Toilets

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 for the entire United States.

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 left consumers with frequently 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 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Dual-flush toilets have been in Europe and Australia for years, 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. With recent home-improvement trends and high home-sale prices, there's 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, but also designer toilets are now available in cherry, mahogany, leather, stainless steel, 1950’s powder blue, pink and even toilets designed to look like hatboxes.

Types of toilets

Toilets consume 30% to 40% of the total water used in homes, making them the biggest water users. Replacing an older 3.5-gallon toilet with a 1.6-gallon toilet could save an average of two gallons-per-flush, totaling a household savings of 12,000 gallons of water per year. Dual-flush 1.6-gpf toilets reduce water consumption by an additional 30%.

You might want to check with your local utility company; many municipalities offer rebates that can defray the cost of a new, more efficient toilet. City municipalities, which have installed 1.6-gpf toilets, report reduced total water demand and reduced wastewater flow of 15% to 20%, saving taxpayers millions of dollars per year.

Toilets come in several main types: Pressure-assist, power-assist, vacuum-assist and gravity. Be sure to compare like categories when you are shopping. Otherwise, you end up comparing apples to oranges. In general, reviews say to expect to pay between $250 and $350 for a good toilet.

Gravity toilets: This is the most familiar type of toilet. Here, water drops from the tank into the bowl and trap, moving waste down the drain. Gravity does all the work, which makes them a good choice for homes that don't get great water pressure (as low as 10 pounds per square inch should be fine). Gravity toilets have a proven design and appeal to those who want a quiet flush. Since there's not much fancy technology inside the tank, repairs are easier. However, lower-priced models don't typically fare as well in testing. The best gravity toilets can cost as much as generally better pressure-assist toilets. Prices range from about $150 to $500.

Pressure-assist toilets: These are the most powerful toilets, best suited for large families or heavy use. The toilet's water supply provides the pressure to compress air within a sealed plastic reservoir inside the tank. When the incoming water reaches the fill line, the tank is pressurized and ready for the next flush. During flushing, the air under pressure creates a loud "whoosh" as water blasts into the bowl; this noise can startle small children and people who like to flush while seated. Up to 80% of the flush water is used to purge the bowl, making for a very efficient flush. These toilets work great as long as the household water pressure is at least 25 pounds per square inch (psi). Pressure-assist toilets can solve problems in homes with older plumbing systems where gravity-fed 1.6-gpf toilets just aren't strong enough to pull waste through the older pipes. Prices generally range from $225 to $400. Pressure-assist toilets are generally better than gravity toilets, but their more complicated inner workings make them harder to repair.

Vacuum-assist toilets: In these toilets, the tank houses a vacuum chamber that works like a siphon to pull air out of the trap below the bowl so that it can quickly fill with water to clear waste. These toilets, like power-assist models, work well in close quarters or bathrooms located near bedrooms, where you'd want a quiet toilet. Vacuum-assist toilets typically have less power than pressure-assist toilets, and are not as widely manufactured as other toilet types, so there are fewer choices. In general, these toilets range in price from $200 to $350. In reviews, experts recommend pressure-assist toilets over vacuum toilets.

Power-assist toilets: Power-assist toilets plug into a standard GFCI outlet and use electricity to power a pump that pushes water into the toilet bowl. These quiet operators work well in close quarters or bathrooms located near bedrooms. A self-closing seat, which may be added to any toilet for about $50, eliminates the loud clanking associated with a toilet seat dropping on porcelain. This type of toilet is expensive; prices start at about $900.

In home-improvement stores, you'll see familiar-looking two-piece toilets alongside newer one-piece toilets. The one-piece models incorporate the tank, bowl and seat into one piece of hardware. A one-piece toilet is easier to clean, doesn’t leak between the bowl and tank, and is typically more expensive than a two-piece toilet. The tank and bowl are separate in two-piece toilets, and the toilet seat is usually not included with the bowl. Two-piece toilets are usually less expensive than one-piece toilets, but they're a little harder to clean.

The vast majority of toilets still mount on the floor over a trap that leads to the sewer main. But you can also find wall-mounted toilets, which require a special plumbing setup. Wall-mounted toilets are more expensive, generally over $500. A wall-mounted toilet allows for easier floor cleaning.

Toilet bowls are available in two basic shapes -- round and elongated. Round bowls save space; elongated bowls are more oval in shape, and are a bit more comfortable as well. Elongated bowls are usually 2" longer than round bowls. With their larger water surface, elongated bowls are recommended by the ADA for seniors or those with disabilities.

Best toilets

We found the most buzz in reviews for TOTO toilets, and the one-piece TOTO UltraMax in particular. The basic model is the TOTO UltraMax MS854114S (*est. $375) , with an elongated bowl. Variations include a model with an ADA-approved 17-inch seat height and elongated bowl (the TOTO UltraMax MS854114SL , *est. $475 ) and a version with a SaniGloss glaze in the bowl (TOTO UltraMax MS85114SG, *est. $490), which supposedly helps keep the bowl clean (we did not see this tested). Six colors are available. Reviews tout this gravity toilet as the panacea for problem toilet owners. Testing products used in the evaluation include miso paste, sponges, plastic balls, baby wipes, paper wads and real human waste. The UltraMax consistently receives high ratings, with perfect and near-perfect scores given for performance, ease of installation and overall satisfaction.

With its three-second flush, the TOTO UltraMax toilet thoroughly cleans the bowl without leaving behind any remnants. This easy-to-assemble toilet with its G-Max flush is the most powerful toilet around. Engineers, consumers and plumbers alike repeatedly give the TOTO UltraMax high marks for its "deceptively powerful flush" and "clog-free performance." The soft-close seat also receives kudos for eliminating the loud clanking associated with a dropped toilet seat.

If you like the idea of a one-piece toilet, but don't want to spend nearly $400 on the TOTO UltraMax, the Kohler Santa Rosa (*est. $250) is certainly less expensive. It is also less powerful, performing below the 625-grams recommended solid-waste removal per flush put forth by the California Urban Water Conservation Council. The Santa Rosa removed about 500 grams-per-flush, while the TOTO eliminated 700 grams-per-flush.

Another toilet, the two-piece TOTO Drake CST744S (*est. $225) is less expensive than the one-piece TOTO UltraMax, but it also performs well. In tests by the California Urban Water Conservation Council, the Drake and the UltraMax are both excellent at flushing solid waste. The TOTO Drake gets high scores from plumber Terry Love for its low noise. Variations include the TOTO Drake CST743S (*est. $230) , which has the flush lever mounted on the right instead of the left. An ADA-approved, with a higher seat height, is also available; the TOTO Drake CST744SL (*est. $300) . All have elongated bowls. If you want to replace your toilet with a better performing gravity toilet, the one-piece TOTO UltraMax and two-piece TOTO Drake toilets get excellent reviews.

The Eljer Titan 091-0777 (*est. $300) is another two-piece gravity toilet that gets good reviews. Like the TOTO Drake, it also has an elongated bowl. But the two-piece Drake is quite a bit less expensive than the similar Titan toilet.

Cheaper gravity toilets don't do nearly as well in reviews. Models like the two-piece Eljer Patriot 091-2120 (*est. $165) with a round bowl and the Eljer Patriot 131-2175 (*est. $175) with an elongated bowl just don't get the job done, failing to completely eliminate waste on one flush. The Kohler Wellworth K3422 (elongated) and round-bowl K3423 (*est. $150) is a popular toilet with builders in new apartments and homes because it is inexpensive, but according to reviews, it's not the best toilet. The Wellworth has a tough time flushing solid waste, achieving some of the lowest grams-per-flush ratings we saw.

In you are interested in a very low water usage toilet, The American Standard FloWise 2073.013 (*est. $400) is a two-piece toilet that uses only 1.28-gpf -- 20% less water than low-consumption 1.6-gpf toilets. The gravity FloWise toilet isn't as powerful as the TOTO and Eljer Titan toilets, but it's much better than the American Standard Patriot toilets, and would be a good choice if you are more concerned about getting the most efficient toilet as opposed to the most powerful toilet.

In general, reviews say pressure-assisted toilets are the best bang for the buck, and they generally outperform gravity toilets. The toilet that receives the number one slot in laboratory tests is the Gerber Ultra Flush. The base elongated model is the Gerber Ultra Flush 21-312 (*est. $325). Similar versions include a model with an ADA-approved seat height, different sizes and 14 color choices, including powder blue and pink, which cost extra. The round-bowl version is the Gerber Ultra Flush 21-302 (*est. $300).

Equipped with the Sloan Flushmate Flushometer-Tank System, the Gerber Ultra Flush consumes less than 1.6 gallons-per-flush. The high performance of this pressure-assisted toilet is achieved by using compressed air inside the tank, which creates a turbo-charged flushing action for effective bowl cleaning. This toilet features one of the largest water surfaces of any low consumption toilet, which helps keep it clean and prevents stains. Reviews agree that with its quieter flush, this toilet is a great pick for master bathrooms and smaller living spaces. Pressure-assisted toilets are usually considered noisy, but the Gerber toilet is an exception.

If you are on a tight budget, the pressure-assisted Eljer Aqua-Saver 091-7025 (*est. $200) is an excellent value. This two-piece elongated toilet is noisier than the pricier Gerber Ultra Flush. It is also somewhat less powerful, falling short of the Gerber and TOTO toilets in testing by the California Urban Water Conservation Council, but outperforming other budget toilets, like the American Standard Patriot and Kohler Wellworth by a very wide margin.

We also saw good reviews for the American Standard Cadet 2333 (*est. $300). This two-piece pressure-assisted toilet is a good performer. However, it is easily confused with some other American Standard Cadet toilets that are gravity-fed -- not pressure assisted. The gravity Cadet toilets generally get very low marks, so be sure you're looking at the pressure-assist Cadet.

Dual-flush toilets

Dual-flush toilets, while mandated in Australia and Singapore, have gained popularity in North America. The dual-flush toilet, a technology first developed in the early 1980s, takes water-efficiency one step further by using 1.6 gallons of water to flush solid waste but only 0.8 gallons to flush liquid waste. The two-piece Caroma Caravelle 305 (*est. $400) has a round bowl (the similar Caravelle 305-EL has an elongated bowl). You control the flush with two separate buttons, and the buttons have raised patterns on them so you can identify them in the dark. The Caroma toilet can save an extra 25% water over a standard 1.6-gpf toilet.

While reviews say the water savings is great, and power is good, very little water actually stays in the bowl. Some owners comment that this makes cleaning a hassle, and that because all solid waste doesn't always land in the water, odor can be an issue.

The Mansfield EcoQuantum 147 (*est. $320) is another dual-flush toilet. This model has an elongated seat. Variations include a model with a round seat, the Mansfield EcoQuantum 146 (*est. $330), and an ADA-compliant version with a high seat, the Mansfield EcoQuantum 148 (*est. $400). In tests, the Mansfield dual-flush toilet outperforms the Caroma Caravelle by a bit. Downsides are that it can be noisy, and because of the low water level, it has the same cleaning and possible odor drawbacks as other dual-flush toilets. Good luck finding these toilets, however. They are not available in the big-box home-improvement stores.

Low-maintenance toilet

The Niagara Flapperless (*est. $250) is interesting in that its design eliminates flappers or any other type of flexible seal in the toilet. Deteriorating flappers and seals can lead to a leaking toilet, which means repair hassles and higher water bills. This theoretically maintenance-free toilet uses 1.6 gallons-per-flush, like most other toilets. We found good user comments for the Niagara Flapperless, and it gets very good ratings from the California Urban Water Conservation Council. This toilet is available mainly through the manufacturer (http://www.niagaraconservation.com), but you may also find it at some Home Depot stores for about $100 less.

Regular gravity toilets are also a good bet. Although they use some rubber parts and flappers, these components are inexpensive and easy to replace. If you need to put a toilet in a low-usage area, or an unattended area, the Niagara Flapperless may be worth seeking out.

Important Features: Toilets

The following is what experts say about choosing a toilet:

• Determine which type of toilet you prefer. Gravity-fed toilets are simplest mechanically (so they are easy to repair), but in reviews, the more expensive gravity toilets perform best. Gravity toilets are generally quieter than pressure-assist toilets. Pressure-assist toilets have the most powerful flush, but they can be noisy. Budget pressure-assist toilets are usually better than budget gravity toilets. In general, reviews say to expect to pay between $200 and $350 for a good toilet.

• Dual-flush toilets save water. Solid waste flushes with 1.6 gallons but liquid waste requires only 0.8 gallons to flush. These toilets can save about 25% water over a regular 1.6-gpf toilet. However, the water level in the toilet remains very low compared to others, which can make cleaning a hassle and may contribute to more odors. Good dual-flush toilets can perform just as well as other types. Most dual-flush toilets are gravity toilets.

• One-piece toilets are easier to clean, but more expensive. A one-piece toilet is easier to clean, doesn’t leak between the bowl and tank, and is typically more expensive than a two-piece toilet. Two-piece toilets are less expensive and more familiar looking.

• Round toilet bowls save space; elongated bowls are more comfortable. Elongated bowls are usually 2" longer than round bowls. Most toilets are available in both variations.

• Check your water pressure. Pressure-assist toilets require at least 25 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure to function correctly. If in doubt, you can check your home's water pressure with an inexpensive gauge (available in hardware stores). If your home has low water pressure, go for a gravity toilet, which can work well with levels as low as 10 psi.

• Toilets come in more colors these days. White is still the standard, but you can find shades of beige or even brighter colors.

• Don't forget the seat. Two-piece toilets don't usually come with a seat, so remember to budget extra for a compatible seat (*est. $20 to $70).

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	TOTO UltraMax (*est. $375)	details
2	Gerber Ultra Flush (*est. $325)	-
2	American Standard Cadet (*est. $300)	details
2	Kohler Santa Rosa (*est. $250)	details
2	TOTO Drake (*est. $225)	details
2	Eljer Titan (*est. $300)	-
2	Kohler Wellworth (*est. $150)	details
2	Briggs Altima III (*est. $225)	-
1 each	American Standard Champion , TOTO Aquia , TOTO Carlyle , Eljer Aqua-Saver , Mansfield EcoQuantum, Briggs Vacuity 4200, Crane Economiser, Caroma Caravelle , Niagara Flapperless

We found good reviews for TOTO toilets, including the one-piece UltraMax and two-piece Drake. The Gerber Ultra Flush is the best pressure-assist toilet. The American Standard Cadet pressure-assist toilet is also good -- but be sure not to confuse this toilet with other American Standard Cadet models, which don't do as well.

The Kohler Santa Rosa is a one-piece toilet. It's less expensive than the top-rated TOTO UltraMax, but in tests, it doesn't remove waste nearly as well. However, if you want a one-piece toilet, it's a good budget option. The Eljer Titan is a two-piece gravity toilet, but it's more expensive than the similar TOTO Drake. The Briggs Altima III is recommended in a couple of reviews, but in objective testing, especially in the tests by the California Urban Water Conservation Council, it receives very low scores. The Kohler Wellworth also scores poorly in this test.

Sponsored links