MaP score of 800 -- higher than most standard toilets and an impressive rating -- the standard Toto toilets recommended in reviews have a MaP score of 1,000. MaP scores indicate the grams of solid waste a toilet is capable of removing with a single flush, based on independent tests using a soybean paste mixture to simulate solid waste.

With a 17-inch seat height, the Toto Drake II CST454CEFG-01 meets standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is a comfortable height for most users. However, small children and people of shorter stature may find the height awkward. Owner reviews at Amazon.com, HomeClick.com and TerryLove.com say this toilet doesn't leak and rarely clogs. The Toto Drake II is backed by a one-year warranty.

If you're looking for a more affordable toilet that offers the same water-efficient features, consider the Gerber Avalanche HE-21-818 (Est. $240) . Like the Toto Drake II, it has a MaP score of 800, is WaterSense-certified, has a 17-inch seat height for ADA compliance and uses just 1.28 gpf. In professional tests, the Gerber Avalanche earns excellent scores for both solid waste removal and noise, and very good scores for bowl cleaning.

While the Gerber Avalanche doesn't offer Toto's proprietary SanaGloss coating, it does feature a fully glazed trapway to cut down on cleaning and avoid bacteria buildup. The toilet is backed by a limited lifetime warranty, and few users complain of malfunctioning or leaking units.

With practically identical features and no reports of clogging and leaking, the choice between the two models becomes primarily one of price. The Gerber Avalanche is cheaper and offers a better warranty, but the Toto Drake II has better bowl-cleaning functionality. Some owners may find it worth the price to avoid the task of toilet cleaning.