5 Best Toilets Review – Buyer Guide 2021

Toilets aren’t made equal, so you can easily end up with a pick that won’t do the trick for you, not to mention that, if you’re not paying attention, you can get a toilet that doesn’t fit in your bathroom.

We know that the process of choosing the best toilet can be tedious, especially because there are too many products on the market. 

This is the main reason why we decided that you could use a helping hand.

Reviews of the Best Toilets (2021 Update)

In the following, we’ll introduce you to 9 of the top toilets you can find these days. Naturally, we’ll review them briefly, so you can make a 100% informed decision.

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1. TOTO MS964214CEFG-01 Eco Soiree – Best High End One-Piece Toilet

An elongated, classic toilet will never go out of style. Featuring a Double Cyclone flushing system and chrome-plated Sanagloss, this particular toilet shoots two birds with one bullet: it provides a lightning-fast flushing and cleans by itself.

The tank is somewhat narrower than that of other toilets and this will make a difference if your bathroom isn’t spacious enough. The toilet is a 1-piece, which means it’s not made of multiple parts. This gives it a nice note of stylishness.

The Sanagloss ceramic glaze accounts for the fact that you won’t have to spend much of your time cleaning the Eco Soiree.

The powerful flushing system ensures that the toilet won’t overflow or clog.

In terms of installation, you don’t have to be a plumber to pull it off. Even those who never installed an appliance can install this toilet in 1-hour maximum.

Also, we know that a lot of people despise toilets that flush too noisily.

In spite of the fact that the Double Cyclone flushing system doesn’t kid around, you won’t have to wear earplugs every time you flush the waste. The lid, too, doesn’t sound like a shotgun fire, no matter how hard you slam it.

The Good

• It flushes quickly and powerfully
• Sanagloss ceramic glaze
• It has the perfect height
• It features a compact water tank
• Chrome flushing lever

   The Bad

• The Sanagloss isn’t as efficient as one may have hoped
• It is really expensive

Bottom Line Overall, this toilet will make things a lot easier for you by staying clean and keeping things quiet. It’s perfect for every bathroom, no matter if it’s big or small.

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2. TOTO MS604114CEFG-01 Ultramax II – Best Dual Flush One-Piece Toilet

The Ultramax II has been quite the fan-favorite among TOTO toilets.

Its main selling point is, without a doubt, the low water consumption (no more than 1.28 gallons/flush) – this makes it one of the most efficient TOTO products to date.

Like the previous toilet in our top, this is a 1-piece, too, and features the same Double Cyclone technology that we’ve come to love on our “thrones”. Another similarity between them is the ion barrier glazing (commonly known as SanaGloss).

You already know that it’s this glazing that saves you a lot of time you’d otherwise spend on cleaning the toilet. Due to the simplistic design, cleaning the exterior is a breeze. The bowl almost never gets dirty, so there you go.

The bowl is elongated, and this makes the toilet feel comfortable to sit on, even for a long time; however, you should make sure it won’t take too much space in your bathroom. The Ultramax II also features a SoftClose Seat.

You can slam the lid all day long and you won’t get it to make any noise – it’s precisely this aspect that accounts for the fact that the lid, if left to close itself, does this slowly. This doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it, just so you know.

Ultramax II can be installed by pretty much anyone and has a much smaller footprint than most toilets you can get your hands on nowadays.

   The Good

• It flushes waste within seconds
• It looks nice
• SanaGloss
• SoftClose Seat
• It doesn’t use too much water
• It is affordable

   The Bad

• It is a bit high
• The seat it comes with isn’t very comfortable

Bottom LineIf you want to cut on the water bill with a toilet that is both efficient and easy to maintain, then the TOTO Ultramax II is definitely the way to go. Plus, it’s quiet enough to be installed even in apartments with thin walls.

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3. TOTO MS853113S-01 Ultramax – Best Round Bowl One Piece Toilet

This TOTO model has a G-Max flushing system, not a Double Cyclone-type one.

Due to the fact that it’s a 1-piece, it actually looks really beautiful and well-made.

The flush valve is a generous 3”, which means the flushing is as powerful as it can get.

The trap-way is fully glazed. The water consumption is lower than that of many other TOTO models – only 1.6 gallons of water are used per flush.

Because it is round-shaped, the toilet requires less space than one with an elongated bowl.

While the vast majority of toilets are made with vitreous china, this Ultramax is made with porcelain. This warrants steady handling during the installation, because it can easily crack if it’s dropped.

And since we’ve mentioned the installation, this doesn’t require plumbing skills at all. One thing we’ve noticed is that the bowl tends to get dirty and unsanitary after a while.

This proves that glazes like SanaGloss (which can be found on a lot of TOTO toilets) really make a difference in this respect. Needless to say, this doesn’t have any kind of ion barrier, which is a pity, really.

Also, keep in mind that the toilet is high-profile and almost chair-height. If you’re more of a short person, you should look for another toilet.

The Good

• 1-piece
• Wide flush valve
• It features the G-Max flushing system
• It is available as an elongated bowl, as well
• SoftClose Seat
• It doesn’t clog

   The Bad

• It might be too high for some people
• It’s on the expensive side
• It requires frequent cleaning

Bottom Line

This toilet is classy, easy to maintain, and overall, a powerful toilet to have in your house. It doesn’t matter if you live in a small flat or a bigger house; this seat will deliver.

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4. TOTO Drake Elongated Bowl and Tank – Best Budget Two-Piece Toilet

Yup, another TOTO on our list, but what can we do if it’s so good?

This is the first 2-piece toilet in this guide and a good one at that, by the way. This features a 3” flush valve (it’s faster than you might think).

This isn’t very different from the toilets we’ve seen until now. Sure, it lacks the powerful Double Cyclone, but this doesn’t make it any less effective, all the more so since it sells for half the price you can buy the Ultramax II for.

The main problem with run-of-the-mill toilets is that they’re prone to clogging. Unclogging them is certainly a dirty job. All TOTO toilets are clog-free, and this is by no means an exception.

Moreover, it doesn’t use too much water, and this will show up on your bill at the end of the month. The design is seriously nothing innovative, but it doesn’t look dreadful either.

2-piece toilets aren’t any less great than their 1-piece counterparts – sure, they might be a little more difficult to clean on the exterior, but you won’t run into this problem with the TOTO unit thanks to its design, which doesn’t feature insane lines and things of this sort.

   The Good

• It is on the affordable
• It flushes perfectly every time
• It manages to stay silent
• The flush valve is large

   The Bad

• The flush system tends to get “tired” after a few years
• Some people may find it a little too high

Bottom Line

This toilet is great for those shopping on a budget and it’s easy to maintain. It’s the perfect purchase for those who previously struggled with toilet clogging.

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5. American Standard 2889.216.021 – Best Round Bowl Two Piece Toilet

Yet another 2-piece toilet, but an American Standard this time; this might not be as famous of a manufacturer as TOTO, but it’s on the right track, that’s for sure.

The flushing system on this one is Siphonic Dual Flush, which is just about as efficient as the Double Cyclone found on TOTOs. The flush button is plated with chrome, so it won’t get rusty after a while.

This model can be purchased as either an elongated or long bowl, the choice is yours. Also, there are 3 choices for color. We think many people will go with white since the other two make the toilet look old and dirty.

It appears that the American Standard uses less than 1.6 gpf (the average) if you use the conserving flush (uses only 1 gallon of water). If you use the double flush, it won’t use more than 1.6 gallons. The toilet can obliterate up to a kilogram of solid waste with the press of a button.

The water tank is narrow and makes the whole product look a little smaller in comparison with other models. All in all, this is the best option for those who can’t afford or simply don’t want a TOTO toilet.

The Good

• Small water consumption
• It is compact and with a small footprint
• Siphonic dual flush
• It can handle some huge amounts of waste
• It is on the affordable side

   The Bad

• The Linen and Bone colors are horrendous
• The seat isn’t included in the package
• The installation is a hassle for most people

Bottom Line

Overall, don’t be tricked by this toilet’s compact size. This toilet can take a lot of waste, and it can also help you save a decent bit on your water bill.

6. American Standard 2886.216.020 – Best Two Piece Toilet

This, too, is available as both round-bowl and elongated-bowl. Simply put, this is the model that eventually became the previous toilet we’ve reviewed. It’s not very different from that.

It has a Siphonic Dual Flush and can work with either 1.6 gallons or just with 1, depending on the type of flush you use. Once again, this can dispose of 1 kilogram of solid waste with a single flush (the dual option, obviously).

Like all toilets these days, it is clog-free, so you won’t need to “go plunging” more often than not. Also, it’s pretty quiet for its size but then again, it doesn’t have an insanely powerful flush (although it does the job just fine).

Instead of SanaGloss, this model has EverClean, which is an antibacterial and anti-mold glaze that’ll keep the bowl clean for prolonged periods of time. On top of this, it has something called PowerWash Rim.

This is basically a series of tiny holes through which pressurized water is sent into the bowl, so it gets cleaned up properly after each use. So, this doesn’t have only 1 feature that helps with cleaning, but 2. Naturally, it’s less likely you’ll ever need plastic gloves and a plunger.

 The Good

• Self-cleaning by excellence
• It has a powerful and efficient flush
• It uses very little water
• It can be either elongated or round
• It is very easy to install
• Stylish design

   The Bad

• A lot of complaints from customers who received cracked bowls (this is a shipping problem; the manufacturer has no fault)
• It can be too tall for some people

Bottom Line

This self-cleaning toilet is the perfect thing to have around if you dislike having to clean your toilet over and over. Plus, it’s very economical, which is a major plus.

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7. American Standard 2034.014.020 Champion-4

This American Standard is made of vitreous china, a material that’s both heavy and durable. The Champion-4 is a 1-piece toilet. It features the EverClean glaze that’s found on all American Standard models.

The flush valve is activated by a 4” piston and is fairly powerful. One recurrent problem that’s been pointed out is that this is by no means a low-consumption toilet, as it consumes 4.6 gallons per flush.

Considering that there are models that can get the job done with 1 gallon, this toilet falls extremely short in this respect.

The good thing about it is that it doesn’t get clogged. It doesn’t have any state-of-the-art flushing system, but that’s not a problem. It would be, though, if it would require numerous flushes for solid matter. This isn’t the case.

It can dispose of fecal matter within seconds and requires a second flush very rarely.

Unfortunately, it is considerably louder than all the toilets we’ve reviewed up to this point. Even though this clearly has more shortcomings that you would be aware of at a first glance, it’s not a disaster.

It does what it’s supposed to do and doesn’t clog – the best aspects that every toilet should have. People reported they didn’t have to unclog this once in years. That says a lot about the overall quality of the product.

The Good

• It has a nice design and it’s a 1-piece
• Powerful flush
• It is made with vitreous china

   The Bad

• It’s pretty heavy
• It uses a lot of water
• It’s pretty loud
• It is on the expensive side

Bottom Line

This toilet may look like a fancy piece of art, but it’s powerful enough to take all kinds of waste away. Plus, it’s self-cleaning, so it’s not such a hassle to have around.

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8. TOTO CST743S#12 Drake Round Bowl Toilet

The fact that this is a TOTO should already give you a hint as to whether this review is going to be positive or not. It is, of course. Unlike the previous TOTO models, this doesn’t have a Double Cyclone Flushing System.

It has a G-Max instead. This is extremely powerful and manages to stay quiet. The flushing valve is 3” wide and the trap way is fully glazed. Because this is exponentially cheaper than other TOTO models, people automatically think there’s something wrong with it.

The toilet has absolutely no defects. The flushing is incredibly powerful and can handle all types of stools, as it was specified by many previous customers. Moreover, it’s nowhere near as high as other toilets.

We know that this might be a problem for tall people, so we recommend you to make sure this will be comfortable for you before you purchase it. The sides of the bowl always stay clean and you’ll have to do some very minimal cleaning once a week or so.

Sure, this is just for hygienic purposes and because you’re cleaning up your bathroom at least once a week, giving this a quick wash won’t hurt. 

The Good

• Much more affordable than 80% of toilets on the market
• Infallible flushing system
• Self-cleaning
• Simple installation
• Nice design
• It uses very little water

  The Bad

• It is lower than other toilets

Bottom Line

All things considered, this is a budget toilet that’s worth every single penny. Not only does it look great, but it also does a great job at flushing everything away – without leaving any proof of what (literally) went down.

9. KOHLER K-3609-0 Cimarron

This is the first Kohler toilet in our guide. It’s made of vitreous China and features an elongated bowl. The AquaPiston technology is a nice addition to this product since it accounts for its powerful flushing capabilities.

Sure, it’s no Double Cyclone or G-Max, but it does the trick regardless of how much waste there is in the bowl. The best thing about this is that it saves water, as it uses only a meager 1.28 gallons per flush.

In terms of height, the manufacturer specifies that it’s pretty much the size of a chair, so it will be comfortable for all people. The flush valve is also tasked with keeping the toilet clog-free and silent.

The flush can be liquid or extended. In order to use the latter, you just have to hold the flushing handle a little longer. It should go without saying that the first option is for liquid waste and the second for solid waste.

Although it looks like it comes with a toilet seat, it does not. Many customers were chagrined by this, thinking everything was included in the package. While it’s a 2-piece, it looks no different from a 1-piece.

The design is simple and nice and makes the toilet look great anywhere you put it. If you’re shopping on a budget, this Kohler Cimarron should definitely make it into your list.

The Good

• It comes at a relatively small price
• It flushes well with very little water
• The elongated bowl is stylish
• Chair-height
• Made of vitreous china
• Silent flushing

  The Bad

• It doesn’t come with a seat

Bottom Line

Overall, this nicely-designed Kohler Cimarron toilet will look great, regardless of the bathroom where you plan to install it. If you’re shopping on a budget, this should definitely make it into your list.

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A Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Right Toilet

Choosing a great toilet that suits all your needs isn’t a very easy process. These are some of the aspects you should not take for granted when in the process of purchasing a toilet.

Size

The size of a toilet is by far the most crucial factor one shouldn’t overlook. You certainly don’t want to order a toilet you’ll have to send back (if possible). Take measurements in your bathroom and purchase a toilet that fits perfectly.

If you don’t know how to do this, a plumber will come in handy.

Flushing System

There are plenty of options when it comes to the flushing system.

As you might expect, some systems are better than the others. The thing is, a toilet should handle all types of waste with the same degree of success.

Double Cyclone, G-Max and Siphonic Dual Flush are among the best technologies out there. This is not to say that other systems aren’t equally efficient – it’s just that these have proven time and again that there is nothing they can’t dispose of in a matter of seconds.

Noise Level

Some toilets can get really loud. More often than not, this is a direct result of their powerful flushing.

A lot of manufacturers today have addressed this problem and have subsequently crafted silent toilets that don’t sacrifice the flushing power.

Final Thoughts

Picking the best toilet can be a tedious chore, particularly because there are too many manufacturers. A buying guide like this, however, can offer genuine help in that respect.

The 9 products we’ve listed and reviewed in here are among the highest-rated ones, so you can rest assured we’ve recommended only high-quality products that will last you.

Some of them are expensive and others are more budget-friendly. This way, there’s a product for everyone in here. We hope you’ll purchase a toilet that will serve you well.