Toilets : Ratings of Sources

Our AssessmentThis review compares 19 single-flush toilets and six dual-flush toilets. Both gravity and pressure-assist models are tested. Five single-flush toilets and two dual-flush toilets are recommended, and another three single-flush toilets are identified as a CR Best Buy. Editors say "the best performers still use the standard 1.6 gallons of water per flush." Blue dye is added to the water to see if it is completely replaced with clear water after flushing. Water height and how well flushing rinses the inside of the bowl are also evaluated. An interesting mixture of 160 plastic balls, two latex cylinders and seven sponges weighted with screws is used in the solid-waste removal test. Noise level without a seat is the final consideration.

Our AssessmentTerry Love is a plumber in Bellevue, Wash., who offers a review of low-flow, water-efficient toilets based on MaP testing, quality control at the factory, ease and cost of repairs, how they sound when flushing, how well the bowl is rinsed and perception of quality. The majority of the toilets reviewed and recommended are made by Toto. Love's favorite is the one-piece Toto UltraMax MS854114S with a 1-inch larger flush valve. Additionally, its "long, sweeping trapway is good prevention against clogging." He notes a few problematic designs: the Briggs Vacuity is a vacuum-assist toilet that "may require a second flush to evacuate everything," and low-flow toilets like the Kohler Rialto don't allow waste to fall below the waterline and can result in an "outhouse smell." The downside is that this site also sells toilets, so recommendations should be compared with the opinions of more objective sources.

Our AssessmentThis blog is by a plumber who is affiliated with WetHeadMedia.com and has similar picks. His three best picks for 2009 include the Toto Drake II CST454CEFG, Gerber Avalanche-Super Toilet HE-21-818 and Niagara Ecologic Flapperless Toilet N2225E. He doesn't perform testing, but bases his picks on experience as a plumber and plumber feedback on Internet forums. These toilets are "well made and engineered, and can be relied on for a long period of time, while performing well with little or no chance of clogging." He says the taller ADA-approved height is more comfortable and "tend to flush better in the flush testing than standard height toilets."

Our AssessmentHomeClick.com is an online retail site featuring products for the home. They sell seven brands of toilets, but the majority is by Toto. Many of the toilets have consumer ratings and reviews, and the site creates a nice summary of the pros and cons. Toto Drake is the highest-rated model, with several models accumulating more than 100 reviews. Owners say it's easy to install and quiet. A few complain about leaky valves or occasionally needing to flush twice to clear the bowl.

Our AssessmentCSE magazine is an engineer industry publication. Each year manufacturers can nominate their products in categories such as building plumbing, lighting and electrical, and readers vote online to determine the best products. In 2007, the Gerber Ultra Dual Flush toilet was the MVP Product of the Year for receiving the most votes overall.

Our AssessmentThis home improvement retailer compares nine high-performance toilets in a chart format. Toilets by American Standard, Crane, Jacuzzi and Kohler are not ranked or rated, but information includes bowl shape, rim height, toilet kit inclusion, flush valve, toilet colors, SKU numbers, unique flushing system and other features. The chart offers terrific diagrams of the toilets with a detailed key. Prices are not included but the review is written in both English and Spanish. A few products sold by Lowe's include user reviews and ratings. Like The Home Depot, Lowe's doesn't carry Toto or Gerber toilets.

Our AssessmentThis website provides a forum for members to post comments about eco-friendly products. A few owners have posted comments about single-flush, dual-flush and composting toilets they own. Owners can rank their toilet on a five-point scale in categories such as value, effectiveness, water conservation and ease of installation. Several toilets receive a perfect score in a single review. Although the limited number of opinions don't form a consensus, it's interesting to read what owners have to say.

Our AssessmentIt doesn't look like any testing is performed in this review. Rather, editors appear to have chosen three expensive toilets based primarily on design and ease of cleaning. The Kohler Purist Hatbox and Toto Neorest 500 are both tankless designs. The American Standard Savona is a one-piece toilet with an antimicrobial glaze finish to inhibit bacteria growth.

Our AssessmentThis is a site devoted to encouraging the use of composting toilets, and it features many articles and pages related to the benefits of composting toilets. Hundreds of consumers have written testimonials and provided photos of their Envirolet brand compositing toilet, which is the site's sole sponsor.