Perhaps the most important feature of a toilet is the flushing mechanism and how powerful it is.
The market is full of flushing toilets as these are the most commonly used in residential houses.
They are connected to central sewage systems where the waste will be whisked away with a single flush.
There is more than one specification to look at when it comes to the flushing of toilets – flush type, flush power, and gallons per flush (GPF).
For a toilet to be EPA WaterSense certified it needs to have a GPF of 1.28 or lower.
This is opposed to older toilets that have 1.6 GPF. This saves water and is much better for the environment.
With this in mind, newer toilets are being made with amazing technology to be able to flush away waste with less water.
But how are you supposed to pick your new toilet with all of this information in mind, as well as the thousands of different models on the market?
Don’t worry – we have you covered. Today we are reviewing nine of the most powerful toilets, doing the work so you don’t have to.
What are we waiting for? Let’s dive in!
Six Of The Most Powerful Toilets Compared
Before we get into our reviews of the most powerful nine toilets on the market, here are the six winners to narrow it down slightly.
This table is an excellent help for anyone short on time who needs to pick out their new toilet quickly.
Toilet Type
Flushing Score
Dimensions
Water Usage
Bowl Shape
American Standard Champion 4
1000
29.75″ x 16.75″ x 29.5″
1.6 GPF
Elongated
Kohler Wellworth Classic
1000
30.55″ x 21.25″ x 31.25″
1.28 GPF
Elongated
Kohler Highline
1000
29.75″ x 18.12″ x 31.25″
1.28 GPF
Elongated
Toto Ultramax II
500
28.37″ x 16.5″ x 28.75″
1.28 GPF
Elongated
American Standard H2Option
600
29.75″ x 15″ x 31.5″
0.92/1.28 (Dual Flush)
Elongated
Toto Drake II
800
28.5” x 17.26” x 30”
1.28 GPF
Elongated
What Types Of Flushing Toilets Can You Get?
There is more than just one type of flushing toilet on the market, and this is what trips some people up when it comes to buying their new toilet.
The only similarity in these types of flushing toilets is that they all use gravity to pull the waste down into the sewage pipes!
Let’s take a look at nine of the most common types of flushing toilets seen on the market.
Single Flush Toilets
Single flush toilets are one of the most common types on the market.
It will only offer one flushing option and therefore will most likely have a lever instead of a button to flush it.
You’ll see this lever mounted onto the front of the toilet tank instead of on top of it.
To flush the toilet, all you need to do is push the lever down until it flushes.
The motion of pushing the lever down will lift the flapper from the flush valve, spilling water out into the toilet bowl which pushes the waste down the pipes.
Dual Flush
Unlike single flush toilets, dual flush offers a much more popularly desired type of technology.
This is because they save water by allowing you to choose between a partial or full flush.
Partial flushes are best for flushing liquid waste as they can move it down the pipes with less pressure.
This also saves water. The full flush can be used for solid waste only. If your full flush is 1.6 GPF, your partial flush is likely to be 1.1 GPF.
Tower Style Flush
Found in Kohler toilets, the tower style flush works with a flush handle that is connected to the canister flapper.
This will often be found in the middle of the water tank.
This system allows water to flow around the toilet bowl 360 degrees, creating a whirlpool effect.
This makes the flush much stronger and faster without using more water.
Since the water will cover the entire bowl as it spins around, this flushing system is much more effective at removing waste.
Flapper Flush Valve
Flapper flush valve toilets have a flapper lodged in a valve at the base of the water tank.
When the lever is pulled to flush the toilet, the flapper is pulled away from its valve, allowing water to flow into the toilet.
Once all of the water from the tank has flown into the bowl, the flapper floats back into its original position to lodge the valve.
This allows the water tank to fill back up before the next flush.
Pressure Assisted Flush
Pressure-assisted flushing is another common flushing type and it is also extremely powerful.
The flush begins inside the water tank where high pressure is created.
This then shoots water into the bowl, removing waste quickly and effectively.
One thing many people don’t like about pressure-assisted flushing systems is that they are quite loud.
If you can get over the noise, however, this toilet type might be the best for you. They’ll often come with a dual flush.
Ballcock Flush
This is perhaps the most common type of flush seen in toilet systems.
The plunger allows the water tank to fill with water, which also contains a ballcock – a floating ball.
When the toilet is flushed, the plunger is moved and water drains into the toilet bowl.
The floating ball will then start to rise as the water tank fills back up.
Washdown Flushing Systems
Washdown toilets are not so commonly seen in the US, but they are found all over the world.
They’re most common in Europe and are sometimes mistaken for single-flush toilets.
Washdown toilets and single-flush toilets are quite similar, but there is one big difference.
That is, washdown toilets have a larger trap way, meaning water can escape easier.
Gravity pulls the water down without the hassle of lots of valves and floating balls.
Double Cyclone Tornado Flush
This technology is made by TOTO and therefore is used in the majority of their toilets.
The system is one of the most effective at saving water and only has a GPF of 1.28.
This gives it the EPA WaterSense certification.
The toilet uses a combination of gravity and pressure-assisted toilet flushing systems.
However, instead of the use of rim holes, this flush uses two nozzles.
Double Vortex Flush
Kohler uses the tower-style flush system for the majority of their toilets.
However, the double vortex flush is used on almost all American Standard toilets.
It is another very powerful system that has proven effective at flushing waste.
This flushing system uses two nozzles at the top of the bowl, facing sideways.
This creates a whirlpool effect when the flush is activated.
American Standard also uses a larger flush valve to make the flush even more effective.
For example, the Champion 4 (which we will be reviewing later in the article) has a flush valve of 4 inches.
Reviewing The Nine Best Flushing Toilets
No time like the present! Here are our reviews on the nine best flushing toilets that you can buy right now.
These are all excellent choices, but we have labeled each one in what they’re best at.
Use these labels to find the ideal toilet for you, whether that be Editor’s Choice or Best Budget!
Our favorite flushing toilet on the market right now has to be the American Standard Champion 4.
With a blend of the best overall features, reasonable price, and powerful flush, you cannot go wrong with this model.
Specifications
The flushing score for this toilet is 1000 MaP. MaP is a unit of measurement used to determine how many grams of waste can be removed from the bowl with a single flush.
1000 MaP is one of the highest ratings a toilet can get, making it extremely effective at removing waste.
Bowl shape: elongated
Flush type: Single
Flushing system: Champion 4 Flushing System
The seat height for this toilet is 17.25 inches. This is the measurement from the top of the toilet seat to the floor.
Standard toilets will have a seat height of between 15 and 17 inches, while chair height toilet seats will be 17 inches or higher.
Review
The Champion 4 from American Standard is an amazingly powerful toilet, with the largest accelerator flush valve seen on any toilet.
This is 4 inches and therefore allows a great amount of water to enter the toilet bowl each flush.
The gravity flush utilizes the siphon-action bowl to cut through waste and force it through the pipes at a cyclonic speed.
The trap way is 2 ⅜ inches wide, making this also the largest trap way you can find on a toilet.
This claims to allow you to remove 70% more solid waste than any other toilet on the market.
This toilet does not get the EPA WaterSense certification as it does not have a GPF of lower than 1.28.
However, it does still save water as opposed to a traditional toilet.
Next up is the Kohler Highline. With excellent reviews and the most powerful flush we have ever seen, it’s no wonder that this is a fan favorite on the toilet market.
Specifications
Gallon Per Flush: 1.28, saving 20% more water than traditional toilets with a 1.6 GPF.
Flushing score: 1000 MaP
Bowl Shape: Elongated
Flush Type: Single
Design: Two-piece
Flushing system: Class Five Flush
Class Five Flush means that the flush valve is larger at 3.25 inches as opposed to a standard flush valve that would be 2.83 inches.
This uses more water jets to shoot out more water, resulting in a quicker clean while using less water.
Seat height: 17.25 inches, making it a chair height toilet seat.
Review
Kohler is a household name all over the world and with good reason.
The brand continually brings out high-quality products time after time – with one of their best selling products being toilets.
The Highline is no different, and in fact, might just be one of Kohler’s most popular products to date.
This toilet is made from incredibly resistant china, making it durable enough to last for years without a single crack.
All you have to do is mount this toilet onto the floor, making the installation process very easy and quick.
The Class Five Flush technology allows you to enjoy your bathroom without having to worry about toilet clogging.
This is because the flushing system uses gravity as well as a precision-engineered design to make a strong whirlpool around the bowl.
This stops clogging and leaves the toilet looking sparkling clean time after time.
This toilet is EPA certified and therefore is efficient at saving water, with a GPF of 1.28.
This has the ability to save up to 16,500 gallons of water every single year as opposed to a 3.5 GPF toilet!
The Kohler Highline is a little louder than you might expect from a toilet with such a small GPF, but we found that it was a small price to pay for such a good saving.
This toilet is a two-piece model, making it slightly more work to install and clean.
However, it is lighter than a one-piece toilet and therefore can be lifted by one person.
To add to this, the installation process only requires you to screw in three bolts – what could be easier?
The comfortable height and elongated shape of the toilet seat make this one a great option for people who have trouble with mobility.
You can also get it in three different colors, with the option for an elongated bowl or a rounded one.
Performance Ratings
Ease of cleaning: 4.2 out of 5
Ease of installation: 4.4 out of 5
Softness: 4.2 out of 5
Value for money: 4.3 out of 5
Comfort: 4.6 out of 5
Customer Ratings
Amazon Reviews: 423 total reviews, 4.6 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 334 reviews
4 stars – 43 reviews
3 stars – 15 reviews
2 stars – 6 reviews
1 stars – 25 reviews
Walmart Reviews: 36 total reviews, 3.9 out of five stars
5 stars – 24 reviews
4 stars – 3 reviews
3 stars – 3 reviews
2 stars – 4 reviews
1 stars – 5 reviews
Home Depot Reviews: 38 total reviews: 4 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 23 reviews
4 stars – 3 reviews
3 stars – 3 reviews
2 stars – 4 reviews
1 stars – 5 reviews
Pros
Comfortable height for everyone to use without an issue.
Very easy to install with just a three-bolt system.
Powerful flushing system ensures that the bowl is kept clean.
Durable toilet that is built to last.
Cons
You have to purchase the seat and bolts separately.
Some find the flush to be louder than they’d like.
What Does This All Mean?
This toilet has the most powerful flush on the market, according to real reviews from people that have used it.
While some people did find that the flush was louder than they’d have liked, it was a small issue that was caused by saving so much water.
Installation is also very easy with the exception of it being a two-piece flush.
Toto are known for their aesthetically pleasing toilets, so it should come as no surprise that the Toto Drake II is a lovely sight to see.
It also has the most finishes to choose from. We have decided that this one is the best looking out of all the toilets on our list – but that doesn’t take away from its other excellent features.
Specifications
Gallons per flush: 1.28, saving 20% more water than traditional 1.6 GPF toilets.
Flushing score: 800 MaP
Flush type: Single
Flushing System: Dynamax Tornado Flush
Style: Two-piece
Seat height: 17.25 inches, making this a comfort height toilet.
Toto Tornado Flush technology uses both centrifugal and cyclonic action to remove any waste away effectively, keeping the bowl clean continuously.
Review
The Toto Drake II is ADA-compliant and WaterSense certified by the EPA.
Not only that, but it is an impressive toilet with a powerful flushing system and a lovely design to compliment your bathroom.
The flushing system is a double cyclone one, and this makes it a very efficient toilet in regards to its flush.
There are two nozzles jetting down into the water before the trap way, both of which produce water at an exhilarating rate.
Some people who have reviewed this toilet found that the flush was louder than they were expecting.
However, the effectiveness of this system more than made up for the slightly louder noise.
The trap way is also computer designed and therefore more effective than others at reducing the likelihood of clogs.
Not only that but it is also glazed which prevents waste from sticking to it.
The 1.28 GPF is also water-saving, helping you to save money on your water bill as well as helping the environment.
The entire bowl is coated with a gloss to help prevent the build-up of stains, bacteria, and odors.
This helps your bowl to remain sparkling clean with minimal intervention from you.
The powerful flush also helps with this goal.
Not only do we think that this is the best design of a toilet, but it also has the most finishes to choose from.
There are five different finishes that you can pick from, and the lever also has a further nine finishes to choose from.
You can also choose which side of the water tank you want the lever on.
The elongated bowl and universal height features ensure that everyone can use this toilet without any hassle.
Bear in mind that you have to purchase the seat, wax ring, and supply pipes separately before you can install this toilet.
Performance Ratings
Ease of cleaning: 4.3 out of 5
Ease of installation: 4.6 out of 5
Softness: 4.0 out of 5
Customer Ratings
Amazon Reviews: 540 total reviews, 4.4 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 398 reviews
4 stars – 58 reviews
3 stars – 33 reviews
2 stars – 18 reviews
1 stars – 33 reviews
Home Depot Reviews: 96 total reviews, 4.5 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 71 reviews
4 stars – 10 reviews
3 stars – 5 reviews
2 stars – 5 reviews
1 stars – 5 reviews
Lowes Reviews: 32 total reviews, 4.3 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 25 reviews
4 stars – 2 reviews
3 stars – 0 reviews
2 stars – 1 review
1 stars – 4 review
Pros
Comfortable toilet thanks to ADA compliance.
Very powerful flushing capabilities.
Durable toilet that will last you for years.
Lots of customization options are available to you.
Cons
You need to purchase quite a few pieces separately before you can install this toilet.
What Does This All Mean?
The powerful flush is one of the most commonly talked about features in customer reviews.
The flush is louder than some people were expecting, but its effectiveness is worth the slightly higher noise level.
The design is modern and simple, and you can design the toilet however you prefer for your bathroom.
You heard us correctly – this toilet is specifically designed for kids and shorter adults.
If you’re looking for a toilet for a child’s bathroom, then this could be the ideal one for you.
It is still a great toilet in terms of effectiveness and power, but just with a reduced height making it easier for children to use.
Specifications
Gallon Per Flush: 1.28, saving you 20% more water than 1.6 GPF toilets.
Flushing score: 500 MaP
Flush type: Single
Flushing system: Siphonic action
Style: Two-piece
Seat height: 11 inches
As a standard height toilet is between 15 and 17 inches, and a comfort toilet is higher than 17 inches, this toilet is considerably shorter than both of these traditionally seen toilet heights.
A siphonic flush is a traditional system that is otherwise known as a gravitational flush.
It uses a vacuum action to pull waste down into the pipes through the trap way.
Review
With so many American Standard toilets on our list today, you might be wondering how to pick just one.
However, this toilet comes with a distinct difference from the others – it is considerably shorter.
That’s right – at just 11 inches tall, this toilet seat is good for kids and shorter adults who normally find higher toilets more difficult to use. This makes it ideal for healthcare or daycare facilities.
The flush system is powerful, too. The flush offers a great clean to the bowl every single time, which is great considering the 1.28 GPF. The siphon flush completely empties the bowl immediately.
The trap way is glazed and therefore prevents any clogs from remaining in the bowl.
With a MaP score of 500 grams, which is still manageable for the majority of people.
If you’re looking for something a little stronger, however, maybe this isn’t the toilet for you.
The bowl is rounded, reducing the comfort level of the toilet slightly.
However, as this model is made for kids, they might not find it as uncomfortable as adults could.
The toilet is made from high-quality china that is resistant to stains.
This two-piece toilet comes in one color and is very easy to install.
You will need to purchase the seat separately, however, so make sure you do this before you want to try it out.
Performance Ratings
Ease of installation: 3.5 out of 5
Value for money: 3.7 out of 5
Customer Ratings
Amazon Reviews: 87 total reviews, 4.3 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 58 reviews
4 stars – 13 reviews
3 stars – 8 reviews
2 stars – 1 review
1 stars – 7 reviews
Home Depot Reviews: 64 total reviews, 4.3 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 41 reviews
4 stars – 11 reviews
3 stars – 5 reviews
2 stars – 3 reviews
1 stars – 4 reviews
Lowes Reviews: 8 total reviews, 4.6 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 6 reviews
4 stars – 1 review
3 stars – 1 review
2 stars – 0 reviews
1 stars – 0 reviews
Pros
Powerful flush ensures that the bowl is kept clean continuously.
Low seat height is perfect for children and shorter adults.
Reliable and durable design.
Highly efficient thanks to lower water usage.
Cons
You have to purchase a seat separately.
What Does This All Mean?
This toilet is ideal for children and shorter adults. It comes with a great flushing system that keeps the bowl clean day in, and day out.
The installation process is incredibly easy, making it ideal for parents who don’t have much time to install a new toilet.
This toilet is sure to stand out from the crowd with its unique design and amazing aesthetics.
If you’re looking for a toilet to make your bathroom better than all the rest, definitely consider this one.
Not only does it look great, but it also works amazingly well, too.
Specifications
Gallons Per Flush: 1.28, making it ideal for saving up to 20% more water than other toilets.
Flushing score: 600 MaP
Flush type: Single
Flushing system: Dynamix Tornado Flush
Style: One-piece
Seat height: 17.37 inches, making it a comfort height toilet.
Toto Tornado Flush technology uses both centrifugal and cyclonic action to remove any waste away effectively, keeping the bowl clean continuously.
Review
The Eco Soiree has a fun and unique design that most toilets aren’t adorned with.
However, this isn’t to take away from the performance of the toilet, which is also stellar.
The toilet is efficient, durable, and great to look at – what more could you need?
EPA WaterSense certified this toilet can also save you money in the long run.
The bowl is covered in a Cefionect glaze to prevent any of the ceramic from being plagued with dirt or dust, allowing you to clean it less regularly while still maintaining an amazing look.
The Tornado Flushing system also helps to keep the inside of the bowl clean, and the centrifugal force removes all waste from the toilet within seconds.
The trap way is a decent size to prevent clogs from becoming likely.
The Eco Soiree toilet is made from ceramic and has an overall weight of 90 pounds.
It is a high-quality model, ensuring excellent durability for years to come.
The elongated bowl and seat height ensure that it is as comfortable as can be for anyone who uses it.
The seat is also soft close and made from highly durable plastic.
This one-piece toilet measures in at 28.13 x 17.7 x 27.75 inches. It is super easy to install with just one or two people, and you can choose from four different colors.
Performance Ratings
Ease of cleaning: 4.6 out of 5
Ease of installation: 4 out of 5
Comfort: 4.7 out of 5
Customer Ratings
Amazon Reviews: 63 total reviews, 3.7 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 37 reviews
4 stars – 10 reviews
3 stars – 7 reviews
2 stars – 3 reviews
1 stars – 5 reviews
Lowes Reviews: 8 total reviews, 4.3 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 5 reviews
4 stars – 2 reviews
3 stars – 0 reviews
2 stars – 0 reviews
1 stars – 1 review
Walmart Reviews: 1 total review, 5 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 1 review
4 stars – 0 reviews
3 stars – 0 reviews
2 stars – 0 reviews
1 stars – 0 reviews
Pros
EPA WaterSense certification saves you money on your bills.
Comes with a soft close lid.
Choose between four colors to perfectly match your bathroom.
Very durable design lasts for years.
Cons
Heavy due to one-piece design which might make installation harder.
Higher price point than other similar toilets.
What Does This All Mean?
Overall, this toilet has an amazing flushing power which can beat many other traditional toilets.
While the flush might be a little noisier than others, many previous customers believe that the performance outweighs the louder sound and increased price point.
Gallons Per Flush: 1.28, meaning that this can save 20% more water than traditional 1.6 GPF toilets.
Flushing score: 1000 MaP
Flush type: Single
Flushing system: Dynamax Tornado Flush
Style: Two-piece
Seat height: 17.25 inches, making it a comfort height toilet.
Toto Tornado Flush technology uses both centrifugal and cyclonic action to remove any waste away effectively, keeping the bowl clean continuously.
Review
The Toto Promenade II is a toilet that has been built for cleanliness.
It features Toto’s amazing Tornado Flush system which is loved by many, and it is also EPA WaterSense certified as well as ADA compliant. What more could you ask for with a toilet?
There will be no cleaning or maintenance issues with this toilet.
You can use it without worrying about having to get the plunger out.
The Cefiontect glazing around the ceramic bowl ensures that no stains or odors are left behind after the flush.
Speaking of the flush, the Tornado Flush is so powerful that everything is wicked away within a single flush. Don’t worry about anything being left behind!
The toilet is water efficient, simultaneously being good for the environment and saving you money on your water bill. With a 1.28 GPF, you could be saving up to thousands of dollars every single year.
The Toto Promenade II has four colors to choose from, all of which will fit into your bathroom seamlessly.
The lever can also be colored differently, with four options to choose from.
You can also determine which side of the water bowl you want the lever to reside on.
This toilet is a two-piece and slightly heavier than other toilets, making it somewhat cumbersome to install on your own.
It weighs 91.5 pounds, so you might need someone to help you lift it
However, other than its weight, the installation process is very quick and easy.
Performance Ratings
Ease of cleaning: 4.8 out of 5
Ease of installation: 5 out of 5
Customer Ratings
Amazon reviews: 49 total reviews, 4.1 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 36 reviews
4 stars – 6 reviews
3 stars – 1 review
2 stars – 1 review
1 stars – 5 reviews
Home Depot Reviews: 6 total reviews, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 5 reviews
4 stars – 0 reviews
3 stars – 1 review
2 stars – 0 reviews
1 stars – 0 reviews
Lowes Reviews: 5 total reviews, 4 out of 5 stars
5 stars – 3 reviews
4 stars – 0 reviews
3 stars – 1 review
2 stars – 1 review
1 stars – 0 reviews
Pros
Compliant with ADA standards.
Cefiontect glaze ensures that cleaning is a breeze.
EPA WaterSense certified.
Reports of amazing customer service.
Cons
High price point compared to others on our list.
What Does This All Mean?
Previous customers are happy with the powerful flush system as well as the water saving capabilities.
The flushing system ensures that there are fewer clogs for you to deal with, and you’ll find yourself cleaning your toilet a lot less with this model.
Buyers Guide: Things To Consider Before Choosing Your Toilet
Now that we’ve looked at some of the best flushing toilets on the market, let’s consider a few things that you should be aware of when purchasing your toilet.
Ensuring that you’re keeping these things in mind when choosing your new toilet will help you to find the best one for your personal requirements.
Seat Height
The height of the toilet seat is something that needs to be considered before you purchase any toilet.
There are two main types of toilets when it comes to their heights – comfort seating and standard.
Comfort seats are 17 inches tall or higher (measured from the floor to the top of the toilet seat), and these are excellent for anyone who struggles with sitting and standing on their own.
Some people just prefer a taller toilet as it is easier on the knees.
On the other hand, standard toilets measure around 15 to 17 inches tall.
These are more traditional toilet seat heights and will be more comfortable for shorter adults.
Children will likely also find these seats easier to use.
Make sure that you are choosing a seat height that will aid your household the best.
Comfort seats are becoming more popular, but there still are plenty of standard height toilets on the market for you to choose from.
Design
Similar to our previous point, the design of your toilet should also be comfortable enough for you to use.
You should never have a toilet that brings pain to your hips, back, or knees.
Make sure that you’re choosing the right height and shape for your body.
Elongated toilet seats are more popular as they tend to be more comfortable.
However, rounded toilets are sometimes preferable as they are space-saving and fit into smaller bathrooms with ease.
If you have the means, then why not splash out on a higher-end toilet?
These will come with added features such as bidets, better flushing mechanisms, custom heights, heated seats, and more.
You should also consider other aspects of the toilet’s design such as the size of the trap way, rim, and flush value.
A larger trap way is always preferable for more effective flushing.
Materials Used
The majority of toilets are made with vitreous china, while many others are made from porcelain.
Other common materials are china, plastic, or ceramic.
The most durable materials for a toilet to be made from are porcelain or ceramic, making these the most popular materials to choose from.
However, these are also more expensive and heavier, which can make installation difficult.
Plastic is the least expensive, lightest, but also the least durable.
We would not recommend a plastic toilet to anyone. They can also be difficult to clean and easily scratched.
The material you opt for is up to you, although we would recommend splashing the cash on either ceramic or porcelain.
Sometimes it pays to invest more in certain features, and we think that this is definitely one of those times.
Ease Of Cleaning
No one wants to spend more time cleaning their toilet than they have to, so finding one that is easy to clean is a must.
Most modern toilets will come with a glaze coated onto them to prevent bacteria and microbes from sticking to them, preventing a build-up from occurring in the bowl.
Some toilets go even further with a coating on the external surface as well which prevents dirt and debris from sticking to the surface, lessening how much you have to clean it.
When looking for an easy-to-clean toilet, consider how many nooks and crannies there are for you to have to clean.
Some toilets have lots of elaborate designs that trap dirt and bacteria, making it very difficult for you to get out.
We prefer toilets with clean lines and large surface areas to ensure that we can clean them as quickly and as effectively as possible.
Of course, the flushing mechanism is going to aid you in your quest to find an easily cleaned toilet.
The better the flushing system, the less likely there will be stains and odors trapped on the bowl that you need to clean.
Look for the most effective flushing system – you won’t regret it.
Water Consumption
Another very important thing to look for when choosing your new toilet is how much water it uses.
Research shows that flushing toilets use around 30% of the water a household uses – that’s a lot of water!
So, most of us need to look for a toilet that is capable of saving water.
The most effective water-saving toilets are the ones that have been certified by EPA WaterSense.
These toilets have a gallon per flush rating of 1.28.
Traditional toilets, and ones that are not designed to save water, have a GPF of around 1.6.
Choosing a toilet that has a lower 1.28 GPF instead will save you around 20% more water than a traditional toilet.
This will aid your water bill, making it lower and you happier, as well as the environment.
We’re all aware by now of the water shortages, so why choose a toilet that is just going to waste more of it?
Flushing Mechanism
What kind of toilet are you looking for? Do you want one with a single flush or dual?
These are the most common types of flushing mechanisms that we looked at earlier in our article.
Single flushing toilets only have one speed of water during the flush, no matter what you’re trying to do.
Dual flushing toilets, however, come with two speeds – one for liquid waste and another for solid waste.
Dual flush toilets will save more water as you’re not always having to use the most amount of water for just liquid waste.
This can save you money on your water bills! Maybe not by much to begin with, but it all adds up!
Other flushing mechanisms include ones such as pressure-assisted, ballcock flush, and tower-style flushing.
Each of these toilets comes with its advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to you to decide which is going to be the best for you.
Customization
You might not have the color of your toilet in the forefront of your mind when thinking about which one to choose, but it is an important factor to consider!
After all, once you have your new toilet installed, it’s going to be in your house for a very long time.
The last thing you want to think about is how the color doesn’t perfectly match the rest of the appliances in the bathroom!
Okay, you might not think that it’s a big deal – right now. But after staring at mismatched white porcelain colors for months on end, you’re going to get annoyed.
It might even spit you to get a new toilet before the old one has run its course, wasting your money.
Look for toilets that are available in different colors so that you can match the swatches perfectly with your other bathroom appliances.
Even better, if you’re remodeling your entire bathroom, look to see if the brand doesn’t have matching sets of the other appliances you need!
You’re much more likely to get the same colors of appliances if they’re all from the same manufacturer.
Plus, it could be more convenient for you to get all of the bathroom furniture from one place.
Toilet Seat Lid
Finally, something that you might not have thought of – but that doesn’t make it any less important – is the toilet seat lid.
Lids are important to keep smells contained and to protect your toilet.
Too many toilet seats are made from plastic, but you can also get them in materials such as china, porcelain, and wood.
We always advise people on getting a slow-close lid to avoid the harsh banging noise.
A slow closing lid can also be more gentle on your toilet and avoid it being damaged from too many slamming lids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Flushing Mechanism?
There are two main categories of flushing toilets.
Gravity toilets are the most well-known ones and they are prided on their quiet usage and premium durability.
The flushing system will remove any waste from the toilet bowl by producing water and air from the central pipe.
Premium fixtures can clean more waste within a shorter amount of time, however, their budget alternatives don’t tend to work as well.
Pressure assist flushing toilets are premium and therefore work well to remove waste.
Flushing mechanisms are quite complex and require a lot of moving components to work.
These components will need to adapt to your home’s water pressure before they can effectively remove waste.
Once this is done, the water tank releases air and water into the bowl forcefully, whirlpooling around the bowl to remove as much waste as possible.
What Does MaP Mean?
When looking for a new toilet, you’ll often come across the term MaP.
This isn’t a commonly known term for many people, but it is important to learn for anyone who wants to replace their old toilet.
MaP is a shortened version of the term ‘Maximum Performance’, and it tells you how efficient the toilet is at its best performance.
It will also let you know how many grams of solid waste the toilet can flush down within one pull of the lever.
This scale is on 0 to 1000 grams, with the latter being the most impressive MaP rating and therefore the most desired.
How Are Toilets Tested By Engineers?
When manufacturers create new toilets, they enlist the help of engineers to determine how everything works.
Engineers have since developed a strategy that they use to test new toilets before they hit the market.
The test involves 20 sponges that are all soaked in water, as well as eight wads of paper to act as toilet paper.
The engineers will put all of these things in the toilet and flush it to see how effective the toilet is.
The toilet needs to be able to flush down at least 22 pieces of paper and sponge to be deemed successful and ready for the next step of manufacturing.
Some engineers prefer to use soybean paste to test the toilets, taking 50-gram pieces of soybean paste, within a latex membrane, and trying to flush five of them.
This would be 250 grams in total. If the toilet is able to flush all of these pieces of soybean paste, it is considered successful.
Higher end toilets will often be tested with 1000 grams at a time to ensure that they are performing up to the highest standards.
If the toilet can pass this test, then it will be given the 1000 MaP rating – which is the highest it can get.
Why Does Flushing Become Less Efficient Over Time?
The older your toilet is, the more you might be noticing that you need to flush it twice to remove all of the waste left in the bowl.
This could be cause for an investigation as to why your toilet’s flushing system is becoming less effective.
The first thing to do is ensure that your toilet is not clogged. Pour a gallon of water into the bowl and flush.
If it still doesn’t flush properly, then there’s a higher chance that it is clogged. Use a plunger or snake to remove the clog before flushing again.
If there is no clog in your toilet, remove the water tank cover and ensure that the water level is even with the line on the inside of the tank.
If this is not the case, adjust the tank float with the help of your manual so that the water is sitting at the correct level.
Still not helped? Check the flush holes around the rim and see if they are in good condition still.
Sometimes these holes can get clogged with debris, which will affect how effective the flush is.
Use a thin object to unclog these holes before seeing if that has made a difference.
You can also clean your toilet with bleach to enhance the effectiveness of the flushing system.
Turn off the water supply beforehand, pour a few liters of bleach into the bowl and allow it to sit for around 15 minutes.
Now turn the water supply back on and flush the toilet.
The bleach will hopefully clean the pipes effectively, improving the flushing system back to what it was before.
What Should I Do If Water Doesn’t Stop Flowing After Flushing?
There are a couple of reasons why this might be happening, and therefore two ways that you can rectify it.
The first is that the flapper might not be fitting the flush valve properly.
As the flapper is normally what controls the water flowing into the bowl, if it is misaligned with the flush valve, it will leak water.
To rectify this, you should flush the toilet so that all of the water is removed from the water tank.
Now locate the flapper and see if it is tightly fitted onto the flush valve. If not, then this is your issue.
Simply realign the flapper and try flushing it again. Hopefully, the water will have stopped leaking after the flush!
The second option is that the water level in the tank is too high.
This means that the tank is filling with more water than the flush needs, so the leftover water is leaking out after the flush is finished.
To fix this, use your manual to determine how to adjust the water level in your tank.
There should be a line etched on the inside of the tank which indicates the correct height of your water level.
Make sure that it is not much higher than this before trying the flush again.
How Much GPF Is Best?
Gallons Per Flush is probably one of the most important things to consider when it comes to picking out your new toilet.
If you’re wanting to save money, then a 1.28 GPF toilet is the one for you.
However, if flushing power and overall performance are more important, then you might want to opt for a 1.6 GPF toilet instead.
These will use more water per flush and are more traditional types of toilets. They are not EPA WaterSense certified.
Bear in mind that even if a toilet uses less water, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the performance or flushing power is bad.
There are plenty of excellent toilets on the market in which you wouldn’t even know that it was a water-saving toilet!
How Long Does A Flushing Toilet Last?
Most engineers agree that a toilet should last around 50 years, as long as it is used with care and regularly maintained.
Many things can alter the lifespan of a toilet, such as if it was incorrectly installed or misused many times.
However, bear in mind that not all toilets will be able to get to 50 years old due to many different reasons.
Older toilets use more water than newer toilets, so you might want to replace them to be more conscious of how much water you’re using.
Toilets are not indestructible, and they can be physically damaged.
Perhaps the lid has snapped off its hinges, there are scratches on the bowl, or maybe there are cracks in the porcelain.
All of these things might spur you into replacing your toilet before its 50th birthday.
Some toilets tend to break down earlier, becoming clogged more easily, needing frequent repairs, or just not working for your household anymore.
Toilets that are older than 30 years might simply not work for the plumbing of your house anymore, requiring you to update it sooner.
Summary
And there we have it! Nine reviews on the best flushing toilets on the market.
There are so many different types of flushing toilets out there that it can be difficult to know which ones to pick!
Single and dual flush toilets are the most common and popular, so you’ll likely be picking from these two options.
While all of the toilets we have reviewed here today have their own unique properties, our favorite has to be the American Standard Champion 4.
An aesthetically pleasing toilet as it is, it is also water-saving and with an amazing flushing score of 1000 MaP.
It offers comfort height seating and an elongated bowl, and it is easy to install in your home.
It’s easy to clean, has amazing flushing power, and will last you a lifetime. What’s not to love?
There are many things to consider when purchasing your new toilet, and we hope that our article has given you some insight on how to do just that.
Try not to get flushed away with the unimportant details and only purchase something that is going to enhance your home for everyone in it. Thank you for reading!
With cleaning trends and DIYs becoming more popular online every day, I feel like I am in my element. Hi, my name is Adrienne Carrie Hubbard and I have been finding creative hacks and tricks for cleaning for over 15 years now.
I enjoy looking for tips on how to clean the overall home, with a special interest in the bathroom. It’s the most difficult room to clean, after all! Yet the most important.
I run a Facebook group called Cottagecore DIY and Decor with over 18,000 members called Cottagecore DIY and Decor. We were even nominated for a Facebook Community Award in 2021!
