9 Best Toilets For The Money: Reviews and Buying Guide
A toilet is a prominent and most used fixture in your bathroom. Therefore, it is only fair to have the best bathroom throne for your house. If you look 10-20 years back, the options from the best toilet brands were limited. The designs were pretty standard, and they also consumed a good amount of water.
However, today if you’re searching for the best toilets to buy, they come in different sizes, shapes, designs, and colors. The flushing mechanisms have also improved tremendously making the toilets become eco-friendlier. And, if you are ready to spend, some of the best rated toilets can offer features like automatic flushing, self-disinfecting commodes, heated seats, multiple cleansing options, and even a built-in deodorizer. So how do you select one from all these good toilets available?
Apart from the evident features found in most of the top rated toilets, you should also consider the size of your bathroom, the number of people who would be using the toilet, the toilet seat height, bowl shape, and the works.
So to help you out, we reviewed some of the best toilet brands available in the market. This guide will give you our top 9 picks for the best rated toilets, covering their features, pros, and cons. There is also a buyer’s guide to refer to if you get stuck between a couple of good toilets.
At a Glance
- Best Overall – American Standard 2886218.020 H2OptionBest Toilet For The Money – American Standard 221CA.004.020 Colony Toilet Combo
- Best Water Saving Toilet – TOTO MS992CUMFG#01 Neorest
- Best Flushing Toilet – TOTO CST244EF#01 Entrada
- Best One-Piece Toilet – KOHLER 3810-95 Santa Rosa
Table of Content
- Top Rated Toilets Compared
- 9 Toilets From The Best Toilet Brands
- Things To Consider Before Buying A Good Toilet
- Which Are The Best Toilets To Buy? – FAQs
- Conclusion
Comparison Table of Top Rated Toilets
| Product | Rating | GPF | Flushing Technology | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Best Toilet For The Money
|
4.1 | 1.28, 1.6 | Gravity-fed with PowerWash rim | Check Price |
|
Best Overall
|
4.5 | 0.92/1.28 | Siphon jet flush with PowerWash rim | Check Price |
 Saniflo 023 Sanicompact |
4.5 | 1 | Macerating toilet | Check Price |
 Swiss Madison SM-1T254 St. Tropez |
4.5 | 0.8/1.28 | Gravity-fed dual flush | Check Price |
 KOHLER K-3999-0 Highline |
4.5 | 1.28 | Class Five® flushing technology | Check Price |
|
Best One-Piece Toilet
|
4.4 | 1.28 | Siphon jet flushing with AquaPiston® flush valve | Check Price |
|
Best Flushing Toilet
|
4.5 | 1.28 | E-MAX siphon jet flush | Check Price |
|
Best Water Saving Toilet
|
4.6 | 0.8/1 | TORNADO® Flush siphon jet flushing | Check Price |
 WOODBRIDGE T-0019-CH |
4.5 | 1.0/1.6 | Siphon jet dual flush | Check Price |
9 Best Toilets From The Best Toilet Brands
1. American Standard 221CA.004.020 Colony Toilet Combo
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Our first choice is from one of the best toilet brands, i.e., American Standard.
Looks: The Colony toilet combo has everything that you can ask for in a decent toilet. Aesthetically it has a clean look, a sturdy body, and it functions well.
Design: It features a PowerWash rim that scrubs the bowl efficiently with every flush. Its large water surface area also keeps the bowl streak-free.
Water consumption: This elongated two-piece toilet is one of the highest rated toilets due to its low water consumption. It comes in two flushing options, 1.28 and 1.6 GPF, which is pretty much the industry standard now.
Pricing: This toilet is undoubtedly one of the best toilets to buy due to its affordable pricing. However, it does not come with a toilet seat, wax ring, and other hardware, which can turn off some buyers looking for a complete package in the top rated toilets.
Yet, its low price tag compensates for the lack of hardware, which you can easily source from the nearest Home Depot.
Features:
- Dimensions – 29.75 x 19.19 x 29.38 inches
- Rough-in – 10/12 inches
- Available in bone, linen, and white
- Bowl – Oblong
- Mount type – Floor mounted
- Flush Type – Gravity-fed with PowerWash rim
- Color-matched bolt caps and trip lever
Pros
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Cons
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2. American Standard 2886218.020 H2Option
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American Standard has some other really good toilets to offer too. One of them is H2Option two-piece toilet.
Water consumption: If you want to buy one of the top rated toilets that help you save water, you can go ahead with this model. This toilet integrates a dual flush that uses 0.92 and 1.28 GPF per half and a full flush.
Technology: This toilet is also one of the best toilets to buy as it features a siphon jet bowl technology along with a PowerWash rim that together makes it an Ultra High-Efficiency Toilet (UHET). Its EverClean surface also keeps it cleaner for longer.
Seating Height & Bowl Shape: Coming from one of the best toilet brands, the H2Option offers customization with standard or right height seating. You can also opt between an elongated and round bowl design. Though it may not have the best toilet design, it is a good-looking unit and the best toilet for the price.
If you are looking for more two-piece options, you can also read our reviews on the best two-piece toilets.
Features:
- Size – 15 x 29.75 x 31.5 inches
- Rough-in – 12 inches
- Available in bone, linen, and white
- Weight – 72.3 Pounds
- Bowl – Elongated/Round
- Flush Type – Siphon jet flush with PowerWash rim
- ADA-Compliant Ultra High-Efficiency Toilet
- Color-matched bolt fittings
- EverClean surface coating
- Limited lifetime warranty on chinaware
- Limited 5-year warranty on mechanical parts
Pros
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Cons
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3. Saniflo 023 Sanicompact
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Space-saving: This macerating toilet by Saniflo is one of the best rated toilets for those who wish to install a toilet in a tiny space or spaces far from the main drainage.
Looks: Talking about the looks, the Sanicompact has the best toilet design with a tankless body, and it also doesn’t need a vent. However, if you are looking for good toilets in the budget category, you can give this one a pass.
Working Mechanism: It is a self-contained unit that can handle waste from a toilet and sink and pump out sewage up to 9 feet vertically and 100 feet horizontally.
Water Efficient: It is also one of the top rated toilets with proven water efficiency. Its electrically timed dual flush uses just 1 GPF for half flush and 1.28 GPF for a full flush.
Features:
- Dimensions – 18.25 x 14.5 x 15.75 inches
- Weight – 62.2 Pounds
- Standard 12-inch rough-in
- Color – Glossy white
- Bowl – Elongated
- Flush Type – Macerating toilet
- Tall height seating
Pros
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Cons
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4. Swiss Madison SM-1T254 St. Tropez
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When we talk about the most stylish and the best toilet for the price, we mean Swiss Madison St. Tropez.
Design: Offered by one of the best toilet brands, this beautiful one-piece toilet comes with a fully skirted body that makes cleaning this toilet a breeze. It ranks high in the best toilet design list with a slim tank with premium-looking double actuator buttons.
Flush Type: It features a decent gravity-fed flush that comes with a dual flushing mechanism. This is the best toilet on the market that uses just 0.8 GPF for a half flush and 1.28 GPF for a full flush.
Soft Close Seat: Another reason why we call Swiss Madison one of the best toilets to buy because it comes with a quick-release soft closing seat and other hardware.
However, despite being one of the top rated toilets, it has a minor glitch; it can be challenging to install due to the special holes given to reach the bolts.
Features:
- Dimensions –26.6 x 15 x 31 inches
- Water Consumption – 0.8/1.28 GPF
- Rough-in – 12 inches
- Color – White in gloss texture
- Material – Ceramic
- Bowl – Elongated
- Flush Type – Gravity-fed dual flush
- Warranty – 2-year limited warranty
Pros
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Cons
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5. KOHLER K-3999-0 Highline
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KOHLER is undoubtedly one of the best toilet brands today, and one of its top-rated toilets is the Highline series.
Design: The most striking feature is its simplistic design and tall height seating. This toilet sits higher than the -other good toilets in the market, making it easier to get on and off the seat.
Flushing Power: Though it features a single flush, it is still one of the best toilets to buy as it uses just 1.28 GPF, which has even earned it the EPA’s WaterSense certification.
Flushing Technology: What also makes it one of the highest rated toilets is its Class Five® flushing technology that uses a canister flush to clean the bowl thoroughly and keep clogs at bay.
This KOHLER model does not come with a toilet seat; hence, it may not be the best toilet for the price, considering other the good toilets in the same price range that do include a toilet seat.
Features:
- Dimensions – 29.5 x 18 x 31.25
- Weight – 93 Pounds
- Water Consumption – 1.28 GPF
- Rough-in – 12 inches
- Color – White
- Bowl – Elongated
- Flush Type – Class Five® flushing technology
- WaterSense certified
- Material – Vitreous China
- Warranty – 1-year limited warranty
Pros
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Cons
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6. KOHLER 3810-95 Santa Rosa
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If you are in search of the best one-piece toilets from good toilet brands, you must consider KOHLER’s Santa Rosa. This toilet offers an easy-to-clean body with simplistic looks that can complement any bathroom.
Height and Bowl Shape: Similar to other top rated toilets by KOHLER, this toilet also features Comfort Height seating. However, instead of a standard oblong bowl, this best toilet on the market comes with a compact elongated bowl that takes up lesser space but offers the same comfort.
Flush Technology: Another stand-out feature is its AquaPiston® canister flush valve that releases 1.28 GPF into the bowl from all sides and keeps the bowl squeaky clean. So if you ask us which is the best toilet to buy, KOHLER Santa Rosa will definitely be one of them.
Features:
- Dimensions –31 x 20.75 x 29 inches
- Weight – 102 Pounds
- Color options – 5 (white, almond, biscuit, ice grey, and black)
- Water Consumption – 1.28 GPF
- Rough-in – 12 inches
- Bowl – Compact elongated
- Flush Type – Siphon jet flushing with AquaPiston® flush valve
- WaterSense certified
- Warranty – 1-year limited warranty
Pros
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Cons
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7. TOTO CST244EF#01 Entrada
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TOTO is one of the top toilet brands in the market which offers some of the highest rated toilets. So, if you are searching for the best flushing toilets, TOTO’s Entrada with E-Max siphon jet flushing is hard to miss.
Flushing Technology: The E-MAX flushing technology uses the same science as TOTO’s popular G-MAX flushing with a slight tweak that uses lesser water per flush. It has, therefore, rightly earned its place in the best rated toilets for its flushing performance.
Water Usage: While the G-MAX used 1.6 GPF, TOTO’s Entrada uses only 1.28 GPF, making it WaterSense certified. This toilet is indeed the best toilet on the market as it also features a wide 3-inch flush valve and a large 21/8-inch fully glazed trapway.
Design: TOTO Entrada is certainly one of the most reliable and best toilets to buy on our list with a classic two-piece design, Universal height seat, and water-saving capability.
Features:
- Dimensions – 28.6 x14.3x 30 inches
- Water Consumption – 1.28 GPF
- Rough-in – 12 inches
- Color – Cotton white and Sedona beige
- Bowl – Elongated
- Flush Type – E-MAX siphon jet flush
- ADA-compliant
- WaterSense certified
- Warranty – 1-year limited warranty
Pros
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Cons
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8. TOTO MS992CUMFG#01 Neorest
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The Neorest is one of the most innovative and highest rated toilets in the premium category.
Hi-Tech Built: With the integrated 700H bidet set, this toilet exudes luxury. Manufactured by one of the best toilet brands, TOTO, this model comes in the Ultra High-Efficiency Toilet (UHET) category that uses 0.8 and 1 GPF per half and full flush, respectively.
Flushing Mechanism: Its TORNADO® flushing mechanism, CeFiONtect surface coating, and EWATER+ electrolyzed water technology together make it one of the cleanest and highest rated toilets. Though one of the best toilets to buy, it does come with a heavy price tag.
Bidet Seat: The bidet seat also comes with features like an automatic open and close lid, hands-free operation, automatic flush, multiple cleaning options, a heated seat, illuminating nightlight, deodorizer, and air dryer that together make it the best toilet on the market.
Features:
- Dimensions – 32.5 x 15.5 x 21.5 inches
- Water Consumption – 0.8/1 GPF
- Rough-in – 12 inches
- Color – Cotton white
- Bowl – Elongated
- Flush Type –TORNADO® Flush siphon jet flushing
- ADA-compliant seat height
- WaterSense certified
- CeFiONtect coating
- EWATER+ technology
- Warranty – 5-year limited warranty
Pros
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Cons
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9. WOODBRIDGE T-0019-CH
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The last model on our list is again from one of the best toilet brands, which is WOODBRIDGE.
Easy to Clean Design: If you are not excited about cleaning your toilet regularly, the T-0019-CH is one of the good toilets you can opt for. This one-piece toilet features an integrated toilet tank and a skirted trapway that is easy to wipe clean. In addition, its siphon jet flush along with a glazed trapway keeps the bowl cleaner for longer.
Powerful Flush: This toilet has also earned a MaP rating of 1000gms, which means it is one of the good toilets that can take care of larger loads with much ease.
Convenient to Use: Other great features that make it one of the top rated toilets are its chrome flush button, a high-quality soft-closing seat, and WaterSense certification. The toilet sits at a comfortable height, and its elongated bowl shape offers good leg support.
Features:
- Dimensions –28.5 x 14.5 x 27.2 inches
- Water Consumption – 1.28/1.6 GPF
- Rough-in – 12 inches
- Color – 3 color options
- Bowl – Elongated
- Flush Type –Siphon jet flush
- ADA-compliant seat height
- WaterSense certified
- These are good toilets with a 5-year limited warranty
Pros
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Cons
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Selecting The Best Toilets To Buy
Still can’t figure out which is the best toilet? It’s natural to get confused when you have so many good toilets in front of you. Here’s a buying guide with all the factors that you should check for in the top toilet brands. Take a look.
Dimensions
Since good toilet brands offer different toilet sizes, you must check if the model will fit into the dimensions of your bathroom. You should also check the rough-in measurement, especially when replacing an old toilet.
Type
The best toilet brands have several types of toilets to choose from. You can select from the one-piece or two-piece toilets, floor-mounted or wall-hung models, waterless toilets, smart toilets, and toilets with and without bidet seats. The perfect choice will boil down to individual needs and budgets.
Appearance
Besides the technical specifications of good toilet brands, you should also think about the look and feel of your toilet, whether you want the classic look or a modern and sleek design. Also, decide if you are ok with a visible trapway or would prefer a skirted look. The wall-hung toilets especially offer a very chic look and also save floor space.
Flushing Noise
If there are kids or elders in your family, you may want to go for a less noisy toilet. Gravity-fed toilets are best for this purpose as they offer quiet operation. Some models even come with specially designed fill valves to further cut down the refilling noise. However, if noise is not an issue, you can go for pressure-assist toilets that fare better in flushing efficiency.
Water Usage
Look for the WaterSense label in the good toilet brands that you are considering. It ensures that the toilet will help you save water. Most of the highest rated toilets are water-efficient and use 1.6 GPF or lesser. You can also opt for dual flushing systems that help you cut down water consumption further.
Seat Height
Good toilets come with 14 to 15-inch seat height. You can also go for an ADA-compliant seat height that is 17 to 19-inch off the ground. The tall height seats are more feasible for the elderly or people with disabilities. However, standard height seats are better if you have kids at home.
Type of Lid
Often a much-ignored feature, but you must also pay attention to the toilet seat lid. First, check whether your selected toilet comes with a seat. If you need to purchase one separately, got for a soft-close lid that doesn’t make a loud slamming sound. You can even opt for automatic bidet seats that come with several automatic functions.
Flushing Technology
You can select between the standard gravity-fed toilets or pressure-assist toilets that offer better clog-free performance. However, gravity-feds from the good toilet brands are more affordable, easier to maintain, and are less noisy. On the other hand, pressure-assisted ones flush better but are expensive and also difficult to repair on your own.
Bowl Shape
Bowl shape is another important criterion for deciding which commode is best. The elongated bowls are more comfortable, but they also take up more space. On the other hand, the round bowls are better for smaller bathrooms but not comfortable for extended sitting. Then there is a compact elongated bowl; that takes up lesser space and offers the same comfort as an elongated bowl.
Color
If you are redesigning your bathroom, you should also consider the toilet color. While white is a standard, the best toilet brands also offer a palate of colors to choose from. Choosing a different color can make your toilet a stand-out accent in your bathroom.
Installation
While deciding which commode is best, check whether you will install the commode on your own or need professional help. In the latter case, also factor in the installation cost. One-piece toilets can be installed in one go but are heavier to do it single-handedly.
What’s in the Package
The top toilet brands may or may not include all the installation hardware. Therefore, you should ensure that the package comes with the wax ring, nuts, bolts, etc. You should also confirm if the model includes a toilet seat or not, as this would mean extra expense.
Cost of Repairs and Spare Parts
Check whether you can easily find the spare parts for those top toilet brands and if you can repair minor glitches on your own. Also, gravity-fed flush toilets can be fixed on your own, while pressure-assisted toilets need professional help.
Warranty
Check the warranty cover offered by the brand. While most companies offer a 1-year limited warranty on their top rated toilets, brands like TOTO even provide a 10-year warranty cover on some of its highest rated models.
Price
Keep a budget in mind when you head out to select the best toilet for the money. The budget should also factor in installation cost, accessories, shipping, etc. The best toilet for the price can start as low as $100 and can go all the way up to $5000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the best flushing toilet on the market?
Ans: If you ask us which commode is best, it would either be TOTO’s Entrada with E-Max flushing technology or American Standards’ H2Option, which is an Ultra High-Efficiency Toilet.
Q2. Which is better, one or two-piece toilet?
Ans: The choice would depend on your personal preference. For example, one-piece toilets are more sleek-looking and easier to clean. On the other hand, two-piece models from the top toilet brands are more affordable and easy to repair.
Q3. How do you measure a toilet?
Ans: Firstly, measure the rough-in,i.e., the distance between the back wall and the center of the bolts at the base. Then measure the depth of the toilet by measuring the front edge of the bowl to the back of the tank. Next, measure the width from one edge of the tank to the other. Also, measure the height from the floor to the top of the tank. To meet building codes, you should have at least 15-inch clearance on both sides of the toilet and 21-24 inches of front clearance.
Q4. Why are elongated toilets better?
Ans: Elongated toilets are better as they offer better leg support for longer sitting. They are more comfortable, especially for people with larger bodies. The elongated bowl shape also makes them easier to clean.
Q5. What’s the best way to unclog a toilet?
Ans: Almost any toilet can be unclogged with a plunger. However, it is best to avoid clogs in the first place by ensuring that you do not dispose of any solid items in the commode.
Q6. What is the difference between a gravity flush and a pressure-assisted toilet?
Ans: The gravity flush toilets from the top toilet brands harness the natural force of gravity to create a siphon and flush out waste. The pressure assist toilets use a secondary tank with compressed air to clear out the waste with added force using lesser water.
Conclusion
Just like all good things take time, selecting the perfect toilet also requires time, patience, and some research about the best toilet brands. After all, it is better to wait and explore than to land up with a toilet you despise.
And when you ask us, “which is the best toilet?” honestly, it is hard to put our finger on one since the need of every user differs. Some may want modern looks, and others may prefer better flushing performance. However, in this guide, we have tried to evaluate some of the good toilets from the top toilet brands that fulfill different needs, and we hope that it will help you find the perfect match for your dream toilet.