The Toilet Buying Guide

The right toilet can increase your overall comfort on the throne, help you save on water, and reduce the times you have to pull out the plunger. The wrong toilet can mean leaks, clogs, smells, extra time spent cleaning, and general discomfort. Obviously, this is a purchasing decision that’s important. 

Is It Time to Replace the Toilet? 

A common home-repair question is “how do I know when to replace my toilet?” It is one of those things that isn’t thought about very often, until some seemingly small thing goes awry to make a homeowner worry. Look for a few key signs of a bad toilet.

The most immediate and definite sign that it’s time to replace the toilet is if there is physical damage, such as a crack in the bowl or tank, or even surface damage that might compromise the toilet’s functionality. If you’re finding leaks or puddles of water around the toilet, it’s time for a new toilet as quickly as possible. 

Another often-overlooked sign of a bad toilet is when the toilet starts rocking and wobbling on the floor. This can lead to messy leaks and damage the floor itself. Tightening the bolts won’t necessarily fix the problem over the long term if the toilet is damaged enough to have come loose in the first place.  

Other significant signs of a bad toilet can include basic maintenance issues happening more frequently. Constant clogging is a hassle, a potential disaster of gross proportions, and an indication that maybe the toilet is nearing the end of its lifespan. If the tank seals won’t hold and gravity is no longer doing the job of flushing the waste, replacing a toilet is a must.  

The individual parts of a toilet can be relatively cheap to replace one by one. However, when that happens consistently, too many times, you’re just throwing good money after a broken toilet, and replacing a toilet can be cheaper in the long run. 

How Often Should You Replace a Toilet?

The average toilet should last between 25 and 50 years, depending on the amount of use and the level of care and maintenance it receives along the way. The porcelain throne is designed to be a sturdy, long-lasting fixture in the home, and it shouldn’t break very easily.  

The individual parts that help make the toilet work, however, will not have the same lifespan of the ceramic housing itself. Check out our article on how a toilet works for more insider know-how on the inner parts and pieces of a toilet. The inner workings, such as the toilet flush valve or the tank float, may need to be replaced periodically. If the pieces need to be replaced too often, there may be a bigger problem to blame. 

But Aren’t Old Toilets Better than New Toilets?

In a word, No.  

The structure itself may be compromised by age, and the bolts could be rusty if not leaky – all of which adds up to a toilet that can be easily broken during regular maintenance or a bathroom update. The older the toilet, the more of a gamble it becomes. 

Aside from being closer to the end of its life expectancy, dirty, and full of mineral build-up, an older toilet uses as much as 7 gallons of water per flush. By offering high-powered, anti-clogging technology, new toilets use less water, some as low as .8 gallons of water per flush. That means that a new toilet offers opportunities for water conservation, cleanliness, and overall lower costs when it comes to the monthly water bill.  

Updated toilets provide updated convenience features, from boosted comfort, quieter use, or even germ-reducing finishes and hands-free operation. In short, new toilets can be more economical, cozier, and more fun. 

Types of Toilets

The type of toilet you choose is relevant to the appearance and, to a lesser extent, the operation of the bathroom’s busiest fixture. One of the first decisions is whether you should go with a one-piece toilet or a two-piece, and close behind that is the option to choose a standard or a skirted toilet. There’s a surprising amount of selection when it comes to the commode. 

One-piece Toilets

You can expect to see a variety of one-piece toilets in your search. A one-piece toilet can be easier to clean since there are fewer crevices to worry about, and installation can be less complicated. This all-in-one type of toilet will generally cost more than those that come as a two-piece because it is essentially two products in one convenient package.  

Keep in mind that a one-piece toilet is one very large piece of solid ceramic, which means that they are heavier to carry and move around during the installation process. If something chips or breaks, the whole toilet must be replaced instead of just the broken section. 

Two-Piece Toilets

Two-piece toilets have a separate tank and bowl, which are settled and sealed together during the installation process. There are more surface crevices to have to reach for proper sanitary cleanings, but the shape is otherwise the same as a one-piece toilet. The two-piece style allows for a more mix-and-match approach to choosing the toilet design, such as height or bowl and tank shapes. 

A two-piece toilet type is the most common option available and the more popular choice among homeowners. This is largely because they’re typically more affordable than one-piece toilets, as well as easier to install. Repairs are generally easier, as often only one part of the toilet needs to be replaced at any one time. 

Skirted Toilets

Skirted toilets are available in one- or two-piece styles, but they offer their own unique advantages as a toilet style. A skirted toilet removes the visible lines of the trapway and creates a solid surface all the way around the toilet bowl, down to the floor. With fewer edges and crevices, this “skirting” is simply wiped clean and does not collect dust and bacteria as easily as the other options.  

Of course, aside from the sanitary advantages, skirted toilets are also a stylish addition to the bathroom design. They can be outfitted with all the usual toilet accessories, from the standard toilet seat to a bidet seat or attachments. They are becoming more common but are still on the leading edge of the trend. A skirted toilet offers a very simple, drastic change from the traditional profile of the toilet tank and toilet bowl combination. 

Water Efficiency

A key focus of water conservation efforts challenges people to pay attention to how long they leave the bathroom faucet running or how often they flush the toilet and encourages them to find alternative ways to solve these problems themselves. The trick is that water use, when it comes to the toilet, is about more than just dumping the water from the bowl into the drain line. Water is also used to clean the bowl and to help prevent mineralization and bacteria growth in the bowl between uses.  

Gallons Per Flush (GPF)

The flow rate of the toilet flush is measured by Gallons Per Flush (GPF). The GPF gives you an easy comparison point when toilet shopping, as every brand and model will feature a range of different water-use options. High-efficiency toilets, pressure-assisted toilets, and dual-flush toilets all offer greater water savings than the typical toilet. Some states and local restrictions require a toilet with a maximum GPF to help preserve the water table by minimizing the excessive amount of water that is used to eliminate waste. 

Older toilets may be exempt from water limitation standards, which means they may use as much as 3 to 5 gallons of water every time someone flushes. Federal standards require that new toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush. However, there are models available that are designed to use less water per toilet flush. 

WaterSense Toilets

In addition to the GPF rating, look for toilets that have been certified by WaterSense. Established by the EPA, the WaterSense program label means that it has been tested and approved to be a water-efficient product. 

WaterSense testing looks at multiple factors in the performance of the toilet, so a rated toilet brings more benefits than just savings on the water bill. Some of the toilet functions that the WaterSense program rates can include: 

• The flush-effectiveness of the bowl shape and water use. 
• The cleanliness of the bowl surface after flushing. 
• The effectiveness of the toilet’s drain line. 
• The effectiveness of the toilet’s overall waste extraction process. 

Along with all of the benefits included in a WaterSense-rated toilet, it’s also nice to know that these water-saving toilets will save you anywhere from 20-60% of water per toilet flush compared to older toilets. Considering how many times a single member of the household may flush the toilet on any given day, the amount of water adds up over time and saves you quite a bit of money on your water usage. 

Flush Options

One of the most important functions of every toilet is the flush. In your search for the best toilet, you will come across models that treat this essential function differently. It doesn’t matter how water-efficient your toilet is supposed to be if it doesn’t remove waste on the first flush, so it’s good to know the differences between the flush options and form an idea of which will work best in your household.   

Gravity Flush Toilets

Gravity-fed toilets are the most common type of residential toilet. The design of this type of toilet takes advantage of gravity to release water from the tank when you pull on the flush lever. The velocity of water leaving the tank creates a siphon in the trapway, which is how the toilet moves the contents of the bowl into the drain. Despite the simplicity, there are two common toilet designs that utilize gravity-fed mechanics: washdown toilets and siphonic jet toilets.  

The most basic is known as the washdown toilet. It relies entirely on the downward force of the water along the sides to clean the bowl. The force of the water builds up in the S-bend of the trapway and triggers the siphoning effect, which pulls the waste from the bowl. Washdown toilets tend to have a larger drain hole to activate the siphoning effect more effectively. A larger drain usually means the toilet will have less trouble with clogs. 

The other gravity-fed toilet is the siphonic jet toilet or the siphonic toilet. The siphonic works very similarly to the washdown. In addition to the water coming down from the tank via a series of holes along the toilet rim, pushing the waste down the drain, a siphonic toilet has a channel that runs down the front edge of the toilet and points directly at the trapway. The drain may be smaller to allow it to use less water. This is known as a siphonic jet because it carries water directly to the drain hole, unobstructed by waste, so that it may more quickly activate the siphon via the trapway.  

Gravity flush toilets are popular for a good reason. It’s a tried-and-true design that works well. Gravity-flush toilets are affordable and simple to repair, with all moving parts easily accessed and changed out when necessary.  

The Buyers’ Basics: 

• Two designs to choose from. 
• Affordable. 
• Easy to repair. 
• The most popular option in homes. 

Pressure Assisted Toilets 

Pressure-assisted toilets were once most common in commercial spaces due to their cost, but as technology advances, they’ve become more popular in homes. They include a compression tank within the water tank that provides additional force, adding pressure to the power of the siphon that pulls the water and waste down. The water hits the bowl with more force and moves the waste more completely. Thus, this type of toilet provides a more powerful toilet flush and uses less water while doing so. 

The Buyers’ Basics: 

• More powerful flush that uses less water. 
• Often more expensive than gravity-fed toilets. 
• Internal parts create repair and maintenance complications. 
• Smaller size. 

Dual-Flush Toilet 

Dual-flush toilets are a slightly different take on the classic gravity-fed options. Flushing with enough force to clear solid waste isn’t necessary when there’s no solid waste in the bowl. Liquid waste washes away with half as much water as is required for solids, so why use up a full tank of water on it? That adds up to a lot of wasted water over time.  

That is why a dual-flush toilet will give you two options for flushing based on the level of need (whether it’s number one or number two, to be a bit more specific) in order to save water.  

• With the dual-flush drop valve, the dual-flush is possible because of the same flapper technology that a standard toilet uses, lifting the float only enough for the minimum amount of water.  
• With the dual-flush toilet siphon, the tank fills up with water and empties as usual until the tank siphon level is met and breaks the seal to stop filling the bowl. 

The dual-flush toilet uses the washdown flushing design so that the water from the tank pushes the waste off the sides of the bowl as it goes down. A larger trapway makes it easier to move larger loads with less water. With that in mind, a dual-flush toilet may have a two-button system, one larger button for emptying the full amount of water, or another button for half as much. A dual flush may also include the two options in the flush handle, so half the pressure applied to the lever will allow half the water out while holding the handle all the way down will provide the full amount of water to clear the bowl. 

Because of their similar design, even your existing standard flush toilet can be turned into a dual-flush by swapping out the flapper system with a new dual-flush kit. While a new flapper kit won’t let you install one of those shiny buttons on the lid, it will let you “jiggle the handle” to get just the right amount of water to do the job. 

The Buyers’ Basics: 

• Allow for efficient use of water. 
• Reduce the likelihood of clogging. 
• Available as a kit add-on. 

Double Jet & Cyclone Toilets

The standard toilet has a rim around the top of the bowl that water is sent through in order to cover as much of the sides of the bowl as possible to help wash down waste. The water goes one way around. With a double jet or double cyclone toilet, there are two jets of water sent around each side of the toilet bowl. They manage two high-speed streams to help clean the waste from the sides, while a third stream activates to trigger the siphon in the trapway. A double jet offers exceptional cleaning with a function that uses less water than a standard toilet, making most cyclone toilets a high-efficiency, eco-friendly option. 

The Buyers’ Basics: 

• High-efficiency, WaterSense toilet. 
• Quick, quieter flushing. 
• Powerful flush for a cleaner bowl. 

Choose Toilets by Installation Type

One of the most obvious differences between toilet styles is the installation differences. How a toilet is installed doesn’t change the operation of the fixture, they are universally designed with the silhouette of the well-known throne, but they can influence the look of the entire bathroom. The installation type may also change how a bathroom can be cleaned, so there are different sanitary advantages to each. 

Floor Mount Toilets

Dating back to the 16th century, floor-mounted toilets are among the most common installation types you’ll find at the home improvement store. A floor-mounted installation means it is attached directly to the floor, where the base of the toilet is set on a mounting flange, sealed with a wax ring, to help prevent spills and leaks from ruining the floor. Once the toilet base is bolted into place and seated correctly, the toilet edge along the floor will then be further sealed with a protective bead of caulking to help ensure dust and other bathroom moisture can’t interfere with the wax seal around the flange and drain. 

• Advantages: Secure seating, traditional design, easy DIY upgrade. 
• Challenges: Extra crevices collect dust and moisture that can deteriorate the seal. The bolts and the toilet base can be dislodged through repeated rough use.  

Wall Mount Toilets

Wall mount toilets aren’t as common but are gaining some popularity due to the clean and modern look they provide. Instead of being installed on the floor, these are attached to the wall and hang above the ground.  

Due to how they are installed, this type of toilet takes up less space, and many people prefer them aesthetically. They also simplify cleaning in the bathroom since you can easily sweep under them, and the surface has fewer crevices and spots to clean on the toilet itself. However, they are more expensive and come with a more complicated installation process. 

• Advantages: Space-saving design for a modern look to your bathroom remodel, easy to clean. 
• Challenges: Requires specialized framework installed into the wall to support it and professional installation.  

High Tank Toilets

Designed during the Victorian Era, high tank toilets relied on gravity to add additional water pressure to every toilet flush. Also referred to as pull-chain toilets, this old idea was modernized in the 20th century by utilizing more compact toilet designs that connected the toilet tank and bowl directly, but the classics still hold their appeal and function. The design is very dated, making it somewhat of a conversation piece for the aesthetically minded. 

High tank toilets operate using a water tank installed along the wall directly above the toilet bowl, with 59” to 74” between the tank and the floor. It should provide enough clearance to avoid dangerous interference with any user’s movement as they take a seat.  

Pulling on a chain-drawn flush releases the water down the connecting pipe, which is then used to force the waste out of the bowl in the familiar method. The gravity-boosted force due to the extra height adds an effective water pressure useful in maintaining a cleaner toilet bowl. Modern versions of this model are still available, boasting water-conscious savings with 1.6 gallons of water per toilet flush. 

• Advantages: Unique, creative design. Improved cleaning capability.  
• Challenges: Be careful how you install the pull chain because it may hit people on the head. 

Corner Toilets

Small bathrooms come inherent with their own challenges. It can be harder to create a comfortable space when you’re wedged between a porcelain rim and a vanity ledge just by walking into the room. One solution that evokes a creative room design in both small and large bathrooms is the corner toilet. Adding fixtures like toilets or sink vanities to the corners of the bathroom creates more floor space in between, providing the illusion of space even though the actual square footage hasn’t changed. 

Corner toilets may have angled, wedge-shaped water tanks to fit snug into the very corner of the room, while others are interchangeable with a standard toilet, and it’s simply their placement that manages to save space. The challenge with a corner toilet is the location of the plumbing, as corner placements aren’t very common, and the rough-in must be measured differently. It’s important to have the experts tackle any bathroom remodel that may require moving drain pipes.  

• Advantages: Save floor space. Unique small bathroom design option. 
• Challenges: The plumbing fixtures can be difficult to negotiate in some spaces. Professional installation is recommended. 

Rear Outlet Toilets

A rear outlet toilet is a floor-mounted toilet that connects to the plumbing lines through the wall rather than via the floor. They are popular in apartment complexes and basement bathroom add-ons because of the advantages of connecting to an already existing vertical pipe rather than moving lines or installing new pipe under the floor. The rough-in location changes from the floor to the wall, depending on where it is easiest to access the plumbing.  

• Advantages: Small space solution. Easier for room additions. Quieter flush. 
• Challenges: May require specific plumbing connections and professional installation. 

Upflush Toilets

Rear outlet toilets are often part of an upflush system that helps move the waste from lower levels, such as a basement, to the home sewer drain line. In order to move the organic waste from the toilet bowl up through the plumbing lines – against gravity – the upflush system will first go through a macerating grinder pump located directly behind the toilet. The macerating tank can be used for rear outlet toilets to further liquify the sewage waste to more easily move it along the pipes when the bathroom is below gravity drain lines. 

The inner workings of the toilet are the same as would be with any other toilet system, and the macerator is entirely contained within the housing, either attached to the toilet base or hidden behind a wall. Using an extension pipe to install the pump behind the wall creates a more traditional look.  

• Advantages: Easiest solution for room additions below gravity drain lines. Easy installation. 
• Challenges: Can be loud, depending on the installation environment. 

Tankless Toilets

Tankless toilets remove the traditional tank of water and instead use a water line attached directly to the bowl. The water enters the bowl with enough force to trigger the siphon and flush the toilet, just like with a standard gravity-powered toilet, without using as much water storage. Because they don’t rely on a water tank, the tankless toilets can be flushed more often, more quickly, and refill the bowl faster. They even use less space and are another good alternative for small space bathrooms.  

If you’re trying to find the best toilet for an especially small bathroom, consider if a tankless toilet is the right fit. They’re not ideal in all scenarios but can work for situations where fitting a tanked toilet in the space is an issue. 

Tankless toilets require either especially forceful water pressure or extra components that use electricity to power the flush. While public restrooms and urinals are often tankless, most private residences may not have the water pressure necessary to create the force for these toilets. Installation can be complicated to accommodate the difference. 

However, they are effective at removing waste, not as likely to clog, and are an excellent choice for heavily used toilets due to the boost in cleanliness provided by both the water pressure and the amount of water refilled into the bowl. Tankless toilets offer a cleaner, simpler design than toilets with a tank, which some people prefer from an aesthetic perspective. 

• Advantages: Effective toilet flush. Cleaner bowl due to higher water pressure. Smaller floor space is required. 
• Challenges: Not as effective in some residential installations. Toilet flush can be noisier due to higher water pressure. 

Touchless Toilets

As with many other recent technological innovations, a rising trend in the average bathroom is the ability to flush the toilet without having to touch any part of the fixture. Touchless toilets respond to motion sensors rather than the press of a toilet flapper. It’s a sanitary measure in a busy room that is otherwise filled with moisture and germs and goes along nicely with such bathroom features as touchless faucets or automatic lights. 

It’s possible to find touchless toilets in both electric and battery-operated options. With some models of touchless toilets, all it takes is a wave of a hand over the button on the top of the lid or on the side of the tank. For the full smart-toilet experience, look for a toilet that offers motion sensor flushing that will flush the toilet as soon as the user walks away. However, it’s worth noting that most touchless toilets will also offer a flush lever in case a user is more of a traditionalist and prefers to activate the trapway themselves before they leave the room. 

There are also extra features such as bidet seats, nighttime lighting, deodorizers, and automatic self-closing seats. Once a luxury ticket item, touchless toilets are becoming more commonplace, at home or at the office. They offer a cleaner bathroom experience, with a little less exposure to germs and viruses, and are reliable in terms of preventing clogs. 

Take A (Toilet) Seat

Obviously, the seat you sit on plays an essential role in how comfortable the toilet is. Some high-end toilets include seats that are heated or have cleansing attachments, all of which are designed to provide the most pleasurable experience possible. Look for a few of these basic features in a comfortable toilet seat. 

The Shape

There are two shapes to choose from: elongated and round. Elongated toilets are often considered more comfortable than round-shaped toilets, as they offer slightly more room to sit. Round toilets are easier to fit into smaller spaces. 

The Height

The standard height for toilets is an accommodating 15 inches. The standard toilet height is designed to be accessible by the young and the old alike, though it is important to note that humans come in all shapes and sizes. Many people find taller toilets to be easier to sit on and less stressful on their back. To account for this, you may also find toilets with a height of 17 or 19 inches to choose from.  

The Materials

The durability and comfort of the seat are one of the first things you’ll notice about that reliable porcelain throne. Look for a toilet seat that can be installed securely and is of a quality to last the regular wear-and-tear of daily use. Look for toilet seats made from: 

• Wood 
• Cushioned vinyl 
• Lightweight plastic 
• Polypropylene 

You can also look for toilet seats that are molded to create the curves of a cushioned chair, creating a customized feel while still being easy to clean. The material of the seat can obviously influence the price tag, but the difference in the seat’s lifespan and your well-being is usually worth it. 

The Extras 

When your main priority for the bathroom experience is relaxation and health, or even simply convenience, there are a few features that go above and beyond the standard toilet seat. They may add to the cost in comparison or take a little extra effort to install, but these types of toilet seats can be worth it for the cozy boost they provide to your bathroom time. 

• Slow-close lids – With slow-close lids, there’s no slamming, no noise, and no pinched fingers! 
• Bidet features – When toilet paper is in high demand and personal hygiene is of utmost importance, the bidet steps in to save the day. A safe stream of water cleans and soothes where it is most needed. Some models have a self-cleaning mode that sanitizes the spray nozzle between uses. 
• Warm air drying – Just as there’s an option to clean the derriere with water, there’s often a convenient, hands-free way to quickly dry it with models that provide heated air under the seat. 
• Heating features – In many places, the toilet seat is the first place to feel the winter cold. Look for a toilet seat that comes equipped with warming elements inside to help cut the chill for those nighttime and early morning visits to the bathroom. 
• Lighting features – In the middle of the night, the bathroom light can be harsh, so some toilet seats offer a lighted rim to help minimize the need for bright overhead lights that wake up tired eyes. 
• Deodorizers – Sometimes, the toilet just doesn’t smell very nice, so look for toilet seats that help combat the problem between uses. 

Many of these luxurious conveniences are more approachable than you might think, easier to use, and even cheaper than you might expect.  

Toilet Rough-In Dimensions 

Most bathrooms will have a 12” rough-in, but in some older homes, you may find a 10” or 14” rough-in size. The product specs for any toilet you look at should provide rough-in information, along with the dimensions of the product’s height, width, and depth. Check those specs against your measurements so you can be confident your toilet can fit into the space allotted to it. 

If your new toilet is replacing an old one that was in the same spot, then measure first for the rough-in size. Measure from the wall to the center of the rear bolt, holding the toilet down, to get your rough-in measurement. If it’s a tight space, also measure from the walls on the side of the toilet to the bolts to figure out how much width the space can handle. 

Cover the Bathroom Comfort Basics

A toilet in the bathroom is one of those modern conveniences we tend to take for granted. It’s important not to overlook their important role in the daily ease and comfort of your household. And let’s face it, the bathroom is one of the busiest rooms in the house.  

When it comes to remodeling your bathroom or even adding a new half-bath, the toilet is one of the most valuable home investments you’ll make on any project. Taking the time to research, perhaps even spending a little extra to get a more comfortable, efficient toilet, makes the time you spend in your bathroom much nicer.