Toilet Buying Guide
How CR Tests Toilets
To rate each toilet, Consumer Reports’ test engineers put the models through a battery of tests that assess waste removal, bowl cleaning, and drain-line clogging. We also measure how loud a toilet’s flushes are. Based on performance in these tests, we give each toilet an Overall Score.
To test solid waste removal, we dump marble-sized plastic beads, weighted sponges, and water-filled condoms into the bowl and measure how well each flush handles the simulated waste.
We use two methods to assess how well a toilet cleans the entire bowl. First, we use a water-based red paint to create a solid rectangular shape above the waterline in the front bottom of a clean bowl. A picture is taken of the red rectangle, then the toilet is flushed twice. After the second flush, another picture is taken to record how much paint has been removed.
Here’s the second way we test how well a toilet cleans waste: We let the bowl fill up, then draw a line around the bowl about an inch below the rim with a water-soluble pen. Next, we flush and measure how much of the pen mark remains. The better a toilet cleans, the less paint and fewer markings it leaves behind. We repeat the pen test three times and calculate the average to arrive at a score.
To gauge soil and odor potential, we measure the length, width, and depth of the water in the bowl. The deeper and wider the water, the better solid waste odors will be trapped by the water.
We also look at how well a toilet moves waste from the toilet to a sewer or septic tank and whether there’s enough force to prevent it from getting stuck.
For our noise tests, we measure the sound level of a toilet during flushing with a decibel meter.
Our evaluation of smart toilets considers all the criteria above, but we also test how well a smart toilet’s bidet cleans a user. To do this, we slather Nutella on clear plexiglass panels to simulate you-know-what. We then run the bidet’s water against the panel for 30 seconds on the highest setting to see which bidet removes the most material from the glass. The more Nutella is removed, the better a bidet cleans people.
Types of Toilets
While there are many features to consider when buying a toilet, including height, bowl shape, color, style, and flushing technology, most toilets fall into one of two basic types: gravity-fed and pressure-assisted. Gravity-fed toilets dominate the market, but pressure-assisted models are worth a look.
Gravity-Fed Toilets
As their name implies, these toilets have a flush valve that relies on gravity to work. Water drops from the tank into the bowl to move waste down the drain. They can work with as little as 10 pounds per square inch of household water pressure. Models with a beefy 3-, 3½-, or even 4-inch-wide flush valve deliver more thrust in our tests than those with a 2- to 2½-inch valve. Ask to see the manufacturer’s specifications for the flush valve.
Pros: Gravity-fed toilets flush more quietly than pressure-assisted models. Many of the models we tested work every bit as well as the best pressure-assisted models.
Cons: Lower-priced models and those with smaller flush valves might not be able to properly displace waste.
Pressure-Assisted Toilets
As water compresses air within the toilet’s sealed tank, it creates pressure that thrusts waste forcefully down the waste line. A pressure-assisted toilet is an especially good choice for large families, but it does have a noisier flush than a gravity-fed toilet.
Before buying, be sure that your home has at least 25 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure, the minimum required for a pressure-assisted toilet to work properly. To check, attach a water pressure gauge—available at most hardware stores—to an outdoor spigot.
Pros: Pressure-assisted toilets dispatch the simulated solid waste in our tests with few clogs. If you have little kids who like to stuff the toilet with toilet paper, these can be a lifesaver.
Cons: These toilets are noisy; the loudest ones emit an emphatic whoosh. They can also be expensive. They generally don’t perform as well as our top-rated gravity models for drain-line carry (how well waste moves through the drain line to the septic system or municipal sewer).
A Royal Flush of Features
Once you decide on the type of toilet you want to install, there are some important toilet features to consider.
- One-piece or two-piece design: Most toilets sold are two-piece models, with a separate tank that bolts onto the bowl. These tend to cost less than a one-piece design. But they can be more difficult to keep clean because the seam between the tank and bowl can trap grime.
- Dual-flush technology: Dual-flush toilets have two buttons on the tank that let you select a partial flush for liquid waste or a full flush for solid waste. The best models effectively flush solid waste in their full-flush mode and leave no trace of liquid waste in partial-flush mode. But other dual-flush models lack power, so you could end up having to flush twice.
- Water efficiency: A Department of Energy requirement limits new toilets to 1.6 gallons per flush. All the toilets in our tests meet that standard, and the majority of the tested models meet the stiffer California standard, which limits toilets sold in that state (and some others) to 1.28 gallons per flush. The high-efficiency models that satisfy the California standard carry the EPA’s WaterSense label.
- Flapperless tanks: Newer models may come without any flappers (the rubber seal inside the tank), which can help keep leaks to a minimum without sacrificing flushing power.
- Rough-in: Make sure the new toilet you’re considering matches your existing toilet’s “rough-in” measurement—the distance from the wall to the center of the toilet flange (the fitting that holds your toilet securely over the waste pipe). A standard rough-in is 12 inches, but toilets that accommodate 10-inch and 14-inch rough-ins are also available.
- Seat height: The seats on “comfort height” toilets are 17 to 19 inches above the floor, compared with standard bowls whose rims are about 14 or 15 inches high. Seniors and those with limited mobility may find these higher toilets preferable because the added height makes it easier to get on and off. Wall-mounted toilets can be installed at your preferred height.
- Bowl shape: A round bowl takes up less room than an elongated one. But an elongated bowl allows more seating room and is more comfortable for some users. Some manufacturers offer compact elongated bowls that fit in the space of a toilet with a round bowl. Our ratings note the shape of each toilet we test.
- Visible, concealed, or skirted trapways: Trapways, those bends on the back of the toilet behind the bowl, are often difficult to clean. Toilets with concealed trapways feature a smooth surface where the trapway would appear. Skirted trapways have a clean line from the front to the back of the toilet. Both make cleaning the toilet base easier and offer a sleeker appearance.
- Noise level: If your bathroom is near a kitchen or another living area, or if your home is small, you’ll probably appreciate a relatively quiet toilet that doesn’t broadcast every flush. Our noise ratings show how quiet a toilet is during a flush.
- Touchless flushing: Using sensors, touchless technology lets you flush your toilet with the wave of a hand. It’s available on some toilets, or you can buy a retrofit kit if your toilet model accommodates one.
- Smart toilet amenities: If you have a bigger budget, a smart toilet offers a whole suite of features you won’t find on a regular toilet, including a bidet, a warm-air dryer, a heated seat, an air deodorizer, night-lights, and automatic flushing and lid operation. Some smart toilets also dispense a foam liquid that helps trap odors, reduce splashback, and prevent stains on the toilet bowl. With smart toilets, there’s also more room for personalization, and you can save settings like bidet pressure and seat temperature based on your preferences. But be aware that smart toilets may not be suitable for all bathrooms. You’ll need an outlet within reach to plug in your smart toilet, and some models require adequate water pressure from your water supply to flush properly.
