Toilet Review

Toilet reviews test ease of cleaning, capacity, design

We found the most helpful information on toilets in a special issue of Fine Homebuilding, entitled "Kitchen and Bath Planning Guide 2008," which includes an article on the best gravity, pressure-assist and vacuum-assist toilets. In this article, kitchen designer Nena Donovan Levine does an excellent job creating an overview of modern toilets. The best aspect of this review is that information on children's toilets, bidets, paperless alternatives and ADA-compliant toilets are also included.

When it comes to objective testing, a toilet review published by Consumer Reports magazine is an excellent resource. Though editors don't approach the amount of comprehensive information found in Fine Homebuilding's special issue, they test 14 of the most popular mainstream toilets for their ability to flush simulated solid waste, along with ease of cleaning and noise. Also helpful is the Maximum Performance (MaP) Testing of Popular Toilet Models (13^th Edition), a report which gives testing results of nearly every toilet on the market using simulated waste. One common thread exists in the toilet reviews we found: More money doesn't always buy better performance, just a more upscale design. In reviews, we discovered a considerable amount of performance variation from flush to flush among toilets.

For several brands, test results seemed to be very good for one model, but not as impressive for similar toilets in the manufacturer's product line. For example, The American Standard Champion (*Est. $300) two-piece gravity toilet removed 1,000 grams of waste in the Maximum Performance (MaP) testing of nearly all toilets on the market. That's the highest possible score, and well above the 250 grams recommended as a minimum standard. But American Standard has toilets that rate far lower when it comes to removing waste. The American Standard Renaissance (Est. $150), for example, removed just 250 grams of waste in testing.

The Kohler Devonshire 3457 (*Est. $250) two-piece gravity toilet is another below average flusher. In testing, it just barely removed the recommended grams per flush. Yet the Devonshire's ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) version with the same name, the Devonshire 3503 one-piece gravity toilet, removed 1,000 grams of waste in testing. Plus, the similar-looking Kohler Cimarron 3496 (*Est. $300) two-piece gravity toilet is much, much better in tests, with more than three times the ability of the Devonshire 3457 to flush solid waste.

On March 6, 2008, American Standard, Crane and Eljer merged to form one new company called American Standard Brands. The companies are still in the process of integrating, and it is unclear what lines or brands will be continued in the future.

Toilet evolution

Though they still look pretty much the same, toilets have come a long way. Before the 1950s, toilets used approximately seven gallons for each flush. By the end of the 1960s, toilets flushed with only 5.5 gallons. The 1980s brought gallons-per-flush (gpf) rates down to 3.5. Today, spurred by water-conservation movements, toilets are flushing with only 1.6 gallons of water. In fact, in 1994, the National Energy Policy Act (H.R. 776) went into effect, mandating a rate of 1.6 gpf.

Manufacturers, in an attempt to produce toilets compliant with the new legal standards, tweaked the valves and floats in the tank to reduce water usage. Unfortunately, manufacturers didn't make changes to the tank or bowl, which frequently left consumers with clogged toilets and bowls that didn't clear out properly. Two or more flushes per use were often needed in order to get the bowl to empty completely. All of this increased flushing cancelled out the primary intention of low-flow toilets -- water conservation.

Engineers began to change the trap diameter and shape in an attempt to improve the performance of 1.6-gpf toilets. They quickly found that enlarging the trap reduced siphonic pull, resulting in an inefficiently flushed toilet. To counter this reduced siphoning power, designers began manipulating the trap's curve, finding that minimally curved traps maximize the water's pull.

Trends in toilets include models with a higher seat (as much as 17 inches off the floor), which makes it easier to get on and off. Elongated bowls are also more popular, with many models that are compliant with standards set by the ADA.

Dual-flush toilets have been used in Europe and Australia for years (and are, in fact, mandatory under law in new buildings in much of Australia), but are now gaining in popularity in the U.S. Dual-flush toilets let you choose between a 1-gallon (or less) flush for liquid waste and a 1.6-gallon flush for solid waste. There's also a greater interest in better-looking toilets. As a result, toilets have received a face-lift. Not only have the color choices been expanded to include earth tones and the modern look of black, but also designer toilets are now available in cherry, mahogany, leather, stainless steel, 1950s powder blue, pink and even tankless electronics toilets dubbed "hatbox" toilets; the $2,300 Kohler Hatbox, available in seven colors, is an example.

In 2007, toilets were added to the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense partnership. Toilets with the WaterSense label both conserve water and work well, according to the EPA. Manufacturers must meet new very high efficiency and performance standards, including a maximum flush volume of 1.28 gallons and the ability to remove 350 grams per flush, in order to apply to have their products certified for this program.

Another development is a growing interest in composting toilets, although this is still a tiny segment of the toilet market. As the name indicates, these toilets reduce the waste being produced by turning it into usable compost. Composting toilets do not seem to be a viable alternative for most people at this time. According to the editors of Composting Toilet World, most authorities forbid the use of composting toilets if a sewage system is available. However, they are an option in cabins or shelters in remote areas where installing a traditional toilet would be impossible.