5 Best Toilets (2023 Guide)

You use your toilet every day, so you don’t want to cut corners on quality. An upgraded toilet can even lower your water bill.

To help you upgrade your bathroom, we researched the best toilets available. Here are our top recommendations for each type of toilet.

5 Top-Rated Toilets

• Best Toilet Overall: Swiss Madison St. Tropez One-Piece Toilet
• Best Classic Toilet Design: American Standard Elongated Toilet
• Best Compact Toilet Design: HOROW One-Piece Short Compact Toilet
• Easiest Toilet to Clean: DeerValley Dual-Flush Toilet
• Best Toile for the Money: WOODBRIDGE T-0019 Cotton White Toilet

Best Toilet Overall: Swiss Madison St. Tropez One-Piece Toilet

Key Features

• Removable seat
• Dual flushing
• 31 inches tall

Pros and Cons

✔ Features a comfort height toilet design
✔ Includes high-efficiency flush valve

✘ Lacks highly detailed instructions
✘ Not recommended for one-person installation

What Customers Are Saying

We noticed that satisfied buyers cited how easy this toilet was to clean, especially with its detachable seat. However, we also saw some customers complain about complicated installation, saying that the parts were defective or the instructions were confusing.

Best Classic Toilet Design: American Standard Elongated Toilet

Key Features

• Glazed trapway
• Seat sold separately
• 31.5 inches tall

Pros and Cons

✔ Features anti-clog trapway
✔ Includes high-efficiency flush valve

✘ Does not include a toilet seat
✘ Seat height may be too tall for children and small adults

What Customers Are Saying

We found that customers loved the flushing mechanism on this toilet, reporting fewer clogs. In addition, they mentioned its extra height, which meant less squatting to sit. However, our team also saw some reviewers give this toilet low ratings, citing frustration that the seat wasn’t included.

Best Compact Toilet Design: HOROW One-Piece Short Compact Toilet

Key Features

• Dual flushing
• Self-cleaning glaze
• 28.4 inches tall

Pros and Cons

✔ Features a compact design
✔ Offers a child-friendly seat height

✘ Seat may be too short for those with mobility issues
✘ Slim design may not be ADA-compliant

What Customers Are Saying

According to our verified-buyer research, most customers said this toilet’s one-piece design made it easy to install and clean. However, the model had mixed reviews on the chair height. Some people liked how compact it was, while others couldn’t sit comfortably.

Easiest Toilet to Clean: DeerValley Dual-Flush Toilet

Key Features

• Dual flushing
• Soft-closing seat
• 27 inches tall

Pros and Cons

✔ Features a self-cleaning glaze
✔ Offers a child-friendly seat height

✘ Seat may be too short for those with mobility issues
✘ May not be as comfortable as some competing models

What Customers Are Saying

We found that customers often mentioned this toilet’s water efficiency, stating that it saved them money on their water bills. However, we also saw some reviews that said this toilet’s smaller seat wasn’t as comfortable to sit on as a full-size seat.

Best Toilet for the Money: WOODBRIDGE T-0019 Cotton White Toilet

Key Features

• Dual flushing
• Stainless-steel hinges
• 28 inches tall

Pros and Cons

✔ Boasts best-in-class MaP score
✔ Features water-saving dual-flush valve

✘ Brand lacks a winning customer service reputation
✘ Not recommended for one-person installation

What Customers Are Saying

In our review of customer feedback for this toilet, we learned that most buyers were very happy with the unit’s ease of installation and high-quality craftsmanship. For most buyers, the toilet arrived intact with no scratches or dents. The small percentage of buyers who we found to have received a defective product reported poor customer service to get the issue resolved.

Toilet Buying Guide

If you’re searching for the best toilet for your full or half bathroom, here are some factors we think you should consider before making a final decision.

Toilet Bowl Shape

Most toilet seats are either round or elongated. We find that elongated bowls are spacious and comfortable to sit on, while round bowls fit better in smaller bathrooms. There is a third option: compact elongated. Compact elongated bowls split the difference, providing the comfort of an oval shape without taking up too much room. 

Toilet Seat Height

We recommend measuring the height of your current toilet seat. If that works for you, stick with that height when shopping for a new one. If that isn’t your preference, you can choose a toilet that’s a few inches shorter or taller.

Flushing Mechanism

Our team found that most modern toilets have a gravity flush system, which creates flushing pressure by releasing the tank water into the bowl and forcing the contents through the drain and into the pipe. The other option is pressure-assisted flushing. Pressure-assisted toilets use the flushing power of siphoned air to create a more powerful flush. 

Toilet Build

Many newer toilets have a unified tank and bowl design, which looks seamless and makes the toilet relatively easy to clean.

But according to our research, there are still many two-piece toilets that feature a tank separate from the bowl. This is the classic build, but it can be more difficult to rough in and clean.

Extra Toilet Features

As technology advances, so do toilets. You can now find high-efficiency toilets, wall-mounted toilets, and quality commodes with the following features:

• Automatic flushing
• Bidets
• Built-in deodorizers
• Dual flushing
• Heated seats
• Night lights
• Remote control
• Slow-close hinges
• Touchless flushing

How To Keep Your Toilet Clean

Now that you have a new toilet, our team recommends taking the following steps to keep it in pristine condition. Here are some easy cleaning tips. 

Research Toilet Bowl Cleaners

There are many toilet bowl cleaners on the market. You can go for a wand, liquid, or tablet. Toilet wands use single-use heads that come presoaked in a cleaning solution. Liquid toilet bowl cleaners come in a squirt or spray bottle. Toilet tablets sit in the bowl and flush down the pipe.

Identify Stains

Most toilet bowl cleaners treat limescale buildup. However, if you notice hard water or rust stains along your toilet bowl, you may n in a specialty bathroom cleaner.

Don’t Neglect Crevices

While the bowl is the most important part to clean because it sees the most germs, don’t forget the other surfaces. We find that wiping the tank and post with a paper towel soaked in a cleaning solution typically gets the job done.

Treat Overnight

If you have tough stains, try soaking them overnight in a cleaning solution or white vinegar, then wipe it away in the morning. 

Clean Frequently

Our advice is to clean your toilet bowl at least once a week. This keeps it looking and smelling fresh by eliminating germs.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Toilets

What is a toilet’s MaP score?

A toilet’s MaP score is its maximum performance according to the protocol put forth by Maximum Performance Testing (MaP Testing), an independent evaluation program. It refers to the number of grams of waste a toilet can discard in a single flush. An ideal score is between 600 and 1,000 grams. Learn more about the testing protocol at MaP Testing’s “What is MaP?” page.

How much do toilets weigh?

We find that most toilets weigh between 80 and 120 pounds. As such, moving and installing most toilets takes at least two people.

Who should I buy a toilet from?

There are several reputable toilet sellers out there. Our research indicates the top brands include:

• Delta
• Glacier Bay
• Kohler
• TOTO

After our research, we also recommend the brands listed in this review.

What is the WaterSense label on a toilet?

The WaterSense label on a toilet is a label from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that designates the toilet as water-efficient and eco-friendly.

Water-efficient toilets can use 1.28 GPF, or gallons of water per flush, instead of the standard 1.6 GPF, which is 20% less water usage.

Can I install a toilet by myself?

If you have rudimentary plumbing experience and a basic kit of essential plumbing tools, you can probably install a toilet yourself. But keep in mind that most toilets are quite heavy and cumbersome, so having two people on the job is typically safer and easier.

To proceed with a DIY toilet installation, refer to our How to Install a Toilet in 8 Steps and How to Change a Toilet guides.

Also, if you have a smart toilet with a built-in bidet and other features, we find it’s usually best to hire a professional plumber for the installation.

Other Bathroom Resources

We’ve reviewed many bathroom products for customer reputation, longevity, ease of use, and more features. Read our top resources below:

• Best toilet bowl cleaners
• Best toilet papers
• Best over-toilet bathroom organizers
• Best shower shelves and caddies
• Best bathroom mirrors

How We Selected the Best Toilets

To provide our readers with the best toilet recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating our list of top picks. To do this, we isolated toilets with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews from trusted publications and independent testers, learned from subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home improvement space, from ceiling fans and floor coating to doorbell cameras and garage door openers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

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