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The Best Toilet

Last updated on November 3, 2023
Best Toilet

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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When you buy or rent a place, toilets are generally included as part of the deal. However, if one of those toilets malfunctions or you decide to remodel your bathroom, you quickly learn how challenging shopping for a toilet can be. You’ll first need to measure your space and make sure you pick a toilet that fits, but you’ll also see that there are many features to consider before you spend money.

One of those features is flush power. Today’s toilets use a variety of technologies to provide powerful flushes while still maintaining water efficiency. This means instead of having to flush multiple times to clear the bowl, one flush should do it. For environmentally-conscious consumers, this is a huge plus, but it also means lower water bills, which is a bonus for your bank account.

If you’re installing the toilet yourself, read the installation instructions carefully to make sure you can set it up without professional assistance. You may also find that you’ll need special tools to install, so reading ahead will help you make sure you have everything you need. Some toilets don’t even come with a toilet seat — something you definitely want to have on hand ahead of time if you need it.

Another feature to consider is clog resistance. If you’ve ever dealt with a toilet that clogs easily, you know how frustrating it can be. Some toilets have features that provide mostly clog-free flushes. You may still need to keep a plunger around, but you should find you only have to use it on occasion.

Of course, one of the most personal decisions you can make is based on sheer aesthetics. The way a toilet looks is important since it becomes an integral part of your bathroom décor. This is a matter of taste, but you may find that one of the biggest changes in toilets in recent years has been the elimination of the tank in some models. These can save space by making more room for behind-the-toilet shelving if you choose.

Our Picks For The Top Toilet

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Swiss Madison Ceramic Soft Close Toilet

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Swiss Madison

Ceramic Soft Close Toilet

Available in white, matte black and bisque, this toilet offers a classy look. It's one-piece design makes it a cinch to clean, while the specially made holes provide easy access to the bolts. Users will also love that the lid features a soft close.

Overall Take

Most AffordableWhen shopping on a budget, this economically priced toilet is the way to go.

 Best All-Around Pick

Renovators Supply Manufacturing Sheffield Corner WaterSense Dual-Flush Toilet

Renovators Supply Manufacturing

Sheffield Corner WaterSense Dual-Flush Toilet

The dual-flush mechanism on this corner toilet features an easy-to-use push-button system that allows you to switch between light and heavy flushes. The classic white color can be Pantone-matched to existing features in your bathroom to ensure a perfect look.

Overall Take

Less WasteIf conserving up to 25,000 gallons of water per year sounds appealing to you, this toilet is a great choice for both saving water and saving space.

 Runner Up

TOTO CST744SL Drake Contemporary Toilet

TOTO

Drake Contemporary Toilet

This toilet features an elongated shape and a traditional gravity-fed flushing system. However, a larger-than-usual flush valve pushes water through with more force than you find with other gravity-fed toilets. Although this toilet features a low price, it also doesn't come with a seat, so you'll need to save for that as well.

Overall Take

Powerful FlushThis toilet is not only quiet, but it also has a forceful flush that prevents annoying clogs.

 We Also Like

DeerValley Ceramic Modern Toilet

DeerValley

Ceramic Modern Toilet

If you're going for the clean, modern look, this self-cleaning toilet is an excellent pick. It's bright white and features an elongated design. Users will appreciate the special flushing technology, which is both quiet and powerful.

Overall Take

Simple, Yet StylishThe seat on this toilet has a soft close, so your fingers are safe from an accidental pinching.

What to Look For

  • Your toilet-shopping research should start with the power of the flush. Some models use a process called maceration, which utilizes a fast-rotating blade to chop up waste and toilet paper. The TOTO Toilet with Elongated Bowl is a gravity-fed toilet, which is the traditional design. However, it employs a 3-inch wide flush valve for pushing water through with a great deal of force. The TOTO Round Bowl Toilet also employs a larger-than-usual valve to get more water through for more effective single flushes.
  • One major decision to make as you start shopping is whether you want a bowl with a tank or without.
  • Clogging is always a concern with a toilet. Look for a model that has an extra-large trapway size, as this gives it unprecedented anti-clogging ability.
  • If you live in a small house, you’ve likely experienced that middle-of-the-night bathroom trip, where the flush seems to reverberate throughout your home. You can avoid disturbing your loved ones’ sleep by going with a toilet that has a quieter flush, like the TOTO Elongated Bowl.
  • TOTO’s Elongated Bowl and Round Bowl toilets don’t come with seats, so you’ll need to buy one before you install.
  • Whether you’re environmentally conscious, you want to save money on your water bill or both, some toilets are better than others when it comes to water efficiency. Some options use only 1 gallon of water per flush, while the TOTO Round Bowl Toilet uses only 1.6 gallons.
  • If money is an object, TOTO’s Elongated Bowl and Round Bowl toilets should catch your interest since they each retail for an affordable price. But no matter which toilet you choose, you’re sure to find one that fits your budget.

More to Explore

If you have an older toilet, you might save money by upgrading to a newer model. Traditional toilets can use as much as seven gallons of water with every flush. A new toilet can save you money with every flush. For best results, look for a toilet that has a WaterSense sticker on it. This is similar to the EnergyStar rating in that manufacturers must meet strict standards to qualify. A toilet with a WaterSense rating must use 1.28 gallons per flush. You can further reduce water usage by flushing less often. Some go by the mantra, “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.”

More to explore