Buying a Water Closet/Toilet

Based on appearance, it’s easy to think that all toilets are pretty much the same. But a peek under their lids reveals important differences, and recent innovations, that make shopping for this fixture something of a sleuthing exercise. To learn more about the latest toilet technology, options, and upgrades, read on. It will make the hunt for your next bathroom fixture much easier. After learning everything you need to know, read our in-depth review of the best toilets to find the right one for your home.

Factor in efficiency when deciding the best toilet to buy

The drive to innovate started in 1994, when the 1.6-gallons-per-flush (gpf) mandate went into effect, replacing the 3.5 to 5 gpf that had been the norm. The pressure to save water hasn’t let up. Now there are high-efficiency (HET) and ultra-high-efficiency (UHET) toilets that use a mere 1.28 and 0.8 gpf, respectively. Yet, contrary to what you might expect, flushing efficacy has also gotten better; independent tests show that some UHETs can evacuate up to 800 grams (1.75 pounds) of solids with every flush.

Water usage statistics

To learn more about the latest toilet technology, options, and upgrades, read on. It will make the hunt for your next bathroom fixture much easier.

Toilet Basics

Siphonic or washdown?

A siphonic toilet has a larger water spot, but its long, narrow trapway can clog. Washdown toilets rarely back up; their short trapways are 4 inches in diameter, nearly twice the size of siphonics’. That said, washdowns have smaller water spots, so “skid marks” are more of an issue.

One piece or two?

A two-piece toilet has a separate tank and bowl, so it’s easier to install than a heavier one-piece with an integral tank and bowl. One-piece toilets have lower profiles—good for smaller bathrooms—and no tank gasket to leak.

Round bowl or elongated?

Round bowls project 25 to 28 inches, saving precious floor space, but elongated bowls, which can project 31 inches, are more comfortable for many.

Gravity-fed or pressure-assist?

Most toilets rely on gravity to flush, but if clogging is a problem, a toilet with a pressure-assist unit may be the solution. It can empty a 1.6-gallon tank with the force of a 51⁄2-gallon flush. These units use no electricity, but they’re noisy and work only in toilets designed for them.

High seat or low?

The typical height is 16 inches, but the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates 17 to 19 inches as easier for older or less-able folks.

Types of Toilets

An appealing profile is important, as is the toilet’s flushing technology.

Two-Piece Toilet

The elongated bowl on this gravity-fed toilet has no siphon jet; all water exits the tank through the rim for a thorough cleaning. Shown: Stinson, starting at $306 at Sterling Plumbing.

One-Piece Toilet

Vacuum-assist technology sucks air up the trapway, for the flushing performance of a pressure-assist toilet that’s as quiet as a gravity-fed one. Shown: Stealth, $350 from Niagara Conservation.

High Tank

Mounting a tank near the ceiling, in the Victorian fashion, increases the force of the flush. Shown: High Tank Pull Chain Water Closet, starting at $1,060; Signature Hardware or find a similar high-tank toilet at Amazon.

Wash-Down Toilet

This round-front model is virtually impossible to clog, thanks to a trapway that’s a full 4 inches in diameter. Shown: Sydney Smart Back Outlet, $489; Caroma

The Latest Must-Have Features

Dual Flush

It takes less water to get rid of liquid waste than solids. That’s why some toilets let you select the appropriate flush, typically 0.8 gpf for liquids and 1.6 gpf for solids. Simple. The hard part is remembering to use it.

Fully Glazed Trapway

A slick surface minimizes the chances of a clog.

WaterSense certified

Like the Energy Star program for appliances, the EPA’s WaterSense certification makes it easy to find fixtures that use at least 20 percent less water than the 1.6 gallons currently mandated.

High MaP test score

Maximum performance (MaP) testing conducted by independent agencies determines how much solid waste a toilet can handle. A rating of 350 to 600 grams for a 1.6-gallon flush is good, although some toilets can handle up to 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds!) using only 1.28 gpf. To find a toilet’s MaP score, go to MaP Testing.

Antimicrobial glaze

Mirror-smooth glazes loaded with antimicrobial ions (typically silver) actively kill 99 percent of the germs that try to grow on them. The toilet basically cleans itself.

The Proper Fit

Don’t forget to give a toilet the space it needs so that you’re comfortable now and remain so as you grow older.

Where’s the Tank?

Wall-mount toilets save space and ease cleanup. These Euro-style models hang from a sturdy steel or wood frame hidden in the wall, leaving an unobstructed, easy-to-clean floor underneath. The tank is also hidden; the only sign of its location is a small panel that activates the flush and provides access for tank maintenance.

The downside? Their prices start around $400, existing floor drains have to be relocated, and fewer plumbers are familiar with their installation. Geberit

Toilet Technology

At the high end, look for these new bells and whistles.

No Toilet Paper Needed

The Washlet lid automatically rises as you approach. When you’re done, a bidet head emerges and sprays you clean, a fan air-dries you, and another deodorizes before the lid shuts. Toilets start at $1,900, or $605 for just the seat at Amazon.

No Holes in Rim

Rim jets are hard to keep clean and prone to clogging. Toilets without them, like the VorMax, shoot water in a whirlpool around the bowl, scouring away debris twice as effectively as the jets. Starting at $289 on Amazon

No Flapper

When a flapper opens, it gets in the way of water exiting the tank. Canister-style flush valves like the AquaPiston lift the seal straight up, allowing water to flush with maximum force. Starting at $651 on Amazon

No Cleaning

Scrubbing a toilet is nobody’s favorite activity, but with the ActiClean it’s as simple as pressing a button on the tank lid where the reservoir with the cleaning solution sits out of sight. Starting at $695 at American Standard, or, if you already have an ActiClean toilet, you can buy the cartridges at Amazon.

Retrofit the One You’ve Got

Don’t want to shop for a new toilet? Enjoy the latest cool technology without replacing your old toilet. Just make sure your model is compatible with any add-on.

Hands-free flush

Who knows what evil germs lurk on the flush lever? They’re not an issue if your toilet is equipped with the Touchless flush kit. Just wave your hand over the in-tank sensor. Available for purchase at Amazon.

Flapperless dual flush

Improve the performance of even high-efficiency toilets by swapping out the flapper for a canister-style flush valve like the Duo Flush. It has a 1.1-gallon flush for liquids and a full flush for solids. $24 on Amazon

Overflow protection

Before a clogged or broken toilet dumps gallons of water, a FloodStop automatically shuts off the water supply when it detects a leak. $154; On Site Pro

Upgrade Your Toilet Seat

These days, the choices go well beyond cushioning or closing gently.

Lighted

A motion-activated LED night-light like the Illumibowl gently guides the way. This battery-powered device, which sticks to the side of the bowl, lets you select from, or cycle through, eight different colors. $13 on Amazon

Vented

Eliminate foul odors and airborne germs at their source. One system, the Jon-E-Vac, has a fan that sucks air from under the seat, filters it through activated charcoal, then blows it back into the room. $200; Jon-E-Vac

Heated

Heaven is a warm seat on a cold night. The UL-listed LumaWarm has three temperature settings, along with a soft-close lid and a night-light. $159 on Amazon.