Kohler Numi

Bottom line

The Kohler Numi is one of the most technologically advanced toilets available, with a touch-screen remote control that operates a slew of features including ambient lighting, speakers, built-in tush and foot warmers, bidet functions and much more. If you're willing to pay a high price for a modern, totally customized toileting experience, the Kohler Numi won't disappoint.

Type

WaterSense-certified, dual-flush technology. The one-piece dual-flush Kohler Numi not only uses pressure-assist flushing technology for maximum power and water efficiency but is WaterSense-certified and offers multiple technology features. From ambient lighting that automatically senses when the room goes dark to an automatic-lifting lid equipped with a motion sensor, the Numi does everything for you -- "aside from the stuff that, well, only you can do," says Christopher Trout at Engadget.com. A built-in bidet automatically adjusts to the correct position, and both washes and dries the user after business is complete.

Performance

Technical components are so-so. The Kohler Numi has a MaP score of 600, meaning it removes about 600 grams of solid waste or more in a single flush. While that score is lower than many standard toilets on the market today, it's still well above the accepted standard of 500. The Numi has two flush settings: one for liquid waste, which uses about 0.6 gallons per flush (gpf), and another for solid waste that uses the standard 1.28 gpf common to low-flow toilets.

It's the Numi's many technical features that tend to cause durability issues. Owners say the speakers are scratchy and offer poor sound quality, and the automatic-lifting lid tends to open and close with a mind of its own, sometimes slamming shut in the middle of the night. Most users don't post feedback on this toilet's flushing capabilities, so it's not clear how well the flushing action cleans the inside of the bowl.

Lifestyle features

Packed with extras. At 17.125 inches tall, the Kohler Numi meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and most reviewers say the height is comfortable. The same isn't true of the seat, however; a number of owners complain about the square edges.

Built-in UV lighting and automatic deodorizing features help keep bacteria at bay. Lighting, pre-set flushing preferences, seat- and foot-warming settings and other features are controlled by a touch-screen remote control.

The Numi's control features allow users to create individual preferences under profiles, customizing the toileting experience for every member of the family. It's backed by a three-year warranty, and few owners report having to obtain replacement parts.